Jog Splendor - Malnad's beauty!

Travel to Malnad - Karnataka's ghat sections is most sought after place in the monsoons by many connoisseurs of Nature! This expedition was very exciting, right from the very moment the itinerary was laid!! Planned for a 2-day jaunt to Malnad.. Started on a friday morning to Jog Falls to reach the destiny - Matthuga, a homestay, by noon... On the way to Jog, the sunflower farms did not allow us to go past the charming yellow meadows! Stopped to give our eyes, a yellow retreat... Calm place, fresh air, yellow sunflowers
dancing to the tunes of light breeze energized us...

As we drove towards Sagara, one of the well known
towns near the World famous Water falls, the monsoon had already started to shower! We started to get the feel of the Mungaaru Male - Monsoon downpour in the ghats... Drive in the rains was an ever-enduring experience for us... Reached Matthuga, a home-away-from-home, a new homestay, just 8-kms from the popular Jog Falls! Relaxed for a while, had the authentic Malnad food.. A very homely ambience @Matthuga is amidst huge plantations of coconut, arecanut, banana and vast variety of spices. We were on our toes to head to Jog.. Just a drive of
quarter of an hour from Matthuga, we landed
@Jog! On seeing the spectacular view of the Jog's splendor, we could not resist to take a down trek to the base.. Thanks to the tourism department here, the down trek was an easy one along the cemented stairway till the base of Jog!! As we trekked downwards, Jog offered a mesmerizing effect, flaunting it's beauty, with a difference in each view from different sides! Nature is glorious!! And we are truly fortunate to have Jog in Karnataka... Time spent at the basin was all the more fun! Gushing waters from heights made us feel as though they were aiming to hit straight on our heads... Way back to the top was a bit tiring... Then, we took a stroll to see the view of the Mahathma Gandhi Power Station. Near to it, Maavinagundi falls also is visible. Cool climate, View of the mushy falls was mind relaxing! Western ghats as a stunner, presents it's charm with many little cascades through it.. The valley of river Sharavathi could be seen at a distance.. Malnad coffee tickled our taste buds... It was almost sunset time. As dusk fell, Jog offered it's night view!

Azure skies, the ghats with the gleam of the moon falling on them and Jog falls resembling milk fountain... We were on cloud nine! Is pearly gates any different from this?? Moon lit view of Jog is a must see sight!! We did'nt realize time go past 8 in this gaiety... Headed back to Matthuga.. Malnad rains had already hit the roads... A drive when it rained cats and dogs!!! Wow, we doubted if we were in real world?! Hot tea and pakodas were waiting for us.. A bit later, had major munch.. After a stretch in Matthuga's campus, we had a marathon chat till dead of night...
Next dawn began with the scotch mist.. Had authentic south indian breakfast.. Drove to the inspection bungalow to have yet another view of the Jog! This was awesome... Jog looks really different here! A very small trek to see the vertical fall of Raja and Rani..And momentarily, this place is quite crowded due to the quite popular Kannada movie - Mungaaru Male shot here.. The view of the cascade in between the rock crevices is mind blowing. Thick forests on the other side, river Sharavathi flows between the rocks to plunge as Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket! Visited Rajakal and drove inside a forest area to get Sharavathi valley view.. Thich greenery everywhere, Valley is very scenic..
After a visit to Aalangodu Padmavathi temple and Kargal Chowdeshwari temple, we got the view of Linganamakki Dam from quite far distance.. Due to many Naxal attacks, visit to the dam is prohibited.
Evening visits were to Ikkeri Aghoreshwara temple and Keladi Rameshwara temple... Quite adorable architectural structures... Ikkeri, a small village near Sagara has now the remains of Aghoreshwara temple.. Built by Keladi Nayakas, it was once sacked by Tippu Sultan... A huge nandi sculpture is in front of Aghoreshwara temple. Temple has to it's credit, many intricate stone carvings and huge stone pillars.. Keladi temple has very beautiful stone and wood carvings! The wooden carvings in Parvathi temple are very exquisite.. Temple has stone carving of Gandaberunda - a two headed mythical bird! One of the sculptures was a rarest one - Vaasthu purusha..
As it began to get dusky, we were on our way back to the homestay! The 2-day tour had almost come towards the end... Beautiful, ever remarkable eventful tour had filled the pages of the fun filled past!