Camping by the River: Adventures, Snacks, and a Snoring Symphony

01 July, 2025

Sunil Ramareddy

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“Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find a roaring river rushing through your campsite — would you run or stay frozen with fear?” That was the very real worry whispering in our minds as we camped beside the quiet Cauvery, its waters low and gentle now — but anyone who knows this mighty river understands her hidden strength.

One chilly February day at Biligondlu, a tiny riverside gem tucked away on the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border, just about 30 km downstream from the mighty KRS Dam on the Cauvery River. The place feels like nature’s secret lounge — green hills in the distance, silver-blue water glistening under the sun, and fishing boats swaying lazily by the shore.

The Cauvery was feeling very shy — shrunk so much that we could splash across with water only up to our knees. But don’t be fooled! The Cauvery is like a shining ribbon of life weaving through forests and villages. She’s more than just water — she gives homes to fish and birds, helps farmers grow their crops, and even provides fresh water for many towns. Her sparkling waters, winding curves, and peaceful banks have inspired poets and travelers for centuries. That’s why camping beside her felt so special, like being friends with a very old and wise river.

Our team was me, my buddy Parinith, and Sandip, our trusty earthmover driver who’s seen more mud than anyone I know! We had just finished desilting two ponds inside the North Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary .

For the grand finale of our project, I invited two very special guests: Ashwathanna, who inspires me to write stories about nature, and Raghanna, our group's official humorous man and gadget wizard. When they arrived in Raghanna’s eco-van, it looked like a mini jungle on wheels — packed with camping gear and more gadgets than a superhero’s backpack! (The super bright torch I use? Yep, that’s Raghanna’s magic pick.)

We set up camp on a tiny island in the riverbed. After lighting a cozy campfire, we munched on heaps of snacks Raghanna brought — our tummies were so full they could almost roar louder than the river! Our new furry friend, Bhairava — a stray dog Raghanna named — happily gobbled up some special egg rice, wagging his tail like the happiest pup in the forest.

With our torches lighting the way, we tiptoed around the riverbank, hoping to spot a bird we thought might be a Nightjar. None of us were sure if it really was — but the thrill of the search made the night feel even more magical.

The Nightjar is a mysterious bird that loves to hide in open forests and scrubby areas. It’s mostly active at dusk and during the night, making a very strange and wonderful sound — a soft “churring” noise that almost sounds like a tiny motor running nearby. The bird is covered in mottled brown and grey feathers, which help it blend perfectly into tree bark, rocks, soil and dry leaves, making it very hard to spot even when it’s right in front of you!

Along the way, we noticed how the stones in the riverbed were smooth and almost perfectly round. I explained to the group that this happens because the water gently rolls the stones over and over again, smoothing out their rough edges — kind of like how a rock tumbler polishes stones to make them shiny and round! The flowing river acts like nature’s own rock polishing machine, shaping each stone slowly over many years.

As the fire flickered low, we swapped spooky stories. Sandip shared a chilling tale about a sneaky ghost that would visit his forest camp at night and mysteriously steal all the leftover food — talk about a ghostly burglar! But the scariest thought was all of us wondering, “What if the big gates of the KRS dam open suddenly while we’re sleeping and wash us away?” We camped right on a little island, after all! Sandip told us about sudden, heavy rains called cloudbursts from his home far away in Uttar Pradesh, which made us shiver a little.

When bedtime came, Parinith, Sandip, and I squeezed into one tent, while Ashwathanna and Raghanna shared another. I couldn’t stop giggling while listening to most of us snoring — it was like a wild animal’s lullaby!

That night, with the cool breeze, the crackle of the dying fire, and the river murmuring nearby, everyone slept so peacefully that their snores sounded more like nature joining in our camp symphony.

The next morning, the river breeze was chilly and fresh. We jumped into the cold water for a quick bath, feeling like river explorers discovering a secret world.

I’ve always believed that nature holds some very strange and wonderful positive energies within it. Whether it’s the flowing river water, the purest air, or the thick green forest — these gifts from the Earth just seem to carry away all my worries and make my soul feel lighter.

When the wind flows through me, it’s like my body becomes porous, breathing in calm and peace. And the green all around my eyes? It brings the highest kind of joy, a deep happiness that’s hard to find anywhere else.