Awe Inspiring 'Konaje Kallu' Beckons Adventure Seekers

April 11, 2012

For those who want a break from the routine humdrum and also want to get away from the scorching heat in the city, a trek in the thick frondescence of the forests of the Western Ghats would provide the much needed diversion. One need not go too far off places to enjoy nature’s quietude and give your lungs a whip of fresh air or an oxygen therapy.

Such a milieu can be experienced at Konaje Kallu, at Moodbidri, the Jain pilgrimage centre, located about 32 kms from the city and is just an hour’s drive. Just about 5 to 6 kms from Moundbirdri on Naravi Road, one can see a pair of large granite monolith which is now known as “Konaje Kallu”. For the British sailors the top of these twin stones resembled like those of the ears of an ass and rightly so they called them “Ass’s Ears”.

It would be a formidable task to resist the temptation of exploring the stone structure which looks quite imposing even from a distance. It was this irresistible temptation that lured us towards the twin stones as part of our exercise to get fit for our forthcoming trekking to Everest Base Camp.

A group of 8 members of Mangalore unit of Youth Hostel Association of India, who are ready for the Everest base camp, went to explore this stone, which is billed as trekker’s paradise and best bet for a short hiking, something which can be done in a day’s time.

We started off early at 5.30 am in our Tata Sumo and a good breakfast on a roadside small hotel in Moodbidri where we packed our lunch packets also we came to Konaje Reserve Forest Area. We parked our vehicle there and headed towards the monolith stone. A saffron flag indicated the way towards the temple of Sri Sharadadasa Swamy at Padukonaje, about 3 kms from the main road and we had to cross this cave temple to go to Konaje Kallu. After going through the semi-forest area from where we could enjoy the sight of the breathtaking granite stone from a distance we came across a pond, neat and clean on our way to the temple. It is the temple pond and is filled with water all 365 days a year. Devotees bathe in this pond before offering pooja and entering the Garbha Gudi of the temple.

After walking for another 30 minutes we reached a cave temple, the very sight of which is awe-inspiring and cooool to say the least. This temple is on the base of the rock formation that makes the Konaje Kallu. The mouth of the rock is open on the front side of the rock and this rock forms the roof of the temple. In the space underneath various rooms of the temples are built. Temple priest Samanna Swami says the temple was established in 1947 and it contains samadhis of 108 ascetics. Usually till February end a small strip of water passes through a narrow passage on one side of the temple.

The area under the rock that comprises the temple premises is quite cool and refreshing. A look up at the rock shows that a small concrete layer is built horizontally so that water falls to the ground directly and does not seep through the roof and come to the base. After a refreshing half an hour’s rest we entered the thick forest area to reach the bottom of the rock. Except in some patches we came across a bunch of tress which had completely shed their leaves in preparation for a grueling summer ahead we encountered thick green forest on our way to the rock.

Climbing the 90 degree slope rock with our heavy bags tucked firmly on our backs was a challenge we were looking forward to impatiently. The rock was quite rough and had layers that helped us find our footholds to make our way upwards. The scorching son on top and the heavy bag on our back made the journey upwards quite a challenging yet enjoyable experience. Some of us had to crawl on four legs to keep our body balance in forward motion to avoid any risk of slanting backwards.

We reached the top with herculean efforts and from there we could savour the panoramic view of the entire forest area. We took rest for an hour or so on the top and as we were famished we ate our packed ‘avalakki-kadale’ which tasted quite yummy.

Our adventurous streak continued and instead of coming back from the way we had traversed we decided to explore the other side of one of the rocks and began to downward journey. Soon we were into the thick forest filled with huge trees, thick layers of decayed leaves and thorny plants and creepers. In our anxiety to move many of us sustained bruises all over from thorny creepers and plants. But none cared a fig. We had to literally make our way through the area as there was no trail of human movement. Yet we moved forward in the steep downslide area enjoying some of nature’s bounties and wonders.

After almost an hour’s journey we reached a dead-end in the thick forest and thorny plants gave no room for us to move forward. We had to beat a hasty retreat and make our way back to the rock. While it was a slide down going we had to climb the area during return journey. A step on a loose stone led to at least two people falling with a thud (unhurt). In the thick forest coming back on the same route is not easy and at one point we could not make out where we were heading to. But the top of the stone guided us back and we were back for another upward slide.

Sliding down was much easier than we had expected and by now the sun was on top and we were profusely sweating having climbed our way upwards from our misadventure in the forest.

We were back at the Sharadadasa Swamy temple and after the pooja we had lunch at the temple. Samanna Swamy had prepared a sambar of beetroot with back grams and in the company of monkeys from the forest we had our simple lunch amidst the thick forest.

Soon we headed back to our destination. On the way we enjoyed some delicious cashews (given by locals) and ate some wax apples (Zamoon) and headed back home to watch the second half of Indo-Pak one day cricket match.

The thighs ache even after 3 days of trekking but we are happy that we are getting the right kind of fitness before heading to Everest Base Camp to trek in a much more difficult terrain.

In this summer make a surprise trip to “Konaje Kallu” and see nature’s beauty resplendent in its immaculate form.

