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Udupi:
When the name of Udupi is mentioned the image of Lord Krishna and temples
come to mind. But in reality Udupi district is much more than just temples,
hotels and beaches. As one moves out of Udupi and heads towards the Western
Ghat perimeter, the natural wealth and wonders of Udupi district open
up, ideal place for Nature Lovers like us.
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Koosalli:
One such place is Koosali waterfalls (pronounced as Kusaali). Apart from
those living nearby and the trekkers who go in search of such spots, not
many are aware of Koosalli falls. It is situated at such a unique location
facing the sea, which makes it probably the only waterfall from where a
panoramic view of the Arabian Sea is possible. |
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fabulous picnic spot, Koosalli waterfalls is located near Koosalli village
in Kundapura. A series of six falls, one above the other, in splendid surroundings
makes it one of the best waterfalls in the state. The combined height of
all six falls is about 380 ft. The foliage around the spot is attractive.
The best time to visit is from September to November. This virgin and unspoiled
spot is near Shirooru, which is 76 km from Udupi on NH 17 towards Karwar
via Kundapura which is about 36 km from Udupi. Shirooru check-post is another
two kms ahead. At the check-post a right diversion for 11 kms via Toodalli
leads to Kallikone, a locality of just two houses.
You can park your vehicles there and walk. Preferred to have 2 wheelers
rather than 4 wheelers as the road is muddy and narrow. |
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How
it all began:
It was Friday 7th of October that the idea of a long drive and picnic struck.
Many options came in and we decided on Koosalli. An auspicious day Vijayadasami
- Wednesday 12th of October was chosen for the picnic. We were all together
12 people on 6 bikes. |
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Our Journey:
We met together near Taluk Office in Udupi sharp at 7:30am. Few of us
had our tea at the hotel nearby and got irritated by the cook for not being
on time with our lunch. It was till 8:30am that we waited and finally
decided to take off without the food. We all decided to meet at the highway
NH-17. Astonishingly the cook arrived there on his bullet just in time
with the lunch nicely wrapped in aluminium foil.
All set to go,
we decided to go steady on 45-50 KMph to pickup one of our colleague on
the way and stop at Marvanthe, a place where where NH 17 is sandwiched between
river on one side and Arabian Sea on the other. There is also a resort by
the name "Turtle Bay Beach Resort" just 1Km interior in case you want to
spend some time with your kids or girlfriends. |
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After
45mins of driving at around 10.00am, we all met here at the Marvanthe Beach
for a small rest of about 15 mins. As we started, we decided to have our
next stop at Shiroor check-post about 35Km. Taking a right diversion at
the check-post we drove for 15Km before we parked our vehicle at Koosalli.
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All
the way from this point was to walk, walk and walk. We walked for about
45 mins to reach the most beautiful falls, one over the other. The nature
so beautiful, that we forgot we had company waiting for us all the way.
Wondering the who were waiting for us??? LEECHES. The brances and twigs
so green and dark were resembling like snakes. As much as possible we tried
to take out the leaches on the way. Reaching the falls the salt was out
and in just 15mins all the leeches were bye-bye. The salt acted like acid
on the leeches instantly. We changed our clothing and all moved into the
water. There was just enough place a 12 of us and to keep our belongings.
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It
was around 12:00pm by the time we started playing in the water like kids.
The falls right from the point of visibility to all the way it was flowing
was as white as milk. The green surface on the rocks were rough, rather
than being slippery. A few went to the upper falls from which the 5th waterfall
was visible. Our joy grew more when it started to rain and the mist came
down covering the mountians. |
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No
one was shivering in the cold waters until we all came out of water for
a break and to have lunch. At 01:30pm we had our lunch of 4 chapatis and
bombay saagu, banana and musumbi. After the lunch a few of us decided to
start back, a few again decided to trek to 5th waterfall and they made it.
They wanted us come but we decided to stay back. They said we missed the
beauty of the falls and adventure to trek up the slipery path. |
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By
the time they returned it was around 02:45pm. We started at 03:00pm as we
had to travel almost 100KM. As we marked our way back we were ready for
the leeches. Having ample of salt we invited to leeches to bite us. A few
dared and did bite but failed in their effort. It was raining on our way
back and we could hear the falls roaring bye. The sound of the rain falling
over the leaves, footsteps cracking the dry leaves, twigs and brances and
the atmosphere of around evening 06:00pm at 03:00pm, thrilled us. |
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As
we reached out the thick forest, all our friends who had started earlier
were waiting for us. As we were all waiting for the rain to stop, the inmates
of one of the house offered us hot tea to withstand the cold atmosphere.
As the rain stopped we all started back. |
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Our Say:
We all had only one statement to make "It is worth being there." We were
drenced in the rain on our way back as a result most of were caught cold.
But we would still say it is a place if you visit, you would feel you
are in heaven.
Keep it Clean: Koosalli falls is in a quiet, serene and relatively unspoiled spot. If you plan to visit, do keep in mind not to litter plastic, wrappers, bottles etc. Enjoy the Nature. Give due respect to it. Let�s do our bit to keep it clean. |
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Signed: Nature Lovers ([email protected]) |
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