Kudajathri Photos - Karnataka

Kodachadri is a mountain peak with dense forests (altitude - 1312 metres above sea level) in the Western Ghats in South India (Karnataka State). The name comes from native word "Kodacha" or "Kodashi" which means hill and "Adri" a Sanskrit word, both combined together coined the word Kodachadri. It is also called "Kudajadri" and "Kodashi Parvatha". Kodachadri forms a background to the famous temple of Mookambika in Kollur. Situated in the middle of the Mookambika National Park, it is home to several endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna. The peak is barren due to strong winds and the thick forest cover at the base makes the peak invisible from lower ground level and also several other smaller peaks and hills exist around the peak. The important animal life include Malabar Langur, King Cobra, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill, Paradise Flycatcher, Emerald Pigeon, Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Bison, Python and many more, of which several are endangered. There are different routes to reach the Peak of Kodachadri and the difficulty varies highly with respect to the route chosen, However it difficult to reach the peak in monsoon due to heavy rains that make the routes slippery.

The Shola Forests spread over the surrounding hill range as well as on Kodachadri hill range is unique. Shola forests are said to be the life of steams and rivers of such hills. Plants in Shola forests are neither shrubs nor big trees, but medium sized green plants with tough trunks, which is suitable to withstand the strong winds that lash the mountain sides continuously. The speedy winds that lash the mountains during monsoon can easily uproot bigger trees but do no harm to shola forest. Shola forest also shelters different types of reptiles, birds, insects, vertebrates;The flora and fauna of Shola forest is unique. Other than Shola Forest, there is a good coverage of dense evergreen forest with high canopy.

History - Kodachadri seems to have attracted the attention of humankind since long time. Probably prehistoric men also trekked in this area and several monolithic structures or menhirs (big rocks with a length more than 12 feet) are found near Nagara-Nilsakal, at about 20 km from this place. Ancient mother goddess temple is there near the top of the peak and legend says that the goddess slayed Mookasura several thousand years ago. This belief can be compared with ancient practice of worshipping Mother Goddess during prehistoric time all over the world. At present, Kodachadri is popular among locals and Keralites since at least 500 years or more. Sage Shankaracharya is said to have visited this place and established Kollur temple. A small temple built with stone dedicated to sage Shankaracharya is situated at the top of Kodachadri. Pilgrims from Southern India visit Kollur and some of them trek to Kodachadri also, retracing the foot steps of Sage Shankaracharya.

Places of interest - There is small a temple near the peak where Shankaracharya did meditation and ancient Sarvajna Peeta (built out of rock) at the top. There is road up to temple where a travellers' bungalow is also situated and from there one has to trek on a beaten track to the top. Moola Mookambika temple at Kodachadri village is believed to be the moola sthana (the origin) of Sri Mookambika Devi. Just below the peak, an almost vertical path leads to a small cave called Chitramoola, from where the Mookambika temple of Kollur is visible. One iron pillar of about 40 feet is planted erect in front of Moola Mookambika Temple at Kodachadri and devotees believe that this is the trishula used by goddess to slay the demon . Indian scientists from IGCAR kalpakkam and KREC Suratkal had a test made on the Iron pillar found that it was made from traditional Indian metallurgical skills and not from modern casting methods. It is found as pure iron. Several such pillars are also found in some places all along Western Ghats (e.g. near Kemmannu gundi, near Yemkalkere, Agumbe, where there are good iron/manganese deposits). Some of these pillars might have been erected by British people, to mark availability of iron ore. However mining in large scale did not take place at Kodachadri, though there are efforts to lease out the surrounding hills to mining companies to mine manganese and iron.

Around ten km from Kodachadri is Hidlumane Waterfalls and only a bridle path is there to reach this waterfalls - suitable for those who love a little adventurous trekking.

Another water falls in deep forest is Arasinagundi falls which is nearer to Kollur, at the bottom of Kodachadri. There is also one more distant waterfalls called Belakallu theertha, which is near Mudur, Jadkal (Kollur), also suitable for trekkers.

