A fountain is also situated in the Raja Seat’s garden.
Paddy plains between the coffee and cardamom plantations, vehicles, and the settlements on the adjacent hill are other attractions of the Raja Seat.
Raja Seat is one of the most famous tourist hotspots in the Madikeri town of Kodagu, Karnataka. According to the Local 18 Karnataka, there is a pleasant atmosphere in Raja Seat, the whole day. This culturally significant site has been constructed on the border of Madikeri town.
After the British rule had ended, the coffins of the natives were moved to different places and a garden was developed there. A moat (deep and wide trench around the rampart of a fortified place (such as a castle) that is usually filled with water) and a garden are situated on both sides of this tourist attraction. Features like the tall mountain peaks and the trees growing on the slopes between them add to the charm of the Raja Seat.
Paddy plains between the coffee and cardamom plantations, vehicles, and the settlements on the adjacent hill are other attractions of the Raja Seat. If you visit this site early morning, you will witness the paddy field covered with a dense fog. The trees on the hills are covered with a mist (a cloud made of very small drops of water in the air just above the ground, that makes it difficult to see).
A fountain is also situated in the Raja Seat’s garden. Ziplining sports are a major source of attraction as well for the children and elders. Zip lining is an action-filled recreational activity that involves riding a steel cable on a protective seat or a belt. In this sport, the people have to ride between two points and generally on a valley that exhibits spectacular scenery. There is also a play park for the younger children. An interesting fact related to Raja Seat is that it was once a British colony.
Raja Seat was known as the place where the King and Queen enjoyed the view of the sunset during the time of King Chikka Virarajendra. During British rule, a grand pavilion with four arches was built here using cement and tiles.
Visiting Hours – Monday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm
source: http://www.news18.com / News18 / Home> News> India / by Newsdesk, Local18, Bengaluru / July 29th, 2024
Dr Geetha Kariappa is a professor of English and a published author of four best-seller novels on Amazon. Her stories straddle Kodagu and its lifestyle as she weaves narratives which examine the condition of man and woman in a conventional society, with a humanistic perspective. She has penned numerous poems, short stories and articles in national and international journals.
This poem was inspired by the story of ‘Girl with the Diary’ written by Dr Geetha Kariappa, which narrates the saga of bravery and integrity of a teenager Kia who honours the dying wish of a mystery lady. She sets out on a precarious journey of discovery, as she is drawn into a web of intriguing clues, hinting at a long-forgotten crime, into the mist-clad land of Coorg. The exciting story takes her into the charming town of Madikeri and the coffee estate, Devkunj. It narrates the tale of the undying love of a man, a woman and his land.
“An excerpt from the novel, “Girl with the Diary”
The 100-acre estate was spread out before us in a sea of coffee blossoms. The fragrant land, heady with perfume, steaming gently in the sun, hugged the swell and curve of the land. A stately bungalow stood at the head of the winding gravel drive. Nearby were paddy wetlands with paddy and a few acres with native ginger. The undulating swathes of coffee bushes in well-manicured grooves interspersed with neat rows of shade trees, orange, jackfruit and silver oak, created a charming appearance of a jungle, securing its borders. Pepper vines twined about the trunk of shade trees which arched over cardamom, almond and vanilla bushes. The glittering estate pond lay at a short distance from where frogs croaked from the damp grass and winged insects skimmed over the coffee blooms. At the horizon, the bluish mist of the mountains, crested with clouds, looked picturesque.”
Travel note: The town of Madikeri nestled in the Brahmagiri hills of Western ghats in Karnataka, originally known as Muddurajanakeri, translates into “the city of Mudduraja,”, while paying homage to the Haleri kings who once ruled these lands. This picturesque hill station stands proudly among the world’s eight most remarkable centres of biological diversity. UNESCO recognises its ecological importance, and the town is a designated World Heritage Site. Madikeri is a hot travel destination because of its cool climate and resemblance to the Scottish countryside.
MADIKERI, IN MEMORY
In the core of Coorg, where Western Ghats cradle the sky,
Rests Madikeri, whose charm we cannot deny.
Sung by poets in nostalgic ragas,
Of misty hills soaked in yearning stanzas,
Where every syllable is a nostalgic saga.
Just as the monsoon arrives in the plains,
Madikeri, you wear the bridal veil of rains.
Clouds caress your coffee blossoms,
coaxing them into white celestial blooms.
Mist twirls with the mountains, and rivers swell in volumes.
In this watery symphony, your beauty eternally booms.
