Skandagiri Trek... Totally Rejuvenating

If you have been bored of your daily routine, feeling lifeless, want to try something adventurous that should be quite rejuvenating too, then trekking is an activity that makes you stress free in every possible way. After reaching at the Top, heart and mind both get filled with relaxing and soothing sensation that helps in getting away from daily hustle-bustle of life. Skandagiri is one of the best places around Bangalore to give an amazing respite and re-energize us for stressful daily lives and traffic jams.

Skandagiri having an altitude of approx 4430 ft (or 1350 mtr) is located near Nandi Hills (about 23 kms) and 3 kms from Chikballapur in Karnataka. It is also famous with other name Kalavara Durga among locals. Remains of Tipu Sultan Fort and an ancient temple still exist at the top of the Hill. Normally Skandagiri is more famous for night trek among adventurous enthusiasts as views from Skandagiri are spectacular during dawn with an indescribable view of rising Sun.

We started our Sunday by reaching Nandi Hills very early in the morning, then visited Bhoga Nandishwara Temple by chance after that we continued towards Skandagiri. On the way from Nandi to Skandagiri, there were many people selling grapes. Those grapes were looking very different than the usual ones but we didn’t stop to try them.

We took left after departing from Bhoga Nandishwara temple and ultimately through a very narrow and bad road we reached to Papagni Math. Parked our car in the side of Temple & offered prayers in the Math before trekking... let me tell u that this MATH is very famous among locals as they believe that anybody with bad intentions can’t even dare to enter in it. We saw another couple who was going to marry (First was in Bhoga Nandishwara) in the temple.

We were getting late for the trek as we had to come down before the sunset so we decided to start the trek. After taking all our water bottles and snacks we continued in the direction guided by the Locals and were looking for a sign. (Please carry all water bottles and food items with you as you won’t get anything there.) But after a while we noticed that we were going in plain with no sign from where trek could be started. With that confusion in our brains (that were we on correct route) we kept on walking and after approx 15 mins we could see that much awaited sign “Way to Hill”.

Just before the trail we encountered two young boys who offered us to guide but we refused their proposal as most of us had heard stories like they leave trekkers alone just after some distance. So we started the trek and initially we found it very simple as kind of steps have been formed and it is very easy to climb up on them.

Trek will seem easy initially but will get tougher eventually as with time trek will get steeper… We were on a very slow pace in no hurry at all, enjoying the serene beauty of the scenes spread in-between. In the initial part of trek there was no vegetation, no greenery, no plants at all. After around 40mins, trek had started going tougher, going steeper but we all were enjoying and singing but slowly started to feel more tired. So we were taking breaks after every 15-20 mins. Trek is well marked with the arrows and also there are very little chances of getting lost as all the way you will have a very narrow path to go forward. At some places two big stones were laying side by side, we had to go through them either by scrolling under the gap or by jumping over them. Overall trek was very interesting.

Stones in shape of Cave

After one hour we left with some drops of water in our bottles and thought of preserving that water for the Top. But after some time those few drops had find their destiny in one of our bellyJ.  Every time we were having a feel after seeing stonewall that we were about to reach the Top, after a while we could see another stonewall to conquer. Like this there are six sets of Stonewalls those seem to be beckoning to the trekkers one after the another.

Before reaching at Top we found a lot of plants overgrown to our heights and we had to go through them. We were following the way through that vegetation that would have been probably formed naturally as all trekkers have to pass through that to reach at Summit. It was quite thrilling. It took around 3 hrs to reach to the summit. And after reaching we found out some stones on one edge of the Hill & crashed there with no water. 

After resting for 20 mins we started to realize how beautiful the place was. Views from every angle from Peak were amazing. We started to literally hop from one part to another then another to another. Like this we explored every nook n corner of the Hill. Views there, Feel of being there after such a nice trekking filled us with energy again.

There was a small ruined temple in which most probably night trekkers spend their night as there were signs of ashes left behind inside the temple. Behind the temple was a small wall of dilapidated fort on which another group of trekkers was already resting.

