An Excursion

It was summer vacation to my grandson Pranav. Naturally ,he was feeling bored. We thought of a trip to Waynad in Kerala to enliven him.It was a pleasure trip. It was a trip undertaken to enjoy and enjoy only. It was a trip undertaken to forget worries and remain carefree from busy hum of city life. So, we got up early in the morning on that day and had bath and a cup of coffee. An excursion cannot be undertaken so easily, it needs preparation and planning. We set apart four days for this excursion.

My wife had prepared our kit containing our clothes, towels, soap, oil, toothbrush etc. that were essential for four days of our stay at Kalapatta. Similarly, my daughter was ready with luggage which was necessary for three of them namely my grandson, son-in –law and herself. We had also kept an emergency medicine kit and water filter ready too with us. We had reserved two double rooms at Hotel Haritagiri at Kalapatta for our stay.

Previous evening, we had bought fruits and other eatables, to consume during the course of our journey. By the time we left our residence at Bangalore by Santro car, it was 7 a.m. on Thursday. We were fortunate and there was not much traffic on the road. We got petrol tank of our car filled to the brim and had air to tyres at Balaji Service Station as usual. Soon,we were on Bangalore -Mysore Road. Our vehicle sped through Kengeri, Bidadi and Ramanagaram townships hurriedly. Ramanagaram reminded us of famous Sholay Picture. Sholay picture was shot here decades ago. Once it was known as Closepete too. The place is surrounded by steep hills on all sides. That is why its name was Closepete until recently. Work of converting Bangalore-Mysore Road into four-lane highway was in progress. Everywhere all along our route election posters were catching our eyes.

We had planned to have our breakfast at Kamat Hotel at Janapada. It is a very popular hotel.There to create rural atmosphere, we were served in cottages delicious homely food by servers wearing khaddar cap juba and dhoti that we usually find in north Karnataka. We had a hefty breakfast there. After breakfast, we paid a brief visit to adjacent Janapada Loka. Janapada Loka or "Folk-Culture World" is a world of simplicity and art. Janapada Loka, a subsidiary of the Karnataka Janapada Parishath, is dedicated to preserve and promote folk art and culture. The complex has an art gallery, an open-air theatre, a studio and a museum. Situated 53 kms. on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, this 15-acre complex is a treasure-trove of Karnataka's folk heritage. The museum, drawn from the life and arts of a large number of tribal and rural folk across Karnataka, has an amazing collection of 5000 artefacts that represent the essence of Karnataka’s folk culture. The display includes an array of agricultural hunting and fishing implements, weapons, ingenious household gadgets, masks, dolls and shadow puppets.

At 9 a.m.,we proceeded to Channapatna that is famous for toys and handicrafts and did some shopping there. Slowly our car approached Maddur and Shivapura. It claims legendary importance because it was originally known as Arjunapura after the Pandava Prince who is believed to have come here on pilgrimage. In more recent authenticated history, the town suffered heavily during Tipu's wars with the British. Maddur fort, in fact, which had been fortified by Hyder, was dismantled by Lord Cornwallis in 1791.

Among the important temples here, thankfully still existing, is the Narasirnha temple of the Hoysala period whose 7 ft high image of Ugra Narasimha made of black stone is believed to be the best of its kind in the State.

Maddur's marvelous Varadaraja temple is an early Chola or pre-Chola structure. Its 1 2 ft high Alialanatha deity is elaborately carved both in front and on the back with unusual features which has led to the Kannada saying 'Ella devara munde nodu Allalanathana hinde nodu' - 'All other idols are to be seen from the front but Allalanatha is to be seen from the back'.

Maddur, incidentally, is also famous for the Maddur Vadai - a delicious fried snack made of a variety of pulses.

Shivapura is a famous historic spot where between the 10th and the 12th of April 1938 thousands of freedom fighters hoisted the Indian tricolor in spite of a prohibitory order imposed by the British Government. The monument here, simple in its dignity is a fitting tribute to those valiant fighters for India's freedom.