Madikeri, you perch on verdant hills,
like sentinels defending rugged sills.
Your winding roads like ballads,
Keep unearthing hidden waterfalls.
The moist air- fragrant coffee and eucalyptus,
hold out the sacred contract of paradise.
When the sun rises, spilling gold over rooftops,
ignites Madikeri, of charming landscapes.
This mist-kissed charm remains a poet’s muse,
Sparking the mindscape, waiting for poetries to bloom.
At the head of winding gravel, a colonial bungalow stands,
Its veranda, a sanctuary for weary souls.
Devkunj—an estate cradled in emerald arms,
Houses within, an angel of secret and balms.
The undulating coffee bushes,
Clustered in ivory blooms like uplifting hymns,
And Sandalwood, Teak bow to her gracious whims,
As she steps forth, with graceful limbs.
In the garden, a child dances with mud pies,
encompassing the valley with her dimpled smiles.
Rubber ducks sail in a pool, and paper boats get adrift,
A puppy chases its tail, and chicks run abreast.
Mother Angel bends to kiss the curly locks,
Her love, unmeasured, boundless, all pain blocks.
Her eyes, holding profound stories of storms,
Those were weathered, and now only becalms.
His gaze of reverence, of remembrance,
Of her quiet strength and youthful stance,
Of her love, blooming, riveting like rare fragrance.
She is the heartbeat, the keeper of Devkunj,
She, the symbol, the nurturing spirit of motherhood,
tending to man, child and his fertile land.
Walking in his dreams through whispering wood,
Where the cicadas hum, and the silver oaks stand guard.
Here, time slows, and the tree in melancholy, sighs.
Where the land conspires, papery leaves rustle,
whispering of brave lore of kings and queens,
as it unfurls dreams and of true love applauds.
source: http://www.interviewtimes.net / Interview Times / Home> National> National Times> Odisha> The Leading Story / by Subhechcha Ganguly / July 08th, 2024
Tollywood’s young hero, Kiran Abbavaram, is set to marry his girlfriend, Rahasya Gorak, on August 22.
After dating for several years, the couple is finalizing their plans to marry in the presence of their family and friends after getting engaged recently.
Kiran and Rahasya first met through their debut movie, Raja Vaaru Rani Vaaru, and have been dating for seven years. Both worked as software engineers and entered the industry through short films.
The couple will marry on August 22 in Coorg, where Rahasya’s family resides. Both families will attend the wedding, but there are no reports of celebrities attending.
source: http://www.sakshipost.com / Sakshi Post / Home> Entertainment> Tollywood / August 19th, 2024
Sneha Medappa Maruvanda grew up in India, and Dr. Mark Ross Edelstein, in Virginia. But in getting to know one another, they discovered their backgrounds were strikingly similar.
Don Mears Photography
By the time Sneha Medappa Maruvanda met Dr. Mark Ross Edelstein in person, she feared they might not have anything left to say to each other.
“I was having a bit of a panic attack about meeting,” said Ms. Medappa Maruvanda, 30, who matched with Dr. Edelstein on Bumble in November 2019, and soon became engaged in a two-week-long conversation with him on the app. He was living in Philadelphia, and she in Bala Cynwyd, Penn., a suburb of the city.
“We had over talked,” she said. “He was telling me about his heroes when he was four, how a teacher was very mean to him.”
Another concern, said Dr. Edelstein: “Both of us were a little bit worried about our cultural background differences.” He was raised by Jewish parents in Richmond, Va. Ms. Medappa Maruvanda grew up in a Hindu family and was born in Coorg, a rural district in the Indian state of Karnataka, before moving to Bengaluru, formerly Bangalore, as a young girl.
But when they met up that December at a Cuban restaurant in Philadelphia, neither was at a loss for words. As for their cultures, it quickly became clear that they might not be as different as they had seemed.
“Our backgrounds are very similar in terms of sense of community and family, so I think that made it a lot easier to bridge that cultural gap,” said Dr. Edelstein, 32.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, where he received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and bioethics, Dr. Edelstein earned a medical degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He is currently in his fifth year of residency training for interventional radiology at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Ms. Medappa Maruvanda received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and management from Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering in India, then earned a master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is now a project manager in the Wayne, Pa., office of Johnson Matthey, a multinational chemicals and technology company.
After the couple’s first date, Dr. Edelstein texted his sister, who had asked if he was in love. His reply: “Maybe.”
“I was like ‘Yeah, but that’s insane at this point, one date,’” Dr. Edelstein added. “But I was definitely struck by her.”
