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!
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!
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
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 |
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
Beautiful scenery. I love how you've captured the whitecaps on the waves. It's good to remind visitors not to leave trash behind.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible place with so much natural beauty. Nicely photographed!
ReplyDelete