Kumara Parvatha: A Trekker’s Paradise – An Unforgettable Union of Devotion and Adventure

Kumara Parvatha! This name is etched in the minds of the people of our Dakshina Kannada district! Not just that, when devotees visit Subramanya and ask about the mountain visible behind the temple, they are immediately told it is Kumara Parvatha (though, in reality, what is visible is Shesha Parvatha). Thus, for anyone who has visited Subramanya, the name Kumara Parvatha is very familiar. For trekking enthusiasts, however, this is paradise! It is a peak that attracts trekkers back to its fold, no matter how many times they have conquered it. As beautiful as it looks, the trek is equally challenging!

Two years ago, I trekked to Kumara Parvatha from the Subramanya side. Since then, due to changed regulations, the Kumara Parvatha trek has been restricted to a single day. Even if one goes from the Subramanya side, one must ascend and descend Kumara Parvatha within a single day. Staying overnight at 'Bhattara Mane' at Girigadde or the Forest Department check post is no longer permitted. This rule has made the trek from the Subramanya side even more difficult.

The Kumara Parvatha trek is no ordinary trek! If you think you can trek just for fun and frolic, you are certainly mistaken! You must prepare your body for the trek and your mind must be equally strong. Only if you have a firm resolution, "Whatever it might be, I will climb Kumara Parvatha and I will complete the trek today itself!" then you can ascend and descend in a single day. Otherwise, you are sure to get stuck halfway!

Every year, while reading the news,watching photos and videos of the Champa Shasti Mahothsava at Kukke Subramanya Temple, I would see news about the Kumara Padapooja (worship of the Lord Subrahmanya's footprints) and the Kumara Padayatre (pilgrimage) held at the peak of Kumara Parvatha after the Champa Shasti Mahothsava concluded. For the past 4-5 years, I had a desire to participate in this pilgrimage at least once, go to Kumara Parvatha and witness the measure. However, no matter what I did, it was not possible each time.

Finally, two years ago, with the determination to climb Kumara Parvatha somehow, I set out with friends. We trekked for two days from the Subramanya side. While descending to Subramanya after the trek, I felt I should climb Kumara Parvatha again when time permitted. Time passed, more people got to know about the trek and thousands started trekking in a single day. Those who went polluted the environment. Eventually, the government imposed restrictions on trekking and later permitted it under very strict rules. Since there was a rule to ascend and descend in one day, and believing it was impossible to trek without the necessary preparations and physical exercise, I did not set out to trek again.

This year, during the time of the Champa Shasti Mahothsava, I set out to find out when the Kumara Padayatre would take place. My intention was to participate in the pilgrimage and climb Kumara Parvatha if time permitted. I found out the date and perhaps due to God's will, all arrangements for the trip fell into place easily. Finally, on December 10th 2025, along with the temple team, local devotees, and trekkers, we undertook the Kumara Parvatha trek from Beedalli in Somwarpet Taluk. I had written an article about the Subramanya-Kumara Parvatha-Subramanya trek two years ago. (Article Link: https://bshreekara.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-wonderful-trek-to-kumara-parvatha.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawOpQZZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLV1huNGhONjFETFBldHZDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr35qKCrUM3BsDa9TzQWCNOyXdGoA2yA7WU19cIN3U6r_C7haRZuvsG_t4F-_aem_Gbut9eW_GK7nSZig8FIEcQ)

This time, I will provide information about the Beedalli-Kumara Parvatha-Beedalli trek.

Shri Shanthamallikarjuna Swamy Temple,Pushpagiri

Stretch 1: Beedalli – First View Point (3.5 km)

First, we visited the Pushpagiri Sri Shantha Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple near Beedalli, took the blessings of Lord Shantha Mallikarjuna, and prayed for the success of the trek. From there, we proceeded to the Beedalli Forest Department check post, located about 1 km away. After a strict inspection here, they gave us permission to trek. Moving forward through the forest, we first crossed the suspension bridge built across the Kumaradhara River and covered the distance of about 2.5 km to Kuduredoddi in 36 minutes. Advancing further from there, climbing over the roots of tall trees, fallen branches, and rocks in the dense forest, we reached the First View Point in 1 hour and 14 minutes. From here, one can see Mallalli, Kumarahalli, Beedalli, Pushpagiri Sri Shantha Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple and the hills of the Bisle region. We rested here for a while and then resumed our trek.

