A lake for leisure

Moodbidre witnessed an unprecedented growth between 14th and 16th century as a centre of religion, culture, art and architecture. Interestingly, not less than 18 temples, also known as Basadis including the famous Thousad Pillar Basadi, were constructed during this period.

Even to this day, Moodbidre has a number of interesting aspects in and around the place. Apart from the Basadis, Chowta’s Palace, Soans Farm, Konaje Kallu, Pandavara Kallu or the various activities by Alva’s educational institutions, the quiet sleepy town of Moodbidre offers you much more than you might imagine.

In addition to the existing tourist spots, the ambitious Kadala kere project, when completed, will be surely a feather in the cap of Moodbidre.

Kadala kere, as the name suggests, is a huge lake. This water body, which had dried up in recent years, was reclaimed with the persistent efforts of a citizens’ group. It was Rotary Club which started the revival of the tank three years ago which was later supported by Kadalakaere Nisargadhama Society with Deputy Commissioner as its chairman. However, the green signal given by the State government to desilt the lake at a cost of Rs 1 crore has been a ray of hope to the nature lovers as well as people of Moodbidre.

Speaking to City Herald, Moodbidre Range Forest Officer P Sridhar said that the work on desilting will begin in February 2012 when the water will be dried up further. “The renovated lake, perhaps by June 2012, would not only help boating facilities, but also attract more tourists with other development works planned,” he adds. A footbridge and toilet facilities already exists while an open air stage is almost complete.

The site which is being converted into a Nisargadhama (nature resort) with attractions like bird island (in the middle of the lake), boating, heritage village and nature walk would add more colour to the little town which is set amidst hills, woods, lakes and fertile fields in the serene countryside.

The cynosure of eyes in Kadalakere is an island situated in the middle of the lake. The island has around three acres land with different types of trees including bamboos. Birds nest in the naturally regenerated forest beside the lake. Waterfowls, egrets and cranes are sighted on the spot. The 1.2 km nature walk laid beside the lake is one of the picturesque features of Kadalakere.

The spot draws huge crowd towards the end of January when the Kadala Kere hosts the annual Koti Chennaiah Kambala (buffalo race in marshy field).

Bamboo garden

Another attraction at Kadala Kere is ‘Bamboo Garden,’ an initiative of Forest Department. The department has planted as many as 28 varieties of Bamboo saplings in the corner of Kadala Kere, with the help of Soans Farm, which has developed over the years as a centre of innovative agriculture.

The ‘Bamboo Garden’ would attract many people once the plants grow, opined an official.

Interestingly, the name Moodbidre too has some links with bamboos. Because of the widely grown bamboos in ancient days, this place is said to have got the name Moodbidre – Moodu means East and Bidriru means bamboo. Hence the name.

How to reach?

Moodbidre is connected by National Highway 13 and State Highway 64A. There are frequent bus services to and from Mangalore (37 kms), Karkala (18 kms), Udupi (90 kms), Dharmasthala (50 kms) and Bantwal (35 kms).

From Moodbidre, Kadala Kere is hardly 2 kms, which can be reached through autorickshaws.