The Western Ghats part of Karnataka is widely considered as Malenadu among the locals. Evergreen trees and rich fauna would amaze your mind if one does visit here. This mountainous region is home to many rivers creating several spectacular waterfalls. One of the most beautiful parts of the Western Ghats is its Evergreen forest, which remains green all over the year. The mesmerizing Sahyadri Viewpoints may make people forget themselves.
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats is the lifeline for the people living in South India. Without the Western Ghats, there will be no richness in the resources that the people have possed and enjoying right now. This continuous mountain chain is home to several animal species that we cannot regret the truth. As said, it is the home for many rivers and one among those is the Aghanashini river.
Virgin River of India
The specialty of the Aghanashini river is that it is one of the virgin rivers in India where the river is flowing undisturbed without any diversions caused by human activities. People admire this river as their mother. This River lies in the Uttara Kannada District in Karnataka. The journey of this river starts from Shankara Honda of Sirsi Town and makes its pathway towards the western side, ultimately flowing into the Arabian Sea. This river creates several waterfalls on its way and one among the waterfalls is the Unchalli falls or otherwise called as Lushington Falls. It is one of the five waterfalls in the world where we can see the Moonbow.
This river has a rich marine species found on its mouth, where people living nearby mainly dependent on the marine species. Shells found here are the most splendid thing to notice where one could find nowhere. People would sell those Shells and make their living.
Aghnashini – The Destroyer of Sins
The name Aghanashini indicates the meaning “Destroyer of Sins”. The water flow of this river is so pure and crystal clear that one could drink without any kind of purification and it may cure diseases of the people.
This river has many tributaries and with those tributaries formed different waterfalls creating a spectacular valley.
Marikambha Jatre
Once in every 2 years, the town conducts a fair so-called Marikambha Jatre and is the largest fair in the Karnataka. Visitors offer their prayers towards the river in Shankara Honda, the birthplace of this river.
This river experiences full flow between June to September due to the Monsoon rains. During the summertime in May, the river suffers from the drought whereas the river sometimes stops reaching several places. As soon as the river faces the loss in the water the monsoon clouds feed the river with abundant rainfall.
This region is one of wettest places on the earth receiving over 600cm of rainfall annually. During rain season people workship Cobra in Nagarapanchami that is followed by many people in this region. Jatka pooja is conducted by people worshipping the holy stone calling it “Bootad Katte”.
river
Food habits are slightly different from other people in the state. The local cuisine made from this river water is amazing. Appe huli, Thambli, Toddevu are some of the local dishes that would be prepared here. Kokam Juice and Belad Panka are the most common drinks where people usually prefer.
Biodiversity
The Lion-Tailed Macaques
This region is not only known for its culture, but also for those endangered Lion-tailed macaques. This type of animal species is found only in this region and few in the Agumbe rain forest. The biodiversity of this river is prosperous than any other river in Karnataka. One of the notable things is the Swamp Evergreen Forest. This region is one of the few Swamp Evergreen forests present in the country. The Mangrove forest in the mouth of the river is wealthier than any other mangrove forest in the coastal belt.
Conservation Efforts
The environmentalists have a keen interest in protecting this river and have already rejected many projects that would affect the natural eco-system of the river. Currently, the forest alongside the river is protected in the name of the God presented in the shape of the Holy Stones. Humans workship those Holy Stones and the river according to the Calendar. With a rich culture, this river is still a virgin river and spectacular natural ecology preserver. Thus, the river Aghanashini playing a vital role in everyone’s life living in the Uttara Kannada District.