Kumaradhara river observed in trekking path

 

Kumara Parvatha trekking path

Stretch 2: First View Point – Kumara Parvatha Peak (3 km)

 

First view point

Leaving the first viewpoint and crossing the 3 km signboard, we walked a short distance to reach the first rock face. This is the most difficult part of this trekking route. Since water flows over this rock, it is slippery. However, a rope was tied on the left side of the rock. One can move forward with the help of the rope. But without turning left, I climbed the rock directly. Upon climbing this rock, the surrounding mountain ranges are clearly visible.

First rock

Proceeding further through the forest, we soon encountered the second rock. Although this rock is steep like the first one, it is easy to climb as it is not slippery. After climbing the second rock, the first view of Shesha Parvatha can be seen on the right side. Resting here for a while and walking a bit further through the forest, we reached the third rock. Instead of going directly to Kumara Parvatha from here, we turned left and went to Kumara Theertha.

Trekking path through rocks

 

Shesha Parvatha

Kumara Theertha

Kumara Theertha is the origin point of the holy Kumaradhara River. There is a small pond here where pure water is available. If you need to drink water, you can fill your bottles here. There are no signboards to go to Kumara Theertha. Therefore, you can only go if you know the way. After returning from Kumara Theertha and rejoining the Kumara Parvatha route, we covered the final leg of the trek and finally reached Kumara Parvatha in 1 hour and 13 minutes.

 

View of Subrahmanya town from Kumara Parvatha peak

Kumara padapooja

Near Kumara Parvatha, I enjoyed seeing the Subramanya town, Kumaradhara River, the Kumaradhara bridge, Kumaraswamy School and various other buildings and places from that height. The Kumara Padapooja had already begun by the time we arrived, so we participated directly in the worship. After witnessing the Abhisheka to the footprints of Lord Subramanya and the silver idol, we took the Darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna at the Sri Shantha Mallikarjuna Temple there, offered our prayers and roamed around the vicinity. The peak of the mountain is a flat terrain. Thus, it is a peak consisting of a vast area. Here, you get a panoramic bird's-eye view of the Western Ghats mountain ranges.

For most trekkers coming from the Subramanya side, it might feel like there is nothing to see at Kumara Parvatha. When I went last time, I had absorbed the beauty of the surroundings at Shesha Parvatha and climbed Kumara Parvatha with the same expectation. After roaming near the peak and resting, I descended thinking there was nothing to see here and that Shesha Parvatha was the only beautiful sight. However, this time, since we had a little time, we explored more and found incredibly beautiful places to see. One such amazing and dangerous place is the Marigundi Valley – Siddha Parvatha View Point!

Marigundi valley and Siddha Parvatha

 

Siddha Parvatha

If you go towards the southwest direction of the Kumara Parvatha peak and walk for 5 minutes on a path covered with bushes, you will find the Marigundi Valley-Siddha Parvatha View Point. Here, you get a spectacular view of Siddha Parvatha, Marigundi Valley the Brahmagiri mountain ranges, Kumara Parvatha, the villages at the foothills of Shesha Parvatha and the course of the Kote Hole river (which originates in Siddha Parvatha and later joins two other rivers to form a Triveni Sangama near the Shri Harihareshwara Temple in Hariharapallathadka). As beautiful as this place looks, it is equally dangerous. A slight slip of attention means a direct ticket to the abode of Yama (death)! Even a small slip could lead to a fall from a great height directly into the Marigundi Valley! I was happy to see my hometown, Hariharapallathadka, from here. I even showed our native town to my mother, who had come with me!

Kote Hole river path

 

Kumara Parvatha peak

Later, we returned near the Kumara Pada, participated in the pooja, received Teertha Prasada from the head priest of Kukke Subramanya Temple, came back to the same viewpoint and ate the food we had brought with us. This time, I trekked with a group of 8 people.

