Brahmagiri Hills
Located in the Western Ghats of Sountern India lies the breath taking Brahmagiri Hills. At a height of 1608 Ft above sea level these range of Hills lie in between Waynad District of Kerala and Kodagu District of Karnataka. Our trek began on 14 October 2007 which was a Saturday. At around half past ten we left Bangalore heading towards the northern side of Karnataka with the weather playing no spoil sport. As true adventurers we travelled in a tempo traveller unlike few who travel via “volvo” bus yet find themselves exhausted even before stepping on the ground, with our organiser Chandrashekar braving a few kms of the journey by sleeping on the roof top of our transportation. Enroute to the hills on SH17 road we came across an injured motorbike rider who lost control of his vehicle due to few stray dogs crossing his path. The biker had not sustained any serious injuries as such, apart from the trauma that he had an accident. After safely moving him over to the foot path we left the police to take over the rest of the situation and proceeded with our journey.
There were few young (junior) travellers whose energy was all used up by their vocal chords and jaws and when it came to using the rest of their body muscles they were really lagging behind. Let’s not bother !! now back to the trek…. So were where we … yes!! We reached one of the many ranges of Nagarhole Wild Life Sanctury around 5:00 am on 15 Oct. 07. With the Forest officer still asleep I had decided to sleep on the ground listening to Mr.Chandrashekar talking about Cobra’s in this region of the forest. Yep!! that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. All petrified I decided to sleep in the cab. So they barricade was finally lifted at 6:00 am on a Sunday morning. Every one with their Digicams and mobile cameras in hand were eagerly looking out for some wildlife. Few were “spotted” here and there. I meant spotted deer were spotted here and there. With a reasonably good Breakfast of idlies, sambar, and chow chow bath our trekking began at the base of Iruppu Falls.
Some Mythological Gyan!!
Iruppu (or Irpu or Lakshmana Tirtha) Falls of the Lakshmana Tirtha River lies on the Karnataka side of Brahmagiri. According to legend, when Rama and Lakshmana were searching for Sita, they became thirsty. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri from which the river sprang. Rama is said to have dedicated a Shiva Kshethra known as Rajeshwara Temple on the banks of river Lakshmana Tirtha. The Lakshmana Tirtha river eventually flows into the Kaveri River.
With Karnataka blessed with few weeks of heavy rainfalls the water was just cutting across the stones like the buzz of a millions bees flying in the air. At temperatures between 5-6 degree Celsius it was quiet refreshing to see something so pure and clean. The ground was moist and the perfect resident under such moist conditions are none other than leeches. These blood sucking creatures just latch on to you until their tummies are filled with your blood. Tried the salt trick by applying some over the leg but it seems that these were immune to them. So finally decided to donate some blood to Mother Nature I guess it was due since a long time. The after effects of rains was visible all around, with green covered hills covering distances that my eyes could manage to see. With patches of trees on the hills it seemed like some one had taking a huge scissors and had managed to give a very clean haircut to each of these hills. Covering a distance of 9kms (one way) on our way to conquer the highest peak we came across a herd of Wild Elephants at a reasonably good distance we stayed back and began analysing these mammoth sized animals. After a close observation we all came to the conclusion to conquer the highest peak when our tusker friends leave that hill and move over to a different one.
Hence we made our way back after trekking 1608 ft. On our way back we came across a male tusker who seemed quiet relaxed eating out his afternoon lunch. Cautiously without alarming our four legged friend we crossed the stream and his path when his back was turned. I just din’t want to scare the poor creature ….:) . Back the base of Irupu Falls with Glucose biscuits in our hands we left the ever beautiful Brahmagiri Hills and returned back to Bangalore just to realise the fact that tomorrow we are back to our way of existence in this Planet which is work, eat, talk and sleep. Back to the hustle and bustle of us humans to trying so hard to sustain ourselves in this World of Ours which by the way seems so little when compared to creatures who sustain themselves in the Wilderness of the Jungle.
