//ads start// //ads end// ಸುತ್ತೋಣ ಬನ್ನಿ - Sutthona Banni: January 2012

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Skandagiri, also known as Kalavara Durga, is an ancient mountain fortress located approximately 70 km from Bangalore city, and 3 km from Chikballapur in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is off Bellary Road ( NH 7 Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway), and overlooks Nandi Hills, Muddenahalli, and Kanivenarayanapura . The peak is at an altitude of about 1350 meters. It is known as the "adventurer's paradise" and features a beautiful night trek, altitude camping, stunning sunrise, and serene and ocean like clouds.

About Skandagiri:

The village at the foothill of the mountain is called Kandavara Halli and the hill is called Kandavarahalli Betta (aka Skandagiri and Kalwarahalli Betta). It is in the Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka
Skandagiri is one of the hill forts in the Nandi Hill ranges. The dilapidated walls of Tipu Sultan's fort can be seen even today . This was built to be a sturdy, self sufficient fortress. It was built several centuries ago by a local king. As the story goes (told by the local people of the area), the king along with his soldiers defended the fort from Tipu Sultan for many days. After getting tired of taking the fort in this way, Tipu's generals bribed a couple of milk women who used to carry milk to the fort everyday. For several days after this, the milk women started carrying some seeds which they used to spread in the way so that Tipu's army will know the way in which to go up. On the day of the planned attack, the women added poison to the milk. Lot of the king's soldiers died after consuming the poisoned milk and the rest were killed by Tipu's invading troops.
Tippu used the fort as a military base in his fierce fight against the British. It surrendered to British troops on 19 October 1791 and was later dismantled. It remained in British hands until the peace treaty of 1792, which concluded the third Anglo-Mysore war.
There are 2 caves on the mountain. One starts from the base and as per locals, leads to the temple and fort at peak and another one is somewhere midway which is about 30 feet only. Both are yet unexplored, especially the first one. Locals say that there are pythons in the caves and have swallowed their goats who wander in the carves. Supposedly, there are 6 Samadhis in that cave and thus the area is considered holy.
Skandagiri aka Kalwarahalli Betta. Kalwara means ‘Thieves’, Halli means ‘Village’ and Betta means ‘Hill’. As the name goes, there are people around at night to fool trekkers. If one is planning to visit this beautiful place, watch out for vehicle thieves. and also while climbing be ware of snakes during night.

Altitude About 1350 meters above sea level
Distance 70 km from Bangalore
Nearest Town/Medical Help Chikballapur, 5 km
Nearest Airport/ Railway station Devanahalli(Bangaluru International Airport)
Co-ordinates 13°25′3″N 77°40′58″E


Getting there

There are two routes to Skandagiri:
  1. From NH 7, turn towards Nandi Hills. At the base of Nandi Hills turn right and proceed to Kalawara village via Muddenahalli (birth place of Bharath Rathna Sir M Visvesvarayya).
  2. From Chikballapur proceed directly to Kalawara village
Directions:
  • Follow the Bangalore International Airport, better known as Bellary Road (NH 7). After crossing BIA take the diversion to Chikballapur. You can see the board for Chikballapur on NH 7 easily. Follow the same road for about 7–8 km until you find a Visvesvarayya statue to your Left. Note that this is a small bust and is easy to miss. There is also a small Ganesha temple right next to that left turn.
  • Take a left at this place and a right turn at the City Municipal Council a little further down. Later this shall directly lead to Papagni Mutt, which is the base of Skandagiri.
At Kalawara village ask for Omkara Jyoti Ashrama/Papagni Mutt . There is a Shiva temple near the base of the hill, where vehicles can be parked near the gate. There are two routes up to skandagiri. One route, which can be accessed by taking the path to the left of the temple is quite steep and is recommended for more experienced climbers. The popular route is the path to the right of the temple (Between the Matt and the Ashram).
  • Nandi to Kalawara to Papagni Mutt is 6 km
  • Chikballapur to Papagni Mutt is 3 km

Trekking

Level of Trekking : Moderately difficult
Must carry water, first aid box, snacks or light foods. Do not forget to take some warm clothing with you as it can get cold at the top. You might want to take a windsheeter or a waterproof Jerkin as the clouds passing over you can get you wet. Local villagers camp on the peak and sell omelettes, cold drinks, tea, and other refreshments. They even gather wood for you in case you want a campfire and can serve as guides over the terrain.
It is common to trek in the dark, and it's a lot fun on a beautiful full moon night. Trekkers usually start climbing at around 2:00 AM and aim to reach the top by around 5:00 AM to catch the sunrise. You must carry one torch per person if planning a night trek. Sometimes the night trek is banned because of security reasons. One must ensure that the night trek is available prior to trekking. Mid of December to second week of January is the best time to visit scandagiri and witness the beautiful scene of Sun rising over white bed of clouds under you.
This is a moderately difficult trek as the hill is precipitous and high. The trek starts from the Papagni Temple at the foot of the hill. The fortress is in full sight throughout the trek uphill. This steep and fantastic trek through a maze of dense shrub is highly intriguing. Skandagiri is a teaser. Just as you reach the fort wall content that you have topped the hill, you see another ring of fort. There are six such series of stonewalls protecting an abandoned ancient temple on the hilltop.
If you are a geologist and interested in doing some study on the trip, there are a few very old stone sculptures of Hindu deities about 100m before the base camp across a temple. Villagers have also built a modern temple right across the road.
Don't forget to carry your camera to take breathtaking pictures of 360 degree view of surroundings. You can also see Nandi Hills from here.
A local language(Kanada) guide is available at the foothill. He is staying near a small temple at foothill. He can be reached on ( +91 9141743260). You can park vehicle safely with his help.
Photo Gallery:
Photos: Venkatesh Rao-Bangalore
Information Courtesy: Wikipedia



The Bank of Varahi River- Hosangadi (Udupi District) is very good place for picnic.

