Posted 03 January 2023 in Travel Wanderlust

Why you should explore Kodachadri, a hidden gem in Karnataka this season

Located right in the lap of nature, Kodachadri is a gorgeous mountain peak situated in Karnataka. It is a part of the Western Ghats and is about 1300 m above sea level. This place is popular because it overlooks a breath-taking view, which is full of mountains and greenery. Moreover, this place houses the famous Kollur Mookambika Temple, which attracts a lot of visitors. If you love watching sunsets and sunrises, then you must visit this place.

Kodachadri is the perfect location if you are looking for a break from your stressful city lives. This place offers amazing landscapes, worthy of capture on your cameras. Moreover, this place houses some really exotic and sadly, endangered species from all over the country. So, you might find King Cobra, hyenas, Malabar langurs and more vivid creatures roaming around this place. In addition to that, this location is great for people who love adventure.

There are trekking activities which you can try and explore the place even further.

Kodachadri also has a cultural significance. This is the place where the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya meditated. Clearly, with such a beautiful view and nothing but greenery surrounding you, anyone would feel like meditating and giving themselves to nature here. So, while you are in this place, make the most of Mother Nature and enjoy a vacation full of tranquillity and beauty.

Places to visit in Kodachadri

Nagara Fort: The Nagara Fort, also known as the Bidanur Fort, is located about 25 km from Kodachadri. It belongs to the Keladi Dynasty and was constructed back in the 18th century. Dense forests and greenery surround this magnanimous fort. You will find tiny caves within the fort which were used for the safe evacuation of the royal family during times of attack.
Hidlumane Falls: One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kodachadri, the Hidlumane Falls is a sight that you must not miss visiting. Here, you will find lush greenery and a milk-like stream of water coming down strongly towards the earth. It is a great place to click lots of pictures. The crystal-clear waters and the landscapes around will surely take your breath away.
Mookambika Devi Temple: This is one of the most important religious places in Karnataka. The temple is surrounded by mountains and greenery, with River Sauparnika flowing in the vicinity. The temple welcomes millions of pilgrims every year. It might interest you to know that this temple is nearly 1200 years old.
Sarvajna Peeth: A small temple-like structure, this place is important because this is where Adi Shankara meditated. He was a Vedic scholar who had gained immense recognition because of his knowledge and wisdom. This was one of the places that the scholar visited and left his traces of knowledge and wisdom. There is a 2 km trek starting from this place, so you can go for it if you like.
Chitramoola: This place is also associated with Adi Shankara and his meditation. It is a hilly area, where you will find the perfect confluence of nature and humanity. With a clear blue sky and a cool breeze, this place is perfect to let go off all your worries. This is also a great place for adventure activities like trekking.

Adventure activities to try in Kodachadri

Kodachadri is a great place for people who love adventure. It offers many adventurous activities for people to try and experience. One such activity is trekking. There are numerous places where you can try trekking in Kodachadri. You can go for a trek to the Hidlumane Falls, which is about 5 km from Kodachadri. There is another trek starting at the Sampekatte Village, which allows you to see a beautiful sunset. Winter time is a great time to go trekking. The weather is clear and pleasant at this time and you will find nature at its best.

Jeep safari is also a very popular activity in Kodachadri. You will be taken around in a jeep to different tourist spots. The jeep also takes you to jungles, forests and other amazing landscapes. It is an experience that you will enjoy.

It might interest you to know that Kodachadri is also a popular destination for solo travelling. The place witnesses lots of men and women out all by themselves, enjoying the place and the adventure activities that the place has to offer. It is completely safe for solo women travellers coming from different parts of the world and abroad.

Travel tips before visiting Kodachadri

Think about the time when you wish to plan your trip. If you are going for just enjoyment and sightseeing, you can go during the winter or summer season. However, if you are going for adventure activities, the winter season is advisable. Adventure activities are closed during the monsoon season.
Please don’t expect to find cabs readily in Kodachadri. If you wish to travel to a place, please use jeeps as that is the most common mode of transport. Please confirm the rates of the jeeps with your hotel or travel guide so that the driver cannot overcharge you.
You might not find medical shops at every location in Kodachadri. So please carry your medicines and first aid kit. In addition to that, please carry cash with you as ATMs might not be found in plenty.
Pack wisely for your trip. Always keep comfortable clothes and sports shoes, as the terrain is tricky and rocky in Kodachadri. If you are going for adventure activities, then you must carry your necessary equipment.
Look out for leeches when you are trekking or walking. They are common in areas with dense forests and vegetation. Salt is a good remedy for leeches. So always carry salt with you in case you go trekking or walking.
Try not to travel after sunset as fog tends to set in, making visibility a problem. If you are travelling alone, you might lose the way.

How to reach Kodachadri?

By air: The nearest route to Kodachadri is Mangalore International Airport. From the airport, the distance to Kodachadri is about 130 km. IndiGo operates from Mangalore airport to other major cities in India as well as abroad. Continuous flights are plying to and from Mangalore International Airport, so you will have a lot of flight schedules to choose from. You can either take a taxi or a bus to reach the place.
By train: The nearest railway station to Kodachadri is Byndoor Mookambika Road train station. It is located about 25 km from Kodachadri. This railway station is connected to major cities in India like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Mysuru and more. Once you reach the station, all you have to do is hire a taxi or a jeep and come to Kodachadri. Alternatively, there are public and private buses travelling on this route that you can opt for.
By road: You can also travel by road to reach Kodachadri. The road network is well-connected and in good condition, if you are coming from cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Kochi, Mysuru and more. You can also hire a taxi to bring you to Kodachadri.

How to get around in Kodachadri?

You might not find public transport very easily in Kodachadri. Therefore, the best way to get around the place is by using a cab. More than cabs, you will find jeeps running from one place to the other. Considering the terrain, travelling in a jeep is the best option for you. Alternatively, you can also walk or cycle from one destination to the other if it is nearby.

Best time to visit Kodachadri

The best time to visit Kodachadri is during the months from October to March. At this time, the weather is pleasant and you can explore the place fully. Trekking will also be easier during this time. Moreover, this is also the time when you will see the greenery at its best. There will be little or no humidity during this time, making it an ideal time to hang out.

Climate of Kodachadri

Kodachadri does not experience extreme weather. Summers are from March to May, when the weather is pleasant and cool. Monsoon takes place between the months of June and August. At this time, the weather turns chilly. Most people avoid travelling to Kodachadri during monsoons as most of the outdoor activities are closed during this time. Winters are from September to February, when the weather gets quite cold. There is a thick fog at times which might hamper movement around the place.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Kodachadri is a place blessed with forests, nature and wildlife. If you truly want to relax and let go off your stress and worry, then you must blend into the cool breeze and the relaxing atmosphere that Kodachadri has to offer. There can indeed be nothing as pleasing as surrendering oneself to nature and enjoying the landscapes surrounded by tranquillity and peace.