Experience Kodachadri !!!

Sometimes life screams at you so much that you just have to put a stop to everything else, sit down and listen to it. So that’s what I’ve been doing…. Absolutely nothing!!!

Oh that isn’t entirely true!! I did travel around a bit and managed to click some snaps.

Yes, I was on a long arduous journey with 31 friends to kodachadri for 32 kilometers trekking. As our group name itself describes, "MidNight Flyers" started their journey around 11.30PM in the bus with new trekker’s intro, music and dance to the degree which cannot be tiring...Life is not the same without a beat!!

Our bus reached shimoga 2 hours late where we picked up Harish Pandith “The lead climber of the troop”. The Mattimane breakfast dosa and spicy chutney along with Mangalore buns energized the team tempo and brought a homely feel. Unfortunately the baggage’s were loaded 2 kg extra with added packed lunch, dry fruits and a water bottle."Ahhh what if luggage’s were not there" - was a feeling most in gang had :) To our surprise we managed to arrange jeep for carrying our luggage’s to hill top.

The way started around 9AM is not just a long distance walk for walkers along the hill. The beautiful and varied landscapes introduced the sleepy villages, the windswept hill tops and the unhindered views of winter which was just enough for a walk one day. 

Over half the way the paddy field and the rich natural sugarcane resource along this route was just a perfect backdrop for getting even closer to the outstanding natural beauty of the hill top.

We walked and walked, crossed mud road, bushes, the passage become narrower and narrower as we went in to the deep forest with thorny bushes and continuous chirping of birds where we reached the falls.

 Hidlumane falls water flow made few of us land under the heavy stream of shower and the rest had their enjoyable meal with a relaxing stretch. It was time for large bite of apples, oranges, and chapati :)

Here begins the real challenging part of the trek where we have to cross the steep hill and grassland with heavy stomach followed by lots of grunting, sweating and swearing. Finally we all reached the cross road which drives down to base camp. The long journey after 2 hours winded up in base camp where all could settle off. 

3 KM walk towards the peak paved us way to Sarvajana Peeta with spectacular view of sunset at the top. The sky is streaked in red here with clouds moving across as they reflect the rock’s blood-orange hues.

Though comeback to shelter camp by night walk was frightening and bloodcurdling, the uprisings of earth’s surface with 5 tents were attracting us for a doze. Dinner dished up along the campfire with sambar, rice, rasam and a sweet was truly delicious after an exhaustive trek. Some jazzed up folks were delighted with rock and roll expressive dancing. But some were so curious in occupying their tents for a comfort sleep.  

The morning breeze was mesmerizing and enchanting for the beginning of an amazing day. The gang was served with bread, jam and tea - perfect refreshment for a refrigerating cold. We started descending back towards Iscon temple to relish our actual morning breakfast and packed lunch. The stretch started again by 9.30 to arrive at Arshingundi falls. The team moved without little noise buttoned up without 'boo' to cross forest department restricted area of naxalities. 

The trail we made looked like sine wave moving up and down the hill crossing a small stream. At last we reached our most awaited destination Arshingundi falls. The refreshing bath was simply gratifying though the water was just freezing cold. After having lunch team headed towards Dali which is around 7 km trekking from our starting point.

Around 5.30 we were served with some mouth licking Indian chats pani poori, masal poori and banana chips. The return journey started from Dali to kollur to receive divine grace of Mokambika temple. We headed back to Bangalore after finishing our dinner in mattimane with tons of memories :)

After kodachadri, I have to say this. Incredible India!