Chunchanakatte, Karnataka.

Chunchanakatte, Karnataka.

It is a temple town abound with myth and folklore. It is surrounded by nature spots and is a must visit for all nature lovers. The roaring Cauvery and the surrounding tranquil beauty is what makes the place a must visit.

Chunchanakatte is amidst lush green village laid fields. It is a small village that gets it's name from "Chuncha" who was it's local chieftain and "katte" is a small dam that was built during his time. The large statue of a cow on a raised mantapa-like platform is eye catching at the village circle. Villagers perform daily rituals.
Down in the muddy path while in the direction of the destination is the Kodandarama Temple. Adjoinging the temple is the Chunchanakatte waterfalls on the Cauvery river in the Western Ghats.


Kodandarama Temple

Myth and Villagers Belief.,
Ironically, the environment is quiet calm despite the thunderous noice of the Cauvery river as she drops down the Chunchanakatte rocks and boulders.
Myth of Chunchanakatte, a place that was sanctified by Lord Rama who is believed to have halted during his14-year exile, and have been served by the tribal couple named "Chuncha" and "Chunchi". However, one must first visit the temple before exploring the surrounds.

The idols of Rams, Lakshmana and Sita adorn the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The temple is built on the uphill area with steps for accessibilty. A unique aspect of the temple is that Sita's statute is on the right side of Rama, in contrast to the traditional left position. According to a legend, Rama it's believed to have given a boon to a certain sage who desired to see Sita on Rama's right side.



Peeping falls.

Another uniqueness comes from the fact that while aarthi is in progress, except for the chanting of mantras by the priest one no longer hear the thunderous noice from the adjoining river cauvery waterfalls, the priest and the villagers are very proud of this phenomena and make the visitors feel the stunning facts.

Priest further narrates, Sita's tiringly complains repeatedly and constantly to Rama, Lord Rama with no further delay cursed that the general woman population that lunless absolutely needed woman shouldn't talk unnecessarily. And the river Cauvery's being a female river the roar is therefore not heard in the temple sanctum.

Falls while Cauvery at its best

Further to the same, priest narrates, the Chunchanakatte was a very dry region during Rama's exile period. However, when sita expressed the desire to cleanse herslef, and on Rama's instruction Lakshmana shot an arrow on to the rocks, and the water began gushing out of the rocks making it a beautiful wet place. It seems to have emerged in 3 different colours, however, only few devotees claim to see three distinct colours of water even today.

Chunchanakatte waterfalls boasts with some unique formations as the river plunges 60 feet down from ever nook and corner of the rock bed, she forks out into several smaller falls, making numerous pools as she gracefully glides over rocks and the boulders of various shapes and sizes.

One such tumble, falling on a flat L-shaped structure, is particularly attractive, appearing like a pearl. Chunchanakatte falls also boats as a famous spot of many of the Kannada films. It is indeed favoured by picnickers for its picturesque experience.

Falls with Biscuuit coloured water.

One of the main festivals that the village wears is makara sankranti. The whole of the villages is adorned by the colours formed out of flowers & fruits apart from ariticial colors used in rangolis. The village also sets up a huge mela called "Jathera". Needless to say, visiting Chunchanakatte during the monsoons is a treat because the Cauvery is at its best of its times.

Travel:
This plance is around 190 kms from Bangalore and it is can be reached by travelling on Mysore road from bangalore. The directions are very well traceable. One needs no further information than the place name itself. The only means to access the waterfall is by road. From Mysore, it is 57 kms the falls. It is about 15 kms from the K R NAGAR town center.

Stay:
For overnight stay there are many options for accommodation including star and budget hotels in mysore. However it is a one day affair, it is seldom an option for stay.

Food:
Chunchanakatte is very much a rural area and except for petty shops, no restaurants or cafes are available. One must either carry food to the desitnation or find a near by town or city where there are decent restaurants.