After Maddur, Mandya, Srirangapatna, our car went through Mysore capital of the erstwhile Mysore State. Srirangapatna reminded us of Tippu and HyderAli the great warriors who fought British tooth and nail . We also remembered Hakim Nanjunda. It seems Tippu's pet elephant was seriously ill and was not responding to any of the medicines and it was Lord Shiva at Nanjungud came to its rescue. So, before proceeding further we desired to have blessings of Sri Nanjundeswara. Though conditions of roads have improved now -a -days, display of proper signboards indicating route to various places on the route are yet to improve a lot. We had to inquire with pedestrians every now and then for knowing our way. This leads to slowing down of vehicle and unnecessary waste of time. By 11 a.m. we were at Nanjungud, which was famous for plantains called “ rasabale” and tooth powder . There we offered our prayers to God.

At that time we realized that B.R. Hills alias Biligiriranganabetta. is about an hour’s drive from Nanjungud.Bilgiriranga temple at the top of hill is very well known and we decided to have His blessings on our way. Instead of proceeding to B.R. Hills via a place named Yelandur, we chose a rugged hilly terrain. We could move at snail’s pace only. As there are wild animals in that terrain, tourists are cautioned not to venture out of their vehicle. There were no leaves on majority of trees. It might be due to wild fire. Further, there was absolutely no vehicular traffic or people on our way to the top. As a consequence, we suspected whether we were on wrong route.We came across a few deer’s only. At about fifteen minutes past twelve we reached the temple and offered our prayers. There are numerous beautiful sceneries all around. We found hotels, cable T.V, STD booth etc on the top of the hill. We were feeling hungry and wanted to exhaust chapathis and curd rice etc that we had carried from Bangalore. A number of stray dogs were moving around and waiting eagerly for eatables that visitors generally throw at them. They were thin and hungry looking and deserved all the compassion. Just near the temple on B.R. Hills, there is an ashram. It is very nicely and neatly maintained. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden containing various fruit trees and flower plants. It is the tranquility of the place that attracted me much. It seemed to be the best place to take rest away from the busy hum of city life. There are some books written by Swamiji for sale in the ashram. There were two tree houses in the ashram which are useful to know the whereabouts of wild animals. Previous Swamiji ‘s samadhi was also found. A panoramic view of the place can be had from this ashram. One should utilize this opportunity to witness the developmental work of Dr Sudarshan for the tribal. His place is situated at a distance of about two kilometers from ashram. The doctor has been awarded Fullbright prize for his astounding work, which is regarded as next to noble prize only. He has created a small township on the top of hill comprising of a high school, hospital, small-scale industries producing honey, handlooms, handicrafts, etc. Besides a printing press along with a. showroom containing the products manufactured there for sale. We found nicely built residential houses for their personnel living and working there. It is a novel scheme for gainfully employing the tribal in a remote inaccessible region.

By this time we were aware of the shortest route to our destination namely Kalpetta. It started drizzling. It was getting darker and darker. . Soon it started raining heavily. Nothing was visible suddenly something came across and my son-in-law applied brake of our car. It was Bandipur forest. Our heart beating stopped. Fortunately, it was not Veerappan the fire brigand. It was two wild elephants. One was male one and another female. They did not harm us in any way but just crossed the road and moved into the forest. We had a sigh of relief . A few minutes later, we had glimpse of one more pair of elephants. Thus our journey was adventurous too.Ultimately, we reached Kalpetta at about 8.30 p.m. None of us know Malayalam very well and majority of people whom we came across did not know any other language other than Malayalam. So communication was very difficult and it took more than half an hour for us to locate Hotel Haritagiri. At Hotel Haritagiri vegetarian meals were not available, hence we were in search of a restaurant. That task was also not easy. Food was not up to the mark especially rice. In Kerala in most of the hotels, they serve boiled rice and people of that region like boiled rice. Further, what they served as white rice was very much boiled and was not to our liking. As such, reluctantly and grumblingly finished our supper and completed the formality of having meals. Hotel rooms were clean and neat and well furnished. Service at hotel rooms and restaurant was good. By and large our stay was comfortable. The hotel people briefed us about the places to be seen in Waynad. On an earlier occasion more than a decade ago, I had an opportunity to visit Munnar and Thekady in Kerala, which are famous for beautiful tea gardens and wild life sanctuary.