Don Mears Photography
Later in December, after their third date, the pair became an official couple. Weeks later, when Dr. Edelstein’s parents visited Philadelphia in January 2020, he told them that he knew Ms. Medappa Maruvanda was the one.
“I’d never met someone so selfless and just truly kind,” Dr. Edelstein said. “It’s never been so easy to be myself around another person.”
Ms. Medappa Maruvanda said her feelings for Dr. Edelstein were solidified six months later, in July 2020, when he met some of her cousins and began asking them questions in Kodava thakk, the language spoken in Coorg.
“I had no idea that he had been Googling this language. And it’s not an easy one to learn because there aren’t many of us,” Ms. Medappa Maruvanda said. “It was just this moment of complete shock to me that he put so much effort into wanting to connect with my cousins.”
On Jan. 15, 2021, Dr. Edelstein proposed to Ms. Medappa Maruvanda in the living room of her apartment in Bala Cynwyd, where the two now live together. A year later, the couple was wed at Main Street Station in Richmond on Jan. 22. Rabbi Jake Rubin, the director of Hillel at University of Virginia, officiated.
At the ceremony, the ketubah was read in English and Hebrew by Mr. Rubin, and in Kodava thakk by Ms. Medappa Maruvanda’s mother. The Seven Blessings were read by Ms. Medappa Maruvanda’s sister and two cousins, and Dr. Edelstein’s brother, sister and two uncles. Afterward, the couple’s 160 vaccinated guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with Indian hors d’oeuvres and music.
In April, the newlyweds plan to travel to Bengaluru for a second wedding celebration. In the meantime, the bride said, “I am most excited by having the monotony of a relationship. I want to do mundane things with Mark. I’m excited to have our own little life together.”
A version of this article appears in print on Feb. 13, 2022, Section ST, Page 13 of the New York edition with the headline: Finding Common Ground in Different Cultures.
source: http://www.nytimes.com / The New York Times / Home> Sytle> Mini-Vows / by Kristej Bayrakdarian / February 11th, 2022
Beauty and personal care brand Pilgrim has named actress Rashmika Mandanna as its new brand ambassador for its hair care product range. Harnessing Mandanna’s pan-India popularity, the brand has launched a new campaign titled ‘The Secret is in the Mix’
Rashmika Mandanna for Pilgrim – Pilgrim
“I’ve always believed that haircare goes beyond just using the right ingredients- it’s about how they’re brought together,” said Rashmika Mandanna in a press release. “This campaign is truly special because it highlights that while trends come and go, the real magic lies in how ingredients are expertly combined to deliver results. Pilgrim’s haircare products masterfully blend natural and active ingredients, making them truly transformative. I look forward to a great association with Pilgrim and can’t wait to share these remarkable hair care secrets with everyone.”
Chosen for her popularity amongst young Indian audiences, Mandanna will help Pilgrim to further build upon its Gen Z customer base. The new campaign shows a herd of consumers following the latest viral trends and juxtaposes this with Pilgrim’s products, which Mandanna presents as having a superior mix of ingredients.
“As Pilgrim continues to grow and take its next big leap, Rashmika is the perfect person to represent the spirit of our brand and lead us into this new era,” said Pilgrim’s co-founder Gagandeep Makker. “This partnership is a significant milestone as we continue to innovate and provide exceptional solutions to our dynamic consumers, and we look forward to scaling new heights together. Our hair care range has received tremendous love, with products like the Hair Growth Serum and Patuá & Keratin Smoothening Shampoo becoming game-changers in the market. Today’s young audience is always searching for innovative solutions for healthy and silky hair, and Rashmika embodies this quest perfectly. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Pilgrim family.”
source: http://www.in.fashionnetwork.in / Fashion Network / Home> India> News> People / August 13th, 2024
“Priya the Jungle Dancer” by Sathya Achia and illustrated by Janan Abir is a story that explores the unbreakable bond and love between children and their grandparents.
“Priya the Jungle Dancer” by Sathya Achia and illustrated by Janan Abir is a story that explores the unbreakable bond and love between children and their grandparents.
It also introduces the readers to the nature-loving culture of the Kodava community of the Coorg region in Karnataka. Their love for nature gets manifested through their folk music and dances like “Ummathat” in which women wearing colorful dresses and jewelry honor River Kaveri for helping them sustain life.
This way the book teaches young readers numerous lessons about familial bonds, appreciating nature, and being brave in tough situations like Priya, the protagonist.
