Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Sep 17: We Mangaloreans love to call our city ‘namma Kudla’ in chaste Tulu language. Those who are born and brought up here can never forget its good old irresistible charm and the right blending of modernity. That is the beauty of Mangalore which many Mangaloreans carry with them and cherish wherever they live. Often Mangaloreans complain about lack of leisure spots for a day’s outing or even an outing for half a day simply because we are lazy to venture out and want everything in the vicinity of 5 kms. Naturally most people end up visiting the crowded Kadri Park for an evening outing.

May be it is for this reason the Adyar waterfalls at the outskirts at about 12 kms drive from the city, has failed to catch the fancy of Mangaloreans. Many Mangaloreans may not be aware of this waterfall situated amidst thick lush foliage and verdant hills still untouched by the evils of modernity. At a distant backdrop the muddy red waters of the meandering Netravati River (after heavy rainfall) beckon visitors who care to spend some time on the hilltop savouring those tantalizing moments.

Known as Adyar Falls the waterfall can be easily approached from two sides – i.e one from Neermarga on the road leading to Volachil and the other from Bantwal- B C Road highway near Adyar. In fact the fall gets the name as it is just two furlongs from National High Way on Adyar near Valachil on the way to B C Road. Valachil is now well known as two well known educational institutions have come up in this area in the recent past. A left turn near Valachil leads to a curvy steep uphill road of 1.5 kms that leads to a hillock from where the breathtaking view of river Netravathi and a part of Mangalore city is visible in all its grandeur.

Two-wheelers can park their vehicles here and approach to the end of the way leading to a thick forest. On a normal sunny weekend or holiday one can find group of kids and youngsters playing cricket and they can direct the visitors to the exact spot of the waterfall.

There are two waterfalls here at a distance of about 200 meters on two extreme ends of the hillock. Take a turn to the right and it looks like a normal thick forest but just trek down the sloppy hill for about 150 meters and you can hear in the midst of an eerie of silence the roaring sound of the waterfall cascading down in all its splendour from a height of about 30 feet. The waterfall can be enjoyed from the top as well as from the base. Visitors have created a puddle at the top where eight to 10 people can sit and frolic around easily taking a dip and enjoying the cool water. At the bottom of the waterfall there are two-three spots which can be easily used to romp boisterously or just to enjoy a gentle touch of the falling water.

After spending an hour or two if you still have the energy there is another waterfall nearby and this too is equally captivating. Just take a left turn and walk down the hill for about 200 metres which is quite sloppy and slippery during rainy season. Then there is a sharp down which should be crossed with utmost care and you come across a cave-like entry leading to the waterfall. A few children and youngsters were found enjoying their Saturday evening at the waterfall. This fall also has a level puddle that can accommodate more than 20 people at a time. Height-wise this fall is a little small compared to the other but is equally riveting in its grace and beauty.

Local boy Mohammed who enjoyed his evening dip at the waterfall says many local kids and outsiders come at the fall during Sundays and holidays. He also says that after the colleges have come up many college students frequent the waterfall. “I come here with my neighbours and friends often especially during holidays Sundays. The place is clean and the rain water is also heavy and fresh during the rainy season”. Ganesh from Padil, a final year B.com student along with his college friends also had come here for an outing and thoroughly enjoyed for nearly two hours. He came to know about the waterfall from his friends who are now the students of nearby colleges.

Though many Mangaloreans may not be aware of Adyar Falls outsiders seem to know more about such pristine spots. Local youngster Sooraj says that a few scenes of Kannada film “Hudugata” were shot at this waterfall.

But locals rue the fact that now the waterfall and the surrounding area has become a hotspot for depraved activities. “Some people come here with drinks and food and litter the area with plastics and bottles. If this continues there will be lot of garbage here and the beauty of this area will be ruined”. Many youngsters also come here with their partners as the hillock and the nearby area provides a perfect milieu for a romantic rendezvous.

Apart from beaches, sands, coconut groves and backwaters, Mangalore also has a waterfall to its list of places for all those who want to venture out for a day’s outing. Unfortunately the waterfall can be enjoyed only up to October-November.