Wayanad's mountainous terrain houses the best in wildlife and spreads the aroma of coffee, cardamom and vanilla. Waynad is situated in the southern region of the Deccan plateau bordering Karnataka state. Everywhere greenery, hilly tracks and treat to eyes. Definitely an artist would love to visit Waynad again and again. There is no doubt in me that Kerala is God’s own country. There are several worth visiting places in Waynad namely Pookot Lake, Kuruva Dweep, Chain Tree, Mamanthvady Pazhassi Tomb, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Begur Wildlife Sanctuary, Edakkal Caves, Tholpetty Wildlife sanctuary, Meenumutty Waterfalls, Thirunelly Temple, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Pakshipathalam, Soochipara Waterfalls, Banasura Sagar Dam, Chembra Peak, Jain Temple etc. We had only two days at our disposal and it was impossible to visit all these places in that short span. So we decided to visit Pookot Lake, Soochipara waterfalls, and Edakkal caves on the first day. If these places were in U.S.A. people would have flocked them like by bees. U.S.A. is one of the richest countries in the world and Government there would have invested huge amounts for the development and maintenance of such spots. Some of them at least would have become National Parks. People also co-operate for maintaining them with all the elegance. People have high per capita income. Moreover, people have merry go nature. Such tourist centers fetch substantial revenues to the Government. Slowly, this culture is spreading in India too.

Pookot Lake was the nearest to our hotel. It is a beautiful lake surrounded by trees. We could go round the lake through a narrow path, which runs amidst trees. A walk around provides feast to eyes beautiful sceneries, from various spots of the lake. It is different pictures as in a kaleidoscope. A number of peddling boats were floating in the lake. Many people were enjoying ride in them. A children park, a restaurant, toilets, a store with handicrafts produced by tribal of the area for shopping etc were there for sale. More or less, it has got all the accomplishments of a tourist center. At a distance of about 2 .k.m. from Pookot Lake, Chain Tree is there. It is a huge tree on the roadside and as the name indicates it is chained. Of course, there is a story behind it.

From there we moved towards Soochipara waterfalls. On the way we had simple vegetarian meal, which contained boiled rice, sambar, rasam, curds, pappad, etc. Our car could go up to a narrow path near the waterfalls only. Thereafter, there was no motor able road. We had to enquire the way to the falls. We had to move down a narrow slippery strip. The road is yet to be developed. This picnic spot requires a lot of improvements to develop into a tourist center. One of the visitors told us that we may have to go half a kilometer, another said it is one kilometer, nobody guided us exactly how far we should dart forward on that rugged path. Whether it was deliberate or intentional, we could not make out. After hurriedly moving for one and half kilometers we found, the road still narrower and narrower. We had to climb down about 300ft or so. The path was full of rocks plants and trees. Scorching sun was above us there.It was very hot. Weather was humid.We were sweating heavily. A few days back, it might have rained there. Hence,here and there, slippery muddy patches were found making our task still difficult. I have completed sixty-five years of age .My wife been fifty-six years old. Both of us needed support. We tore two branches from a nearby tree and used them as supporting sticks to climb down. After climbing mountain at Kedar, where we were leased out sticks, we found climbing here easy. Now we are accustomed to climbing up and down with stick. Ultimately, after one hour’s journey we were at the falls. The place was full of rocks and pebbles. It was an ordinary falls. Some youths were enjoying bath from falling water. A few youths were having drinks. Climbing up is still difficult. By the time, we reached the place where we had parked our vehicle, I was completely exhausted. Fortunately, one among the a few houses there were selling fruit juices, ice creams etc.

