u/trixponential

Last weekend,we planned to trek Bodhamalai, a lesser-known hill near Salem that's about 1,100 meters above sea level.

We left Coimbatore on Saturday evening and reached the foothills near panamarathupatti around 10 or 11 at night.We planned to camp at the base before starting the trek the next morning.Finding a campsite wasn't easy, and we spent nearly an hour searching before finally finding a suitable spot.

By 5:30 in the morning, the rest of our group had arrived. Some of them had actually attempted this trek a few months earlier but got lost after taking the wrong trail.This time, we had a local guide with us who knew the route well.

We started trekking around 6:30 AM.The first part of the climb was surprisingly difficult because the trail kept diverging to different parts of the hill we had to make sure that we were on the right path.As we gained altitude, the weather became cooler and the trek became much more pleasant.

A couple of hours into the hike, we came across a small natural pond(sunai).The water looked clear, but because there were mosquitoes and tadpoles in it, we decided not to drink from it.A little further ahead, we found a well with cold, refreshing water and refilled our bottles there.

As we continued climbing, the landscape changed from forest to agricultural land.We saw cardamon plantations, jackfruit trees, turmeric fields, and silver oak trees.Our guide told us that Bodhamalai is one of the lowest-altitude places where cardamon is cultivated successfully.

Soon we reached a small hilltop village.Near a temple stood a huge jackfruit tree loaded with fruits.We asked if we could eat one, but the locals told us they weren't ripe yet.The village itself was beautiful, with clouds drifting close to the hills and farms spread across the slopes.

After crossing the village and walking for another thirty minutes, we reached the final hill where the Perumal temple is located.We left our footwear at the base and climbed the rock-cut steps leading to the summit.

The view from the top was incredible.We had a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding hills and plains, including views toward Rasipuram and nearby regions.We spent over an hour there, taking photos, relaxing,having brunch and enjoying the cool breeze.We found some coconuts that had been offered at the temple the previous day and shared them among ourselves.

Eventually, we started our descent.From the top, we took another route back, one that bypassed the whole village and led us straight to the well from where we had fetched water on the way up.A couple of my trek mates even took a quick bath there to freshen up.Around the same spot, there were jamun trees, and a lot of ripe jamuns had fallen on the ground.My trek mates picked them one by one, and we had a little treat there before continuing our way down.

The return journey took about three hours, and the afternoon heat made it much tougher than the climb up.Once we reached the base,people there ensured that all of us returned safely.

One important thing to know is that this is not an officially designated trekking route.The trail is confusing near the base, with several paths branching in different directions.If you're planning to visit Bodhamalai, it's best to obtain permission with the TN forest department and go with an experienced local guide.

Overall, it was an amazing trek.The combination of forests, hilltop villages, cardamon plantations, the Perumal temple, and the panoramic summit views made it one of the most memorable hikes I've done in Tamil Nadu.

Kondarangi Hills Trek Report – A Steep Climb with incredible views.

We arrived at the base temple the previous evening and decided to spend the night there. Camping at the foothills gave the trip a special start, and after a short night's rest, we woke up around 5:30 AM and began our ascent.

The climb to the hilltop temple took us roughly 90 mins. The trail is famous for its steep rock-cut steps, and it definitely lives up to that reputation.Despite the steepness, the route felt reasonably safe thanks to the steel railings installed along much of the path.

The temple itself is a beautiful Kudaivarai Temple (rock-carved temple), built directly into the rock face of the hill. After reaching the temple, we spent some time there, offered our prayers, rested, and enjoyed the scenery. From the temple, it took us another 15–20 minutes to reach the highest point of the hill.

We spent quite a while exploring the summit area.where we were accompanied by the friendly pups. One interesting feature near the peak is a small natural water pool (Sunai in Tamil). We took a different route from the summit to visit it, which added a bit of adventure to the trek and allowed us to explore more of the hill.

After returning to the temple, we began our descent. The way down took around one and a half hours. Descending the steep rock sections required concentration, but the railings once again made a huge difference.

One thing that left a strong impression on us was meeting the elderly man who dedicated much of his life to installing and maintaining the steel railings along the route. Standing on those steep exposed sections, it was impossible not to appreciate the effort and commitment behind that work. Those railings have undoubtedly made the pilgrimage and trek much safer for countless visitors over the years.