Kodachadri ( kn, ಕೊಡಚಾದ್ರಿ) is a
mountain
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited Summit (topography), summit area, and ...
peak with dense forests (elevation - 1,343 metres above sea level)
in the
Western Ghats in
South India
South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...
(
Shivamogga
Shimoga, officially known as Shivamogga, is a city and the district headquarters of Shimoga district in the central part of the state of Karnataka, India. The city lies on the banks of the Tunga River. Being the gateway for the hilly region of ...
District,
Karnataka
Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
), 78 km from
Shimoga
Shimoga, officially known as Shivamogga, is a city and the district headquarters of Shimoga district in the central part of the state of Karnataka, India. The city lies on the banks of the Tunga River. Being the gateway for the hilly region of ...
. It is declared as natural heritage site by the Karnataka Government.
and it is 13th highest peak of Karnataka.
Etymology
The name comes from native word "Kodacha" or "Kodashi", which means Kutaja flowers, and "Adri", a Sanskrit word for mountain, both combined to coin the word Kodachadri. "
Kuţaja
''Wrightia antidysenterica'', the coral swirl or tellicherry bark, is a flowering plant in the genus '' Wrightia''. ''Wrightia antidysenterica'' is sometimes confused with the species '' Holarrhena pubescens'' due to a second, taxonomically inval ...
" in Sanskrit means ''Girimallika'' or ''Jasmine of the hill'' (''
Wrightia antidysenterica
''Wrightia antidysenterica'', the coral swirl or tellicherry bark, is a flowering plant in the genus ''Wrightia''. ''Wrightia antidysenterica'' is sometimes confused with the species ''Holarrhena pubescens
''Holarrhena pubescens'' is a species ...
''). The hilly region that is full of "Jasmine of the hills" plants is "Kutajagiri". It is also called "Kutachadri" and "Kodashi Parvatha".
Location
Kodachadri forms a background to the temple of
Mookambika
Mookambika (, Kannada: ಶ್ರೀ ಮೂಕಾಂಬಿಕಾ) is a Hindu goddess, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess of Hinduism. She is regarded to be the form of shakti, the divine feminine energy, that represents creativ ...
in
Kollur.
It is located at a distance of 21 km from
Kollur[ and 15 km from Nagodi village, in Hosanagara taluk. 78 km and 42 km from ]Sagara, Karnataka
Sagara is a city located in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also a sub divisional and a taluk headquarters. Located in the Sahyadri Mountain range on the banks of river Varada, it is known for its proximity to Jog Falls and to the historic ...
via Hasirumakki Ferry from District Headquarters Shimoga
Shimoga, officially known as Shivamogga, is a city and the district headquarters of Shimoga district in the central part of the state of Karnataka, India. The city lies on the banks of the Tunga River. Being the gateway for the hilly region of ...
and 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.
Flora and fauna
Situated in the middle of the Mookambika National Park and considered as a biodiversity hotspot,[ 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
The Malabar pied hornbill (''Anthracoceros coronatus''), also known as lesser pied hornbill, is a bird in the Hornbill, hornbill family, a family of tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World.
Taxonomy
The Malabar pied hornbill was des ...
, Malabar grey hornbill
The Malabar gray hornbill (''Ocyceros griseus'') is a hornbill endemic to the Western Ghats and associated hills of southern India. They have a large beak but lack the casque that is prominent in some other hornbill species. They are found main ...
, paradise flycatcher
The paradise flycatchers (''Terpsiphone'') are a genus of birds in the family Monarchidae. The genus ranges across Africa and Asia, as well as a number of islands. A few species are migratory, but the majority are resident. The most telling char ...
, Indian tiger
The Bengal tiger is a population of the '' Panthera tigris tigris'' subspecies. It ranks among the biggest wild cats alive today. It is considered to belong to the world's charismatic megafauna.
The tiger is estimated to have been present i ...
, Indian leopard
The Indian leopard (''Panthera pardus fusca'') is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. The species ''Panthera pardus'' is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because populations have declined following habi ...
, Indian elephant
The Indian elephant (''Elephas maximus indicus'') is one of four extant recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant and native to mainland Asia.
Since 1986, the Asian elephant has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List as the wild po ...