The story starts with Priya rehearsing for her dance performance through a video call with her grandparents (Thatha and Thaye) who live overseas in a village near a Jungle in India. Her grandparents are assisting her in learning some graceful and enthralling dance moves which are inspired by their experienced observation of the jungle around them.
The author describes the dance steps by using various evocative similes which create an enigmatic imagery of the free-flowing nature in the minds of the reader. As ‘Thatha’ (grandfather) topples his tabla, he sings along to his little granddaughter to dance like the fierce monsoon rains, remain strong like a palm tree in a storm, and be determined like a growing lotus. This way, they remind Priya that she is an inherent jungle dancer and does not have to feel scared or hesitant about her performance.
The story evocatively portrays how customs and values are passed across generations. The heartwarming story is drawn from the childhood experience of the author who shared a close bond with her own Thatha and Thaye.
Though her grandparents lived oceans apart, she shared a strong and endearing relationship with them. Adding to the charm of the story are the beautiful illustrations that take the reader along in Priya’s dance endeavor. The illustrations deserve appreciation for giving attention to the minutest details, particularly in showcasing Priya’s traditional costume. The use of childhood pictures of the author also adds to the story’s fascinating nature, making it a more realistic and authentic experience for the readers.
The story in short acts as a gentle reminder to young children to explore one’s roots by interacting with their grandparents who are nothing less than a treasure full of experiences.
The book is priced at Rs399 and is published by Adidev Press.
source: http://www.thestatesman.com / The Statesman / Home> Features / by Shreya Bansal, New Delhi / July 08th, 2024
During the monsoon season, Kodagu’s unique culinary traditions involve dishes prepared with local ingredients like bamboo shoots and Justicia Wynaadensis leaves, reflecting a rich heritage aimed at maintaining health and body temperature.
The chilly weather and hard work in the farmlands demand that one stay healthy, leading to unique dishes being prepared during this period in ancestral times.Photo | Express
Madikeri :
Known to be an agricultural district, farming activities engulf Kodagu during the monsoon months. The chilly weather and hard work in the farmlands demand that one stay healthy, leading to unique dishes being prepared during this period in ancestral times. The indigenous cuisine acts as a natural nutrient supplement, helping the natives maintain body temperature during the chilly and moist weather. While agricultural activities have seen a gradual decline across the district in the recent past, the ancestral fare still make up a large part of the monsoon diet in Kodagu.
The district has a special vibe during the monsoon, and a stroll down any town road introduces one to unique items being sold on the streets. Natives from interior parts of the village turn street vendors and source natural resources available in plenty across the estates and forest fringes of the district, which they sell locally.
The wares vary from the traditionally made bamboo skep (to help clothes dry using charcoal heater) by the roadside in Madikeri, to natural products — a line of women wearing raincoats selling bamboo shoots, colocasia leaves, crabs, bracken fieldheads and leaves known as Justicia Wynaadensis or ‘maddu thoppu’ during the monsoon months from June to August. These locally sourced items make up for unique dishes that are prepared in all Kodava houses, and are now also being followed by all communities in the district.
“July 15 to August 15 is ‘Kakkada’ month in the Kodava calendar,” explained Ulliyada Dati Poovaiah, ex-president of Kodava Sahitya Academy. This month is synonymous with ‘Ashada’ month for Kannadigas, which is considered inauspicious. As the ancestors were busy with field work during this month, no auspicious events were hosted. Extreme weather conditions with heavy rainfall and gusty winds also stopped people from moving out of the safety of their houses, leading to ‘Kakkada’ month being considered inauspicious for any public or private gatherings.
“Kodagu used to receive the highest rainfall during ‘Kakkada’, yet people had to be involved in paddy cultivation for a living. Nevertheless, to ensure that one stayed healthy during the extreme weather conditions, special dishes found their way to the plate. All the dishes prepared during this month maintain body temperature, even as they keep other diseases, including pneumonia, at bay,” explained Dati.
Bamboo shoots are the highlight of the monsoon season and are sourced from within estates.Photo | Express
Bamboo delight
Bamboo shoots are the highlight of the monsoon season and are sourced from within estates. Bamboo shoot curry makes up a large part of the monsoon diet, even as indigenous mushrooms with high protein content take over banquet tables in Kodava houses. “The special dishes prepared during the monsoon ensured one’s good health. This ancestral ritual is now being followed every year with Kodava organizations hosting ‘Kakkada’ food fests to continue the ritual,” shared Kannanda Kavitha Bolappa, president of Madikeri Kodava Samaja Women’s Wing. She explained that all naturally available produce, including black nightshade leaves, Senna Alata aka ringworm leaves, raw mangoes and other veggies grown in the backyard along with country chicken, formed the ingredients of a rich diet during monsoon.
