Keladi

Keladi is a historical place. Keladi is a small village which once was the capital of the Keladi rulers.

Keladi Nayakas hail from Keladi town which was constructed and developed by rulers of Keladi.

Famous rulers like Shivappa Nayaka and Rani Chennamma were from Keladi Dynasty which was associated with Vijayanagara Empire. Keladi Chennamma is known for her bravery.

Keladi later grew independently after the fall of Vijayanagara.

Rameshwara and Virabhadra temple are the major attraction of Keladi which is built in Hoysala-Dravida style from Keladi Nayakas. The Jain temple here is 900 years old.

Keladi museum and Historical research Bureau is another attraction in Keladi. It houses coins, weapons, art and paintings of Keladi era. It is administered  by Kuvempu University.

Keladi is 8 km from Sagara town. Buses are available from Sagara, but its preferable to travel in private vehicles so to cover nearby          tourist locations such as Ikkeri, Vardamoola,             Jog falls and nearby places.

Kaanuru Kote (Fort)

The fort at Kaanuru is a perfect weekend destination for trekkers, nature lovers and adventure seekers. The dense forest, flowing rivers and a fort camouflaged by greenery is a dream destination for nature lovers.

Kaanuru Fort was built by Rani Keladi Chenamma  to protect against any onslaught of enemies. Nestled amid dense forest, Kaanuru Fort provided protection from any dominant enemy attack.

The fort is literally camouflaged in thick forest and cannot be seen from a distant place. The location of Kaanuru Fort and its style of construction makes it impossible to sneak inside the fort.

The fort popularly known as `Kaanuru Kote’ is situated on the Jog-Bhatkal road at Biligaru village, 35 km from Jog Falls. A 15 km trek amidst dense woods leads to Kaanuru Kote.

There is another route that leads to Kaanuru Kote. Though traversable by jeep upto some distance, a trek is must to reach the majestic fort.

Some well acquainted local persons or the guidance of the Forest Department guards is a must to reach the forest safely. The guards are available on request at the Hoogar forest range office in Biligaru village.

Not to mention that the Kaanuru Fort was discovered, restored and identified for tourist purpose by the Forest Department.

On reaching Kaanuru Fort, a resplendent view of Sharavathi river gently flowing down the stream deep in the woods is a treat to the eye.

  

A missing main door of the fort greets the visitor. A narrow path built with an intention to slow down the movement of the enemy leads upwards the fort.

A lengthy cave commencing from inside the fort and terminating outside speaks volume about the fort’s security.

Muppane Nature Camp

Muppane forest range on the backwaters of Sharavathi has been identified and developed by the Forest Department for promotion of tourism. A nature camp is set up here by the Forest Department to attract students, youth and adventure lovers.

Muppane nature camp is situated 20 km from Kargal near Jog falls and 120 km from Shivamogga. The distance from Sagara is 53 km.

A 4 km diversion road inside the arch from the Sagar – Bhatkal road leads to Muppane camp.

Located deep in the thick woods, an overnight stay in the camp is a must to explore the beauty of the green forests.

An Interpretation hall maintained by the Forest Department is well suited for a get together, celebration, a seminar or as a study centre. There is a kitchen with utensils available at the camp and the food has to be cooked by the camp-mates themselves with groceries carried with them.

Tents will be pitched up by the forest staff on prior intimation. Or the camp-mates themselves can do it if they are well acquainted with tent pitching.

The striking picnic feature of Muppane nature camp is the boating facility in the Sharavathi backwaters. The backwaters spread across a vast area is just a stone’s throw distance from the camp.

Advance booking at the ACF office (Wildlife) or at the Range Forest Office, both at Kargal, is a must to visit Muppane nature camp. At present, no charges are being levied by the Forest Department.

The Forest Department usually provides accommodation to students groups, environment based NGOs and groups of individuals. Two or three persons camping at Muppane is not advisable and even not entertained at Muppane. It is advisable to visit the place in groups to enjoy to the fullest extent.

Trekking from dawn and dusk is refreshing to have a glimpse of the flora and fauna of the forest. Wild animals which exist in the vicinity of Muppane nature camp can be observed during the trekking.

Make-shift tents are installed here for night stay at the camp. Around ten tents can be pitched at the camp. Lanterns are provided during the night hours.

The standstill waters of the Sharavathi backwaters is a visual treat to the eyes. The soil in the banks of the backwaters with roots of the washed away trees narrates the tale of the lost beauty of Muppane forest earlier to the construction of the reservoir.

Honnemaradu, Sharavathi Backwaters

Honnemaradu is a natural water resort. It was formed due to the back waters of the Linganamakki dam.

