Description

Mekedatu meaning ‘goat's leap’ in Kannada  Mekedatu is a gorgeous rocky place with waterfalls from river Cauvery. The confluence of rivers Arkavathi and Cauvery can be seen here. This place is located near kanakapura and comes under the rural district of Bangalore. Cauveri river from Shimsa flows further to meet Arkavathi which comes from Ramanagaram side in this Sangam place. Meke means Goat and datu means jump. The river flows within the distance which can be jumped by a goat. Hence the name Mekedatu for this place. Mekedatu is at a distance of 4Kms from Sangam. One has to cross the river at Sangam to reach a place where two old buses take them to Mekedatu. One has to pay an entry fee of INR 20 and INR 40 for the bus. 

There is a viewpoint nearer to Mekedatu from where visitors can see the entire rocky area. The river water flows inside the rocks at some places and goes deep later. Do not try to go down nearer to river point as it is too dangerous and one may lose his life. The water current is very powerful and comes with a lot of force. The rock formation is just like an art due to the water flow. The rocks are very slippery and are careful while walking on these. Many visitors bring lunch and snacks to have at this point.

Story Behind the Name Mekedathu

There’s an age old story amongst the locals that once a herdsman from this area witnessed a goat, which was being chased by a tiger, leap across the gorge from one side to the other. However, the tiger did not make any attempts to cross the gorge and thereby letting the goat escape. Since then this place is popularly been termed by the locals as the Goat’s Leap. There is also some mythological significance to this place(both Sangama and Mekedathu).The ancient story is that the locals believe that the goat which leapt across the Cauvery was Lord Shiva in disguise and the strange holes, which can be seen on both rocky cliffs of the gorge, can only be made by the divine goat.

The best time to visit this place is during monsoons.  The vegetation around the hills is at their greenest best and is a real treat to the eye. In summer season there will be less water and visitors can easily walk inside the river. In rainy season there will be more water with heavy flow. Both the seasons are enjoyable although differently.

How to reach: 

Route:  Bangalore-Kanakapura-Sathanur-Chunchi Falls-Sangama-Mekedatu.

Better to have a private vehicle which gives the flexibility to see places around and enjoy. 

Mekedatu KSTDC Restaurant is the only food option available nearby. also, there is snacks and packaged drinking water available near to mekadatu. Better bring the food along with you or have it in Kanakapura.

Tips

• Be careful as little slippery and danger of falling in the water.
• advised to not to wear any valuable jewels.
• don't go alone, always be in a group.
• Despite the fact that many rivers are peaceful and wonderful sites, exploring them can be dangerous. There are several things to keep in mind to make the trip more productive and enjoyable.
• Never drink & swim. Some students & young boys visit just to drink and then enter the water. Though the water is only knee-deep, it has many sharp-edged stones on its bed as well as the bank, and even a slip can turn fatal.
• we don’t recommend swimming at Chunchi falls or Mekedathu, because there are lots of Whirlpools and water forces are very high. This is not to say that swimming should not be done, one should be smart when swimming since cold waters and strong currents can end a life easily. Visitors should be cautious and not overestimate their swimming abilities.
• Near Sangam one can find some signboards warning about the crocodiles and dangers in the water.
• For trekkers, it is recommended to carry more than enough water, energy drinks, eatables, suitable clothes & shoes.
• Though thousands of people visit the Mekedaatu & Sangam every year, there is no one to tell the people how to be safe at either tourist spot. Due to the spate of deaths, there is a parasite gang operating at the Sangam. Their only mission is to go around finding injured or dead people and walk away with valuables.
  
• There is another major problem faced by tourists at Sangam & Mekedatu is the difficulty in informing police in case of danger. There is no police outpost wherein people can walk in. As it's a low-lying area, mobile phone signals too are quite weak.
  

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