I feel
going to a trek will actually get strength to give yourself that much required break
and mostly tolerance. Walking in quietness on that highland you will feel like
you are able to map your life easily.
Team @Araniyar Dam
Before
starting the story let me describe Nagala in detail, popularly known as
swimmers glory situated right in the foothills of Eastern Ghats just 80 kms
away from prominent temple town ‘Tirupathi’. Nagala blessed with some of the
best water sources and the canopy of the greenery all through the year.
Well-known for its natural good looks along with the remarkably stunning and
crystal clear water fonts.
Shiva's Photography just before sunrise @Puttur
Unlike other trails trekking Nagala (Western and
Eastern) falls run parallel to streams and intermittently walking on the stream
rocks itself make a trail and you could see number of water pools alongside. Most
of the trekkers and holidaymakers use the Nagala western and eastern entries
while few dare to take other trails to venture into this pristine water pool
paradise. Nagala offers a boundless opportunity to do TREKNIC.
View of Reservoir with eastern ghats background.
Nagalapuram hills are spread across 25113 acres
(101 Sq. Kms approx.) of land. Nagalapuram is a small historical town located
in the Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. Nagalapuram is famous for two
things, one is Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple and the other one is Nagalapuram
falls trekking (also known as Kona Falls or A.k.A Saddhi Koodu Madugu). Sri
Vedanarayana temple is majestic stupa dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is said to
have been built by Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar Kingdom in memorial of his
mother Nagala Devi, after whom the town is termed.
Rashmi enjoying backwaters !!
Nagala trek starts from a
village called Arai at a distance of 16 km from Nagalapuram town, 44 km from
Puttur, 87 km from Chennai, 78 km from Tirupathi, 107 km from Chittoor, 130 km
from Vellore, 120 km from Kanipakam &
288 km from Bangalore. Public bus service is available till Arai (Pichatur - SriKalahasti
road).Nagalapuram since the past few years has turn out to be a favorite trek
destination for trekking buffs because of its vicinity, clean water pools and pleasant
surroundings. Nagala is one of the popular spots for hiking close to Chennai
and also among best weekend breakouts.
Just before the forest trail !!
This
time we were seven people Shiva, Shivu, Vasu, Rashmi and Brothers (Harsha and
Bharath Bharadwaj) planned a trek on the weekend of March 18th and 19th. Raced off
our journey at 12’o clock in one car and one motor bike on the verge of fully
raged autumn. I just want to mention a horrible encounter happened during the
journey, stopped for a cup of tea near Mulbagal toll gate at 2:30 AM. A transgender
came towards us demanded for money, without saying one word I merely offered
her some money. After few minutes she came back and literally started mistreating
all of us though she expected more money, no one has courage to face her due
their misbehaving acts or abuses to travelers as they established such kind of
monopoly.
Had
almost no sleep throughout the journey, after a hard long bike(Shiva n Me) ride
we had reach a town called Puttur on our way to Nagala with couple of breaks in
between and soon finished our breakfast with yummy idlies at small hotel.
Brothers walking together !!
With Bhararh :)
To
start the trail one has to to reach the Arai village, take right direction
towards Kona falls (Sadhi Madugu falls) or look for the route which leads to
Nagala Lake, a man made reservoir across the Nagala stream. We reached at lake
(Arai Village) early in the morning (10 AM) & got a parking spot near the
lake. Our initial plan was to camp during the night at one of the pool. Later
we got to know that a techie from Chennai drowned (It’s a long story) while
trekking in the Nagalapuram three days back. They have flushed out the body
after long search with the help of Arai village folks a day before. Hence we
told by authorized guides of Nagala that we can’t camp overnight anywhere in
forest, lake and close to the village as per local police department orders
they received. So we have decided to come back to village before sunset.
Rest time under a huge mango tree 😐😐
By the
time we started trekking it was about 11’o clock, within a 10 min walk we came
to the Nagala reservoir backwaters and Eastern Ghats right behind the
backwaters. Ideal and safe time to start if you plan to ascend on the same day
would be on or before 10 AM, not later. If you plan to stay back (such as usually
done) – feel comfortable to start any time till before 4’o clock. Ascend and
descend is post 6 pm is unsafe which may leads to missing the right path.
Stream we cross on the way.
From
reservoir backwaters we entered flowering shrub filled plantation with several
trails going all possible ways. I guess all these trails leads to our
destination, anyhow with the help of our guide Shivu Murthy we finally enter the dense forest in right time inscorchingheat. As soon as we enter into
thick jungle took a break under a big tree and had watermelon carrying with us.
After few mins walk we come across a lovely stream filled with crystal clear
water, you know water was as unsoiled as you get in wilderness.
Crystal clear pools prior to first pool.
