On 15th of last month I with my family had gone to Amirthee and Bheeman falls.Both are located in famous Javadu Range of Hills of Eastern Ghats. I was really excited about the travel to a new place.
We got up at 5.am, took bath and was ready by 6.am. We left home by 6.45 am. After leaving the city we have finalised the programme. It was decided to go to Jamnamarathur first and then to Amirthee. Also decided to take the Arcot, Arni, Polur route. We reached Arni around 10am. Had breakfast at Balaji Restaurant. 15th being Maatu Pongal, we anticipated problems in availability of hotels on the way. So taken heavy breakfast.
We crossed forest checkpost and reached Jamnamarathur around 12 noon. First we went to the lake. There was only one boat. Seeing the water so dirty, we decided to skip boating. Children went around the park. There was not much visitors. The most irritating thing was to find a toilet complex. Atlast we fond the toilet, but they were locked. It is not clear why they have built the toilets to keep it locked?
Next we went to Bheeman Falls. Delighted to find the gushing water in the water falls. We enjoyed the place and spent 30 minutes. We have advised the children not to climb down. We got into the car and started our journey to Amirthee water falls. We enjoyed our journey through the winding road with numorous hairpin bends and thick forests. On the way we stopped at a viewpoint and had a photo session.
We reached Amirthee around 2.45 pm. Entered the zoo and took tickets for seeing the falls. Waterfall was just 1 km away involving trekking through forest. We were sure that water flow would be there in the falls. Happy to find not much rush. At the same time happy to find fellow travellers. I always feel bad to come across tourist places empty of visitors.
After 15 minutes walk we reached the waterfall. I was happy to find water flowing in the waterfall. But it was a small waterfall. People who have notions usually attached to a waterfall like water falling from a steep height, roaring sound and gushing water may feel disappointed.
But it was really a nice one. The water rushes through a Rocky Gorge at a height if 15 feet and flows out for about 300 feet and takes a small drop and flows for another 300 feet before taking another drop. The water level was uniformly knee deep. So we can allow any children to play freely without any risk. This itself a major plus for the waterfall.
We have told the children to play freely to their heart’s content. At the same time I have to tell you about the lack of basic amenities at this spot. At the car parking itself, there was not even a small restaurant. We could find only Ice cream Vendor and Hawkers. At the waterfall, we expect anything including drinking water. Further, there is no place for change of clothes even for women.
The closing hours was approaching, with the satisfaction of having had a enjoyable day we started walking back. We left the place around 5.15 pm. Reached Vellore and proceeded on highway. On the way we had dinner at Madurai Kannappar Hotel near Poonmallee. There the food is very costly and the quantity of food served is also very less.
We reached home around 10 pm. Thus the day ended with full of joy.