Mesmerizing Shivsamudra Falls

Various bounties of Nature have their own unique appealing effect but everytime I see a waterfall it seems I am experiencing it for the first time.And the case was no different when we visited Shivsamudra and Bharachukki Falls on river Kaveri.Located in a remote area at about 70 kms from Mysuru, the public transport facility is not that great.We were traveling from Mysuru and their are two ways to the destination.One through the town of Mallavalli and Shimsa village and another through Somnathpura , where you can visit the ancient Keshava temple on the way.If you taking the first option you can board the local bus from Mysuru to Mallavali and from there to Shimsa through the only bus in a day at around 9 am.It will be better to book a auto or jeep for the rest of the journey as there isn't any means of transport available on the return journey.

The way from Mallavali through Shimsa is refreshing  - open lush green fields on either side intercepted occasionally by few urban habitation and clear cobalt canopy above. Soon the surroundings gave away to small hills , initially scattered , but quickly turning into a range of green hills with bluish hills at the far background.Gradually the excitement was soaking in.

Soon we halted - the rustling sound of the bonded hydrogen and oxygen atoms , colliding with each other , began to randomize  as we stepped forward towards the view point of the Shivsamudra. Lovely view . Not a singular stream rather several tributaries converging to meet the catchment area down leading through the gorge. The fall creating the white froth at the greenish catchment water is the best part of any waterfall . The force was not strong enough due to less stiffness of the cliff, to create significant mists.The whole scenery around indeed seemed like scenery  made on drawing boards in our childhood.Distant bluish range of hills , the rollicking Kaveri flowing against a rough rocky bed and then falling off the cliff into the gorge thus creating the falls - perfect ambience to transport our souls to fairy-land.

After having the soulful gaze , we turned our wheels towards Bharachukki falls situated on the other side of Shivsamudra. The road ran across the Kaveri with beautiful view of bunch of coconut trees and swamps.The purity of Nature makes your soul feel light, feel like growing some new pair of wings to wander freely. While we approached, the rustling sound seemed louder , definitely suggesting bigger stream of water making its course downwards. But the excitement rose its peak as there was provision to go all the way climbing down some hundred stairs at the bottom of the falls.

The greater volume of water was accounted for confluence of many small tributaries. The area of the fall was much wider thus giving rise to several streams tunneling down edges of rocks duly following gravity.The sight was so splendid that it seemed we have landed in a cauldron of springs and fountains much alike fairy tales. Lots of people had flocked there to carry out their fun-water-activity stuff.Why miss the opportunity? We boarded a , what can be called as basket shaped boat , with a boatman guiding it right at the mouth of the fall - a chance to drench oneself , a chance to act crazy. Shrills and screams of excitement echoed all around the moment the icy water touched our skin causing the neurotransmitters to carry the sensation to the brain and eventually forcing the adrenaline react instantly.What an experience! Definitely etched in memory.

The journey up the steep stairs was tiresome but our spirits were fuelled enough to accomplish that. It was time to leave this perfect snapshot of Nature and return to our urbanized world. For this rejuvenation it's certainly worth coming back again and again.

Twin hills

It was Sunday afternoon but definitely not an off day for the Sun. Scorching hot at beginning of February! Ah! What a promising summer it is going to be.Nevertheless , after visiting the sacred Lingaraja temple we were headed to the twin hills - Udaygiri and Khandagiri.Situated south of the city , Bhubaneswar , it were some eight kilometres away from the temple.The auto service in the city is never disappointing.Prompt and reasonable.Taste buds of our souls being already scintillated , we were hoping to discover more taste palate.

Known to be ancient Jain caves , the entrance to Udaygiri hillock gave the essence pretty much. Rugged and rocky as expected.We climbed a long slope to reach the top of a plateaued rocky bed.Lots of big rocks , of various shapes and sizes , stood scattered still.I wondered how many seasons they might have experienced.Some might have never moved an inch amidst concurrent natural phenomena.In no time , we began to feel some extra spring in our feet - climbing and posing for photos - the exuberance ignited.

A higher elevated cave stood in front but we decided to take our usual detour around it.On the way we came across some houses carved out from the hill sculpted with Jain deities.Not so well finished designs or sophisticated either.But the sylvan essence gives it a different taste.Definitely worth to be framed.

