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The state of Karnataka is yet not explored in its entirety and that is one of the things that makes the place so special. Incredible nature, historical sites and verdant valleys of the Western Ghats, lounging against the cerulean blue Arabian Sea, Karnataka is all up for it.
Kudremukh, located in the south-west of Chikmagalur district, is celebrated for its pristine beauty and exquisite biodiversity. The place gets its name - Kudremukh - as a literal translation of the words 'horse's face' in Kannada, as one of its peaks resemble the face of a horse. Apart from stunning scenery, Kudremukh has rich mineral wealth and owing to threats of deforestation, the Government of Karnataka declared it as a National Park. Kudremukh is the largest known reserve of tropical wet evergreen forests in Karnataka and also an origin point of three vital rivers - Bhadra, Netravati and Tunga.
Kudremukh makes for a popular weekend getaway for the dwellers nearby and far-off. Kudremukh is amazingly gorgeous and takes your breath away instantly. Kudremukh is a hill station replete with floral and faunal diversity. With its scenic vistas of the emerald hills with its moving glades, grasslands and thick woodlands interspersed with rivers, waterfalls and rare orchids, it will make you fall in love even more!
Kalasa Temple Town
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Kalasa, a small temple town, located on the banks of the river Bhadra, is known for its old Kalaseshwara Temple of Lord Shiva. Stories have it that the birth of Kalasa was for both mythological and etymological reasons. The locals believe that the town of Kalasa, which originally means pot, sprung during the wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Inhabitants of this town celebrate the Girija Kalyana, every year, commemorating the wedlock of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
The town primarily thrives on an agrarian economy, which is why it is dependent on the Bhadra river water to fulfil its needs. Kalasa's soil is blessed with great fertility which produces the best coffee and different types of spices. Enveloped in lush green rainforests, the town is a major crowd puller for tourists and travellers interested in ayurvedic and herbal plant treatment. There are five major water spots in the area that are known as Panchatheertha. Kalasa displays some magnificent architectural heritage of Southern India as well.
Gangamoola Hills
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Nestled among the lush thickets of the Western Ghats, the Gangamoola Hills, also known as the Varaha Parvatha, has been touted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rivers Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi originate from here. The major crowd pullers of this place are the temple of Goddess Bhagavathi and the 6-foot tall image of Varaha in a cave. The hills of Gangamoola are also rich in minerals with magnetite-quartzite deposits. It is a hotspot with more than 107 species of birds as well.
Kudremukh Peak
The Kudremukh Peak is a paradise for wildlife lovers and naturists alike. With its snake-like meandering mountainous gravel-laden paths with an abundance of floral and faunal diversity, Kudremukh Peak offers you so much to experience and see. The spot is studded with a plethora of flora and fauna overlooking the Arabian Sea.
From tall bamboo shrubs and shola forests to cascading streams and rolling hills, Kudremukh Peak has everything going for it. If you are up for an adrenaline rush, then the trekking trail in Kudremukh makes the ideal destination for forest exploration and trekking. The hills in this mountain range are very broad and are connected with each other like a chain along with valleys, tropical evergreen forests and deep plains.
Hanuman Gundi Falls
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Kudremukh is home to the beautiful Hanuman Gundi Falls, cascading down from a height of more than 100 ft onto natural rocks. The glistening waters of this gem of a waterfall, gushing down the valley, has more of a laidback feel to it. Hanuman Gundi Falls is also known as the Suthanabbe Waterfalls. In a bid to go off the beaten path, visit this remote getaway, as the waterfalls are yet to be on the tourist radar.
Kudremukh National Park
Kudremukh National Park, located amidst mountains and valleys, is placed under the 'Global Tiger Conservation Priority-I'. It has also been declared as a Wildlife Protected Area and was established in 1987. The area is the habitat of many endangered and endemic species of plants and animals. The park is also a natural habitat of species like wild pig, lion-tailed macaque and so many others.
Essentially developed as an important iron-ore mining town, conservationists successfully campaigned against the adverse mining effects on the environment. The hiking trail to Kudremukh National Park offers some breathtaking vistas of the lush green valleys and the verdant meadows of the Western Ghats.
How To Reach Kudremukh
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By Air: The closest airport to Kudremukh is located at Mangalore, which is at a distance of about 130 km from the town.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Mangalore.
By Road: Kudremukh has good and easy connectivity and is pretty accessible from parts all over the country by the roadways. With convenient cab facilities and well-connected bus services, Kudremukh is easily accessible by a network of roads from Mangalore, Chikmagalur and Sringeri.
Best Time To Visit Kudremukh
Although the place can be visited all around the year, the best time to visit Kudremukh is between December and February as the weather is pleasant.