Located in the Western Ghats of Sountern India lies the breath taking Brahmagiri Hills. At a height of 1608 Ft above sea level these range of Hills lie in between Waynad District of Kerala and Kodagu District of Karnataka. Our trek began on 14 October 2007 which was a Saturday. At around half past ten we left Bangalore heading towards the northern side of Karnataka with the weather playing no spoil sport. As true adventurers we travelled in a tempo traveller unlike few who travel via “volvo” bus yet find themselves exhausted even before stepping on the ground, with our organiser Chandrashekar braving a few kms of the journey by sleeping on the roof top of our transportation. Enroute to the hills on SH17 road we came across an injured motorbike rider who lost control of his vehicle due to few stray dogs crossing his path. The biker had not sustained any serious injuries as such, apart from the trauma that he had an accident. After safely moving him over to the foot path we left the police to take over the rest of the situation and proceeded with our journey.
There were few young (junior) travellers whose energy was all used up by their vocal chords and jaws and when it came to using the rest of their body muscles they were really lagging behind. Let’s not bother !! now back to the trek…. So were where we … yes!! We reached one of the many ranges of Nagarhole Wild Life Sanctury around 5:00 am on 15 Oct. 07. With the Forest officer still asleep I had decided to sleep on the ground listening to Mr.Chandrashekar talking about Cobra’s in this region of the forest. Yep!! that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. All petrified I decided to sleep in the cab. So they barricade was finally lifted at 6:00 am on a Sunday morning. Every one with their Digicams and mobile cameras in hand were eagerly looking out for some wildlife. Few were “spotted” here and there. I meant spotted deer were spotted here and there. With a reasonably good Breakfast of idlies, sambar, and chow chow bath our trekking began at the base of Iruppu Falls.
Some Mythological Gyan!!
Iruppu (or Irpu or Lakshmana Tirtha) Falls of the Lakshmana Tirtha River lies on the Karnataka side of Brahmagiri. According to legend, when Rama and Lakshmana were searching for Sita, they became thirsty. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri from which the river sprang. Rama is said to have dedicated a Shiva Kshethra known as Rajeshwara Temple on the banks of river Lakshmana Tirtha. The Lakshmana Tirtha river eventually flows into the Kaveri River.
With Karnataka blessed with few weeks of heavy rainfalls the water was just cutting across the stones like the buzz of a millions bees flying in the air. At temperatures between 5-6 degree Celsius it was quiet refreshing to see something so pure and clean. The ground was moist and the perfect resident under such moist conditions are none other than leeches. These blood sucking creatures just latch on to you until their tummies are filled with your blood. Tried the salt trick by applying some over the leg but it seems that these were immune to them. So finally decided to donate some blood to Mother Nature I guess it was due since a long time. The after effects of rains was visible all around, with green covered hills covering distances that my eyes could manage to see. With patches of trees on the hills it seemed like some one had taking a huge scissors and had managed to give a very clean haircut to each of these hills. Covering a distance of 9kms (one way) on our way to conquer the highest peak we came across a herd of Wild Elephants at a reasonably good distance we stayed back and began analysing these mammoth sized animals. After a close observation we all came to the conclusion to conquer the highest peak when our tusker friends leave that hill and move over to a different one.
Hence we made our way back after trekking 1608 ft. On our way back we came across a male tusker who seemed quiet relaxed eating out his afternoon lunch. Cautiously without alarming our four legged friend we crossed the stream and his path when his back was turned. I just din’t want to scare the poor creature ….:) . Back the base of Irupu Falls with Glucose biscuits in our hands we left the ever beautiful Brahmagiri Hills and returned back to Bangalore just to realise the fact that tomorrow we are back to our way of existence in this Planet which is work, eat, talk and sleep. Back to the hustle and bustle of us humans to trying so hard to sustain ourselves in this World of Ours which by the way seems so little when compared to creatures who sustain themselves in the Wilderness of the Jungle.