We relaxed for sometime time and moved towards our next destination namely Edakkal Caves. It was getting late. We rushed hurriedly to the spot. There was about a half-kilometer journey to the gate of the cave and our vehicle was not accessible to that spot. Either we had to walk the distance or go by a jeep. We engaged a Jeep. No sooner did we reach Edakkal Caves, gate at the entrance of cave was closed. We were disappointed; we thought our efforts were in vain. Ticket counter remained shut. We and other tourists together numbered more than twenty-five. We pleaded with the authorities there to oblige. Driver of the jeep, who brought us up, struck a deal with employees of Tourism, we were fortunate to enter the cave. These days, money does many things. We find corruption everywhere. Gigantic rocks everywhere. We have to go up and up in the narrow space between the rocks. In some places iron ladders are kept to go up. I was dam tired after completing nearly 90% of climbing. Just near the prime spot. I gave up. My daughter, my son-in-law, my grandson and my wife all of them could reach the target. 3000 years old scriptures enthralled them.

Next morning we had our breakfast at Hotel Haritagiri and drove to Thirunelly Temple, which is at a distance of 65 k.m. It is an old Krishna Temple. Efforts are being made to retrieve its old grandeur. Funds are being collected from devotees for this purpose. There is resemblance between Guruvayurappan and this idol of Lord Krishna.

We had to make inquiries regarding ways to Kuruva Dweep. After passing through many bamboo groves we reached the banks of Kabini River. A group of boys had collected there. They surrounded our car and inquired whether we need an escort. They demanded over hundred rupees for the job. As we thought it to be more, we bargained instinct started working and we offered to pay sixty rupees. Nobody turned up. We were slowly proceeding towards Dweep. We came across a stream wherein water was flowing with force. Water was up to bosom level; we did not know how to go ahead and in which direction we should move. Then a small boy came running and offered to be our escort for whatever amount we would like to pay him. The boy was very active, lively and talkative too. He was a school going boy studying VIII standard. It was summer vacation for him. He started chatting with us. By that time we came across another stream. Water was again up to bosom level again. A number of rocks were also there. We took our footwear into our hands. Suddenly due to force of water two or three footwear belonging to us fell into water. Our escort was quick enough to regain them for us. He was giving helping hand while crossing streams and taking care of our footwear too. He was explaining everything with great enthusiasm. We were carried away by his liveliness. He led us into a forest. His name was Jithan. We came cross a number of streams and we had to do lot of circus. We should be very careful while crossing them. The place was very beautiful. There were natural swings hanging out from trees. Variety of flowers bearing plants, mango trees etc were there. What not everything was there. Along with my grandson, Jithan too played on such swings. Being a local, he was well acquainted with the place. He knew where the water is shallow and where the water is deep. We were very much impressed with the boy. His mother was ailing and was at home. His father was working as a coolie in nearby Coorg. Jithan plucked flowers, raw fruits etc from the trees, plants etc and offered them to us. We cannot forget his love and affection. Jithan had answer to our every query. The way he explained that at nearby Hotel Sahara all delicious food was available could not be forgotten. Ultimately, we reached the prime location in Kuruva Dweep where we could sit and rejoice a bath in the flowing Kabini River with legs stretched with rocks by our side and trees nearby on the both banks of river. We need not know swimming. Irrespective of age and gender people were enjoying.

I inquired with Jithan whether he could come to Bangalore. The boy was fully aware of his duties towards his mother and declined my offer. We gave him tips with pleasure. It was 2.30 p.m. He had to go home, bring rice and cook for mother and himself. His house was on our way. We decided to give him a drop. His joy had no bounds. It was a small house. He was waving the hundred-rupee note to a man standing near his house, which he earned with pride. I cannot forget either Jithan or our parting scene.

In the evening, we visited Banasura Sagar dam. It is the biggest mud dam in Asia. It was under construction. When construction is over, it would certainly attract a large number of tourists. On our way we had to inquire at number of places the way to the dam. Some do not know that such a dam is there and some do not know exactly what is the distance to the dam is. In U.S.A, “ AAA” (Automobile Association of America), if we are members of that association, they provide us all the information about our place of visit and provide us a road map too. Further, roads are not only excellent but also the sign boards that they bear indicate how to proceed. Our journey would have been with no hurdles. We enjoyed our excursion. Next day evening we returned to Bangalore safe and sound. Of course, in the afternoon of that day ,we had delicious food at Dasaprakash in Mysore.