We stayed there for more than an hour and like other places were in no mood to leave the place, most of us were busy in clicking pictures as much as possible others were guiding them(photographers of our group) about some new angles but after some time left with no option other than to descend. It was really tough to come down as soil was very slippery as it was having grain kind of structure making grip of feet on ground tough.  So we continued very slowly by balancing ourselves on the slope and were surprised that we trekked through this kind of tough trail just some hours back. But it was certainly relishing. That different group (who was resting on wall) was coming very fast and many of them were falling and getting injured in front of us. They were large in number so whenever they were coming we were giving them a way to pass as we were in no mood of getting any kind of injury :).

While coming down just before trek was going to be over, we all saw an amazing sight… it was a double rainbow. A bright rainbow and below that a less bright one. I don’t remember that I have seen double rainbow like that till that day in my life. It was a lifetime achievement.

In around 1:30 hours we came down… making this fact true again that while coming down we can cover same distance in less time J and continued towards our car, washed our faces and got crashed in the car full exhausted and made a very simple wish for having a nice tea… the much required thing at that point of time. But like all of our wishes don’t get fulfilled this one also added on top of that. We didn’t get it till Bhoga Nandishwara.. it had been already started dark. So without taking any halt we came to that same point where we stopped for tea in morning while going to Nandi Hills but there too we couldn’t find anything.

We decided to move towards Punjabi Dhaba (about which I read when planning the trip). Although was not sure how it would be but wanted to have something very badly… so decided to move towards the dhaba. We took left instead of right and were on NH-7 in opposite direction of Bangalore… drove for around 200 mtrs, we got it... all got down instantly. But ambience there was not good at all not like a typical Dhaba in any sense. We were suspicious initially, just ordered 1 or 2 dishes to taste. All our doubts lost in vain… it was really very tasty, we ordered full meal and all were eating like demons ordering one plate after another. Then was the time to go back and continue to normal routine from the very next day.

General Information with Day Plan:

Date of visiting: 20-Oct-2013 Sunday

Distance from Bangalore: around 70 kms from Silk Board

Entry Fee: No Fee

Plan for the Day: Bangalore->Nandi Hills->Bhoga Nandishwara- >Skandagiri->Bangalore

Some Other Points:

• Try to carry loads n loads of water or anything that’ll quench your thirst.
• Also try to have snacks with you as you will get nothing on the top or during the trek even near Skandagiri.
• Skandagiri is more famous for night trek. Start around 2AM in the night. It would be really adventurous and view in dawn would definitely be mesmerizing
• Do not try trekking in monsoon because ground there is full of gravel making it extremely slippery during rain.
• Do not trust the local guys for having a guide… try it by yourself, it will be real fun. Also chances are very less that you will get lost.

It was overall a marvelous trekking experience… completely exciting and rejuvenating. It is a trek about which any trekker can rave about and should not be missed if you live in Bangalore.

Bhoga Nandishwara - One of the Oldest Shiva Temple of Karnataka

Originally Bhoga Nandishwara was not in my plan. Not because I didn’t want to visit it but because I was not aware about it at all when planning my day to visit two hills Nandi and Skandagiri on the same day. We started for the Nandi Hills to see mesmerizing view of rising sun then while going through Nandi to Skandagiri (that we were going to trek)… our driver told us about this famous & one of the oldest temples of Karnataka.

Initially I was thinking that both these temples Yoga Nandishwara and Bhoga Nandishwara were same or like shrine were different but located in the same premises. But only after visiting Bhoga Nandishwara I realized how much wrong I was. It is one of the captivating temple till date I have seen and could have committed a sin to my religion(travelling) if anyhow I would have missed it.

This temple is located in the foot of Nandi Hills in a village called Nandi Village. The temple dates back to 9^th century making it one of the oldest temples of Karnataka believed to be originally built by the Bana Queen Ratnavali. After that it underwent through many modifications by different dynasties those ruled the area. The best time to visit this temple is during Shivaratri as this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this temple, 1,00,000 lamps are lit thrice a year during main festival days including Shivaratri.

Long Way to Front Gate... Glimpse of Hill Behind Temple

After entering through the main big gate of the temple, there is a long way to go to the temple behind which a hill(not sure whether it is Nandi Hill) is standing tall like a shield to protect it from any kind of trouble. Then we saw a board with details of the temple written on it. According to that the temple is perhaps the finest and most ornate of the Dravidian Temples in Karnataka. This is a twin temple built side by side. One is dedicated to Bhoganandishwara and another one to Arunachaleshwara. Like this all details are mentioned there.