Nagara Fort is around 25 km from Kodachadri and there exists an old fort built during 18th Century and around Nagara, the landscape created out of backwaters of Linganamakki Dam on Sharavathi River is pleasant. There is also thick forested area and some villages with agricultural activity, all making good landscape.

Kodachadri is also a popular trekking route among the people of Udupi district and surrounding villages. Particularly, for students and for those who are beginners, this trekking route is ideal with fair difficulty and availability of hot food at the end of trekking. It is around five-hour trek from Nagodi village, near Kollur. In summer, it will be real hot to trek and during rainy season, it is almost impossible for beginners to trek due to heavy rain,cloud, chilly weather and leeches. Rainy season trekking can be undertaken as a unique experience, and trekking during winter is ideal. During winter, the weather will be all clear and the panoramic view is beautiful. Night trekking during winter on a full moon day will be thrilling and a good option for such trekkers who want a change. Another easier trekking route is on the jeep road, which starts from Sampekatte village (Hosanagara Taluk). At the top, there is a permanent settlement of one Bhat, whose main business is serving the trekkers and devotees who trek, with food and shelter - of course, a small amount is charged. For trekkers, much preparation is not required in respect of food and shelter. Travellers bungalow maintained by Tahasildar Hosanagar (Govt. of Karnataka) is capable of providing basic shelter for a dozen of people. Trekkers can take rest during night and return next morning.

The sunset watched from Kodachadri peak on a clear day is an enchanting experience. The Arabian Sea is visible from the top on cloudless day and sun literally goes down into the sea and due to the proximity to sea, the shape of golden sun changes every minute. At the beginning it looks like a inverted pot, then like a vessel, a hat, a ring with double edges and so many shapes are visible which is a interesting sight. The sunrise is also seen from another hillock behind the Tourist Bungalow and the hillock is called Venkatarayana Durga, with some remote connection to some Palegara Kings who ruled the surrounding places. During sunrise, the plateau below is usually covered with mist and it looks like a vast sea of curd with some high peaks peeping out of that misty plateau.

Transportation - From Bangalore, one has to go to Shimoga (285 km) and from there, one can take public transport to reach Nagodi village (Hosanagara Taluk): three hours journey. From Udupi, it is three hours journey to Nagodi village, from where trekking starts.

Kodachadri has all rough jeep road (partially metalled) on which only good jeeps can travel. Cars and Mini buses cannot maneuver the steep hairpin curves and highly uneven surface of the road. As this hilly road is not maintained properly, only expert local jeep drivers can take the jeep to the top. Jeeps for hire are available at Kollur and at villages near Kodachadri base. Shared hiring is also available at Kollur, nine persons in each jeep and this facility is convenient for odd time tourists. Motorcycle riding on this highly uneven, steep, mud track with sharp hairpin curve with gradients, will be challenging and may be sometimes risky.

Alternative means to reach the peak of Kodachadri is to board a jeep at Kollur. Every day around 30 jeeps take tourists and pilgrims, on hire, to Kodachadri

Where to Stay - There is little accommodation at Kodachadri itself. Kollur (15 km) has several Guest House and lodges as well as homestay accommodation and this is a good option. Nearest Town Kundapura has Lodging accommodation. The travellers' Bungalow at Kodachadri with very very basic facilities and for reservation, contact Officer in charge, PWD, Hosanagar, Shimoga district. One or two homestays are also available near Main Road.

Kerala kummattikali pictures

Kummattikali Pictures - Panamukku Rachana Team

Kummattikali or Kummatti Kali is the famous colorful mask-dance of Kerala, South Malabar in particular. During the festival of Onam, Kummattikali performers move from house to house collecting small gifts and entertaining people. Kummatti dances are rampant in the Thrissur district during Onam. Pristine or original form of Kummattikali can be seen in the Bhadrakali temple in Palghat district.



Costumes

The costumes are a most interesting facet of Kummattikali. The dancers don a heavily painted colourful wooden mask depicting faces of Krishna, Narada, Kiratha, Darika, or hunters. These masks are usually made out of saprophyte, jack fruit tree, Alstonia scholaris, Hog Plum tree or the Coral tree.

