Trekking - Nandi Hills 26th Dec 2021

Nandi Hills - Trekking

Nandi Hills trekking to end the year 2021

Also known as Nandi Betta and Nandi durg, residing at a loftiness of 1,440 meters above sea level. One can find the landscape of Nandi Hills as a blend of rock-strewn and green-clad terrain, with sporadic sightings of some extraordinary feathered creatures.

Usually, people drive up to the slopes in their vehicles and bikes to the top. However, you can plan to trek up utilizing the old flight of stairs, employed during Tipu's time. So as opposed to taking the left turn on Nandi Hills street, take a right and head to Sultanpet to the beginning of this trek. Google map shows this as 'Nandi Hills trek starting point. On arriving at the lower regions of the hill, they set off by climbing the steps (around 1700+) that are moderately looks simple yet take around an hour+ to arrive at one of the fortification doors. Based on your fitness this may become the strenuous trek also. carry enough water as you won't get anything on the way. Good to take rest in between and the climb is tiring at few stretches.

There are many places to explore on the top of Nandi hills and one can easily spend many hours. To name the few Sri Gavi Veerabadhra Swamy sanctuary, Tippu's rest house, which is a two-story red structure, Amrutha Sarovara, a step-well repository worked in 1928, Tipu's drop, Yoganandeeshwara sanctuary, the Cubbon House, etc. 

Trekking - Bidarikatte 25th Sep 2021

 Bidarikatte , just adjacent to Savandurga.

Within close vicinity of the Savanadurga trek is the Bidarakatte Trek which starts of from the Kempegowda tree park and following an incline reaches to the top of the hill at Doddarebylu.

All along the path one gets to enjoy the vegetation mainly in form of small trees to stunted growth mainly bushy interspersed with rocks. Among many myriad life forms keeping company to the trekker is the Rock Agama and its many hues depending on the season whether it is the breeding season or not. Breeding season indicates vivid colors.

The monsoon is an amazing time to do this trek with the greenery dominating the landscape and for a while the rocks take the backstage. Encountering butterflies and beetles is a way of life on the trek trail. What makes this trek more interesting is the presence of an historic old Fort and the reminisces of the a old walled city in its precints. The aura is heightened more with the presence of an old temple along the trail. Interesting birds like the Endangered Yellow Throated Bulbul along with the Sirkeer Malkoha and many more birds make it a interesting bird trail as well.

The waterpond with its lilies is an great point of attraction and a welcome break to the weary trekker. Bidarakatte offers immense surprises for a seasoned trekker also. Keeping one’s eye open for the encounters will make it a memorable one.

How to Reach:

From Bangalore: Head to Ramanagara from Bangalore (preferably through NICE Ring Road to avoid traffic). Take a right from Ramanagara bus station and head straight for around 40 minutes. Take a right under the arch saying - Kempegowda Vanadhama Savanadurga to reach the Ramanagar division forest department in about 5 minutes.

Please check for the forest department permission required or not upfront.

Note: If you are using Google Maps to navigate, then choose the destination as Savanadurga state forest (near Ramanagara). Please don't confuse it with Bidarakatte off Tumkur. 

Trekking - Avani Betta 16th Oct 2021

 Avani Betta trek 16th oct :

Avani has a century-old temple at the base and Sitadevi temple on the adjacent hill. Located around 80+ km from Bangalore on Kolar / Tirupati road. Excellant drive in the morning. The trek is not that hard as it has steps to climb. Overall May be 500+ steps and up and down around 4.5km. We covered this in 2Hrs, started around 730am from base and returned around 930am.

The place has its history dating back to the days of Ramayana. It is said that the Sage Valmiki's ashram was located on this hillock and was where the twin sons of Rama, Lava and Kusha were given birth by Sita. The cave, which is said to be the place where the twins were given birth is considered sacred now. But sadly now the cave is a huge ditch as some devotees who visit the place takes back a fistful of mud while leaving.

Trekking - Ambagi Durga 30th Oct 2021

 Ambagidurga Fort Trek 30th Oct:

Ambajidurga is the fort between Kaivara and Chintamani, located in the village called Vaddahalli (ವಡ್ಡಹಳ್ಳಿ).

Ambaji Durga Hill is in Chintamani, Kolar District. Karnataka State in India. Ambaji Durga Hill near by 2 kms Chintamani city, Sidlaghatta, and 12 kms Kaiwara, near by railway Stations are Chintamani, It is in 5 Km distance to Chintamani City. Also around 80Kms from Bangalore-whitefield

Ambajidurga is situated atop a hill adjacent to the very well known cave temple of Kailashgiri (cave Shiva temple) and now we can trek and explore this place. ( in past it was banned to trek here). Now there is a Jeep service to the top till Anjaneya temple. You can contact Mr Narayanaswami +918722190739 for the service.

There is a rough muddy road till Anjaneya temple. During rainy days the road may be very difficult to drive. Advice is to park the car/bike till one feels comfortable and then start to trek. If you start in the early morning say between 7am to 9am, then one can enjoy it more during winter season.

About Ambaji Durga Betta -

The hill rises to about 4400 ft above mean sea level and was initially fortified by the local Palegars, which was then rebuilt by Tippu and finally fell into the hands of the British. There is a small temple atop the hill dedicated to Lord Shiva and a few ruined structures and water tanks.