Kumara Parvatha trek from Somverpet

Kumara Parvatha is a spiritual abode. It is said that all stones at the top of the mountain are six faced. Though, I leave to you to check that out, to my knowledge this surely is the safest haven for young trekkers in Karnataka, a place which attracts people of all ages and diverse background. There are many different ways to conquer this mountain. You may choose relatively easy or a painstakingly difficult trekking option. Whatever be the choice, fun is guaranteed.

You have option to make it a one day or a double day trek. The trail directions that are marked by the forest department diminish the chance to get lost. You do not need a GPS or a Guide even if it is your first time. I was planning to take the Bidalli to Kukke Subramanya trek route. The trek starts from the Bidalli bus stop. A steep ascent in the tar road through a picturesque village lands you straight to the Bidalli forest camp. I got an auspicious start by visiting the Mallikarjun temple, with a history of a thousand year old idol and an 800 year old White Champa tree.

Further way up a muddy road took me to the scenic Bidalli forest camp situated at the foothill of a huge mountain range and on the banks of the sparkling mountain stream. Here I was asked to fill a form with my name, contact no and address details along with a fee of INR 200. After enquiring a bit about the wild life in the region I moved on to enter into the shades of the dense forest. A low flowing stream with a hanging bridge greeted me there, an ideal place to replenish your water reserve.

I started walking slowly amidst beautiful dense forest. The path we took was gradually rising through the cool shades of the forest. Here on, I could sense the weight of my backpack. At a close proximity I could hear a rustle in the dry leaves occasionally pointing me to snakes slithering away. There was quite a good variety of trees as I walked along. Some of them even had a symbol on it marked by the forest department with their scientific names. I was frequently greeted by other trekkers coming down the path and others who were overtaking me due to my slow paced walk. I was really surprised by the diversity of the people who were attracted to this peak. I took occasional stops to drink water. As you ascend you get dehydrated very fast, so carry good amount of living liquid with you.

As the path was a continuous raising one I started feeling the weight of myself and my backpack on my hamstrings. At times I was bit afraid that I might have a muscle pull. I then came to a bypass point which had a short cut on the right hand side that leads to the other side of the mountain, an alternate route for trekkers who want to finish their trek in a single day option. I continued my way to the peak via this road now. The path then came to a halt as we confronted by a towering vertical stretch of rock. It was a tricky one to ascend. During the ascent I realized that my heart was pounding so loudly that I could hear the heart beat now. After all the hard work, when I reached the peak, I was in for a breathtaking view of the ever stretching mountains and beautiful puffy white clouds. I could not but kept staring at the landscape for a while as if I am looking at a beautifully clad lady spreading her charm on earth.

As I surged ahead, the Second vertical slope was much bigger one making the previous rock look like a dwarf. I did a slow crisscross ascend since I did not want to go up straight and strain my already aching upper thighs. At this point I could see the adjacent second peak of the mountain and could hear sound of some trekkers shouting from the cliff very clearly. I could not stop turning back frequently to see a wonderful yet elusive landscape.

As journey went on, we are now in front of a small vertical rock slope which upon crossing led me to the three way junction point with two towering man-made rock plies with numerous marking made by the forest department indicating the three diversions, the top one which leads to the peak, the one on the right leads to Girigadde forest camp/nearby water source and the third one is the way I came from leading further to the Pushpagiri forest camp. I first went to the water source with my team and filled our water bottles then came back to the junction point and started our way up towards the peak, another gruesome ascent.

I finally reached the peak which had a larger flat area idle for campers to lay their tent. There was also a temple for lord Siva made by piled rocks. Numerous paths lead through the bushes surrounding the area taking me to the edge of the cliff from which I could see the entire mountain range in a panoramic view. I sat there for a few hours watching this breathtaking view, made even more beautiful by the large passing clouds throwing its shadows on the mountain range giving me a moving canvass to stare at.