 

Florine Roche Recent Archives:

 

 

    By Florine Roche
    To submit your article / poem / short story to Daijiworld, please email it to news@daijiworld.com mentioning 'Article/poem submission for daijiworld' in the subject line. Please note the following:

    • The article / poem / short story should be original and previously unpublished in other websites except in the personal blog of the author. We will cross-check the originality of the article, and if found to be copied from another source in whole or in parts without appropriate acknowledgment, the submission will be rejected.
    • The author of the poem / article / short story should include a brief self-introduction limited to 500 characters and his/her recent picture (optional). Pictures relevant to the article may also be sent (optional), provided they are not bound by copyright. Travelogues should be sent along with relevant pictures not sourced from the Internet. Travelogues without relevant pictures will be rejected.
    • In case of a short story / article, the write-up should be at least one-and-a-half pages in word document in Times New Roman font 12 (or, about 700-800 words). Contributors are requested to keep their write-ups limited to a maximum of four pages. Longer write-ups may be sent in parts to publish in installments. Each installment should be sent within a week of the previous installment. A single poem sent for publication should be at least 3/4th of a page in length. Multiple short poems may be submitted for single publication.
    • All submissions should be in Microsoft Word format or text file. Pictures should not be larger than 1000 pixels in width, and of good resolution. Pictures should be attached separately in the mail and may be numbered if the author wants them to be placed in order.
    • Submission of the article / poem / short story does not automatically entail that it would be published. Daijiworld editors will examine each submission and decide on its acceptance/rejection purely based on merit.
    • Daijiworld reserves the right to edit the submission if necessary for grammar and spelling, without compromising on the author's tone and message.
    • Daijiworld reserves the right to reject submissions without prior notice. Mails/calls on the status of the submission will not be entertained. Contributors are requested to be patient.
    • The article / poem / short story should not be targeted directly or indirectly at any individual/group/community. Daijiworld will not assume responsibility for factual errors in the submission.
    • Once accepted, the article / poem / short story will be published as and when we have space. Publication may take up to four weeks from the date of submission of the write-up, depending on the number of submissions we receive. No author will be published twice in succession or twice within a fortnight.
    • Time-bound articles (example, on Mother's Day) should be sent at least a week in advance. Please specify the occasion as well as the date on which you would like it published while sending the write-up.

    Comment on this article

    • Prasanna , Kallabettu/Mumbai

      Mon, Dec 24 2012

      I remember the day when we climbed the taller stone. I still remember those days it is 30 years back. I never got another opportunity to climb. Thank you Daiji for giving us nice memory of konaje kallu

    • sharaf, mangalore/dubai

      Sat, Apr 14 2012

      when i am in dhavala clge,i visited 2 times to this place,very nice and cool place,when i read this
      artical i remember my old daysthanks daiji

    • Dr.Anand and Geeta N Pereira, Sakleshpur/Mangalore

      Fri, Apr 13 2012

      Dear Florine and team mates just the right step in your preparation, before heading for the Everest base camp. We wish you all the very best. Thank you for the very informative article too.

    • Jimmy Noronha, Bellore, Lucknow

      Fri, Apr 13 2012

      Mangalore is replete with some breathtaking scenery and places of interest. Unfortunately most of them do not get what they deserve unlike what it is outside India. Happy for this write up.

    • geoffrey, hat hill

      Thu, Apr 12 2012

      By ‘Kallu’ in the caption, I mistaken for Toddy for a moment!

    • Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/ Kuwait

      Thu, Apr 12 2012

      It reminded me my childhood. We had climbed the taller stone during our high school days. It was an amazing experience to stand on top of Konaje Kallu and take a deep breath by extending hands wide. The shorter stone is difficult to climb.

      Dear Ben and Vishal, The rock is called "Konjya Kallu" in Tulu and officially "Konaje Kallu" in Kannada as it is located in Konaje (name of the village surrounding it).

    • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

      Thu, Apr 12 2012

      That brings us additional knowledge about our natural habitat. Thank Florine I guess the one to follow this will be about your experience of concurring the Himalayas ?

      Good Luck sweetie...

    • Vishal, Mangalore/Bangalore

      Thu, Apr 12 2012

      The rock is called "Konjya Kallu" and not "Konaje Kallu".

    • John Pinto, Chickmagalur/ Qatar

      Wed, Apr 11 2012

      Congratulations Florine Roche, good article , Moodbidri is on one of the most Beautiful place surrounded with many historical places . Nice photos.

    • florine roche, Mangalore

      Wed, Apr 11 2012

      Ben, as far as i know Konaje Kallu is also called at Kodanje Kallu and I  am also told it may be the same rock which is known as Kadenja Kallu. There is reference to this Kadenja Kallu in Tulu Paddanas which is also in Moodbidri and it must be the same rock. I asked my colleague Muddu Moodubelle and he also said it must be the same rock

    • ben, mangalore

      Wed, Apr 11 2012

      A Question.
      Isnt this Rock called KADENJA KALLU?
      because in the Mythical story of " AGOLI MANJANNA " its mentioned- Agoli Manjanna his favourite passtime and hobby being eating dreams and he says in Tulu " KADENJA KALLU UDARIGE ANDA / " meaning IF KADENJA STONE TURNS INTO A RICE CAKE !!! imagining how much rice cake he will get to eat !!!
      May I expect a clarification from Florine ?

    • Don Amnon, Lower Bendoor, Mangalore

      Wed, Apr 11 2012

      Nice article, recalled my sweet memory of college days in Jain College ( 1982-84)


    Leave a Comment

    Title: Awe Inspiring 'Konaje Kallu' Beckons Adventure Seekers



    You have 2000 characters left.

    Disclaimer:

    Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

    Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

    Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.