Kodachadri - The Evergreen Hill Station. Review on Kodachadari Hill Station

Kodachadri - The Evergreen Hill Station

I always like to visit forest, hills, Rivers, because the nature brings me to another world. I find peace, tranquility & a sense of serenity that nothing else can provide. When surrounded by nature I realize that there is nothing else I need.

Recently I visited a beautiful place called Kodachadri, one of the most beautiful hill stations of Karnataka, at a height of 1343 meters above sea level, located at a distance of about 400 kms from Bangalore & around 115 kilometers from Shimoga. These hills comprise one of the biggest forest zones in Karnataka and a section of this region constitutes the Mookambika Nature Reserve.

This ever green hill is a home to many endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna. This place is the natural habitat of the Bison, Tiger, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Malabar Langur, Emerald Pigeon, King Cobra, & Python.

Kodachadri is famous for its beautiful sunrise and sunset. The green hills in clear weather of winter & the cooler high altitude locations in summer keep Kodachadri a charming place round the year. This green paradise is full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, waterfalls, caves, temples along with mountains.

There are several beautiful place too see around Kodachadri Hills, one of the main attraction of Kodachadri is Sarvajna Peetha, which is on the hilltop. It is believed that philosopher Adi Shankaracharya spread the tenets of Advaita Vedanta, the supreme philosophy of monism to the four corners of India with his ‘digvijaya’ (the conquest of the quarters) performed meditation at this place.

Mookambika Devi temple established by sage Parashurama in Kollur is a must see place, It is believed that Adi Mookambika temple at Kodachadri village is the origin of Goddess Mookambika which is associated with the assassination of demon Mookasura by the lion riding Mother Goddess in nearby forests, where the demon Mookasura was disturbing the penance of the sages.

There is Mookambika Nature Camp, situated around 4 kilometers to the south of Kollur. The Linganmakki Dam, Arisinagudi Waterfalls & Agastya Teertha Waterfalls are the points of interest within close proximity of Kodachadri are must see places for the visitors.

Trekking in Kodachadri can be an adventurous & spiritual experience. Kollur is another beautiful trekking spot near Kodachadri hills; the trek is a twelve kilometers route & takes around eight to ten hours to complete. This is one of the toughest treks in Karnataka but the view from the peak makes the effort worthwhile. The best time to undertake this trek during the October-February. It is advisable to take the help of a local guide to reach the top of the hills.

This hill station is the preferred place of many South Indian directors as many Kannada movies have been filmed here. Popular Kannada movie Gaalipata by Yograj Bhat was shot here.

Kodachadari Hills can be visited in all seasons, preferably during months of September to January.

Good accommodation is not available at Kodachadri. There are few small home stays are available, it is better to stay at Kollur.

Shimoga is the closest railway station & Mangalore or Bangalore is the nearest airport.

This place is great for relaxing and taking a break from the busy city life. The lush greenery of Kodachadri Hills, the panoramic view of temples & the serene climate is an awesome place for nature lovers and photo enthusiasts.

If scenic beauty along with the lushness of the forest is what you seek, then a visit to Kodachadari Hills is what you should plan.