Monsoon Trip – Sivanasamudra, Srirangapatna – நான்.. இன்று.. என் பார்வையில்…

Started drive from Bangalore to Sivanasamudra in the morning. It is monsoon time in Karnataka, weather was so pleasant. We have not travelled during monsoon recently and it was thought to be unfruitful. This one proved wrong. Instead, monsoon seems to be the best time for traveling.

Kaveri has become more personal now. The only river i have seen multiple times at different forms and places. As we near Sivanasamudra, kaveri flows fierce fully, splits in to two streams, drops at two places and then joins together to become one. How nature does it beautifully. We visited first gagana chukki falls, smaller of the two. But the fall is so ferocious and will scare you with its force. The view point is in midst of a small village but its secured well to view the waterfall. Viewing the splash of water raising back to several feet, keeps us standstill for few minutes.

Bara chukki falls is few kms away from gagana chukki and has better view points constructed for visitors. Its a larger dropand has steps to view the fall at different heights. Looks like there is coracle ride to take near the fall but it was closed this time.

Somnathpur Chennakeshava temple is an hour drive from Sivanasamudra, few kms diversion from the route to Mysore. Temple is built in Hoysala style with sculptures potraying stories of Ramayana, Mahabharatha. Temple was built in 13th century and partially destroyed during the sultan’s invsation. Then restored by Vijayanagara rulers and Wodeyars of Mysore. Prayers are not offered in the temple (must be broken idols of main gods) but that let the architecture and environment pristine.

Stopped at Srirangapatna to visit Tipu’s Summer place and Ranganatha samy temple. Tipu’s palace is a small one constructed in Indo islamic style. Inside the building is of paintings depicting the war and floral art. it is also a museum with Tipu’s furniture and belongings.

Ranganatha Swamy temple in Srirangapatna is one of three holy ranganatha temples in south india. Madhya ranga near Sivanasamudra and anthya ranga in srirangam are the other two. It is not about the supreme power, it is about the power of people who created history.