Koodli

Koodli

Our next destination was Koodli.  It is the convergence point of two popular rivers, Tunga and Bhadra and flows together from here as Tungabhadra River. It is 16 km from Shivamogga in Holehonnur-Channagiri road. It is almost same distance from another town Bhadravathi as well.

We took a road that guided us through paddy fields, arecnut plantation, and houses. Here we could get the glimpse of Malenadu village. On our way we were stopped by a group of unruly kids demanding donations for upcoming Ganesha festival. We blatantly refused to give any money, but they were relentless. So we are forced to give them a piece of mind about legality and we did alright. It is a very common site in Malenadu during Ganesha festival and being assertive will only help you to get out of these kind of situations. It is a different matter altogether if you don't mind paying a few bucks as donation.

Areca nut Plantation

Caught Off Guard

Areca Nuts

Paddy Field

Paddy Straw Bale

After parking the vehicle, we walked towards the steps leading to the Sangama. Koodli is known as Varanasi of the south. We get to witness few people performing last rites of their loved ones here. And couple others enjoying the serenity and calmness the place has to offer. It is a popular saying in Kannada "Ganga Snana, Tunga Pana" (Drinking the water of this sacred river, Tunga has the same effects as taking a dip in the holy river Ganga.

The neighbouring villages of Koodli have palaeolithic history and the area was under active occupation right from the second century A.D. 

The Rameshwara temple, dated to twelfth century is situated at the confluence of two rivers. It is a non-ornate Hoysala shrine with Vesara Vimana (architecture style) class of super structure. The sanctum sanctorum houses a Shivalinga.  There is a small roofless temple right behind the Rameshwara temple with statue of Nandi, which indicate the exact meeting point of two rivers.

Rameshwara Temple

Pillars

Nandi

We just clicked a photo of Sangameshwara temple from outside as we were hungry. It is said there are two mutts (philosophical schools) in Koodli; one, Shankaracharya Mutt and another Koodli Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt. We had to give it a miss because of lack of time and patience. There is a small shop selling snacks like peanuts, chikki, candies, etc. And a guy was vending pooja items like coconut, bananas, flowers as well as eatables like cucumber, bhelpuri, etc., under Ashvattha (sacred fig) tree.

Sangameshwara Temple

How to Reach: Buses plying towards Chitradurga, Channagiri passes via Holehonnur. Get down at Koodli entrance and walk 2 KM.

Hire a taxi or auto from Shivamogga.