Welcome to Chetaks favorite
recluse
This is one place where i get the maximum solace in whatever little I do. Kodachadri is
nestled in the western ghats. The surrounding rain forests are of most pristine beauty in nature. It was about 9 years ago that a couple of my friends had led me on a virgin trekking trip of
Kodachadri. It was love at first sight for me and i built an eerie relationship with the proud mountains.
There are a lot of hidden meanings in the timeless boulders and steep rock faces
the silent spectators to millions years of history could indeed give us excellent advice alas if only they could talk.
I make it a point to visit the wonderful mountains as often as i come and to
date i have participated and led about 15 treks to Kodachadri. I have even been
there alone!!!!!!!!
Its a matter of 7 hour of trek with moderate load in a comfortable rucksack
(about 7 kg). The initial journey from Mookambika temple (Kollur) could be
covered in any bus bound to Shimoga in a matter of about 45 mins. The plece to
alight is well known to all the conductors and is called as Karakatta.
The Iskon have built an huge temple complex at the foot of the mountain
range and why not for its indeed an excellent refuge for people who are looking
for serenity and peace. The temple complex certainly deserves a visit for the
same has been built with all modern infrastructure like electrified fences to
fend off prowling jungle cats Yet the living conditions� are primitive
without electricity for rooms etc etc. The idol at the temple is a beautiful; as
the surroundings and the temple.
At a distance of about 2 hours of walk comes the first inhabited place
where a Malyali has pitched his small home and a small deluxe restaurant!!!! Yet
the meal of simple Puttu and Chana seems like heaven This is the foots of the
mighty Kodachadri, which even finds a worthy mention in the ancient knowledge
houses of Vedas here the same� mentioned as "Kutakachalam" It is
also known a renouned source of herbs and plants having immense medicinal
properties and mentioned in the ancient annals of medicinal sciences and
treatises of� Ayurveda�
After about a lusty climb of three hours one starts to see the views rivalled
only by those either at Nilgiris or in the Kudremukh
Range. The climb exhilarates ones self as he moves around on the steeping
trails which in a sense are timeless and forever.
The feeling of euphoria that encapsulates ones self on reaching the summit
and hours of trudging and treading on narrow and steep paths infested by the
natures blood suckers Yuck the Leeches is in a class of its own and no words can
explain it and better left to understand by feeling it.
�
�����������������
�
Plan your trip in accordance with the elements of the nature for nature
still rules the roost here without giving a damn for man's planning and busy
schedules. The best time to visit Kodachadri is soon after the monsoon for the
entire landscape would be covered with a carpet of green and so many shades of
green that one can just not forget the scene. Yet one musty be sure footed and
prepared to pick up leeches
in hordes from their bodies!!!!!!. Don't be surprised if you find your toes
bloody and couple of stout leeches who have grown fat and healthy by sucking
your life blood.
Watch out for several other treats on the arduous trek like Orchids, butterflies,
Wildlife like Macaque monkeys , deer, several rare birds and last but not the
least reptiles. The last one is common and watch out for the king of snakes the
King Cobra.
At one point on the mountain trail it would fascinate the trekkers to note
that they are relatively at a higher height than the clouds themselves. Seems
impossible see for yourselves.
�
������������������������������������������������������������
The rain forests of the western ghats have been flourishing for the past thousands of years and its only in the last couple of decades that humans the last of the god's creation have threatened its
existence. Mining logging hunting and other human interference in the ecosystem has brought the forest on the brink of extinction and now it
is upto the human race to see to it that we indeed pass on a legacy to the next generation
instead of a barren and sterile landscape.
Please make sure not to any of the following while at Kodachadri
-
Leave burning ends of cigarettes and Beedis
-
Leave any non biodegradable waste material like plastics and glass.
-
Pull out saplings to make any walking sticks.
-
Pull out embedded stones in the soil.
-
Kill any organism however small for the fun of it, including Leeches!!!!
Lets commit ourselves to pass on this natural bounty to the coming
generations.
Read about Western Ghats
The other spots to look for at Kodachadri are
-
Sarvajnya Peetha
-
Tallest species of grass.
