SHIVAMOGGA TRIP 2012.

   On 10th of this month, all five of us had planned a trip to Shivamogga. The idea was to visit Baalagaru, Bheemanakatte and upto Hulikal.

   At 6 am, we started from Shivamogga Bus Station towards Teerthahalli. Shivamogga Bus Station has been reconstruted and got a facelift.


                                      Before starting our journey, a quick snap of the Bus station.

    It was very misty in the morning, I wonder, how the driver of our cab was able to see the road.  Shortly, we reached the Gajanoor Dam, the Dam across the river Tunga. Photography was not allowed there. We moved over and reached  a place, where the backwaters  had some dry trees, which made a beautiful scene.  Here, the mist was playing supportive.

     I shot only a couple of frames, but Pabbi- Shreenivas-Anand and Pavamana shot some 20+ images. There imagination was endless, but the time was, so, we departed from there.
 
  As we proceeded, stopping here and there for some photos,

                                    The nice curves in the road and  its colour complements with the green.

  we reached a small village - Toodooru, for breakfast. I was free till their return and shot these flowers.

As we moved, Balagaru was nearby (some 7-8 kms before Teerthahalli) and we enquired about the Mutt and reached the place. After having bathed and completing the rituals, we started shooting-

                                                           Arecanut farm before the Mutt.

                                                           Balagaru Mutt seen from river. 

                                                                         Tunga river. 

     While returning, from riverfront, we  took darshan of the deities of the  Mutt. The Swamiji blessed us  and we left the place.

                                                            Balagaru Mutt and its entrance.

                                  The door has intricate carvings  of  Dashavatars  of Lord Vishnu.

    Sitting there are,  Shreenivas, Pavamana, Pabbi and Anand. This time I had taken a new Speedlite- Nissin Di 466 with me, which I had acquired recently. It was  a test for the gadget and I found it functioning satisfactorily. Nissin Di 466 is a small flashgun having a Gn of 33, works well for casual occations, not hurting our pockets.
   
      Our next destination was Bheemanakatte. Some TV Serial was being shot there and the place was crowded. We returned to the Bheemnakatte Mutt soon, after taking some snaps and left the place.

                                                                   There was a lot of play of light and shade.

                                                      Bheemanakatte Mutt seen from the pathway that leads to river.

                                                                                          Entrance of the Mutt.

                                                                Bheemeshwara temple.

   After Bheemanakatte, we stopped at Teerthahalli to have some food.  Our next destination was  to go upto Hulikal bridge. On the way, there are innumerable spots  for photography. Hulikal  has been popular for its annual average rainfall since some years, but that day it was bright and sunny. We did not see much interesting there, decided to packup after some quick snaps.

                                                On the way to Mastikatte[Hulikal]

                                                          Small shrines near Hulikal bridge.

                                                 Backwaters of Mani[Varahi] Reservoir.

                                                                         Hulikal bridge.

                                                          The old road, which has submerged in the waters. 
   
While returning, we stopped at Mekeri Bridge and  at some other spots for shooting some  reflections.

    At  Gajanoor Dam, there were a lot of photo opertunities- including clear reflections, better than these, but
our return journey was fixed and we had to depart.

    

DEVARAKOLLI & PAYASWINI RIVER ROUTE, PART 2.

    Again on the next occasion,  as I was waiting, the sky was clear with some dramatic clouds,  all ready  for a good Photographic tour. This time I didn't even think about where to go  & just rushed to the same place-Devarakolli. No rains, no dull skies!

                                         Lush green welcomed me  at the first turning after Madikeri.

                               The Reds  amidst greenery, balances with the blues of  the House.

                                          The building stands out from the monotony of green.

From here I rushed to Devarakolli Falls. Alas, there was still some life. I shot a couple of pics. The road has been reconstruted recently, eliminating the sharp curves & elevating the height at some places.

                          The state of the Road in 2010 August, when we visited Devarakolli for the first time.

              The S curve at Devarakolli in 2010 August.

                            The rechristened road now. It is not the old one but a new construction.

                                                                  Devarakolli Falls.

    Here, I stopped  for a while and walked  few yards to capture the scenery.

                                                The curve leads our eyes to the greens in the picture.

                            A small stream which, later becomes river 'Payaswini'. It is near the Falls.

                              The tiled house stands out in the greenery.

                                           The trees form a vertical pattern in the scene.

The green pathway in front of Tea shop.

                                        The Tea shop a few yards away from Devarakolli. 

   From here, my next stop - the rubber plantation is about 3 to 4 kms. There was not enough water in the streams, even as it was,  in my previous visit.

                              Near the bridge, a small branch of a Tree, stood out of the backdrop.

                          The water has dried up and weeds have grown to cover the existing flow.

                                        The live green of the fern plant caught my eyes.

                                                    Trees with "Langoti" like tribels?

     My next destination was Sulya town. The road to the left at Gandhinagar leads to the River. There is a bridge,  on the River Payaswini.

                                      All the colours are here! the blue compliments the green.

                                              The Blue is reflected even in the water below.

                                   The refletions in the water always have been my interest.

            While returning, I stopped to shoot a Palasha tree. A fitting farewell for the trip!