Nagamalai is a wonderful moderately difficult trekking place from Malai Mahadeshwara Betta (MM Hills) . It is around 220 km from Bengaluru and around 150km from Mysore. To reach the place one has to pass through 7 hills from MM Hills' temple. Nagamalai is around 14 km from the temple.
Jeep track is there for bout 8 km. Jeeps are available from the MM Hills with a reasonable price. It is believed that to avail the full blessings of the mahadeshwara, you need to go not only to malai mahadeshwara betta but also to Nagamalai. Hence Most of the devotees walk barefooted from malai mahadeshwara betta to Nagamali.
It would be better if you start early in the morning to avoid the hot sun.But the way all along is very scenic which will reduce your tiredness. You will get small villages where all children will be asking you for money. It was a good experience when we had been there. My brother has written a beautiful essay on that trip, to read that Click HERE.
The two huge rocks, one in the form of lingam and another in the form of the snakehood protecting that lingam together makes Nagamalai. The people will be singing FOLK SONG dedicated to lord Shiva. The crowd will be higher in "Karthika maasa" i.e., just after the Diwali festival.
Food and accomoation are available at MM Hills. People will trek from Nagamalai to Palar also. The forest department will arrange the trek with a guide, food, accomodation and other stuff if you inform them earlier. The nuber you can contact is 08224-252027.
Many people prefer to trek to Palar from Nagamalai instead of coming back to MM Hills. For More information visit http://www.mmhills.com
Route :
Bengaluru ---> Madduru ---> Malavalli ---> Kollegala ---> MM Hills ---> Nagamalai
or
Bengaluru ---> Mysore ---> Kollegala ---> MM Hills ---> Nagamalai.
or
Bengaluru ---> Kanakapura ---> Malavalli ---> Kollegala ---> MM Hills ---> Nagamalai.
members : praveen, arun, subbu, santhosh, sunil, mahesha.
went by : jeep