Beckoning Mullayangiri hills

Chikmagalur is a popular tourist destination located about 250 kms from Bangalore. It is described as a perfect weekend getaway with cool climate and lots of greenery. After researching about what we could do or see there on the internet, we decided to take our much needed family vacation in June. So in went our warmest clothes to ward off the apparently cold weather there and left hot and sweaty Bangalore.

We initially decided to drive up to the place but finally ended up taking a cab after a fight over who was going to drive. It took us around five hours to reach and felt Chilmagalur is an over glorified place, because to us it was no different from Bangalore. It had the same weather if not hotter, crazy drivers and worse roads. This was not anywhere close to what we imagined Chikmagalur to be. Well its climate change we figured or global warming that had changed the place to what it is now.

We found out about surrounding places and decided to visit Mullayangiri, Kemmangundi, Habbe falls and the Bhadra wildlife sanctuary. All these places were astounding but one place which is a must see is Mullayangiri Hills.

We started off almost at daybreak with bottled water, fruits and some snacks as we were told no refreshments were available anywhere on the hills. The drive to Mullayngiri was pleasant and smooth and as we got closer to our destination the weather got cooler and windier. We could finally feel the fresh cool air as the sun slowly disappeared into the clouds.

The view was what one would call a perfect painting. The mountains look like someone has unwearyingly covered every bit of them with beautiful lush green carpet and the clouds were perfectly placed on the tip of them to enhance the picturesque view. This is only the beginning of the soul stirring experience which we felt on the way to the beautiful hills on Mullayangiri.

Looking around at the place, no one would ever imagine that this was our very own Karnataka. The Mullayangiri hills are located 25 kms away from Chikmagalur. The hills are surrounded by the Baba Budan Giri Range of thick forests of the Western Ghats.

Mullayangiri is one of the tallest peaks in the vicinity and is a dream for most trekkers with evenly laid out grasslands covering the hills and the breathtaking panorama around. For others who just want to enjoy the scenic view can drive on the smooth roads to the place.

We drove almost to the top and were informed that there is a tiny temple right on the top of the hill. Neither the stairs nor the temple was visible as the thick white clouds had swathed the whole hill. And as we started climbing we could feel the clouds moving towards us and an overwhelming feeling of awe took over the fatigue we felt climbing the stairs.

Soon, we were over the top and on cloud 9, literally. We finally had reached on top of the highest peak of Karnataka and the view is to die for. A small idol of Nandi is sheltered by a concrete hut on the edge of the hill which completes the spectacle. The temple on top is a small one but the view is indomitable with pure white clouds passing by, a cool breeze blowing around and the fresh pure air enveloping us.

The experience of visiting the Mullayangiri hills is definitely a memory we will treasure for a lifetime. The place is untouched by the outside world which is rare in our over polluted cities. Highly recommended, take some time to visit the place, if you are a nature lover and even if you are not you should still visit, because you will become one, overnight.