The dancers wear skirts woven out of plaited grass. Some cover their whole body with bunches of grass for a more bushy appearance. The semblance is made more joyful with the 'talla' attached externally to the mask giving the appearance of a toothless open mouth. Dancers also hold and manipulate long sticks of residuary agricultural produce called 'Kummattikali': it is from this that the dance derives its name. Their dance is related to Shaiva myth. 'Thamma' (an old woman) walks in front with the help of a stick. Thamma is symbolic of mother of every being and everything.

Kummatti dancers are a sight to watch as they move around from house to house collecting jaggery, rice, or small amounts of cash. Onlookers, specially children take great delight in their performance.



Performance

The rhythm for the dance movements is provided by vibrating the string of a bow like instrument called an Onavillu. Areca nut wood is used to make the bow and the strings are beaten with a narrow bamboo stick.

The themes of Kummattikali are mostly taken from the stories of Ramayana, Darika Vadham, the story of Shiva and folk tales like Manjan Nayare Pattu.

It may be noted that folk art of Kerala can be classified into two broad categories - ritualistic and non-ritualistic. Ritualistic can be further divided into - Devotional, performed to please a particular god and goddess and Magical Art Forms. Theyyam, Thira, Poothamthira, Kannyar Kali, Kummattikali, etc. are some of devotional art forms.

Murudeshvara Temple - Karnataka

This picture is of lord Shiva which is in Batkal,Karnataka. This is World's second tallest statue of Lord Shiva. Murudeshwara is a town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India. "Murudeshwara" is another name of the Hindu god Shiva. Famous for the world's second-tallest Shiva statue, Murudeshwara beach town lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea and is also famous for the Murudeshwara Temple.

The origin of the name "Murudeshwara" dates to the time of Ramayana. The Hindu gods attained immortality and invincibility by worshipping a divine Lingam called the Atma-Linga. The Lanka King Ravana wanted to attain immortality by obtaining the Atma-Linga (Soul of Shiva). Since the Atma-Linga belonged to Lord Shiva, Ravana worshipped Shiva with devotion. Pleased by his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him what he wanted. By this time Narada had asked Lord Vishnu to change Ravana's mind. As a result of this plot, Ravana asks for Goddess Parvati, and Lord Shiva offers her to him. On his way back to Lanka Narada tells Ravana that Lord had not given him the real Parvathi and that the real Parvathi was in Pathala. So Ravana frees his companion,goes to Pathala and marries a king's daughter ,assuming her to be the real Parvathi.

He then returns to Lanka, where his mother asks him for the Linga. Ravana then comes to know of the tricks played on him by Lord Vishnu. He therefore prays to Lord Shiva again, begging for his forgiveness. Lord Shiva appears and this time, Ravana requests the AtmaLinga as his boon. Lord Shiva agrees to give him the boon with the condition that it should never be placed on the ground. If the AtmaLinga was ever placed on the ground, all the powers would return to Lord Shiva again. Having obtained his boon, Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka.

Sage Narada, who came to know of this incident, realised that with the AtmaLinga, Ravana may obtain immortality and create havoc on earth. He approached the Lord Ganesh and requested him to prevent the AtmaLinga from reaching Lanka. Lord Ganesh knew that Ravana was a very devoted person who used to perform prayer ritual in the evening every day without fail. He decided to make use of this fact and came up with a plan to confiscate the AtmaLinga from Ravana.

As Ravana was nearing Gokarna, Lord Vishnu blotted out the sun to give the appearance of dusk. Ravana now had to perform his evening rituals but was worried because with the AtmaLinga in his hands, he would not be able to do his rituals. At this time, Lord Ganesh in the disguise of a Brahmin boy accosted him.Ravana requested him to hold the AtmaLinga until he performed his rituals, and asked him not to place it on the ground. Ganesh struck a deal with him saying that he would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return within that time, he would place the AtmaLinga on the ground.


