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| Bali Vibes at Jog Falls KA |
Jog
Falls is created by the Sharavathi River dropping 253 m (830 ft), making it the
second-highest plunge waterfall in India after the Nohkalikai Falls with a drop
of 335 m (1100 ft) in Meghalaya. During my school days I came to know about Jog
falls in Karnataka. Since that time it was in my bucket list and anyhow I
wanted to go to this place that's it. But it took almost decade to be there and
witness the magical fall. I was waiting for my train and by mistake I opened Tripoto
app on my phone. And don't know how I tapped on "Travel for free"
notification on top notification bar. Then guess what? Tripoto has giving very
good deal of "2 days free stay at selected locations", I just
redeemed my 300 points and took that free stay to Goa. But before Goa I planned
to land in Honnavar so I can visit to Jog falls. And eventually everything fall
into place.
On this trip Shreyas (diploma classmate)was my partner. From pune we traveled by local till lonavala and then by bus till panvel station. From Panvel we had reservation till Honnavar railway station which is nearest railway station to Jog falls. Since it was mid july monsoon was in full form specially at konkan region. Every nala, lake, rivers were flowing with full flow and rain showers were continuously falling. Next morning when I woke I went crazy after getting beautiful views from window seat. I ran towards door and started clicking pictures on gopro. A group of birds was flying high in rains while our train was crossing many rivers every now and then.
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| Early morning view from train somewhere in between kumta and honnavar. |
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| When rain welcomed us at Honnavar Railway Station |
Before we could get off the train, it's started raining so heavily
and we got wet on platform only. We took auto to unnamed location near new english school which
was 6km from station. From this unnamed location (hilltop) one can see the
beauty of honnavar , sharavati river, bay and the famous railway bridge on
sharavati river. We had bad luck that rain didn't stopped even after half an
hour instead it increased a lot. Rain cover on our bags gave up and everything
inside bag got wet in first one hour of trip. Finally we caught one train
passing over bridge and it was so amazing experience as railfan.
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| Iconic railway bridge over sharavathi river from Sharavathi valley view point |
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| When photographer finds puddle |
Later,
we walked down to KSRTC Honnavar to catch bus for Jog falls. Before we could board bus we had enough time for breakfast and buy some packed food for day. We ate samosa and bought chikki, chocolate and cake packet. At sharp 10 am we
got bus to "Joga Falls" or "Sagara
or Shivamoga" bus.
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| Scenic ghat section between Honnavar and Jog falls |
It took
2 hours to reach the Jog from Honnavar, Bus will take you directly to jog falls
and entry fees for falls is just 10 rs. per person. Due to heavy rainfall as
well as dense fog was there we hardly could able to see anything. We spent
more than hour but we hardly able to see one out of four waterfalls for just
3-4 secs.
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| Jog falls playing hide and seek with fog |
We were
disappointed a lot decided to go some other point instead of wasting time and
getting drenched. We came across end point at left from main jog view point,
where we witnessed mesmerizing views of valley and power plant. Even this
valley had seasonal waterfall, but as great as Jog falls. While we were walking randomly we noticed one valley where scene was much clear even in rain. High peaks and tall trees on mountains were looking so serene and we felt little better. This point offers view of Mahatma Gandhi Hydroelectric Plant and beautiful valley at bottom. The
distance between jog falls and hydroelectric plant valley is just few hundred meters but the views
and weather was totally different. At jog falls due to falling water from top,
the surrounding gets dim and water vapors can be noticed along with some fog
and mist.
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| Mahatma Gandhi Hydroelectric Plant and beautiful valley near Jog falls |
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| Misty falls |
Suddenly I remembered one blog on Tripoto I read before coming to
jog. In that blog that writer had mentioned about stairs that leads to base of
waterfall. Also one thing he was mentioned that entry to base is only allowed during winter and summer. The
Tourism Department has built steps from the viewpoint to the bottom of the hill
where the waterfall can be seen at the opposite side. There are approximately
1400 steps built to reach the bottom of the hill. Still without worrying much
we walked down the stairs to the base of the falls to get magnificent view of the
Grand Jog Falls.
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| Stairs to Heaven |
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| That moment when you finally tick off long waiting bucket list place |
Here is
hyperlapse video which I made while stepping down to foothills of jog falls -
When I
reach base of falls I was totally amazed by the stunning views of falls and
high mountains all around me. The thundering sound of water falling from top
and all the sides can't be compared. Even today when I look at these pictures I
just get lost at dreamy place called Jog falls. I never imagined that someday I will not only visit this place but also will enjoy such a dreamy view of water falling from so high and playing "hide and seek" with fog and downpour.
I bet you that this below frames will make you to plan your next trip to Jog falls for sure.
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| Close up shot of one of milky streams of Jog falls |
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Forget Bali and Visit Jog falls
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| Thundering water streams of Jog falls |
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| Go green |
I would
like to appreciate the Karnataka tourism dept and gov for all the developments
they done for tourist and also they haven't harmed in the name of development
as many others do. These stairs are totally safe and even guards at base are
very helpful. But be aware of bloodsucker and insects during monsoon. I bet
you, if you're visiting Jog during monsoon or even in winter you won't be
disappointed. There are total 3 view points of Jog, we had bad luck that we
missed third one and that's enough reason to travel again this beautiful place. There is also one food court near main compound where you get tasty south Indian
as well as few north Indian dishes. The last bus from Jog to Honnavar is at
6pm.
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| Clear view of Jog falls view point |
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| That mouth watering samber chutney dosa at just 30 rupees |
If you make return trip from jog falls then Rs.1500 is enough for any budget travel. One can stay at Mayura hotel by Karnataka dept at just Rs.250 per bed or Rs.1000 for regular room.
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