Kumara Parvatha - What makes it so special

Background:

Kumaraparvatha is the 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. AKumaraparvatha, also called as Pushpagiri is situated in the Somvarpet Taluk of Coorg District. The name Pushpagiri is the official name whereas the historical name for this place is kumaraparvatha. Many of the trekkers get confused with the names and think that Pushagiri and Kumaraparvatha are different peaks. 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.

Kumaraparvatha can be accessed from two directions. The first one from the Somvarpet side. One has to reach a village called Bidalli and trek another 3 kilometers to Shanta Mallikarjuna temple to start the trek. The other route being from Kukke Subramanya. There is a road in the temple street that leads to the base of the hill. The trek from the Somvarpet side is easier and is mostly under the forest cover whereas the trek from the kukke side is more steep and through the grasslands.

Although from distance the mountain seems to be one single peak while it really has three peaks called 'Shesha Parvatha', 'Siddha Parvatha' and 'Kumara Parvatha'. We will have to cross the Shesha Parvatha, before we can reach the Kumara Parvatha. The Shesha Parvatha faces to the south and looks like a serpent with seven hoods. The southern part of this mountain is very steep with about 2000 feet drop and looks very terrible. The Siddha Parvatha, another part of the mountain is inaccessible. It is said that Shri Vishnuthirthacharya is doing penance here even now.

Crossing the Shesha Parvatha, one can go to the Kumara Parvatha in the east. On the top of this mountain is a plateau about an acre. In the place where Shri Kumara Swamy was anointed, two footprints have been engraved on stones. The pilgrims worship these footprints and make offerings. They say that during the coronation ceremony the water flowed in two different directions, and these streamlets were called 'Ubhaya - Kumaradhara".

The two rivers flow separately upto eight miles from Subrahmanya where their confluence takes place and they flow together as one. The Subrahmanya Kshetra lies in between the 'Ubhaya - Kumaradhara' river. Even now, if we pour some water on these footprints the water will flow separately in two directions.

White stones called 'Kumaralinga' are found on the top of this mountain. Strangely enough these stones are all in the form of hexahedrons. We can in no way explain the process of the production of these stones unless by attributing it either to the greatness of God or to the mystery of nature. The size of the stones ranges from that of pulse to about half in inch. Strangest of all is the fact that all these stones are of uniform shape. Devotees collect these stones and worship them as they do to the 'Saligrama' and 'Shivalinga'.

The view from the top of this mountain is extremely beautiful. The forests with their myriad trees and the agriculture fields of South canara smiling with splendor of tender crop in the west, the estates of Coorg in the south east, the plains of Mysore clad in green in the north-east and Western Ghats standing up right like the soldiers on guard provide a feast for the sore eyes.

Almost all the places of Subrahmanya are easily accessible with the single exception of this mountain. Very few people go up this mountain, as the way is is set with so many difficulties already explained. But the never the less it must be stated that this mountain peak is worth seeing at all costs.