According to legend, this hillock was formed when a piece of the sacred mountain Vrishabhadri fell from the hands of Lord Maruthi, another name for the monkey god Hanuman. Hence, the name Maruthimala, for ‘mala’ means mountain in Malayalam. The climb to the top may seem particularly tough, but it comes with its thrills. The trail uphill winds through rocky terrain with a stunning view of the region from the top. Low-hanging clouds surround Maruthimala, the hilltop providing a view of the vegetation and waterfalls in the distance. The hilltop also has a small pond and a shrine. The region promotes ecotourism.
