Categories: karnataka

Karnataka: One State, Many Worlds

“One State, Many Worlds” is the catchy line that Karnataka Tourism has been using for a while now. And any one who knows the state can’t but approve. India Travel Blog, of course, has more content on Karnataka than any other region. Here is all the ‘worlds’ in the ‘state’ you can read about on India Travel Blog, and pictures on my Image Gallery.


Thadiyandamol, Coorg

TRAVELOGUES

1. Chikmaglur
2. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Coorg
4. Yedakumeri – on the train tracks
5. Jog and Karwar
6. Muthathi
7. Ranganathitti Bird Sanctuary
8. Kaveri Sangama, Mekedatu and Chunhi Falls
9. Shivanasamudra
10. Talkad


Hirekolale Lake, Chikmaglur

11. Balmuri falls
12. Hogenakkal
13. KRS dam and Brindavan Gardens
14. Muthyala Madu
15. Bandipur National Park
16. Muthodi – Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
17. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
18. Jog and Murdeshwar
19. Gokarna
20. Hampi

Hampi
Sunrise at Matanga Parvata, Hampi

21. Badami
22. Aihole
23. Pattadakal
24. Mahakoota
25. Melukote
26. Belur and Halebeedu
27. Nandi Betta

IMAGES

1. Hampi
2. Badami,Aihole and Pattadakal
3. Coorg
4. Monsoon
5. Bangalore

Skandagiri
Skandagiri near Bangalore

6. Chikmaglur
7. Gokarna
8. Melukote
9. Janapada Jaatre


Categories: misc

In a Hurry..

Stumbled upon this while reading Dominique Lapierre’s ‘City of Joy’, the book on Kolkata.

For Kovalski it was a marvelous observation ground. A girl came up to him, gave him a big smile and with authority… Placing a finger on his wrist, she said to him in English.

‘Dada, you must be in great hurry.’

‘Why do you thin that?’ asked Kovalski’

‘Because you have a watch.’


Giri River Camp, Himachal

Travelling in Himachal in June – 2007
Shimla >> Manali >> Rohtang >> Chandratal >> Ki/Kibber/Tabo >> Kalpa >> Shimla
+ Previous: First day in Himachal
+ Next: Driving to Shimla via Chail and Kufri
+ Go to beginning of the story or index page

It has been nearly a year since I made a trip to Himachal. Several attempts to write about it were never successful. First I kept procrastinating, and then I had found other things to write about. Later I suffered for many months with writers block, or blogger’s block if you wish to call it, and so on. Excuses are many, but finally it meant that a report was never completed. Here is one more attempt, I have no idea if I can finish it at least this time, but thats the goal.

To set the context first, it started as a series of posts like I normally do. Here is the story so far.

* Arriving in Delhi
* Loosing things
* First day in the mountain country

The story so far: And here is a quick summary if you are not to keen to click through all the posts. It was in mid June that I started off on a trip to Himachal. After spending a day in Delhi, I took a night bus and got down at Solan town an hour before Shimla. I was to meet a friend at a river-side camp owned by him on the bank of Giri river, nearly 30km from Solan. I reached the road head to Giri Camp where I was dropped off and walked towards the camp.

Continuation. It was a pleasant walk to the camp along the river. A few houses dotted the landscape to my right and to the left flowed the river silent. Steep hills rose up on both sides of the valley with trees hugging the slopes precariously. The camp was located along a wide curve of the river in a small plateau in the valley, where mountains blocked out views of everything beyond the curve and gave a sense of isolation. River ran deep and wide at sections near the camp, and then its channel narrowed and the flow gained speed after the curve. A few tents were pitched sparsely on the plateau. After exchanging pleasantries and meeting with a few other guests who were there, I checked into one of the tents to make up for the sleep lost in the night long journey.

Giri Camp near Solan, Himachal
At the camp

I have a never ending fascination for the rivers and Giri River provided an ideal indulgence. Its clear water flowed gently down the mountain with a pleasant gurgle. I walked along its bank for a long distance, occasionally crossing it and feeling the current pushing my legs. Pebbles in the shallows gave way to fine sand in deeper parts which was visible far deep under the water. The same river that is in a hurry to run away in a shallow stretch turned calm and inviting where it is deep. Thick vegetation of ferns drooped from vertical walls on the bank and pearls of water condensed from them into the river.

Giri River
…pearls of water condensed from the ferns into the river

My fears that the river would be too cold were alleviated quickly. There was a bit of chill and it was not inviting enough in the morning but things changed later in the day as the sun moved up. When I saw few villagers going for a swim, it wasn’t easy to resist. With initial hesitation to jump in gone, I was soon wading in the water, resisting giggles as the fish bit my legs and tickled the senses. I found a deeper section of the river going down to 10 feet and spent nearly an hour in the river swimming or sitting on the rocks. Refreshed, but tired and hungry after the swim, had a session of refueling soon after.

Giri River

I took my camera and went for another walk in the later hours when the sun started moving downwards. Temperature dipped slowly in the sunset hours and a gentle breeze blew across the river. Sun went beyond the hills early in the valley while he was still shining brightly, and the golden hues of the evening were mild, with it being the the summer. The river continued to flow gently regardless of the time, playing melodious notes as it bumped off the rocks jutting out in the shallows. We sat by the river and watched the darkness slowly capture the mountains as the last lights of the day faded slowly.

Giri River

That night was spent huddled around a campfire, listening to stories of the highlands of Himachal from my friends amidst crackles of the burning wood as we ate our dinner. The night came early and quickly and we retired soon listening to the sounds of nature in the silence.

Giri River
At the hour of sunset

Next morning, it was already time to leave. The feeling that I was leaving too early lingered with me for a long time as we drove towards Shimla.

Continued at Driving to Shimla via Chail and Kufri