Kodachadri
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| Kodachadri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Elevation | 1,343 m (4,406 ft) |
| Location | |
 
Kodachadri
| |
| Location | Karnataka, India |
| Range | Western Ghats |
| Coordinates | 13°51′39″N 74°52′29″ECoordinates: 13°51′39″N 74°52′29″E |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Historic times |
| Easiest route | via Nagodi |
Kodachadri is a mountain peak with dense forests (altitude - 1343 metres above sea level)[2] in the Western Ghats in South India (Shimoga Dist., Karnataka State). It is declared as natural heritage site by Government Karnataka.[3]
Contents
[hide]Etymology[edit]
The name comes from native word "Kodacha" or "Kodashi" which means hill of Kutaja flowers and "Adri" a Sanskrit word, both combined together coined the word Kodachadri. Kutaja in Sanskrit means Girimallika or Jasmine of the hill. The hilly region that is full of 'Jasmine of the hills' plants is "Kutajadri". It is also called "Kutachadri" and "Kodashi Parvatha". [4]
Location[edit]
Kodachadri forms a background to the famous temple of Mookambika in Kollur.[5]It is located at a distance of 21 km from Kollur[5] and 15 km from Nagodi village, inHosanagara taluk. There are different routes to reach the Peak of Kodachadri and the difficulty varies highly with respect to the route chosen. However it is challenging to reach the peak in monsoon due to heavy rains that make the routes slippery. Kodachadri receives an annual rain fall of 500 cm to 750 cm and it rains for about eight months in a year.[6]
Flora and Fauna[edit]
Situated in the middle of the Mookambika National Park and considered as a biodiversity hotspot,[5] it is home to several endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna. The peak is barren due to strong winds and the thick forest cover at the base makes the peak invisible from lower ground level and also several other smaller peaks and hills exist around the peak. The important animal life include Malabar Langur, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Paradise flycatcher, Indian Tiger,Indian Leopard, Indian Elephant,[7] Hyena, Gaur, Indian rock python and many more, of which several are threatened.[5]
History[edit]
Kodachadri seems to have attracted the attention of humankind since early prehistory[citation needed]. Several monolithic structures or menhirs were built here in prehistoric times. Rocks with dimensions greater than 12 feet were used in their construction. These large structure can be found just 20 Kilometers outside of Nagara-Nilsakal.[citation needed] A temple dedicated to the Ancient Mother Goddess Mookambika is located near the top of the peak. The temple is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims and it is said to stand where thousands of years ago Mookambika fought and killed the demon Mookasura. In Historic times, people used to trek from Nagara state, a nearby place and Europeans trekked to the peak during 19th Century. Lewin Bentham Bowring, who served as Commissioner of Mysore between 1862 and 1870, records that Kodachadri is "clothed with splendid forests, and the ascent is very steep indeed in one place near foot....The view from the top of the hill, which has a bluff appearance from the distance, though it is as sharp as a knife in reality, is very fine, commanding a long stretch of great Ghat range, a considerable portion of Canara (Kanara), and a vide view over Malnad".[8] He further records that, Kodachadri is visible from Merti Peak near Sringeri.[8]
Kodachadri is visited by locals and Keralites in large numbers since long time. Sage Adi Shankara is said to have visited this place, meditated here[5] and he also established a temple at Kollur. A small temple called Sarvajnapeetha, built with stone is dedicated to Adi Shankara at the top of Kodachadri.[5] Some of the pilgrims from South Indian states who visit Kollur take a trek to Kodachadri also. Dr. K. Shivarama Karantha, noted writer of Udupi District trekked to Kodachadri in 1940s and appreciated the natural beauty of this place by placing Kodachadri as most beautiful of three mountain peaks of coastal Karnataka (the other two being Kuduremukh and Kumara Parvata)[9]
Forests[edit]
The Shola Forests and thick forest cover Kodachadri and the nearby hills and the place has a cool and beautiful landscape.[5] The forest of Kodachadri and nearby hills is tropical rain forest as seen all along Western Ghats, a World Heritage site.[3]
Iron ore[edit]
Kodachadri hill contains iron ore in its soil[10] and test digging was also done here during 20th century and it was identified that the stones found here have magnetic properties.[11] However commercial mining in large scale did not take place at Kodachadri, though there are efforts to lease out the surrounding hills to mining companies to mine manganese and iron and local people have strongly opposed such a move in view of possible environmental damage.[12] In such anti-mining protests, local people under the leadership of Shri Raghaveshwara Bharathi of Ramachandrapura Mutt, Shimoga district and environmentalist Ananth Hegde Ashisara demanded ban on all mining activities in Ambaragudda, which is near Kodachadri and other hills of the area.[12]
