Location: 1.5 km off Kanakpura road in Kebbedoddi Village, Harohalli Hobli

Distance: Around 35 km from Bangalore city center, 26 km from Banashankari bus stand

How to reach there: I suggest you better go there by private vehicle. However, you can go by bus. Catch any bus going to Kanakpura and get down at Kebbedoddi Village and catch a auto or walk to pyramid valley.

Route: Bangalore – Kanakpura road – Nice road junction – after 17 km look for Pyramid valley sign on the left hand side – take left here and ride another 1.5 km to reach Pyramid valley

Where to have food: Pyramid campus has a dinning area where free food is provided during lunch and dinner hours

Where to stay: Accommodation is available

Languages spoken: Mainly they were speaking in Telugu but Kannada, Hindi and English also spoken and understood

Pyramid valley is basically a international mediation center. A giant pyramid has been constructed in a valley amidst greenery. It is believed that pyramids can attract huge energy, so meditating here can shower one with positive energy. Pyramid valley was founded by Brahmarshi Patriji who also formed the pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement.

At the entrance you will be asked by the security to enter you details like name, address, phone #. As you proceed, you will be greeted by a Buddha statue and in the background the hidden tip of the pyramid. The pyramid can accommodate over 5000 people at a time and they claim it to be the largest meditational pyramid in the world.

At the entrance to the pyramid you can see various contemporary art of India and various meditation teachings by the founder. Inside the pyramid one is supposed to maintain complete silence. At the middle of the pyramid base, they have created a higher dais which can be climbed using a staircase. This place specifically earmarked for people weo can meditate for at-least 1/2 an hour.

It conducts classes, workshops and seminars on meditation at the campus. The campus is 40 acres in area and the pyramid stands 104 ft tall.

Contact Info:

Head Office:

Pyramid Valley Campus
The Pyramid Spiritual Trust (India)
#609/5, 15th Cross, J. P. Nagar 6th Phase
Bangalore 560078, India
phone: +91 80 4343 2525
email: info@pyramidvalley.org

Campus address:

Maitreya-Buddha Vishwalayam, Pyramid Valley
Kebbedoddi Village, Harohalli Hobli
Kanakapura Taluk, Ramanagar Dist.
Karnataka, India

Website: http://www.pyramidvalley.org/

Related posts:

1. Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore
2. Trip to Sangam
3. Trip to Devanahalli and Bangalore International Airport

Distance: 80 km from Bangalore and 30 km from Tumkur

Journey Time: Around 2 hrs from Bangalore depending on traffic

How to reach there: KSRTC and private buses ply from Kalishipalyam. As buses are few, it may be wise to travel in private vehicle.

Route: Bangalore – Yeshwantpur – Jalahalli – Nelamangala – Dobaspet – take right turn under flyover for Goravanahalli, Devarayanadurga etc

The Maha Lakshmi temple located in Goravanahalli is very sacred. It is said that any wish made here comes true. Also, the idol of Sri Lakshmi is said to be self originated. Apart from Mahalakshmi, it also features other deities like Marikamba and Nag dev (snake god). One can opt of special darshan which cost Re 1 per person. There is nothing much difference between special and normal darshan.

Nearby is a reservoir on river Suvarnamukhi known as Teetha reservoir. The drive to Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi temple is a very pleasant one through the country side with hills and greenery. The road is little narrow but in pretty good shape. One you take the road for Goravanahalli at Dobaspet, do not expect any petrol bunk. But don’t despair, shops at small market places stock petrol. They typically charge little more than the market price. I was charged Rs 60 for 1 litre that is around Rs 8 extra.

If you leave early in the day, you can see many places around Goravanahalli. Devarayanadurga comes on the way, Madhugiri fort, Siddara Betta and Siddaganga temple comes little further. We went to Devarayanadurga on the way back. As you travel you will see a big gate under construction, take right here for Devarayanadurga. It is 5 km from here. If you are coming towards Goravanahalli, the gate will come on the left hand side.

We reached Devarayanadurga around evening and it was awesome to watch the surrounding in the twilight zone.

