Jog Falls and Agumbe

After a lot a of hurdles we started our trip for jog Falls and Agumbe on 30th Aug 2011 from Mejastic. We were three, myself, Girish and Harsh.

Inside the Bus

Day 1 - We reached Shimoga at exactly 6:30AM on 31st Aug. I remember the conductor of the bus telling us, dont worry sir, even if we are late to start, you will reach Shimoga before 6:30 only. And the driver was into big time rash driving. 

Soon we headed for Sagar which is 70KMs from Shimoga and from Sagar we took another bus to reach Jog Falls. Jog Falls is around 30 KMs from Sagar. We reached Jog Falls around 10:30 AM.

Jog Falls at 10:30 AM

There were no view of Jog Falls at that time. It was completely covered with could, mist and top of that it was raining heavily. We booked an accommodation at KSTDC hotel. We reached there and had our breakfast, left our luggage at the room and left to visit the spots. Below are some of the pics.

We went to two places where from we could see the Jog Falls from different angles. There are three falls, Raja, Rani and the Roarer.

 Bottom line of the Jog Falls

We returned to the hotel at around 1:30 - 2 PM. We had our lunch soon and reached to the bed. And the next plan was to head toward the bottom of Jog Falls. Harsh was little reluctant to go. I and Girish had to cook up a lot to motivate Harsh. Below are some of pics of Jog Falls on the way down and the bottom line.

It was really a great experience to reach there. I would call it a heaven of water world. None of us could contain our joy and flooded with fun.

We cam back soon and roamed around for couple of hours. It was raining all the way. Cloud, rain and mist were playing hide and seek game all the day. Slowly it was evening and then the day ended.

Mystic night at Jog Falls

It was there in our blanket

Day 2 - 1st Sep, 2011. After having our breakfast we left Jog Falls at 8:45AM. We had to reach Shimoga and to head for Agumbe. We reached Shimoga at 1:30PM. Harsh left us at Shimoga for Bangalore. Me and Girish took a bus from Shimoga to Agumbe. Through different blogs we learnt that Agumbe is Cherapunji of South India and also the Amazon of India. We were excited to the core. It was rainy season and it has been raining incessantly all the way. Also we had news about downpour in Agumbe for past couple of weeks. But nothing resisted us. As soon as we reach Agumbe we got the real picture. We reached there at 3:30 PM. And it was surrounded with clouds, mists and heavy rainfall.

We spoke to Kasturiakka of Doddamane for our accommodation for two nights. Doddamane is one of the finest place to stay in Agumbe. Its not a hotel or resort. This is a family who helps the travelers to Agumbe with food and shelter. They don't charge for anything in return. But its our duty to show our token of gratitude in monetary terms which although has no value in front of the hospitality they offer. There are very few houses in Agumbe and this house is of utmost importance. When we reach the house we met with Kasturiakka's mother.

With Kasturiakka's mother

I was really surprised and spell bounded. The way she responded I felt I knew her since ages. While talking with her I got to know that lot of villagers are leaving Agumbe in search of jobs in the city. People even leave their parent and never return. No of houses are reducing. Sitll there is a hope. She says there are people from the city side who buying plots there and building houses.

In front of Doddamane

It was during Ganesha Chaturthi when we ventured into Doddamane. The house was full of family members and relatives who hailed from surrounding place like Shimoga, Manipal, Mangalore etc.We both were the only persons went there for a trek. We met Kasturiakka. She invited us for lunch. After lunch we decided to go for a walk to the Sunset point, which was 2 KMs from there. People at Doddamane told us we cant venture into much of the places as its had been raining and all those places are full of leeches. And it has been raining incessantly. I felt as if we had come to a city of rain, cloud and mist. Below are some of the snaps at the Sunset point.

It was getting dark and we had to return. Although it was through tar road but Girish got caught by a leech. When we returned it was totally dark. Clouds, mists and rain made it more beautified dark. Kasturiakka invited us to join the Ganeshapuja with her family members. Slowly we got introduced with Sanjay, Ravi, Hritesh, Sujayanti and others. 

We enjoyed a lot. We never felt that we were outsiders. Kasturiakka guided us all the way. They also invited us for the immersion of the idol after the puja. And we participated.

idol immersion

 Then we went for dinner. I had really a great food. It was really amazing to have such awesome dishes there in Agumbe, which is miles away from the city and no much staff available.

The dormitory where we stayed for two nights at Doddamane

After dinner we crashed to bed. The 2nd day ended.

Day 3 - 2nd Sep. We got up little late at 8 AM. And it has been raining heavily and surrounded by mist and clouds as usual. After having heavy breakfast we left for Kundadri peak. We depended on the public transport for this entire trip cum trek. From Agumbe we reached the nearest place of Kundradri by bus and then took and auto to reach Kundra circle and from there we walked up for 4Kms. It was raining all the way. Its really difficult describe the experience. Below are some pics of on the way to Kundardri peak.

