Place: Devarayanadurga betta a.k.a DD Hills, Namada ChelumeTumkur
Distance: 75 x 2 = 150 km
Route: Vijaynagar -> Nelamangala -> Dabaspete -> Devarayanadurga
Type: Temple, Sightseeing, optional short trekking
Ideal for: Friends & Family
Crew: Vinay, Sukesh, Arun, Abdul, Praveen, Sagar
Bikes: Bajaj Discover 150, Honda Trigger CB, Pulsar 135
Budget: 300/head
I was really frustrated because of some issue at the office just wanted to spend some time away from this mess. Checked theloapers blog for a perfect destination. The far side of Bangalore is a nature's bounty in full swing. Just 70 kilometers away from the hustle-bustle of Silicon City is a powerfully quiet countryside with breathtaking views, century-old temples and rocky hills. The destination is, Devarayanadurga in Tumkur district.
Brief about the place: The rocky hills are surrounded by forest and the hilltops are dotted with several temples including the Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha temples and an altitude of 3940 feet. It is also famous for Namada Chilume, a natural spring considered sacred and is also considered the origin of the Jayamangali river.
Saturday morning: Woke up at 4.15 am and hit the road at 4.45 am. All assembled at Maruti Mandir. After a formal greeting, we headed towards our destination. Vinay and Sukesh were already waiting for us at NH4 Tollgate, Nagasandra. Had a hot cup of tea and soon we left.
The Ride: We rode at a normal pace, reached Dabaspete from where you have to take a right turn. Another 20 km for our destination. The road changed from Highway to an interior road with peaceful surroundings. Saw the sunrise on the way. The road is zigzag and the dense greenery surroundings make ride memorable.
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| Sunrise on the way |
Finally, we reached the destination at 7 O'clock. The view from the hill was breathtaking the mist covered the hills, the cold breeze made a wonderful morning.
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| The first view from the hill |
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| The first view from the hill |
We parked the bike and followed the stairs which lead us to the temple. A lot of monkeys welcomed us, doing mischievous things. The gate of the temple was closed, a signboard displayed it will be opened at 8.
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| Parking space |
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| Stairs leading to the temple |
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| A well-furnished stairs |
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| Monkeys welcoming us |
We could see a building at another peak, thought of exploring unexplored places. Went there on the bike but disappointed because nothing was there its just a guest house, no viewpoint nothing. Took photos to kill the time.
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| The building we thought of exploring :P |
It was almost 8 so we came back to the temple. There were two shops, I asked if any breakfast is available they said no so had to fill the empty stomach with Lays, Biscuit, and Banana. After 2 minutes of climbing the stairs, we reached the temple. Thought of visiting temple while coming back so we moved on.
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| Shop near parking space |
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| Pushpakarni |
The Trek: It's a short trekking which includes kaccha path and crawling like soldiers. It had rained the previous day so the path was a little slippery. We reached the peak in 15 minutes. Enjoyed the view, fresh breeze, calmness. Though many people visit the temple no one comes till the peak only our group was there no one else. So it's a traffic-free calm place, unlike Shivagange where a lot of people will be there. Its a well maintained clean place where too many devotees visit not many people for trekking.
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| Crawling at some places |
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| Open place, the midpoint |
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| The highest peak "the bell" you can see |
Took a power nap for 10 minutes, The sun was already up and hitting like a high beam light. The climate was fluctuating as the sun was playing hide and seek behind clouds.
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| View of temple from the top |
After spending a good time for 30 mins we left the place at 9.45 am.
Visited the temple, had a nice darshan of Rudranarasimha swami.
There is a Namada Chilume 3 km away. We chose to visit Namada Chilume.
We saw the place sit for a couple of minutes and headed back. Reached Bangalore at 1 pm.
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| Driving back to Bangalore |
We saw the place sit for a couple of minutes and headed back. Reached Bangalore at 1 pm.