Neelakurinji the Purple blanket

 

2nd September 2021

A small video clip which sent by my sister in law fired up my desire to see the Neelakurinji, actually my desire to see the neelakurinji started a long back, in 1987 I have red the beautiful Kannada novel  "ಕುಂಜಾಲು ಕಣಿವೆಯ ಕೆಂಪು ಹೂವು" (Kunjaalu Kaniveya kempu hoovu) written by famous novelist ನಾ ಡಿಸೋಜ  (Norbert D'Souza) which related to environmental changes, and in that novel hero find to search a flower which blooms  once in a ten years. In September 2014 I heard the news that Neelakurinji was bloomed at Bababudan giri montains in chikkamagalur so went in search of Neelakurinji but unable to find the single flower you can read the story here. So this is my second attempt see the flowers.

Greenbull My Love💓

Before visiting I have confirmed about the news at Karnataka Tourism Department at Madikeri (Contact : 082722 28580) they said Neelakurinji bloomed at both Kote betta and Mandal patti, so I have decided to visit Kote betta. To enter Karnataka RT PCR is mandatory due to covid restrictions, so obtained the negative report and headed towards Madikeri. 

Kote betta temple, view from parking lot 

In the morning 0600hrs left home Karthik and his wife Kavyasree are Joined at Mulleria, around 0900hrs reached Madikeri and took breakfast. While entering the Karntataka state Police stopped us and after enter the personal and RT PCR details permit us to travel again same procedure repeated once we enter Kodagu district also.

Kote Betta

Kote Betta is located at Kodagu district which is 38kms from Madikeri, its 3rd Highest peak(5313ft)  in Kodagu, at top of the hill a small Ishwara Temple was built. After finishing breakfast left Madikeri and headed towards Suntikoppa on Mysuru road which is just 14km from Madikeri town. From there took Madapra road and reached Garwale Village, where Kote betta roads begins.

Kote betta view point near the temple

Madikeri to Kote betta

Parking lot

It was a steep ascending road, condition is reasonably  good, a small stretch in steep climb was like muddy filed so cars are hesitates to climb the top, visitors are parked their vehicle at there climbing the hill nd either by  walk or hiring local Jeeps & Pick ups. 

Steps leads to the temple

When we reached over there the  rain was completely stopped, we easily reached the top of the hill and parked the motorcycles at parking lot, tourist already started to reach over there. Temple was closed, but allowed to climb the steps to reach view point located nearby. It was a beautiful scenery whole place covered with fog and cloud, for a moments it opens and clearly visible, but it was just for a moment only, it covers again. 

View from point

Temple premises 

Wild flowers

Tourist exploring the beauty of nature

Neelakurinji (My dream flower😍)

Close up view

Couples💓

Waterfalls view

After clicking few photographs we started to return journey, it was around 1200hrs, on the way find a beautiful view of the waterfall. at noon reached Madikeri and finished lunch and reached home by 1700hrs. 

It was a shortest ride for us, but most memorable one because, at last I got break to my quest to search Neelakurinji which blooms again only after 12 long years.😎

Neelakurinji

Scientific name of the Neelakurinji is Strobilanthes kunthiana, it shrub type plants grows in western ghats of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu region and it grows in high altitude only (1300 to 2400 meters). It generally blooms between the month of September and October once in a 12 years. In olden days tribal people are used this flower to calculate their age.

Trip to Kolli Hills Part - 1 (M M Hills)

Day One Male Mahadeshwara Betta (M M Hills) 1st September 2017

At early morning 0500hrs left home, first day plan was to reach M M Hills by evening via Madikeri and Tirumakudalu Narasipur. Karthik and Sudheer joined at Mulleria. Our breakfast destination was Madikeri, around 0800hrs reached Madikeri town.

Sampaje Ghat Road

Waterfalls on the way

Tasty Hot Puri with Spicy Aloo Sabzee and Coconut Chutney

After finish the breakfast headed towards Mysore, from there took diversion in Ring road and headed towards T Narsipur, where River Kaveri and Kabini confluences with a Mythical lake Spatika Sarovara (Gupta Gamini).