Related posts:

1. Trip to Devarayanadurga, Namada Chilume, Sri Veerbhadra Shankara Swamy Temple, Siddaganga Temple and Tumkur
2. Tumkur
3. Trip to Chikka Tirupathi and Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Kalakunte Cross

Yesterday the plan was to do a wide ranging recce of Chikballapur viewing many places. But by the time I left house it was almost 10 am. We were on Sankey road when I remembered that I didnt bring the camera. So again went home to get the camera. So you can say, we actually started from Bangalore around 1 pm.

Destination: Chikballapur and Muddenahalli

Route: Bangalore – Hebbal – Yehlankha – Devanahalli – Chikaballapur

Distance: Chikballapur is around 55 km from Bangalore. While Muddenahalli is located around 7 km from Chikballapur.

Journey time: 2 Hours by bus, 1 – 1.5 hrs by private vehicle and 2 wheeler

Where to eat: There are many dhabas besides the road. Many of them serve liquor as well. So if you are with family or female friends do recce before you check in. We had food in Alankar restaurant located just before Chikballapur town. Looks decent and have separate area for family. A plate of chicken biriyani cost Rs 52 ( looked more like a fried rice with fried chicken, though chicken quantity was more).

What to see:

1. Sir.M.Visveswaraiah Memorial Museum and Birth Place: There are 2 -3 ways to reach here. One from inside Chikballapur town and two just before entering Chikballapur town. As you approach Muddenahalli, you can Nandi hills standing apart among other smaller hills. As you approach further you should be able to see the structures and the clock tower of Sathya Sai Grama. Go further and on the way you will see sign on the right hand side for Sir.M.Visweswaraih Memorial Museum and Birth Place. Take right turn here. After a while you will find Sir.M.Visveswaraiah Memorial Museum and the house where he born. A little further is his samadhi (grave). It is very neatly maintained.

Sir.M.Visveswaraiah (1860 – 1962) was born in Muddenahalli, studied in Central college, Bangalore and went on to become the dewan of Mysore. He is also a recipient of Bharat ratna. Read more ……

Entry to Sir.M.Visveswaraiah museum is free but photography is prohibited inside. It has various collection from his lifetime. The house where he once stayed is being renovated now.

2. Saythya Sai Grama: As we were already there, so we thought of seeing it. To enter inside, one need make an entry at the entrance. A beautiful blue gate leads to a altogether world from the surrounding. This is a campus built by Sathya Sai Baba, who also has a campus at Whitefield, Bangalore. It has school, college, hostel, guest house, dairy, apartments, temple among others. But the best part is still under construction. It is a structure on a hill with one room and a clock tower. One can drive right upto the platform. From there can get a magnificent view of the country side.

For more info, visit here.

Read more at Sathya Sai website

While we were still there, it started to rain. It was almost 6 pm then and we could not afford to wait anymore. Filed up petrol at Chikballapur and started for Bangalore again. We were completely drenched – this season’s first rain bath! Reached Bangalore by 8 pm.

Related posts:

1. Temples of Malleshwaram – Venugopal Swamy, Kaadu Malleshwara and Sai Baba Temple
2. Trip to Kanva Reservoir
3. Trip to Devanahalli and Bangalore International Airport

5 days back neither did I know about them. One friend of mine cared to show me all those places. First lets check about Venugopal Swamy temple:

1. Venugopal Swamy temple:

Address: #163
11th Cross, Sampige Road
Malleswaram
Bangalore -560003

Basically it is a Krishna temple. I visited here one evening and found it very neat and nicely maintained. At the entrance you will find colorful trademark tower of Tamil Nadu style. The temple has several others idols apart from Lord Krishna. You will find old bronze statues of a serpent etc.

2. Sai Baba temple:

Address: #14 (opp. Pizza corner)
Sampige Road
Malleswaram
Bangalore -560003

The Shridi Sai Baba temple is a revered one here and is visited many people every day. Structure wise there is nothing much to see. But if you want get a darshan (view) of Sai Baba then this is the place.