, hyena
Hyenas, or hyaenas (from Ancient Greek , ), are feliform carnivoran mammals of the family Hyaenidae . With only four extant species (each in its own genus), it is the fifth-smallest family in the Carnivora and one of the smallest in the clas ...
, gaur
The gaur (''Bos gaurus''; ), also known as the Indian bison, is a bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, and has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986. The global population was estimated at a maximum of 21,000 m ...
, Indian rock python
The Indian python (''Python molurus'') is a large python species native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is also known by the common names black-tailed python, Indian rock python, and Asian ...
and many more, of which several are threatened.[
]
History
Kodachadri seems to have attracted the attention of humankind since early prehistory. 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. 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 the 19th century. Lewin Bentham Bowring
Lewin Bentham Bowring (1824–1910) was a British Indian civil servant in British India who served as the Chief Commissioner of Mysore between 1862 and 1870. He was also an author and man of letters.
Family
He was the second son of Sir John Bowr ...
, who served as Commissioner of Mysore
Mysore (), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. Mysore city is geographically located between 12° 18′ 26″ north latitude and 76° 38′ 59″ east longitude. It is located at an altitude of ...
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
Kanara, also known as Karavali is the historically significant stretch of land situated by the southwestern coast of India, alongside the Arabian Sea in the present-day Indian state of Karnataka.
The region comprises three civil districts, ...
), and a wide view over Malnad
Malnad (; Malēnādu) is a region in the state of Karnataka in India. Malenadu covers the western and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats or Sahyadri mountain range, and is roughly 100 kilometers in width.
Malnadis a region of Karnataka ...
". He further records that, Kodachadri is visible from Merti Peak near Sringeri.[
Kodachadri is visited by locals and Keralites in large numbers since long time. Sage ]Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara ("first Shankara," to distinguish him from other Shankaras)(8th cent. CE), also called Adi Shankaracharya ( sa, आदि शङ्कर, आदि शङ्कराचार्य, Ādi Śaṅkarācāryaḥ, lit=First Shanka ...
is said to have visited this place, meditated here[ and he also established a temple at Kollur. A small temple called Sarvajnapeetha, built with stone is dedicated to ]Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara ("first Shankara," to distinguish him from other Shankaras)(8th cent. CE), also called Adi Shankaracharya ( sa, आदि शङ्कर, आदि शङ्कराचार्य, Ādi Śaṅkarācāryaḥ, lit=First Shanka ...
at the top of Kodachadri.[ Some of the pilgrims from South Indian states who visit Kollur take a trek to Kodachadri also. Dr. K. Shivarama Karantha, a writer of the ]Udupi District
Udupi district (also Udipi or Odipu in Tulu language) is an administrative subdivision in the Karnataka state of India, with the district headquarters in the city of Udupi. It is situated in the Canara coastal region, there are seven taluks, ...
, trekked to Kodachadri in the 1940s and appreciated the natural environment of this place by placing Kodachadri as most beautiful of three mountain peaks of coastal Karnataka (the other two being Kuduremukh and Kumara Parvata).
Forests
The Shola
Sholas are the local name for patches of stunted tropical montane forest found in valleys amid rolling grassland in the higher montane regions of South India, largely in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu. These patches of shola forest are foun ...
Forests and thick forest cover Kodachadri and the nearby hills and the place has a cool climate.[ The forest of Kodachadri and nearby hills is tropical rain forest seen along with Western Ghats, a ]World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
.
Iron ore
Kodachadri hill contains iron ore in its soil and test digging was also done here during the 20th century and it was identified that the stones found here have magnetic properties. 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.[ In such anti-mining protests, local people under the leadership of Shri ]Raghaveshwara Bharathi
Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi (originally, Harish Sharma), is an Indian religious guru and the present mathadhis (Guru) of Shri Ramachandrapura Mutt, Hosanagara in Shimoga district in the Indian state of Karnataka. He is the 36th mathadhis ...
of Ramachandrapura Mutt, Shivamogga district and environmentalist Ananth Hegde Ashisara
Sri Ananth Hegde Ashisara is an environmentalist from Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka, India and Chairman, Karnataka Biodiversity Board, Government of Karnataka.