En route to Mysore

  

Beautiful lake at outskirt of Mysuru

Roads are in superb condition traffic was less, farmers are busy with agricultural activity, lush green farms, flock of sheep gives pleasure to mind and boost our energy.

 Herd of Sheep

Green farms

At 1300hrs reached T Narsipur town first visited the famous Agshteeshwara Temple. There is a very interesting mythology behind this temple.

New Bridge built over the River

River bank near the temple

Sangama (Confluence)

Large Metal Coracle ready to take Devotees to Sangama

It is said that in olden days it was thick forest that time Rishi (Sage)Agatsya visited this place and by looking confluence of three rivers he decided to install a Shivalinga over there, so he asked Hanuman to get a Shivalinga from Kashi.Since the auspicious time lasting, Agatsya thought Hanuman will not bring the Linga on time so created a linga from sand and installed it. The Hanuman who came with Shivalinga was insulted by this and he cut off the top portion of Sand Linga.

Agasteeshwara Temple

Beautiful Dhwaja Stamba built in front of the temple

Brahim students walking around the temple premises

Temple cart

Ever since this incident a water starts to flow from the top of this linga and it was given to the devotees as a Theertha (Holy water). It believed that Ganga is flowing from this Linga.

Goat taking rest 

When we visit the temple unforutunatly it was closed, becuast 1200hrs to 1500hrs temple closing time. So we are unable to enter inside the temple. Below images are from my Satyamangala Trip

File Pictures

It was around 1400hrs so we have decided to finish our lunch, some locals directed us  a good hotel named Shrinivasa Refreshment inside the town. After finishing our lunch headed towards Kollegala which is just 28km from T Narsipur.

Shrinivasa Refreshment Pure Veg.

😎Tasty Lunch😎

Today's Special Onion Pakoda👆😎

Paddy fields

Once you cross T Narsipur  the well built marvelous road goes through green paddy and sugarcane fields gives immense pleasure to the mind. we can cruise 80 to 90kmph on such a road but superb scenery of lush green plain land  does not allow to cross 60kmph. Its really breeze to cruise on this road. Love it. 

Fully Loaded Truck and Bicycle 

Tractors carrying local peoples

 

Cultivating farms  (Pic. Credit - Karthik)

 

 Sugarcane fields (Pic. Credit - Karthik)

 

Loading in Tractor (Pic. Credit - Karthik)

 

Bullock cart (You can trace M M Hills on the back drop)

 

Once we reached Kollegala, entered town from there took M M Hills Road, for few kilometers road condition was bad so many potholes built on the road. But passing few kilometers started road condition was improve.

Village Women

Flower Cultivation  (Pic. Credit - Karthik)

Welcome to M M Hills Wildlife Sacntuary

Once enter inside the Wildlife area road condition was goes extremely good. Well tarmacked winding rod goes between lush green forest is simply superb. 

Cactus

Flower (Pic. Credit - Karthik)

 

Auto inside the forest (Pic. Credit - Karthik)

 

After few kilometers of traveling reached a small village where we had a cup of tea, just near the hotel a beautiful mosque was built.

Old altered TVS Suzuki Max 100R Kept inside the Hotel

After the tea continued our journey and around1700hrs reached the last village before M M Hills called Thaala Betta from here one can travel 18km winding roads to reach M M Hills. There is a huge arch built on the road.

Thaala Betta

Winding Roads starts

View from the top

M M Hills View

At 1800hrs reached M M Hills entry point there a small check post was built they are charging Rs.10 per Motorcycle as a entry fee. 

If you are planning to spend night at M M Hills then its better to book rooms there are different type of rooms all are run by M M Hills temple authority. It's better to reffere their website to get clear idea about room tariff and contact number, for more information contact their website. 

Nagamale Bhavana

We have booked the room at Nagamale Bhavan just Rs.500 for spacious double cot non A/c with with hot water facility room. Before approaching room one has to pay and get receipt from the information center just opposite to the Bu stand. 

Bus Stand

Lodges

 

Small shops

Temple Gopuram

Devotees praying at outside the temple

Front View

After freshened up in room and went to Temple it was around 1930hrs. after spending an hour at temple premises finished our dinner at near by hotel and went back to the room. 

Total distance covered : 403Km

Riding hours                : 13hrs