Kumara Parvata (Pushpagiri) - Earth's Heaven

Kumara Parvatha is a mountain located in Subramanya (village) of Sullia taluka, Karnataka. The village is known for the Hindu Kukke Subramanya Temple. Despite being a small village, it is a well-known shrine and draws a large number of devotees throughout the year. The peak is at about a height of 1712 Mts and is 13 KM from the temple. This mountain is on the border between Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts, so the lights of Somwarpet town in Kodagu can be seen from the peak.

Difficulty level: Moderate/High

Trails: Two

1. From Beedahalli Post near Somwarpet

Total distance to peak - 7 KM

Peak to Bhattar Mane - 5 KM

Bhattar Mane to Kukke - 8 KM

2. From Kukke

Total distance to peak - 13 KM

Peak to Bhattar Mane - 5 KM

Bhattar Mane to Kukke - 8 KM

Best time to visit: Sep - Jan/Feb (do not attempt this trek in extreme conditions) 

Note: Hire a local guide if you are trekking this beauty for the first time and make sure you have the required forest permissions. 

Planning: 

Our planning began by surfing internet blogs and wikis that helped us get an idea of what this trek is all about. Most of us didn't have any idea of what we are trying to trek - one of the tallest south peak and that too in the month of July (rain was at its peak). We hired the vehicle Toyota for 7 of us, we started from Bangalore and reached Somwarpet in the morning at 5:00 AM. Of the two options, we chose to take the first one which is was Somwarpet as we wanted to explore both the ends. I had a powerful 2 hours nap since I was awake the previous night trying to accompany the driver. We then refreshed ourselves after the nap, had breakfast and picked some dry eatables to wipe our hunger on the way, we knew we wouldn't find anything to eat or drink while trekking KP. 

We left our vehicle at Beedahalli post (it took us approx. 30 mins from Somwarpet) and headed towards the check post. Unfortunately, there was nobody available to help us at the check post and we wasted our time just waiting for them. 45 mins had passed and we could not wait any longer as it was already 10:45 AM. Therefore, we decided to trek without any intimation (it was very risky as nobody knew the way to the peak and back to bhattara mane, if we were lost during the trek nobody could have come to even save us). But, we took the risk and started our trek in the dense forest. 



We were not prepared for anything; we had thousands of leeches on our was and faced leech bites. The forest was completely drenched and we had to literally run to escape from the leech bite. If we started to walk or simply stand, the leeches would get on our shoes and attack, we were all tired of cleaning the shoes now and then.

We had no rest for almost 3.5 KM since we were running trying to escape the leeches. This was only until we found a rock on which there was some sun and it was leech free. We rested for about 10 mins, we had the food and water that we were carrying before we checked the time, it was already 12:30 PM. Our hearts started to beat faster as we had another 3.5 KM more to cover to reach the peak and then 5 KM back to the bhattara mane with the leeches all around us. We geared up, started again and then was the greatest challenge; we almost took a 'U' turn when we saw that we had to climb a 45-degree rock which was about 10-20 mts tall with water flowing over it. We somehow managed to climb it, but, ahh there was another one that was bigger than the first rock we climbed, we challenged it as well and then there was another one 😮. Finally, we got through all 3 and then took some rest, we were never this exhausted. 

We could touch the clouds, we were all feeling like in heaven with the clouds covering and passing through us. This is when we found another group of 6 people trekking like us, guys, believe me, we had our lives back as there was no indication anywhere as to how to reach the bhattara mane. We went to the peak, rejoiced the moment, and left with other pals. 

To our fate, we were shocked to see yet another big rock with water flowing over it. One wrong step and we would literally go to the real heaven and this was the 'Father' of all rocks in this trip. We somehow managed to cross it and then there was this most amazing scene. 

To the right was the jungle and to the left was this deep valley leading us to 'patala' (netherworld). Luckily, there were no leeches for yet another 1.5 KM but then for 2 KM we got an ample amount of leeches. After crossing the leech county, we took some rest and started our descent. 

Here you go, yet another challenge, massive fog. We could not see the person standing just 4 mts away from us, the worst time was yet to come, the guys who knew the route quite well very quickly disappeared and we were lost in that fog. We couldn't even locate which side of the hill were we and how to get down from there. We went with our instinct and followed one route. All the time during the trek we were thinking of rain and here it comes. 

Aha... what intensity she had, she was pushing us hard with her heavy strokes and made our way back much more difficult. That said, we managed to follow the route and kept moving down unable to find anything, praying to God to save us (literally, all of us) as the sun was setting very soon. We had no tents, no safeguards, no food, we were all nearing the end of our lives. It was by God's grace that we found two big chairs/viewpoint at the farthest end, our lives started to breathe again. We still were not sure if we had reached the bhattara mane, but at least felt good that there is some human art around. 

Finally, we made it to the bhattara mane. All our clothes were drenched as our so-called 'waterproof' bags could not withstand the heavy rain, we all got into our shorts in that freezing temperature. Oh God! what a relief, we at least found our shelter 😀😀. By this time, we were all damn hungry and the food was tasting so good. After food as we were getting ready for bed, to our surprise, it was only a taadpal underneath us and no bedsheets, we still got a good sleep (we were exhausted). The next morning we had breakfast and left to Subbramanya, there were leeches on our way again but not as massive as the previous day in Beedahalli jungle. As we reached Subbramanya, we all took a deep breath, it was a sense of satisfaction that everyone had after the greatest trek of lifetime… Believe me or not guys, it was amazing and at its best; nature, the wind, the rain, the fog, the clouds, mesmerizing scene.

Wow! One should really trek KP to enjoy and see what we are still left with, the best nature around. I am again planning to trek this beauty in October.

Any queries, write to me on shravan9886@gmail.com

Yours Truly

Shravan