Plan Your Weekend: Trek to meet Lord Shiva at MM Hills in Karnataka

The hill is a dense forest area surrounded by 77 peaks in the Eastern Ghats. It is believed that 600 years ago, Mahadeshwara Swamy came here to perform penance in Male Mahadeshwara Hills. As mentioned in the Chamarajnagar District official website, he travelled through the hills and the surrounding area, spent his life in between the hills and on the basis of his yogi powers has displayed various miracles. The place draws several pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. MM Hills is not only a major devotee point but also a major tourist attraction spot too, with its untouched beauty.Apart from being a pilgrimage centre, MM Hills possess large tracts of forest area. These forest types vary from evergreen forests in Ponnachi Boli to dry deciduous forests in most other parts. The hill is bound by river Kaveri to the north-east and by river Palar to the south. 

The hill that is about 3,000 feet above sea level is an ideal destination for trekking. There is a trekking path from MM Hills to Palar. While trekking through the forests you are sure to spot elephants and the breathtaking beauty of the wild will blow you away.The upward trek starts from Koudalli, which is at the feet of MM Hills. The temple is at an elevation of 30 km from this base. There is a difficult trek that starts from MM Hills and leads you to Naagamale, and from Naagmale you can follow the trekking trail to Palar. On the way to Naagamale, you pass through some of the breathtaking views and the Shola forest. You can also spot some rare and colourful birds, elephants, bears, deer, and panthers. You can reach MM Hills, via road, rail and air.