Mekedatu and Sangam...!!

Grey clouds loomed ahead as we began our ride towards Sangam and further ahead to Mekedatu. Except for a light drizzle the ride was smooth and the sky got clear by the time we reached Sangam. Sangam is the confluence of River Cauvery and River Arkavati and a frequented picnic spot. The place was quite crowded being a weekend and the shallow waters at Sangam prompted many to have a splash. The clear blue sky, the flowing waters and the green hills in the background made for a wonderful landscape.

Coracles were available in plenty and we had a ride on one to get over to the other side of Sangam. From there it was a short bus ride along the Cauvery to Mekedatu. We were in for a shock on seeing the bus that was to commute us. Colourful, rusty and rickety are the three best words to describe it. With apprehensive minds we sat inside the bus and then began the roller coaster ride. Everything inside the bus from the nuts to the passengers jolted as it pulled itself along the mud road. I was quite sure that I would see one of its tyres rolling down into the Cauvery. Thankfully the exciting ride came to an end safely at Mekedatu.

Sangam

From Sangam, Cauvery flows down further and meanders itself through a deep gorge of hard rocks at Mekedatu. Mekedatu literally translates to 'goat's leap' in Kannada. Legend has it that a goat leapt from one side of the gorge to the other and hence the place got its name. However the gorge is quite a wide one for a goat to reach the other side. The gorge is at its furious best during the monsoons and immediately after that. Since we visited during neither times, all we could see was Cauvery flowing away beautifully through those ravines with small splashes at certain points. During the rains the water level rises up making it all the more beautiful and dangerous. 

Mekedatu

Years of water gushing through them have made the rocks very smooth and seems as if they have been chiseled to look beautiful. There are numerous holes and pits on the rocks which have been formed as a result of the river's fury. The rocks are quite slippery during all times and it is advised not to get down into the waters. The landscape also looked beautiful from the top of the rocks with the flowing Cauvery and verdant greenery in the background. 

After spending a considerable time gazing at the wonderful natural creation and Cauvery's swift flow we got down to the sand bank and headed back to Sangam on the same rickety bus. Mekedatu and Sangam is an exciting day trip from Bangalore if you intend to spend some wonderful time beside the Cauvery.

Signing Note- The gorgeous gorges and the furious Cauvery are a delightful watch...!!

Route- Bangalore- Kanakapura- Mahimenahalli- Sangam- Mekedatu
Distance- 95Kms