Kabbe Hills

A view of rainfall from the door, a plant full of oranges growing at the backyard, a view of a green valley with waterfalls from our window. A short walk  leading us to chelavara falls and a small trek opposite direction one can catch with spectacular views of neverending grasslands called the Kabbe hills from which one can have a 360 degree view of a valley full of while clouds kissing the mountains and the forests on the valley! 

Left for a morning walk towards the grasslands and felt someone was following me. A kind of sound and someone whilsling often, I felt surely someone was following me and I later did not proceed further but returned. Later had a good laugh after knowing it was not someone around whistling, but it was a bird that whistled just like humans! 

Chelavara falls

Chelvara Falls is a natural waterfall formed by small stream, a tributary of Kaveri near Cheyyandane village which is on Virajpet - Talakaveri State Highway around 16 km from Virajpet, in the state of Karnataka, India

The birthplace of the river Cauvery, Coorg is plantation land for some of India’s finest coffee, orange, pepper and cardamom. Kabbe hills is located a height of over 3800 ft. above sea level, the place offers a beautiful view of valley's and mountains.Though one is technically in Karnataka state, Kerala is just a stone's throw away and is the border and we also can trek to the Kerala border. A rare and delightful silence offer beautiful views of the hills and the coffee, cardamom and pepper fields as well.

Igguthappa is an important deity for the people of Kodagu, especially of the Kodava and Kodagu Arebhashe Gowda people, and is known as their Lord of rains and crops.

Igguthappa Temple

This temple, located atop a hill in a forested area in Kakkabe, has been in existence since 11th Century. The people of Coorg worship and strongly believe in two main dieties, one is Goddess Kaveri and the second one is Padi Sri Igguthappa Deva of the four lands. When people from Padi, Nelaji, Peroor and other places get together to celebrate the Malma festival, it is here from the Padi temple, that the Holy Procession of Sri Igguthappa Deva begins its celebrations. 

We were fortunate to have both the deities’ blessings from our Goddess, river, Kaveri @ Tala Kaveri as well!

Yana & Hulasehonda Temple, Sirsi

Yana & Hulasehonda Temple

'Yana' near Sirsi is famous for 2 massive unusual rock formations namely Bhairaveshwara Shikhara (abt 390 ft)and the Mohini Shikhara. It was amazing to walk around and through the naturally formed caves! A must visit to surprise ourselves. It also has a beautiful cave temple Bhairaveshwara temple where a Swayambhu ("self manifested") linga has been formed. Water drips from the roof over the linga anytime of the year.

Yaana (50km around 4km trek needed in rainy season via Hegadekatte): Yana is an enchanting place that can be reached by trekking about 10 km through lush forest. Yana is famous for its tall jagged rock formations and waterfalls. There is also a shrine of Bhairaveshvara here.There are two ways you can get there, Route 1) Take a bus from Sirsi which goes to Mattighatta,Devanalli via Hegadekatta. Get down at a stop called “Vaddi cross” and walk 6+kms from there. 

Route 2). Take a bus either from Sirsi or Kumta get down at a place called Anegundi near Kathagaal. This place is after the Devimane ghats if you are coming from Sirsi. From here it is around 16kms walk.

Jeep is the best mode of transportation anywhere in North Kanara. You can hire a jeep either in Sirsi or anywhere your base camp is and take convenient drives

Huluse honda, A 300 year old temple:

Tasty temple lunches at Manjaguni and Sonde Vadiraj mutt near Yellapur. A visit to untouched Venkatarama Temple at Hulasehonda. This 300 year old temple is still  intact with no cement used to retain this very different and beautiful temple architecture!

Sirsi - A place of waterfalls

Sirsi - Sathodi falls - Unchalli falls -Shivagange falls- Bheemanavare gudda-Jenu Kallu Gudda

'Malenadu - 'Male' rain 'Nadu' the region - Unchalli falls was my favorite designer falls including the sound effects with a lovely experience. The yummy authentic Malenadu food was to die for, travelling by local buses, temple lunches, Sathodi falls, Magod falls, Shivagange falls, Kavade Kere- one of the huge lakes, Jeenu kallu gudda, the Kali River. Amazing Bheemanavare Gudda had a 360 deg view of the valley and one of the most beautiful places one must visit to forget the world! 

Sathod Falls:The falls  that is formed by several unnamed streams near Kallaramane Ghat, near Yallapur, Karnataka, and is about 30 Km from Yellapur. It is about 15 metres (49.2 feet) tall. The stream then flows into the backwaters of the Kodasalli Dam, into the Kali River.

