Dandeli

Kavala Caves in Dandeli

February 10, 2016 by sarita

On our most recent 6 days trip to Dandeli, we decided to visit the astonishing Kavla Caves located in the heart of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. Kavla Caves is known for a naturally formed ShivaLing formed from the deposits of Limestone and we just cudn’t wait to explore this gem of a location.

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We started early at 4:30 am from The Hornbill Riverside Resort, where we were staying. towards The Kulgi Nature Camp. After collecting the permit from the forest department we headed towards the entry point for the Sanctuary – which is around 8-9 km from the office.

We hopped into the jeep provided by the forest department along with a guide and made our way into the Sanctuary.

India Ghoomo was at Kavala Caves

The jeep took us 4 kms inside the sanctuary and there came a point beyond which vehicles were not allowed. From there we walked for 4 kms. On the way we were lucky enough to spot wild bore, deers & a variety of birds. To reach the caves, we had to further climb down 540 steps.

There is a temple at the entrance of the cave with an idol of Nandi ji facing the entrance of the cave which otherwise remains closed and opens only when there are people visiting the caves .

The cave is over 40 feet in depth with a narrow passage and one needs to crawl inside. There are lights and bulbs inside, but are lit only during the Shivaratri festival, when the caves witness thousands of people. For the other days, one has to carry flash lights.

Kavala Caves in Dandeli

After crawling half the way inside the cave, we finally saw the the naturally formed ShivaLinga which is around 4 feet in height and roughly 3-4 feet in diameter . The texture of the Shiva Linga surface resembles Rudraksh beads.

Shivling at Kavala Caves in Dandeli

Shivling inside Kavala Caves in Dandeli

Towards the right of the Shivling is an idol of lord Ganpati & Brahma(though, we are not sure if it’s lord Brahma or Lord Kartikey’s idol) Plz let us know. On the left side of the Shivling is Maa Parvati’s idol.

Maa Parvati – Inside Kavala Caves in Dandeli

Dandeli Kavala Caves

There is an udder shaped stone formation just above the Shiva Linga from which water trickles all the time. After having the darshan and meditating for some time, we came out through the other half way. It is believed that these caves have been in existence since the prehistoric times.

Kavala Caves

Kavala Caves Pictures in Dadneli

We spent some time outside the caves soaking in the scenic view. There was a lot of steps climbing and walking ahead of us, so we we decided to have some sandwiches & water that we carried with us and then made our way back to the camp.

Verdict!

You will love it. The naturally formed ShivaLing is a miracle of nature and should not be missed.

Travel Tips:

Don’t forget to carry water bottles and some food. The 4 Kms trekking and 540 steps to and fro can get tiring. It’s better to stay hydrated.
Avoid bright colors and stick to muted shades of greens, grays & browns.
Wear comfortable walking shoes that offer a good grip.
Kavala Caves Dandeli Review and Pictures

Birds in Dandeli – Karnataka

January 20, 2014 by sarita

Our trip to Dandeli over the holidays left us with many memories, chief among them being the wildlife we encountered. Dandeli boasts of rich biodiversity. The abundant greenery is especially a haven for birds and the varieties we saw were staggering.

Bird watching in Dandeli – Karnataka (Video)

Bird Watching At Old Magazine House

It was impossible to note or get a shot of every single bird that we laid eyes upon. Here is just a handful that we were able to get great photos of.

The Old Magazine House where we stayed while in Dandeli is a bird watcher’s paradise. You can’t go anywhere without spotting or hearing a whole bunch of them – birds, not bird-watchers. You don’t have to find birds, they find you. When you step out of your room, go for a walk, take a boat ride or a drive – they’re all over the place.

Bird Watching at Old Magazine House in Dandeli

White-rumped Shama

The males of this species are deep blue/black in color except for their bellies which are bright orange while their rumps are, you guessed it, white. Because of its exotic appearance as well as its captivating voice, the male White-rumped Shama is often caught and caged. It’s quite the talented little thing too, capable of mimicking the calls of other birds.

White Rumped Shama Birds in Dandeli

White Rumped Shama at Old Magazine House Dandeli

Asian Paradise Fly Catcher

The Paradise Fly Catcher is a very elegant-looking bird. Its body is white while its head is entirely black. The male has rather long tail feathers which can grow up to 12 inches. They prefer the safety of tall, dense trees and you won’t often see this bird in a bush and even more rarely on the ground although they will briefly come to the ground if they need to drink or bathe in water.

Asian Paradise Fly Catcher Birds in India

Paradise Fly Catcher Eating Butterfly

Paradise Fly Catcher Pictures – Male

Paradise Fly Catcher

Birds in Dandeli Asian Paradise Fly Catcher

Birds in Dandeli Paradise Fly Catcher

Paradise Fly Catcher White bird with long tail

Paradise Fly Catcher Birds in Dandeli

Old Magazine House in Dandeli – Bird Watching

Black Drongo

The Black Drongo is glossy black and can appear midnight blue in some lights. They are very feisty birds, known to be aggressive and take on birds that are much larger than them. They’ll roost anywhere – in bushes, on trees, walls, animals and electricity wires. They’re not afraid of anything. You can’t tell by the look of them, but they are extremely efficient at hunting and perform flight manoeuvres that put other birds to shame.

