Kodachadri, situated in the Western Ghats in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, is undeniably one of the most stunning tourist spots in India. A visit to Kodachadri could be an unforgettable experience for nature lovers, hikers, photographers, and thrill-seeking drivers. It is located 1343 meters above sea level and is approximately 30 kilometers away from the temple town Kollur. The area is surrounded by verdant hills and is home to a diverse range of wildlife and tropical flora. The valley has been designated as a natural heritage site by the state government.

LOST IN THE WILDERNESS : A WALK THROUGH THE KODACHADRI MOUNTAIN RANGES

The term Kodachadri (Kodachadri in Kannada, Kutajadri in Sanskrit, and Malayalam കുടജാദ്രി) originates from the Sanskrit words ‘Kutaja’ and ‘Adri’. Kutaja refers to a species of Mountain Jasmine flower (കുടകപ്പാല, Kutakappaala or Giri-Mallika) while Adri signifies a hill. The Kutaja plant also possesses Ayurvedic medicinal qualities.

The breathtaking vista from the summit of Kodachadri peak is captivating. The peak can be reached via a challenging trekking path spanning approximately 9 to 12 km through thick woodland. This trek is designed for individuals in good physical condition and necessitates authorization from the forest department. Alternatively, it can be accessed via a 30 km off-road jeep route from Kollur town. The final 9 km of this route consists of a narrow, unpaved track with sharp inclines and hairpin turns.

DARE DEVIL DRIVERS WITH THEIR JEEPS CLIMBING KODACHADRI HILL

Only skilled off-road drivers can successfully navigate the challenging trail up the hill. The local taxi operators are experienced in driving the reliable Mahindra CJ series jeeps and are familiar with every twist and turn of the narrow muddy road that leads to the summit of Kodachadri hill. I was amazed by their ability to maneuver through the rugged terrain in their 2-wheel drive vehicles. Their strategy involves driving relentlessly, resembling daredevil enthusiasts, without prioritizing the safety or comfort of their passengers. As a result, passengers often feel as though they have been through a rough journey, much like a jumbled crate of eggs.

THE TREACHEROUS OFF-ROAD TRACK GOING UP THE HILL

A suitable 4X4 jeep might be able to navigate the terrain with more ease. However, the local drivers dominate the road and their aggressive demeanor could result in a traffic jam at any time on that narrow path. The jeep has a capacity of 8 passengers and they charge 350 Rs per person. If you wish to travel alone, you will have to pay the full fare for 8 people, which amounts to 2800 Rs. We hired a jeep by paying the full amount to transport just the two of us. The driver warned us that the ride would be quite rough due to the lack of sufficient weight in the vehicle. We soon realized this to be true as we were tossed around like astronauts in a space station. Our driver had no intention of making any stops during the ascent, and I continued to snap photos while bouncing up and down. Along the way, we spotted a herd of bisons grazing in the valley below. It took nearly half an hour to reach our destination.

Watch a short video clip of the jeep ride :

THE PANORAMIC VIEW FROM THE TOP OF KODACHADRI PEAK

LOOK AT THE BISONS GRAZING ON GRASS

The jeep transports you to the foot of the hill, from which you must trek nearly 2 kilometers through the forest to reach the summit. At the base camp, there is a small temple known as the moola sthana, which is considered the origin of goddess Mookambika.

During our ascent, we encountered mist that enveloped us at times. We faced a few instances of losing our path and had to patiently wait for the mist to dissipate. On a clear day, the Sharavathi river backwaters can be seen in the distance to the east of the valley. Occasionally, the town of Kollur and the Arabian Sea are visible on the other side of the hill. Along the way, there is a small cave known as Ganesha Guha where Lord Ganesha is worshipped. The scenic landscapes captivated me as I trekked towards the hill’s summit. The sight of tiny dew drops clinging to cobwebs and green moss on tree trunks along the jungle trails truly make it a paradise for any nature enthusiast.

MOOLA STHANA (THE BASE TEMPLE) OF GODDESS MOOKAMBIKA

LONELY TREE IN THE MIST.

EN ROUTE TO A WORLD OF PEACE

GANESHA GUHA . A CAVE ON THE WAY TO THE TOP OF KODACHADRI MOUNTAIN

SPIDER WEBS HANGING ON THE TREES WITH DEW DROPS CLINGING TO THEM

BEHIND EVERY TINY DROP OF WATER, THERE HIDES THE STORY OF AN OCEAN.

