Read this travelogue on Belagola, a riverside escape near Mysore, written by Dheekshitha A S.
Away from the eyes of the city centre, Belagola is a treat for anyone who loves offbeat locations and the vibe of a village! Sometimes, the best journeys are the ones that take you away from busy highways and into quiet corners where time seems to move more slowly. My family and I took a van from Chennai to Belagola, a village tucked near the banks of the Cauvery River, just outside Mysore. What started out as a simple visit to temples around Mysore turned into a trip to rural Karnataka, with flowing waters, green landmasses, and struggling to speak in Broken Kannada.
First Glimpse of Belagola
I reached Belagola on a rather cold evening, where only the subtle warmth of the setting sun touched the waters of the Krishnaraja Sagara Dam. Our room was right opposite the dam, making it the perfect viewpoint to enjoy the view with my family. As I glanced at the dam from the terrace of my hotel room, I instantly fell for the water and the greenery around. The breezy evening called for taking a quiet moment to romanticise my life while my family was enjoying the view. I had mapped out a few places to experience during my day here: Balamuri Falls, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, and a few temples my grandparents had wanted to visit. Each location promised its own flavour of adventure, and together they stitched a story I would carry long after the journey ended.
Visiting Heritage: One Temple at a Time
The first place we visited the next day, early in the morning, was the Shree Lakshmi Narasimha Kshetram, often called Shree Dakshina Naimisharanyam. Nestled amid lush greenery, this temple is relatively lesser known but carries immense spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Narasimha, the fierce yet protective incarnation of Vishnu.
I got the chance to witness kids studying at the Veda Pathshala, an extension of the temple itself. With more inquiry with the temple priests and the kids, I came to realise that the students of the Pathshala stay in and around the temple premises, following Dharmic schedules while managing studies through open schooling. It fascinated me how lives can be so different in such places, tucked away from regular school life. While in the temple, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the depiction of Lord Narasimha in several forms (Avatars). While not mainstream, the temple is a must-visit for pilgrims who are seeking to visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
Further, our journey took us to the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna, a revered shrine that stands as a testament to the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Cauvery belt. The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his reclining posture on the serpent Adisesha, is one of the oldest and most significant of its kind in South India.
Balamuri Falls – The First Stop
Balamuri Falls is just a short ride from the heart of the village. Unlike the thundering waterfalls I’ve visited elsewhere, Balamuri was a serene flow, with two sides: a calm stream of water with families taking rides on a Parisal (a traditional, small, round, bowl-shaped boat) and the force of water flowing downwards joining the river. Stepping closer, the cool spray hit my face, and for a moment, the summer heat melted away. I spent a few minutes there, soaking in the sounds of the river and people loitering along the banks. Later, it was time for a ride on the round boat.
Parisal Ride: Floating with the River
The highlight of the whole trip for me was the parisal ride. If you have seen Muthal Mariyathai, you will know that a parisal is a classic mode, which has ferried villagers for centuries. As my family and I stepped into the boat, I felt the thrill of the ride was going to be worth it. The temples peeking through trees, children waving from the banks, and the boatman spinning us in circles made us take a break from the exhaustion of everything.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary – A Feathered Finale
By late afternoon, I made my way to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located just a short drive from Belagola. Spread across islets formed by the Cauvery, it’s a haven for migratory birds and one of South India’s best-kept secrets. The sanctuary was alive with wings, colours, and calls. The air was thick with sound: the squawk of herons, the chatter of parakeets, and the flapping of wings against water.
Farewell to Belagola
By sunset, we were back at the village, the river reflecting hues of gold and crimson. We enjoyed our evening meals and took off to our next journey: Coorg, just a few hours away from Belagola. Belagola might not boast of luxury resorts or manicured tourist spots, but that’s its charm. It offers something richer and pleasant, away from the chaos of city life.