As predicted, before Ravana could return after completing his rituals, Ganesh had already placed the AtmaLinga on the ground. Vishnu then removed his illusion and it was daylight again. Ravana, realising that he had been tricked,tried to uproot and destroy it; Due to the force exerted by Ravana, some pieces were scattered. One such piece from the head of the linga is said to have fallen in present day Surathkal .The famous Sadashiva temple is said to be built around that piece of linga. Then he decided to destroy the covering of the AtmaLinga, and threw the case covering it to a place called Sajjeshwara, 23 miles away. Then he threw the lid of the case to a placed called Guneshwara (now Gunavanthe)and Dhareshwara, 10–12 miles away. Finally, he threw the cloth covering the AtmaLinga to a placed called Mrideshwara in Kanduka-Giri (Kanduka Hill). Mrideshwara has been renamed to Murudeshwara.

First GPO - Maharashtra

This picture is of the first GPO which is in Maharashtra.

Sullia Pictures - D.K, Karnataka

Sullia is a taluk in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka,India. It is a small town, surrounded with evergreen wooded mountains in the Western Ghats range in South India. Sullia has plantations of rubber, areca nut, coconut, cashew nut, black pepper and banana. Education centers in Sullia offer a variety of education to students from around the world. The road connecting the two major cities of Karnataka – Mysore and Mangalore – runs through Sullia.

History - An historical revolution took place during 1837 when a majority of the Gowdas, and other castes from Amara Sullia, Madikeri and Bhagamandala went and fought for freedom against British. Coat of arms of Kodagu Gowdas during the freedom struggle against British,1837 They could hoist their flag in Mangalore and on their way back they were caught by the British due to the leakage of their hideouts by Kodavas. Due to the threat from Tippu Sultan, Kodava Rajas had become more loyal to the British and he then asked Coorgis/Kodavas to supress the Kodagu Gowdas from rising against British in 1837. It was hence named after it as Amara Sullya Dhange.


Culture - The culture of Sullia is a blend of Tuluva culture with a tinge of Kodagu culture. People speak Tulu, Kannada, Konkani, Beary and Kodava languages. Economy / Agriculture - The economy of Sullia is mainly based on agriculture and horticulture. The region has fertile land and rich water resources. The main crops are rubber trees, areca nut, cashew nut, rice, banana, vanilla and jackfruit.

Talacauvery Pictures - Karnataka

This picture is of Talacauvery which is in Karnataka, India.

Munnar Pictures - Idukki, Kerala

This picture is from Munnar which is in Idukki district, Kerala. Munnar is one of the most popular hill-resort towns in Kerala and in southern India. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats. The name Munnar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. The Munnar panchayat in the Devikulam block is the largest panchayat in the Idukki district having an area measuring nearly 557 km². The nearest major railway stations are at Ernakulam and Aluva (approximately 110 km by road). The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 105 km away.

Ooty Natural pics - Tamilnadu

This picture is from Ooty which is in Tamilnadu. Ootacamund, Udagamandalam in Tamil or Ooty is a town, a municipality and the district capital of the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Ootacamund is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills. Originally occupied by the Todas, the area came under the rule of the East India Company at the end of the 18th century. Today the town's economy is based on tourism and agriculture, with manufacturing of medicines and photographic film also present. The town is connected to the rest of India by road and rail, and its historic sites and natural beauty attract tourists.

Thrissur Town Hall - Kerala

This picture is of Thrissur Town Hall, Kerala. The Thrissur Town Hall is an imposing building situated in Thrissur city of Kerala. It was constructed during the Dewanship of RK Shanmughom Chetti and contains the Archaeological Museum and Picture Gallery, where mural paintings from all parts of the Kerala are copied and exhibited. The must see in this museum is the collection of the old manuscripts which is written on the palm leaves, they are called as olagrandhangal.

