It was a sunny Saturday morning with a few clouds dotting the azure sky. A perfect day for a Getaway! The three of us (Prasad, Prasun and yours truly) set off on two bikes, carrying a backpack each, a camera, some food and lots of good spirits! The destination was Sangama and Meke Dattu (Goat Crossing, when translated to English). Sangama and Meke Dattu is about 90 odd Kilometers from Bangalore and about 40 odd Kilometers from Kanakpura. Sangama stands at the confluence of River Cauvery and Arkavathi. Meke Dattu is about 5 Kms further from Sangama where the river plunges through a series of Gorges.
The Road to Kanakpura was surprisingly devoid of traffic, which made the Bike journey very enjoyable. Cool breeze, a tree lined pothole-less road and two fast bikes was enough to have us settle into the Weekend mood. We covered the distance to Kanakpura quite quickly and then proceeded onto the road to Sangama (which one can easily find either by following the Signs or by asking the locals). We did both for good measure! Kanakpura by the way offers the last fuel stop. We had plenty so we didn’t have to worry much. The road past Kanakpura gets narrower but apart from a small stretch, it offers a smooth ride. We had several pit stops on the way. Often just to stop and look at the fields and the beautiful countryside and drink in the freshness of the morning. About 10-15 Kms before Sangama we saw a signpost that announced ‘Chunchi Falls – 5 Kms’. An arch was being constructed at the entrance to this deviation. We decided to explore this on our way back. The road, a few Kms before Sangama, plunges into a series of Hairpin curves. It sure is fun to ride down this stretch.
It was around half past 11 when we finally arrived at Sangama. There are a couple of small teashops and a parking area (with a parking fee!) at this place. We were right on the riverbed and seeing the clear water flowing through was such a refreshing sight! After a small dialogue with the teashop owner we gathered that Meke Dattu was about 5 kms from the other side of the River Bank. Since we cannot take our vehicles across the river we have to cross the river on foot and then choose from the option of either riding a rickety old bus that makes half hourly trips to and fro from Sangama to Meke Dattu or trek those 5 Kms. A small trek was right up our alley and we were game for making the most of our Getaway! But first we had to cross the river.
The water was only knee deep at most places but we kept a wary eye for any crocodiles, snakes or any other creature that we could think of at that moment. However the sight of several small groups of picnickers playing in the cool river water reassured our unfounded fears. On reaching the other bank we were reluctant to leave the cool waters and go on the trek. But the spirit of adventure got the better of us. And off we went on the trail that led up to Meke Dattu. There was good foliage around us, but sadly the summer had wilted most of the greenery and bare trees stood out everywhere. The Trek was not the most pleasant one with the sun deciding to come out in full glory but the trees did offer good shade. The rickety old bus went past us a few times on our Trek. Some way into the trail we could hear the river roar through a gorge. The sound of the gushing waters drew us away from the trail and we set off to explore! We were in for a rocky climb over sharp rocks but the roar of the river just drove us on. Finally we climbed over one big rock and Voila! There was the river below! The muddy rapids rushing through the little gorge was a fascinating sight! We spent quite a while at that place and we even climbed down to the river. (On hindsight, it was not a very safe thing to do!)
After our ‘great’ discovery we set off back on the trail and arrived at Meke Dattu all hot and tired. It had taken us about 2 hours to trek up the distance. At Meke Dattu, a series of steep crude steps cut into the rock leads us down to the gorge. The view all around the place is quite breath-taking. The Gorge itself is a set of Rocks that one has to climb to get a sight of the river below. This place is quite dangerous if one loses their footing. The lore has it that a Goat when being chased by a Tiger jumped across the Gorge and hence the place got its name – Meke Dattu. After feasting our eyes on the rocks and the river we climbed back up. This time we decided to take the bus ride back to Sangama. We were fully pleased with ourselves having satiated our spirit of adventure.
We arrived at Sangama to the sight of the cool river water and lots of people enjoying a swim. We didn’t need any invitation. We plunged into the river and after the hot trek it was a welcome relief. We spent more than two hours playing in river- just relaxing those nerves, soothing our minds and cleansing off all traces of stress. What a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
We reluctantly got out of the water as thick clouds gathered up from nowhere. In no time, it started raining heavily. We beat a hasty retreat into the Teashop and ate some hot omelets. Soon the rain relented and we started our return journey.
On the way back we came upon the deviation to ‘Chunchi Falls’ and our youthful spirits just made us head out onto the small road. It wound its way through a small village. The cloudy evening sky and the rustic setting made it a delightful ride. We arrived at Chuchi Falls in no time. We had to hike a small distance down to the Falls. But once we got there, it was worth it! A beautiful waterfall was before our eyes! The noise of water dropping down in full force and the sight of the white waters was just the icing we needed on the cake. As clouds gathered up once more, we decided to call it quits and headed back to our bikes. On the ride back, the rain did come down to bother us a bit but finally after about 190 Kms and 12 hours of non-stop fun we arrived back in Bangalore all smug and happy. We finally trooped off to Pizza Hut to celebrate what had been a wonderful Getaway!
