Few weeks back, it rained briefly here in Bangalore. An internet cable runs through the balcony is hung up bit high to prevent my kids playing with it. The healthy rain lasted for nearly 15 mins enough to leave its presence in form of puddles & muck. Once the rain stopped, the remnant water on the cable started dripping down slowly. Somehow I was lured towards those pearls of monsoon and started grabbing them. It was quite attractive to grab it except for my unsteady hand. Initially I captured them in landscape lens but later switched to 90mm macro lens. The macro lens could have captured fairly well but my shaky hand spoiled most of them except the first two in below series. The lens lacks Image stabilization and to aggravate further I don't have tripod either to produce steady frame. The subsequent pictures are shot in wide angle lens which is quite weird :-). To some extent, it produced good macroish images but not perfect. Hope you enjoy the series.
Like monsoon, hopefully my macro lens also turns active in coming days :-)
During concluding day of native visit, I rushed to field to capture glimpses of beautiful monsoon evening. As expected, the sky illuminated for a while but not long enough though. It was enough to culminate into a beautiful landscape frame. Amidst the swarming mosquitoes, sweltering weather, the enthusiasm did not dip. Yes, the picture looks cool but contrastingly the weather was humid.
The day I departed to Bangalore, it started pouring from heavens again after a long break of 2 weeks. Hopefully the momentum stays for longer time to offset the deficit from past month.
The awe inspiring confluence of river and sea from Ottinane view point allured me to visit the Someshwar beach. This was impromptu visit. I had smooth ride from ottinane view point to beach thanks to help of locals. I reached the beach at 6:00 and started gazing at the sea tides. Unlike other beaches of coastal Karnataka, Someshwar beach is not well known.
Someshwara temple
Resting benches
The first visit was to someshwar temple which is this beach named after. The Lord shiva faces the sea on west direction. Apart from I spotted anjaneya and navagraha temples together. After the holy darshan, I walked along the promenade breathing the onshore breeze and absorbing the aura. Benches are constructed to silently view the horizon and stare at the sinking sun. Divinity of Lord Shiva is equally complemented by divine nature. The area is bounded by pristine nature with no trace of concrete scape. You can view the hills from here.
First look
10mins walk on dunes lead you to the confluence point where souparnika concludes her final journey. Not as exciting as top view but serenity is unmatched. I was enthralled by divinity of nature and prayed for a while. Lot of boulders strewed along sea shore may be due to the sea erosion swallowing the sea wall. Man boasts of building unassailable barrier but nature's might is unparalleled. This could be seen at beach where the sea wall was obliterated by the roaring waves of monsoon season. The strewed rocks along shoreline was a classic example.
I spotted a passenger boat as well near the confluence point. Looks like we have boating facility too to enjoy the nature in depth. Not sure, just a guess. It may be restricted to resort stayers and not for common crowd
The exact confluence point
Due to approaching summer, the sunset is slowly moving late into night. There were lot of foreground objects which could complement the sunset scene. I waited for nearly 30 mins to get those glorious views of Sun sinking at western horizon. It was worth the wait and the nature did not disappoint. The clouds would have added further charm but the clean sky was equally charming. It was fun & soul-refreshing to behold the sunset and capture its beauty.
The night was getting darker and darker. It was time to turn back. On the way, I enjoyed the Maravanthe beach while on motion. There was no time and it was not pleasant moment either. Cumulatively I was relieved after spotting both of my desired destinations. There is plethora of perturbations when you set out for unknown destination. But when you reach them, you forget the former turbulent mind eternally. What if destination not reached? You rework or make sure it is practical :-)
Last but not least, I thank the locals of Baindur for correctly guiding me to enchanting destination. Also to my wonderful wife for letting me go alone despite complications.
Route:
Baindur is easy to spot along NH-66. Later seek local help or turn on Maps to reach destination. The destination is nearly 4 kms from highway.
Food:
I suppose, Baindur has many eating outlets. It should not be difficult to find. Apart from this, the beach front has vendors selling ice-cream and minor local snacks.
Best time to visit:
Probably winter from October to March. During monsoon season, authorities may not allow you to step into sea water.
Stay:
A resort is located near Someshwara beach which you should be able to find information on googling. Apart from that, you can stay in ottinane view point forest guest house. Both of them comes at royal cost :-). You can as well stay in Baindur or Kundapura with cheaper accommodations.
Related blogs:
You are not alone: https://randomscribblingpad.blogspot.com/2019/05/you-are-not-alone.html
The sweeping hills, the distant western ghats, all round greenery, the overlooking arabian sea, that's what you witness as you approach ottinane hills past Baindur. Ottinane is a village situated near Baindur town of Kundapur Taluk, Udupi district. The village which borders the Udupi & Uttara Kannada district, is famous for bountiful nature and the souparnika river estuary overlook. Yes that magnificent view of Souparnika river concluding at Arabian sea is fabulous to view from atop the hills of ottinane. No drones are needed to visualize the eye catching scenery of mother nature. Welcome to short write up of this place and hope you enjoy as well. I will use Kshitija Nesaradhama and Ottinane view point interchangeably.
