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Our region abounds in idyllic beaches, bewitching landscape, balmy forests, spectacular heritage and breathtaking waterfalls. Uttara Kannada and its neighbouring districts are blessed with beautiful spots, which need to be explored. They beckon you! I am sure, barring a few; these places are seldom visited by Bhatkalis. It is primarily because most of them are not aware of these exciting places. They are great picnic spots. Aftab H Kola, who has widely traveled the area for picnicking and for journalistic assignments, explores these places in a series beginning today exclusively for Sahil Online readers. The travel feature will appear on 10th and 25th of every month. Readers are requested to express their views about this feature. They can share with us the experience of traveling to places, which do not fall in popular category. |
Jog
Falls beckons!
First in the series of GETAWAYS Jog Falls has often been highlighted, but, then it is always better to begin with a place known and popular. It is not just the place that matters – different aspects like availability of accommodation and other Govt facilities, offbeat sights, provision of activities, cultural perspective of the place, different routes available, etc do.
The splendor of Jog Falls has captivated the human mind for long. The Jog Falls is surrounded by deep, dense woods and mountains. The River Sharavati is tiny in size compared to other mighty rivers – Cauvery or Krishna – of Karnataka. Yet the big leap this tiny river takes in Gersoppa into the rocky chasm has made it great. At Jog, the River Sharavati takes a spectacular leap from a height of more than a quarter of a kilometer (around 292 mts). The Sharavati flows over a rocky bed, splitting into separate falls called Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer. The Raja being the tallest among them is the highest waterfall in India and one of the highest waterfalls of the world. These cascading waters are a feast for the eyes.
The first waterfall is called Raja, and just as its name indicates, is a majestic one. The second one is the Roarer, and the third, Rocket and the fourth one with a feminine grace, Rani. Surrounded by verdant forests these waterfalls offer a visual delight. The sun and moon light over the gushing torrents during the day and night form a perpetual rainbow over the falls.
Tourists can reach the spot where the falls collect in a 40-metre deep pond by means of steps amidst dense growth of trees. Although going down is very tiresome but it is worth a try. I had braved enough to climb down the steps once. You can swim in the pond and can view the falls falling from the top.
Another educative visit is to go to the base where the Mahatma Gandhi hydro-electric power station is located. You can go down in a trolley which charges nominal fee. Here you can see how the force of water is utilized to produce electricity. It is from here where we get electricity. So, we use electricity produced from water power which is called hydro-electricity. How interesting! In Karnataka most of the electricity generated comes from water power. Only recently, atomic energy is being produced to meet the scarcity of electricity. The atomic (nuclear) power plant at Kaiga, near Karwar, also produces electricity. One phase has already been commissioned. Students from Bhatkal schools can be encouraged to visit Kaiga in order to see how atomic energy is produced.
A visit to the Linganamakki dam, 6 kms from Jog town and located amidst verdant surroundings, is also recommended.
There is also plenty of wildlife in the region but only wildlife enthusiasts (like me) can venture into the jungles to have a glimpse of it. Eleven kms from Jog, Mupane is an ideal place for wildlife and nature. For trekkers, the trek from the towns of Gersoppa or Nagavalli to the ruined Kaanur Kote (fort) situated deep in the jungle teeming with wild life is a mystical experience.
With tourism fast catching up the Govt of Karnataka has formed the Jog Development Authority to tap the tourism potential of the Jog Falls. Several proposals have been mooted under this programme. This include: continuous water flow to the falls, introduction of boating and water sports, and development of the garden on the model of the Brindavan Gardens near Mysore, at the vacant area near the Linganamakki reservoir.
It is also proposed to introduce boating in the Sharavati River course between the AB Site, where the Sharavati hydel power station is located, and the dam of the Sharavati. Other proposals include the introduction of a ropeway between the British Bungalow and the Jog Falls point, boating and adventure sports around the islands of the Talakalale Balancing Reservoir of the Sharavati hydel project, and the establishment of the gardens on the 60-acre land near the Linganamakki reservoir tail race project at Gersoppa. The State Tourism Department has also formulated a plan to develop a tourism township at Jog Falls at an estimated cost of Rs 57.29 crores. It will serve as a base for tourists to visit scenic places, nearby ancient temples and forts and also provide amenities for activities such as cycling, trekking, swimming and boating. The tourism township will have a three-star hotel with 80 rooms and 20 cottages; three one-star hotels and three economy hotels with 540 rooms. It will have a shopping mall, a swimming pool, sports and games facilities, including a mini-golf course and transport facilities.
How to go:
For people from Bhatkal there are two routes, which can be taken to reach Jog Falls. First one is the usual route – take the Sagar road and drive through Hadwalli and then through Kogar ghats to Jog. Distance-wise this is shorter and you can enjoy the ghat drive and if you are lucky, will be able to view wildlife. It will take not more than 2 hrs 30 mins. The other route is through Honnavar. From Honnavar take a diversion to Gersoppa and then to Jog. Here you can delight your senses with breathtaking scenery of River Sharavati valley. The scene of the River Sharavati meandering in the deep lush valley is simply spectacular. (The River Sharavati drains into the Arabian Sea). There is a viewing point where you can munch snacks relishing the beauty down below. I would recommend that you take this route while going and return from the other route.
Most our people do not take any accommodation while in Jog Falls. But I suggest that it is necessary when you visit Jog Falls with families.
Where to stay in Jog Falls:
1. Hotel Mayura Gersoppa (KSTDC), Phone: 08186-344732.
2. PWD Inspection Bungalow, Phone: 08186-344333.
3. Tunga Tourist Home: This is a cheap and comfortable place to stay.
4. Guest House near the falls: Reservations has to be done if one plans to stay here, through the Supdt. Engineer (Elec.), Mahatma Gandhi hydro-electric works, Jog Falls.
5. Jog Falls Guest House: Maintained by the Tourism Department. Reservation can be done through its resident manager.
6. Woodlands: This is another place where one can stay.
7. Sharavati Tourist Home: It is comfortable, clean and reasonably priced. It offers good view of the falls.
Best Season: July to December.
So, what are you waiting for? This is the right time, so head for India’s highest waterfalls to explore the fun.
