Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Nursing student uses Miss Connecticut Teen USA platform to advocate for mental health, increase representation

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

For Nikitha Kikanamada, a sophomore nursing major at Quinnipiac University, the beginning of the spring semester is bittersweet, as it’s her last semester as the titleholder of Miss Connecticut Teen USA.

During her Miss Teen USA interview, Kikanamada wore a Sherwani, a traditional South Asian suit. (Contributed by Nikitha Kikanamada)

Kikanamada will pass down the title to the winner of Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2022 in April, after holding it since June 2021. She has used her platform as the first Indian-American titleholder to increase representation of her South Asian culture, as well as expanding her mental health advocacy.

After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2019, Kikanamada started an Instagram account called More for Myself, where she raises awareness for mental health issues. She also runs an account called The South Asian Segment, where she features the stories of people of South Asian descent to combat stereotypes.

“(Mental health issues are) not something that is talked about in South Asian households,” Kikanamada said. “So to be the face of change for those people who look like me, I’m just so honored.”

In November 2021, Kikanamada took her platform to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she competed in Miss Teen USA. While she did not place in the competition, Kikanamada said she enjoyed the opportunity to represent her home state.

“Even though I didn’t win or even place, I was able to share my story,” Kikanamada said. “And that, in itself, is an achievement.”

As she enters her first college semester that is not simultaneously preoccupied with preparations for her next pageant, Kikanamada said she is looking forward to continuing her education.

“I don’t know if I will be back yet as a Miss,” Kikanamada said. “I hope to, I really do, but it’s a lot. It’s mentally, physically and emotionally a lot. And I just want to focus on myself right now and my career.”

Despite juggling nursing school and preparing for pageants, Kikanamada said her professors have always been supportive and understanding of her situation.

“(Last semester) they were more than happy to accommodate me and everything that I’ve been doing,” Kikanamada said. “They seem very proud of me, which gives me a lot of support.”

Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2021 and Quinnipiac nursing student Nikitha Kikanamada (right) poses with Miss Teen USA 2021 Breanna Myles (left). (Contributed by Nikitha Kikanamada)

Professor of psychology Anne Eisbach taught Kikanamada in a child development psychology course during the fall. She said she enjoyed learning about Kikanamada’s efforts as titleholder. 

“It was clear to me that she was strongly committed to her responsibilities both as a student and a titleholder – and I was impressed with how she balanced both roles,” Eisbach said. “… As a professor, I always encourage my students to broaden their education beyond the classroom and so I was happy to support Nikitha as she was able to make this happen!”

Before being named Miss Connecticut Teen USA, Kikanamada also held the titles of Miss South Windsor Teen USA 2020 and Miss Teen India Connecticut 2018. She first entered the pageant industry at eight years old, when her mom enrolled her in modeling and acting classes.

“She always told me, ‘I just saw something in you,’” Kikanamada said. 

After modeling, acting and dancing for several years, Kikanamada entered pageants through the National American Miss organization, a program for girls ages 4-20. Through NAM, Kikanamada participated in competitions for preteen titles throughout the Northeast. 

In high school, Kikanamada went on to win Miss Teen India Connecticut, her first major pageant title. Kikanamada said her time as the titleholder for Miss Teen India Connecticut piqued her interest in the opportunity to represent her Indian heritage on a larger scale. 

“I was able to take my culture and my background and something I love, which is pageants, and in ways mix them into one, which was really amazing,” Kikanamada said.

In 2019, Kikanamada had another opportunity to represent her culture when she competed for Miss Connecticut Teen USA. After not placing in the competition, Kikanamada decided to move on from pageants and focus on finishing high school and pursuing college. Then, when she received a letter in the mail asking her to come back to compete in Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2020, she decided she wanted to give it one more shot.

“I wasn’t going to (compete again), I really wasn’t,” Kikanamada said. “I begged my mom to let me be coached — usually girls get coached for their local pageants, (but) I’ve never been coached before, until I reached out to the coaches that sponsored (the previous) year.”

Kikanamada joined KP Consulting, where she has multiple coaches that help her prepare for competitions.

“I love them so much,” Kikanamada said. “They truly just helped me be who I am today. They helped me find a purpose in my life.” 

