It all started with us wanting to go for a trek to Narasimha Parvata but ended up going to Arasinamakki Stream of Joy Home stay. Indeed one of the best places I have been to and have no regrets on missing out Narasimha Parvata.
Our Team was 3 couples , 2 married and 1 yet to be married but engaged, Myself, Shwetha, Lakshmisha, Pannaga, Vyvaswatha and Kshama. Had read very few comments about this place when I searched for the internet and had to call Shri. Kashinath the owner of the Stream of Joy for more info. The very first time we spoke he was full of information and good knowledge sharing happened.
Arasinamakki is situated in an interior place but yet easily accessible by road. The perfect mode of transport would be a private car. The route is Bangalore--Hassan--Gundya Cross--Dharmastala road --Kokkada --Deviation to shishila Road -- Arasinamakki -- 1km more from here to Stream of Joy.
DAY 1
We started our journey from Hassan in an Innova of Vyvaswatha on Tuesday early morning by 6 and proceeded on the Shiradi ghat section(which is one of the WORST roads)It took us 4.5 hrs to travel approx 120 kms and reach arasinamakki. We were warmly welcomed by Kashinath and were asked to proceed towards our individual cottages. It was a very steep climb down on steps leading to an arecanut plantation. The cottages are situated there and to add to our happiness was a stream flowing very next to the cottages and it looked very inviting.
Kashinath appraised us about what activities we could plan for that day and we immediately freshened up and went directly to a dining area( It's a small hut like structure). We had no clue on what we would get and we were opened up to a cuisine of malnad style food which I would rate it as one of the best foods I have eaten outside home. The menu consisted of Paddu and vada with coconut chutney which was simply amazing. The chutney was done with just coconut and the flavours were just too good to resist. I had more chutney than paddu or vada.
We then went to a arecanut plate manufacturing unit there itself and saw how plates and other small cups are manufactured using arecanut leafs. Then we were taken to a small cave, which was dug by kashinath's fore fathers to get a water source. We had torches in our hands and started moving in the cave. It's a small opening and all of us had to squeeze in slowly. (PS : Change ur clothes to some thing ordinary as u would have lots of mud on ur bodies while inside the cave).
As u proceed in a small buddha statue is seen. It seems while they were digging for water, they got a huge rock and they could not proceed further. They took a right turn there and went downwards more.. A small ladder takes you down, though tricky and a few bats flying, it's easily done by everybody. we all managed to come down the ladder with little or no effort except for pannaga who was following the protocols as given by lakshmish :P. Below we could see fresh water gushing out of a little opening just like a spring.. A small opening is available for us to come out of this place.
Immediately outside, we were given Kokum Juice, which was very sweet and refreshing. Enjoyed every sip of it. We proceeded back to our cottages to change as all our dresses were dirty and soiled.
Ahh the river was inviting us every moment we looked at it. It's a shallow river with a bed of smooth stones and at some places sand. The deepest as told to us was 10 ft at that point of time, but almost the whole width of the river was live 4-5 ft deep max This gives amateur swimmers a great time to enjoy and relax as the whole river was ours.. Nobody around and we were going back in time and acting like kids.. We spent like 3 hours in water which had some strong water currents and thereby kashinath was standing some distance away keeping a watch on us to ensure our safety. We had 2 life jackets and 3 tyre tubes as well..
We were told there is an artificial water falls, which was nothing but the river water pumped 20ft high thro' pipes which would create an effect of a small water falls. Actually it was more than enjoyable and made us completely exhausted. by this time it started to rain heavily and it was like a taunt by nature to tell us it was all powerful. We came out of the river in the rains and went back to our cottages.
We went to the dining area for lunch, completely exhausted and waiting to eat something. We had no clue what we would be served and when we actually started to have our lunch it was really memorable. The flavours were just too good with lots of aroma and our taste buds were tantalised with what was served. The menu here is completely Vegetarian and we were served Onion Potato batata with chapathi, Pulav, raitha, Beetroot vegetable, Suvarna Gedde Sambhar, & sweet being Matta, Unlimited and soo tasty guess all of us had more than what we can eat.
Thereafter we proceeded to Shishila, a place where there are lots of 1-foot fish and we could feed them by hand. It a shallow river upstream of our stay. Kashinath got a huge bag full of feed for the fishes and we were all amazed whether fishes would eat soo much. It's a 8 km drive from where we stayed and a small walk towards a temple wherein we need to cross a hanging bridge.. It a small bridge and it creeks when more people starts walking and sways gently.. OMG was the first reaction when we started throwing the food towards the river shoals of fishes came in & started fighting for the food.. All our hands were full but not the fish stomachs .. There were thousands and every fish as hungry as ever.. The fish would eat from my hands & it's like a sucking force only and no pain or anything.. Shishila is also a very scenic location flanked by small and big hills allround.
