Participants : Harish M, Harischandra, Ratan Raj
Date : 05 July 2008
Transport Mode : Bikes
Hotel : Rathna Upahar , Kanakpura
On my Pulsar Bike
‘Mekedatu’ is the place where the Cauvery River flows through a narrow ravine. As per History, the channel was so narrow that goat would jump across it, and hence the name Mekedatu (Meke = goat, datu = cross in Kannada).
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
Transport: Having own Transport is recommended, as you can stop in between and enjoy the nature an visit places Enroute
Bus Facility : Lots of KSRTC buses ply frm KBS (Majestic) and KR Market (Kalisapalya) to Kanakapura. From Kanakpura there are few KSRTC buses to Sangam
Sangam
Jeep struck while trying to cross Sangam
Sangam
Ac buses @ Sangam :)
You need to cross a river at Sangam. 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. Else you will be required to take a Coracle (Teppa) to cross SangamAfter 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
Mekedatu
Mekedatu lovely view
Harischandra (White T Shirt) and Ratan Raj
Rapid Waters @ Mekedatu
Places Near Mekedatu-> You can visit Chunchi falls. While reaching Sangam from Kanakpura, you can watch out for Sign boards towards your leftside, providing directions for Chunchi falls. You can find a Hebbagilu (Village entrance arch) approximately at a distance of 25 Kms from Kanakpura and 10 kms before Sangam. From this signboard you need to travel 5-6 kms to reach Chunchi falls
Chunchi Falls
Chunchi falls
View from Chunchi Falls
If you are travelling from Bangalore, you can also Visit Trimurthy temple, which is located at a distance of approximately 20 kms from Banashankari. The temple has a beautiful lawn and big structures of Lord Vinayaka, Anjaneya and Lord Krishna. Temple can be easily sighted, as it is located on the Main road itself and is located on Left side while travelling from Banashankari towards Kanakpura
Tri-Murthy temple
Food : There are no Hotels or decent Eat-outs at Sangam, Mekedatu or Chunchi falls. So pack your lunch / eatables.Last decent hotel, you can find is Rathna Upahar at Kanakpura. So you can start early in the morning, have your Breakfast at Kanakpura, pack your lunch and you can be back in Kanakpura for Evening snacks.
We had our Breakfast ,packed Puliogare for lunch and returned back to Rathna Upahar for our evening snacks
Points to Note:
- Don’t cross sangam using your own vehicle. There are changes of vehicle getting struck in sand. Even the road from Sangam to Mekedatu is very bad
- 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
- 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 in the past
- Last 3 kms before you reach Sangam is Ghat section. So Drive slowly and carefully at this spot.
- There are hoardings put up at Sangam , indicating that there are Crocodiles. So be careful