Toddy (Kallu) - Kerala

This picture is of toddy with eatables. Palm wine also called Palm Toddy also called "Kallu" in Malayalam and Tamil or simply Toddy is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the Palmyra, and coconut palms. This drink is common in various parts of Asia and Africa, and goes by various names, such as emu and oguro in Nigeria, Nsamba in Democratic Republic of the Congo, nsafufuo in Ghana, kallu in South India, tuak in North Sumatra, Indonesia, goribon (Rungus) in Sabah, Borneo, and tuba in the Philippines, Borneo and Mexico. In the Philippines, tubâ refers both to the freshly harvested sweetish sap and the one with the red lauan-tree tan bark colorant.
In Leyte, the red tuba is aged for up to one to two years to get that echoing ring when the glass gallon container is tapped; this type of tubâ is called bahalina. Toddy is also consumed in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Production of palm wine has contributed to the endangered status of some palm species such as the Chilean wine palm (Jubaea chilensis).

Korigad Fort Pictures - Pune, Maharashtra

Korigad (also called Koraigad, Koarigad or Kumwarigad) is a fort located about 20 km away from Lonavla in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Its date of construction is not known but likely predates 1500. It is about 929 m above sea level. The closest village is Peth Shahpur.
This fort was incorporated into his kingdom by Shivaji along with the forts of Lohagad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657. On March 11, 1818, Col. Prother tried to take over this fort but even after a prolonged siege could not make any headway. Finally on 14 March, by igniting the stored ammunition by means of a loose cannon ball he succeeded and this fort went to the British.
Now because of the Mulshi dam, a lake has formed close to the base of the hill on which Korigad stands. There are two lakes on the top of the fort. A temple to its patron goddess Koraidevi also exists along with several smaller temples to dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The former has been recently renovated and has a 3 foot high Deepmala(tower of lamps).The interesting part of the fort is that its wall is completely intact and one can walk along its entire perimeter(about 2 km). Its massive gate is also intact. Several ruins of older structures within the fort still exist. It has six cannons - the largest of which called the Laxmi Toph is located near the Korai devi temple.

Kummatti kali Pictures (Onam) - Kerala

This picture is of "kummatty" which is a festival celebrating in Kerala during Onam season. Kummattikali is the famous colorful mask-dance of Kerala, South Malabar in particular. During the festival of Onam, Kummattikali performers move from house to house collecting small gifts and entertaining people. Kummatti dances are rampant in the Thrissur district during Onam. Pristine or original form of Kummattikali can be seen in the Bhadrakali temple in Palghat district.
Costumes - The costumes are a most interesting facet of Kummattikali. The dancers don a heavily painted colourful wooden mask depicting faces of Krishna, Narada, Kiratha, Darika, or hunters. These masks are usually made out of saprophyte, jack fruit tree, Alstonia scholaris, Hog Plum tree or the Coral tree.
The dancers wear skirts woven out of plaited grass. Some cover their whole body with bunches of grass for a more bushy appearance. The semblance is made more joyful with the 'talla' attached externally to the mask giving the appearance of a toothless open mouth. Dancers also hold and manipulate long sticks of residuary agricultural produce called 'Kummattikali': it is from this that the dance derives its name. Their dance is related to Shaiva myth. 'Thamma' (an old woman) walks in front with the help of a stick. Thamma is symbolic of mother of every being and everything.
Kummatti dancers are a sight to watch as they move around from house to house collecting jaggery, rice, or small amounts of cash. Onlookers, specially children take great delight in their performance.
Performance - The rhythm for the dance movements is provided by vibrating the string of a bow like instrument called an Onavillu. Areca nut wood is used to make the bow and the strings are beaten with a narrow bamboo stick.
The themes of Kummattikali are mostly taken from the stories of Ramayana, Darika Vadham, the story of Shiva and folk tales like Manjan Nayare Pattu.
It may be noted that folk art of Kerala can be classified into two broad categories - ritualistic and non-ritualistic. Ritualistic can be further divided into - Devotional, performed to please a particular god and goddess and Magical Art Forms. Theyyam, Thira, Poothamthira, Kannyar Kali, Kummattikali, etc. are some of devotional art forms.