Jun 12, 2010
There are a number of exotic places nearer to our own towns and villages, but we are unaware of their charm and beauty and think of going to faraway places for the weekend getaway or family picnics. Recently, I had an unexpected trip to Kemmannu just before the monsoon was to set in. After one day’s sojourn on this enchanting land of islands, backwaters and coconut palms, i have no hesitation to say that Kemmannu can be considered as a blend of Goa and Kerala.
My visit to Kemmannu was rather unexpected as one of our friends from Dombivli, Alex Monteiro had constructed a house in Kemmannu some years ago and would come often with his family to spend holidays. Being invited to visit his house, i took the opportunity and decided to visit his house and explore this enchanting land cradled by the turbulent Arabian Sea and the serene Suvarna River.
Boarding the city bus at Udupi heading to Hode, as advised by Alex Monteiro, my wife and i alighted at the stop next to the Kemmannu market. After preliminary greetings and usual talk, i went around Monteiro’s house to explore the surroundings. The house is located right on the bank of the branch(backwater) of the Suvarna River. The rear sandy courtyard of the house extends till the edge of the backwater canal beyond which i could see few islands or kudrus as they are locally known. Meanwhile, I could see boatmen moving on the backwater canal transporting commodities including dry woven coconut palms which are used by the people living nearer to the sea to cover the front portion of their houses to prevent rain water hitting their front doors and walls. As most of the Kudrus are not connected with motorable roads, small bridges and the boats are the only means of transport to the many households situated on these widespread small islands.
After we had a lot of nostalgic conversation sitting in the backyard watching the boatmen going up and down, Monteiro exhibited his fishing gears including gas light and fish trap as well as an angling rod. He is a great fishing enthusiast and even intends to possess a powerboat in the near future after retirement so that he can spend his time at Kemmannu with various activities including venturing deeper into the Suvarna River for fishing.
After lunch, Monteiro suggested that we could go for a ride around Kemmannu, an opportunity that i did not want to miss. He took out his vehicle and all of us drove towards the fishing port of Bengre. As we drove ahead i could see the roaring Arabian Sea towards the left and the calm Suvarna River towards the right and the road in the middle of the strip of land lined with fishermen’s houses and covered with coconut trees.
Stopping at Bengre we walked towards the fishing port at the mouth of the Suvarna River as it merges a little further with the Arabian Sea. The fishing port presented a deserted look. According to Monteiro, during fishing season, the fishermen would usually auction their catch from around 2.30 pm. We could see practically all fishing vessels anchored in a line. When asked, a fisherman standing nearby as to why there was no auctioning of the fish, he said that the fishermen could not venture into the sea due to bad weather and the sea had been rough. From the Bengre port we could see the opposite bank of the Suvarna River known as Hangarkatte which has a big structure used for ship building.
From Bengre we drove further down where the narrow strip of land ends with the Suvarna River merging with the Arabian Sea. Climbing the parapet wall we could see the other side of the river and the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea with huge waves striking against the boulders.
After spending considerable time at the conjunction of the Suvarna River and the Arabian Sea, Monteiro drove us back and proceeded across a small bridge connecting an island named Padukudru. Moving further through the rough road we reached the point where the so called ‘Hanging Bridge’ is located. The stone slab at the base of the bridge proclaims that the bridge is named as ‘Deepak’ which is 280 feet Suspension Bridge. It was constructed by 2 and 4 Karnataka Engineering Company NCC Cadets during their annual training camp from 16 January 1991 to 27 January 1991.
The suspension bridge connects one island with another. As i walked through the bridge i was amazed about the efforts that have been put up by the NCC Cadets in constructing this marvellous bridge and came to the conclusion that our youth can produce wonders with little of guidance and lot of imagination, enthusiasm, discipline and dedication. I salute those NCC students for erecting the bridge which still remains as a testimony of their hard work since the last twenty years.
After having tea at Monteiro’s house, he dropped us at Udupi bus stand from where we took a bus to Moodubelle. On the way back, I was just thinking about the wonderful places that we have in close proximity, but ignorant about them. After a day’s visit to Kemmannu i was quite refreshed with new site seeing and experience which i felt that i could share with the readers of Daijiworld.
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