STAIRS TO HEAVEN

This is something that i am missing most and valuable thing in my mangalore-diary  .During Mangalore days i was in college hostel by hostel rule during holydays we have permission to go only after 12 pm and curfew was at 6 pm so planning of trips was very difficult. After a long steps of seeking for permissions we planned our trip to BELTHENGADY-JAMALABAD FORT.

Jamalabad is a trekking destination, with the climb up to the fort being classified as 'medium difficulty level' and the top of the structure offering good views of the surrounding landscape and the Kudremukh range.
At the base of the hill is a forest check post where visitors have to pay a nominal entry fee. Visitors should carry food and plenty of water since there is no potable fresh water available on top. The nearest town with any communication and medical facilities is Beltangady.
Entry to the fort is open between 6 am and 4 pm and overnight stay at the fort is prohibited.

Jamalabad fort in the Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka. The fort was commissioned by Tipu Sulthan.It was named so because of Tipu’s mother, Jamalabee.This place is accessible via a short bus ride from Mangalore exactly 23 rupees.The speciality of Jamalabad lies in its surroundings which fascinate the trekkers and nature lovers due to the presence of rich vegetation around it. Being located in the flourishing parts of Kudremukh range, Jamalabad also provides its visitors with breathtaking landscapes.

We were 6 girls including one Kannada girl other wise it was tough to catch bus and to communicate with localities because we don't know much to read and speak Kannada. We reached their at 8 am.After paying a token fee to the forest officer on duty you begin the ascent.

Steps are cut into the granitic rock which makes the first part of the climb to be very steep.After climbing about one third of the way you burst out of the canopy of the forest onto a bare mountain face. With absolutely no cover and a steep angle to climb this again is evidence of how perfect the location was to build up a fort. The climb at this part is easier on your thighs but you need to watch out as it is easy to slip on the open ground and there is a long way to slide down. While the Sun had started to beat down, it was past 9 am, there is a strong breeze throughout the climb which makes the weather amiable but also can cause your mouth to dry up so an extra bottle of water will come in handy.

  Wikipedia puts the number of steps to be over 1800 though so it can be slightly more challenging than you expect. The fort was entirely designed to have just one way up or down to maximize it’s defensive potential.While climbing to this fort we feel that this stairs are leading to heaven like we are going to touch the sky.Climbing steps was easy comming down was a little difficult.Any way this journey was something special.