Black Drongo at Old Magazine House

Black Drongo

Black Drongo Bird

Black Drongo Dandeli Karnataka

Black Drongo Birds in Dandeli

Black Drongo Bird Pictures

Emerald Dove

The Emerald Dove looks just like any other dove, except that it has emerald wings and the males have blue colouring on their heads. We got many pictures of these birds as they foraged on the ground for food around a makeshift bird feeder that was set up at Old Magazine House. Although they prefer forested habitats, they spend most of their life on the ground and will only go up into a tree to sleep.

Emerald Dove in Dandeli

Pictures of Emerald Dove – Male and Female

Spotted – The Common Emerald Dove in Dandeli, Karnataka ( at Old Magazine House) The Old Magazine House in Dandeli

Brown-cheeked Fulvetta

The Brown-cheeked Fulvetta is a cute little thing that looks like a sparrow attempting camouflage. Although its name implies that it has brown cheeks, the one we spotted was boasting shades of brown all over with the hue on the head being the darkest. We were quite lucky to get a shot of this one because the Brown-cheeked Fulvetta prefers to hide out in dense foliage, probably for protection as they are not known to be very strong fliers.

Brown Cheeked Fulvetter Dandeli Birds

Brown Cheeked Fulvetter

Brown Cheeked Fulvetter Bird

During a Coracle Boat Ride

We took a coracle boat ride on the Kaveri river on a lazy afternoon. It isn’t the smoothest and its always a bit iffy taking pictures on the water. But with patience, persistence and a steady hand, we managed to immortalise these flamboyant specimens in pixels.

Bird Watching in Dandeli

Bird Watching in Dandeli – Karnataka

Brahminy Kite

The coracle boat ride afforded us even more exotic sights, starting with the Brahminy Kite. It looks just like an eagle except that its head and chest are white. In Hindu culture, the Brahminy Kite is a representation of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. These birds tend to keep to their own kind, preferring to nest away from other birds in trees that are isolated.

Brahminy Kite

Brahminy Kite Birds in Dandeli Karnataka

Brahminy Kite In Dandeli

Brahminy Kite India

Dandeli Birds Brahminy Kite

Karnataka Birds Brahminy Kite

Malabar Pied Hornbill

This is a bird you just can’t stop looking at. The Malabar Pied Hornbill looks like it’s from another world. Its monochrome body starkly contrasts with its bright yellow double bills. The second one sits atop its beak, its eye shape strangely hypnotic. They are not picky eaters and will consume everything from fruits and insects to small animals.

Bird Watching in Dandeli Ganeshgudi – Malabar Pied Hornbill

Malabar Pied Hornbill Birds in Dandeli

Dandeli Birds Malabar Pied Hornbill

Malabar Pied Hornbill

Malabar Pied Hornbills in Dandeli

Malabar Pied Hornbill in Dandeli

Malabar Pied Hornbill Bird

Malabar Pied Hornbills

Woolly-necked Stork

Many places in Asia that have warm temperatures, a major water body and surrounding vegetation boast a healthy population of the Woolly-Necked stork. The Woolly-necked Stork has black wings, a brown body, a white head and a black crown. Seen from afar, it appears as though only the neck is white which is where it derives its name from. The one we spotted was perched high up in a tree but these birds usually hunt for food right on the ground.

Woolly Necked Stork

Woolly Necked Stork India Birds Karnataka

Woolly Necked Stork Birds in Dandeli

Dandeli Birds Woolly Necked Stork

We weren’t able to get the best pictures of all the birds we saw and what we’ve showcased here are really just a fraction. But rest assured that if you like watching birds as a serious hobby or just for fun, then you’ll be completely floored by what Dandeli has to offer.

Common Emerald Dove – Male and Female

January 15, 2014 by sarita

Spotted – The Common Emerald Dove in Dandeli, Karnataka ( at Old Magazine House)

The Old Magazine House in Dandeli, Karnataka is a haven for bird watchers. The wooded areas around are flush with them (both birds and bird watchers) and the authorities who run the place have done whatever possible to attract even more bird life. Our trip there afforded us some unforgettable ornithological sights, the common emerald dove being one of them.

We spotted them early in the morning around makeshift bird baths fashioned out of earthen flat pots. The state bird of Tamil Nadu, the common emerald dove looks just like a common dove or pigeon with the small difference that its wings are an emerald green. That’s what gives them their common names – the green-winged pigeon or green dove.

They are quite beautiful, especially the distinctive blue-green coloring on the wings. The males are further marked with white on their heads and shoulders. The females have a similar marking only on the shoulders, but it will appear grey rather than white.

These birds feed on seeds, fruits and anything edible they can find on the ground. They are very like common pigeons, in that they spend much of their time on the ground as they hop around looking for a nibble. You won’t spot many common emerald doves roosting in trees. Like pigeons, you can approach common emerald doves while they are on the ground, especially if you happen to be carrying a bit of seed or grain with which to feed them, and they will happily eat what you give them.

