Kanoor Kote

Kanoor Kote referred to as Govardhanagiri Kote (Govardhanagiri being the hill range on which it is located) is a remote military fort in the heart of the Sharavathy Valley. After a long hike from Kanoor Village, having descended about 5 km into the Hebbenkeri Valley and then steeply ascended past Mundwala hamlet, the mud track one walks on literally slices through dense jungle. The layers in the canopy, the bush in the undergrowth, the tall trees competing for sunlight, the older trees with huge buttress roots, enough for a person to hide inside), the forest is brilliant. It showcases the beauty of the Western Ghats in all its glory. As one steeply ascends to the top of the ridgeline, a small lake emerges. Reminded me of lake placid for some reason, an eerie calm it had. No doubt it was pretty and not a soul around. You walk further about 200 m and suddenly you hit a fort wall. And there, you have reached Kanoor Kote, Kote meaning fort, and Kanooru referring to the name of the place, in Kannada. Built by Rani Channabhairadevi, it peaked in glory around the 16th century during the rule of the Keladi kings. Also referred to as the pepper queen, the Rani was brave and ruled from her capital—Gersoppa. Some historians believe that she was like a chieftain under the Keladi kings while others say that she was in fact part of the Keladi royals. Nevertheless, what we do know is that she used the fort as a military hide out and houses her soldiers there. Now in absolute ruins, the fort is camouflaged in the overgrown tropical vegetation. The ambience transports you to a time lost in history. This fort is now located within the Sharavathy Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, hence a permit from the Range Forest Office at Kogar or the ACF office at Kargal will be required to visit the area.