Shri Shanthamallikarjuna Swami Temple,Kumara Parvatha

 

If you go in any direction around Kumara Parvatha, you can see mountain ranges and surrounding towns. You can see Somwarpet in one direction, Subramanya in another and the villages of Hariharapallathadka, Balugodu and Kollamogra in the southwest direction. Absorbing all this, we rested for a while and started our return journey towards Beedalli.

There are two routes to trek Kumara Parvatha. The Subramanya-Kumara Parvatha-Subramanya trek (Total 28 km) is a difficult and widely famous trekking route in South India. The other is the Beedalli to Kumara Parvatha route from Somwarpet Taluk. Compared to the Subramanya route, this is much easier and shorter. The total trekking distance from Beedalli to Kumara Parvatha is just 7 km.

Trek Booking Information: 

The fee for the Kumara Parvatha trek is 350 Rupees per person. According to the changed rules, one must visit the Aranya Vihara website to book trek tickets. Booking on this website is mandatory. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to trek. There is a limit on the number of people allowed to trek daily. Therefore, book as early as possible. There is a limit of 300 people for the Subramanya-KP-Subramanya and Beedalli-KP-Beedalli routes and a limit of 50 people for the Beedalli-KP-Subramanya route. Plastic and paper items are completely banned. Do not bring water or food in plastic bottles, boxes, or paper for any reason. When we went, they did not even allow cloth bags. Bring water and food in steel bottles and boxes.

 

Trekking instructions

Plastic free zone

On this route, a small stream/spring is available for drinking water in the first section. After that, although there are small streams, there is a possibility that the water has dried up. Therefore, the next available water source is Kumara Theertha. Based on my personal experience, compared to the Subramanya-Kumara Parvatha-Subramanya route, this is very easy. Unlike the Subramanya side, which has open grasslands, this route is covered by dense forest. Therefore, you can climb comfortably amidst a cool breeze and the shade of trees. The rocks encountered at the end must be climbed carefully. Network coverage is available in most places along this route. There is no network from near Kuduredoddi until the First View Point. However, I noticed that the Airtel network was unavailable in some places. 5G internet was available at the Kumara Parvatha peak. Only the Jio network was available near the Pushpagiri Temple. Thus, Jio users may not face network issues on the trail.

Kumara Parvatha

Religious Significance: The Kumara Parvatha peak is not just an ordinary peak; it holds significance from a religious and mythological background as well. Therefore, it is the most sacred peak. According to mythology, Lord Subramanya killed Tarakasura and other demons at Kumara Parvatha and washed the blade of his sword in the Dhara River, which originates in Kumara Parvatha. Hence, the Dhara River got the name Kumaradhara. The Kshetra Purana mentions that subsequently, Lord Shanmukha settled in Kukke Kshetra along with Vasuki. Lord Subramanya slew Tarakasura and other demons in this very mountain range. It was in this mountain range, in the presence of the Trinity (Trimurti), that the coronation and marriage of Devasena, the daughter of Devendra, to Shanmukha was performed on the day of Margashira Shudda Shasti (Champa Shasti). The Puranas mention that the water from this anointing flowed down to become the Kumaradhara River. Previously, the Kumaradhara River used to originate and flow right near the Kumara Pada. However, as times changed and groundwater levels depleted, it currently originates and flows from Kumara Theertha. Even now, the footprints of Lord Subramanya exist in Kumara Parvatha at the place where he was married. This is called "Kumara Pada". Next to it, Vasuki has also appeared. The head priest of the Kukke temple offers pooja to this on "Margashira Bahula Shasti" every year.

When going for a trek to such a sacred peak, view the Kumara Parvatha peak with a sense of reverence and do not spoil the sanctity of the mountain by throwing trash along the trek. You must dispose of the plastic and other waste you used in a proper manner yourself. There are dustbins at the Forest Department check posts. You can dispose the waste there.

For those who have the habit of trekking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and spend time amidst nature, you can visit Kumara Parvatha. Do go for the trek! But protect the cleanliness and environment of that place!

Article by: Shreekara B