Jog and Sathodi falls –truly mesmerizing


1/09/2009





Waterfalls have always beckoned me because of their incredible beauty. I had always wanted to visit Jog, especially after listening to the famous Rajkumar song “Jeevanadalli omme nodu joga gundi,” which I now realize is true, word for word.

After an overnight drive, we reached our destination, Mutthuga’s homestay, located amidst lush green areca plantations, just 8 km before Jog Falls. After a morning breakfast with a refreshing cup of coffee, we set off to Jog. After a fifteen-minute drive, we reached Jog Falls. There, we experienced the magnificent view of the Sharavathi River dropping down as Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket from a height of 930 ft. We could witness many moods of Jog as the weather kept changing from sunny to gloomy, and cloudy to rainy—a unique experience of its own kind. A mantle of deep greens covered the ridges and hollows of the rocks surrounding the falls. I was fascinated to see the rainbow that appeared at the base, adding to the charm of the waterfalls.

After visiting Jog, we returned to Mutthuga—which in Kannada means “flame of the forest”—where we enjoyed a treat of homemade food, specially served with lots of love. I must mention Sunanda, the caretaker of Mutthuga, for her culinary skills and warm hospitality.

The next day, we headed to Sathodi Falls, about a three-hour drive from Jog. Reaching there is not easy; a mud path is the only way. A tributary of the Kali River flows down like a ‘Mini Niagara.’ It was drizzling, and the walk through the misty woods was magical. The path was surrounded by trees with brilliant leaves, wildflowers, and mushrooms. We also saw the largest butterfly in the region, the Southern Birdwing. The smell of the forest was rich and fresh. We could hear birds chirping and various insects making different sounds. The river accompanied us all along the way, and Gargi enjoyed making paper boats and floating them on the river—her joy was infectious, and I could see that childish delight in her eyes.

When we reached the falls, we were stunned by their vastness and enduring beauty. It seemed as if nature reigned supreme at Sathodi. The scenery was so mesmerizing that I gazed at the falls without closing my eyes even for a second. Truly, the vastness and beauty of nature have humbled and inspired us time and again.

I am happy to mention that we were accompanied by wonderful friends—Sharath–Nandini, Ram Murthy–Niyathi–Bhagya, Sisya–Gayathri, and Venka—who made this trip even more exciting, cheerful, and memorable.

Comments

Gautham said…
Fantastic!! You've captured the essence of the trip here! Would love to see some more photos.
September 1, 2009 at 9:48 AM
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