We reached the peak by 11:30AM. We visited the most ancient Jain temple. The temple priest told us that this temple was built 3000 years ago. below are few pics of the temple and the peak. I could not take much pics as it was raining and quite windy as well.

We started descending by 12:30 or so. Way back to Agumbe we took auto. Due to heavy rail fall the route we came was closed, and the other route was quite far. It was raining so heavily that there was streams everywhere. It was scenic beyond any imagination

.

We reached back to Doddamane by 2 PM had our lunch and headed toward Jogigundi falls by the same auto. They told the trekking route is just 2.5Kms away and through the dense forest which is inaccessible due to leeches. And the other route was 5KMs. We chose the other option. After auto there was 1.5 KMs trek through the jungle. Below are pics of on the way to Jogi Gundi falls.

And then we reached the beautiful Jogigundi Falls.

Tons of water flushing out of the cave. This cave is accessible to some distance during summer, as told by our auto driver Ashoka.

Ashoka

After a while we decided to come back and walk for further five mints and then walk back to Doddamane. The entire stretch was 5 to 5.5 kms.

We found an open place where we spent sometime drinking rain water, jumping in the rain and watching the wet land.

 Nature is sweet..

Green washed by downpour and surrounded by mist.

 Forest land

Fun unlimited

 Greenaries captured.

 Reaching Doddamane

Stopped for a while before reaching Doddamane.

We returned by 6 PM. Got refreshed, shared our experiences with Kasturiakka's family and interacted with other family members. Got introduced to Raghavenra Pai, Kasturiakka's son-in-law, who used to organize and participate treks earlier from 20 years from 1070s to 1090s. Also got to know that Kasturiakka's husband served as a chairman of Agumbe panchyat for five year without any salary. In the country of fog, mist and rain we were getting surprises after surprises. Felt that nature has unleashed all her beauty here.

The 3rd day also ended.

Day 4- 3rd Sep. We got up at 7:30 AM. As usual it was raining and full of fog. It was quite windy also. We planned to visit Shringere and Srimane falls. After heavy breakfast we left Agumbe for Bidurgedde (-4Kms). We changed bus at Bidurgedde to reach Shriengere, which was 5-6 Kms from there. It was Shiva and Sharada temple and the Mutt. 

Shiva Temple

River Tunga

Temple surrounding

Shiva & Sharada Temple

As our lunch we had prasada at the temple dining hall. After finishing our lunch we headed towards Srimane Falls. To reach Srimane falls we took bus to Kigga from Shriengere, which was 5-6 Kms. From Kigga we took an auto to reach Srimane walter falls, which was 4-5kms.

Srimane falls

One the way back walked halfway through and then got into an auto to reach Kigga.

 On the way back from Srimane falls we met with two co travelers whom we met while returning from Kundadri peak on the previous day. Fortunately we met them and most interesting thing is that they were expecting us here. These two guys had no plans. Sometimes its really great to have no plans. And they traveled through auto.

The entire trip cum trek ended here. But we had to come back to Bangalore that night. We had a bus from Manipal at 10 PM. We reach to Kigga around 3:30PM and the bus for Shriengere was at 4PM. We waited. Reached to Shrengere at 4:45 and then left Shiengere at 5PM for Bidurgedde. Luckily we met Ravi there who brought us to Doddamane by his car. And we were ready to leave for Manipal by 7 PM bus. It was raining heavily....we ran in the rain to board the bus in front...I forgot one of my luggage...had to get down...now the whole thing was getting late. We waited till 8PM and by God's grace we boarded the bus to Manipal. It was took us through some of the great heir pin curves, it was really horrible but awesome. Finaly we reached Manipal by 9:45PM and boarded the bus for Bangalore.

Find all the pics at https://picasaweb.google.com/117144221978749494916/TreknicJogfallsAgumbe#

Few suggestions, If you are travelling to Agumbe, take KSRTC bus from Bangalore. The is one bus at around 10PM which goes to Agumbe, and never take a return bus from Manipal, its better to reach Shimoga and take return bus from there. Many people say it not advisable to travel to Agumbe during rainy season, but if you would like to enjoy the real Agumbe rainy season is the best time. And if you are traveling in rainy season carry raincoat as well as umbrella. Use the same clothes for sight seeing as the wet clothes never dry up during this season. Also carry a water bottle as you get enough sources of clean and pure drinking water everywhere, don't buy packaged drinking water. Top of everything, this place is so pure and untouched, PLEASE DO NOT LITTER HERE, CARRY ALL YOUR PLASTIC ITEMS AND FOILS BACK TO THE PLACE YOU BELONG. 

Important contacts:

Kasturiakka: 08181233075

Ravikumar: +919448814187