The highlight of the month’s special cuisine is the dishes prepared from Justicia Wynaadensis leaves that are popularly known as the ‘maddu thoppu’ (medicinal leaves). Kodavas, and today residents from other communities, believe that the Justicia Wynaadensis plants that grow in abundance across the district, attain their highest medicinal value on the 18th day of the Kakkada month. ‘Kakkada Padinet’ (padinet translating to 18th day) is celebrated and sweet dishes are prepared using the juice extracted from the Justicia Wynaadensis leaves. Besides this, mushroom, country chicken, bamboo shoots, freshwater fish, raw mango curry and other indigenous veggies are prepared for this special day.
“Earlier, farm work including cultivation and harvesting was done by owners of the land. Each family helped the others in cultivating the land. Entire stretches of farmland used to be cultivated by land owners, with help from other land owners, and after the farm work was done, a banquet would to be arranged. It largely included items that ensured balance of body temperature and good health during the chilly months,” explained Dati.
What started as a requirement has continued as a tradition, with residents from all other communities indulging in a rich diet with unique dishes prepared during monsoons in Kodagu.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna GR / August 11th, 2024
Rather than going for traditional lodging options, tourists are now looking to stay in homestays and resorts on the outskirts, away from the buzz of cities.
A file photo of tourists at Honnammana Halla waterfalls at Baba Budangiri in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka. | Photo Credit: File photo
After a dull monsoon in 2023, this time, rain has picked up in Karnataka, especially in the coastal region and Malenadu (Malnad) along the Western Ghats. Tourists, especially from Bengaluru, are heading to destinations in these regions to enjoy the rains.
“If there is too much rain, then the tourists are a little scared of landslips. But otherwise, they are majorly going to Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Kabini and Mysuru. We are expecting bookings to go up further by Independence Day,” said a staff member at Arjun Tours and Travels in Shanthala Nagar.
Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) has seen a slight increase in the number of bookings to Madikeri (Kodagu district) and Jog Falls (Shivamogga district). “We are introducing a Wayanad package and are planning to launch our Gaganachukki and Barachukki Falls package,” said K. S. Sreenath, General Manager, Transport, KSTDC.
Rather than going for traditional lodging options, tourists are now looking to stay in homestays and resorts on the outskirts, away from the buzz of cities.
“Be it in Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu or Mysuru, bookings have picked up in hotels and resorts on the outskirts. We are expecting this trend to continue in the coming months,” said K. Syama Raju, president, Karnataka Tourism Society.
Tourists say that such accommodation options lets them enjoy the weather and live in the moment rather than stay in crowded areas.
Nikitha Kumar, a resident of Basavanagudi., said, “For our vacation in Mangaluru, we booked a resort that is very close to the beach, and was isolated. We stayed for three days and just watched the rain and tides of the sea instead of going into the city.”
Officials of the Tourism Department acknowledged that monsoon tourism has picked up this year. “We are seeing quite a bit of footfall in all hill stations and waterfalls in Uttara Kannada and Kodagu districts, and even at Gaganachukki, Barachukki and Hogenakkal falls,” said a senior official.
With many accidents in tourist destinations in Maharashtra, the official offered a word of caution to tourists in Karnataka: “Wherever they go, they should behave responsibly. We have railings and police security near waterfalls. They should not cross them. When they go with families, they should enjoy the place instead of littering and drinking. In this season, the entire districts of Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru have become tourist destinations. Tourists should avoid creating chaos in remote areas.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Jahnavi T R / July 05th, 2024
Rashmika Mandanna is no stranger to creating memorable fashion moments. Over the years, the South Indian star has cultivated a distinct style that sets her apart, effortlessly blending traditional and contemporary fashion. Her wardrobe is filled with everything from elegant lehengas to form-fitting evening wear. However, it’s her love for the simplicity and sophistication of saris that often steals the spotlight. Recently, Mandanna showcased her heritage with pride by donning a cobalt blue silk sari.
She wore this stunning silk sari for her best friend’s wedding in Kodagu, Karnataka. The sari, adorned with gold zari ornamentation, features intricate motifs such as circular butties and stars spread across the rich cobalt fabric, complemented by a statement border. This classic six-yard garment is not just a nod to her Coorgi roots but also a celebration of India’s diverse sari draping styles. Eschewing the Bengali and Gujarati drapes, Mandanna opted for the Coorgi or Kodagu drape, paying stylish homage to her hometown, Virajpet, in the Kodagu district. “Kodagu is where my heart and my history is at,” she expressed in a heartfelt post.
