[Satshan]

Trip Preparation

After three scorching months of heavy summers, rains provide hugh relief for forests, trees, grass fields, cattle, birds and most importantly, humans. Mother earth wears a green carpet, thus creating beautiful landscapes and backdrops all over. Lush green mountains, waterfalls, lakes and rivers filled to the brim and awesome cool weather is what attracts all of us for a monsoon trip, every year. One such trip was ours, this monsoon to the lovely Shivanasamundram falls, Talakadu and Somnathapur.

My parents and my younger bro arrived from Mumbai, a week before the trip. Me and wifey were already setting up plans for a weekend monsoon trip somewhere around Bangalore. Shivanasamundram falls, Jog falls, Coorg (especially during rains for its greenery and waterfalls) were in the contender list. Due to my new job, had lesser days to spend for a weekend monsoon trip. We had plans to leave on Saturday morning (27th June) and return back by Sunday evening (28th June).

Since Jog falls is around 350 kms and considering one night stay, it was too far. Visiting Coorg (240 kms) will not be that enjoyable because of constant rains and cloud covering the mountain landscapes thus causing hindrances in site-seeing. Finally, Shivanasamudram falls fitted exactly within our plans.

Shivanasamudra is a small town in the Mandya District of the state of Karnataka, India. It is situated on the banks of the river Cauvery. The distance was around 140 kms and felt this spot won’t be too crowded (apparently I was wrong). Along with these falls, 2 more spots are well within reach. Talakadu and Somanathapur.

Researched on T-BHP, found detailed travelogues which provided all the necessary information. Only issue at the above spots is accommodation. Since there are no good hotels/Lodges to stay nearby Shivanasamundram, night halt was booked at Mysore (Hotel Aishwarya Residency). Mysore is around 33 kms from Somanathapur.

Loud shout of Thanks to Fellow bhpians, RajeshK and SunnyBoi for their valuable inputs.

Checked the car papers, filled fuel and checked tyre pressure, the previous day. We were 5 of us with some light luggage. As always, my Ritzzy was all set and ready to take everyone for a comfortable journey.

27th June

Route: KR Puram (Bangalore) – NICE Ring Road – Kanakpura Road – Malavalli – Shivanasamundram – Talakadu – Mysore (for overnight stay)

Left B’lore at 7 am sharp. Took the NICE Ring road via Hosur. Traffic was much lesser in the morning time. NICE Ring road stretch is superb to drive and covering the distance at 100-120 kmph is a breeze. Further joined the Kanakpura Road (NH-209). Driving and overtaking on this highway was fun. Road conditions are very good except at few patches.

Stopped for breakfast on the way at Hotel Udupi Uphara at 9:30 am. They served all south-Indian dishes. Enjoyed Masala Dosa, idli & Vada. Rates were cheap and food was very tasty.

After a sumptuous breakfast, continued our journey further. We whizzed past small villages and found lovely landscapes of greenery everywhere around us. On the way, we had to cross a very narrow bridge to reach Gaganchukki and Bharachukki falls. Here, we witnessed river Cauvery flowing in full surge. The road to the falls is parallel to the flow of the river. Stopped at few places at the roadside, where the river had whirlpools forming within its flow.

First we reached Gaganchukki (Dargah) by around 12:30 pm. We could hear the sound of the falls few hundred meters before we reached the spot. The view of the falls was truly mesmerizing. Entire river passage was cascading down over the mountains from all ends creating infinite small water droplets nearby the falls. Captured some close snaps of the falls and proceeded towards Bharachukki.

Bharachukki is 1 km from Gaganchukki falls. We noticed that there are security guards at the entrance collecting entrance fee. (Rs.25/-). Once we reach Bharachukki, we parked the car and had to walk for few minutes. Since it was a weekend, lot of tourists crowded the place. Entry to the base of the falls was closed due to fatal accidents occurred in the past. Bharachukki falls are segmented ones and the view is simply spectacular. We thoroughly enjoyed it from all possible angles. Truly a worth-visiting place.

Left Bharachukki at 1:30 pm and it started pouring heavily. Everyone was very hungry by now and we were looking out for a small dhaba for having lunch. Carrying food is the best option and we were regretting it. Although later, we found a small dhaba which served hot chapati with Saagu (vegetable curry). Since it was raining heavily outside, had lunch in the car itself.

Left for Talakadu at 3 pm. Road condition is pretty good except for a stretch of 4-5 kms, which has lot of potholes. Reached Talakadu at 4:30 pm. Parked our car and had to walk for few minutes to reach the shore of the river. There are coracle rides along side the river cauvery. Coracles are in different sizes depending upon the number of people for the ride. Since we were 5, found decent space to sit inside. I must say, it was quite a unique experience. Water level is very close and one feels as if sitting on the water itself!

Once our ride was done, we enjoyed hot Onion and Chilli Bhajji’s. Very tasty!

