Kodachadri (Kannada: ಕೊಡಚಾದ್ರಿ) is a mountain peak with dense forests (elevation – 1,343 metres above sea level) in the Western Ghats in South India (Shivamogga District, Karnataka), 78km from Shimoga. It is declared as a natural heritage site by the Karnataka Government. and it is 13th highest peak of Karnataka.
ETYMOLOGY:
The name comes from the native word “Kodachi” or “Kodachi”, which means Kutaja flowers, and “Adri”, a Sanskrit word for mountain, both combined together to coin the word Kodachadri. “Kuţaja” in Sanskrit means Girimallika or Jasmine of the hill (Wrightia antidysenterica). The hilly region that is full of “Jasmine of the hills” plants is “Kutajagiri”. It is also called “Kutachadri” and “Kodashi Parvatha”
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 structures 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, 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 wide view over Malnad“. He further records that, Kodachadri is visible from Merti Peak near Sringeri.
Kodachadri hills seen from the top of the mountain near to Inspection bungalow, Kodachadri is visited by locals and Keralites in large numbers for a long time. Sage Adi Shankara 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 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, trekked to Kodachadri in the 1940s and appreciated the natural environment of this place by placing Kodachadri as the most beautiful of three mountain peaks of coastal Karnataka (the other two being Kuduremukh and Kumara Parvata)
Places of Visit:
Sarvajna peetha
Sarvajna Peetha is a small temple-like structure near the peak where Adi Shankara meditated. This small structure bears a name that is similar to Sarvajñapīṭha, also called Sharada Peeth of Jammu and Kashmir. which was visited by Adi Shankara 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 travelers’ 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.
Iron Pillar
One iron pillar of about 40 feet length is planted erect in front of Moola Mookambika Temple near the peak of Kodachadri and it is compared with massive similar historic iron pillars located at Dhar, Mount Abu, etc.[15] 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, Mangalore 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 of humid conditions prevailing there due to heavy rains. This iron pillar is considered as a 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.
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 River surrounds Nagara town.
Trekking in Kodachadri.
Trekking to Kodachadri peak starts from Nagodi village or Nittur, Shivamogga village which is located at the base of Kodachadri. Tented overnight Camping and Campfire 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).
Trekkers arrive in the morning to the homestay’s located at the foothills, after refresh and breakfast, they began the trekking along with the local guide and a packed lunch to Kodachadri via Hidlumane waterfalls, as the waterfalls are just a four km away from the homestay, a walk is through the fields and the local houses which take approximately an hour to reach the waterfalls.
From the waterfalls, the route goes to a top of the hillock with a steep climb on a narrow path for two km and later you reach the open grassland with a wonderful valley view, and later you hit to the jeep track, from there it is almost a two km to the top temple area. Even there are a couple of hotels here for lunch.
From here it is another two km of a trek to the top to visit “Saravaganya Peeta”, “Ganapathi Guha”. After visiting it either you can hire the Jeep to reach your homestay or do trekking for 12kms.