Kaet Parent, one of Kikanamada’s coaches, said her preparation for Miss Connecticut Teen USA was challenging as it was plagued by uncertainty — the pageant was postponed multiple times due to the pandemic.

“Nikitha was on top of everything, no matter how frustrating anything was in terms of COVID impacting the dates being changed, a lot of uncertainty, she just remained diligent,” Parent said. “She had a goal and her goal was to win, and nothing was gonna get in her way.”

Beyond coaching, Parent said she has valued getting to know Kikanamada on a personal level, calling her “special and incredible.”

“Nikitha just has this fire inside of her that is so special,” Parent said. “… I think that is something that anyone around her, not even talking in the world of pageants, but anyone around her — friends or family professors — they see that and I think that is something that people latch onto.”

source: http://www.quchronicle.com / The Quinnipiac Chronicle / Home> Featured> Features> News / by Melina Khan, News Editor / February 03rd, 2022

Tradition and kuru curry in breezy Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Progress in India may not be a pretty sight, but there is welcome respite to be had amid the birdsong, cuisine and coffee plantations of south Karnataka.

The traditional Kodagu spread at the Muthanna household. (Photo: Priya Ramani)
The traditional Kodagu spread at the Muthanna household. (Photo: Priya Ramani)

It is something of a privilege for a city dweller to live in the middle of a coffee plantation, as I did for four days in the lush Karnataka district of Kodagu last week. I watched the early morning mists roll in, shivering lightly as the wind whipped in over the coral trees and silver oaks, and the air filled with the insistent “tsees” of Orange-headed Thrushes, the “zweets” of Oriental White-Eyes and many other strange and wonderful creatures.

The journey to Madikeri, the district headquarters, evoked mixed feelings . The cool winds and rolling hills of south Karnataka are always a pleasure to drive through but it is hard to ignore patches of rubbish, rubble and construction. Progress in India is not a pretty sight. Even the once sylvan Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe boasted double-glazed glass on mansions that evoked the architecture of their distant, lost land.

It is best to focus instead on more pleasurable things, such as reading aloud, and compulsively, the signboards along the highway, a disease that afflicts my family. So, I could not help but point out to my unfortunate travelling companions the whimsical ways of Karnataka’s highway proprietors and municipal officials: wayside lunch stops called Hotel Stop And Taste, Hotel Le Ruchi, Hotel Purple Delicacy (only because its walls were painted purple) and—to our perplexment—Hotel Silent Zone; and settlements called “Town of the Divine Goddess” (Periyapatna), “Toy Town” (Channapatna) and “Historical Town” (Srirangapatna).

At the base of the Kodagu Hills, we stopped for lunch at a little eatery that simply called itself Fish Curry And Rice Hotel. They brought us lacy neer dosas, tawa-fried kane or silverfish and surmai or kingfish pulimunchi, a tangy, fiery coastal curry that derives its flavour and name from tamarind or puli.

That lunch was the harbinger of the meals to come.

At our destination, Captain K’s Getaway, perched on the edge of a verdant valley, we found a host who was not just an accomplished chef but cooked our dinners herself, helped by her son and daughter. Leila Alvares, as it emerged, was a well-known name back home in Bengaluru, where she has produced many musicals. The daughter of a former mariner—hence the home-stay’s name—she ran a coffee estate, hosted guests and offered sublime food, spanning Coorg to Continental, with a barbeque thrown in. Captain K’s has only two rooms, so even when it’s full—we took both rooms—it’s empty.

I was also lucky that my old friend Kavitha Muthanna was a 20-minute drive away. It was for her wedding that we were last in Kodagu, 12 years ago. As we drove in to Madikeri, we stopped at a modest one-room home she and her husband were creating for themselves in a former storehouse for grain and coffee in the middle of the family plantation: a bed, tiny kitchen, tiny living area and a great, glorious outdoors, bounded by a paddy field and old-growth trees that towered over the coffee bushes.

One afternoon, Kavitha’s mother, Veena Muthanna, invited us to lunch at her hillside home in Madikeri. As we admired the sylvan views, she told us how things had changed over the last decade, pointing to buildings over the treetops, including many ugly ones sporting those double-glazed, sealed windows—why anyone would block the air in breezy Madikeri was a mystery.

