Madhugiri fort trek- Second largest monolithic rock in Asia

MADHUGIRI BETTA 

Madhugiri betta is the second largest monolithic rock in Asia (1200 meters) and will whet your appetite for a bit of a climb and some serious trekking. First timers must study the climb and   come adequately equipped with good trek shoes (the grip matters !!). Your small back pack must contain at least one liter of water , good sunglasses (i prefer Polaroids to cut the sun ) , sun protective hat to protect your skin after ample application of sunscreen. The last suggestion can be skipped in case you don't care about your skin. Since it is a single rock it will present challenges of numerous kind inter alia steep exposed rocks and wind factor. If it rains the challenge increases as your chances for a slip increase proportionately. Of course you can start late in the day and have additional heat and glaring sun added to the list of elements !!! On my way back I saw a family all set for a climb with kids and the ladies wearing sandals (thankfully not stilettos) . This is not that kind of place. It is not a picnic spot. I would rate the difficulty level at intermediate for a well worked out person with a bit of trekking experience. Of course am sure it is cake walk for an experienced trekker. Isn't it all relative in the end? LOL


Madhugiri is a town located in Tumkur district of Karnataka state. A small nondescript town will provide with basic eatery and very basic hotel facility in case you need to stay the night over. Many people from Bangalore do this as a day trek after driving down from Bangalore which is about a 120  odd Km. away. This could be covered in about 3 hours. The road is good as well.

Also if time permits one must spent time to explore Jayamangali Blackbuck Sanctuary. It is only a notified protected sanctuary so don=t be alarmed at the absence of a grand gate to welcome you or some major forest office area with guards scurrying around

I am the Jayamangali Blackbuck Sanctuary

Vast spread of grassland with thorny bushes

My hubby dear poses

The umbrella provided relief from the scorching sun

Termites abound

It has the largest contiguous population of blackbuck  (Antilope cervicapra) in Karnataka. I spotted a watchtower also. Excellent for putting up your tripods or just fooling around through a pair of binoculars !!
I loved the vastness one feels in the absence of much construction , less vegetation , and of course absence of teeming millions.

Blackbucks sighted..made my day!!!

It is a typical grassland and apart from the Black buck, other mammals present in the area includes , Indian Wolf, bonnet macaque, jungle cat, Indian grey mongoose, bats, Indian fox , Indian hare, rodents , butterflies and birds. Some medicinal plants also found here.

One can also drive through Thimmalapura forest reserve. The route can be tracked through GPS, google maps or even the locals are helpful. I found the locals around to be more than willing to help some even going out of the way to point out the best route to reach the destination.This forest is known for its population of peafowls and sloth bears

Lets get back to the main purpose i had undertaken the journey- the trek. We (hubby and I) started the trek at 6: 45 AM and were down to base at 945 AM. 2  hours to go up and an hour for the descend . The descend will be easier than you perceive  it to be .I did not do much photography during this trek having outsourced the click job to him. We are regular gym people with some marathons to our credit. But the experience in the climb trek route was a bit low and so i did find the trek to be difficult in some areas especially where there was no support at all and the rock was steep and exposed. The gust of wind was strong as well. The only blessing was the heat. Having started early we were not hit by the sun to that extent..

The entry way is through a gateway. There is no ticket and one can easily park inside and start the trek.

The level of difficulty will increase proportionately with the ascend. From plain steps to huge boulder cut steps to rock cut steps guarded by a metal rod support to totally exposed rock with rock cut steps to no steps. Here is the challenging bit. Saw a lot of people turn away at the exposed rock part.

Apart from the Adrenalin rush , i found the area to be quiet aesthetic and picturesque with a derelict fort thrown in at the top.
The construction of the original mud fort was undertaken by Raja Hire Gowda in the 17th century around 1670 AD.

Avani - Kolar (Karnataka) - Gaya of South

Fancy going to a place where Mythology , history exist in equal measures with climbing, trekking , good photo opportunities and solace ? Sounds almost magical but a place to that effect exists .

Today i will share my experience of a wonderful day trip from Bangalore to Avani village in Kolar district of Karnataka. I have had an amazing one day trip  to Kolar gold fields   which takes you back to the good old era where Gold mining was at its peak.

Avani village is 30 odd kms ahead of kolar gold fields.

Avani is around 80 kms from Bangalore which makes it an excellent choice for a day trip. Driving at a leisurely pace would get you there in 2 hours . Traffic is not much on the NH75 towards Hoskote and then towards Kolar till you reach a right turn towards Avani village. There is no eateries around the temple area so better to stop for some refreshment on the highway itself. Also you could try a picnic basket packed with sandwiches/paranthas along with a flask filled with tea/coffee. Its a hot sunny place so remember to carry loads of water, hats,sunscreen etc.

Remember to take a right where this board guides you to.

Avani village is around 6.5 kms from here. You could park in the temple complex here. If confused ask any local villager and they will guide you towards the temple complex.

Avani is also known as the Gaya of South  and has ancient temples known as the Ramalingeshwara, Lakshmaneshwara, Bharateshwara and Shatrugneshwara, dating back to the period of the Nolamba Dynasty.

Enroute to Avani village we stopped at this beautiful spot for some tea (from the flask!!!) and a quick photo. It was hot and sunny for sure and i just hoped for an overcast sky with little pitter patter of rain drops. But was not in luck.

Avani village dwelling

We had hit the village now and i compared old houses to the new construction.

We decided to head towards the temple.

We parked here in front of the Rath . Mahashivaratri is celebrated in a grand fashion here and am sure this is taken out at that time !!! Only one other car was parked and i could only see local villagers with a small makeshift shop selling bric-a-brac (water. cold drink) Many beggars around
and their poverty apparent.

Temple entrance

Clicked these at the temple entrance . Have tried to cover this trip with a 40 mm lens.
Great depth of field but does not work again back lit areas. Also as one can understand the canvas provided is small.
These fall under ASI (Archaelogical Survey of India) protection. I feel this area is a gem waiting to be discovered . Not much awareness and hence not many people visit here  I suppose.

This temple complex is of great antiquity and is constructed in the Dravida style of architecture. As per ASI, it is a 10th century Nolamba Dynasty construction which was renovated later by the Cholas.

Legend has it that Valmiki who is the author of the spic Ramayana stayed here and Hindu Lord Rama visited this place on his return to Ayodhya from Lanka.

Also legend has it that Lava and Kusha , Rama's sons were born here on the hill (called Lava-Kusha Betta) which is a short distance from the temple complex.

Lets go inside the temple complex and explore....

At the entrance

 Shoes are not allowed and stone can get hot. I always carry an old pair of towel socks for such areas.

Rath used during Maha shivratri

Dhwaj Stambh at front of the temple

Back light does not seem to work with a 40 mm lens. Major disappointment. Me with Nandi Bull in the backdrop.

The wall and pillar relief is beautifully done.

The temple complex has a beautiful ceiling relief.

For a hike up the Luv-Kush betta, one needs to come out of the temple complex . As soon as you come out the road to the left leads up to the hike.

Here we are at the start point leading up the Betta. Sita mata temple is located on the top. This is one of the very few temples in India dedicated to Sita. It is believed that Sita stayed here during the time Valmiki was writing the Ramayana. This is where Luv-Kush were born.

I  along with my husband are a fitness freak and found the /trek up the hillock very easy but might be a strain for people not in good shape. The sun scorched on. No relief !!

Depiction of Valmiki writing the Ramayana

In the last picture the temple can be seen on the top. But we did not trek up till there was we needed to return due to some urgent work and were hard pressed for time. Another time maybe!!