Fight to protect Western Ghat
Mr. Ashisara is also the former Chairperson of We ...
demanded ban on all mining activities in Ambaragudda
Ambaragudda is a hill, covering located in Western Ghats village named "Marati" near Kodachadri in Sagara taluk, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is covered with rainforests. Mining operations have drawn protests. The Karnataka government d ...
, which is near Kodachadri and other hills of the area.
Places of interest
Sarvajna peetha
Sarvajna Peeth is a small temple like structure near the peak where Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara ("first Shankara," to distinguish him from other Shankaras)(8th cent. CE), also called Adi Shankaracharya ( sa, आदि शङ्कर, आदि शङ्कराचार्य, Ādi Śaṅkarācāryaḥ, lit=First Shanka ...
meditated.[ This small structure bears a name which is similar to Sarvajñapīṭha, also called ]Sharada Peeth
Sharada Peeth is a ruined Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning located in the Neelum Valley of Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, it was among the most prominent temple universities in the Indian ...
of Jammu and Kashmir. which was visited by Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara ("first Shankara," to distinguish him from other Shankaras)(8th cent. CE), also called Adi Shankaracharya ( sa, आदि शङ्कर, आदि शङ्कराचार्य, Ādi Śaṅkarācāryaḥ, lit=First Shanka ...
during 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 (the origin) of ''Sri Mookambika Devi
Mookambika (, Kannada: ಶ್ರೀ ಮೂಕಾಂಬಿಕಾ) is a Hindu goddess, an aspect of Adi Parashakti, the supreme goddess of Hinduism. She is regarded to be the form of shakti, the divine feminine energy, that represents creativi ...
''. 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. The path to Chitramoola has been closed by forest officials citing various reasons. As of now a pilgrim can go only upto Sarvajnapita.
Ganesha Guha
Ganesha Guha is near the trekking path to Sarvajna peetha.
Iron Pillar
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
Dhar is a city located in Dhar district of the Malwa region in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The city is the administrative headquarters of the Dhar district. Before Indian independence from Great Britain, it was the capital of the Dhar ...
, Mount Abu
Mount Abu () is a hill station in the Aravalli Range in Sirohi district of the state of Rajasthan in western India.The mountain forms a rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar at above s ...
etc.[ 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
Kalpakkam is a township in Tamil Nadu, India, situated on the Coromandel Coast 70 kilometres south of Chennai. A conglomerate of two villages (Puduppattinam and Sadurangappatinam) and a DAE township, it is about from Thiruvanmiyur and fro ...
and KREC(Now NITK), Suratkal, Mangalore
Mangalore (), officially known as Mangaluru, is a major port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bangalore, the state capital, 20 km north of Karnataka–Ker ...
conducted a test on the iron pillar and found that it was made from traditional Indian metallurgical skills and not from modern casting methods.[ It is found made of pure iron.] It is also found to be less affected by corrosion, despite humid conditions prevailing there due to heavy rains. This iron pillar is considered as testimony of ancient Indian iron craftmanship.
Hidlumane Falls
Around 5 km from Kodachadri is Hidlumane Waterfalls and it can be reached by trekking on a bridle path.[.
]
Arasinagundi falls
Another water falls in deep forest is Arasinagundi falls which 6 km from Kollur, at the bottom of Kodachadri near Dhalli village.
Belakallu theertha
One more waterfalls called Belakallu theertha is located near Mudur, Jadkal (and 15 km from Kollur) and at the bottom of Kodachadri on southern side and involves easy trekking to reach.[
]
Nagara fort
Nagara Fort is around 25 km from Kodachadri where an old fort built during the 18th century is located[ and the landscape created out of backwaters of Linganamakki Dam on ]Sharavathi
Sharavati is a river which originates and flows entirely within the state of Karnataka in India. It is one of the few westward flowing rivers of India and a major part of the river basin lies in the Western Ghats. The famous Jog Falls, located ...
River surrounds Nagara town.
Trekking in Kodachadri
Trekking to Kodachadri peak starts from Nagodi village or Nittur
Nittur is a village in Tumkur district of Karnataka, India.
Nittur is famous for Jwalamalini Temple, an ancient Jain
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through th ...
