Kali is a common name for many rivers that flow across the Indian subcontinent right from Nepal to Uttarakhand to MP and Karnataka. Last week I got to spend some time by the Kali River that flows through the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. Not too far from my current home in Goa. The first thing that we encountered as we drove towards Dandeli is the tall dam called Supa Dam on the river and the backwater that it creates.
Towards the end of the day, we saw the sun setting on the backwaters from the ramparts of a wall bridging the area for a dam. There were lots of tourists swimming and playing at the edges.
Water sports on Kali River, Dandeli
Kayaking & Canoeing
After a sumptuous lunch at Dandeli Jungle Camp, we went to Bison River Resort which is right next to the river. It is a place for all kinds of water sports like White Water Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Coracle riding, boating, river crossing, etc. We did some light adventure activities like kayaking in the river for some time followed by a Coracle ride. We sat on the banks of the rivers and watched others getting ready to dare the white waters in their rafts.
Natural Jacuzzi by Kali River, Dandeli
After some time we were taken across the river for Jacuzzi. I had no idea what it meant, but anything new always leads to curiosity. Now, this was a small area that became a natural pool as the water from the river gushed through giant stones. Falling into the pool with great pressure and then passing through another set of stones. The pressure with which water landed in this small but natural enclosure created a kind of mini waterfall.
Experience the Jacuzzi
If you stand below these mini waterfalls, you feel the pressure of water on your body which is absolutely relaxing. You not only enjoy the soothing touch of the clean untreated water but also its pressure massaging your body. I was there for a good 30 minutes. When I came out, I felt all the pains, aches, and stress from my body has been left behind in that pool. I highly recommend this natural Jacuzzi to anyone visiting this holiday destination.
Relax by the Kali River in Dandeli
In between activities, birds flying across the river kept us engaged. There were many hornbills on both banks of the river with their heavier-than-the-body beak size. A platform built on drums was the favorite place of couples that lent some romance to the air. A bent mango tree on the bank creates a canopy. While Kayaking and boating people pass under it for a surreal feeling. Something that ports you to a different world that has water below and trees all around.
River Rafting
Not too far from the Bison River Resort, the river level moves down suddenly for 10-20 feet. This is where white water is created and can be seen from a distance. See the peaceful river water converting into a riot of whitewater bubbling with energy. Then settling back into the peaceful pace looks pretty much a metaphor for its visitors. Those who have a sudden burst of energy on weekends in between their mundane routine lives.
The water of the river appeared black to me from a distance and I thought this might be this is the reason it is given the name Kali. I took water in my hands, and No, it was not black – it was clean and transparent. I looked at the greenery around whose reflection could have made the water look dark. But it should have lent green color to the water. I am not sure if the base of the river has something that lends it the color or creates an illusion of it being black. Or maybe it was a figment of my overworked imagination.
Weekend Getaway from Bangalore, Pune …
It is a good weekend getaway from Goa, Pune, Hubli, Belgaum, and maybe even Bangalore and Mumbai. We were told there are about 25 different adventure activities that you can do in this place – we explored about 5-6 of them and will write about the rest of them in the next post.
Recommend you to read the following Travel Blog.
Ancient Chalukyan Temples of Hubli
Chorla Ghat – Drive through Goa Hinterlands
Nice Write up with amazing Photographs of the Place…. Thanks for sharing!
Happy that you enjoyed it Sreedhar 🙂
Superb pictures
Thank you Satish Anjan
Really Nice clicks! Kali is a little unknown to tourists from north India.