Located at around 45 km from Tumkur is a small town Madhugiri. The town has a hill which is 3930 ft above sea level and it is the second largest monolith in Asia.

MADHUGIRI

                Madhugiri, or also known as Maddagiri, is located around 45 km north or Tumakuru town and 107 km North-West of Bengaluru city. The monolith and the surrounding greenery of Madhuragiri are the main attractions. The place has old temples of Venkataramanawami and Malleswara built in the Dravidian style.

MADHUGIRI FORT

                The highlight is the rock dome, atop which stands a fort. There are a series of doorways leading to the top and the climb is steep and exposed in some places. Antaralada Bagilu, Diddigagilu, and Mysore Gate are the three gateways of the fort. On the top is the ruined Gopalakrishna Temple.

TEMPLE AT MADHUGIRI

                Jayamangali Black Buck Reserve also known as Maidana Halli Black Buck Sanctuary is 25 km from Madhugiri. Prior permission for overnight camping inside the reserve is needed. Madhugiri Fort was built by the Vijaynagar dynasty. Jain Temples are also found at this place. Madhugiri State Forest, also known as Timmalapura Forest is close to Madhugiri. The forest is malapura Forest is close to Madhugiri. The forest is known for its population of pea fowls and sloth bears.

MADHUGIRI PEAK

Getting There

                 From Tumkur, there are two ways to reach Madhugiri. On leaving Tumkur, there is a deviation that goes via Siddara Betta and Chennarayana Durga to Madhugiri, the other deviation goes directly to Madhugiri via Koratagere.

BRAHMAGIRI

Brahmagiri, is a mountain range in the Western Ghats. It is situated on the border between Kodagu districts in Karnataka State in the North Waynad district of Kerala State in the South. Brahmagiri Hill, at 1608 mts height, is a scenic tourist attraction. The top of Brahmagiri Hills is well forested and has lot of wildlife. Thirunelli Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, lies on the Kerala side of Brahmagiri. This temple is known as Dakshina Kasi. The temple is constructed in an ancient style and includes 30 granite pillars. Legends say that the temple was constructed by Lord Brahma himself.   

 

Thirunelli Temple

                Pakshipathalam at an altitude of 1740 mts is another attraction on Kerala side. Pakshipathalam has a cave that is said to have been used by saints in ancient times. On the Karnataka side it is also known by the name of Munikal Cave.

                Irupu Falls of the Lakshmana Tirtha Rivrer lies on the Karnatak side of Brahmagiri. The trek along the Brahamagiri hills is situated at an altitude of 1608 meters above sea level. The range of mountain is located the Werstern Ghats which act as the border between Karnataka and Kerala.

THE FAMOUS IRUPU WATER FALLS

                The hill is located at nearly 270 km away from the city of Bengaluru but one can easily again access to the treak through Kodagu, which is just located at a distance of 60 km.

                The treak taken individuals deep inside the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home for a number of elephants. It passes through a dense forest. Many small streams and rivers, beautiful verdant green grasslands and the famous Iruppu falls, thus giving the trekker an all aound view of the scenic splendor that nature offers.

                Another aspect about the trail of this trek which makes it unique its permanenet shelter which makes it one of the monsoon friendly trek in the vicinity of Kodagu. The trekking area is pleasant with the presence of forest which have semi-evergreen or evergreen trees. There are also a large number of animals and mammals which can be spotted close to the top of Brahmagiri Hills. The best time to go on a treak to Brahmagiri is from the month of December till the end of February.

BRAHMAGIRI PEAK

Reaching There

                Brhamagiri is about 60 kms from Madikheri and ab out 270 km from Bengaluru. From Mysuru, there are lot of buses available to Gonikoppa in Kodagu district. From there, one should reach Srimangala by a local bus. From Srimangala, Irupu Falls is around 10 km, from the where trekking starts.

                The nearest place with good hotels on Karnataka side is Gonikoppa. While trekking from Karnataka, it is advisable to book accommodation at Narimale Guest House in advance.

                Don’t forget to carry salt and lime which against leaches.