The document summarizes a preliminary field study trip to the Kaveri river basin led by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Balachandran. A group of students and teachers visited sites along the Kaveri river like Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Srirangapattana, and Mandya. They interviewed local pilgrims and farmers and documented traditional architecture, irrigation systems, and landscape features of the Western Ghats region. The study will continue in January 2013 to cover additional areas and the students will later present their experiences and findings. Interested schools can contact the organizer to arrange a similar educational field study tour.

1. Kaveri project
Preliminary glimpses
(2-4 November 2012)
Pictures selected and organized by:
Dr Chandra Shekhar Balachandran
GeoVidyaa Geography Centre of Excellence

4. Entrance to Talakaveri

5. Dr Balachandran explaining some geographical points to the group at Talakaveri

6. Students pointed out the erosion near Talakaveri

7. Students interviewing Mr Ganapathy, a pilgrim, at Talakaveri.
(L-R) Rahul, Akshath, Devanshi, Diya, Mr Ganapathy)

8. Students interviewing pilgrims at Talakaveri.
(L-R) Devanshi, Akshath. (Background: Aakruthi, Dakshi)

9. Ms Chandrakala, Ms Meera, Diya (Talakaveri)

10. Examples of topophilia expressed

11. Western Ghats landscape across the mountains, Talakaveri

12. Western Ghats landscape near Talakaveri

13. High altitude rice cultivation, Kodagu area

14. Logging in the Western Ghats

15. Traditional houses. (Photo: Akhilesh)

16. Traditional architecture and a shed (Photo: Akhilesh)

17. Amusing signs along the way

18. Entrance to the Bhagandesvara temple,
Bhagamandala.

19. Detail of temple architecture, Bhagandesvara temple, Bhagamandala (Photo: Akhilesh)

20. Triveni Samgama – confluence of three streams. Bhagamandala. (Photo: Akhilesh)

21. They have been budgeted!

22. The Krishna Raja Sagara dam, Mysore. (Photo: Akhilesh)

23. Kaveri river near KRS dam, Mysore

24. Map in Srirangapattana

25. Sri Ranganatha Svamy temple, Srirangapattana

26. The (original) Water Gate. It changed the course of history here

27. Never tasted before!

28. One of the irrigation canals fed by Kaveri from the KRS dam. En route to Mandya.

29. Students interviewing a farmer in Mandya

30. Students visited the interior of this house in Mandya, after obtaining permission

31. Oh, how very cute!

32. Blessing the unaware Rahul. Quick reaction when he turned around!
Goofing off!

33. The team
Students Teachers
• Akruthi • Ms Chandrakala
• Dakshi • Ms Meera
• Devanshi Consultant geographer
• Diya
• Dr Chandra Shekhar
• Akhilesh Balachandran
• Akshath The Indian Institute of Geographical
• Rahul Studies

34. • This is just a teaser.
• The study will continue in January 2013
covering Srirangam, Thanjavur, and
Poompuhar.
• The students will hold a half-day open
house with presentations on their
experiences and findings after the study is
completed.

35. To organize a similar study tour for your school or
group, please contact:
geo@tiigs.org
The next offering will be in October / November 2013
College and/or school credit tie-ups are also welcome
http://tiigs.org