According to legend, the renowned Hindu Saint and philosopher Adi Sankaracharya engaged in meditation at this location in order to receive the blessings of Goddess Parvati. The goddess agreed to accompany him to Kerala on the condition that he would not look back under any circumstances. Upon reaching Kollur, Adi Sankaracharya suddenly noticed the absence of the sound of Devi’s anklets. Fearing that the goddess was no longer following him, he turned around to check. Although the Goddess was indeed following him as promised, her decision to remain at Kollur was made due to the broken condition. A visit to the Mookambika Devi Temple would be incomplete without a glimpse of the Sarvajna Peetha at Kudajadri, a small temple-like structure believed to be the spot where Sri Adi Shankaracharya meditated. Adi Shankara achieved the Sarvajna Peetha, or Throne of Wisdom, by triumphing over religious philosophers from various regions during his spiritual journey, and subsequently ascended to heaven. A similar structure can also be found at Sharada Peeth or Sarvajna Peetha in Jammu and Kashmir. Controversy surrounds the period in which Adi Sankara lived, with claims that he existed during the 5th century BC, while historians argue that he lived during the 8th century AD. The true Sarvajna Peetha mentioned in historical records remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the temples and structures in this area are over 1200 years old.

THE LONG WALK TOWARDS THE TOP

THE NARROW PATH WITH A GREEN BACKDROP

INCREDIBLY GREEN VALLEYS VIEWED FROM KODACHADRI

THE VALLEY COVERED WITH A FRESH GREEN BLANKET

DISTANT VIEW OF SHARAVATHI RIVER BACK-WATERS SEEN THROUGH THE CLOUDS

A PANORAMIC VIEW OF SARVAJNA PEETHA AT KODACHADRI

A CLOSER LOOK AT SARVAJNA PEETHA AT KODACHADRI

INSIDE THE SARVAJNA PEETHA AT KODACHADRI

IDOL OF ADI SHANKARA INSIDE THE SARVAJNA PEETHA AT KODACHADRI

SPECTACULAR VIEW OF THE VALLEY FROM THE TOP OF KODACHADRI HILL

One more astonishing discovery is the ancient 7-meter-tall iron pillar located in front of the main temple (moola sthana). According to legend, Goddess Parvati battled with an asura (demon) named Kaumasura (also known as Mookasura) at this very spot. Followers believe that the pillar is the trident (trishula) she used to defeat the asura and then thrust into the ground. The Goddess was later revered as Mookambika. I have been informed that the trident head of the spear remains buried beneath the soil. Regardless of the authenticity of the tale, this iron pillar has remained uncorroded despite enduring heavy rains and extreme weather conditions for thousands of years in the region. Numerous scientific institutions have conducted research and confirmed that the material is pure iron produced through an ancient metallurgical process not understood by modern science. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has carried out initial investigations on this matter.

THE IRON PILLAR AT MOOLA STHANA (THE BASE TEMPLE) OF GODDESS MOOKAMBIKA.

The sedimentary rocks such as quartzites found in Kodachadri hills are rich in iron ore, as indicated by both their color and magnetic characteristics. Despite initial mining attempts, companies were forced to halt operations due to fierce opposition from environmentalists and local residents.

ROCKS CONTAINING IRON-ORE STICK TO A MAGNET

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS SUCH AS QUARTZITES HAVE IRON CONTENT

We visited Kollur Mookambika Temple in the afternoon. This temple is renowned for its Saraswati worship in Southern India and is considered a holy place for artists and students from various regions of the country. About half of the devotees come from Kerala, while the rest are from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Many aspiring artists choose this sacred location for their debut stage performance (Arangettam, Arangetram). It was truly captivating to witness young girls performing Bharatanatyam dance in front of the Saraswati Mandapam. In the evening, the tall Deepa Sthambha (oil lamp pillar) at the temple entrance was lit up. The view of the temple illuminated by the traditional oil lamps was truly breathtaking.

KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE : FRONT VIEW

INSIDE KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE : DEVOTEES WAITING FOR EVENING POOJA

LIGHTING THE DEEPA STHAMBHA (OIL LAMP PILLAR) AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE

LIGHTING THE DEEPA STHAMBHA (OIL LAMP PILLAR) AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE

FRONT VIEW OF KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE LIT UP BY THE DEEPA STHAMBHA (OIL LAMP PILLAR)

TRADITIONAL LIGHTING OF OIL LAMPS AS AN OFFERING AT KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE

TRADITIONAL LIGHTING OF OIL LAMPS AS AN OFFERING AT KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE

OIL LAMPS WAIT FOR TRADITIONAL OFFERING AT KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE

CHILDREN PERFORMING THEIR FIRST ARANGETTAM IN FRONT OF KOLLUR MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE

How to reach Kodachadri / Kollur :

By Road :-

• Route-1 : (Distance 438 Km) Bangalore – Nelamangala – Baragur – Arsikere – Shivamogga – Ayanur – Nagara – Kollur.
• Route-2 : (Distance 438 Km) Bangalore – Nelamangala – Tumakuru – Shivamogga – Ayanur – Nagara – Kollur.
• Route-3 : (Distance 129 Km) Mangalore – Kundapura – Kollur.
• (Distance 37 Km) Kollur – Nittur – Kodachadri.

Note :

Bangalore is also known as Bengaluru

Mangalore is also known as Mangaluru

Shimoga is also known as Shivamogga