A Coastal Sojourn - To Mangalore & back on the Konkan Railway

It was a hot and humid day in may when my brother and myself got off the Bus at Kumta. It was just nearing eleven but the heat was almost unbearable. Well, I couldn't complain could I? I was the one who suggested the trip to Mangalore to let off steam and unwind and there we were on the coast. What else could I expect?

We had left at seven by the Hubli - Dharmasthala Bus and had now arrived at Kumta with a short stop for Breakfast just before Ankola enjoying the beautiful scenery all along the way. We walked down to the Railway station at Kumta, which is just a short walk bang opposite the new Bus Station, to confirm our Rail Link to Mangalore. I had been quite busy the past couple of days planning out the best way to catch a Train on the Konkan Railway (KR) from either Ankola or Kumta and had finally settled on Kumta as the better of the two points. We took a leisurly walk and arrived at the station to find out that the Madgaon - Mangalore (Central) Passenger was due at 15:42. With nothing better to do for the better part of the morning, we decided to take a walk around town and ended up walking a good deal, which in retrospect, didn't seem like a good thing to have done in the sweltering heat.

It was nearing Lunch time when we spotted a joint which served Fish Curry & Rice and decided to tank up. We got a great meal of a decent sized Mackerel fry, Rice and Coconut based Fish curry with a Side dish of vegetables. A satisfying meal later, it was time to get to the Station and await the arrival of our ride to Mangalore.

Monsoon Magic (colors of Monsoon)

The Indian Monsoon is much more than just Rain. It is India's Lifeline - a veritable "Amrit"; The harbinger of prosperity to all. Each and every Indian awaits it's arrival with bated breath. When it does arrive, it brings with it a riot of colors: the dull gray of the clouds, the flashes of lightning, the various hues of green and above all the myriad colors of the Flowers. Enjoy a few colors of the monsoon with the photos that follow.

Ganesh Pal

As it has always been my custom for the past few years, I wanted to skip celebrating Holi this year too. I usually do this by getting out of town to some place where Holi ( the colour part of it ) is not celebrated on the same day as in Dharwad. This time I decided to go to "Ganesh Pal" as it had been around 8 years since I visited this place. I gathered up one of my friends, Anand, and asked him to come to my place at 7:30. We had decided to go all by ourselves but my Brother (Mikhail) said that his friend Prateek, was arriving from Bangalore and was also interested. Prateek arrived and we left at 8:30. Myself and Anand on his Platina and Mikhail and Prateek on our "Mahindra Rodeo" (Great Scooter, by the way). We took the Dharwad - Kalghatgi road and reached Kalghatgi. We stopped there and had a nice breakfast amidst people revelling in bright colours. We eventually reached Yellapur journeying on the smooth and well made Hubli - Ankola highway NH63. The Contractor who laid this road needs special mention here as the road laid in around 1993-5 has almost not deteriorated at all even after bearing the almost impossible loads during the mining rush recently, I believe he should be awarded the Padma Bhushan! Anyway, we reached Yellapur and after shopping for a few snacks, started searching for Food to take away. Owing to the ay being very young, we ended up visiting around 5-6 restaurants with nothing to show for our troubles.

A Tribute to Mother Karnataka - By Dr. K S Nissar Ahmed

Nityotsava by Dr. Nissar Ahmed
In the brilliance of the Jog falls,
In the bobbing ears of corn on the shores of Tunga
In the rich mineral ores by the lofty peaks of Sahyadri hills
In your evergreen forests with teak and sandal wood trees
Celebrations forever, Oh mother, your celebrations are eternal

In the frozen history of your many kingdoms
In the rows of stone tablets singing thy past glory
In the richness of palm-leaf manuscripts
and the sculptured temple walls
Celebrations forever, Oh mother, your celebrations are eternal

Your greatness seeks no approval, nor it demands pedigree
Your land abounds in love, virtue and character
This New Year brings a generous gift of joy
Celebrations forever, Oh mother, your celebrations are eternal

Translation to English by Shri. H.R. Chandrasekhar

A few Photographs

A Malabar Squirrel.

Creative

Two Photographs shot at Maulangi on the Kali River (Kalinadi) near Dandeli.

Goa !!!

It was very sad that I had to miss, or rather, skip my annual Sankranti Trip this year owing to work pressure. I really was very disappointed. It was a very funny coincidence then, that one of my students, Praveen, insisted that I give him a tour of Goa as he had never been there. My brother was also eager to go to Goa as he had left almost all his Clothes behind (from when he used to work there) and wanted to go and get them.

It was so that on Saturday the 21st of January we decided to go to Goa. Praveen came over to our house that Night as we had decided to leave early (4 am). All of us were up and bright by 4:10 the next morning.

We left home, Myself, Praveen and my Brother (Mikhail), by 5:00 and proceeded to Amit pandey's room near KC Park. We had two Bikes: A Platina and a Karizma Sports. We picked up Amit and left for Haliyal by 6. The journey up to Haliyal was un-eventful except for the intense cold making us all shiver in spite of jackets and Gloves!

