Dabbe Falls in Shimoga

Dabbe Falls is one of the famous falls in western Ghats, but not so known to people maybe because it's hard to reach the falls as it's deep in the jungle. The waterfall is about 600 feet high. You can reach the bottom of this falls during summer and is not very deep (almost 4 to 5 feet), but advised not to try this during monsoon.

As of this writing there is a jeep route which will take you all the way to Dabbe Falls near 'Gowdra Mane' (house), our vehicle (TT) could almost reached this place but did not go further because of the muddy track. It can be very challenging to go by your vehicle during monsoon as the jeep route is not made of concert or tar. From this house, it's a dangerous steep (80-85 degree slope) walk for about 30 minutes. Can be challenging for first time trekkers, need a rope if you want to go to the bottom of the falls. There is no way you can see the falls without getting down as it's in the middle of the jungle. The trekking trail is dangerous and slippery and you need to hold branches and roots to get down and climb up.

You need to get forest entry ticket before entering the forest at Shimoga or the local forest department and will cost Rs. 250 for entry and Rs. 50 more for trekking. One copy of your original photo ID card is a must and localities in this region will inform local police or forest dept that you are in that place. Also, you can stay over night at 'Gowdra Maney' in your sleeping bag. You need to make an entry of your name before entering the falls in the above mentioned house.

It was great fun for us and we stayed in our sleeping bag overnight with some night time photography and cooking on our own. Not much of wild animals in this region even though it's in the middle of jungle. Nice place to visit during summer. Check out the video below and don't forget to share.

The Lost World - Kanoor Kote

Kanoor Kote is located in the midst of Sharavathi reserved forest. Reaching this place for stranger would be tough as many locals on the way predict the kilometers but don't know the exact distance to Kanoor Kote. Kanoor Kote was built by Rani Keladi Chenamma who ruled Keladi province after her husband's death. Keladi chenamma's name is considered as one of the brave women of Karnataka and of its history. 

Kanoor Kote says every word of history which was lived there even today and to reach here is one major task for any tourist and it will make you still wonder how did they traveled in such route when there was no transport at all. The fort is located in the deep jungle which is Reserved forest for wild animals. One can hear a lot of animal making noise while trekking towards the fort. It is adviced to trek to the fort in group rather than alone or few.

We were charged Rs 150 by forest dept and a trekking fee of Rs 50 more. There are few forest department sign boards and few cement chairs to sit just before Kanoor Kote. There is zero amount being spent in preserving this old historic fort. This place is not an ideal place to camp overnight and instead would recommend to stay in some villager's house located few kms away. We had walked almost 30 kms to reach this place from Dabbe Falls. There is a jeep route which will take you almost all the way till this fort. You need to walk for about 2 kms at the end to reach this fort. Check out this video.

Camera: Nikon D600 with Nikon 14-24mm lens
Location: Kanoor Fort, Shimoga, Karnataka, India

Evening in a village near Kuduremukha

Captured this near Kuduremukha, Western Ghats in  India. Image shows the terrace cultivation in the foreground. In middle is the western Ghats - hilly region which is known for the thick rain forest and is older than Himalayas and in the background is the fading sky. in the evening sky. Love the different colors, late This was captured just after sunset.

Download high quality image here [link] or contact me directly.

Camera: Nikon D600 with 14-24mm lens
Camera Settings: 24mm, 1/160, f/6.3, ISO 200

Trees - All the way up

Captured this image near Kuduremukha, Western Ghats. Below is the tea plantation and there trees are cut so that there is enough sunlight that reach the tea plants below and also to check soil erosion. Common to find these trees at most of the tea plantations here in Karnataka and Kerala.

Download this image here [Link] or contact me directly.

Camera: Nikon D600 with 14-24mm lens
Location: Kuduremukha, Western Ghats, Karnataka, India

Railway in the Rainforest

Captured this bright yellow grass which was right next to the railway track. It's always green in this region as it is close to the western ghats and also because it was just after monsoon. You will find this place while traveling from Bangalore to Mangalore. This track was laid in the 1970s and was meter gauge. The railway service in the route was stopped as railways decided to upgrade it to broad gauge. This route is now busy with goods trains. Also, a bit further from this place, you will find more than 55 tunnels when you go to Bangalore. There are famous trekking spots on the way near Western Ghats. 

Location: Mithur, Puttur, Karnataka, India

Camera: Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm prime

Camera Settings: 1/200, f/7.1, ISO 200
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Weekend at Mutati

Location: Mutati, River Cavery, Karnataka, India

Camera: Canon Powershot SX 130 IS

Shot this pic when I had been to Mutati on a team outing and team building activity. Had been there during summer and hence less water. On the other side of the river is the forest which is protected by Karnataka forest department. We had to cross the river using a round boat named 'teppa'. This place is within 100 kms range from crowded and noisy city of Bangalore and is really a quite place. Nice place to spend weekend with friends and family, but have to be careful with wild animals. You will find dry forest in this region and forest fire is common here. 

Trekking through Naranag Pine forest

Location: Naranag Pine Forest, Naranag, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Camera: Nikon D600 + Nikon 14-24 mm Ultra wide angle Lens

Image was shot on the last day of my 8 days Kashmir Great Lakes trekking. It was a muddy trail, snow patch, raining and mist around. Had to walk for almost 25 kms on the last day of trekking else we would have missed our flight to go back home. It was hard for me with my heavy camera and the lens along with my day pack. Rain and muddy trail made it even more hard for us to walk here. Took my camera out for a while and captured this shot. On this day it was too much walk and had no control over my legs.