Left Talakadu at 6 pm. Though Somnathapur was on the way, the temple had already closed at 5:30 pm. Hence we decided to do it next day and moved towards Mysore for our night stay. Road from Talakadu to Mysore is 90% in a good condition (SH79 and SH33). Checked-in at Hotel Aishwarya Residency which is located in the main Mysore city at around 7:30 pm.

About the Hotel: The Reception looked impressive and well-maintained. We had booked 2 Rooms (1 Suite room and 1 Double room). Rooms were clean, spacious and comfortable. The Hotel staff was courteous and helpful as well. Room service was prompt and efficient. Hotel has a basement parking lot available.

Issues: AC in the Double room was leaking the next morning. The Double room didn’t have a water heater whereas the booking website mentions 24 hrs Hot and cold water

Charges: Rs.2500/- (1 Suite room and 1 Double room)

Continued...

[Satshan]

Continued...

28th June

Route: Mysore-Somnathapur- Kanakpura Road- KR Puram (Bangalore)

Got up around 8 am in the morning, did breakfast in the hotel itself and checked out of the hotel at 10 am. Since we were in the heart of Mysore city, how can we miss 2 of its major attractions. i.e. St. Philomena Church and Mysore Palace.

Visited both these places and had lunch by 1:30 pm. Left Mysore and cruised at steady 70-80 kmpl on SH33 towards Somanathapur. We could see a lot of green pastures and ploughed fields on the way. Reached Somanathapur at 3 pm.

This place has a very ancient temple famous for its historic sculptures. It is built in 12th Century during the Hoysala kingdom. The external and internal architecture of the temple is Top-notch. The outer walls have beautifully carved exquisite figures of gods and goddesses, taken from the Hindu puranas, and meticulously arranged sculptures. Unfortunately, it started raining heavily again, hence taking snaps of the exterior design was not feasible.

Finally, we left Somnathapur at 4:30 pm and reach Bangalore by 9:30 pm including all pitstops. Pics attached.

Note: Google Maps Navigation was very useful all throughout our journey.

[silverado]

Nice log, but we would like to hear something about Ritz as well sir, how much is on the ODO right now?

And i feel you should visit Coorg soon and stay in a tea estate bunglow.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by silverado

Nice log, but we would like to hear something about Ritz as well sir, how much is on the ODO right now?

And i feel you should visit Coorg soon and stay in a tea estate bunglow.

Coorg predominantly grows Coffee as a crop. If you want to see Tea Estates you can visit the Nilgiris, Munnar, Valparai and parts of Chikmagalur.

[RajeshK]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Coorg predominantly grows Coffee as a crop. If you want to see Tea Estates you can visit the Nilgiris, Munnar, Valparai and parts of Chikmagalur.

+ Some part of Wayanad too.

@Satshan, I think this is the right time to visit falls, how was the road from Shivanasamudram to Talakadu? We took a small pocket road to go little interior to have our food peacefull, and then from google map it is found that the road will take us to Talakadu, so we just went through. It was through some village and road condition was not too bad, later this road joined the main stream.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by RajeshK

+ Some part of Wayanad too.

@ stream.

Nilgiri-Wynaad area. Thats why I did not call it out.
That way you even have Singampatti which grows tea and Yercaud which grows Coffee, not to mention several other areas including Kodaikanal, the Nelliampathy hills and Vandiperiyar etc.

[Satshan]

Originally Posted by silverado

Nice log, but we would like to hear something about Ritz as well sir, how much is on the ODO right now?

And i feel you should visit Coorg soon and stay in a tea estate bunglow.

Ritzy was comfortable enough for all rear-seat passengers. All of them were short adults in the rear seat, lesser than 5.5 feet height. Suspensions did an excellent job. (Except for few very big potholes were I had to slow down the car). Handling & stability on high speeds was great, as always. Fuel efficiency, overall was 16 kmpl. The ODO clocked 480 kms at the end of the trip. Overall, my ODO is around 16K kms now in 1.5 years of ownership of this little beauty.

Yes, next on the list are:

• Bangalore-Coorg-Bangalore
• Bangalore-Wayanad-Bangalore and possibly,
• Bangalore-Madurai-Kanyakumari-Rameshwaram-Bangalore circuit.

Depends, how time and schedule fits in.

Originally Posted by RajeshK

+ Some part of Wayanad too.

@Satshan, I think this is the right time to visit falls, how was the road from Shivanasamudram to Talakadu? We took a small pocket road to go little interior to have our food peacefull, and then from google map it is found that the road will take us to Talakadu, so we just went through. It was through some village and road condition was not too bad, later this road joined the main stream.

Yes Rajesh, you guys were dead right. This is the correct time to visit the falls.

While returning from Shivanasamudram, after a big bridge ended, had a left turn for Talakadu. We took left and continued on it for around 25 kms. Most of the road was good, however in between 4-5 kms stretch was in a very bad condition with large potholes. I had to drive literally at 15-20 kmph here. Once we covered these 25 kms, we joined the main road.