ECO TOURISM- A win win situation
Our gang went to experienced Eco tourism from September 23 to 27, 2008. Understanding the wild life and get motivated towards wild life conservation was the main purpose of this module. Cultural tourism and heritage tourisms were also involved in this module. Adventurous team was organized this whole 5 day module.
We left Hubli at 5-30 in the morning and reached Honnamaradu at 10 -30 am, where Adventurous team is situated. Honnamaradu is a beautiful village of Sagar taluq. This village attached to western ghat, lot of birds, trees, and some wild animals available here. More than this backwater of Sharavati River and beautiful islands formed by Sharavati River are the most interesting things here, which make visitors very happy.
Swim… Swim ……Swimming
First day’s interesting thing was swimming. Some people were getting into the water for the first time, some were fearing very much to enter into the water although wearing life jackets. It was really nice experience to swim in the Sharavati back water which river is surrounded by nice natural sceneries. Enjoying with swimming in such a holy river made us very fresh and Sharavati washed all our tensions of our city life with her blessed water. Then we never think of our home and lost in the nature for next 5 days.
Camp fire in the darkness of the forest
In the evening we enjoyed campfire in the Honnamaradu forest. Camp fire was not new to anyone but what way we did campfire that day under the guidance of Namito was really different and new to every one of us. We followed least impact method; we did not cut any tree, but collected woods which already fell down from the trees. We use very less wood and learn how to get longer light from less wood. Then we enjoyed the night with jokes, songs and dances. Next we cleaned the camp place by pasting the ass to our friends’ faces.
Pyar ki kasti me………. Lehero ki masti me…..
On the second day we enjoyed boating in the Sharavati back water. Boating was a new experience to all and by this boating we also knew the importance of team work, because in boating both people have to paddle with balance. Balance is the very important in every stages of the life; we experienced the balance by paddling in the water. Everybody enjoyed a lot in this activity.
A night in the island
In the evening we went to a new world of island Korigudda, which is surrounded by Sharavati back water. We left Honnamaradu in the lovely evening, went to island by paddling in the water, enjoying the beautiful nature. We reached the island by 6-30 in the evening; we put the tents and have camp fire as the last evening. We enjoyed more than the yesterday because we were in the island. We sang, danced, laughed, hear the sounds of the birds, had dinner and slept on the shoulders of the forest. Next day morning we came back from island and went to Keladi.
KELADI DYNASTY: “A forgotten Empire”
On third day, we visited Keladi, where a great Keladi dynasty has existed long time ago. There is a nice historical scent in the soil of Keladi. Everyone has to salute Keladi dynasty because it gave India a great Shivappanayaka, who introduced much disciplined tax system which is called as “Discipline of Shivappanayaka”. One more great name in Keladi history is Rani Channamma; she was the first women in the Indian history who ruled the kingdom. We had visited Rameshwar temple in Keladi and understood the historical back ground of Keladi form Sri, Venkatesh Jois.
Traditional Brahmin meal.
Then we had traditional meal in Venkatesh Jois’s home. The food was nice that everybody slept for half an hour after the lunch. After this Anatarao explained the importance of having balanced food. He also told that how science is linked with the religious beliefs.
KINDARI JOGI: A long story
In the evening we enjoyed Kindari jogi, it is a very popular folk art in which they go on telling a story for a long time and entertain the audience. On that evening they presented the story of Dharmojaraja for 3-4 hours , they also told some nice jokes in the middle of the story and also sang some very interesting folk songs. After watching that great folk art we left to Kanur, reached there by 12 O’ clock in the night and stayed there in Ramnaik’s house.
LOVE WITH LEECHES: Trekking to Kanur Fort.
Trekking to Kanur Fort was a great experience in this Eco tourism, main reason for this was the leeches in the forest. We had to trek from Ramnaik’s house to Kanur fort; we had to go by forest only, but there were lot of leeches in the forest. Every minute at least 10 leeches were attacking on us. Some fellows were very much tensed, frightened to leeches and failed to enjoy the forest beauty because of leeches, but who walked without caring for leeches were beaten by them and lost their blood. It was a great and horrible. In the middle of the path we had a bath in the stream, had lunch and continued the journey.
Any way we reached the Kanur fort by the evening. The fort was built in the time of Rani Channabairadevi of Gerusoppa kingdom, and it has some specialties. First thing is it is situated in a very safe place, no one can recognize it from long distance. Second thing is it has 7 entrances; no one can enter into the fort easily. Third thing is there is very scientific method of water conservation. If Indian Archeology department neglected it for some mare years, probably we may lose a great historical fort.
We spend that night in Mr. John’s house. Next day we left at 8 O, clock in the morning and reached Ramnaik’s house at 12 O’ clock. After having some discussions with Namito and Swamy, we started return journey at 2 pm.
JOG FALLS…… JOKE FALLS……..
We went to Jog and had great pleasure after seeing Jog falls. It was really great moment to all fellows who came from all parts from India. All enjoyed a lot and left Jog at 5 O’ clock. After seeing Jog falls there were lot of Joke falls in the van while coming back to Hubli. We really learned a lot things and understanding between our team members increased. We are really thankful to Adventurous group, especially to Mrs. Namito and Mr. Swamy.
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