Trip To Sivasamudram and Tallakdu


A one day trip after a long time... was definitely, a great break from the routine life and work.We were 6 of us - Shalu,
Raji, Kapil, Jhako , Guru and myself. It was a very sudden trip. Booked the Qualis just the evening before the trip.

Our plan : To visit Sivasamudram Falls and then head to Tallakadu, also visit Somnathpura temple.
Route : via Kanakpura Road (Better to go in for the Mysore Road route)

Without much difficulty, we woke up at 5 in the morning.. The first stop of the Qualis was at Kapil and Jhako's place, after
which we got in, then Guru and at last picked up Raji. Had coffe at Raji's place, after which, we set out for our first
picnic spot. SIVASAMUDRAM FALLS.

The estimated time to reach the place was 2:30 hrs, but we reached at only 10 in the morning after travelling for more than 3
hrs.. The road is pathetic.. Shalu, who is a 'car/bus'-o-phobiac.. kept vomitting at regular intervals.. thanks to the
various bumps on the road, which made the ordeal easy for her :)

The Shivasamudram Falls, is an awesome sight.. The force with which the water falls and the purity of the water, takes one by
surprise. We had to trek a little to reach to the waterfalls.. The place was quite slippery.. but we managed to reach the
waterfalls after some stumbling and falling down..Guru nearly slipped and fell down..Thank God! He didnt break any bones!
The water had the freshness and the purity, which could be felt by just dipping our feet in the water. We spent some time
enjoying the sight of the gushing waters!!

The place was wute crowded and it was getting a bit hot too...Time to leave the place!! We had climbed down, without
realising the amount of hardship it would take to climb up again!! My god! I was bare-footed and by the time, i reached the
top, i had a few cuts on my feet and palms.. But nevertheless, a very enjoyable trek and worth all the pain. The trek had
left us panting for breath.. Quenched our thirst with juicy watermelons and tender coconut...

After enjoying the sceneray from top, we then head straight for tallakadu. We knew that it was on the banks of Kaveri but did
not have a fully clear picture of how that place might be. It was not until we reached there, did we relaise that Bangalore
would have been very close to having a mini-beach :), had tallakadu been in Bangalore. Its just Kaveri running water and its
not so deep, so we can get into the water(without much fear !) ...We were in the water for more than 1.5 hrs... we were just
sitting with just our heads above water and enjoying the sun. Then, we played water throwball (the ususal throwball, just
taht we were standing in water).. was lots of fun..until finally we were all too tired and exhausted... That reminds me.. we
hadnt had breakfast that day.. With gastronomical feelings high in all of us, we finally settled down for lunch.

Raji had packed lunch for us from home. Everyone had a good potion of tamarind and lemon rice.. with Lays as an added
delight. After the sumptuous lunch, around 5 p.m. (Cant call it lunch !!) we set off to see the temples in that area.
There were 5 temples in all.. 2 shiva temples, which were underground.. 1 durga, 1 vishnu temple and the other one, we didnt
visit. We couldnt visit the somnathpur temple as it closes at 5. Anyway, happy with the enough no. of temples we had visited,
we then, left for Bangalore.. As happens always, while returning, all nostalgic feelings of past trips and college life,
crept up and the never-ending grumbling of having to go for the office next day!

On, the whole was a very enjoyable and memorable trip.. Tallakadu is a wonderful place to visit, for a day's picnic. However,
be cautioned that there are no proper hotels/restrooms.. And being just 150kms from Blore, it provides for a wonderful
destination, esp for those who complain about no beaches in Blore. The Mysore route is to be preffered as the Kanakpura road
is really bad(which slowed us down by about 1 hr).. and our return journey, we took the Mysore road and inspite of that, took
around 4 hrs to reach home.