Shankaracharya a Divine Place – Kodachadri Trek

[Guest writeup from my Daughter - Sindhu]

Awesome experience, totally speechless.  Got new friends, had a great fun, enjoyed a lot in streams, lost ourselves in the woods of Western Ghats with wonderful bunch of company.

Trek to Kodachadri in Western Ghats was fantastic.  When I came to know that will be part of this trek, I was very happy. I was filled with joy and danced with happiness dreaming about Kodachadri.  Shanthi uncle & my father (Vidyasagar) were the organisers of this trek.  We were 11 dashing energetic trekkers.  Few well known faces since I was a part of Kumara Parvatha trek last year and rest were new faces.  I got a new best friend Shreya (same class 9^th std.) who was niece of Sudhakar Maama.

Our journey to Kodachadri started on 31^st October 2014 the well known pick-up point Shanthala Silk house.  I think it was 8.30pm when we reached at the pick-up point.  I saw many new faces waiting for the Tempo Traveler (TT).  After a while I came to know that they all are our team members.  Mean time our TT reached the place and stepped into it.  In TT we had our introduction, some talks, jokes etc., and went on the chitchat till midnight.  I was busy with new friend Shreya.  Shared lot of our own experience and by forcibly close our eyes and went to sleep.

Day – 1 [01.11.2014]

The chirping of birds made us to wake up when we reached a small home stay in the jungle at Kattinahole.  We got freshen up and had our breakfast. Sipped hot hot coffee in the beautiful chilled morning.  We had some snaps and started our adventurous journey.  

Our adventure was filled with crossing the small streams, fighting with blood suckers leeches, ascending and descending the dense forest. 

The vegetation of jungle is dense and leeches were not discounted to anyone.  The attack of leeches started very soon and everyone were busy plucking and checking their body.  Surprise!!! I was not bothered about it since I love leeches!!!! 

After crossing the dense forest ascend reached beautiful grassland. We spent good enough of time and took many funny photographs. 

We reached Hidlumane a lonely house.  The tiny shop provide you tasty buttermilk, many of us had multiple glass.  

Tasty buttermilk kicked out our thirst and further headed towards Hidlumane Falls.  Crossing paddy fields and little ascending the path reached the most challenging boulders.  

It was slippery since it was wet.  Of course the water level was very less but it was most enjoyable moment.  The water was very very cold and jumped into everyone and enjoyed lot.

After spending enough of time further started our journey.  Now this part was very difficult.  The ascend was almost 70 degree and everyone struggled lot.  I and Shreya were the youngest and we were the first to reach our first peak.  The view from top was really amazing.  We clicked some pictures and waited to assemble everyone to this place.  We had a small break and ate chocolates, biscuits and other snacks.

We all started to descend the hill, on the way we got a stream where we relaxed again.  After a long relaxation we reached the jeep track where we saw the Gaalipata shooting spot.  

Our intention was to reach Bhattaramane at right time as per our plan.  We had lunch and relaxed sometime.  We got some energy and ready for the sunset.  Hats off to my father and Sudhakar Maama as they trekked the difficult path bare foots.  Really it was very difficult.  We witnessed a beautiful sunset on the top of Kodachadri and paid darshana to Sarvagnya Peetha. 

I was feeling blessed visiting such a divine place of Shankaracharya.  Shanthi uncle took us one more unknown place of Rushimoola where Shankaracharya did meditation.  I was feeling very proud and lucky!!!

Descended the hills with help of torches.  Reached back to Bhattaramane and had tasteless dinner and went to sleep.

Day – 2 [02.11.2014]

Some of us got up early at 5 am and ready to watch the beautiful Sunrise.  The path to the sunrise and the valley path is really very adventurous. The path to sunrise is most memorable.  I have no words to express that beautiful spot.  I, Shreya and Shanthi uncle were again first to reach the peak again.  Everyone came after a long time.  We waited for the Sun but unfortunately it was hiding behind the clouds.  After a long time we were able to see the sunshine.  The scenery was truly awesome.  We saw the unclear sunrise and came back to Bhattaramane.  Packed our luggage and ready for second day trek.

We left the Kodachadri at 8 am and wandered deep into dense woods.  Today our destination to enjoy the Arasinagundi Falls.  The beautiful path from Kodachadri to Santosh Hotel was awesome.  This is the only place where we will get something to fill our stomach.  We had Idli & Puttu (Keralian dish].
 

We purchased the specially prepared medicine for leech.  We applied oil and snuff powder to our body to avoid the leech bite.  We all ready with energy to tackle the leeches.  The route to Arashinagundi was very dense forest compare to yesterday path.  We hired a guide and his name is Chandru.  He took us through dense forest to falls.  At beginning I and Shreya were feeling afraid of the chilled water but later we jumped into the water and had a great fun.  Few uncles were swim and reached bottom of the falls.  It was not so easy to reach there, only courage and well swimmer can only do this.

After dip into falls finished our lunch which was the prasada of my Atte [Sister-in-law].  We had Chapati and yummy tomato chatni etc.  We left the beautiful falls and crossed many streams and reached to jeep track.  The path was little easy and reached to Highway.  On the way played quiz with CK uncle, Sharan brother, Shreya and me.

We were very tiered feeling very hot.  Eagerly waiting for stream where we could make our body cool.  At last we got the stream and were feeling very happy.  We threw our bags on the bank and jumped into the stream.  Later our TT arrived this place and reached to famous Kollur Moookambika temple.  We were feeling fresh and our minds were in peace when we entered the temple.  We had darshan of goddess Mokambike and prayed for her grace.

Again we got into our TT and at 11pm we stopped near Shivamogga Dhaba for dinner.  We had our dinner and started our journey back to Bengaluru.  Soon we were all asleep as were very tiered.  We were dreaming about our journey.  After sometime we were dragged out of sleep and soon came to know that we were back to Bengaluru.  It was the most hatred moment ever in the treks.

Anyhow even a big ocean has it’s an end. So again back to the same hell with lots of stress and worries of School.  But still those two days are most memorable.  Love that peace & sound of the calm jungle and lovely bunch of company.  Thanks to Lavanya sister who were with us all time and thanks to each one of Uncles and brothers!!! Shreya really I miss you……………

Its me.....my ever first write up