3. Kaadu Malleswara temple: I have not visited this temple yet. But this is probably the most famous temple of Malleshwaram. And note that the name Malleshwaram has been kept after Lord Malleshwara. More updates on this soon.

Related posts:

1. Trip to Devarayanadurga, Namada Chilume, Sri Veerbhadra Shankara Swamy Temple, Siddaganga Temple and Tumkur
2. Trip to Chikka Tirupathi and Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Kalakunte Cross
3. Trip to Muddenahalli, Sathya Sai Grama and Chikballapur

Distance: Around 52 km from Bangalore and Ramnagaram is around 48 km from Bangalore.

Journey Time: 1 and 1/2 hour

How to reach there: Best to take your own vehicle. However, you can board a KSRTC bus for Mysore and get down at Ramnagaram. From here you hire a auto to Ramadevara Betta.

Route: Bangalore – Mysore road – Kengeri – Bidadi – Ramnagaram – Take left after KSTDC yellow signboard – Ramadevara Betta

Where to eat: There is no proper place to eat at Ramadevara Betta. So if you want to eat, bring eatables. Do take water along with you. You can also have something at Ramnagaram town or at the highway dhabas.

Where to stay: There is no place to stay at Ramadevara Betta.

Ramadevara Betta (Hill) is a Hindu shrine rising more than 3000 feet. Lord Ram is said to have visited here during his 14 years exile. There is a Ram temple at the top of the hill. Once to you take left from Bangalore – Mysore highway at Ramanagaram for Ramadevara Betta, you will be riding on a narrow winding road. It will give you an awesome feeling as you approach the hill. It is here the 1975 super hit movie Sholay was shot. At the base of the hill, there are security and watchman employed by Karnataka government. Here, you can park your vehicle for a fee. For two wheelers parking fee is Rs 5.

Ramadevara Betta is a very nicely maintained. At the entrance there is a big colorful gate followed by stone carved steps leading to the top of the hill amidst greenery. There are around 300 steps. After climbing around 250 steps you will see a Anjaneya (Hanuman) temple. If you are tired you can take rest here in shade. Climb little further to reach the top. Here, it is like a little valley with trees and shades made by the rock nearby. On the left you can climb little further to reach the view point. From here one can get a awesome view of the surrounding. One can see the small hills around, rugged terrain, moving vehicles on Bangalore – Mysore highway, country side etc. Also, a great place for photography. From here you can see Saptarishi betta which resembles 7 idols from different angles.

Besides this place is a natural pond between two hills called Ram tirtha. I assume rain water get accumulated here and one can take bath here. Hereon, we went to Ram temple. Here, you can see deity of Ram, Lakshman and Sita. I was told by the temple priest that the temple is over 1000 years old and it was built my Magadi chieftain Kempegowda. Besides, Ram temple there is a way to trek to the top of the rock cliff behind Ram temple. From the top one can get good view, no doubt. But may be wise to do so if you reach there early morning. I enjoyed thoroughly. Remadevara Betta offers much more than I expected.

Note: The security there and the temple priests advises to just see the temples and not to venture anywhere else. I assume some incidents might have happened in the past.

There are some other hills in Ramnagaram which may be explored like Yatirajagiri, Somagiri, Krishnagiri, Shivaramagiri, Revanna Siddeshwara Betta, Sidilakallu Betta and Jala Siddeshwara Betta.

Related posts:

1. Trip to Omkar Ashram at Omkar Hill
2. Trip to Devarayanadurga, Namada Chilume, Sri Veerbhadra Shankara Swamy Temple, Siddaganga Temple and Tumkur
3. Adventure Day Outing at Ramnagaram

Address:

Innovative Film City
#24 & 26, Bidadi,
Bangalore- 562 109
Karnataka- INDIA
Tel: +91-080-220 999 99

How to reach Innovative Film City: It is wise to visit Innovative Film City in your own vehicle. However, you can visit there by using BMTC bus. Board a bus for Bidadi from Majestic and get at the junction mentioned below. From here you will have to hire an Auto. Bargain and settle for Rs 20 – 25. (Note: If you do not get a direct bus to Bidadi from Majestic then you may have to Kengeri and board a bus for Bidadi.