A forestry area behind the cave - it seemed the adrenaline had infused the adventurous drug and we reacted.Sliding through a narrow passage we moved bustly through the green haze.As if it were a maze or like the hidden world of "Chronicles of Narnia" . No one knew where we were heading to and suddenly we reached a dead end.We had reached the other side of the hill giving the western view of the city in the distant.A moment of course - overlooking the downward plantations standing as if at the edge of the world , we let the ambience sink in , the serenity unexpectedly disposed by our rollicking footsteps seemed to regain fortitude. The peacefulness to breathe the natural air rather than our mundane polluted gases is inexplicable.

The spiritual appetite had received its reward. Now it was time return to the cave.Slithering through the bushes we carved our way back to the top of the highest plateaued cave.A clear view of the city on one side and its counterpart, the Khandagiri , the taller one , lay on other side.Jumping off rocks and boulders as well intense photography sessions went on. Need not to mention , the selfie-maniacs hovered all around. The reminiscent caves were covered too. 

We did not spent much time on Khandagiri  , which was rather more populated because of the temple at the top.Lots of visitors had flocked there.The climb was much steeper.A little chaos - a group of langurs huddling around - children tempting them , crowded places had never been my recipie. Nevertheless we quickly moved to the temple , not so architecture - rich , made of white marble that housed a Mahavir statue. As it was taller , we could get a better view of the city - an eagle's view perhaps.Ruins of several small caves were encountered on our way down.

The light was getting dim in the distant horizon and the hills reflecting a more blunt, rusty gaze - the reddish nature of the red sandstones more prominent then.
With camera full of snaps , heart overwhelmingly satisfied to his nurturing mother Nature, it was time to depart.

Heritage of Odisha

It is amazing how often a sudden plan turns out to be more exciting and enthralling than expected.As was the case on a Sunday morning when we four friends decided to explore the ancient city of Bhubaneswar , which astoundingly tops the list of proposed smart cities of future Digital India.Speaking of the ancient times , what comes first in mind is definitely the crafty Lingaraja Temple.As obvious this was our first menu of the impromptu outing plan.

We took the local train , as it was the cheapest mode of transportation in the city , got down at the nearest station and booked an auto after the usual bargaining to take us to the destination.We all had the illusion of visiting an ordinary ancient temple built by some king but the very first glimpse of the tower of the temple and  spacious  compound melted away our illusion instantly.We had learnt that this temple clocks thousands of visitors daily but luckily it was less populated.Upon strolling the first few steps the fragrance of the fresh flowers coupled with odour of rotten flowers and herbs encompassed the ambience which by the way is natural being to any Hindu temple in India."Majestic "- that's the word that was intuitively spelled in my mind catching the initial view.

It did not take much time for me to picture the whole scene , a self time travel in the 11th century -the period when it was thought to be built by some Somavanshi king , with the temple being in its full glory , every piece of brick or sandstone intact , every curve and edge of the sculpted paintings reflecting sunlight to display its detail along with the unfathomable amount of labour put in by countless artists and sculptors . That was what prompted me to say "Majestic".The richness of the Kalinga architecture did not fail to arrest my eyes in spite of deterioration to age .I tried to feel for my camera but soon realized it was already seized at the entrance for security reasons , one of the many mandates that I hate.A minor setback.

Contrary to our expectation the compound was fairly big that housed several small temples around the main temple."Lingaraja" is another name for Lord Shiva and several of the small temples was enshrined with holy serpent of Shiva. Keeping the main temple for the last we took a detour around , perhaps not missing any stone of the ground untouched. The interior , unlike the stylish and extravagant Mughal  architecture , was grainy and uniform carvings of sandstone and late-rite.The main tower , built like a stack of step-like plates of stone , culminating with a round neck structure on which perched the flag.An old mighty.

We stepped onto every accessible stairs around the main temple to witness several accessory shrines of Hindu gods and goddess and also managed to get a closer look at the architecture-mythological entities depicting several fables like a jigsaw puzzle , each piece connecting to another like one dynasty to other .,I wondered how long it would take to grasp the stories ! A vast history folded at a singular shrine.

We spent over an hour , the enchantment had sunk in deep , but it was time to enchant the growling appetite - we had to break a long fast . As we were leaving , my heart etched for not being able to photograph the majestic.But , indeed , as every cloud has silver lining , we discovered a place , rather a staged area just outside the premises of the temple , giving a clear view of one side of the compound. Happy faces and the camera was put to work capturing every angle possible.Thirst quenched. But I do not waste time

to get thirsty again , so we headed to next stop.     .