Honnemaradu lies amid dense forest cover behind Linganamakki reservoir. Many hills in the region that got submerged in the waters have formed islands in the lake. 

Honnemaradu is not a resort, but has two roof houses bounded by water and forest.

Honnemaradu is an ideal spot for water sports and adventure lovers. Honnemaradu can be visited at any time of the year, except during the rainy season.

The place is well maintained and smoking, drinking and use of mobile phones and soap is prohibited. The place is very peaceful and quiet.

Honnemaradu is a birdwatchers paradise and one can spend hours here watching and trying to identify the large variety of birds and butterflies.

The waters here are spread across 80 km by 50 km and you can see water all around. The water is pretty clean and left virtually untouched. Nowhere will you find traces of human interference.

Honnemaradu is 30 km from Sagara towards Honnavara. To reach the place one has to drive on B.H Road which is towards Jog falls and after crossing Talguppa, move left at a small village called Churikatte. Drive for 2 km to take one more left diversion towards Honnemaradu which is 10 km away.

No public transport is available till the camp. Last bus stop is till Hiremane which is 8 km from Honnemaradu, which has bus facility only few times a day. Private vehicles are better opted to reach the place easily.

Honnemaradu camp is managed by a dedicated team of nature enthusiasts called  'Adventurers'.

Contact Swamy and Nomita at the following address:

The Adventurers,
142, 69th Cross, 5th Block, Rajajinagar,
Bengaluru - 560 010.
Phone: 91-80-23305508/91-80-23409712
Email: adventr.iiaa@aworld.net

Linganamakki Dam

Linganamakki dam is located at a distance of 6 km from Jog Falls near Kargal town.

The dam prevents the free flow of water to Jog falls. River Sharavathi flows down Jog falls only during rainy season. After the rains stop in October, the dam stops the flow of water from river Sharavathi to the falls. This has turned Jog falls into a dry spot during summer.

The Linganamakki dam was constructed in 1964. The length of the dam is 2.4 Km spread out across river Sharavathi.

The Rajanikanth movie Lingaa was shot in this location. Behind the dam is a large reservoir. The discharge from the dam is quite heavy in rainy season.

The Linganamakki Dam is very huge and the dam premises are well maintained. From the dam you are able to see the wild forests.

But, entrance to the dam is restricted. Entry is granted only on prior permission from the dam authorities.

Kuppalli, Kuvempu home, Thirthahalli

Renowned Kannada poet Kuvempu was born in Kuppalli village near Thirthahalli in Shivamogga District. The traditional house of Kuvempu where he lived and grew up is developed into a museum. The childhood home of Kuvempu at Kuppalli has been converted into a museum by a trust called Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishtana.

Kuppalli is around 18 km from Thirthahalli and 80 kms from the Shivamogga. From Shivamogga, one has to take NH – 13 to reach Thirthahalli, and take Koppa road to reach Kuppalli. From Bangalore, one has to take NH-206 to reach Shivamogga. There is an overnight bus run by KSRTC from Bangalore to Kuppalli. The total distance from Bangalore to Kuppalli is around 350 km.

Kuppalli - house of Kuvempu is well maintained and there is a small park in front of the house. House is open for visitors from morning 9 to evening 6. There are lot of things inside the house which tell the visitors the lifestyle of people in this part of the world in 40's and 50's. There is also a small collection of books of KUVEMPU.

The first letter in the pen name Kuvempu (ಕುವೆಂಪು) from his full name Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa” is symbolic of this place Kuppalli.  

The house consists of a central square area open to sky and surrounded by a courtyard. There is an entry fee of Rupees ten for adults and for children over the age of ten. Photography inside the house is prohibited.

                                                                 Kavishaila

Another major attraction here is the 'Kavishaila' - which is a tomb of late poet. Kavishaila is just a small hill adjacent to the house. There is a trekking path from the house to reach Kavishaila. Kavishaila is cool, silent and beautiful. Kavishaila is slightly higher place so you can see adjacent hills and green paddy fields.

Kavishaila is a rock monument made of megalithic rocks and dedicated to Kuvempu. It is on the top of a small hill in Kuppalli. Arranged in a circular fashion, the rocks have been placed to resemble the Stonehenge in England. At the centre of this rock monument is the place where Kuvempu was laid to rest after his death and a memorial has been constructed at that location. Near this monument, is a small rock where Kuvempu used to sit and discuss about literature and other topics with his other litterateur friends. The scenery around this place is breathtaking. Granite slabs containing engraved poems and quotes of Kuvempu have been placed near the monument.

