August 25, 2012

Mekedatu: ಮೇಕೆದಾಟು

Mekedatu ಮೇಕೆದಾಟು means Goat's leap in Kannada, along the river Cauvery in Kanakapura. We can drive 95km to Cauvery and Arkavati Sangama from Bengaluru. Before reaching this place we need to cross Sangama where two rivers meet Kaveri and Arkavati. This is the place where both the rivers join together and flows ahead towards Tamilnadu.
We need to cross the Sangama by walking in the water when there the flow is less or need to take a coracle ride to the other side of the river. While crossing the river...kids enjoy it by playing in the water.
After crossing the Sangama, we need to travel around 3.5km in the forest or follow the downstream through a deep gorge gouging pits in the rocky riverbed.The climb down is steep and the rocks slippery, making it very dangerous to swim in the river.
There is bus ride for 50/- up and down. or else you can walk in the forest for your own and reach the place Mekedatu.
Out of tourists visit this place, high number of people drown in the river, either when swimming or slipping off the cliff. The rock surface near cliff, both during season or during dry season, is very slippery and deceiving.