Narasimha Parvatha - trekker's paradise!

Narasimha Parvatha Trek trail, Kuduremukha National Park.

This was a pending plan from many months ever since the monsoon started. However, finally we 

found the right team in good number to attempt with right spirit.

Akshay and Mohan had taken care of travel and other arrangements and we scheduled the dates to be 20th and 21st of September. The plan in mind was something like this; Leave Bengalore by 10:30pm on 19th night and reach Sringeri, Climb up from Kigga side,  Stay at the peak, cook maggi, have a campfire, and get down to Malandur on the next day, reach Agumbe by lunchtime and head back to Bengalore by night.

But no matter how much we are ready to face any discomforts, mother nature has her own plans to make us think twice before stepping in.

With all the waiting, picking up all the fellow trekkers, at last, finally, we left Bengalore by 12:30am. almost two hours behind schedule. After a long overnight journey of 400km, we reached Agumbe - Ajjimane by 8:30 am. Since there were more guests we were unlucky not to have breakfast there. Nevertheless we were offered "Kashaya" - health drink with 28 different ingredients. As our trek guide Thimmappa  was waiting from 7:00 am, we hurried up and had breakfast at Agumbe bus stand. Goodness!! The idlies were unexpectedly amazing. Do try if you go there, but only when you don't get food at Ajji mane! :P

Ajji mane/Doddmane - Agumbe, 

Post breakfast we are all set for the trek, and our Guide Thimmappa led us from front. We started the trek from Malandur side instead of Kigga. We were dropped to Barakhana Falls trail by 9:45. We got our gears and backpacks, food and tents hoping that we will camp on the peak.

Pack wolves, all set for the chase the monsoon clouds.

The trail started off with flat grasslands and as we moved further the path got elevated with thick woods and canopies blocking sunlight. To be really frank, this trek trail is very confusing and that what makes it difficult as well. We crossed many water streams which are obviously non-perennial, Thimmappa made us walk with very few short breaks and showed both heaven and hell at the same time! :D

It reminded me the fact "All great things are achieved only when one works hard towards it."

Walking 11 km at a stretch is really tiring with a load of 5kgs on back, plus the terrain and elevations, not to mention the "Leeches". I think each one of us donated 200ml blood on an average. [I'm typing this in one hand, as my other hand busy scratching the itchy leech bites!]

The flat grassland

The thick woods

One of the many magical streams.

Found a lady bird

I enjoyed every single moment, and let myself lost in nature as it unfolded. To put a cherry on cake, Thimmappa led us to the mouth edge of Barakhana falls, It was 12:30 by then. The very sight gives you goosebumps when you stand at the edge and look down the valley.

Barakhana falls

Panoramic view from the edge of Barakhana falls.

We spent a good one hour time that also help us relax our muscles. We got back to the trail to reach the peak at the earliest. So did Thimappa insisted. We marched, neglecting the heavy rains that poured and soaked us and our bags. A very thrilling experience indeed. Meanwhile I was having a converse with Guide Thimmappa and learnt that he is 56 years old, his children are in Bengalore having a Photo Studio. Later on he explained his life story. He has been guide in Agumbe ghats from past 20 years, he had also been jailed on an account of helping naxalites and showing them hide outs. He proved himself to be naive and was got bailed out it seems. he smiled and said "how can I know who is Naxalite and who isn't?"

By 3:45 we dragged ourselves to peak, and took shelter at the house. We are also in a dilemma on whether to stay on peak or to get down to Kigga before dark. Considering the rain we all thought it would be better if we reach Sringeri to hault. Since getting down towards Kigga is an easy single path with no tricky deviations, we all agreed to descend the same day. But before that..  Wern't we hungry?? DIG IN... Every single person hogged on everything that was opened. Biscuits, chips, mixtures, Rice-pops and so on.

Thimmappa was supposed to reach back Agumbe, he showed us the Kigga route and told us it wouldn't take more than 2 hours. We thanked and sent him off with gratitude. and again got back to hogging business. Sunil had brought homemade mango-chapathi, it was a delight.

Selfie at the hilltop broken house.

Descending from peak

Once we are done with filling out stomachs, we started descending towards Kigga. By then rain had also stopped, and Misty view made the mountain range look even more beautiful.

Kuduremukha range

We quickly descended, as everyone got used to leech bites. 7 km covered within 2 hours, we reached the road, touched Kigga temple. Our bus came to pick us up and drop to Sringeri. Vyshak had arranged rooms at Yathri Nivas. A quite decent place and inexpensive too. I took a nap, and when I opened eyes, we had reached. 

Since we had brought lots of vegetables, Cooking utensils, ingredients, and countless Chapathis, we dint want to throw away or waste them. We Cooked our Trademarked Copyrighted "Trek-Masala".

Shishir and Venkat chopped onions and tomatoes, I took the ladle and sat in front of stove to stir. Akshay added his secret ingredient to enhance the flavors, pulverizing nerve cells through the aroma of it, as it blended with chopped veggies. The "tomato -onion" masala was ready within few min.

I'm sure all loved it! With a satisfied belly, we all slept, recalling the day's experience.

Trek tips:

• Forest permission is required for trekking
• Approaching the pick from Malandur side is difficult and if you are first timer, Kigga side climb is recommended.
• Best time to climb is between October - February, [You can minimize Leech bits]

Next day, we got ready and thought of covering Maghebalu falls and Sirimane falls. Since we delayed our departure we could vist only Maghenbaliu falls. The falls is located in hidden ridges of Kuduremukha natinal park, perhaps reaching there is not a big task. From Sringeri Kigga 14km, from Kigga 4km towards Sirimane falls, near SinDodi School, a deviation is there to reach Maghebailu falls.  A small hike of 2-3km we get you to this place.

© Venkatramana Bhat. Maghebailu falls, Kigga, Sringeri Chikmagalore

After having a great time playing water and taking photos, we headed back to Sringeri, to pay visit Shardamba Temple and seek holy blessings.

Sringeri is not just a religious place welcoming thousands of devotees, but also a place of great historical and mythological importance.

It is said to be believed that on the banks of River Thunga a snake raised its hood to protect a frog from sunlight, as the frog was about to lay eggs. this unusual phenomenon impressed Sri Adishankaracharya. (788c AD-820c AD) He stayed here for 12 years teaching his disciples, and established a Mata (Spiritual institution). During 14th centuray Vidyaranya developed the temple structure patronizing Vijayanagara empire.

Today the Temple complex consists Sharadamba temple, Vidyashankara temple, Ganapthi temple, well maintained on the river bed. A tall Gopuram -temple tower has also been constructed recently.

Sringeri Sharada Peetha, offers meals to visitors and devotees. 

We too had our lunch and left to Bengalore with loads of memories of the trip. The journey to Bengalore was also totally fun, with many PJ's hilarious stories from past, left everybody with laughter of lifetime.

All in all it was an unforgettable and unparalleled time.