The sunset and sunrise of Kumara Parvatha are a well known attraction which lay as a gift by nature to all trekkers who make it to the peak. I then helped my team in starting a small fire to prepare hot masala tea, which I had along with them gazing at the amazing sun set with its orange hues creating a wonderful silhouette of the adjacent mountain peak.

We then took out the traps and pitched a amazing tent. Then after collecting some firewood the preparation for dinner started. After dinner we converted the dinner fire to a bigger camp fire, sitting around talking around till we started feeling drowsy. The night passed with a peaceful sleep due to my extreme tiredness. The next day journeys started after a quick breakfast, packing and cleaning. Our team took proper care in clearing up the fireplace and collecting all out plastic waste to dispose it later in a safe place. The second day path from the peak to Kukke Subramanaya was completely a downhill journey. It starts with a steep climb down to a small stream, which was the water source. This is very close to the peak so if you need water as said this is the place to find it. After a short walk through the dense forest I came out to a completely different terrain of grasslands. This is really astonishing how one complete slope of this mountain is made up of thick dense forest and the other is complete grassland.

In no time we reached the second adjacent peak here my team spent time in enjoying the gorgeous view of the entire mountain range that lay ahead. The golden morning sun was casting beautiful shadows on the peaks. I saw a lot of other trekkers starting their morning journey and was moving along the trail path. I could see the entire trail path ahead of me making me not believe that it was the path I am going to cover by today for it stretched till my eyes could see. I was happy that now my upper thigh would not be taking the toll due to the downhill journey, but I knew now it was time for my knees to take up the load. As I walked all my four sides were razed with beautiful landscapes making me frequently stop and give a gaze around and feel a fraction of inner peace. Soon I could see the 'Kallu Mandapa' another spiritual ancient structure hinting a long forgotten story . Near it was a small pool flowing down as a stream complete with a shady outgrowth. I rested with my fellow trekkers here for a while enjoying the shade for the trees. Further walk took me to a set of concrete chairs erected by the forest department for trekkers to sit and enjoy the beauty around them.

Sitting here I could see the peak from where I had come down, it was unbelievable that I had walked all the way from there. The next stop was at the Girigadde forest camp.

Were I filled my water bottles and interacted with the forest guards on the count of trekkers they had for the day. The famous 'Batter Manna' was close to the forest camp. The location of it was very scenic. This place is as famous as the mountain itself to the trekkers for it is the only place in this range where you can get food and shelter. Hard core trekkers avoid this place for it is too much a luxury for them, but for others it is like a boon. Here simple food tastes better than any other you would have had.

My walk continued to take me through the hot sun till the trail headed back to the dense forest. I found myself again in the shady cool atmosphere of the forest. After a long walk I started hearing the sound of hens hinting I was close to civilization now. I started seeing buildings and there it was the gate of the trek.

Coming out of it I saw a tar road and the inset of a village. I rested there for a while and a short walk took me to the Kukke Subramanaya village.

Journey Information: To journey: Bus can be booked from Bangalore to Somverpet through KSRTC. Bus reaches Somverpet at around 5 am. You get bus to Bidalli from there at 7.20 am. After getting down at Bidalli bus stop proceed by walk on to Pushpagiri / Bidalli forest camp. From Journey: Bus can be booked at from Subramanya town to Bangalore through KSRTC. Bus are avaliable at 9 and 9.30 pm. The bus stop is very close to the town and once you reach the town you can go to the bus stop which is in walking distance. After the trek a good bath, an awesome meal and visit to the temple will while your time. The small alley with the 'ANUGRAHA LODGE' is the way in and out of the trek route from the temple street of Kukke Subramanaya'. This in in walk-able distance from the Subramanya bus stop.

Trek: 2 day trek, water source is available at the start of the trek at Pushpagiri / Bidalli forest camp, then at the junction near top of the peak and near the 'Kallu Mandapa'.

Fitness: As your upper thigh, knees and shoulder takes a lot of burden my suggestion is at least a week of cardio training before the trek.

About Author: Profession: IT Architect

Passionate: Am passionate about trekking, fitness and photography.