Some time ago, I had written about one of the best coffees to be had when one is in these parts of Karnataka. Now, let me introduce you to one of the best teas.
AGUMBE.....The place reminds one of so many things.....
Second only to Chirapunji, it receives the highest rainfall in Karnataka.
One of the best views of the sunset can be had here, especially during the 'minimum mist season' (February). One can actually see the sun sink into the Arabian Sea some 40 km away!
It is THE place to study king cobras. Romulus Whitaker of the 'Madras Snake Park' and his team of herpetologists have set up a research station here to study the less known and highly revered king cobras.
Agumbe is the 'Malgudi' of Shankar Nag's famous TV serial of the 'only Doordarshan' zamaana- 'Malgudi Days'. If you are looking out for them, you can recognise some of the buildings from the serial, like Swami's home ( a 'home stay' tourist spot now!), school (the British soldier's statue from the serial lies bepedestalled and neglected in the backyard of the school!), etc.
If Agumbe is naxal- zone for the cops, to occasional passersby like us, it means the 20 minute ghaut stretch with the perpetually pot- holed, hair- pin curves and tea at Mr.Premanand's cart :)
At the head of the ghaut, you will anyway have to stop at the check post manned by the K'taka Forest Dept. Look at the curio shop nearby and chances are that you will miss the non- descript cart opposite. If you don't miss it, well, here's my advice - stop and get off for some good chai. Try the mixed dal vadas if available - they are out of this world too :) You can either chat with the affable Mr.Premanand or, look across at the greenery around as you sip the tea as slowly as possible!
This is the park maintained by the KFD near the check post. One must really thank the dept. for creating this out of what was not-so-long ago, a totally neglected water body. After tea, if you have the time, you can go pedal- boating on the lake/ walk on the cobbled path around/ simply sit on the conveniently placed garden seats - all this at a very, very minimal fee (Rs.2 entry fee to the park & Rs.10 for a spin on the boat). Your only responsibility is to maintain the cleanliness and the pure air.
Of late, the guards at the check post have been collecting money to build a big shelter for the guardian Gods of the ghaut. Now placed inside a small, low shelter, one has to really bow on one's knees to see the Gods! If the temple comes up at the proposed site, it will block out the view of the lake fom the tea cart and the thought is not making me very happy :(
However, that notwithstanding, we will , I'm sure, continue to stop for the chai. Here's hoping that the cart will shift its location to ensure the 'lake view' :)
AGUMBE.....The place reminds one of so many things.....
Second only to Chirapunji, it receives the highest rainfall in Karnataka.
One of the best views of the sunset can be had here, especially during the 'minimum mist season' (February). One can actually see the sun sink into the Arabian Sea some 40 km away!
It is THE place to study king cobras. Romulus Whitaker of the 'Madras Snake Park' and his team of herpetologists have set up a research station here to study the less known and highly revered king cobras.
Agumbe is the 'Malgudi' of Shankar Nag's famous TV serial of the 'only Doordarshan' zamaana- 'Malgudi Days'. If you are looking out for them, you can recognise some of the buildings from the serial, like Swami's home ( a 'home stay' tourist spot now!), school (the British soldier's statue from the serial lies bepedestalled and neglected in the backyard of the school!), etc.
If Agumbe is naxal- zone for the cops, to occasional passersby like us, it means the 20 minute ghaut stretch with the perpetually pot- holed, hair- pin curves and tea at Mr.Premanand's cart :)
At the head of the ghaut, you will anyway have to stop at the check post manned by the K'taka Forest Dept. Look at the curio shop nearby and chances are that you will miss the non- descript cart opposite. If you don't miss it, well, here's my advice - stop and get off for some good chai. Try the mixed dal vadas if available - they are out of this world too :) You can either chat with the affable Mr.Premanand or, look across at the greenery around as you sip the tea as slowly as possible!
This is the park maintained by the KFD near the check post. One must really thank the dept. for creating this out of what was not-so-long ago, a totally neglected water body. After tea, if you have the time, you can go pedal- boating on the lake/ walk on the cobbled path around/ simply sit on the conveniently placed garden seats - all this at a very, very minimal fee (Rs.2 entry fee to the park & Rs.10 for a spin on the boat). Your only responsibility is to maintain the cleanliness and the pure air.Of late, the guards at the check post have been collecting money to build a big shelter for the guardian Gods of the ghaut. Now placed inside a small, low shelter, one has to really bow on one's knees to see the Gods! If the temple comes up at the proposed site, it will block out the view of the lake fom the tea cart and the thought is not making me very happy :(
However, that notwithstanding, we will , I'm sure, continue to stop for the chai. Here's hoping that the cart will shift its location to ensure the 'lake view' :)
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