Mekeghat

Trip to Mekeghat, Sangam, Chunchi falls and Shivanasamudram falls

It had been quite sometime i didnt venture outside bangalore so I was adamant and decided that next day I must go somewhere ..infact anywhere ..
So I asked my colleagues in office at 5pm on Saturday ( 3/01/2009) and a guy mentioned about Mekeghat ..and it stuck to my head

I reached my PG ...got hold of 4 guys who were as desperate as me to enjoy the rural bangalore air.. and a quick plan materialised ...bear in mind I didnt know anything about this place called Mekeghat

I went to Car rental agencies ( SUN CITY TAXI... Geo Cabs .. Cell cabs ) and found Geo cabs to be economical ..it was rs 7.50 per km ..mekeghat was around 200 kms ( up and down average from Jp nagar )... however i took 100 kms extra in case we want to see some other places too ...
so i calculated a cost factor of 300 kms * 7.5 +rs 150 driver bata+ rs 600 as miscellaneous expenses including water..food..parking..entry fees etc ..etc..

I booked a non ac Tavera which had a great music syatem( Pioneer ...ahh i love pioneer) ..pickup from JP nagar 3rd phase , morning 6 30 am ( i never awoke before 8am ..god knows how the sky looks at 6 30 am))...

packed a few clothes ..( undies..shorts...an extra t shirt) and slept at night

MORNING..KNOCK.. KNOCK... i say in my sleep ..who the bloody FCUK is it at 6 30 in morning ....oh shit it was 6 30 am.... i apologise to my 4 friends ( ashok , prasad , anil from accenture and Jitu ( oracle) ...toilet, brushing and dressing..all over and im in the TAVERA at 6 55 am and hit the kanakpura road...phew...finally )

Mekedatu is a Beautiful Place, Gushing water and Natural Rack Formations/ Rocky Terrain on Both the Sides makes up Mekedatu, Sangam is the confluence of Cauvery and Arkavathi. and Chunchi is a waterfall..reaching there requires trekking...easy trekking but beware of slippery rocks !!

Mekedatu is approximately at a distance of 95 Kms from Bangalore. The first 90 Kms till Sangam can be undertaken in a vehicle, but for the last 5 Kms we need to cross a river and either take a different transport bus or go by walk

Distance : KBS (Majestic)->Kanakpura app 60 Kms
Kanakpura->Sangam app 30 kms

Sangam -> Mekedatu app 5 kms

Route: From KBS (Majestic)->Corporation->Lalbagh ->South End circle->Banashankari->Kanakpura Road->Metro->Art of Living Ashram->Kanakpura

At Kanakpura, you can see a Sign board indicating that Mekedatu is 35 Kms from there. Clear directions are provided from Kanakpura to reach Mekedatu. Look out for Signboards providing direction to Mekedatu or Sangam

when you reach Sangam you need to cross the river to reach Mekedatu. Sangam is the confluence of Rivers Cauvery, Arkavathi and another mythical river which is no longer visible. When water levels are low, you can walk and cross Sangam. After Crossing Sangam you can take a bus which will take you to Mekedatu (app 6 kms to Mekedatu and RS:40 to and Fro change)

Road Condition : Road till Kanakpura is in good condition

From Kanakpura to Sangam, at few stretches, road is bad. It is not Asphalted, but it was in process of getting Asphalted
Remember a few things

1. Don’t cross sangam using your own vehicle. There are changes of vehicle getting struck in sand.
2. Do not get into water either at Chunchi falls or Mekedatu or try any Adventures at these places. There are lots of Whirlpools and water force is also
very high. rocks are slippery...go only if your shoes have good grip..dont take girls along..specially the talkative and heel wearing ones
3. You can play in waters at Sangam, when the water levels are low. But do not try it when water levels are high. Few people have been washed away
4. Last 3 kms before you reach Sangam is Ghat section. There are 3 hairpin bends..So Drive slowly and carefully at this spot...i witnessed 3 accidents
involving speeding bikes skidding off
5. There are hoardings put up at Sangam , indicating that there are Crocodiles. So be careful.