Experience Kodachadri !!!
Sometimes life screams at you so much that you just have to put a
stop to everything else, sit down and listen to it. So that’s what I’ve been
doing…. Absolutely nothing!!!
Oh that isn’t entirely true!! I did travel around a bit and
managed to click some snaps.
Yes, I was on a long arduous journey with 31 friends to kodachadri
for 32 kilometers trekking. As our group name itself describes, "MidNight
Flyers" started their journey around 11.30PM in the bus with new trekker’s
intro, music and dance to the degree which cannot be tiring...Life is not the
same without a beat!!
Our bus reached shimoga 2 hours late where we picked up Harish
Pandith “The lead climber of the troop”. The Mattimane breakfast dosa and spicy
chutney along with Mangalore buns energized the team tempo and brought a
homely feel. Unfortunately the baggage’s were loaded 2 kg extra with added packed
lunch, dry fruits and a water bottle."Ahhh what if luggage’s were not
there" - was a feeling most in gang had :) To our surprise we managed to
arrange jeep for carrying our luggage’s to hill top.
The way started around 9AM is not just a long distance walk for
walkers along the hill. The beautiful and varied landscapes introduced the
sleepy villages, the windswept hill tops and the unhindered views of winter
which was just enough for a walk one day.
Over half the way the paddy field and the rich natural sugarcane
resource along this route was just a perfect backdrop for getting even closer
to the outstanding natural beauty of the hill top.
We walked and walked, crossed mud road, bushes, the passage become
narrower and narrower as we went in to the deep forest with thorny bushes and
continuous chirping of birds where we reached the falls.
Hidlumane falls water flow made few of us land under the heavy
stream of shower and the rest had their enjoyable meal with a relaxing stretch.
It was time for large bite of apples, oranges, and chapati :)
Here begins the real challenging part of the trek where we have to
cross the steep hill and grassland with heavy stomach followed by lots of
grunting, sweating and swearing. Finally we all reached the cross road which
drives down to base camp. The long journey after 2 hours winded up in base camp
where all could settle off.
3 KM walk towards the peak paved us way to Sarvajana Peeta with
spectacular view of sunset at the top. The sky is streaked in red here with
clouds moving across as they reflect the rock’s blood-orange hues.
Though comeback to shelter camp by night walk was frightening and
bloodcurdling, the uprisings of earth’s surface with 5 tents were attracting us
for a doze. Dinner dished up along the campfire with sambar, rice, rasam and a
sweet was truly delicious after an exhaustive trek. Some jazzed up folks were
delighted with rock and roll expressive dancing. But some were so curious in
occupying their tents for a comfort sleep.
The morning breeze was mesmerizing and enchanting for the
beginning of an amazing day. The gang was served with bread, jam and tea - perfect
refreshment for a refrigerating cold. We started descending back towards
Iscon temple to relish our actual morning breakfast and packed lunch. The
stretch started again by 9.30 to arrive at Arshingundi falls. The team moved without little noise buttoned up without 'boo'
to cross forest department restricted area of naxalities.
The trail we made looked like sine wave moving up and down the
hill crossing a small stream. At last we reached our most awaited destination
Arshingundi falls. The refreshing bath was simply gratifying though the water
was just freezing cold. After having lunch team headed towards Dali which is
around 7 km trekking from our starting point.
Around 5.30 we were served with some mouth licking Indian chats
pani poori, masal poori and banana chips. The return journey started from Dali
to kollur to receive divine grace of Mokambika temple. We headed back to
Bangalore after finishing our dinner in mattimane with tons of memories :)
After kodachadri, I have to say this. Incredible India!
