Sunrise from the Top of Nandi Hills
After a hectic week in the office, it is natural to crave for a refreshing weekend. If you are located in Bangalore, you have many opportunities to make the most of your weekend. In fact many weekend getaways from the city are popular tourist attractions. Here is a brief overview of some of them.
Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta
Located near Kanakapura, this hill is around 70 kilometers from Bangalore. There is a temple dedicated to Shri Ranganatha on top of the hill. Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta (elevation: 3,780 feet) attracts many trekkers.
Trekking Trail starts from Koonala Doddi. This trek is a moderate one with a well marked path up till the peak. Uphill trek takes around 2½ hours and downhill around 1½ hours.
You can reach Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta by KSRTC bus or cab. It is around 16 kilometers from Kanakapura. Visit between August and January.
Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta Photos
Dodda Alada Mara
Dodda Alada Mara (big banyan tree) is located in Kethohalli. This 400-year-old banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis) is around 25 kilometers from Bangalore; around 7 kilometers from Mysore Road.
This giant banyan tree covers an area of around 3 acres. It is the largest tree in Karnataka and the second largest tree in India. Its circumference is more than 250 meters. It has over 1,000 aerial roots. You can reach Dodda Alada Mara by BMTC bus or cab.
Dodda Alada Mara Timings
Opening
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Closing
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9.30 am
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6.30 pm
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Nandi Hills
This tourist attraction is a popular trekking destination in the region. It is 4,851 feet above sea level. Nandi Temple, Brahmashrama, Amrita Sarovar, Gavi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Tipu's Summer Residence Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple, fort, Horse Way, Palar river origin, Arkavathi river origin, secret passage and Tipu's Drop are the main attractions of Nandi Hills. Paragliding over misty hills and valleys is an amazing experience.
Chikballapur (CBP) railway station is around 9 kilometers from Nandi Hills, and Kempegowda International Airport is around 58 kilometers. You can reach Nandi Hills by KSRTC bus or cab. Best time to visit is between October and June.
Nrityagram
Established by Odissi dancer Protima Gauri in 1990, Nrityagram dance village is located at Hesaraghatta, around 30 km from the city. It is India's first modern Gurukul (residential school) for Indian classical dances.
Designed by Gerard Da Cunha, an Indian architect based in Goa, this ethnic dance village offers training in Indian classical dance forms like Odissi, Mohiniattam, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Manipuri.
You can reach Nrityagram by BMTC bus, cab or auto rickshaw. Vasantha Habba, an annual festival, is celebrated in February. Visit between February and April or between October and December.
Shivagange
Shivagange is a hill (804.8 meters) near Dobbaspet. It is around 54 kilometers from Bengaluru and is well-connected by road. You can reach Shivagange by KSRTC bus or cab.
It is a pilgrimage center for Hindus. It is also known as Dakshina Kashi or Kashi of South India. There are many temples in this region, including Gangadhareshwara temple, Olakala Teertha, Nandi Statue and Patala Gange.
You will find many water spots while ascending the hill. People believe that the water in these locations is the holy water of River Ganga. That is why the place is known as Shivagange, which means Shiva's Ganga.
Trekking and rock climbing are popular activities in Shivagange. You will find many rock structures here. The scenic beauty of Shivagange is mesmerizing. The panoramic view from the top, near the Nandi statue, is superb. Visit between October and March.
Shivagange Trekking
With man made steps and railings for support, Shivagange offers you a steady trek. You will find an underground spring named Olakala Teertha during the trek.
Muthyala Maduvu
Also known as Pearl Valley, Muthyala Maduvu is located in Thammanaikanahalli near Anekal. It is around 40 kilometers from Bangalore.
This small and cute waterfall is nestled in a valley. The drops of water strewn from the rock surfaces on impact give the appearance of scattering pearls. Hence this name Pearl Valley.
It is surrounded by hills. There is a Shiva temple near the waterfall. We had to deal with many monkeys when we visited. They kept my son happy. Visit Muthyala Maduvu between August and November. It is reachable by bus or cab.
Ramanagara
Located around 53 kilometers from Bangalore (Bengaluru-Mysuru highway National Highway 275, and State Highway 3), this town is also known as Ramgarh, silk city, the land of the seven hills and Closepet. It has an average elevation of 747 meters. Many granite outcrops in the region have made it a heaven for rock climbing enthusiasts.
Some of the earliest rock climbing efforts in South India were concentrated around this region. The compact hills and seemingly vertical rock faces make for great technical climbs. With bolts put in by local climbers, climbing should not be too challenging.
Legend has it that Lord Rama visited this place while on exile and stayed on the hills that are now known as Ramadevara Betta. Sholay, a 1975 Indian action-adventure film, was shot here over a two-and-a-half year period. Some scenes of David Lean’s A Passage to India were shot here in 1983 and 1984.
Long-billed, Egyptian and white-backed vultures have been roosting in the hills of Ramanagara for several decades. These are the three species found in Ramanagara out of the nine found in India. The region also houses animals like leopard, bear, yellow-throated bulbul and peacock.
Ramanagara Tourism
Arkeshwara Temple, Janapada Loka, Kanva Reservoir, River Arkavathi, 600-year-old Malleshwara Temple, Banni Mahakali Temple, Karkhaane Bande, Chamundeshwari Temple, lake in Rangarayara Doddi and Kengal Anjaneya Swamy Temple are some attractions in the region.
Kempegowda International Airport is the nearest airport to Ramanagara. The town is well-connected by rail and road. You can reach the town by KSRTC bus or cab. Visit during winter months.
Indian Vulture in Ramanagara
Chunchi Falls
Chunchi Falls is a remote waterfall in Madarahalli, which is around 83 kilometers from Bangalore. This scenic waterfall is fed by River Arkavathi and is surrounded by greenery. You can reach Chunchi Falls by KSRTC bus or cab.
Makalidurga
Makalidurga, a trekkers' paradise, is around 60 kilometers from Bangalore. It is the nearest railway trek to Bangalore. This region is an eclectic mix of hills, forests, lakes and forts.
The trek will take you to the famous Makalidurga fort, which is located right on the top of a granite hillock. There is a Shiva temple on top of the hill. Legend has it that great rishi Markandeya performed penance here.
Makalidurga is well-connected by rail and road. You can reach here by train, KSRTC bus or cab. If you are a trekking, rappelling or rock climbing enthusiast, you will enjoy your trip to Makalidurga.
Anthargange
Located around 70 kilometers from Bangalore, Anthargange (which means inner stream) is a favorite among rock climbing, trekking and cave exploration enthusiasts. It is around 1,700 meters above sea level.
This rocky hill range is well-known for its volcanic rock formations. A perennial spring that is in the Kashi Vishweshwara temple on the hilly range adds to the mystery of the place.
Kolar Railway Station (around 3 kilometers) is the nearest railway station to Anthargange. You can reach this place by cab or tempo. Kempegowda International Airport (around 74 kilometers) is the nearest airport.
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