Chunchi falls - Sangama - Mekedatu

This trip was decided when my wife saw an article in News paper when we went to get our bike which we have given for servicing. So, we planned for the weekend i.e. on 5th August 2007. Initially we planned to go by Bike but 2 of our friends joined after hearing the trip plan.

We managed to get out of house around 6:45 a.m. and headed towards Kanakapura. The road to Kanakapura was not bad we could go with any much jerks. As, it was a cloudy day we have enjoy the travel till Kanakapura by watching the beauty of countryside fields, coconut trees, mountain views etc.

After 1 hours of pleasant journey we reached bustling town of Kanakapura. It was a small town and we managed to find a small clean hotel to have our break fast. Still our destination Mekedatu was at a distance of 35 KM. We started towards destination on the tortuous road from small villages but the best part is you can forget painful journey by watching the nature’s beauty.

We have reached Chunchi falls around 9:00 a.m. To reach Chunchi falls we have to take a diversion 10 K.M before Sangama (you can see a big arch with clear sign boards which you cannot miss ). From the top you can see nothing one need get in to see the falls. The falls are not big but worth watch if you plan for Mekedatu. At Chunchi falls by the looking at the gorgeous rocks you can apprehend how ferociously water flowed in former years. Unfortunately we could not play in water at this place, as getting into water is not possible so. We have limited our self to just take so few sanp’s in our camera and carried lot’s of memories with ourselves.

We started again our journey towards Sangama around 11 O’ Clock and reached 20 minutes. As usual it was very crowded. Sangama is a confluence of Rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi. One can cross the river by foot as the water it not more than chest deep at any point. But we have preferred to take small boat as we do not want to get wet till we reach the destination. We then had fun time on other side of the river getting wet till knees. There were many people enjoying in the river to the fullest.

We then decided to have Lunch which we had packed from home (It is suggested to get something from to eat). We sat on a big rock, with water, green trees, rocks surrounding and wonderful clouds above us, frankly speaking it was one of the best lunches we ever had. We can never get such a wonderful feeling in n-star hotel also. It’s not what we had but it’s the way we had it.

We have then started around 1 O’ Clock to our much awaited destination that is Mekedatu, (Meke – GOAT, datu - Cross). It is 4 K.M from Sangama to Mekedatu and we have a local bus and few local transport which runs continuously. The distance is covered by full of trees and hills. But best option is to go by walk with which one can enjoy the nature here and there you can get into Cauvery have fun, Of course we went straight to the destination without stopping in between with a plan to covering the best while returning.

Reaching the Mekedatu we were excited to see the water flow and also surprised to see how the River Cauvery flows through a very narrow and deep Canyon. You could see the beautiful rock formed due to furious water flow. We taken step to get into the river (it’s only half the way, after that you cannot go) to get to closer view of the torrential water lash. Never try to reach the water in this place as this is very dangerous with any support. We had taken enough pic’s and when we are about to start back suddenly rain started In the rain the view was awesome. Then we started back from Mekedatu to explore Cauvery which we have noted when we came. Even though it was raining moderately we have not stopped to exploring Cauvery. We had two stops on the bank of river we had fun and reached back to Sangama to cross the river.

From Sangama when we are about to return, we saw a mishap i.e. a drunken guy drown in Cauvery, because he do not have control on him. Of-course the person who died has no pain (may have for couple of minutes). But, we have seen how painful for the friends who have accompanied him for the trip and we cannot imagine the pain of his family members.

My sincere advice to all who go for trip along with friends is if you want to enjoy adventurous place take at-most care and enjoy. Don’t take liquor when you are in such place. It’s not only takes your life, it’s takes the happiness of you friends and family members and lastly not the least don’t spoil the beautiful nature with alcohol bottles, plastic bottles, plastic papers etc. Please preserve nature.

Preparation for your Travel:
* Time to go to this is place is during monsoon
* Better to go by you own vehicle, public transport is may be eat away your time
* Take your food and water as the places are small you might suffer
* Ware comfortable clothes so that you play in water at safer places