Area before Front Gate on both sides of Long Way

Undoubtedly this temple is having a kind of architecture that can attract anyone towards it. We roamed and explored almost every corner of it and were in no mood of getting out of it. On top of this at that day one couple was going to tie their knots forever.  We two(me & my friend) were also enjoying all their customs that they were performing.

Stone Ratha Chakra...

Front Gate

Inside Temple... imagine how grand it would be

Then other friends of us came and dragged us to other parts of the temple. Eventually we reached to the very big open area and in that one Kalyan Mantapa was standing. It has amazing images carved on the pillars, roofs etc.  It was looking spectacular. Again we took a lot of pics there.

Gate to Shringi Thirtha

Notice Kalyan Mantapa on left

And then was a big pond having steps all around it which is called as Shringi Thirtha pond. It is said that Nandi the bull of Shiva plunged his horns(Shringa) in the ground here to take water out. It is said to be the source of south Pinakini River. It is surrounded on all four sides by a walkway and a running Mandapa.

Shringi Thirtha

In short this temple is a must visit temple if you are visiting Nandi Hills. Being in the foot of the hill makes its presence more eye catching as I caught that view more in my eyes than in lens of my camera. Also its architecture is somewhat different that make this temple a must visit for any Bangalorean atleast J.

General Information with Day Plan:

Date of visiting : 20-Oct-2013 Sunday

Distance from Bangalore : approx 70 km from Silk Board

Entry Fee : No entry fee is there

Plan for the Day : Bangalore->Nandi Hills->Bhoganandishwara->Skandagiri->Bangalore

Nandi Hills - Another Sunday Well Spent

Nandi Hills

Nandi Hill is name of the place that is visited by Bangloreans quite often as it is just a jump away from Bangalore. It’s a place with very nice scenic beauty which is able to rejuvenate anyone almost in the way  a nice hill station does. Different stories of Nandi Hills are famous among locals but it is said that its present name is because of its shape which resembles to sitting NANDI. It is 4,851 ft above sea level. 

View from foot of the Nandi Hills

View from Top of Nandi Hills

It was a trip which was in my mind even before I landed in Bangalore. When I was in Delhi almost all of my friends who were staying in Bangalore or around it, kept on boasting about Nandi Hill’s scenic beauty. So when I heard that I had to go to Bangalore for joining, first thing that struck my mind was… Nandi Hill of course. Although I explored Nandi after around 10 months after stepping in Bangalore but I was very excited.

Road to Top of Nandi Hils

Curves on the Way

We (I & 5 of my friends) started our journey very early in the Sunday morning and left our rooms at 4:30 AM. Although it is not very far from Bangalore (around 70 km) on the way to Hyderabad National Highway (NH-7) also roads were silent and lonely at those early hours and the special time that I can check on my watch only when I am on a trip ;) and gate at Nandi Hill opens up at 6:00 AM.. I would suggest you to leave somewhat early if you want to see sun rise( which is not visible in monsoon) because vehicles get lined up one after another and if u will reach at 6AM or 5:45AM u would be very back in line.. resulting in delay and ultimately missing sunrise. Also if you are a regular early riser, if you are the one who doesn’t want to miss a incredible sunrise then its better to reach Nandi a day before and stay overnight in one of the guest house like Nehru House or Gandhi House which are Govt guest houses. Also Karnataka Tourism runs a restaurant(veg & non-veg both) named Mayura.

We all were enjoying as usual and some were trying to be dizzy but they ofcourse couldn’t :). We stopped at the diversion from main Bangalore-Hyderabad Expressway as there were many tea stalls and we all wanted tea at that time. Then we headed towards Nandi Hill and reached at gate at 5:45AM and as mentioned earlier were stuck before gate as a number of vehicles were already there. After 5 mins we all decided to got down and walk.. catching some early morning sight and scenery present there was beautiful making our morning awesome. Then finally our car crossed the GATE at 6:20AM.. we got in it and headed towards Nandi clicking the scenes as much as possible.

