Routes: via Kainpur or Chinabarampuram (near Mandasa) in Srikakulam
Grade:
From Mandasa side: Medium-Difficult. Not risky, but you'll need to trek 23 km if you take this trek. Again, you can trek from Chinabarampuram or from the waterfall side (slightly tough to find route).
From Kainpur side: Easy walk uphill of about 6km or so from the base of the hill.
Route Suggestion: Get on from the Kainpur side and get down towards the valleys on Mandasa side of the hill - total 30km trek.
Religious Importance: Lord Bhimashankara (Siva) is installed on the top of the hill at the very peak. There is a lot of myth about the beautiful caves on the far south of the peak - Arjuna caves. It will be a favorite dwelling for bears and leopards - lot of caution is required if you venture inside.
How to reach: Palasa is the main railway station. Regular buses are available to Mandasa (get off before Chinabarampuram or Mandasa) and Kainpur. If going by Mandasa, take another bus to the start point which are not so regular or hire an auto. You'll criss cross Orissa and AP borders along this way.
Trek Notes: We reached Palasa by 7 and Mandasa by 9 AM. We visited the beautiful Konkan style temple of Venkateswara Swamy at Mandasa and started at 9.30 AM to reach the Ashram atop Mahendragiri at 10 PM with some regular breaks, tree climbing and so on. The valley is gorgeous both in the morning and the evening. It takes only 3-4hrs from Kainpur side.
No guide is necessary, although you can find some. The water there is not fit for drinking without heating - carry chlorine. You'll get food and water once you reach the ashram on the top.
I think Mahendragiri holds one of the best sunrise views of the eastern ghats as we can shadily see the sea too and the sun at an incredibly far-off distance. It is the highest peak from ground-level in eastern ghats.. you'll be climbing 1480 m of it 1510m elevation as it is only 20km from the sea. The sunrise view over the forest and Bay of Bengal are beautiful. I am planning to be there during a cyclone that might touch the sea around that area. Monsoon will cover more than half the peak in mist and it is very chilly on the top. Best season to be there is early February before Mahasivaratri. The star studded sky in the night is a treat to the eyes, especially the eastern hemisphere.
You can also visit the waterfalls nearby and the beautiful Baruva beach with large cashew plantations all around. No permissions are required but don't wear army camouflages, deep green, or red shirts as this region is under high naxal influence.
Grade:
From Mandasa side: Medium-Difficult. Not risky, but you'll need to trek 23 km if you take this trek. Again, you can trek from Chinabarampuram or from the waterfall side (slightly tough to find route).
From Kainpur side: Easy walk uphill of about 6km or so from the base of the hill.
Route Suggestion: Get on from the Kainpur side and get down towards the valleys on Mandasa side of the hill - total 30km trek.
Religious Importance: Lord Bhimashankara (Siva) is installed on the top of the hill at the very peak. There is a lot of myth about the beautiful caves on the far south of the peak - Arjuna caves. It will be a favorite dwelling for bears and leopards - lot of caution is required if you venture inside.
How to reach: Palasa is the main railway station. Regular buses are available to Mandasa (get off before Chinabarampuram or Mandasa) and Kainpur. If going by Mandasa, take another bus to the start point which are not so regular or hire an auto. You'll criss cross Orissa and AP borders along this way.
Trek Notes: We reached Palasa by 7 and Mandasa by 9 AM. We visited the beautiful Konkan style temple of Venkateswara Swamy at Mandasa and started at 9.30 AM to reach the Ashram atop Mahendragiri at 10 PM with some regular breaks, tree climbing and so on. The valley is gorgeous both in the morning and the evening. It takes only 3-4hrs from Kainpur side.
No guide is necessary, although you can find some. The water there is not fit for drinking without heating - carry chlorine. You'll get food and water once you reach the ashram on the top.
I think Mahendragiri holds one of the best sunrise views of the eastern ghats as we can shadily see the sea too and the sun at an incredibly far-off distance. It is the highest peak from ground-level in eastern ghats.. you'll be climbing 1480 m of it 1510m elevation as it is only 20km from the sea. The sunrise view over the forest and Bay of Bengal are beautiful. I am planning to be there during a cyclone that might touch the sea around that area. Monsoon will cover more than half the peak in mist and it is very chilly on the top. Best season to be there is early February before Mahasivaratri. The star studded sky in the night is a treat to the eyes, especially the eastern hemisphere.
You can also visit the waterfalls nearby and the beautiful Baruva beach with large cashew plantations all around. No permissions are required but don't wear army camouflages, deep green, or red shirts as this region is under high naxal influence.
