This place comes near to Somwarpete town. Mandala Patti is one of the trekking points in Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary or Pushpagiri Forest Range. Pushpagiri Forest Range spreads from Subrahmanya in Dakshina Kannada district to Somwarpet in Coorg district covering an area of 102.6 sq km.
Yet another adventure with my family and friends in Mercara. Magical Mandalpatti is an absolutely scenic place in Coorg, which is located at a distance of about 35 km from Madikeri town. Tourists can reach the 600 metres high point through the coffee plantations. As I mentioned in my earlier article, these places can be reached comfortably only by Jeeps. My friend who is a born and brought up in Madikeri and keeps travelling across the district, managed to take us in his Omni. Still we encountered problems in three places where in we had to do "tallu govinda tallu." Such incidents are always memorable. I love bit of these experiences while traveling.
Best time to visit this place would be after monsoon and to some extent winter(Most of the time it is covered with mist ) Though it is an amazing experience to visit breathtaking views and the lush green mountains during monsoon, one has to be adventurous. To be on safer side don't take risk as roads are bad and hillocks are slippery. Unlike other places you can't start your picnic early to reach this place as thick mist would be covered and slowly gets cleared by 11. As the sun goes high, layers of mist start disappearing and gives you a feel of curtain raising.
Watch the narrow roads. They look like snakes.This is the place where one of the super hit kannada movie "Galipata" was shot and the place was named as "Mugilupete". Impressed by the cinematography many people tried to discover "mugilupete". You will never find it in your lifetime. It is just a fictitious name given.
Better to carry your own food packs. On the way there are no good hotels and also nothing is available on the hill. During our recent visit (May 2012) we found a "meese maama" who has opened a mobile restaurant . He makes tea and coffee. You need to keep him informed much in advance if you are looking for lunch.(unfortunately I don't have his number) few dogs and chickens accompany him in his tented restaurant....:D.
Travel Little further you find an arch which is the gateway to Pushpagiri forest range. Further you will find a forest office, where in you have to pay entrance fee to climb the hill and reach "mantapa", the top of the hill. There is no water available on top. Make sure to carry water also. When you reach the mantapa, the breeze will be heavy. Enjoy the beauty of nature to the fullest.
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| Forest Range Office |
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| The Tented Restaurant |
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| View Point |
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