Places of interest[edit]
Sarvajna peetha[edit]
Sarvajna Peeth is a small temple like structure near the peak where Adi Shankarameditated.[5] This small structure bears a name which is similar to Sarvajñapīṭha, also called Sharada Peeth of Jammu and Kashmir.[13] which was visited by Adi Shankaraduring his long spiritual journey, where he defeated other scholars in philosophical debate and opened the southern door of the temple. Another temple is located near travellers' bungalow and is believed to be the moola sthana (the origin) of Sri Mookambika Devi. From this spot, it is a 2 km trek to the peak. Just below the peak, an almost vertical path leads to a small cave called Chitramoola, from where the Mookambika temple of Kollur is visible.[citation needed]
Ganesha Guha[edit]
Ganesha Guha is near the trekking path to Sarvajna peetha
Iron Pillar[edit]
One iron pillar of about 40 feet length is planted erect in front of Moola Mookambika Temple near peak of Kodachadri and it is compared with massive similar historic iron pillars located at Dhar, Mount Abu etc.[14] Devotees believe that this is the trishula used by goddess Mookambika to slay a demon called Mookasura as per local tradition. Indian scientists from IGCAR Kalpakkam and KREC(Now NITK),Suratkal conducted a test on the Iron pillar and found that it was made from traditional Indian metallurgical skills and not from modern casting methods.[15] It is found made of pure iron.[15] It is also found to be less affected by corrosion, despite of humid conditions prevailing there due to heavy rains.[6][16] This iron pillar is considered as testimony of ancient Indian iron craftmanship.[14]
Hidlumane Falls[edit]
Around 10 km from Kodachadri is Hidlumane Waterfalls and it can be reached by trekking on a bridle path, which involves a little adventurous trekking.[7]
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Arasinagundi falls[edit]
Another water falls in deep forest is Arasinagundi falls which 6 km from Kollur, at the bottom of Kodachadri near Dhalli village.[17]
Belakallu theertha[edit]
One more waterfalls called Belakallu theertha is located near near Mudur, Jadkal (and 15 km from Kollur) and at the bottom of Kodachadri on southern side and involves easy trekking to reach.[17]
Nagara fort[edit]
Nagara Fort is around 25 km from Kodachadri where an old fort built during 18th Century is located[8] and the landscape created out of backwaters of Linganamakki Dam on Sharavathi River surrounds Nagara town.
Sunset[edit]
The sunset watched from Kodachadri peak on a clear day is an enchanting experience.[5] The Arabian Sea is visible from the peak on a cloudless day and sun literally goes down into the sea and due to the proximity to sea, the shape of golden sun changes every minute. At the beginning it looks like an inverted pot, then like a vessel, a hat, a ring with double edges and so many shapes are visible which is an interesting sight. The sunrise is also seen from another hillock behind the Tourist Bungalow is also beautiful[5] and the hillock is called Venkatarayana Durga,[citation needed] with some remote connection to some Palegara Kings who ruled the surrounding places. During sunrise, the plateau below is usually covered with mist and it looks like a vast sea of curd with some high peaks peeping out of the misty plateau.
Trekking in Kodachadri[edit]
Trekking to Kodachadri peak starts from Nagodi village or Nittur, Shimoga village which are located at the base of Kodachadri. A night tented stay can be undertaken near peak with the permission of Forest Department, Govt. of Karnataka. In case of need, there is an Inspection Bungalow maintained by Government of Karnataka and a temple prist's house, with simple food on request. There is little accommodation at Kodachadri. Kollur (21 km) has several Guest House and lodges as well as homestay accommodation. Nearest Town Kundapura has Lodging accommodation.
Transportation[edit]
From Bangalore, one has to go to Shimoga (285 km) and from there, one can take public transport to reach Nagodi village (Hosanagara Taluk). From Udupi, it is three hours journey to Nagodi village, from where trekking starts.[citation needed]
Kodachadri peak is connected with an all rough jeep road (partially metalled) on which only jeeps can travel. As this hilly road is not maintained properly, only expert local jeep drivers can take the jeep to the top. Jeeps are available for hire at Kollur and at Kattinaholevillage near Kodachadri base. Motorcycle riding on this highly uneven, steep, mud track with sharp hairpin curves with gradients, may be challenging and risky. However, Government departments have commenced construction of a quality road to top, after a stay (by private tourist operators) opposing construction of road is vacated(during 2011) and this proposed work includes overall development of Kodachadri area.[5]
See also[edit]
Gallery[edit]
- Photos related to Kodachadri
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