Route: If you are traveling from Bangalore look out for Innovative Film City board on the left hand side at a junction just before Bidadi. We need take left deviation here. Now follow the sign-boards to reach there. For more details check the map.

As of today I have visited Innovative Film City two times. I have wrote about Innovative Film City on BangaloreBeats.com 2 years ago but it is not yet complete. There are still some shops to open and some tweaking going on.

Today I visited there as part of a family outing. We reached there around 11.30 am.

Entry fee: Rs 50 / person
Parking is free
Still Camera fee: Rs 100
Professional camera not allowed

Timings: Weekdays – 10 am – 6 pm
weekends and holidays – 10 am – 7.30 pm

They have various packages like Rs 399 featuring some rides and options. Rs 699 includes all. Today was a republic day holiday and it was quite crowded. Today everywhere flowers were in full bloom. It was event right from the entrance gate where a particular species of flower in different colour and shades made a spectacular display. Once your tickets are checked, you will pass through a walled passage. On both the sides of the passage you have conference room, shops etc. After a little walk you will reach a shaded place, from here the entertainment center starts. Here, you can see a demon and a gunman made of iron. Proceed further to see Wannado ( a new section from kids), Repley’s Believe it or not, Madame Tussuad’s wax house, Hunted house, Aqua kingdom offers artificial beach and water experience at Rs 100, fossil museum, dinosaurs park, mini golf course, mini go karting ( normal car – 30 km/hr – Rs 150 for 4 laps, sports car – 80 km/hr rs 200 for 4 laps), skating, a few rides like roller coaster, revolving horse ride, a film studio which offers – Film academy, Production house and Film shooting, amphitheater etc.

Some good news. Bangalore is soon going to have its first snow park here. It will be a followed by Guinness World Records Museum, a giant wheel, bungee jumping, bumper ball, bob spacer and a multiplex with 21 screens.

One thing that bothered me through out my stay there was the heat. It is advisable to visit there late after noon or in the evening. Also, good eateries were missing. One can spend some good time at Innovative Film City with family or friends. Because of the immense heat we left early at 2 pm. Do carry sun glass, hat or sun screen lotion.

Related posts:

1. Go karting at Grips and Lake on Mysore Road
2. Trip to Devanahalli and Bangalore International Airport
3. Day Outing to Ramee Guestline, Bangalore

Location: Bangalore Rural district

Distance: 95 km from Bangalore city

Route: Banashankari – Kanapura road – Kanakpura – Horahalli – Sangam

How to reach there: You can reach by KSRTC bus which goes there only on stipulated times. Going there by own vehicle will be more convinient.

Where to eat: It is better to take carry food if you are going there on a picnic. There is a restaurant called Tender Coconut but I think that is not regular. But there are some food for hard souls to manage. You can have fish fry, boiled egg or omelet sold by local shops. Do bargain before settling for a price. A Jelabee fish should be in between Rs 10 – 15, a piece of Katla Rs 10.

What to see:

1. Sangam
2. Arkavathy Dam – Dam on river Arkavathy
3. Chunchi Falls – Go there only during monsoon. During dry season there will be hardly any water.
4. Country side

The mode of transport was 2 two wheelers which carried 4 of us. We started 7 o’clock on Sunday morning (27/12/2009). There was not much traffic, so we quickly reached Banashankari and then to Kanakpura road. Road is pretty good apart from some bad patches in between. However, road is narrow at many places so one should drive carefully. Just at the outskirts of Bangalore city on Kanakpura road you may find some dhaba to eat during day time. On the way if you want to eat something then have it at Kanakpura. Kanakpura is 40 km from Bangalore.

The ride to sangam is very enjoyable as you will encounter lakes, rugged hills, paddy fields, villages, the ghat section and forest land. So keep you camera at hand to capture the glimpse of nature. On the way you can see Arkavathy dam. After a village you will see a stone board asking to take left for Arkavathy dam for 5 km. I have not visited Arkavathy dam last time when I visited Sangam in 2001. It is bigger than Manchanabele dam and can construed as a proper dam. The dam has been constructed on river Arkavathy. If you visit here during monsoon, you may see a better sight.