We focused our attention on Mrs Muthanna’s welcoming lunch table. There was, of course, a traditional and most delicious pandhi, or pork curry, and fried fish but what stood out was the vegetarian spread that I normally tend to ignore. There was a bamboo-shoot vegetable and a kuru, or kidney bean (of a local speckled variety, pictured), curry produced by Eliza, a smiling, robust woman who does the daily cooking. Instead of mutton pulao, there was a soya nuggets pulao, and there were fluffy akki or rice-flour rotis.

Kuru beans before cooking. (Photo: Kavitha Muthanna)
Kuru beans before cooking. (Photo: Kavitha Muthanna)

As we retired for dessert—home-made caramel custard and gulab jamuns—we noticed eaves of paddy behind Mrs Muthanna’s photo frames. They had been taken from the harvest and placed there for blessings and good luck. Tradition, the Madikeri breeze, welcoming hosts and fine food—what better way to prepare for the week ahead.

Eliza’s Kuru Curry

Made with kuru, or fresh speckled kidney bean

Ingredients

Half kg shelled kuru
In a mixie, grind
A handful of grated coconut
Half tsp chilli powder
One-fourth tsp dhania (coriander) powder
One-fourth tsp turmeric
One-fourth tsp jeera (cumin) powder
A pinch of saunf (aniseed)
Half tsp ginger paste
One-fourth tsp garlic paste
(Grind well. Do not add water to this mixture)
1 onion, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp curry leaves
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt to taste

Method

In a pressure cooker, heat the oil, splutter some mustard seeds, then fry a sliced onion until golden brown. Add the ground masala and fry further till it smells heavenly (Kavitha’s description) and the colour changes. Add the tomato and sauté for another minute. Add salt. Add water till above the level of the mixture. Add the beans and curry leaves. Close cooker. Let steam for two whistles, then simmer for five minutes. Open cooker and enjoy madi with a lashing of ghee.

Our Daily Bread is a column on easy, inventive cooking. Samar Halarnkar is the author of The Married Man’s Guide To Creative Cooking—And Other Dubious Adventures. @samar11

source: http://www.lifestyle.livemint.con / Mint / Home> Mint Lounge> Food> Cook / by Samar Halarnkar / December 19th, 2021

AGM Of Ramakrishnanagar I Block Kodava Welfare Association Held

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

Mysore/Mysuru:

The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM)of Ramakrishnanagar I Block Kodava Welfare Association and adjoining residents was held on Jan.2 at Shree Ganapathy Temple in Ramakrishnanagar.

Association President Kattera A. Nanaiah presided.

On the occasion, Kenjangada Suchetha Cariappa – Gold Medal in M. Tech, Kadiyamada Nisha Cariappa – B.Sc. and Nayakanda Kishtij Cariappa -10th CBSE, were felicitated with cash prizes for securing highest marks.

Maletira Ganesh, Secretary, presented the annual report while the financial report for 2020-21 was presented by the Treasurer.

Kotrangada Manan Mandanna rendered the invocation. Poodrimada Somaiah, Vice-President, welcomed. Kenja-ngada Cariappa, Joint Secretary, proposed a vote of thanks. Kotrangada Shruthy Poonacha compered.

About 50 Kodava families of Ramakrishnanagar I Block and adjoining areas were present  at the meeting.

The following are the new office-bearers of the Association for the next three-year term:

Kodandera Pushpa Machaiah –   Chairperson;  Maletira Ganapathy – Vice-President; Kenjangada Cariappa – Secretary; Codanda Swagath  –  Joint Secretary/ Treasurer; Mallangada Vinoda     – Joint Secretary.      

Committee Members are: Bachamada Vasanth, Kelapanda Vinod Bopaiah, Mookalamada Shanthi Ramesh, Patrapanda Chengappa, Kumbera Ganesh Pemmaiah,  Adengada Santhosh, Nayakanda Kamala Mandanna, Kodira Devaih, Neravanda Suresh, Chappanda Erappa.                          

Advisory Committee Members are: Dr. Kodira A. Kushalappa, Kattera A. Nanaiah and Poodrimada Somaiah.   

