Kodachadri - On Cloud Nine!
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Date of Journey - November 13 - 14 2010
Kodachadri has always been famous – famous for a blazing sunset and an unforgettable Arishinagundi. I have been in Bangalore for two years now and not once could I manage to get hold of an opportunity to visit this place amongst so many trips. So much for someone who is interested in hiking, photography and waterfalls.
Anyhow, when I saw the mail from Bangalore Ascenders (yea, a new group I discovered. They are good – check them out!) I had little going against the thought of joining them to Kodachadri apart from the teeny tiny fact that I did not know a single soul on the trek. So many treks and trips yet, but every single time I had at least one acquaintance to begin with. And I also knew that once on the trek, conversations flow freely for all of us have at least one common interest. But what the hell, for someone who is aspiring to be a solo world traveler someday, there’s always a first time. So if you are one of those who have been thinking to go for a trek for a long time but lack of company has been setting you back, here’s your moment of truth. Going alone isn’t half as bad as going with the wrong company. Next time you see an invite, register! :P
Kodachadri – A Dreamer’s Reverie
Infact there are many benefits of going alone which I’d like to save for another post. Getting back to Kodachadri, at an altitude of 1343 meters above MSL, forming a pretty background to the famous Mookambika Temple of Kollur, 40 kms off the west coast, it is surely a place that can exceed your expectations. The backwaters of Lingamakki Dam on Sharavathi River create a stunning landscape view all around the peak. The 360 degree panoramic view from the peak is one of the best that I have seen so far with clouds below, the reflecting backwaters, hints of the coastline and a front row seat to an extraordinary sunset.
Getting there and more FAQs –
So what’s the way to paradise you ask? Well I cannot guide you to the hypothetical gateway to the celestial kingdom, but I sure can tell you how to reach this piece of heaven very much located on our planet earth.
Nearest Place – Kollur/Nittur in Karnataka.
How many approachable routes to Kodachadri are there? – Two. One from Marakutaka Bus stand which takes you via Hidlumane falls to the jeep track going all the way to Kodachadri.
The second one starts from Karekatte gate near Kollur, this route goes through thick forest and then into open grasslands. Arishinagundi falls on this route.
So to cover both the falls and Kodachadri, one could start at Marakutaka gate, hike to Hidlumane, then climb up to the grasslands, go towards the jeep track, reach Kodachadri peak, get down via the trek route starting just near the temple where the jeep track ends, reach Santosh Hotel at Vollur, hire a guide to go down to Arishinagundi from here, reach the falls, then climb up to the jeep track that will lead you to the gate of Mookambika WLS 2 kms before Kollur.
What else can we see around?
Well, there is the famous Mookambika Temple of Kollur.
You could always hit the beach for it is so close to coastline anyway. Maravanthe beach near Kundapura can be a good spot for yet another mesmerizing sunset along the western coast of
What’s the USP of Kodachadri?
A blazing sunset and sunrise above a sea of clouds!
What about camping?
You can camp on the peak. It is vast and has ample space. No water source though. There is a small temple atop called Sarvajna Peetha where Shankaracharya is reported to have meditated. ;)
Just below the peak, you can also rest at Bhatta’s house or the PWD guesthouse for nominal charges. Food is available at Bhatta’s place. The peak is a 30 minute climb from here. So incase you spend the night here, you’ll have to run up in the morning to view sunrise.
Are there sunrise and sunset points?
Yes, when you climb from Bhatta’s house towards the peak, few minutes later you’d find two diversions on the trail - one to your left and one to your right. The right trail leads you to the peak and the sunset point to the west while the left trail is for sunrise view to the east.
Is there any other way to reach Kodachadri?
Yes, the jeep track that I was mentioning earlier is operational. You can hire a jeep at either Kollur or Sampakatte village of Hosanagara. I must warn you it is going to be a very bumpy ride. After you reach the temple near Bhatta’s place, you will still need to hike up for 30 minutes or so to reach the peak. The jeep track ends here.
What is the trek difficulty?
I’d say it is a moderate trek. If you walk through the jeep track, it makes life a little bit easier than climbing up from Karekatte gate.
Okay, so you still haven’t answered my question. Where do I get down to start the trek?