First Pool (Slide
Pool)
We made
it to the first pool (Slide Pool) in the span of one hour with hardly one
break. The trail was not so difficult in patches though if you follow the
streams there are few chances to you may get lost. The first pool place is very
scenic but you will hardly get a space to enjoy the scenery because loose and
slippery stones. One has to keep an eye on your step and walk carefully. The
pool is about 6+ feet deep and a perfect spot to soak yourself without panic of
drowning but one should be cautious.
@Slide Pool A.K.A 1st pool.
The crystal clear water and outright peace
will take your breath away. The loveliness of this stream is one can enjoy
natural fish spa(Fish entertains a bit if you give some time) throughout the
trail starting from stream we cross after the forest cover till you reach the
third and last pool. The whole group had an amazing time by jumping into the
water - non-swimmers with their floats and having appetizing lunch with
Chapathi and spicy chutney at the slide pool.
Second Pool (Picnic
Pool)
Picnic Pool
After a
short while we decided to move on to the second pool, further up the hill. The
first and second pools were a pleasure for both swimmers and non-swimmers,
distance between these two are around 0.5 km. Slightly deeper (Depth of the
pool varies from 1 feet to 10 feet) than the first pool with a small
water fall at the end, and it was even better than first pool. After clicking a
few snaps here we have decided to move advance as there are many folks
sat on the cliffs clicking snaps of the divers plunging into the water and filling
their lost energy by having lunch.
Shiva and Harsha getting entertain with fish spa.
Cute stream rapids at the third Pool.
Third Pool (Magic
and Sliding Pool)
Magic pool this was the best among all.
Selfie while descending down @Picnic Pool
The stretch
between second and third pool rather steep, I must say that I was out of
control by the time we reach it. The pristine water, the leaf covered hill
side, the overgrown rocks, the vibrant leaves floating in the pool, the greenery
around, all added to one of the most picturesque sights I have seen. The water
here is the deeper than the previous two pools and that was quite obvious since
it was much darker in color than pool one and two.
In between second and third pool.
Shiva, Vasu and myself decided
to dive into the water from surrounding rocks high above the pool. Others (Harsha,
Bharath, Shivu and Rashmi) sat on the cliffs clicking snaps of us when plunging
into the water. Vasu and others said it is no less than 20-30ft deep. Please be
careful and don’t attempt to get into this on the off chance that you know swimming
or concerned of deep water. Beyond this pools the ascent gets difficult, until
and unless you are a professional trekker or someone experienced with you.
Kindly refrain from going above at this point.
@Vasu
We
covered entire trail in approximately 5 to 6 hours which incorporated the incredible
time spent in the first and third pool. Once we reach back to the pool two, we
got into the water once again, took more pictures and began trekking back to
the downhill.
The trek back downhill was thoroughly pleasurable but also little
draining since we were all worn out from the swimming and no sleep in the last
night. We descended and reached the Arai village in less than two hours. With villager’s
permission Vasu, Shivu Harsha and Shiva somehow managed to prepare soup and
dinner for us in guide’s house. After whole day ascending and descending dinner
Avalakki seemed like bliss, was so delicious and pleasing, all of us relished
it.
Sunset View from dam @Shiva's Photography.
We pitched
campsite near the temple at Pichatur in the dark night with our torch and
sleeping bags. In no time everyone went to deep sleep (I am the one who started
first, in the morning I told by Harsha). We got up early in the morning and
started towards Puttur.
Land Lord 👐
Hungry birds arranging for tea and Breakfast
Eventually as breakfast time approached we stopped near
a farming land, took permission from land lord to use for our needs. Shivu,
Harsha collected the firewood and on a small fire Rashmi,Vasu and Shiva prepared
tea and tasty Upma to feed all the ‘Hungry’ birds. After our ‘firewood’ Upma we
have decided to go Araniyar dam site since we had lot of time in the day. Spent
some odd time on the retaining walls of reservoir took some pictures and packed
our stuff and started towards Bangalore.
One of the lonely boy in the trip.
Tea Time
On our
way back to Bangalore there was sizzling sun, a hot day, we were badly looked
for a water source to dip in. Vasu and Shiva both were riding on a bike and
they found lush green paddy fields where there is pump which helped us to
refresh ourselves.
10 mins later it became....
Overall
a fulfilled trip, It would take another weekend to venture other side of Nagala
(Called Eastern entry) and there will be one more trip to this pristine water
pools.
@ Araniyar Dam
Pointers
Guide -Mannar and His
family (local contact in Arai who will arrange for guide, food) – 9849440712.Once you reach Arai Village, you can ask in the village for some person to accompany you as a guide. Of course they will ask for some money, be ready to negotiate.
·Distance Covered – 13
kms Approx(Ascend and descend from parking spot)
·Water Source –
First 2 kms there is no drinking water source until you cross the stream on the
way (1 lts water would be sufficient till here).
·Essential Time
needed – 1 Day(If u are a regular trekker could complete the trail by end of the day by starting the trek early in the morning)
·Camping Options - Either
at second or third pool or near reservoir backwaters.