Unchali falls: One of me favorites! The roaring sounds of the water gushing over the rocky surface and the one can feel like its flowing all over us, the Milkywhite water is a boon for our eyes and an amazing experience to watch. Found is difficut to turn around and return! How to reach- 30km (decent small curvy road via Siddapur or Kumta road) , (also known as Lushington falls or Keppa Joga, referring to the other more famous waterfall nearby, Jog falls) is situated about 30 km from Sirsi, and is one of the biggest tourist attractions near Sirsi. The waterfall is a 116 meter drop.

 The Kali River:

Bhimanavare gudda : 360deg view of landscape

Shivagange Falls: At about 45kms away from Sirsi, get down the stop called Jaddigadde. From here the waterfalls is around 3 kms. Though a motorable road is available walking is a pleasant experience.The height of the waterfall is around 200ft. Quite a dangerous one, though this view looks near t the falls, it is not! The steep path into the bushes goes invisible after a certain distance. Do not try going further from here to reach the waterfalls as there have been instances that people have tried and never returned! Meant for viewing from the view point ONLY.

Magod Falls:

East Sikkim

Entering Sikkim with a view of River Theesta itself was unique. It was as if someone is in progress of painting the surroundings while dipping the colored brush into this river water. The unique GREEN was a mind blowing view with the massive river flowing, taking turns and gushing into the mountains. 

There were beautiful green valleys and lucky are the people living in such valleys with a neatly built home with a garden. Every small house also had a beautiful garden with colorful flowers. We were able to witness few places that was the border of China and Bhutan shared with Sikkim.

Zuluk or the old silk route was the main highlight of our trip, the stretch to reach the Thambi point and enroute to reach the last part at Lungthung we had to go through the 32 hairpin turns, This is one of the unique engineering feat located at around 10,000 ft. above sea level. It was astonishing as to how the roads were connected in the valley on number of hills  with numerous hairpin bends!  

Since it is a border we had a common scene of our Military folks and there was an Indian Army base at the valley, Trade linkages between British India and Tibet through the passes of Sikkim dates back to the late 18th Century as per the history. The adventurous Younghosband Mission launched from Sikkim with a military escort during 1903-04 accomplished it’s task in reaching Lhasa through the famous Old Silk Route thereby leading to 1904 Convention that firmed up Anglo-Tibet trade 

  

Military base camps were the usual scene and was common to see them. It got dark at 5.30pm and during an evening stroll we heard someone speaking in Kannada. We were excited and asked them their details about how they are living in such an altudte and it was amazing to listen to their stories on their food habits and other regular work they do!

We left from the stay at 4am and we all were shivering in the biting cold weather though completely covered. It could have been about -8 deg C to visit another great attraction of Zuluk that is called Eagle’s Nest Bunker where one can get a 360 degree view of the whole range of Mt. Kanchenjungha, West Bhutan, plains of Bengal, China, Tibet. There was also a place called Thambi View Point at 11,200 feet. It is heard that the Thambi was the brain behind this engineering hairpin routes of this stretch. The glittering rays of the rising sun kisses the snow clad peak of Mt. Kanchenjungha, which slowly turns crimson and then golden and finally silver. It was a spectacular view from the Eagles Nest Bunker of K2 range. 

Also people there believe a lot of Baba Harbajan who sacrificed his life during the landslides and other nature’s fury in the 2 states of Sikkim and West Bengal. It was pleasant to see various photos in the temple along with Baba Harbhajan’s photo too. All the Militiray folks and the the locals believe and have a great respect to Baba who had once upon a time sacrificed his life to save few villages! Interesting stories and the soothing bhajans were inducing peace to anyone visited or around there.  From there were reached Kupup lake that was half frozen and it was biting weather.

The Kupup Lake is locally called Bitan Cho as well, it is supposed to be one of the most sacred lakes of Sikkim, with high mountains and valleys bordering it. Owing to its resemblance to elephant, Kupup Lake is also known as Elephant Lake.

  

The Aritar Lake (Ghati-Tso) is another nearby attraction, The view from the top was splendid with the Mt. Kanchenjunga and Aritar lake as well.Aritar is steeped in history and natural beauty. A breathtaking view of Khangchendzonga only adds to the many natural riches that Aritar is blessed with. Lush green forests, sweeping hills of paddy fields and placid lakes hidden inside deep forests makes it a perfect destination to enjoy the serenity.

We then left to Reshi Kola that is a beautiful valley and the river flowing between the beautiful valley surrounded with a river flowing in between. 

While staying at Nathang one can cover Padamchen, Genmochen, Thambi View Point, Kupup Lake.