Enchanting Kutta

On the way to Kutta

Planning trips and canceling had become a regular affair for me in the past one year, for various reasons. My IRCTC profile showed more cancellation than booking status. I had even cancelled my Munnar trip that I had planned on my 1st Marriage Anniversary. Despite this, the weather back at home remained pleasant, no thunder storm (God! thanks for giving such an understanding wife – touchwood!!), though I felt really bad for canceling my anniversary trip. Therefore, this year I decided that I’ll definitely take my wifey for a trip to spend some quality time together.

A tree house near Nagarhole National Park

 The search started… Kodaikanal, Ooty, Munnar (again), Chikmagalur, Coorg etc... But this year my main priority was to cut-down driving time as my wifey’s health does not permit her to take-up long journey. Out of short-listed places she chucked-out Kodai, Ooty, Munnar, Chikmagalur on the basis of distance and commercialization of place. So unanimously we zeroed a place called Kutta in Coorg - nearer to Bangalore and better drivability. Searched details about Kutta and got plenty of info - route, homestay details (though found a few) and nearby places to visit.

 

On 14th April, I reached Bangalore early morning at 4.10 am (I’m posted in Chennai). After resting for a while, we dumped the baggage in my wagon (which I had serviced and kept ready a week ago). Started onward journey to Kutta at 6.00 am (one hour late than planned). Since it was early morning and less vehicles on road, it took just half-an-hour to reach Mysore road from Jalahalli West. From there it was a smooth sail till we took a right turn after Srirangapatna towards KRS Dam. This route connects SH-88 near Army cantonment area on Mysore-Hunsur highway (a humble request, avoid this route). Though, there is less traffic on this stretch, yet the road is in bad shape.

 Route taken:

 

Bangalore-Mysore road-Srirangapatna-towards KRS-Hunsur-Nagarhole-Kutta.

 

Best route:

 

Bangalore-Mysore bypass (right from Columbia Asia hospital)-Hunsur-Nargarhole-Kutta.

 

After crossing Srirangapatna, we took a right towards KRS dam (first mistake), which connects SH-88. The road is not is good shape, single lane, unexpected potholes and uneven patchwork till you touch SH-88 (near Army cantonment on Mysore-Hunsur highway). It took about 45 minutes to complete this stretch. However, once on SH-88 the drive was smooth again, we reached Hunsur in half-an-hour. Before reaching Hunsur town there is a deviation. Straight road takes you to Madikeri while the left deviation goes towards Hunsur town. We took a left and proceeded towards Hunsur bus stand and after crossing the bus stand we took a left turn from Bharath Petrol pump (this is the place to watch out). Highly recommend to fill up the tank before leaving Hunsur, as there is no single petrol pump in Kutta.

 

 

At Nagarhole National Park entrance gate - giving chai-pani

 

Since my wagon was holding half tank petrol I thought that would be sufficient enough (second mistake). Kutta is around 60 kms from Hunsur town. Around 10:00 am we reached the Nagarhole National park. Entered vehicle number, number of travelers, to and fro details and a tip of Rs 20 for chai-pani. Guard at the entrance gate informed: No horn, No music, No parking!!! I nodded and moved on, completely deserted road. I was constantly maintaining speed at 30-40 kms in-order to capture some shots. I was very excited and optimistic to see a big cat on the way.

But I was not that lucky; though saw a few deer, a bunch of black face langur, a big size squirrel and a tusker. In this route, there is a deviation after crossing Murkal, and we maintained left and continued towards Kutta (as instructed by the homestay owner where we stayed).

Vimala Estate - Homestay

 

At the park’s exit, entered the same details again. We reach the homestay at 10:45 am, which was roughly about 2 kms from the exit gate of national park towards Kutta town. Before starting from Bangalore we had blocked a room at Vimala Estate, run by Mr. Narendra Pattu (a Coorgi Bhramin), nice place to stay with all basic amenities.Tiled roof house situated in the middle of the estate spread over 20 acres of land.

 

The package was - Rs 750/per person/day with three time meals (Coorgi cuisine – non-veg/veg both).

At Vimala Estate

Day 1:

 

After having lunch we decided to stay back and relax since my wifey was tired after four and half hour's journey (with one break at MTR for breakfast). Evening we decided to see Kutta town and go till Irpu falls (6 kms from estate). We started from estate at 5:00 pm, crossed Kutta town and continued towards Manchalli. The road is almost in battered condition till the falls. Reached Irpu fall at 5:30 pm, but the gates were closed at 5:00 pm. And we decided to comeback next day morning. Back to estate and went for a walk near by. Climate was not as bad as in Bangalore and Chennai during day time, but after 7:00 in the evening there was a thunder break and it started pouring heavily for the next couple of hours. Enjoyed the thunder showers to the fullest.