We stopped for Breakfast at Haliyal and had piping hot coffee instead of tea. My brother insisted that I pilot the Platina as Praveen was not keeping up speed. I took over the reins and maintained a steady 60KMph. We eventually reached Ganeshgudi after spotting a few Peacocks, Peahens and Jungle fowl on the road between Karka and Bharchi. Just after Ganeshgudi, we stopped at the viewpoint to catch a glimpse of the Supa Dam Reservoir and warm up with a Cigarette each. After a five minute break, we started off and crossed Jagalbet. A short distance after jagalbet is the Left turn for Chandewadi and castlerock. Once we took the turn, The road is almost as good as a National Highway and Mikhail zipped away on the Karizma at 120KMph! I, sadly, had only the puny and tiny Platina and managed to do only about 80KMph :-(. My brother eventually slowed down and I caught up with him and we proceeded together. After we crossed the Phandri River at Chandewadi, the road turned Single and very bad in patches and we were forced to reduce our speed. A little distance after crossing the Duski River, we reached Castlerock and stopped for tea.

After Castlerock, we came to the spot where I had crashed my Jeep (Armada) into the Hillside and stopped to have a look and wash our faces in the Cool mountain Stream nearby. We then proceeded amongst lush green forest and reached the NH4A where we turned left for Goa. After passing Anmod, the Ghat started and I enjoyed riding the bike in deep curves. We crossed the Boundary into Goa and Praveen was overjoyed to have at last reached Goa! In the middle of the Ghat, we stopped at the Temple to pay our respects, as has always been our custom, and then proceeded to Molem. At Molem, we showed our papers at the checkpost and proceeded towards Ponda. I stopped at Usgao for a cigarette and we all ended up having Vada Pav as the Breakfast eaten at Haliyal had disappeared from our bellies! I was really tired after havind ridden for nearly 100Km and asked Praveen to take over. We called up the guy who had my Brother's clothes with no success. His Phone was unreachable.

Just before Ponda, We took the left for Margao. Upon reaching Margao, we took the road to Colva and later turned right towards Majorda. We had a little trouble finding the Beach and wandered around a little. On the way, we found a wine shop (not very rare in Goa!) and picked up a few cans of Beer. Once at the beach, I got rid of my clothes and flopped down in the sand as my back was literally killing me! We had a beer each and attacked the sea. After a good battle with the waves, we came back, had a beer each again and splashed into the water again. We got out of the water at around 3PM, dried off, got dressed and started back. On the way, just before the circle where we turn left for Margao, we spotted a Nice little eatery advertising "Goan Sausages with Bread" and had a delicious meal for dirt cheap prices. After the meal, we proceeded back and eventually reached Molem. After a cup of tea, we crossed the Checkpost. The Platina, still piloted by Praveen, had a tough time getting up the Ghat owing to it's aging Engine. Once we reached Anmod, and crossed the Excise checkpost with nothing to declare, Praveen insisted that I take over. I did and had a very tough time reaching Ramnagar. The road was Potholed at each and every curve! At Ramnagar, it was 8:30PM, and I came to the decision to take the regular route to Dharwad Via Nagargali - Alnavar. Eventhough it was under construction, I felt we could make good time and save distance as the road via Ganeshgudi - Haliyal would be too long.

We ended up reaching Alnavar at exactly 9:40PM. We unanimously decided to have Dinner and went to Adarsh. We had a nice Mutton Dinner and left at 12:00. We reached Home at 1:00AM and flopped down into our beds after an extremely tiring yet satisfying Trip.

Nagargali Vajra Falls

This is one of the little known Water Falls of Karnataka. Nagargali is a Forest Range in the Belgaum District of karnataka. The Forest here is very thick and largely virgin with a very healthy Wildlife population. Tigers, Elephants, Gaur, Black Panther (Melanistic Leopard), Wild Boar and many other species are regularly spotted here. I have personally had many encounters with Gaur, Porcupine, Wild Boar, Python, Spotted Deer and Malabar Squirrel in these Forests.

Although the Vajra Falls was very popular with the people of Dharwad as a Picnic spot, entry is now very strictly restricted. You need written permission from the DCF, Belgaum to visit the Falls.

The falls is a 3-4 Km trek from Nagargali Village or Nagargali forest Bungalow. Nagargali is on the Dharwad-Goa road about 15Km from Alnavar. upon reaching the vicinity of the falls, there is a very steep descent through thick bamboo of about a hundred odd feet. Once you get down, a few hundred meters trek upstream will bring you to the foot of the falls. There is a very serene pool where you can swim safely. The falls itself is a gentle drop of around 30-40 feet. You can also climb up to the head of the Falls.

This falls is one of my personal favourites for it's simple yet breathtaking beauty.

Getting There:
Nearest Raihead: Alnavar / Londa
From Dharwad: ~45Km on Goa Road.
NOTE: Belgaum DCF's Permission is a must!
A forester as a guide is also a must.

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