When I was looking for the places to visit around Bangalore for day-cation, one of my friends suggested me this place – Mekedatu.
How to reach?
Distance of the Sangama is around 95 KM from Bangalore and around 32 KM from Kanakapura and good for one day trip. It’s good to have an early start.
From Bangalore public transport is available, take government bus (KSRTC) for Kanakapura. If taking your own vehicle, take Bangalore-Kanakapura Road and reach Kanakapura, you will see a Sangama/Mekedatu sign board, take a left turn from here and follow Kanakapura-Sangama Road.
Bangalore to Kanakapura 60kms, Kanakapura to Sangama 30+ Kms, Sangama to Mekedatu 4 kms, total around 100 Kms (one side).
Sangama
Sangama is the place of confluence of two rivers – Arkavathi and Kaveri (Cauvery). Has wonderful views. One should cross the river which separates the two banks. In Summer season there will be less water and you can easily walk inside the river. In rainy season there will be more water with heavy flow. Both the seasons are enjoyable although differently. It was summer season and there was less water in the river. The water was about 2 to 3 feet in the river. However, this was an advantage as we could walk into the river without any fear.
Mekedatu
After enjoying the water in Sangama we proceeded towards Mekedatu. (‘Mekedatu’ means, ‘goat’s leap’ in Kannada). Mekedatu is just 4 kms from Sangama. Once you cross the river, you have two options to go to mekedatu. You could either take a Bus or walk for 4 Km to reach the spot. If your option is Bus – they charge 40RS ( to and fro ) but its worth walking. A walk to remember – along the river side.
Once you reach Mekedatu, you have to climb down few hundred steps through the rocks to reach the actual spot. You have to get down first and then climb up a little to see the river Cauvery.
Brilliant place, with the cauvery running through the rocks, breaking through new barriers, and eroding them.
In Mekedatu, the river has become narrow and at a point as narrow as only about 20 feet between the two banks. As both the sides are made of strong granite, the water cannot expand further, it has to flow within this short rocky passage.
It is interesting to see that the same river which is more than 150 metres at the confluence (at Sangama) flows within 10 metres width in Mekedatu. The river runs ferociously at this point within the rocky banks.
These twin places constitute very interesting single day tour programme from Bangalore worth visiting in any season. The place is unbelievably beautiful and much more than my expectation. You can visit Chunchi falls which is on the same route on a diversion 10 kms before sangama. Muthathi, Bheemeshwari and Cauvery fishing camp are also close to Sangama. You can take a try there too. Just start early!
♥
Divya
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