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February 26, 27 2005 - Kodachadri, Western Ghats Two years back I had been taken on a hike to the Kodachadri peak in the Western Ghats. The place then registered in my mind as a beautiful place with lots of birds, and a great place for camping. I decided to visit it again, this time with just a friend. We took the KSRTC bus to Kollur and got down at the Kodachadri gate on Saturday morning 6AM. We hiked up to the peak, pitched tent and spent the night after enjoying the wonderful sunset that can be had from the peak. The sunrise is also spectacular. On Sunday we slowly made our way down, with some intermittent attempts to photograph birds, and reached the road head by 6PM. Taking a local bus to Kollur, we boarded the 8PM KSRTC Bangalore bound bus which reached Bangalore on Monday 7.30AM. The Western Ghats is an international Biodiversity Hotspot. The range of life forms that it supports, seen and unseen, is simply incredible. However, from a photographic aspect it is quite difficult to make good images of the birds, given the thick canopy, tall trees and the habits of the resident species. However any bird watcher can have a field day here given the variety of species that can be observed. Some of the highlights for me during the trip were Malabar Trogon, Unidentified Green Pigeons, Chestnut Headed Bee-eater, Unidentified Nuthatch, Peregrine Falcon, Sparrowhawk, Oriental Honey Buzzard, unidentified Eagle, Yellow Browed and Black Bulbuls, Paradise Flycatcher, Brown Capped Pygmy Woodpecker, and several other species.
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Information: From Bangalore, the distance is approximately 400kms to Kollur, which is some 50kms
from the west coast near Udupi. The start point of the hike is called 'Kodachadri Gate', 10 kms
before Kollur while approaching from Bangalore. 5 Kms from this point is a teastall, right at
the foothills before the climb to the peak. Further 5kms uphill and one will reach the temple atop.
Nightstay at the temple priest's house is available at a charge of Rs.20 per head. If you climb
further up for a kilometer or so you will reach the peak where a 'Sarvagna Peeta' is situated.
From the peak
a further downhill hike for 30 minutes will take you to 'Chitramoola', a rock cave for sadhus,
which is worth a visit.