Ramadevara Betta, Tumakuru

It was Sunday, 9th of August, 2014. I planned a trek to Ramadevara - Betta. It was in my to do list from really long time. My father and my uncle climbed this his hill during their childhood (perhaps in 1970s). I heard fascinating stories about their climb: it was pouring down that day and there was no shelter at top except the temple. They did not took shelter inside temple as it was filled with bats. They did find shelter under rock, but it was filled with Scorpions ! They had to run away as Scorpions sort of chased them.

I grew up looking at this hill. I always wanted to climb this hill and see what is there on its top. But it happened only last Sunday. 

Ramadevara Betta (13.323989 N, 77.162113 E) is situated adjacent to Kyatsandra, suburb of Tumkur. It is visible from NH4 and is approximately 1 km from Sre Siddagana Mutt. Elevation is about 3900 feet above sea level. I parked my bike at Sre Siddagana Mutt parking lot and took a trail which leads to Ramadevara Betta hill base. From the other blogs I learn that there are many ways to hill top, but the path from Sre Siddagana Mutt is the easiest one. I decided to go by this route and to confirm I spoke to couple of Mutt students who showed me the right path to hill top.

Mutt students were playing, few sitting under tree and chatting and few were washing their cloths. It was wonderful sight and made to remember my high school days.

One has to pass fields, lotus lake and small stream to reach the hill base. There is a "Kaludari" (path made by foot) which is leads to hill top.

Ramadevara Betta: Hill base and hiking trail

Lower 60% of  the hill is bushy forest and remaining part contains huge rocks.One has to carefully follow the path other wise would end up at the base of huge rocks which is very difficult to climb up. The path is narrow and either side is infested with thorny plants. Often you can see goat manure on trails which means you are on a right track !

Common thorny shrub is Lantana camara, which is a flowering plant and is toxic to livestock. It is invasive, alien species spread from its native Central and South America. It has tubular shaped flower, which has 4 petals arranged in clusters and joined at stems. Flowers come in various colors including red, yellow, white, pink and orange depending on location and maturity. For more info please see Lantana_camara

Flower of Lantana camara

There are also prickly plants. I was stuck in one such plant and struggled a lot get rid of its thorn. I could see few small flowering plants.

Wild Flower

Bettada Hoo

This 8 petal yellow flower was found at hill top. Fauna includes birds, lizards, spiders, snakes and probably wolves and bears. I could see many birds, lizards and spiders.

Climbing up offers an excellent views of  hills in West, Devarayanadurga Forest and Devarayanadurga hills in North. One can also see Yoga Narasimha temple of Devarayanadurga (white building).

Hill range in West

When it started to rain

Devarayanadurga Forest

Hill top has surprisingly vast plain surface. There is an old fortification and pond. There is temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Hill top also has cave temple dedicated to Lord Rama (which I could not visit). Hill top offers excellent view of the surrounding. Towards east one could see majestic views of Shivagange hills.

Entrance to the temple: looks like door to sky

Lord Shiva Temple at top

Lord Shiva Temple and Yagnakunda

Fortification and Stone Pavilion, Devarayanadurga in backdrop

Fort atop, Shivagange hill in backdrop

Nandi

Lord Rama's foot print ?

Looking towards east one could enjoy the excellent views of  Shivagange and other hills.

Looking towards east

Looking towards east: Shivagange hills and distant view of NH4

At west sun was about to set over the city of Tumkur.

View of Tumkur

At north there is a majestic views of Devarayanadurga Forest and hills.

Devarayanadurga Forest and Hills

Towards west there is a views of Sre Siddagange Hills.

View of Siddagange Hills and lotus lake

Day was almost over. Sun was about set. I could cover only 60% of the hills, but I had to rush. I vowed to visit this hill again and started to climb down. I was lost, could not find the way down. I had climbdown steep rocks. It was an amazing experience. Then all of a sudden I was on right track: felt very happy, reached hill base. Had Thatte Idly (Rice delicacy) and Coffee at hotel in Kyatsandra and headed towards Bangalore. That day long pending trek was accomplished.

Trek to Kengal Betta

I was really thrilled that I am on an unplanned trip and I am going to do it all alone. I was not sure that the hill I am planing to climb has even an access. I didn't even knew the name of the hill. But I decided to take my chances....!

It was Sunday, 8th of June, 2014. My my heart was missing some thing: the feeling that I have not done any thing in last one month. Friends were of no help as they were busy. That afternoon I decided to take a bike ride towards Tumkur to break the monotony. Plan was to take a long drive and return home in a couple of hours.

1-30 PM, hopped on my bike: I was driving through NH4. Traffic was minimal and wind breeze was lovely. In no time I was in Nelamangala. I was not satisfied, decided to go further. Then I thought, as I have traveled this far, I should visit Mahimarangana Betta- Mahimapura, as it was in my mind from couple of years, which I couldn't do.

Mahimarangana Betta- Mahimapura.

Mahimarangana Betta is situated at a distance of 45 km from Bengaluru and is 1.5 km from NH4. I took a left turn from NH4 at temple arch and followed a sign post to reach the hillock base. Freshly painted steps were leading to hillock top. Atop a hill, there is a temple dedicated to Mahima Ranganathaswami (Lord Vishnu). Temple was closed: I did not had a chance to visit the temple. I took circumambulation of the temple and sat there for about half an hour. I enjoyed the the majestic views of the Shivagange hill which is situated at a stone throw away distance. I also could see 2-3 near by hillocks which are located towards Tumkur. It was only 3-30 PM. Thought I could I do something more today. Climbing Shivagange was too ambitious. I thought, I will another climb another hillock near by. I didn't know the name, but it caught my eyes, it was visible from the Mahimarangana Betta. The hill is monolithic, and has a shape of Shivalinga. My friend Ravi, once told me that hill top has Basavanna (Nandi) and a Mantapa. I decided to visit Mahimarangana Betta once gain and started to climb down with an intention to climb another hill.

Mahimarangana Betta: Steps leading to top

I was doubtful whether to venture into this unknown hill alone that too at this time. But strong urge to see sunset from hill top pulled me through. I took a road which was leading to Shivagange. This road is awesome, has agricultural fields on either sides of road . I spoke to couple of villagers and found a way to hillock base. By the way name of the hillock is Kengal Betta, which I learned from the villagers.

Kengal Betta,

I took a left turn from Shivagange-Dabaspet main road. This is a mud road and looks like it will lead to somewhere near the hillock base.  My guess was correct: the road took me almost to the hillock base.There is Granite Quarry, where I parked my bike. Bike would't go further. I walked through private agricultural fields and crawled under fencing to reach the hill base.

Jungle Betta.

Started climbing, took an easier path. Walked through bushes and thorny plants reached almost mid of the hill. Villagers do cattle grazing till this point.

Almost middle of this hill - Remains of the an old fort

From here path becomes difficult. I had to a climb steep rock. This was the most challenging part of the entire trek.

Steep rock

I had to climb-crawl-jump in repetition to reach the hill top. Hill tap has a Mantapa and Basavanna (Nandi).

Final Ascent

Hill Top: Mantapa and Basvanna

I enjoyed excellent views of Shivagange Hills and surroundings.

View of  Shivagange Hills

View looking towards Tumkur

Sat down there for about 10 minutes,very much satisfied with the trip. I descend hill safely. Had lunch at Dabaspet and head towards Bangalore. Reached home by 7-30 PM with a feeling that the day was well spent.