This place was in my hotlist from long time but could not make it till now. Today I decided to give it a shot but had to drive alone unfortunately due to complications. Maps showed 30 mins drive but cannot believe the route. I started at 5PM from wife's place which is 22 km south of the destination. Being Sunday, the drive was smooth due to paltry traffic. The kundapur karwar highway expansion is under full gear except for few patches. The drive past baindur was the imperative part. The left lane was not open for traffic. So staring at the signboards or hints of deviation was crucial since the new signboards are not yet erected by NH authorities. Ascertaining the route was the primary goal. In middle of ascending ottinane hill along NH-66, the maps guides you to turn left in an uncharted road. I had brief pause just to learn that it was leading nowhere. Finally I bailed out and asked local who guided me in right direction. Just after driving to summit of ottinane hill, you spot a junction. Immediately, a left turn towards short uphill road leads you to Shree Raghavendra mutt. Nearby, a placard points at the direction towards the viewpoint. That's first relief. Navigating manually through mud road, you spot second one. That's second relief. Now on, newly laid road leads you to the destination. Few mtrs later, you feel out of sync. The final relief driving further when you see the welcome gate. There is no guard here. After crossing the gate, here you are the desired location to relish the charm of nature. The location was completely deserted (not even street dogs). On reaching location, I realized that google maps understand Kshitija Nesaradhama and not Ottinane view point!
This is where you need to take deviation at NH-66 post climbing hills
Finally spotted. WHat a relief
The winding road with abundant greenery and distant hills
Yes, I finally reached the destination and rushed towards the view point. The hustle was to embrace the charm of nature. A short steady platform is erected which needs to be climbed up for hardly 10 steps to have those majestic views of the nature. I mean wow! What a majesty! There are those hills at east and stampeded of waves at west. There lies the sun some degree away. Unfortunately, Sun is not visible due to forest cover. Just soak in the vastness of natural beauty. You can feel the ocean hugging and fervently welcoming the river. Paucity of visitors were added advantage that day which means less noise and more peace. Only the sounds were from blowing wind and feeble roar of distant sea. Only a guard was spotted during my visit. The kshitija nesaradhama falls under forest department and protected.
A small play area is located at the place for children to enjoy as well. For staying, couple of rooms are also available which is open for public. The rooms seem to air conditioned (not sure) but costs dear (ranging from 1k to 3k?). Probably food also prepared for the tenants. Apart from these rooms, there is nothing found here. It's only refreshing nature everywhere!
Play area
Forest guest house
Climbing down 150 steps from the view point leads to base or rather median of hill. You can find the outset of path nearby small passage located towards west. This is the place to visit the ottinane view point from Someshwara beach. The climbing up part is bit arduous which will deluge your body with sweat. Carry a litre of water for sure to quench the thirst thereafter. You surely need it! I too climbed down and later up for curiosity. Fortunately, no encounter with wild but fallen leaves can be slippery which may lead to tumbling. So beware!
Steps to climb down
The lush forest
Those fallen leaves may turn slippery. Beware!
Once satisfied with my visit, I drove back towards Baindur. Unfortunately, I could not visit Raghavendra mutt since priest was away. Later I planned to leave for home but changed mind to visit Someshwara beach of Baindur. More details of visit in subsequent blog, so stay tuned :-). Overall an impressive visit to Ottinane view point which I wholeheartedly enjoyed after initial apprehensions on the route.
Kundapura and Uttara kannada regions are endowed with immense natural beauty due to proximity of Arabian sea to western ghats. which people fail to recognize. It may also be attributed to uncharting of these locations. The proximity to western ghats bestows abundant rainfall during monsoon season amounting to 5000 mm. Surely, one can even rejoice the moments during monsoon season when heavy clouds also join the party of nature. Also the western ghats nearby ottinene host a plethora of waterfalls unknown to humans. These are vastly uncharted due to tough terrains and dense jungles. I hope they stay as is, tucked away from mankind.
Route:
Locals are best. You can check with people at Baindur
If you don't understand local language, reach Baindur town situated along NH-66 (easily spottable). Locate kshitija nesaradhama in google maps from here and you will easily reach destination. This route directly leads you to the destination without a workout
You can also reach the Kshitija nesaradhama from Someshwara beach. Someshwara beach is also worth visiting (blog will be posted soon). Just before the beach the road forks one towards the beach and another to ascend the hill. It leads you to base of view point after a distance. From here, one has to ascend 150 steps through thick someshwara wildlife forest which leads you to view point after profuse sweating. Even though the path completely precludes sunlight, the sweating is imminent.
Food:
No food outlets near Kshitija Nesaradhama. Carry your own food and water. The weather is humid throughout the year which mandates carrying water. Baindur should have good eateries
Best Time to visit:
This is tricky part. If you are visiting during winter, then evening times are best or early morning to view sunrise.
If you are monsoon enthusiast, then choose the days wisely probably around late August or September. It rains incessantly here which may thwart all your plans.
Summer also can be visited but the haze is high. Also the greenery is subdued. The advantage is Sun will not obstruct your photoshoot :-).
During the break monsoon time when atmosphere is mix of clouds & sky, the place will present beautiful drama during sunrise and sunset which is not easy to guess. You should be lucky to be part of the colorful nature event! The tonal contrast between sea, sky and verdant hills is something I yearn to grab some day.
Last but not least:
Do not trash the area. There are bins to throw waste. Even if it doesn't, please gather and dump at designated places. Preserve our natural treasures.
A short video of visit. Hope you enjoy
Thank you for reading the post. Shoot only pictures, leave only footsteps, preserve India's natural treasure