Marakutaka bus stand falls to your left and is 2 kms after Nittur on the Nittur - Kollur route.
Karekatte jeep track, again to your left, where a small stone saying Kodachadri 10kms will be found, is 11 kms from Nittur on the Nittur – Kollur Road.
Mookambika WLS gate is 2 kms before Kollur on the Nittur – Kollur road.
Depending on from where you want to start the trek chose an option from the above.
Now can I tell you how awesome the trek was?
So here’s what happened.
It was a while since we started walking towards Hidlumane Falls. Long gone was the jeep track and we were walking on narrow jungle paths now. After few more minutes, we managed to reach Hidlumane Falls passing by another small stream enroute. The falls looked divine with the vertical rock face, greenery along the rocks and the pretty vines that hung from top to bottom. But the whole joy was short-lived only to find a huge group of tourist crowd already inundating any decent frame for photography. While the rest of the troop also had their good fun I tried to salvage of what remained in the situation and managed this mediocre shot. But trust me, the falls look much better in full frame.
One lost cause and with a new anticipation for the rest of the day, I started the climb to reach the grasslands above the falls. To the right, you’d find a huge rock from where the trail leads up again. Following the same, we climbed to reach the grasslands soon enough. It was a short yet stiff climb, yes. All the time while climbing up, I could spot glimpses of wide spread water body all around through the tree cover. I was wondering about its existence which was made clear once we were out in the open. These were the backwaters of Lingamakki Reservoir spread all around the hills. It was a very pretty setting – white fluffy clouds, blue skies, green mountains and veritable forest cover interspersed with backwaters to endless bounds. This is my world alright! What better place for an afternoon siesta?
The monsoon effect was still in place rendering the mountain sides resplendent with lush greenery. Clouds passed by us, above us and below us - so far so good. In the far of distance, the jeep track to Kodachadri was visible and that would be our next destination, the only sore point being, we had to get down this hill into the valley and climb up all the way again to the same height. Looked tiresome but wasn’t so. Soon enough we all gathered at this buttermilk tent on the mountain top, much appreciated refreshment.
Clouds engulfed us every now and then on our walk along the jeep track in pleasant company. A short walk led us to the end of the jeep trail where you’ll find a temple and two houses vying for profit from the trekkers and the visitors. The thing is, from here the peak is a good 30 min walk above.
There is always a fine line to cross when mediocre turns extraordinary. So far the trek was just okay but it was about to change for good and it changed big time, let me tell you. After packing our dinner, the rest of the team headed towards the peak while me and Laksh stayed back to come along with few who were freshening up. Time was on our side and we were in no hurry as the trek was done with lot of light left for the day.
Slowly and rather lazily, 6 of us start the climb. We were loitering here and there until two of us came onto the hill just below the peak and the show unraveled! The entire valley next to us was shrouded in a layer of cottony clouds. 270 degree view was above the puffy cloud layer while the peak rose above in the west. It is a pity that the show lasted only minutes and before the rest came here, we were all in the cloud.
A lazy walk from here led us to the peak where yet another spectacular show was about to unravel. The grand sunset Kodachadri is so famous for! Overlooking the west coast in a distance, a clear unobstructed view with only clouds daring to get in the way which we have no complaints with whatsoever, was awaiting us. The sunset shoot was an elegant affair anyway. The entire sky was painted in shades ranging from the calmest of blues to the fiercest of reds. All this while the red blazing ball of fury was playing hide and seek with the playful clouds. With such panoramas in the offing, who wouldn't call this place a photographer’s delight! The changing colors sure kept us busy for quite a while.
Oh, how could I forget this, there was rainbow. Yes, in the middle of clouds there was a rainbow. So you can picture me going berserk spotting a rainbow yet again. It was a beautiful rainbow. Okay now I am going to stop saying Rainbow.
And here's the big Picture.
The stunted or non-existent foliage at the peak was giving us no protection from the cold winds as temperature dropped with the fading light. A quick dinner later, everyone got comfy in their sleeping bags while I knew better not to crash at such a place which as it later turns out, came to be my own undoing. Karthik accompanied me as we sat on the edge talking about everything under the sun ironically as we sat under the stars, soon to be joined by Laksh. The three of us had good conversations - meaningful, meaningless and all such kinds. It was definitely one of those evenings that I’d remember for along time to come. The night was cold and sleepless. Again few of us got up to chat away to glory till sunrise and the sleeplessness came back with a vengeance as you’ll find out soon.
