Sweet Fiasco on a Sweet Day…..

It was 14^th Jan’10. We had an off for “Makar Sankranti”, a day when we pledge to forget the past ill feeling and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends. With no big plans for celebrations, we decided to venture out to unveil yet another wonder of nature. The decision to visit Shivanasamudra and Talakad was impromptu, since we googled the route only on the morning of the travel. With absolutely no idea what the place had in store for us, we left at 7.30AM.

We took the Bangalore- Mysore-Mallavali route. Our first halt was at good old Kamat Upchar for breakfast. With the heavy dose of dosa and wada, we zoomed off at a speed of 100Kmph on the NH4 highway. The drive to Shivanasamudra was pretty smooth with well defined sign boards to guide us. The last hour of the drive offers a beautiful view of country side roads.

Shivanasamudra Falls is the second biggest waterfall in India. Here, the River Kaveri divides into two branches, namely Gaganachukki and the Bharachukki , each gushing down rocky cliffs. Gaganachukki are the western falls and Bharachukki are the eastern ones. Also the Gaganachukki falls houses one of the Asia’s first hydro electric power stations.

Since Gaganachukki falls can only be viewed from a distance, we had to be content with series of photo sessions at this falls.

Unlike Gaganachukki falls, Barachukki was a different experience. Although to reach the falls we had to climb down series of steep steps but it was worth the efforts. At Barachukki, we got a chance to go right under the waterfalls in a coracle. The view of the waterfall was simply breath taking and the experience of getting hit while under it was just more than normal thrill!!! Climbing back to our car was a mini trek for us. Check how tired Priya looks!!!

After spending some happy hours in the water we made our way through the patches of barren land and farms, to a small village called Talakad. With no clue about this place, we hired a guide to explore this place.

Talakad is a small town on the left bank of the Cauvery River. The main attraction at this place is a temple of Lord Kirti Narayana, also known as the Vaideshwara temple. The temple was sunken in the riverbed of Cauvery for years. The guide took us for a tour across the all temple in Talakad namely, Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Vaidyanatheshwara & Gokarneswara

He showed us some exquisite carvings on the temple walls. On seeing the temples for the first time, we were shocked to see a desert look alike. We were informed that the Archaeological Dept has recently been excavating this place and huge compound walls are used to keep the sand at bay. There are many interesting stories associated with every temple in Talakad. This place definitely spells mystery.

The next place on our supposed agenda was Somnathpur but due to time constraint we couldn’t cover it.

En route to B'lore we stopped for our much needed coffee break at the CCD . We reached B’lore at 9.00 PM and landed straight at “The Village” for dinner.

The trip was a very sweet fiasco. Fiasco, because we landed at a spectacular place at a wrong time. With Sun burning on our heads and less water in the waterfalls to cool us down, we promise to comeback to witness the magnificent Shivanasamudra falls in the monsoons. However, the trip is still etched in our memories as a very sweet and endearing trip.

Wishing all our readers(if any) “Til gul ghya ani god god bola!!! ”