The pictures you see here were taken from quite a distance. Although they would not have flown away had we gotten near (they would have just hopped to a safe distance), we wanted to capture their behaviour in their natural habitat with no human intervention.

Pictures of Common Emerald Dove – Male and Female

Common Emerald Dove

Common Emerald Dove Pictures

Common Emerald Dove Male (L) and Female (R)

Common Emerald Dove Male (L) Female (R)

Common Emerald Dove pics

Birds in Dandeli Common Emerald Dove

Birds in Dandeli Common Emerald Dove Pictures

Birds in Dandeli Karnataka Common Emerald Dove

ExposureEffects at Old Magazine House – Dandeli

ExposureEffects at Old Magazine House in Dandeli

Fellow Bird Watchers at Old Magazine House in Dandeli

Syntheri Rock in Dandeli – Karnataka

January 11, 2014 by sarita

We decided to spend a large part of the December 2013 holidays and ring in the New Year on a getaway trip to some place remote. We decided on a 11-day trip to Old Magazine House in Dandeli, Karnataka, a very popular location for bird-watchers and you will indeed become a bit of an ornithology fan yourself before you leave thanks to the mind-boggling variety of birds in this particular area. But one of the main joys of this trip was our short sojourn to the popular Syntheri Rock which is only an hour away.

The Scenic Drive Down

We chose to go on December 31. Although it was a short drive, we thought it best to leave early so that we could get the most out of the daylight and choose to stay longer if the place appealed to us. So after a hearty breakfast at Old Magazine House, we set out for Syntheri Rock at around 9:30, arriving there at 10:30 after a leisurely and scenic drive through the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary where our destination awaited.

A mud road runs through the sanctuary, eventually leading to steps that lead further down to the rock. The last two kilometres are uneven mud trails that call for slow, careful driving. So we took our time and took in the sights along the way. We spotted a few deer, and if you’re lucky (and quiet), you may be able to spot other wildlife as well.

A Short Walk…

We soon arrived at the steps that would take us to Syntheri Rock. There was no one there when we arrived – a development we whole-heartedly welcomed as it gave us the whole place to ourselves! Since the rock is located quite deep within the sanctuary, the number of people there hardly increased as the day passed.

There are approximately 100 large steps with sturdy railing for support on one side and benches for seating on the other. Beyond the rails, the authorities have put up rock samples on pedestals with brief descriptions of each type of rock formation emblazoned on the front. The mini breaks to read these made the way down educational and broke the monotony of the walk. Pictures of Rocks displayed at Syntheri Rock.

… And the Rock Itself!

Finally, we came up on Syntheri Rock. It is a natural formation that you have to see to believe. It is a single 300-foot monolithic granite wall that will leave you spellbound. The Kaneri river flows by it, and there are natural cave formations underneath. It was a humbling sight. The rock towered over us, making us feel quite small but strangely quite safe too.

An incredible number of pigeons have made their homes in the rock, as have a number of bees whose hives embellish the walls of the cave. You can’t see these very well, of course, and we don’t encourage you to try to get closer.

Although the waters here appear to be tame, they are treacherous and flow into the caves. You aren’t even allowed to dip your feet in the flowing river. A sign on the way down to the rock stated that 12 people had already lost their lives because they didn’t heed the warning. We didn’t feel the need to test the theory for ourselves and were quite content to just sit on the banks, hearing and watching the gurgling river.

We’ve always preferred these quiet, out-of-the-way places over bustling tourist spots, and we got everything we came here for, especially some much-needed introspection and perspective for the coming year. What a way to lose and find yourself!

We stayed there for about four hours, drinking in the view, and returned to Old Magazine House by 3 pm, more than satisfied with the day’s experience as we dug into lunch.

Travel Tips

Wear shoes that will allow you to walk comfortably and that have a good grip for walking along the banks of the river.
Do not flout the rules by getting into the water or attempting to splash around in it. They don’t put up those signs there for nothing.
There’s no food there so if you’re the type that gets antsy within a couple of hours of eating then carry a snack. But remember to clean up after yourself.

Pictures of Syntheri Rock in Dandeli – Karnataka

Syntheri Rock in Dandeli – Karnataka

Rock Specimens displayed along the stairs towards Syntheri Rock in Dandeli – Karnataka

Syntheri Rock Dandeli – Karnataka

Syntheri Rocks Dandeli Karnataka

Syntheri Rocks Pictures Dandeli Karnataka

Syntheri Rock Pictures in Dandeli

Syntheri Rock Pictures

Syntheri Rock

Syntheri Rock in Dandeli – Karnataka

Syntheri Rock Caves

Rocks Displayed At Syntheri Rock – Dandeli , Karnataka

January 5, 2014 by sarita

Syntheri Rocks Dandeli Karnataka

Syntheri Rock is a huge 300ft tall monolithic granite located deep inside the dense Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. To watch and feel the spectacular sight of the Syntheri Rock with the Kaneri River gushing by its side, one has to climb down many steps. Along the steps, there are a number of rock specimens mounted on concrete pedestals with details of each rock written on them.

Find below Images of the specimen rocks:

Banded Iron Formation -BIF