-----
Published in Women's Era Nov 2015 (2nd issue)-----
If you are looking for possible extended-weekend getaway options around Bangalore, you must surely consider visiting
Irupu Falls in Coorg. This is about 260 kms from Bangalore and roughly involves a 6-hour drive. There are several homestays available; infact, most of the coffee planters around here have done up their homes and built in additional rooms, to be let out to eager tourists. The prices are reasonable, the stay is pleasant and comfortable (do not expect any 5-star facilities.) This will be ideal for friends or families travelling together. One can, literally switch off completely (as the network connectivity in these parts is very poor), de-stress and relax, and enjoy the natural beauty of the place while breathing in the fresh mountain air.
We were two families of cousins who travelled together in April. We set off quite early (around 4:45 AM) from Bangalore and escaped the weekend traffic. We stopped at Mysore for breakfast and proceeded to Irupu Falls taking the Hunsur- Gonikoppa route. We passed through the outer edges of the Nagarhole Forest and hoped to see some wild animals, but only got a glimpse of a few tamed elephants in a camp.
 |
| At the Homestay |
The road was good (the last time we took this road, there were more potholes than road) and we reached our Homestay by 11:00 AM. This was just about 500 metres from the entrance to the Falls. Our hosts (who were in their mid-60s) greeted us warmly. We spent some time taking in the surroundings - the house and the garden were well maintained and our Host showed us around, pointing out the different trees and plants. After a good homely lunch, we played a round of boisterous basket ball without following any of the rules - there was lots of grabbing, pulling, running around with the ball and a good amount of healthy laughter! :-)
 |
| Evening sky |
In the evening, we took a leisurely stroll and visited the Irupu Rameshwara Temple.The evening sky appeared like a beautiful painting - as though someone had gently stroked his brush across the wide canvas with different shades of orange, crimson and blue. The temple appeared to be placed right in the lap of the valley, surrounded by hills on all sides. It is a lovely structure set in a wide expanse of area; the main deity- a Shiva
lingam - is enshrined in a circular enclosure and looked very appealing.
After the soul enriching temple visit, we walked back; the local dogs kept us company, and guided us back to the Homestay. We had a wonderful barbecue dinner, sitting around a bonfire and making merry of the night. Jokes, comments, wise cracks, music and dance kept us in a jolly mood and not to forget the lovely food cooked for us by the lady of the House. Definitely, this was the stuff of the heavens!
 |
| Irupu Falls! |
 |
| Hanging bridge - Irupu trail |
The next morning, after a good jog, we headed to the Falls armed with extra clothes and towels. We were the first visitors of the day and so had the Falls to ourselves for nearly an hour. The walk, a gradual climb actually, from the entrance to the Falls is about 750 m. A hanging bridge adds to the sense of adventure. The legend goes that Lord Rama and Lakshmana visited this place while on their way to Lanka. Rama felt thirsty and asked Lakshmana to fetch some water who immediately shot an arrow into the hills and thus emerged the Irupu Falls to quench Rama's thirst! Due to this, it is also known locally as Lakshman Thirtha!
 |
| Posing under the Falls |
As we walked the trail, we could hear the water even before we got to see it. The water cascading from the top fell over two levels and appeared like sheer, frothing, white milk. The water was refreshingly cool and soothing and removed all our runner's fatigue. The force of the water was a little overwhelming for the children but provided a free massage for the adults. After a while of fun and frolicking and posing for crazy photos, hunger pangs hit us and so we headed back to the homestay. The only problem we had was the lack of proper changing rooms near the Falls.
Back at the homestay, we ate a sumptuous breakfast consisting of a local delicacy called
kadubu. Our hostess explained that these were rasgulla like baked soft balls made of rice rawa served with a tasty coconut
chutney.
 |
| Monkeying around in Kuruva Island |
We then decided to explore the region and drove up to neighboring Wayanad. The drive was beautiful - we could only see greenery all around us and it was absolutely soothing to the eye. We visited the Kuruva Island - an uninhabited space adjacent to the back waters of the Kabini river, surrounded by mangrove bushes, gigantic bamboos and trees of several other species. We had to take a barge to cross the river and reach the island. Being a weekend, the place was crowded and the people far outnumbered the trees! We sat near the river bank for a while. I am sure it would have been a much better experience had there been fewer people around. Well, so much for calling it "an uninhabited island"!
We stopped at a restaurant called Hill Top Hotel and had 'Tunch', a combination of Tea and lunch, as my daughter calls it! We then headed back to the homestay, and spent some quality family time, playing cricket, cards and carrom board. I was glad that there was no TV or internet connectivity; all of us - children and adults - were forced to bond without any distractions and what better a place than in the middle of a coffee estate, surrounded by nature.
 |
| A book, a swing, and greenery= Total relaxation! |
Dinner was again a very hearty meal, made and served lovingly. Even the poor eaters in the family had built up a good appetite and enjoyed the food immensely.
The next morning we again wanted to visit the Falls to enjoy the natural shower. But we opted out and instead played basketball and badminton. After a good breakfast, we set out on our return journey to Bangalore. We stopped on the way to pick up mangoes (the first of the season), had a late lunch at Kamat Lokaruchi and were back home before sundown.
The trip to Irupu Falls was a lovely 3-day break, cathartic to the soul and left us completely rejuvenated!
