Renovated Hemavathy River Ugama Sthana, Javalli, Chikmagaluru

Our last visit to Hemavathy river Ugama Sthana (Birth place) was disappointing except for spotting of chestnut headed bee eater. The sacred place was under renovation.  My uncle who recently visited our house warned me not to drive via Shirady Ghat until work is completely done. Otherwise, there was high risk of breaking my car suspension. The car left front suspension is already making noises and travel along this route with partially broken legs of car would be edgy. Hence we decided to drive via Charmadi Ghat during return to Bengaluru. That was wise decision as well. En-route, we recalled the completion of Hemavathy origin point renovation and whimsically decided to steer towards the holy place to seek blessings. The car took deviation from Kottigehara towards Javali village which would cost us additional 1hour which was worth every second.

The google maps shows a long route, but 1.5 kms from Balur deviation, the welcome arch greets you to entrance of Hemavathy Ugama sthana. From here, it is 1.5kms of drive through dense jungle over neatly paved concrete road. A large tree had fallen on road during our last visit which faintly paused our drive. Since it was negotiable, we moved forward. This time, it was nice and smooth till the river originating point. As we parked car nearby the holy place, it was experience of true divinity . The thick forests are major contributor to divinity The renovation is clean and rubbles were cleared. Once we got down, we headed straight to take blessings from sacred place.

The place consists of small temple of Lord ganesha followed by the originating point of river Hemavathy located adjacent to the temple. A large pond welcomes the visitors where the water from birth place accumulates before flowing as river. The river originates from surrounding hills and flows through mouth of Nandi and gathers with larger volume at the larger pond nearby. The area where river originates is locked to maintain sanctity of the place. Being festival day of Hindu calendar new year, the temple was open till evening. On other days, the priest would perform religious rituals by 10AM before closing the temple. The priest stays in Balur which cuts the temple timings. There is facility for priest at this place but seems to be ill-maintained which forces them to stay at nearby villages. We were fortunate to visit on this auspicious day which permitted us to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha.

A short pond situated at the birth place of river. The larger pond where river water accumulates, is open to anyone. Please make the area clean. We sprinkled holy water on to us and took blessings of Goddess Hemavathy. Local feed the holy fishes swimming in the pond with puffed rice. Puffed rice need to be provisioned from nearby towns or villages. No stores are located nearby the place.

It was healthy 30mins stay and invaluable one. Here is a short from visit!

Photo Blog - Behind bars of city

This is view from balcony of our current rented house. The nets are installed to prevent pigeons entering balcony. Their rampant defecation is unbearable. Hence nets are inevitable

Ironically it feels like, we are behind the bars of city. Struggling to avoid the feral pigeons, facing water crisis, squandering time in traffic, eating unhealthy fastfood, guzzling the city pollutants resulting in various diseases. We are literally jailed in city with native visit becoming rarity. The high cost of living makes it difficult to leave the city easily unless you are born rich. The narrow aisles of city streets, the tightly knit houses, the encroached roads and what not the daily race to office will make you feel like literally jailed in city mess. Consequently, these nets apparently are not to prevent from pigeons but prevent ourselves from invasion. They still fly freely in the sky but we can't even get a natural glimpse from our balcony. It looks like we are gazing the cityscape behind the bars of net.

Vibrant Burude Falls (aka Ilimane Falls), Siddapura, Uttara Kannada district

Burude falls was once a trekkers paradise. Tough to reach, treacherous trails, biting leeches and dense jungles. It was impossible to view this falls during monsoon season due to tough terrains. I had aspirations to visit the falls while trekking was active, but now clean approach exists till falls. Hence this was just a visit than trekking. However, my long dream of visiting falls finally fulfilled!

We drove along Kumta-Siddapura highway as instructed by google maps. The roads are half great, half worn out. The dense jungle starts at mid way which is outset of Sharavati Wildlife sanctuary. The roads are way too curvy with less visibility. River Aghanashini runs almost parallel to the highway and can be sighted intermittently throughout the drive. Once the steep ghat section road is over, you reach the junction which shows deviation towards burude falls. The government has constructed 7kms of approach road from kumta-siddapura highway to reach waterfalls. It is well laid but single lane. Two car crossing is also difficult. Fortunately, hardly any visitor during our arrival. With ample time left and less crowd, it was easy to explore the waterfall.

The authorities have constructed resting platform as well at the arrival point as well at view point. The view point is around 200-300 steps in length. Once can beautifully watch the energetic waterfalls plunging from deep dense jungles of Western ghats.

It is possible to reach the base by trekking for 200mts along tough terrain. The trail consists of long boulders, stream paths, slippery muddy tracks. Few boulders are so high that one needs to crawl to cross. At times, the trail is narrow and slippery. Somehow I managed to reach with kids with hefty sweating. I would say, it is worth visiting the base of waterfall to view the beauty!

Burude is cascade falls which has 6 stages I guess. Only 3 stages are visible from the location. The waterfall merges with Aghanashini river at terminal point. Many death incidents have been reported here and please stop being heroic with nature. Despite the foggy mind, I decided to go for it. This was not adventure but an experience. The reason I decided to trek down despite ordeals is because of foreseeing such incidents by mischievous people. If incidents of death is frequent, then authorities would be forced to close the trail to waterfalls. It is also rarity to visit the waterfalls considering the distance. Hence it is better to complete every activity as visitor than restraining ourselves.

