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.
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| 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
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| 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.
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| Wild Flower |
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| 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).
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| Hill range in West |
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| When it started to rain |
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| 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.
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| Entrance to the temple: looks like door to sky |
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| Lord Shiva Temple at top |
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| Lord Shiva Temple and Yagnakunda |
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| Fortification and Stone Pavilion, Devarayanadurga in backdrop |
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| Fort atop, Shivagange hill in backdrop |
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| Nandi |
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| Lord Rama's foot print ? |
Looking towards east one could enjoy the excellent views of Shivagange and other hills.
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| Looking towards east |
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| Looking towards east: Shivagange hills and distant view of NH4 |
At west sun was about to set over the city of Tumkur.
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| View of Tumkur |
At north there is a majestic views of Devarayanadurga Forest and hills.
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| Devarayanadurga Forest and Hills |
Towards west there is a views of Sre Siddagange Hills.
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| 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.
