Kodachadri

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Mountain peak in South India

title: "Kodachadri" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["mountains-of-karnataka", "geography-of-shimoga-district", "mountains-of-the-western-ghats"] description: "Mountain peak in South India" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachadri" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Mountain peak in South India ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox mountain"]

Field	Value
name	Kodachadri
photo	Kodachadri.JPG
photo_caption	Western Ghats and backwaters of Sharavati as seen from Kodachadri Hills
elevation_m	1343
range	Western Ghats
location	Border of Sagara, Karnataka taluk Hosanagara Taluk, Shimoga District and Byndoor Taluk Udupi district, Karnataka, India
map	Karnataka
map_caption	Location in Karnataka
label	Kodachadri
label_position	right
coordinates
first_ascent	Historic times
easiest_route	via Nagodi
::

Kodachadri is a mountain peak with dense forests (elevation - 1,343 metres above sea level) in the Western Ghats in South India (Shivamogga District, Karnataka), 78 km from Shimoga. Kodachadri is the highest peak in Shivamogga district. It is declared as natural heritage site by the Karnataka Government. and it is 13th highest peak of Karnataka.

Etymology

The name comes from native word "Kodacha" or "Kodashi", which means Kutaja flowers, and "Adri", a Sanskrit word for mountain, both combined 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".

Location

Kodachadri forms a background to the temple of Mookambika in Kollur. It is located at a distance of 21 km from Kollur

Flora and fauna

Situated in the middle of the Mookambika National Park and considered as a biodiversity hotspot, dhole, gaur, Indian rock python and many more, of which several are threatened.

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 structure 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.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Kodachadribettagalu.jpg" caption="Kodachadri hills seen from the top of the mountain near to Inspector bungalow"] ::

Kodachadri is visited by locals and Keralites in large numbers since long time. Sage Adi Shankara is said to have visited this place, meditated here

Forests

The Shola Forests and thick forest cover Kodachadri and the nearby hills and the place has a cool climate.

Iron ore

Kodachadri hill contains iron ore in its soil and test digging was also done here during the 20th century and it was identified that the stones found here have magnetic properties. However commercial mining in large scale did not take place at Kodachadri, though there are efforts to lease out the surrounding hills to mining companies to mine manganese and iron and local people have strongly opposed such a move in view of possible environmental damage.

Places of interest

Sarvajna peetha

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Kudajadri1.JPG" caption="Front view of Mantapa or Sarvajnapeetha at Kodachadri"] ::

Sarvajna Peeth is a small temple like structure near the peak where Adi Shankara meditated. 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 travellers' bungalow and is believed to be the kn (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. The path to Chitramoola has been closed by forest officials citing various reasons. As of now a pilgrim can go only up to Sarvajnapita.

Ganesha Guha

Ganesha Guha is near the trekking path to Sarvajna peetha.

Iron Pillar

One iron pillar of about 40 feet length is planted erect in front of Moola Mookambika Temple near peak of Kodachadri and it is compared with massive similar historic iron pillars located at Dhar, Mount Abu etc. It is also found to be less affected by corrosion, despite humid conditions prevailing there due to heavy rains. This iron pillar is considered as 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.[[File:Hidlumane falls.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Hidlumane Falls]].

Arasinagundi falls

Another water falls in deep forest is Arasinagundi falls which 6 km from Kollur, at the bottom of Kodachadri near Dhalli village.

Belakallu theertha

One more waterfalls called Belakallu theertha is located near Mudur, Jadkal (and 15 km from Kollur) and at the bottom of Kodachadri on southern side and involves easy trekking to reach.

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 are located at the base of Kodachadri. Tented overnight Camping and Camp fire 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). ::data[format=table]

Attraction	Beautiful landscape, Hidlumane Waterfall.
::

Transportation

From Bangalore, one has to go to Shivamogga (285 km) and from there, one can take public transport to reach Nagodi village (Hosanagara Taluk). From Udupi, it is three hours journey to Nagodi village, from where trekking starts.

Kodachadri peak is connected with an all rough jeep road (partially metalled) on which only jeeps can travel. As this hilly road is not maintained properly, only expert local jeep drivers can take the jeep to the top. Jeeps are available for hire at Kollur and at Kattinahole village near Kodachadri base. Motorcycle riding on this highly uneven, steep, mud track with sharp hairpin curves with gradients, may be challenging and risky. However, Government departments have commenced construction of a quality road to top, after a stay (by private tourist operators) opposing construction of road is vacated(during 2011) and this proposed work includes overall development of Kodachadri area. Kundapur and Byndoor are the nearest major railway stations which is in Mangalore–Mumbai Konkan Railway route.

Gallery

File:Kudachadri,scene1,kolur,karnataka.jpg|Kudachadri - scene1 File:Kudachadri,scene2,kolur,karnataka.jpg|Kudachadri - scene2 File:Sarvajna Peeta,Kodachadri,India.jpg|Sarvajna peeta at the peak of Kodachadri,western view File:Kudachadri,GaneshaGuha,kolur,karnataka.jpg|Kudachadri GaneshaGuha File:Kodachadri Hills.jpg|On top of the Kodachadri mountains. File:Kodachadri trail.jpg|Trekking trail on top of the mountain File:Kodachadri mountain.jpg|Kodachadri landscape File:Hillsofkodachadri.jpg|Hills seen from top of the mountain

References

(22 December 2011). "Trekking in Shimoga (Kodachadri) – A Trek Through the Rainforest".
Maps of, India. "Kodachadri, Karnataka". mapsofindia.com.
Kaggere, Niranjan. (2012). "Kodachadri now a Heritage site". Times of India- mobile e paper.
Durgadas, Mukhopadhyay. (1978). "Lesser known forms of performing arts in India". Sterling.
C.V., Raghavendra Rao. (11 April 2011). "Now, tourists can visit Kodachadri hills". [[The Times of India]].
NML, Technical Journal. (1995). "NML Technical Journal Vol.37". National Metallurgical Laboratory (India).
Lewin Benthan, Bowring. (1871). "Eastern experiences". H.S.King.
Mysore, Govt. of. (1964). "Mysore Ports". Dept. of Publicity and Information.
B.L., Rice. (2001). "Gazetteer of Mysore - 2 Vols". Asian Educational Service, New Delhi (Reprint).
Special, Correspondent. (17 August 2005). "Andolan seeks restoration of ban on mining at Ambargudda". [[The Hindu]].
"Articles13.HTM. | jun10 | currsci | Indian Academy of Sciences".
Srivatsan, T.S.. (2009). "Processing and fabrication of advanced materials, XVII: Volume One". I K International Pvt Ltd.
Tripathi, Vibha. (2001). "The age of iron in South Asia: legacy and tradition". Aryan Books International.
(12 July 2011). "Enchanting Kudlu Thirtha". The Hindu (newspaper).

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