About Varahi River:

Varahi River
is a river flowing through Western Ghats to Basrur, Kundapur and Gungulli in western India. It joins with the Souparnika River, Kedaka River, Chakra River, and Kubja River and merges into the Arabian sea.

Taking its birth at 730m above sea level at a place called “HEBBAGILU” near Agumbe (called Chirapunji of the Karnataka ) at Thirthahalli taluk in Shivamogga district. Many of sub rivers join the VARAHI, these rivers are is originated in Shettykoppa.Halige, Kollavadi, Bangaragall, etc.., The major flow of VARAHI takes place in surroundings Hosanagara taluk. The river traversing about 25km from its origin , falls by 455m in cascades which is popularly known as “KUNCHIKAL FALLS”. The annual rainfall in the catchment varies from 200mm-12800mm. The river joins Arabian sea near Kundapur in Udupi district. The consequence of this drop in the river courses and the large quantum of runoff from the monsoon fed catchment area is the construction of “VARAHI HYDEL POWER PROJECT” According to mythology, VARAHA is one of the incarnations of lord Vishnu.

There is a dam across Varahi river constructed for producing of electricity.Dam has been constructed near Yadur.

There is under ground electricity generating station built by KPCL using water from this river near Siddapura in Udupi district.

Nearest Tourist Places:
  • Varahi Underground Powerhouse
  • Mani Dam
  • Kavale Durga
  • Nagara Port
  • devagange Pond
All places are near to Hosangadi (Main town Kundapura).

Photo Gallery:









Photos & Information Courtesy: Manjunath Jois -Hosangadi



The Blue Lagoons or the KRS backwaters, has emerged as a must-see destination for most tourists visiting the Brindavan Gardens these days. The number of tourists to the backwaters, which is situated at a distance of about six km from the entrance of Brindavan Gardens, swells in the evening.

Apart from watching the beauty of the sun setting over the expansive water body and drenching themselves in the waters, the visitors also pay a visit to the magnificent Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple that has been relocated stone by stone from the site of the reservoir. The reservoir is brimming with water and its backwaters have reached the edge of the road leading to the 12th century Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple, which has now been relocated on the periphery of the Hosa Kannambadi village.

The 900-year-old Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple was originally situated in Kannambadi village, which was submerged under the backwaters of KRS reservoir. The temple used to surface whenever the water level in the reservoir plunged, attracting a large number of devotees. Now the temple has been shifted from its original site, stone by stone to a new site on the periphery of the New Kannambadi village. The relocation work of the temple, which began more than two years ago, is now nearing completion.

How to Reach?:

You could reach this location by walking through the shallow waters from the KRS Dam. Risk involves while reaching the island due to swirling of water and necessary precaution to be taken. You can also hire an auto from K.R.S. to reach this spot or travel by your own vehicles. It is considered as one of the best picnic spot near Mysore these days.

Photo Gallery:













Photos & Information Courtesy: Harsha.H.C.-Mandya (Sutthona Banni Team)



Muregar Falls is the famous tourist spot in Sirsi taluk. "Muregar Falls" is also called as "Teppige falls". It is nearly 23km from Sirsi. This falls originates from "Muregar Halla"(small stream) which is the sub river of "Shalmala River". Here you can see the "Shivalingas" and other gods like "Ganesha", "Shanmuka" etc.

Route Map:




Go in Sirsi-Hulekal road. After 10km (Kengrehole) you will get 'Salkani cross'. Take left diversion & go in Salkani road. Go in that road upto 'Muregar cross' (7km), then take right deviation. After 1.5km you will get 'Duggumane bus stop'. Then go in 'Muregar road' upto 4km, you will get "Muregar Falls".

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Photos: Bhaskar Hegde (Nakshe), Manjunath Hegde (Panchalinga)
Infromation Courtesy: Vinay Bhat (Salkani)



Panchalinga is situated in Sirsi Taluk (Uttara Kannada District). It is 17km from Sirsi. Here you can see the "Panchalingeshwara Temple", " Laxminarayana Temple", "Shivalli Muth". In Panchalingeshwara temple you can see the 5 lingas.

Route Map:


You have to go in Sirsi-Kumata state highway. After 5km you will get a Hegadekatta Cross. Then you have to go in Hegadekatta road upto 11km. then you will get Panchalinga cross. From there you have to travel 1km to reach "Panchalinga".

Photo Gallery:

Panchalingeshwara temple











Laxmi Narayana Temple















Photos & Information Courtesy: Manjunath.M.Hegde-Panchalinga