The traditional Coorgi sari drape is characterized by the pallu being neatly tucked over the shoulder, with the pleats tucked backward. According to mythology, this draping style originated from the story of Agasthya’s wife, Cauvery, who transformed into a river to serve the people. In an attempt to stop her, Agasthya pushed the pleats of her sari backward.
This isn’t the first time Mandanna has championed the Coorgi sari. In May 2022, she attended another close friend’s wedding in an olive green Shanti Banaras sari, also draped in the Coorgi style. This tussar georgette sari, bordered with tonal tassels, featured a blend of green and gold needlework, further emphasizing her love for traditional attire.
Later that year, Mandanna chose a glamorous midnight blue Nitika Gujral sari with antique zardozi work, once again embracing the Coorgi draping style. This unique drape not only highlighted her traditional roots but also offered a modern twist, giving the sari the illusion of a one-shoulder dress.
Rashmika Mandanna’s sartorial choices reflect her deep connection to her heritage and her ability to fuse tradition with modern elegance. Her consistent preference for the Coorgi drape showcases a stylish way to honor cultural roots while making a fashion statement. Through her thoughtful fashion selections, Mandanna continues to inspire and set trends, proving that traditional attire can be both timeless and trendy.
source: http://www.msn.com / Microsoft Start / Home> Entertainment / by The Times of India / Story by the TOI Lifestyle Desk / July 01st, 2024
Heavy rains pound Kodagu District; Dubare Elephant Camp shut as River Cauvery swells
Kushalnagar:
The second glass bridge in Kodagu district, installed just four months ago at Nandi Motte in Hebbatageri village on the road to Abbey Falls and Mandalapatti in Madikeri taluk, is now facing a precarious situation.
Following a landslide underneath the bridge on Wednesday night, the three supporting pillars of the bridge have become unstable, exacerbated by heavy rains which further destabilised the hilly terrain.
The first glass skywalk bridge in the district — ‘Pappy’s Bridge of Coorg’ — located at Udoth Motte near Madikeri on Bhagamandala Road, stands 78 feet tall, with a length of about 32 metres and a width of 2 metres.
Acting swiftly on reports of landslides threatening public safety, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja this morning ordered Madikeri Tahsildar Praveen to immediately inspect the area. Following the Tahsildar’s visit, the DC ordered the gates of the glass bridge to be locked, preventing entry.
Hailed as the tallest glass bridge in South India, this facility also features a skywalk. The bridge stands 270 feet high, 180 feet long and 8 feet wide. It is constructed with 40 mm toughened glass and supported by pillars.
At any given time, over 30 visitors can stand and walk on the bridge, enjoying breathtaking views from 270 feet above the ground. Each visitor is permitted to stay on the bridge for 10 minutes, with a cost of Rs. 300 per person.
The location where the glass bridge stands is reportedly unsuitable for development and has been classified as a landslide-prone area and a Green Belt Zone. During the 2018 landslide, the ground in this area cracked, prompting the Kalakeri Nidugane Gram Panchayat to reject proposals for residential construction and borewell drilling.
Despite these concerns over ground stability, questions are now being raised regarding how permission was granted for the construction of this glass bridge. Area residents alleged that except for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Kalakeri Nidugane Gram Panchayat, no other permissions have been secured to build the bridge. Villagers also have filed a complaint with the Zilla Panchayat CEO.
Residents and concerned citizens have urged the District Administration to immediately review all pertinent documents and take necessary measures to avert any potential disaster. This issue has sparked significant public concern due to its implications for public safety and infrastructure stability in the region.
Pictures show the slanted supporting pillars after the landslide.
Dubare Elephant Camp closed
In response to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the River Cauvery, leading to a significant rise in water levels, the Dubare Elephant Camp near Nanjarayapatna, Kushalnagar Taluk, on the banks of the River has been closed to visitors. The Forest Department has implemented strict restrictions on entry to ensure the safety of all.
Visitors intending to reach Dubare must cross the swollen River, as there is no bridge available. However, due to the current water levels, boating services have been suspended until the situation improves.
Effective immediately, entry to the Dubare Elephant Camp has been prohibited. The Forest Department has arranged for transportation using four motor boats to ferry visitors across the River and to the camp. This service will resume once conditions permit safe access.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / June 28th, 2024
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