We came back tired and hungry when snacks were served to us. It was chilly bajji (prepared on my request :-) ) and hot coffee.. All of us were tired but at 7 PM we were clueless on what to do. No television nothing.. but we came to know that an old game called aliguli mane which is still played in rural karnataka was kept in the rooms. All of us came in one of the cottages and started playing while I was the lone exception was trying to catch some sleep. the laughter, the strategy and the vivid reactions of all made me wonder was television worth it all.. is it killing our time of togetherness ???
Kshama and Vyvasvatha were tired and said they would not have dinner, Little did they know what they were going to miss. At 9 30 we had dinner and it was raining heavily. In the arecanut plantation ad mist the trees and darkness, Lot's of rain and piping hot dinner was an absolute sensation. The food served was chapathi with yengai (a delicacy made of brinjal) & ganji (very subtle taste, to be had with ghee, salt, & pickle) 3 types of sambhar Tomato, Kokum and dal & sweet peda. The ambiance was just too good to have dinner, enjoyed every moment of it, kashinath being there to serve us food and coax us to have more.
We retreted back to our cottages and had a good nights sleep (Vyvaswatha had some complaints though about lakshmisha :P)
It started at 6 30 AM as we wanted to go for a trek to shishila betta. We got ready and breakfast was served Ottu Shavige (akin to noodles indian type but definitely far more nutritious and delicious). It's a 8 km drive again but in a different route. Vyvasvatha was not feeling well and he decided that he would take rest. So the 5 of us started the trek with Kashinath being our guide.. We decided to trek half the distance and be back by 1 PM as there were other plans in the evening for lakshmisha and pannaga in hassan. The trek was relatively simple and not that difficult, we reached an open area which had an wide view, clicked a few pics and we started to trek down.
Once we reached the cottages cold coffee was served, Myself and laks dived into the river and cooled off.. It was just too irresistible to let go of this opportunity and mundanely have a bath in a shower. We even had the artificial water falls turned on :-)
Lunch was served and it started to rain heavily, the lunch was chapathis, onion potato sabji (very different taste though), patrode ( coastal delicacy) basale soppu sambhar, kosambari, Irulli bajji and highlight was dasavala hoovu raitha (hibiscus flower raitha). The food was yet again awesome and too good.
Shwetha was in no mood to leave and kept telling me if we could stay for one more day. All of us left Stream of Joy with lots & lots of Joyous moments and one of the best hospitality's by kashinath. Hats of to you Sir.
Stream of Joy can be booked over phone by calling kashinath. His numbers are
Landline :08251268225
Mobile: 9481850225
webpage : streamofjoy.com
Most of the activities are listed in the webpage. There are other activities for serious trekkers, like Amedikallu which has a camel like hump towards it's top. Guides can be arranged to go to this place
About Kashinath, one of the best hosts who takes good care of you and understands what you require in your stay & plans activities according to the strength of the team. He was a teacher for about 10 yrs and now in 2008 started Stream of Joy which really brings joy to people who visit this wonderful home stay.
Our Team was 3 couples , 2 married and 1 yet to be married but engaged, Myself, Shwetha, Lakshmisha, Pannaga, Vyvaswatha and Kshama. Had read very few comments about this place when I searched for the internet and had to call Shri. Kashinath the owner of the Stream of Joy for more info. The very first time we spoke he was full of information and good knowledge sharing happened.
Arasinamakki is situated in an interior place but yet easily accessible by road. The perfect mode of transport would be a private car. The route is Bangalore--Hassan--Gundya Cross--Dharmastala road --Kokkada --Deviation to shishila Road -- Arasinamakki -- 1km more from here to Stream of Joy.
DAY 1
We started our journey from Hassan in an Innova of Vyvaswatha on Tuesday early morning by 6 and proceeded on the Shiradi ghat section(which is one of the WORST roads)It took us 4.5 hrs to travel approx 120 kms and reach arasinamakki. We were warmly welcomed by Kashinath and were asked to proceed towards our individual cottages. It was a very steep climb down on steps leading to an arecanut plantation. The cottages are situated there and to add to our happiness was a stream flowing very next to the cottages and it looked very inviting.
Kashinath appraised us about what activities we could plan for that day and we immediately freshened up and went directly to a dining area( It's a small hut like structure). We had no clue on what we would get and we were opened up to a cuisine of malnad style food which I would rate it as one of the best foods I have eaten outside home. The menu consisted of Paddu and vada with coconut chutney which was simply amazing. The chutney was done with just coconut and the flavours were just too good to resist. I had more chutney than paddu or vada.
We then went to a arecanut plate manufacturing unit there itself and saw how plates and other small cups are manufactured using arecanut leafs. Then we were taken to a small cave, which was dug by kashinath's fore fathers to get a water source. We had torches in our hands and started moving in the cave. It's a small opening and all of us had to squeeze in slowly. (PS : Change ur clothes to some thing ordinary as u would have lots of mud on ur bodies while inside the cave).As u proceed in a small buddha statue is seen. It seems while they were digging for water, they got a huge rock and they could not proceed further. They took a right turn there and went downwards more.. A small ladder takes you down, though tricky and a few bats flying, it's easily done by everybody. we all managed to come down the ladder with little or no effort except for pannaga who was following the protocols as given by lakshmish :P. Below we could see fresh water gushing out of a little opening just like a spring.. A small opening is available for us to come out of this place.
