We left Bangalore on Friday the 20th Feb night 2100 hrs in an Airavatha destined to madikeri. Our travel itenary was simple. Take rest on Saturday, outing to irpu falls and nagarahole on Sunday and roam about in the madikeri on Monday and return back to bangalore on Monday evening.
We hired a taxi for the Sunday’s plan. We started around 7 am for a wonderful journey ahead. Since we knew that there would be no hotels near the places we were heading to, we carried loads of food reserves for the entire day.
Irpu falls is around 90 kms from madikeri and nagarahole forests are another 9 kms from irpu.
The roads were pretty drivable, except for few places. The scenic beauty of coorg was the first thing which I noticed. The entire calmness, freshness of the moist air was completely revitalizing, that too when we stay amidst the noisy and polluted city.
We reached irpu falls at 10 am. After having breakfast near the rivulet much below the actual falls, we started the long march up the brahmagiri hills range, which led to the top of the falls. We had an unexpected host – A green tree viper. One of the fellow visitors saw it first. My attempts to shoot it (of course with camera) failed miserably, since the snake was too quick and nature had granted it with one of the best camouflage- The green color of its skin and its ability to straighten its body like a perfect tree twig.
We continued walking for another half a mile to reach near the falls. Irpu falls was pretty tall slender lady, unlike her neighbor abbi falls, who is spread across wide and comparatively shorter. Since the top was a bit over-crowded, we went near the base of the falls. Seeing the algae on the rocks and leaves dirt on the rocks, we were certain that not many people would have explored this path. On one of the rocks, just away from the water flow path, there were plenty of butterflies, colorful and almost the size of a sunbird. They were so happy to silently sit on the rocks. I was just wondering if the water is so sweet or something special was oozing from the plants/ trees above the rocks.
butterfly on the rocks near thefalls
I completed the trek to the top of the falls with utmost concentration, feeling the rocks for algae before placing the foot, judging the path which is free of “dangers”. I guess watching the discovery man-vs.-wild had bestowed me with some hidden knowledge 
Since the actual waterfall is very narrow and the place where the water falls is very deep, a make-shift bamboo platform had been created. We enjoyed in the water for a while and began our journey back to the bottom of the falls. While returning I was hoping if I could catch another glimpse of the green tree viper or any other relative of it. And I indeed saw one at the same place, where the green viper was spotted a while ago. I guess this was the same one. It was quite calm this time, maybe it had filled it belly. I clicked a few snaps this time taking care that the camera flash was off.
It was 1 pm when we came back to the bottom of the falls, where we had our car waiting for us. After having the lunch, we left for nagarahole forest by around 2pm. We knew that the safari would be starting at 3pm, we reached the forest guard place at around 230pm.
We were happy to get the tickets for the 315pm safari. Summer had not been very merciful on the forests this time as well. There were lots of fire-forests reported. The safari vehicle got late by around an hour. The guards present near the ticket counter sited forests fires as the reason for delay. We believed it since there was no reason not to.
We started the 12 kilometer journey into the forests at 415pm. We saw quite a few animals near the trail. Deers and bisons were most frequent welcomers. Apart from these, we very fortunate enough to sight some elephants, peacocks, jackal, few wild birds and snakes on the way.
forest trail
Frequent welcomers
We were indeed lucky to spot that many animals within such a short distance. Many others time, even with full safari, people may not be this fortunate. With law4 re-iterated, we left nagarahole. We reached madikeri around 8 in the evening. It was indeed one of the memorable days of my life.
Monday, Feb. 23 was Mahashivrathri – the festival of lord shiva the destroyer among the trinity. We visited omkareshwara temple in the morning. There were lot more devotees than I expected. We got the darshan after 1 hour we entered the temple. During this time, we saw the paintings around the temple. The architecture of the temple was unique since it was the indo-sarcenic style. Not many places we will see the dome for a temple.
Legend says that the king of madikeri insulted a shaivite and killed him. Lord Shiva came in king’s dreams and asked him to apologize .The king built this temple for lord shiva. Since the king was a sinner, he was never allowed inside the temple. He used to pray the lord from the platform at the center of kalyani- the water quadrangle in front of the temple.
Kalyani
We bid adieu to a green abode.
We bid adieu to a green abode.
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