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 14th, 2022

Daisy Bopanna beats Covid-19, tests negative

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Actress Daisy Bopanna had contracted coronavirus recently and has fully recovered now! Daisy was asymptomatic and isolated herself immediately upon knowing.

She says, “I isolated and informed everyone that I had been in contact with. The worst aspect of contracting the Covid-19 is the absolute mental pressure to restrain the virus from spreading further. After quarantining for 10 days thankfully it has now been confirmed that I am Covid negative.”

Daisy stayed positive throughout the ordeal. She said, “There was also a silver lining too. I got to spend a lot of time self-actualising and introspecting.”

When asked how she spent her time in the quarantine she said watching shows and movies online was rather fun. She added, “I read quite a few books as well. To be honest, I was always an avid reader and self-isolation gave me the time to read a few books that were on my wish-list.”

source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / The Tribune / Home> Lifestyle / January 15th, 2022

Captivating Kushalanagar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Surrounded by the thick foliage of bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees, Nisargadhama is an island formed by the river Cauvery near Kushalnagar, writes Suryakumar.

Madikeri, our holiday destination, turned out to be rather disappointing. Its fort and adjoining museum were closed, as they are every Monday. They remained shut the following day, which happened to be a government holiday. For the same reason, the residence of late General Thimayya (maintained as a memorial to his military achievements) proved elusive. As for the famed sunset at Raja’s Seat, since the sun was barely visible it could hardly disappear in a blaze of glory.

Archway at Nisargadhama. PHOTOS BY AUTHOR

Despite these setbacks, our trip to Kodagu was not a failure. There was much to enjoy at Kushalanagar, about 30 km from Madikeri. The highlight was Nisargadhama, a scenic nature resort on an island in the River Cauvery. Negotiating the hanging rope bridge that spans the water was an interesting experience. When we kept walking, it seemed steady, but if we stopped suddenly we were aware of a swaying sensation.

Once across, we found ourselves in a vast green expanse of bamboo groves and teak and sandalwood trees. There were stone seats, matching the artistically crafted archways, but tempting though it was to sit and soak in the ambience, we kept going.

We paused now and then to admire the realistic sculptures of men and women in Kodava costumes, performing traditional dances. These images are safely within enclosures, to protect them from over-enthusiastic selfie-seekers. Moving on, we came to an amazing aviary. Colourful parakeets perched on our palms, helping themselves to the birdseed provided by the person in charge.

The children among us were a bit nervous, but so gently did our feathered friends feed that we felt not the slightest discomfort. What did make us uneasy at Nisargadhama was the large number of people who were thronging the shops at the entrance, with total disregard for social distancing.

Crowds were also a problem at Harangi Dam. By contrast, Chiklihole Dam, (a small reservoir, about 15 km from Kushalanagar) was refreshing. We drove unhindered to the top (not easily accessible at other similar sites) and found it free of unmasked tourists. Not that we could entirely escape Covid! It dashed our hopes of visiting the Golden Temple at nearby Bylakuppe. The Namdroling Monastery, home to a community of monks and nuns, was barred to outsiders because of the pandemic.

St Sebastian’s Church

Fortunately, we managed to see another significant place of worship. Constructed a few years ago, St Sebastian’s Church stands on a hill from which one gets a panoramic view of Kushalanagar. There was scarcely anyone around, but a boy playing on the premises kindly opened a side door for us. Beautiful statues adorn the interior and exterior of this splendid edifice.

Figurines of a different sort caught our attention at a wayside stall. Each time we passed BM Road, we were fascinated by colourful life-size replicas of animals that seemed to be staring straight at us. Made of cement, and evidently intended for and evidently intended for parks and gardens, they were among the several spectacular sights of Kushalanagar.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sunday Herald> Sunday Herald Melange / by Suryakumar Dennison / January 30th, 2022

Field Marshal Cariappa’s 123rd birth anniversary observed with reverence across Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

The contribution of the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army was recalled with pride in the district

The Field Marshal KM Cariappa Circle in Madikeri (Photo | Express)

Madikeri :

The 123rd birth anniversary of Field Marshal KM Cariappa was observed with reverence across Kodagu on Friday. The contribution of the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army was recalled with pride in the district.

