Bheemeshwari – an weekend @ Jungle Lodges and Resorts

Last weekend with my office colleagues decided to go out of the city which should be not so far and so near. From Bangalore we can find such a lot of places where one can feel he is very far away from City but very near. Bangalore is surrounded by such natural greenery, forests and rocky hills.

One of such place is Bheemeshwari.

Which lies on the bank of Cauvery just 103 kms from silicon city. The Cauvery Wild life Sanctuary covers these areas. The Jungle Lodges and Resorts – JLR A Government of Karnataka Undertaking runs Eco Tourism throughout Karnataka and 3 JLRs on the same Cauvery stretch. (Galibore and Doddamakali). My experience in Bheemeshwari with JLR is excellent and affordable. The officers and even forest guards are very co-operative and Food was very good. We had booked for a day visit.

Day Visit Activities @ JLR

We left city by 7am and reached by 10.30Am. Had our breakfast at Kanakapura. Hotel Rathna Upahar food was good and I suggest as a break point on this way. Weather was very good in between rain drizzling, cool breeze make journey very short. The villages , people, landscapes are very beautiful to see. But there life ??? .

OUR INDIA OUR VILLAGE

After reaching JLR first report in office. Finish all formalities and refresh, you will be welcomed with Lemon Juice.

By this time forest guard was ready to take for trekking to near by hill in the forest. Whole range is called Basavana Betta. Lush greenery, forest animals, birds, Elephants, Leopard, the endangered Malabar giant squirrel, Deer, Sambar, Peacocks etc., can be found. All this can be possible if you stay overnight and go for trekking in the early morning.

Forest guard Mutthaiah was very kind in explaining the surrounding of this forests and JLR. By this time we had entered the forest. Guard has stopped us by hearing some sound in the nearby bush and alerted us and took on another route to hill. Even though it’s a small hill need little push for heavy weight souls who stick to chairs whole day!! To reach the top.

From the top of the hill we first saw the creature that was in that bush. That was the Elephant herd. Three were there. If he was not alerted us we may have to face them.

From the top of watch tower we can see the panoramic view of Cauvery Wild Sanctuary and mighty river Cauvery . Which flows in the center of the forest. After spending some time we returned back to JLR. First planned to go to river till lunch time, but forest guard told as the elephants are roaming there, chances of them to coming to river. Hence returned to JLR.

On the banks of river there are very beautiful log huts according to your budget. Built in very spacious between each hut and looks very nice. Nets have been tied to trees for your refreshment. If you don’t do any activities just relax on these nets hearing the song of river and birds.

It’s the time for lunch we headed towards Golghar (Dining hall name @ JLR). We need to walk beside the river to reach there. Very big hall built in round shape.

Chiefs are busy arranging the food for visitors. Time up by 1.30pm the whole Golghar was flooded with the smell of delicious food. Getting this type of food really in forest is appreciable. Here the difference makes with Government resort and private. Hats to the people behind the JLR.

Now the time for rest and you are free till 3.30 pm. We taught of getting into the river, But the forest guard told its very dangerous as crocodiles are there in river. Showed the dangerous creature which has sleeping lazily on the rock far away. I with my friend crossed little water and sat on the rock riverside. Cool breeze was very soothing. Lots of birds were busy fishing. Cormorants were too fast to me capture with my lens.

Birds Found @ Bheemeshwari

Game came to end. Forest guard showed the spot where we can enter the water. After having fun in water we were ready for coracle ride. Usually if water is more ride will be six kms upstream and return by jeeps. As water was not that much this time due to low rain a small round he taken. But showed the dangerous crocodile from very nearby. As all were making noise it went inside the water.

Coracle and the Crocodile !!

Its time to wrap-up. Time was past 5 pm. They served hot tea with bhajji and with that the day out came to end. The rejuvenate souls say good bye to JLR and returned to the concrete jungle for the routine job.

Getting there:

Total Distance from Bangalore to Bheemeshwari 103 Kms

Bangalore to Kanakapura 55 Kms ==> Kanakapura to Sathnur 25 Kms ==> Sathnur to Muthathi village 18 Kms ==> Muthathi Village to Bheemeshwari 5 Kms

(C) Ramesha JS