Next destination was Chunchi falls. For this too you will have to take a left deviation from the main for 6 km. You will see a stone board with Chunchi falls direction or the trademark yellow Karnataka tourism board. However, during dry season there is hardly any water. So I suggest to visit there only during rainy season. Dejected left for our main destination Sangam.

Caution: If you are riding on a two wheeler, I request you take caution when you encounter paddy spread on the road. Always try to ride on the corner of the road, if that not possible – drive very slow and press break very slow if only required. There is a chance of skidding.

The last 4 km of road to Sangam is ghat section and road is narrow. So drive carefully here. We reached Sangam by around 1 pm. Hungry by then and started looking for food. We found Tender Coconut (restaurant) is closed and there is not much option. So we settled for fish fry. Following a light course of fish, we headed for the river beach. I suggest you venture in Arkavathy river rather then Cauvery. River Arkvathy will less water – at most to your waist and as less as upto your ankle. This side provides a nice beach kinda feeling. If you would like you can play on the sand or in the water. It was real fun and we thoroughly enjoyed. Even with less height of water, there is huge current. It is not possible to swim here as water level is very low. We left the waters by 2.30 pm and went on to have some more fish fry and omelet. Cold drinks like Pepsi half liter cost Rs 30, a 50% increase from the original price. Beer is also available there.

4 kms on the other side of Arkavathy river there is another destination called Mekedatu.

We left Sangam around 3.15 pm. Soon it started to drizzle. But it did not gave an impression of heavy shower. But to our luck, we got caught in heavy rain. We took shelter under trees a few times and then at a tea shop on the way. And in this my wish of reaching Bangalore before dark too was washed away. Seeing no sign of decrement in rain, we started again for Bangalore. This time we rode non stop and reached home completely drenched by 8.30 pm.

To view more pictures visit, TravelingBeats Photo Gallery.

Related posts:

1. Trip to Manchanabele Dam and Backwaters
2. Trip to Devarayanadurga, Namada Chilume, Sri Veerbhadra Shankara Swamy Temple, Siddaganga Temple and Tumkur
3. Trip to Kanva Reservoir

Distance: Around 41 km

Journey time: 1 – 1 and 1/2 hrs (depends on traffic on Marathahalli & old Airport road)

Route:

There are three options to go to Chikka tirupati depending on exits from Bangalore :

1. KR Puram – Hoskote – NH 4 – 1km – right turn towards Malur – 24 km – pass through malur town – railway bridge – right turn – Chikka tirupati is 20 km from there. total distance from Hoskote – 45 km – good roads except vicinity of Malur town.

2. Whitefield road – ITPL – Hope farm circle – straight – 40 km – good / village roads / occasional pot holes

3. St John’s Hospital – Sarjapur road -30 km – pass through sarjapur town ( market / bus stand ) – left turn – 13 km to Chikka tirupati. average roads – 50 / 60 km/hr
-
Shortest route to Chikka Tirupathi is via Whitefield – ITPL route and road seems to be quite decent now.

Where to eat: There is no good place to eat in and around Chikka Tirupathi. If you want to have some have it before leaving Whitefield or have after coming back.

What to see: Lord Prasanna Venkateshwara temple (Chikka Tirupathi), Lord Ranganathaswamy temple (Kalkunte) and country side.

It was a long weekend and I wanted to put it to good use. A little effort took 4 of us to Chikka Tirupathi. We left Bangalore city by 3 pm which was very late by the standard. I suggest you leave early in the morning so that you can explore other place at Malur and further.

Route taken inside Bangalore city: Old Airport road – Marathahalli – Kundanhalli gate – Whitefield/ITPL

Soon we rode past whitefield and ventured into the country side. I suggest you keep an eye on the sign boards for direction. If in doubt ask people. It was a nice country side with decent road and also the climate was on our side. I discovered a few new routes. Using this route one can go to Devanahalli (Airport), Dobbaspet (in Tumkur district), Doddaballapur, Hoskote etc.