A floral tribute to the statue of FMKM Cariappa was offered at his namesake circle in Madikeri. Kodagu DC BC Sateesha, MLAs Appachu Ranjan and KG Bopaiah, former MLC MC Nanaiah, Retired Major Nanda Nanjappa and others were present during the ceremony.

A tribute to the leader was also offered at the family house of Roshanara in Madikeri. Gonikoppal Cauvery College students paid homage to FMKM Cariappa’s statue at the college premises.

Meanwhile, addressing the media after offering a floral tribute, FMKM Cariappa’s son Retired Air Marshal KC Cariappa said, “My father always taught me that my priorities are my duty to God, to my country and family. He taught me that the colour of blood that flows in my veins is the same irrespective of my religion. There is no difference in terms of caste, colour or religion in the Army. However, we are losing sight of this in India today. There are too many walls that are being created due to religious divide. I hope that we mature as a country and respect everyone’s religion and beliefs.” 

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 28th, 2022

Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Remembered

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

Mysore/Mysuru:

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha said that unlike many other top Army Officers who preferred to lead their retired life in major cities, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa chose to lead his retired life in his native Kodagu amidst nature’s splendour and beauty.

He was speaking at the 123rd birth anniversary celebrations of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, OBE, jointly organised by Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Fans Club, at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle at the junction of JLB Road and Hunsur Road here this morning.

Pointing out that it was not easy for becoming the first Commander of the Indian Army post-Independence, Simha said that Field Marshal Cariappa, along with Gen. K.S. Thimayya should be credited for showing how a country’s borders  can be secured by unitedly taking together all the soldiers.

Terming Field Marshal Cariappa as a  true ‘Veeraputra’, he said that Cariappa was also a very able leader and brought many laurels for the country.

Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda, in his address, said that today, the entire country is paying tributes to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa. Recalling the contribution of Kodavas in defence sector, he said that it is the pride of the nation that Kodava is home to many war heroes.

Former Mayor H.N. Srikantaiah recalled how Metropole Circle was renamed as Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle when he was the city Mayor in 1999 and the current Chamaraja MLA L. Nagendra a Corporator then.

Pointing out that as Mayor, he had put forward a proposal to the then Education Minister A.H. Vishwanath to rename the Circle as Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle, to which Vishwanath  readily agreed, he said that thereafter  a resolution was passed at an MCC Council meeting to this effect, following  which the Circle was officially named as Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa Circle. He further said that a statue of Cariappa was also proposed at the Circle when he was the Mayor.

To mark the occasion, the statue of the Field Marshal was garlanded and offered floral tributes by the dignitaries

Former Mayor M.J. Ravikumar, Corporators M.U. Subbaiah and Pramila Bharath, Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa, Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Mechanda M. Shashi Ponnappa, Vice-President Malachira M. Ponnappa, Hon. Secretary Mukkatira B. Jeevan, Joint Secretary Appanderanda Tara Somaiah, Treasurer Machimada P. Nanaiah, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club President Kuttimada D. Muthappa, Secretary Mechanda S. Bopanna, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Fans Club President Nayakanda M. Thimmaiah, Shri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha President Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah, former Mysuru Kodava Samaja Presidents Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, Poyyettira S. Ganapathy and Ballyamanda M. Nanaiah, Philanthropists Kuttimada D. Cariappa and Pudiyokkada Praveen Chengappa  and others were present.

Some facts

1. Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa took over as the First Army Chief on Jan. 15, 1949, so Army Day is celebrated on this day.

2. Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa relinquished his appointment on Jan. 14, 1953, so the Veterans Day is celebrated on this day.

3. City-based VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust (VKET) President Mandetira N. Subramani had urged the District Administration in August 2006, to install a life-size bronze statue of the Field Marshal at Metropole Circle.

source:http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 28th, 2022

Shri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha Gets New President

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah was elected unopposed as the President of Shri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha, Mysuru, for the year 2021-2024 along with a new team of office-bearers. 

Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah (sitting in centre) is seen with (sitting from left) Balladichanda Jerry Ponnappa – Adviser, Ajjikuttira Daina Poovaiah – Organising  Secretary, Padeyanda Sumi Gopal – Joint Secretary,  Chendanda Nirmala Subramani – Hon. Secretary, Kollira Bollamma (Shanthi) Kuttappa – Vice-President, Machimanda Geetha Karumbaiah -Treasurer, Ittira Jyothi Kashyappa – Joint Secretary, Thambanda Neena Devaiah – Organising Secretary; (standing) Dr. Sonia Mandappa – Medical Advisor, Mollera Kavitha Appanna – Internal Auditor  and the new Committee Members; (Not in picture – Dr. Chendrimada Padmini Kaveriappa – Medical Advisor and Kaliyanda Renu Poonacha – Legal Advisor).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / January 17th, 2022

Rashmika launches ‘Padhaaa’ from ‘Stand Up Rahul’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Videos

Raj Tarun has lined up a new film. Titled ‘Stand Up Rahul’, the new romantic entertainer is gearing up for release. The makers have begun song promotions. Today, actress Rashmika Mandanna launched the “Padhaaa” song from the film.

Being directed by newcomer Santo Mohan Veeranki, the feel-good comedy has Sweekar Agasthi’s music. The “Padhaa” is a road trip song. Raj Tarun and Varsha Bollamma play the lovers.

Produced jointly by Nandkumar Abbineni and Bharath Maguluri, the film is waiting for an ideal release date.

According to makers, the film is about a reluctant stand-up comic who doesn’t stand up for anything in life, finally finding true love and learning to stand up for his parents, for his love, and for his passion for stand-up comedy.

source: http://www.telugucinema.com / Telugu Cinema / Home> News> Video / by Telugucinema / January 18th, 2022

Smiles at hidden spots of Somwarpet in Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

There is always a thrill to go to places that are off the beaten track and this time we decided to go on a short drive around the Somwarpet taluka of Coorg.

The lush greenery, the winding roads, the up and down terrain, the coffee and pepper plantations on either side made me feel really blessed to have so many rich natural wild sights to admire in South India. Even the quaint village of Shanivarsanthe felt as if time had stood still there since ages.

And thankfully these places are quite free of the noisy tourist crowds that I usually see elsewhere. Our dear local friend Prasanna insisted that we visit the the biggest lake in Coorg called Honammana Kere.

Our first impression was just a silent awe for the stunning natural beauty of this place. The reflection of the blue skies, the white clouds and the rich green foliage on the crystal clear waters was mesmerising. This lake was nestled in between the hills called Morí beta and Govi beta. On a more adventurous note, if we had more time, we could have undertaken short treks to the temples on top of the hills to admire the stunning views from the hilltops too!

There is a Honnamma devi temple besides the lake that has an interesting history. A local ancient king had prayed during the times of water shortage and refused to sacrifice his daughter-in-law, when asked to do so. However his pregnant daughter in law Honnamma walked into the waters and drowned, sacrificing her life for the well being of the people and ensuring abundance of water for all.

She is revered by the locals as a Goddess in a unique shrine dedicated to her on the banks of the lake. I noticed an ancient stone with carved inscriptions in front of the temple probably recording this interesting piece of history.

A lot of devotees come here for the powerful blessings of the Devi for marriage or child prospects. I was told that on Gauri festival day, at least 101 ladies immerse sets of many Pooja items like fruits, vegetables, turmeric kumkum, bangles etc. in the waters.

Yes, the spiritual energy of the place was something that could not be expressed in words. The calm serene feeling of the mesmerising natural ambience made the lake feel like a hidden gem. I could probably spend hours sitting on the temple steps, dipping my feet in the water and doing absolutely nothing.

We had a sumptuous lunch with our gracious host Jairaj Shetty at a place called Whisper Valley. The 360 degree natural view made it feel as if we were in heaven! The open air jeep ride through the coffee plantation to a hidden stream was an adventure by itself! And we just had to frolic in the gushing waters feeling rejuvenated like kids again!

It was a day well spent with good friends and lots of smiles in the unknown nooks and corners of Somwarpet.

_________

Shobha Rao Smilemaker has a vision of living in a world where people use their ability to find and make smiles in any situation. She is a lawyer by qualification, a soft skills trainer by passion, a motivational speaker, a freelance journalist, a bestselling author, an avid traveler and founder of ‘Smilemakers Trainings’. She can be contacted at www.shobhasmilemaker.com. 

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source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld / Home> Karnataka / by Shobha Rao Smilemaker / January 18th, 2022