Kodachadri

Kodachadri
ಕೊಡಚಾದ್ರಿ
Western Ghats and backwaters of Sharavati as seen from Kodachadri Hills
Highest point
Elevation	1,343 m (4,406 ft)
Coordinates	13°51′39″N 74°52′29″E / 13.86083°N 74.87472°E / 13.86083; 74.87472Coordinates: 13°51′39″N 74°52′29″E / 13.86083°N 74.87472°E / 13.86083; 74.87472
Geography
Kodachadri Location in Karnataka
Location	Karnataka, India
Parent range	Western Ghats
Climbing
First ascent	Historic times
Easiest route	via Nagodi

Kodachadri is a mountain peak with dense forests (elevation - 1,343 metres above sea level) in the Western Ghats in South India (Shivamogga Dist., Karnataka State). It is declared as natural heritage site by Government Karnataka. and it is 10th highest peak of Karnataka.

The name comes from native word "Kodacha" or "Kodashi" which means hill of Kutaja flowers and "Adri" a Sanskrit word, both combined together coined the word Kodachadri. Kutaja in Sanskrit means Girimallika or Jasmine of the hill. The hilly region that is full of 'Jasmine of the hills' plants is "Kutajadri". It is also called "Kutachadri" and "Kodashi Parvatha".

Kodachadri forms a background to the famous temple of Mookambika in Kollur. It is located at a distance of 21 km from Kollur and 15 km from Nagodi village, in Hosanagara taluk. There are different routes to reach the Peak of Kodachadri and the difficulty varies highly with respect to the route chosen. However it is challenging to reach the peak in monsoon due to heavy rains that make the routes slippery. Kodachadri receives an annual rain fall of 500 cm to 750 cm and it rains for about eight months in a year.

Situated in the middle of the Mookambika National Park and considered as a biodiversity hotspot, it is home to several endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna. The peak is barren due to strong winds and the thick forest cover at the base makes the peak invisible from lower ground level and also several other smaller peaks and hills exist around the peak. The important animal life include Malabar langur, Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, paradise flycatcher, Indian tiger, Indian leopard, Indian elephant,hyena, gaur, Indian rock python and many more, of which several are threatened.