Pune to Pune..via Karnataka & Goa (2006)

Jog Falls & Gokarna Mahableshwar chapter

After crossing various districts like Hassan, Sagar, we entered Shimoga district. The place became world famous for its amazing nature and Jog Falls.

Jog Falls: Jog Falls created by the Sharavathi River falling from a height of 253 meters (829 ft) is the highest plunge waterfall in India Located in Shimoga District of Karnataka state, these segmented falls are a major tourist attraction. It is also called by alternative names of Gerusoppe falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi.

Apart from nature’s beauty, best thing about Jog Falls is a canteen situated near the falls. Wow.. nice taste and good hygiene! We spent more time in laying relax in front of the falls after heavy food.

Shailesh was amazed on our way ahead. Jog falls situated in the mid of a forest. I was recalling my journey through Bandipur forest. Amazing. Deers, peacocks, monkeys and many more..everyone roaming free. Shailesh never had chance to see such scene except in the zoo. The only part which always disturbs me is pug marks of human being even in the natures own home. Those railway lines, power cables, sign boards…hmmm!!

Our journey was now more relaxed. We kept meeting and talking to people, stopping by scenery places..

Since we spent entire day in lazy manner, we were late for our next destination. Around 8 pm, we reached Gokarna. Though the place was never on our plan, we just took left turn on NH 17 when we saw a sign board.

Gokarna Mahableshwar:

The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is a Hindu temple located in Gokarna, a Hindu religious pilgrimage center in Uttara Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. A Pranalinga (Pranalinga is defined as “the reality of God which can be apprehended by the mind.”) also known as Atmalinga or Shiva Linga is deified in the temple, which is facing the city beach of the Arabian Sea in Gokarna. The Shiva Linga has a hoary legend. It is said to bestow immense blessings to devotees who even glimpse it. The temple is considered as pious as the Shiva temple at Varanasi or Kashi in North India on the banks of the Ganges River and hence is known as the Dakshin Kasi (South Kasi).

We rushed to main shiva temple as it was about to close for darshana. I think God Shiva was waiting for us :-)) No one except the pujari was in main temple. We served our prayer, sat for a while and chanted the holy word “Om Namah Shivaya” with closed eyes. Simply divine, peaceful moments.

We roamed around the tiny town, had darshan of ‘Maha-Ganapati’ (one of the most famous ganesha). Maha-Ganpati is a standing idol of god Ganesha. Our favorite Ganapati bappa was looking pakka south-indian in white lungi but surely cute 🙂

When we returned to our bike after having food, we had bit of disappointment. Tyre-punctured.. Initially we thought of having halt in Gokarna but the same changed. We found a mechanic. All this ate up couple of hours. But we still determined about our way back home.

Around 12.30 in the night, we crossed Karnataka border and entered in Goa. Unfortunately, we experienced worst experience of Karnataka when we were about to say Bye to the state. State border check post between Karnataka-Goa is really pathetic in the terms of the system and people managing the same. Everyone, by default, who was crossing the border was paying bribe to security out there. We were on motor-bike with all documents, but still they held us for an hour arrogantly. I fought with them but had to loose my deodorants and couple of things in our bags.. Can you imagine? They took our things to let us leave Karnataka 🙁
Though the border sign-board was saying ‘Thank You – Visit Again’, I will never visit Karnataka through that entry point.

Thanks Karnataka – You are amazing, your people are nice! Thanks for unforgettable moments..!