Immediately outside, we were given Kokum Juice, which was very sweet and refreshing. Enjoyed every sip of it. We proceeded back to our cottages to change as all our dresses were dirty and soiled.
We were told there is an artificial water falls, which was nothing but the river water pumped 20ft high thro' pipes which would create an effect of a small water falls. Actually it was more than enjoyable and made us completely exhausted. by this time it started to rain heavily and it was like a taunt by nature to tell us it was all powerful. We came out of the river in the rains and went back to our cottages.
We went to the dining area for lunch, completely exhausted and waiting to eat something. We had no clue what we would be served and when we actually started to have our lunch it was really memorable. The flavours were just too good with lots of aroma and our taste buds were tantalised with what was served. The menu here is completely Vegetarian and we were served Onion Potato batata with chapathi, Pulav, raitha, Beetroot vegetable, Suvarna Gedde Sambhar, & sweet being Matta, Unlimited and soo tasty guess all of us had more than what we can eat.
Thereafter we proceeded to Shishila, a place where there are lots of 1-foot fish and we could feed them by hand. It a shallow river upstream of our stay. Kashinath got a huge bag full of feed for the fishes and we were all amazed whether fishes would eat soo much. It's a 8 km drive from where we stayed and a small walk towards a temple wherein we need to cross a hanging bridge.. It a small bridge and it creeks when more people starts walking and sways gently.. OMG was the first reaction when we started throwing the food towards the river shoals of fishes came in & started fighting for the food.. All our hands were full but not the fish stomachs .. There were thousands and every fish as hungry as ever.. The fish would eat from my hands & it's like a sucking force only and no pain or anything.. Shishila is also a very scenic location flanked by small and big hills allround.We came back tired and hungry when snacks were served to us. It was chilly bajji (prepared on my request :-) ) and hot coffee.. All of us were tired but at 7 PM we were clueless on what to do. No television nothing.. but we came to know that an old game called aliguli mane which is still played in rural karnataka was kept in the rooms. All of us came in one of the cottages and started playing while I was the lone exception was trying to catch some sleep. the laughter, the strategy and the vivid reactions of all made me wonder was television worth it all.. is it killing our time of togetherness ???
Kshama and Vyvasvatha were tired and said they would not have dinner, Little did they know what they were going to miss. At 9 30 we had dinner and it was raining heavily. In the arecanut plantation ad mist the trees and darkness, Lot's of rain and piping hot dinner was an absolute sensation. The food served was chapathi with yengai (a delicacy made of brinjal) & ganji (very subtle taste, to be had with ghee, salt, & pickle) 3 types of sambhar Tomato, Kokum and dal & sweet peda. The ambiance was just too good to have dinner, enjoyed every moment of it, kashinath being there to serve us food and coax us to have more.
We retreted back to our cottages and had a good nights sleep (Vyvaswatha had some complaints though about lakshmisha :P)
DAY2
It started at 6 30 AM as we wanted to go for a trek to shishila betta. We got ready and breakfast was served Ottu Shavige (akin to noodles indian type but definitely far more nutritious and delicious). It's a 8 km drive again but in a different route. Vyvasvatha was not feeling well and he decided that he would take rest. So the 5 of us started the trek with Kashinath being our guide.. We decided to trek half the distance and be back by 1 PM as there were other plans in the evening for lakshmisha and pannaga in hassan. The trek was relatively simple and not that difficult, we reached an open area which had an wide view, clicked a few pics and we started to trek down.
Once we reached the cottages cold coffee was served, Myself and laks dived into the river and cooled off.. It was just too irresistible to let go of this opportunity and mundanely have a bath in a shower. We even had the artificial water falls turned on :-)
Lunch was served and it started to rain heavily, the lunch was chapathis, onion potato sabji (very different taste though), patrode ( coastal delicacy) basale soppu sambhar, kosambari, Irulli bajji and highlight was dasavala hoovu raitha (hibiscus flower raitha). The food was yet again awesome and too good.
Shwetha was in no mood to leave and kept telling me if we could stay for one more day. All of us left Stream of Joy with lots & lots of Joyous moments and one of the best hospitality's by kashinath. Hats of to you Sir.
Stream of Joy can be booked over phone by calling kashinath. His numbers are
Landline :08251268225
Mobile: 9481850225
webpage : streamofjoy.com
Most of the activities are listed in the webpage. There are other activities for serious trekkers, like Amedikallu which has a camel like hump towards it's top. Guides can be arranged to go to this place
About Kashinath, one of the best hosts who takes good care of you and understands what you require in your stay & plans activities according to the strength of the team. He was a teacher for about 10 yrs and now in 2008 started Stream of Joy which really brings joy to people who visit this wonderful home stay.
