Trekkers,
mountain climbers, river rafters and all those adventurous
souls make Shimoga a focal point to disembark on their journey
towards the Western Ghats.One hundred and five kilometers from Shimoga is the
magnificent Jog Falls, the highest waterfall in India. The
railway route from Bangalore comes to a dead end here and the next
stretch towards Jog Falls turns into a meter gauge track. In fact,
this is one of the last remaining meter gauge stretches left in the
country.
The short journey from here to Talguppa is one of the most
enchanting rail routes through lush green paddy fields, nestled
among the mist laden mountains where evergreen forests are slowly
being replaced by plantations. Winding through verdant forests full
of exotic birds and butterflies, the train slowly slumbers into the
tiny station of Talguppa. This is the town of the Deewaru Community
who decorate their houses
with exquisite wall murals called Chittaara
art.
The rail route cannot move further due to the steep terrain and now
we have to get onto a bus toreach Jog Falls. The private bus service provides
an excellent service not only in Shimoga district but also the neighbouring
districts of Chikmagalur, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada.
Accessible from Shimoga and Hubli, the road passes through
dense teak forests that block your view of the sun. After crossing
the Sharavathi river, (stop by at small streams flowing down
the rocky slopes and taste the fresh spring water - the taste is unforgettable)
you make a detour and face a stunning spectacle across a deep gorge.
The Sharavathi river flowing over a rocky bed takes a spectacular
leap from a height of 292 metres and divides
into four smaller ones - known as the Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket
- presenting a glorious view. The river leaps over an 800-foot
precipice in four separate cataracts - the four R's. The Rajah
is the grandest; halfway down, the violent
Roarer meets it; close byare the Rocket and Rani glidinggracefully
over the cliff. The columns of foam and spray created
by the four streams together make up Jog Falls; sparkling
in sunlight, breathtaking in moonlight.
If you are captivated by the beauty and want a closer look, you can
walk down a narrow pathway to the bottom of the gorge and take a dip
in a pool of water at the foot of the falls. The best time to visit
this place is just after the monsoons between August-November
when the falls are at their most impressive.
General Information: Distance: 376 kms from Bangalore by Road. Accommodation: Only Government rest houses are available (Need
prior reservation from Bangalore). Nearest city: Shimoga - 274 kms from Bangalore.
Next the land of Malgudi Days, the place which receives the heaviest
rainfall in Karnataka!
