A tranquil time at the waterfalls

Following the good rains this year, a few of us decided to travel some distance on the bank of River Cauvery. Accordingly, we reached Keralapura on Mysuru Konanur Road and further travelled three km to Japadakatte off the main road. There is an enchanting, calm and serene place with a beautiful temple in this place. Having taken rest for 10 minutes, we visited the temple and then walked to the river. The river meanders providing a beautiful view. The place is neat and tidy as there is no town or village in the vicinity.

After a journey of 30 minutes, we reached Chunchanakatte. It is said that Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana visited this place during the vanavasa and was served by tribal people named Chuncha and Chunchi. Sita was tired and wanted to take a bath and so, Lakshmana shot an arrow which resulted in water cascading in three different shades. The Chunchanakatte Falls is 70 feet deep and around 400 feet wide. While the roar of the waterfalls is deafening, the place rejuvenates our mind and body. Lord Kodandarama is worshipped in the temple nearby. In the temple, Sita is standing to the right side of Rama unlike left side, which is common in other places. Interestingly, the deafening sound of the waterfalls is not heard inside the sanctum sanctorum.

MGN Moorthy