Vehicles started to move after 6:00AM

Main Gate of Fort

We reached at the main gate in around 20 mins after crossing a number of hilly turns.  There we had to pay an entry fee of Rs. 100 and bikers have to park bikes there only as bikes are not allowed after this main gate which seems to be a gate of Fort. Also if you want, you can go up by a flight of around 1175 steps from the foot of the hill to top. Immediately after entering this gate on left is Amritha Sarovar and Tipu’s Lodge. But at that time we skipped these places with hope that quite possible we might see some sight of rising sun(that we see very less in our lives ;) ). 

But here comes the main twist that it was so cloudy that day that there was no sun in the sky and as I have told earlier we were already too late. Too many people were already there and were waiting for just a glimpse of almighty Sun. But I have one favorite line of mine “if your friends are with you, you can enjoy at any place”. Instead of any place we were actually at the most favorite place of Bangaloreans. So we simply started to discovered the place. 

A view of Top of Nandi Hills

A ruined structure on Top

In vicinity of view point there is an ancient temple, Yoga Nandeeshwara, we entered in its premises, it was constructed on rocky surface which was making it unique in its own way, offered prayers to the deity and then in other complex there was small pond on Nandi Hill itself then went to the back of the temple. Here we could actually feel that we are at the top of the Nandi Hill… started to descend, encountered a lot of monkeys on the way, a lot of people were resting on the hillock.

Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Inside Temple.. rocky surface

Pond Inside Temple on Top of Nandi Hills

At last we reached to the Tipu’s Drop. It is said that from here Tipu’s prisoners were thrown to death. However from here we could see the spectacular view of the valley and were trying to identify the roads to come up. So many gun holes were there on the way in the wall of the fort. I was very impressed with one of the point in which 3 holes were together in different direction so that fire could be done in three directions back-to-back (I thought so :)).

Tipu's Drop

View From Tipu's Drop

Gun Hole in three direction

Descend towards Tipu's Drop

 

Basically it was looking like we were inside a fort on the top of the hill, entered through its Main Gate. This fort was considered as impregnable covering a very very vast area, having holes in the wall, having a place to throw prisioners, having a Sarovar etc.

Then was the origin of the Akrkavati River which was more looking like rain water has collected in between. Very honestly I couldn't see any origin of any river as mentioned in various sites. Eventually we entered the Childrens’ Park and did some photo shoot as usual ;). There were small tree houses catching everybody's attention passing through the area. Then we started to return back. 

A Flower on Top near Childrens' Park

We came back to that same gate through which we entered. Immediately before it was  Amritha Sarovar and Tipu Sultan's Lodge. Sarovar was good to see and we were feeling kind of peace there and then in the back of it is Tipu's Lodge. There was nothing much in Lodge, a dark and almost empty room (only room which was open) was there but let me tell it was extra ordinarily cold. By entering in that room only we realised that why it is known as Summer Retreat. All other rooms were locked so could not enter in them so after exploring that we started towards the Main Gate to descend.

Amritha Sarovar

Tipu Sultan Lodge

And ultimately we left the place at around 10:30AM. Just after reaching NH74, at that T-point only there are a number of good restaurants and dhabas. We decided to have breakfast there only as we were going to trek Skandagiri.. and there we would find nothing to eat. We had nice dosa, omlettes and idli and were ready to trek Skandagiri then.

Inside Main Gate View

Another View

Overall it was another trip that we enjoyed a lot with a little disappointment of not able to see sunrise but I think our timings were not perfect. But it was a much awaited trip that was followed by visit to Bhoganandishwara Temple and trekking on Skandagiri.

General Information with Day Plan:
Date of visiting : 20-Oct-2013 Sunday
Distance from Bangalore : approx 70 kms.
Entry Fee : For cars its Rs. 100 & for bikes its Rs. 40 for two persons but bikes should be parked outside the Gate of Fort.
Time to visit : 6AM - 6PM
Mode of travelling : By Car
Plan for the day : Bangalore->Nandi Hills->Bhoganandishwara Temple->Skandagiri->Bangalore
Days required : 1 Day is enough but you can spend a night for a beautiful sunrise view