The stunted or non-existent foliage at the peak was giving us no protection from the cold winds as temperature dropped with the fading light. A quick dinner later, everyone got comfy in their sleeping bags while I knew better not to crash at such a place which as it later turns out, came to be my own undoing. Karthik accompanied me as we sat on the edge talking about everything under the sun ironically as we sat under the stars, soon to be joined by Laksh. The three of us had good conversations - meaningful, meaningless and all such kinds. It was definitely one of those evenings that I’d remember for along time to come. The night was cold and sleepless. Again few of us got up to chat away to glory till sunrise and the sleeplessness came back with a vengeance as you’ll find out soon.
What makes Kodachadri a special place, is the unobstructed view of sunset and sunrise on either side of the peak. After a pretty sunrise, we went down to the same temple near the jeep track for a quick breakfast. Now here, going by the previous day’s experience, I expected this day to be no less than yet another picnic. Why this is relevant is because I want to stress on the fact that I did not have breakfast today either expecting no tough terrain whatsoever. And now, why this is relevant is because I was about to have the toughest of times in couple of hours.
There is a trekking trail right from here that goes all the way to Santosh Hotel at Vollur and then the trail meets a jeep track that takes us to the Karekatte gate. We started getting down and few of us stuck to the end for there was no reason to rush. The trail opens into the grassland for some distance before entering forested area. This part of the trail is comparable to the initial stretch of Kumara Parvatha trek. Soon enough we reached Santosh Hotel and the string of decisions followed that will change the entire equation of this trek for select few. ;)
If this has piqued your curiosity, I strongly suggest you go through this post to read the entire ordeal and the fitting gratification in the end. And if you’ve read it already, you know what happened!
Reaching Arishinagundi Falls, A Quest in itself!
Reaching Arishinagundi Falls, A Quest in itself!
For the uninitiated, here is an excerpt.
But you’d think who would do the trek in the reverse way. Who would try to make their lives miserable by taking the tougher route when there is an easy way down? You’d be wrong to think none, enter us, the people. Of course it was not a conscious decision and it so happened that we could not get a guide at Santosh Hotel and hence we came all the way to Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary gate and started the trek from here.
By the end of it, it was a knock out trek. Mind-blowing views, good company and for the fitting lesson taught to a complacent me in thinking Kodachadri – Arishinagundi trek is just a picnic. In hindsight, it was definitely not a picnic, had we taken the right route from Santosh hotel, it still would’ve been a moderate trek. While Kodachadri lived upto its expectations as a photographer’s dream come true, the killing trek to Arishinagundi catered to my deep-rooted need to find some adventure and drama.
Phew, Whattay Weekend!
16 comments
Beautiful photos and description!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos , i too like this place very much ...
ReplyDeleteI love this~~~~~~~~ I m stunned by your description.
ReplyDeleteTotally loved this post... Amazing photographs and an even more amazing description. Makes me want to go there, right now!
ReplyDeleteKeep clicking+writing :)
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RoHiT
dial-a-denial.blogspot.com
Amazing place and amazing photography!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the post...but I was astounded by the photography...
ReplyDeleteInviting me to visit them :)
Great work
the splendid evening sky is worth the effort. very nice pics. I envy your carefree travel life! sigh. :|
ReplyDeleteexcellent!
ReplyDeleteVery beautifully narrated post giving all the details and excellent photographs.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breathtaking. Pictures as well as words. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteyou've captured it so beautifully.. kudos
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos - very artistic eye.
ReplyDeletelovely ,out of this world,superb...and much more.
ReplyDeleteHi, visiting for the first time via Indiblogger network and happy to travel through beautiful kodachadri and I feel you made it more beautiful using your photographic skills. Few years back I stayed in Kollur Temple for 3 days along with my family in connection with some religious rituals but could not make it to reach those spots which you have captured in your magic box. Thanks for sharing. Happy blogging.
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I'm mesmerised!
ReplyDelete... If there is heaven on earth... it is here, it is here, it is here.
P.S. Great writeup... and thanks for sharing...