, Shivamogga
Shimoga, officially known as Shivamogga, is a city and the district headquarters of Shimoga district in the central part of the state of Karnataka, India. The city lies on the banks of the Tunga River. Being the gateway for the hilly region of ...
village which are located at the base of Kodachadri. Tented overnight Camping and Camp fire is strictly not allowed since January 2015, Once you enter the check Post in the foothill as this comes under the Forest Department, Govt. of Karnataka (Liquor will be detained at the Check Post).
Transportation
From Bangalore
Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan population of around , making it the third most populous city and fifth most ...
, one has to go to Shivamogga (285 km) and from there, one can take public transport to reach Nagodi village (Hosanagara Taluk). From Udupi
Udupi (alternate spelling Udipi; also known as Odipu) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Udupi is situated about north of the educational, commercial and industrial hub of Mangalore and about west of state capital Bangalore by road.
...
, it is three hours journey to Nagodi village, from where trekking starts.
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 Kattinahole village 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.[ ]Kundapur
Kundapur, also called Kundapura, is a coastal town situated in the Udupi district of the state of Karnataka, India. This town was known as Coondapoor while it was part of the erstwhile South Canara district (1862–1947) of the Madras Pre ...
and Byndoor
Byndoor is an Coastal Town and the Headquarters of Byndoor Taluk in the Udupi District of Karnataka state, India. It is situated at a distance of about from the state capital Bengaluru and at about from the Udupi district headquarters, are ...
are the nearest major railway stations which is in Mangalore
Mangalore (), officially known as Mangaluru, is a major port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bangalore, the state capital, 20 km north of Karnataka–Ker ...
–Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
Konkan Railway
The Konkan Railway (abbreviated KR) is one of the 19 railway zones in India with its headquarters at CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The first passenger train ran on Konkan railway tracks on 20 March 1993, between Udupi and ...
route.
See also
*Mangalore
Mangalore (), officially known as Mangaluru, is a major port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bangalore, the state capital, 20 km north of Karnataka–Ker ...
*Udupi
Udupi (alternate spelling Udipi; also known as Odipu) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Udupi is situated about north of the educational, commercial and industrial hub of Mangalore and about west of state capital Bangalore by road.
...
*Maravanthe
Maravanthe is a village and a beach in Byndoor Taluk, Udupi District, Karnataka, India.
It is about 115 km from industrial hub Mangalore, 55 km from Udupi.18 km from Kundapura. and 21 km from Byndoor. NH-66 (erstwhile NH-17 ...
* Kollur
*St. Mary's Islands
St. Mary's Islands, also known as Coconut Island and Thonsepar, are a set of four small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe in Udipi, Karnataka, India. They are known for their distinctive geological formation of Columnar jointing ...
* Mullayana Giri
Mullayyanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, India. Mullayyanagiri is located in the Chandra Dhrona Hill Ranges of the Western Ghats of Chikkamagaluru Taluk. With a height of , it is the highest peak in Karnataka and also the 23rd highest ...
* Baba Budan giri
Baba Budangiri (), also known as Chandradrona (, as the range naturally forms the shape of a crescent moon), is a hill and mountain range in the Western Ghats of India, located in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka.
The main peaks in thi ...
* Brahmagiri
* Pushpagiri
Gallery
File:Kudachadri,scene1,kolur,karnataka.jpg, Kudachadri - scene1
File:Kudachadri,scene2,kolur,karnataka.jpg, Kudachadri - scene2
File:Sarvajna Peeta,Kodachadri,India.jpg, Sarvajna peeta at the peak of Kodachadri,western view
File:Kudachadri,GaneshaGuha,kolur,karnataka.jpg, Kudachadri GaneshaGuha
File:Kodachadri Hills.jpg, On top of the Kodachadri mountains.
File:Kodachadri trail.jpg, Trekking trail on top of the mountain
File:Kodachadri mountain.jpg, Kodachadri landscape
File:Hillsofkodachadri.jpg, Hills seen from top of the mountain
References
External links
Kodachadri trek and places around
Kodachadri trek
{{Shivamogga topics
Mountains of Karnataka
Geography of Shimoga district
Mountains of the Western Ghats