Jog Falls: The hidden jewel of Karnataka

 On my recent journey to Shimoga (also known as Shivamogga), I visited the popular Jog Falls. I had seen a lot of pictures and videos of this place but wasn't prepared to be blown away by its poetic existence. Jog Falls is a waterfall on the Sharavati river located in the Western Ghats near Sagar Taluk of Shimoga District, Karnataka, India. It is the second-highest plunge waterfall in India and is a much sought after tourist destination. 

Jog Falls isn't just a waterfall, it is an entire tourist complex. One has to drive through grassy fields, the thick forest cover of the Sharavathi Wildlife sanctuary, steep curving hilly path to finally reach this destination. But the long arduous journey is totally worth it when one views this misty splendour.

Mere pictures and words don't do justice to this beauty, but below is my poetic tribute to this majestic waterfall.

The dawn broke,

Revitalizing sunlight enriched every particle,

The misty curtains opened up,

A new day, a new show!

In the glistening sunlight,

Shone far and bright,

The rapidly flowing Jog Falls!

Buses and jeeps,

Cars and bikes,

Tourists came flooding in,

From here and there,

To view this spectacular show!

All the actors were ready to perform,

With the centre stage set up,

This was the routine they would never forget

For they had been doing it

Day in and out,

For years and years.

The water gushed out of the cliffs,

Smiling to the crowd,

She was after all, 

The star of the Show!

The birds flew over the falls,

Chirping and singing,

The trusty dragonflies flew over the crowd,

Pestering the audience,

The soft gentle breeze came to the audience's rescue.

Soon t'was breakfast, lunch and snack time,

The sun kept shifting its position,

To provide ample lighting to the Star.

At 5pm,

The falls captured a bit of sunlight

And turned it into a rainbow,

All the "awws" and "wows" were uttered in unison,

Selfie sticks and cameras,

DSLRs and smartphones,

All ready to capture this spectacular sight!

"Ring, Ring, Ring!"

Went the bells of the final boarding call,

The audience was leaving,

The show was coming to an end.

The sun returned to its home,

All tired and weary,

The birds returned to their nests,

The dark grey clouds covered the bright blue sky,

A curtain of thick mist covered the falls,

She needed her rest,

She is after all,

The star of the Show!

               

                                                                                                                                       

The people returned,

With hearts and tummies happy,

The staff cleaned the sight of all the dirt,

Another day, another show came to an end.