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Iggalur - Not all journeys seek a destination—some seek a way of seeing
It is that time of the year when the brimming water bodies call us to visit them. Be it the roaring and rolling waterfalls, or lakes and ponds filled to the brim, or the streams gushing with fresh rainwater. Let’s not overlook the dams that are nearing full capacity, with some even having to open their gates to release the excess water from their reservoirs. This season is my favourite time for rides—I can take things slow without worrying about beating the scorching afternoon sun. Rain has always been closest to my heart. I cherish the monsoon season and love to go on rides.
With this in mind, I was on the lookout for a not-so-popular dam to visit. Built across the Simsha River, a tributary of Kaveri, there is a small barrage dam 20 kilometres away from Malavalli called Iggalur Barrage. It is approximately seventy-five kilometres away from Mysore.
On my way from Malavalli, I took the Maddur road and then turned off at K.M. Doddi—also known as Bharatinagar—towards Iggalur. The interior roads lined with sugarcane fields are a welcome change from the usual paddy field-lined roads, especially when the fields are not sown. You can actually cross over the top of the dam, which is a rare feature given that most dams across the state are not accessible to even walk upon.
While returning, I rode towards Halagur and joined the NH948 back at Malavalli. There’s something magical about taking the interior roads. I am always excited to ride along them, which all have a few things - like a quiet pond shimmering by the roadside, sprawling fields of green, charming little houses with cattle out front, a humble village temple, and warm, welcoming locals - in common anywhere you go. Apart from this, captivating names for the villages and towns like Kaagepura (Crow village), Agasanapura (Agasa in Kannada is washerman, launderer, and pura is a village)