- Strider
The Road to Kanakpura was surprisingly devoid of traffic, which made the Bike journey very enjoyable. Cool breeze, a tree lined pothole-less road and two fast bikes was enough to have us settle into the Weekend mood. We covered the distance to Kanakpura quite quickly and then proceeded onto the road to Sangama (which one can easily find either by following the Signs or by asking the locals). We did both for good measure! Kanakpura by the way offers the last fuel stop. We had plenty so we didn’t have to worry much. The road past Kanakpura gets narrower but apart from a small stretch, it offers a smooth ride. We had several pit stops on the way. Often just to stop and look at the fields and the beautiful countryside and drink in the freshness of the morning. About 10-15 Kms before Sangama we saw a signpost that announced ‘Chunchi Falls – 5 Kms’. An arch was being constructed at the entrance to this deviation. We decided to explore this on our way back. The road, a few Kms before Sangama, plunges into a series of Hairpin curves. It sure is fun to ride down this stretch.
It was around half past 11 when we finally arrived at Sangama. There are a couple of small teashops and a parking area (with a parking fee!) at this place. We were right on the riverbed and seeing the clear water flowing through was such a refreshing sight! After a small dialogue with the teashop owner we gathered that Meke Dattu was about 5 kms from the other side of the River Bank. Since we cannot take our vehicles across the river we have to cross the river on foot and then choose from the option of either riding a rickety old bus that makes half hourly trips to and fro from Sangama to Meke Dattu or trek those 5 Kms. A small trek was right up our alley and we were game for making the most of our Getaway! But first we had to cross the river.
The water was only knee deep at most places but we kept a wary eye for any crocodiles, snakes or any other creature that we could think of at that moment. However the sight of several small groups of picnickers playing in the cool river water reassured our unfounded fears. On reaching the other bank we were reluctant to leave the cool waters and go on the trek. But the spirit of adventure got the better of us. And off we went on the trail that led up to Meke Dattu. There was good foliage around us, but sadly the summer had wilted most of the greenery and bare trees stood out everywhere. The Trek was not the most pleasant one with the sun deciding to come out in full glory but the trees did offer good shade. The rickety old bus went past us a few times on our Trek. Some way into the trail we could hear the river roar through a gorge. The sound of the gushing waters drew us away from the trail and we set off to explore! We were in for a rocky climb over sharp rocks but the roar of the river just drove us on. Finally we climbed over one big rock and Voila! There was the river below! The muddy rapids rushing through the little gorge was a fascinating sight! We spent quite a while at that place and we even climbed down to the river. (On hindsight, it was not a very safe thing to do!)
After our ‘great’ discovery we set off back on the trail and arrived at Meke Dattu all hot and tired. It had taken us about 2 hours to trek up the distance. At Meke Dattu, a series of steep crude steps cut into the rock leads us down to the gorge. The view all around the place is quite breath-taking. The Gorge itself is a set of Rocks that one has to climb to get a sight of the river below. This place is quite dangerous if one loses their footing. The lore has it that a Goat when being chased by a Tiger jumped across the Gorge and hence the place got its name – Meke Dattu. After feasting our eyes on the rocks and the river we climbed back up. This time we decided to take the bus ride back to Sangama. We were fully pleased with ourselves having satiated our spirit of adventure.
We arrived at Sangama to the sight of the cool river water and lots of people enjoying a swim. We didn’t need any invitation. We plunged into the river and after the hot trek it was a welcome relief. We spent more than two hours playing in river- just relaxing those nerves, soothing our minds and cleansing off all traces of stress. What a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
We reluctantly got out of the water as thick clouds gathered up from nowhere. In no time, it started raining heavily. We beat a hasty retreat into the Teashop and ate some hot omelets. Soon the rain relented and we started our return journey.
On the way back we came upon the deviation to ‘Chunchi Falls’ and our youthful spirits just made us head out onto the small road. It wound its way through a small village. The cloudy evening sky and the rustic setting made it a delightful ride. We arrived at Chuchi Falls in no time. We had to hike a small distance down to the Falls. But once we got there, it was worth it! A beautiful waterfall was before our eyes! The noise of water dropping down in full force and the sight of the white waters was just the icing we needed on the cake. As clouds gathered up once more, we decided to call it quits and headed back to our bikes. On the ride back, the rain did come down to bother us a bit but finally after about 190 Kms and 12 hours of non-stop fun we arrived back in Bangalore all smug and happy. We finally trooped off to Pizza Hut to celebrate what had been a wonderful Getaway!
- Strider
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