THE MYSTERIOUS HILLS: Mystery behind Idanre hills

     

      Idanre hill is located inOndo state(a south-western part of Nigeria). Research reveals that the hills is about 800 years old and reached about 640 steps with 5 resting points on the way to the top. This hill is an evergreen breathtaking landscape that provides a window to the town's colourful history. The serenity of the atmosphere, the blossoming beauty, the refreshing swim in Arun river ,all make the hill an astonishing place to visit.The Idanre hills sometimes call oke Idanre is one of the wonders of nature and a exiting tourist attraction.
          Idanre hills offered protection against invaders during war in the years past. Some people ran to the rock to hide for their dare life and till date, it is said that they are still living there bearing children, pounding yam and living as human. The cultural relics in term of god, goddesses and traditional crafts can be seen in addition to the old palace built around 17th century. The rock is therefore another world of its own.
       There is a mysterious river there, normally called Arun river situated in a serene corner of the hill which is clean, clear, and  drinkable. The river derives its source from the hot confines of Aghaha hill. People come to this river to pray and fetch water for spiritual cleansing. The more adventurous experience is the footprint(Agboogun footprint) which is widely believed to enlarge or contrast to accommodate every size of foot. The footprint is also said to be as old as the hill itself.
        Ancestral gods like: Ije, Ogun are being worshipped on this hill. Apart from the festive activities which makes the site a living tradition, there is a species of animal called Hyrax that lives on the rock and as a result of hunting going into extinction and there are special monkeys which are also spotted near the hill.
         Despite all the attractive features of Idanre hills, it has taboos which is that the climbers coming from the top of the hills must not meet those going up while there are also certain places tourists especially the non-indigenes must not talk. Leaves are thereby put on the mouth of the tourist to avoid talking in forbidden places.
          Idanre hills is just an epitome of nature's beauty.