SOUNDS OF FALLING WATERS
Shivana Samudram Water Falls and Talakadu
Prepared & Edited by
Ramadas Kaipa
INTRODUCTION
Shivana Samudram is a beautiful and famous waterfalls and the must see for water lovers / waterfalls lovers. Karnataka is rich with Kaveri waters all around. Shivana Samudram belongs to Mandya District of Karnataka. The beautiful Shivanasamudra falls are located 60 km from Mandya. The river Cauvery falls from a great height and two separate falls are created, known as Gaganachukki and Bharachukki.
WHERE ARE YOU? HOW DO YOU REACH?
You could be or near to any major city of the Country (India). If you can reach Bangalore / Mysore the following ways you can take to reach Shivana Samudram.
By Plane
The nearest airport is in Bangalore.
By Train
Nearest railway station is in Mysore, at a distance of 60 kilometers.
By Bus
The two falls are not well connected by bus. Buses ply regularly to Kollegala from Bangalore as well as Mysore. From Kollegala, one can hire cab or autorickshaw to reach the falls. However, buses to Kollegala can be crowded and hiring a cab from Bangalore or Mysore is advisable.
On Road
There are two ways to reach Shivanasamudra from Bangalore. From Bangalore, you can drive along the Bangalore Mysore highway till Maddur. Immediately after Maddur Bus station, take a left towards Malavalli. Keep going further straight from Malavalli and you'll reach Shivanasamudram. This route would take around 135 kilometers and the road is good upto Maddur, after which, the road condition deteriorates. However, this is the best road to reach Shivanasamudra from Bangalore. A non-stop journey would take approximately 3 hours from Bangalore.
Alternately, one can reach Malavalli from Bangalore via Kanakapura. Take the Kanakapura road from Bangalore which is in good condition. Immediately after Kanakapura, the road branches into two. Take the road which is slightly to the right to reach Malavalli. The left branch leads to Sangama, Makedattu and Chunchi falls. The stretch from Kanakapura to Malavalli is not in good condition and road repair work is in progress at some places. After reaching Malavalli, take a left turn to go to Shivanasamudra. It is advisable to avoid this route and take the Bangalore-Maddur-Malavalli-Shivanasamudra route instead, as the roads in that route are in better condition. It’s the best route to travel through Mysore road – Maddur – Malavalli.
If you are planning to go either as friends / family prefer to travel together through a Taxi.
WHAT’s SO SPECIAL?
Gagana Chukki Falls – It’s the place to see Water falls from a distance where there are few view points where you can take few snaps. And you also have the restaurant here to get yourself refreshed and have food. You can also taste some Maddur Vadas.
Gagana Chukki falls can be seen from two sides. If you reach Gagana Chukki from the side which does not have a Dharga, then go to the Malavalli Kollegala road, cross the bridge over Cauvery and take a left deviation to reach Madhyaranga. Madhyaranga has a Ranganatha Swamy temple.
At every point where the river Cauvery splits to form an island, there is a Ranganatha Swamy temple - the first one at Srirangapatna (referred to as 'Adi Ranga'), the second one here at Shivanasamudram (referred to as 'Madhya Ranga') and the third at Tiruchi (referred to as 'Antya Ranga').
You’ll get to see the Asia’s FIRST HYDRO ELECTRIC PLANT which is next to this Waterfalls. There is a big history for it. Please do try to visit the entrance to the HYDRO Plant.
Barachukki Falls – This is a place you can get to touch, Feel, Swim, Sit and play with water. Usually here water flows at a high speed and currents are very strong. But if it’s not a peak season you can even cross the water at one juncture to go near to the Falls. Here you can take bath under the water too.
IN DETAIL
GAGAN CHUKKI:
Gaganachukki especially is a steep fall where water gushes down with great velocity. The Gaganachukki waterfalls are best viewed from the Shivanasamudra watch tower. The western branch of the river which makes a rapid descent is the Gagana Chukki and can be approached by a steep path leading down from the tomb of Phir Ghaib, a Muslim saint said to have disappeared from the spot mysteriously The stream here makes a deafening noise as it hits the boulders and rocks resulting in a cloud of foam. The Bara Chukki on the eastern side provides a wonderful sight and is about a mile away from the Gagana Chukki falls. When the river is in spate or the region receives good rainfall, the volume of water that gushes down the steep descent in an unbroken sheet nearly quarter of a mile broad, is mind-boggling and defies imagination. In the centre of the falls is a deep gorge in the form of a horseshoe.
HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT:
Shivasamudram holds the distinction of being the site of India's first hydro-electric power station built in 1902. It was set up mainly to supply power to the Kolar goldmines 147 km away, making the 78 kv transmission line the longest in the world at the time. In fact, when the Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu was being constructed in the 1930's , the power was supplied from Shivasamudram. The place where the power station is located is called the 'Bluff', literally meaning a cliff with a broad, perpendicular face. The 135-m high bluff was ideal for laying the hydraulic pipes feeding the turbines in the generator. The station itself is named after K.Seshadri Iyer, the Dewan of Mysore from 1883-1901, during whose tenure the hydel project was implemented. The total capacity of Shivasamudram is 42,000 kw. Visitors can travel a dizzying 435 m down in a trolley and see the the working of the station.
BARACHUKKI:
A 19th century traveller Lewin Bowring noted that the splendour of the place was unrivalled. He went on to add that the noise of the gushing water was deafening while the foam emanating from the falls was blinding. Though Bara Chukki is of a lesser height compared to Gagana Chukki, the former is said to be more imposing.
At Bharachukki a staircase has been made to get down near the falls. It is pretty steep but the pains of getting down there are worth the effort. Once you get down there are 2 places where you can go. Either you can just go down right to the end of the stairs and sit near the water for sometime or take a detour to reach the falls on one side. We took the detour and it helped us see some breathtaking views. Sometimes it is these kinds of things that make a trip wonderful. When the spray from the water falling hits us, it was beyond the normal thrill experienced when we see water.
TALAKADU:
Talakadu, a tourist place unexplored by many people, is a beautiful place surrounded by the temples of Lord Shiva. It is on the banks of the Kapila Cauvery River. This place has historical importance dating back to 247 A.D. and ruled by Harshavardhana, Purusha, Rashtra Kootas, Vishnuvardhana, Vijaynagar Kings. The famous Somanatheshwara temple and Shivana Samudra falls are just 20 km away from the resort. Mysore, K.R.S. Dam, Ranganatithu Bird Sanctuary, Srirangapatna are just 50 kms away from the resort. Madavamantri Dam to the Cauvery Kapila river at Talakadu creates about 10Kms backwater and water level remains same throughout the year, a very good water source for Hydro Therapy and Ayurvedic Herbal Massage. The Shiva temples are beautiful The imposing
WHAT ARE THE MUST SEE?
Barachukki Falls – The Experience with waters here is definitely unforgettable and very unique.
You also get small round boats ( Theppa’s ) here to take you near to the falls and show you from near. Don’t miss this round boat journey.
WHAT DID I LIKE?
Myself, My wife, Parents and all our friends enjoyed the time at Barachukki compared to Gaganchukki. And I’ll recommend you to plan to stay at barachukki atleast for 3hrs and where you can have your lunch / snacks, which will be exciting.