It took us little over an hour to reach Chikka Tirupathi. Chikka Tirupathi in Kannada means Small Tirupathi temple. As it clearly says, it is a miniature version of Lord Venkateshwara temple of Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh. At the Chikka Tirupathi mini town circle take right to go to Chikka Tirupathi temple. The entrance to the compound is a white gate with the trademark Lord Venkateshwara tilak. At the entrance of inner temple area there is a big colorful gopuram. Here on the left hand side you can park your two wheeler. People will pester you to park your two wheeler with them for a fee but if you park your vehicle where I mentioned, it should be fine. You will require to leave you shoes outside. Leave them with the coconut and puja material selling vendors outside. You will have to pay Re 1 per pair of shoe.

History/myth of the temple

Agni’, the fire god, during the incineration (dahana) of the forest of herbs (khandava vana), causes burn injuries to the serpent god Takshaka. Takshaka bestows Agni with a curse that he lose his power’. A perturbed Agni went to Lord Krishna, who suggested that the way out for him is to please Lord Vishnu, who can restore his power. So Agni gets the ’shaapa-vimochana’ by performing a penance and pleasing Vishnu. With great joy, Agni built a temple for Lord Venkateswara at Chikka Tirupathi. The lord here is aptly named as ‘Prasanna Venkateshwara’. All the festivals that are held at Tirupathi are also held here.

Photography is prohibited inside the sanctum sanatorium (where the idol is kept). The idol of lord Balaji is beautiful. As usual in most south Indian temples there is brass metal jajastambha (small metal tower). The gombuz of the temple was beautifully sculptured with various deities. Here too our monkey friends were there to greet us. But these bunch of monkeys were very intelligent. Following our darshan we left the temple by 5 pm.

On the way back we visited Ranganathaswamy temple at Kalakunte. It is located around 8 km from Chikka Tirupathi. Unfortunately the temple was closed when we visited. But here is a picture of the beautiful lord Ranganathaswamy.

On the way back we took lots of pictures as the sun was setting down on the country side horizon. We reached Bangalore by 7 pm.

To view more pictures, visit: TravelingBeats Photo Gallery

To discuss about Chikka Tirupati, visit: TravelingBeats Forum

Related posts:

1. Trip to Devarayanadurga, Namada Chilume, Sri Veerbhadra Shankara Swamy Temple, Siddaganga Temple and Tumkur
2. Temples of Malleshwaram – Venugopal Swamy, Kaadu Malleshwara and Sai Baba Temple
3. Trip to Tirupati

Kote Venkataramana Temple was built towards the end of 17th century around the time of Chikka Deva Raya (a Mysore Wodeyer king). The rulers of Mysore had bought the city of Bangalore from the Mughal empire. Kote in Kannada means fort, so literally it means Fort Venkataramana Temple. It is located just besides Tipu Sultan’s palace.

How to reach there: To visit there first go to Market and then ask for the route there. BMTC buses are available to market from most part of Bangalore city.

Address:
Kote Venkataramana Temple
Albert Victor Rd (near City market), Chamarajpet,
Bangalore

To view more pictures visit: TravelingBeats Photo Gallery
To discuss about “Kote Venkataramana Temple” visit: TravelingBeats Forum

Related posts:

1. Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Bangalore
2. Bull Temple, Basavanagudi, Bangalore
3. Swaminarayan Temple, Bangalore

We took a left turn on Tumkur road (NH4) which goes to Shivaganga. Once we reached the circle with the Karnataka Tourism board, took left turn for Magadi. The country side is very scenic – stones, hills, greenery, crops, Just awesome! For most part road is good. A little stretch towards Magadi is bad but motorable. From the circle Magadi is 29 km, Savandurga 41 km and Manchanabele dam 47 km. After riding little bit from the circle, one should be able to see the back side of Shivaganga hill. It is a good place for photography. It took us over an hour to reach Magadi from the circle. On the way we encountered couple of Banyan trees. One of them was very unique and that some its logs has been chopped is easily understandable for vehicular movement.

