Abbi Falls near Madikeri in Full Gush and Grandeur
Madikeri: Abbi – also spelt Abbey – Falls is a favourite spot for tourists and visitors arriving in Kodagu for sight-seeing. It is located about 8 km from Madikeri.
Water from the hills gushes about 72 feet down and ultimately joins river Cauvery. The picturesque spot attracts visitors from all over India and the world throughout the year.
The spot had remained unknown deep inside the forest for centuries. Long ago, a British officer is said to have found out its existence and had named it after his wife as Jessie Falls, according to old-timers.
However, it was exposed to the outer world in wide perspective only a few decades ago by a nature-loving Kodava gentleman, Neravanda B Nanaiah. A more ethnic-sounding name, Abbi, became popular.
According to residents, he purchased the whole surroundings from the government and converted it into a coffee and spice plantation. The present passage to the scenic spot is part of the property and it is being used by the visitors by their courtesy.
Heavy rains that hit the district over this week made the waterfall swell and surge in full steam. The rains, chill and powerful wind did not dampen the spirits of the visitors. Tourists thronged in large numbers and got literally splashed with the beauty and grandeur of the picnic spot.
Quite as expected, the craze for selfies, with the mandatory flaunting of pouts, was prominently seen.
A cable-stayed hanging bridge was laid some years ago to enable the visitors to have a better view of the water gushing down.
But the pranks and antics shown along the bridge by some visitors in the recent past, risking others’ lives besides their own, has forced the authorities to shut the entrance, for the time at least.
The road from Madikeri up to Abbi is manageable, excepting for the steep and treacherous turns. No bus service is available. Discretion and caution are necessary while driving. Cabs, vans and other vehicles can be hired from Madikeri.
A tourist information centre offering tour packages Abbi, Mandalpatti and other tourist attractions in Kodagu operates at the left side of the main entrance to the KSRTC bus stand.
Richard Lasrado
Pics Ramachandra / IMPACT