Sunset on Aghanashini River

The marvel of the river is, it forms a back water lagoon, which has length of 13 km and breadth of two to six kilometers. It is cut off from the sea by a two kilometers broad land belt. The river joins the Arabian sea five kilometers from the northen end of the lagoon. Aghanashini is a small sleepy, fishing town on the south bank of the lagoon. The river"s name is in honour of this town. Aghanashini is ten kilometers north of Kumta and approachable by a motorable road. Tadri port is located on opposite bank of the lagoon. Under am Indo-Danish project, Tadri is being developed in to a fishing port. The eastern end of the lagoon is extended up to Mirjan, an important port in medieval Karnataka. Gokarn town, known for its Mahableshwera temple is five kilometers north of Tadri. In between these two town is located Saneketta, a sea salt manufacturing center.

If one can take a day"s off from his busy life it could be most fruitfully utilized by visiting Aghanashini and round about places. It is good idea to commence by visiting different temples at Gokarn followed by Saneketta. A boat ride from Tadri to Aghanashini across the lagoon will be most enjoyable. A sun set at Aghanashini is as beautiful as that of Agumbe or Kanyakumari.

Kirtigedde; A Beautiful Picnic Spot.

Uttara Kannada district is having numerous picnic spots and Kirtigedde is one of them. It is a tiny village located 19 kilometers east of Dodmane, on Siddapur-Honavar road. The road is very broad, the vehicular movement very scanty, and the road passes through splendid ever-green forest. Thus a ride from Siddapur to Kirtigedde is very fascinating. The place also could be reached from Honavar or Kumta towns. On way one can stop at Chandavar, the capital of a ruling branch of Kadamba kings for some time. Temples and a ruined fort could be visited. There is also a Roman Catholic Church built in honour of St. Francis Xavier in 1874. If time permits, numerous, inscribed hero-stones could be studied. Bastikeri has a beautiful icon of Jain Tirthankara.

The Dodmane river has spread out among the rocks and gently flows in the back yard of Kirtigedde. The mighty Sahyadri mountain ranges on the other bank of the river, gives a picturesque back drop to the vast expanse of river water. The river is the center of all activities of the village. Karnataka Forest Department has installed a giant water pump and has developed a beautiful wet nursery. Seedlings of teak, eucalyptus, poplar, cashew, mango, jack fruit, casurina are raised in bountiful for the Forest Department use and public distribution. A leisurly stroll in the nursery will be very highly educative about the plant life.

The village is very thinly populated by the agriculturists, who live in small huts, built by themselves. Some Muslim families have also taken to agriculture and poultry farming.

There are numerous picnic spots all along the river bank. A family can take its food and spend entire day at Kirtigedde. A long walk along the bank is unique experience. On a full moon night the area looks like a dream land. One can spend couple of days at Forest Rest-house by paying nominal rent. A small, tiled rest house building reminds British Raj. A cook prepares both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, with prior intimation.