Magadi was the Capital of the then local ruler Kempe Gowda. Magadi is very small town with hardly any sign of urban development. At the circle there a few shops where you can have tea and snacks. At the circle if you take left, little further you will find a petrol bunk on the right hand side. Little further on the left hand side you will find the entrance to Ranganathaswamy temple. This temple is quite historical and unique in design. The main deity here is lord ranganathaswamy (Lord Vishnu). The temple had names of saints like Thiruvallar etc which are not native to Karnataka. I was curious how come Tamil names came in this temple. The mystery unrevealed when I read at the entrance that the temple had been built by the Cholas in between 11th – 12th century AD. Cholas were the rulers of Tamil Nadu. The colorful gopuram of the temple is quite similar to temples in Tamil Nadu like Madurai Meenakshi temple. The temple complex had many places of worship inside. The specialty as described by the priest is that the idol of Ranganathasway is enlarging. A note of caution, there may be a little issue of begging.

As of now we were on Magadi road which connects to Bangalore after a distance of 49 km. We wanted to go Savandurga so at the main road, we took left and came back to the Magadi main circle. From here left and you will be able to see a Karnataka tourism board saying Savandurga 12 km and Manchanabele dam 18 km. So embarked on our journey to Savandurga. From here the roads are quite good. Keep driving straight unless you feel the urge to take pictures. Around 8 km from here one will see a board asking to take left turn for Savanduraga. From here Savandurga is 4 km. This 4 km stretch is not in good condition but mortorable. At the foot of Savandurga hill, there is a forest park with good sitting arrangement and a children park. There is no animals in the park now but empty net chambers suggest there used to be animals earlier. Entry fee is Re 1. Parking is free. Savandurga is a single monolithic stone hill. This hill is not that high and steep. I was told there that climbing is not that difficult. On top there is a Basava statue. One can nice panoramic view from top. To reach the top enter the park, continue walking straight until you see a gate on the right hand side. Enter the gate, reach for the hill base and start climbing. There is no eatery around, so carry food and water as necessary. You can also go there by bus, read Nithin Kamath’s trip for details.

At the base of the hill outside there is a temple. At the hilltop there used to be a fort which was finally captured by Lord Cornwallis from Tipu Sultan in 1792. Durga in Kannada means fort, this is why it is called Savandurga.

Following this we started our journey for Manchanabele dam. From Savandurga, Manchanabele dam is 6 km. After reaching the same junction where we took left turn for Savandurga, we took left turn again. Once you reach VF Doddi, you need to take the first left to go to Manchanabele dam. From VG Doddi, its a straight single road of 5 km to Manchanabele dam. This narrow winding road is very picturesque and a treat to ride on. For sometime I though I was in a different world and forgot about Bangalore traffic altogether. There are yellow Karnataka tourism boards on the way showing the distance and direction, refer them as required. From Savandurga to Manchanabele dam took us little over 30 minutes with few stops for photography.

I have been to Manchanabele dam earlier. But this time I noticed few new developments as follows:

1. Amount water in the Manchanabele dam backwater was more and was looking more beautiful.
2. A signboard cautioning people not to go to isolated places to avoid robbery.
3. A new motorable road to reach the shore of the Manchanabele dam backwater.

I even saw more people. You can take bath here, do bird watching in early morning, little bit of hiking, photography and picnic. Eateries are not available bring your own food and water. Read more about Manchanabele dam from my earlier post. Soon we left Manchababele dam for Bangalore. At Dodda Alada Mara, give little halt for tea. At the junction with Mysore road, you will have to take left turn to reach Bangalore. Reached Bangalore by 5.30 pm. This trip was an eventful one. The biggest finding of this tip was a new direct route from Tumkur road to Mysore road without entering Bangalore city. The only other route available in this regard is NICE road. But NICE road is a paid one and this is free. This route is very good for bike rides and trips.

To view more pictures visit, TravelingBeats Photo Gallery.

To discuss this trip visit, TravelingBeats Forum.

Related posts:

1. Trip to Manchanabele Dam and Backwaters
2. Tungabhadra dam or TB dam
3. Trip to Shivaganga