Kodachadri, Murudeshwar - Best Season to Visit, Weather, Things to Do

At a distance of 20 Km from Kollur, 75 Km from Murudeshwar, 90 Km from Udupi, and 110 Km from Shimoga, Kodachadri is a mountain peak located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. It is one of the most spoken-about trails for trekking in Karnataka.

Located at an elevation of 1343 meters in the Western Ghats, Kodachadri Peak is found in the center of the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. It stands as the tallest peak in the Shivamogga district and ranks as the 13th highest peak in Karnataka. The Karnataka Government has designated it as a natural heritage site. This location is an excellent destination for trekking enthusiasts, particularly as part of Murudeshwar tour packages.

Kodachadri is a segment of the Western Ghats that provides a stunning backdrop to the renowned Kollur Mookambika Temple. The name Kodachadri is derived from the local terms "Kodacha" or "Kodashi," which refer to the Kutaja flowers (the hill's Jasmine), while "Adri" translates to mountain. The hilly area abundant with these "Jasmine of the hills" plants is known as "Kutajagiri." It is also referred to as "Kutachadri" and "Kodashi Parvatha." It is believed that Sage Adi Shankara visited this site and meditated here. At the summit of Kodachadri, there is a small stone temple named Sarvajnapeetha, which is dedicated to Adi Shankara.

Kodachadri offers an exhilarating trekking adventure. Renowned for its magnificent sunrises and sunsets, the summit of Kodachadri can be reached through a five-hour trek that commences from Nittur Village, guiding you through lush forests, winding streams, and steep inclines. The trek spans approximately 10-12 km and includes a passage by the picturesque Hidlumane Falls. The trail presents a moderate level of difficulty and typically requires about 4 to 5 hours to reach the peak. Additionally, there is a Jeep route via Sampekatte that necessitates only a 3 km trek to arrive at the summit after the Jeep journey.

During the initial segment of the trek, you will traverse the Hidlumane Falls before proceeding through the surrounding dense forest. The latter portion of the trekking journey begins from the parking area at Shankara Peetham. From this point, the final stretch of the trek encompasses 5 km, ultimately leading you to the temple dedicated to Moola Mookambika. A notable feature of this location is the impressive 40 ft iron pillar that stands prominently in front of the temple. It is said to represent the Trishul wielded by Goddess Mookambika to vanquish Mookasura. Atop Kodachadri hill, trekkers are greeted with expansive and breathtaking views of the vast valleys, powerful waterfalls, and the Arabian Sea.