A Trekking Experience!!

Finally my long time dream of trekking to one of the most beautiful, adventurous trekking spot in the western ghats KP( Kumara Parvata ) was fulfilled.

The trek Idea to Kumara Parvatha began when the group of our friends circle called Bachhali Groups met last time in one of our group members marriage party. Our team consisted of 10 enthusiastic members still as planned last moment most of them dropped out the plan of trekking due to personal work.Two new comers to our group, Facebook friends  joined us.So the group of   four were all set for KP.Normally trekkers  trek to KP summer season. We are the set of those crazy people who make ordinary things special by planning in rainy season.

Kumaraparvatha, also called as Pushpagiri is  belongs to the western Ghat mountains range and is very close to the famous pilgrimage center Shri Kukke Subrahmanya  Kshetra in South Canara District of Karnataka.Kumaraparvatha is at a height of 5624ft above sea level, one of the highest peaks in Karnataka. The river Kumaradhara originates in this hills and flow towards Kukke Subramanya.

According to Hindu Mythology Lord Kumaraswamy came to this place after killing the demon rulers Taraka,Shoorapadmasura and others in a war; and Lord washed his Shakily Ayudha in this river. From then the river is famous as Kumaradhara. After his battle with the demons Lord Kumaraswamy came to the top of Kumara Parvatha  along with  Lord Ganesha,Veerabahu and other aides. He was received by Lord Indra along with other Gods; pleased by the success of the war Indra prayed the Lord to be kind enough to marry his daughter Devasena. This was agreed upon courteously and the marriage took place on the banks of Kumaradhara.

Kumaraparvatha can be accessed  route being from Kukke Subramanya. We started trek  from kukke subramanya temple, morning 6:30 am after finish our breakfast in one of  temple nearby hotel .We walked the road in the temple street that leads to the base of the hill which is the starting point of the trek.

After a quick round of introduction, we started the journey to the top. since its rainy season there are lot of leeches , which bites so we covered up our legs with plastic covers.Four  of us started to trek with a good speed up the hill; but by the time we covered two kilometers of distance, one of our group member Harish got tired and thought of  return back.But we all boost him up and says lets take breaks in between and continue.Finally we all  move on and lead us to Bhattara Mane. We planned to stay here that night and continue the trek next day morning.

Bhattara mane  is a house you encounter after a around 10km climb. We have to order food here on the previous day of the trek and share our itinerary with him so that he can accordingly plan for the food. A package of lunch, dinner and breakfast costs per head. You will also have to inform him about the number of people visiting the house.We reached there around 2 pm.As we informed prior, Bhatru already prepared simple meal of sambhar and rice  lunch for us.After washing our legs we had finished lunch.Then resting for sometime we went around the house and started chit chat with Bhatru.

Bhatru is around 50-60 years of age got a fantastic sense of humour, firstly he asked which company we are working , when my friends told about their company Hp, he  replied  is that Hindustan petrolium.We all started laughing and explained him that its one multi national software company after listening he started thinking and said he never heard such software compnay he heard only o0rekallu and jenu gudu software company's name.Firstly we surprised  to hear that name, later we found that its oracle and Honeywell companies which  he pronounced in his regional language.Already we are so much Tired so planned to take some rest.Bhatru arranged mat for all of us and we lied down to sleep.Bhatru busy with attending calls of other trekkers who planned to visit next day.In conversation we realize that its their first plan of trekking KP, and funniest part is they asked the bhatru whether any chances of raining tomorrow and is they can climb the hills. He got angry on such querry and says he is not the person to decide when to rain ,and he is not the person decide whether they climb or not.After disconnecting the call he starred us and asked why city people act like this and he started saying what foolish questions most of them ask through phone.He says some group plan for trekking in rainy season and ask him at what time they can see the sun set and sunrise?

The night was really very cold and without the proper sleeping bag, jackets and Sleeping mats it would have been very tough.Next day We got up  at 6.00am  finished our breakfast and left for The second phase of the trek goes up the hill behind Bhattara Mane and down through the forest check post. Here we paid the fees for forest entry a and he gave a map of the KP and also told us be careful while climb.  From here we felt the toughness of the trek . I felt really exhausted in this trail. Every now and then we used to stop and gasp for a breath and then move ahead. Finally after about 2 hours  we reached a small place covered with shade. From here we could see the Mantap which is one of the landmarks on the way up the mountain.After having some rest here we started up the mountain.The trek here was really tough as the way till the top was continuously steep and there was no flat trail.

Finally we reached the top at 12PM, the second highest peak in Karnataka at the altitude of 1750mts(6000 feet). It was an amazing feeling of achievement!

After having some fun and photo session we started to come down back.It wasn’t an easy way down. The steepness took its toll now as we had to put extra pressure on our knees to make sure that our balance is in tact.Around 3 pm again we reached back Bhattara mane and finished our lunch.After few hours of rest we left from his place around 4pm.It takes another 4 hours to reach back kukke. By the time when we reached Kukke, it was around 8PM. Already we are so much Tired , so we booked a Lodge, near  kukke temple.Next day morning  We got refreshed,  and then  went to Temple had Darshan and boarded  back to our Mangalore.

An amazing trek in which we walked around 30 kilometers during the two days. One of my favorite treks!!!!!