Kosalli Falls - also known as Abbigudde, Abbigundi, Gudanagundi, Boorlagundi and Koosalli Falls

Kosalli Falls - also known as Kusalli, Abbigudde, Abbigundi, Gudanagundi, Boorlagundi and Koosalli Falls

The only waterfall that lures me to visit again and again is the majestic Kusalli falls. It takes different shapes in different seasons just like its various names. In my coastal region it is called Kusalli falls. People living above on the slopes of Western Ghats (malnad region) like Sagara and Shimoga call it Gudana Gundi. Others simply, Shirur falls, since the nearest prominent place is Shirur.

The waterfall can be reached from Shirur (17 Kms east), Udupi (95 Kms north), Murdeshwar (45 Kms south). From Sagar one can reach the top of waterfall. After Shiroor till Tudalli the tar-road is manageable. Next 4-5 Kms till the last house of Kusalli, it is mud road which is a bit difficult during rainy season.

We visited the place on 26.11.2012 and again on 28.007.2012. Below I have tried to juxtapose the pictures taken during summer and monsoon:

The paddy field, en route, was a bonus to my photo gallery. 

Summer

Monsoon

Reaching the falls involves a simple trek for 3 Kms into the thick forests of Western Ghats. A pathway was made ready recently by the hearty locals of Koosalli / Chaktikal, who are always ready to help the trekkers just in case needed. It takes hardly one hour to reach it from the last house. Earlier we had to trek upward the stream running down the falls and it was very difficult as many times it involved jumping and sliding across rocks of every shapes and sizes, many of them slippery. 

The water falls in 7 stages, each different and unique in its beauty and reminisces seven different waterfalls,  cascading from a height of around 400 ft.

During my previous visit I have climbed up to the 3^rd stage. Climbing further was risky and for want of time, I returned as it was getting dark.

During summer it will be fun to trek up stream. Continuously changing landscapes, fresh water running down the little rocks forming tiny waterfall here and there, lush greenery and variety of trees plants and bushes. It will be a great treat to the eyes.

We chose to walk the stream climbing and jumping the boulders. Playing and resting near the tiny pools. As we walked further, the pebbles became stones and stones became boulders. At the last leg, there were huge rocks piled up one above the other, some even 30 ft high.

Finally, after trekking for about an hour and a half, we reached the bottom and it was an ultimate experience. The landscape was heavenly. 

After spending some time there, we wanted more. Climbing up to the second stage of the waterfall is easy, from where you can have nice view of water flowing down the stream.

To climb up to third level one has to trek the rough pathway for about 8-10 minutes which gets almost vertical around a huge boulder. From here, the view of 1^st stage of the waterfall, the long and winding down-stream thereafter and the surrounding ranges Western Ghats are simply spell-binding.

I could not resist the call of 4^th level. I was sure, the view gets better as I progress. I started climbing the vertical rock and was almost there, but, couldn’t just make it. The rock was too steep. Better luck next time. Come next monsoon, I will visit this waterfall again, during its peak. 

The Kusalli falls during Monsoon:

There will be water through out the year. However, soon after the monsoon, October to December would be an ideal time to visit as there would be plenty of water. During monsoon one can spend a whole day watching the rain water crashing down the huge rocks with deafening sound and with clouds romancing the green landscape all around it would definitely be a life time experience.

Coming back, we took the pathway in the forest, it was a simple walk down hill of about 20 mins.

There is one more water fall just 5 Kms away called Kodumuri / Kudumari, equally majestic. I missed it on both occasions. Again, this fall is also called Chadthakal falls / Bellingundi falls. From a distance the enormity of this fall is evident on the back drop of dark green mountains.

If all these are not enough, even at Shiroor you have many beautiful beaches and prominent among them is Ottinene where Kshitija Nesara Dhama a government rest house is situated. The view from here of sun setting into Arabian Sea attracts hundreds everyday.