 

                                                    Birth Centenary building

Before the poet’s house is an ancient house renovated in commemoration of his centenary birth celebrations. Many paintings of oil on canvas depicting story of Kuvempu’s novels can be seen here. Photos of birds captured by Tejasvi in his lens are also displayed here.

POEM

Ready to Die ...

Let me go, Let me die

Let me speak, let me say bye

I’m not like others who say no to death

I’m like a soldier who’s ready to stop my breath

Where are you scary one

Who scares everyone

Allow me to hold you

For I want to see you

I do not want to cry & shed a tear

Why should I cry for whom I have no fear

I know you will make my dear ones weep

They know that you will take me away & keep

You have all the might

But I’ll give you a fight

You’ll cherish me like a noble man

For I greeted death like a gentle man

It’s a long desire of mine

To win over you & be fine

I’ll be gone in a while

But not without a smile

I have for you no fear

As I have with me no tear

I’m here, ready to die

Are you there, it’s not a lie

Eyes…..

Wake up my lovely eyes

Look around this lovely morning,

For I desire to kiss those pretty eyes,

And wish a warm Good morning…

Wake up my sweet heart,

it is a lovely sight,

look around with YOUR eyes,

the  mist has covered in white,

to make your morning bright...

Your eyes are the reason

why I’m alive

Your eyes are the reason why

I want to live

And your eyes are the reason

Why I can't die

Pretty eyes . . .

Come in my dreams tonight

to wish me Good night. .

Angel

Twenty years ago, I gave to an angel my heart…

But, a beast took my angel away and my heart…

Twenty years later, I don’t want to lose my heart…

I’ll take my angel with me and keep her in my heart…

God, you reward your men in heaven, not on earth

Rewards me with an angel on earth, not in heaven

Angel..you may hide at dawn from me …

But, I’m in the sun rays at sunrise looking at you

You may close your eyes at night to avoid me..

But, I’m in the stars when you sleep staring at you

You may run away when you walk from me

But, I’m in your shadow following you

You may close the doors to stop me

But, I’m in the air always with you

You may hide your hair from me

But, I’m in the wind moving your hair around you

You may not show your hands to me

But, I’m in the ring in the pretty fingers with you

You may shut your eyes to stop seeing me

But, I’m in your eyelashes seeing your lovely eyes and you

You may not show your face to me

But, I’m in your rosy lips kissing you

You may hide your neck from me

But, I’m in your chain moving around you

You may close the door when you dress from me

But, I’m in the mirror to see your beauty with you

You may not want to romance with me

But, I’m in the pillow kissing you and in the blanket sleeping on you 

Birds singing,

bells ringing,

breeze blowing,

flowers blooming

for my angel is coming !

I thank my eyes
For looking at your pretty eyes

I thank my mind
For enjoying your beautiful smile

I thank my hands
For feeling your curly hair

I thank my lips
For kissing your rosy lips

I thank my senses
For looking at your lovely face

I thank my soul
For being with your soul

I thank my heart
For winning your heart
I thank you my love
For being my love
I gave you a smile
You gave me your heart…

I gave you my love
You gave me your life

I gave you good wishes

You gave me good luck…

Disappearing Angel….

Once God appeared and asked me, `What is your wish?’

I said,’I want to love an Angel’.

God said,’your wish will be granted’.

Many days passed, but no Angel appeared….

I asked God, ‘Where is my Angel?’

God replied,’Angels are not made in a day. I have to work hard for many days to make an Angel’.

After many days, I saw an Angel in a bicycle. Her eyes were shining bright like diamonds. She looked into my eyes. It was love at first sight !

Then the Angel disappeared…

One Sunday morning, I saw the Angel again in Church.

When I saw her, she looked into my eyes,

Few Sundays in Church, I saw the Angel.

Then the Angel disappeared…

A few years later, the Angel’s father came with a proposal.

A marriage proposal !

But, tears filled my eyes, when the proposal was for my brother !

Then the Angel disappeared…

For twenty years, the Angel disappeared.

I forgot the Angel and God.

Suddenly, one Sunday evening,

the Angel appeared…

`I love you’….I proposed the Angel…

as I knew that she will disappear…

`Love you’, replied the Angel…

God, I need one more wish. `Do not make the Angel disappear…'

MOON

Moon, Moon wake up soOn,

birds are singing,

flowers are blooming,

clouds are warming,

nature waiting to see your face charming

Moon, cute moon come out,

You are queen of the dark night,

make every dream bright,

and wish everyone good night

my life was dark,

YOU lit the bright light in my life