The waterfall is also known as Ilimane falls due to village Ilimane where it is located. Burude means skull in Kannada. Not sure why such name is given to waterfall. I will update the blog when I gather information. The waterfall was energetic despite the monsoon exit more than 2 months ago. Its sound was vibrating and reverberating through the dense rainforest from significant distance. Also the native rainforest birds were chirping amidst the dense jungle. Some of our relatives who were with us experienced leech bites too! We enjoyed for nearly 90 mins at this location. The down-hike and return hike in total might consume more time depending on person. If you are skeptical, do not hike and just enjoy from distance. Gently play in water, do not go for adventure. Your life is precious or just enjoy the beauty of roaring waterfall. 

The waterfall is easy to reach via road. Follow google maps and drive further 1.5kms. The location pinned in google maps is not accurate since mobile signal is not available exactly at burude falls. Hence drive needs to continue for at least 1.5kms to reach the falls parking area. One feels lost once google indicates on arrival of location because of absence of signboards. But do not panic! Follow the road further to reach destination. The last 500m is muddy road through dense jungles. So don't be boggled and intimidated! Follow the path and enjoy the magnificent nature. We were too anxious once navigation ended. But signboard after few mtrs distance enhanced our confidence. Anyway, skepticism ends only once you reach final destination :-). The roar of waterfall is only the confident factor once you loose navigation. Additionally, download offline maps when you have network (Siddapura or Kumta).

Here is short from our 90 mins visit.  Mathighatta and Bennehole falls are planned during next visit to Uttarakannada 

Healing monsoon rains

Couple of days ago, I captured this flying raining shaft from terrace in Bengaluru city. I was yearning to witness real monsoon scene from native. I had couple of chances to visit native during monsoon to facilitate health check of parents. I captured few glimpses from the glorious visit I had. A summary below.

The monsoon 2025 was overwhelming. It rained too much in coastal Karnataka gauging 500cm annually. The ground was saturated till late October. Some of farming community lost their initial investment due to relentless rains. Fortunately, the rains maintained less intensity from July onwards which helped farming community to work on their crops. 

The paddy sapling planter machine was stuck in murky field due to over-saturation of ground. The machine was unable to overpower the deep sludge created by constant rains. The driver of machine gave up. The owner of farm had to planting saplings manually. Machinery is quicker way of planting saplings nowadays due to dearth of labourers.

The channels and fields were drowned in rainwater. The fields and nature were green and enchanting. The weather was gloomy for the time I stayed in native. Overall, my favourite pass time was fulfilled to some extent by monsoon visit. Even though I couldn't witness heavy rains, had the joy of watching bursts of heavy showers.

The water level in wells show real progress of monsoon. If they are full to the brim, we have had healthy monsoon!

Here is compiled video from monsoon visit.

Stopping by Kalkere Lake after prolonged pause

Family members had prolonged illness coupled with school tests resulted in ourself restricting outdoor plans for a while. A calm Sunday, we broke hiatus and visited lake for joy walk. The walk was rejuvenating and emotionally healing.

The twilight was colourful and pictures were worth capturing! 

Equinox sunset and sunrise

We are at fag of end of this year's monsoon season. The ground will turn golden as rains taper down. As of now the heat is intense and Rh is unbearable and perhaps that's what keeping rains alive. Nowadays the rains are restricted to only night show. Soon they will become rarity until next monsoon season.

The only menace in village are these stray dogs. These unvaccinated dogs can be extremely dangerous!

The green tree can be blessed by colourful sunset and tiny swamp beneath. In your life, even if you are ordinary, your surroundings can make you extraordinary

Morning sunrise was gloomy.

When you are unique, even camera lens becomes your focal point. This grass shoot was bright amidst dull ones.

The shy thorn was smiling after holding raindrops all overnight.

The cattle has umpteen to graze until monsoon fades away. The bird on cattle was suspicious of my movements even though that area was inaccessible to me. We are like this bird frantically worrying about future than living in present.

The reflection of clouds and sun. Only possible during heavy rains

The beautiful village, lush green, clean air, less noise, which I miss in city

Here are perks of getting up early in a village. Amidst the early morning walk, I captured the beautiful sunrise shining over the green fields, vibrant landscape thanks to prevailing rains. The silky horizon along the east shone brightly but lightly and thus lens capture was gentle. The benign nature shows its true beauty during rains and soft light. The swamps are still flourishing and kingfishers are hunting in them. Getting up early has multiple advantages in rural areas. One of them is to rejoice the happiness of nature. Other is to assimilate into the simplicity of village life. Perhaps, materialistic city never gives us room to be simpler for which village provides perfect escapade. For people like me, its never possible to leave such beautiful places and livelihood is the only reason to stay in city. 

The black crowned night heron was hunting at nearby channel. I miss my DSLR at heart :-(

This year's rains have been excess. Difficult for farming community. Few farmers tried second time and their harvest is upcoming. Hope rains don't bother during harvest time

This dead leaf was dangling, unable to ground as it was still held by spider web

Yet another dead leaf was lucky to full on the floor but will be stomped by ongoing vehicles.

There is still chance of rains looking at western horizon. As per MET department, the monsoon can prolong till Oct 5

Here is short glimpse of slow motion heavy shower!