 

Day 2:

 

Our day started with a cup of hot filter coffee. After sipping the coffee we started towards Irpu falls. Day starts too late at this small town, hardly one or two tea stalls were open. Reached Irpu falls at 7:45 am, paid Rs 50 for car parking and entrance ticket for two.

 

From the entrance, it is half a km walk inside the forest area. We were the first to reach the spot early in the morning. Tourism department has ensured proper steps, concrete path and a hanging bridge to reach the falls.

On the way to Irpu falls

Due to heavy downpour the previous night, water flow was in good force. We spent good 3 hours there enjoying nature and calmness. Way back to estate we stopped at a hotel run by a Malayali in Kutta town and enjoyed hot Kerala parotas and meen curry (fish curry). Kutta is hardly 5 kms from Kerala border. 

At Irpu Falls

Reached estate by 12:00 am, had breakfast and packed our bags for return journey. But my worry was the level of petrol (which was less than a quarter) left in my Wagon.

Enquired with Mr. Pattu -

 

Me: Sir any petrol pump nearby?

 

Mr. Pattu: “No Petrol pump in Kutta. You’ll find a few shops in town selling petrol in Black”.

 

Me: How safe to use that petrol?

 

Mr. Pattu: Not a problem, they get it from Kerala. 

Felt relieved, but I was unable to convince myself to use that petrol in my wagon. After clearing bills (Rs 1500/two people/per night) and exchanging good wishes with Mrs. and Mr. Pattu we started at 12:35 pm. Went back to Kutta town and bought two liters petrol in a separate bottle (for emergency), though my wife was confident that we’ll reach Hunsur with the available petrol in tank. And she was right (her judgment was better than mine).

We reached Hunsur-Mysore road by 1:45 pm and filled the tank at Indian oil pump. Reached Bangalore at 5:00 pm with a single stop at MTR for lunch.

 Over all, the short trip was a refreshing change for both of us from the usual office work and busy city life.

 

Imp points:

• Only one Canara Bank ATM at Kutta town, so keep sufficient cash.
• No Petrol pump, so fill up the tank at Hunsur before proceeding further

 

Total Distance:

235 kms (one side)

 

Homestay:

Vimala Estate

Mr. Narendra Pattu

Mobile: 9945286608

Toys are children’s best friend

As a child we all have played with various types of toys and learning kits, but as we grow up our choice of selecting toys change. And after a certain period of time we move out of the world of toy and make new friends in society. But, have we ever thought of a life where speed of our growth subsides? Where the mental ability of a 12-year-old child stands equal to the child half of his/her age group? Instead of having friends in school and in the locality, he/she remains in a room with a few toys and learning kits throughout their life?



No, we cannot even imagine such a life because we are normal. But that is the condition of a mentally challenged kid. Medically such children learn to sit up, to crawl, to walk or to learn to talk later than normal children. Might be true, but our experience at Good Life Center says “they very well understand what we talk and respond accordingly”.

Established in 1996, Good Life Center is a home for newly born orphans, mentally and physically challenged children and homeless children. There are 136 children in Good Life family, of which 36 are mentally challenged. But they have one thing in common – they all are neglected by the society. So to make them feel as a part of society and see smile on their faces we went to Good Life Center last week. We contributed a small amount of Rs 6000 in the form of toys, learning kits, biscuits and chocolates to the children.



Before meeting the mentally challenged children we thought of enjoying some light moments with the other kids in the center. Most of the children were brought to this center from the roadside, railway stations, bus stands and various other parts of the city. When we started distributing toys and chocolates to these kids the joy and happiness was evident on their faces.



A few of them were naughty, as children should be, and they playfully tried to snatch the chocolates from our hands. We spent a really good time with these kids.

Then we went to Maharshi Ramana Hall to spend time with the mentally challenged children. All of them were busy in their own world. We distributed biscuits and learning kits to them. There was no rush from these children.



Very quietly and with respect they accepted the biscuits from us, and a few asked for more which we happily gave them. They opened the learning kits and went on an exploration task. They made it clear with their actions that they don’t want anyone’s help in fixing the blocks. We noticed the glow of happiness on their faces as soon as they completed setting the blocks. They proudly showed us the finished set to us as an achievement. Yes, that was a big achievement for them. “One kid was so fond of our camera that after finishing every task he asked us to take his photograph and we took many photos of him”.



After spending a day with these wonderful kids, when we were about to leave they said “bye” in a chorus, which still echo in our ears. We left that place with a feeling of emptiness in our hearts but that feeling vanished when we saw the smiling photos of those naughty and adorable kids.

*I wish that we take our children to such houses next time so that they learn the lesson of equality and sharing. Let us cultivate the habit of sharing happiness among our children to help others who are in need.