Home » HillStations In Karnataka  »  Savanadurga Hill

Savanadurga Hill

Savandurga Hill

About:

A left turn some 7 kms before Magadi in Magadi road reduced our travel distance by some 8 kms and itz around 65 kms from bangalore city. Nice road to drive on and lotz of quarries on the way and road having lotz of bends and turns makes your drive a splendid one. The road which we turned before magadi took us via a village (some 4 kms stretch) which resembles the one shown in Tamil movies by Bharathiraja (in Tamil). Honking for hens, Goats and Cows we drove thro that village and reached the main road which connects Savandurga and Hosapte (near magadi). And you will not miss the big Bangalore tourism hoarding of savandurga hill. Take left there and the road thro thick vegetation leads to savandurga.

 

Rising to an altitude of 1226 m above the sea level, these hills are considered to be one of the largest monolith hills in India. Savandurga Hills form a part of the Deccan plateau and comprise of peninsular gneiss, laterites, basic dykes and granites. They consist of two hills, namely Karigudda (black hill) and Billigudda (white hill). In the following lines, we have provided more information about Savandurga Hills near Bangalore, India.

 

Savandurga Hills serve as the base for pilgrims who come to visit the Savandi Veerabhadreshwara Swamy temple and Narasimha Swamy temple, situated at the base of the hills. These hills are also quite popular amongst rock-climbers, cave-explorers and adventurers. The dry deciduous forest surrounding the hills is home to the endangered Yellow-throated Bulbuls, Sloth bears, Leopards, etc. Even the flora of the Savandurga Hills is quite varied, comprising of over 59 tree and 119 shrub species.

Savandurga is formed by two hills known locally as Karigudda (black hill) and Biligudda (white hill). The earliest record of the name of the hill is from 1340 AD by Hoysala Ballala III from Madabalu where it is called Savandi. Another view is that the name is originated from Samantadurga attributed to a Samantharaya, a governor under Ahchutaraya at Magadi, although there is no inscription confirming this.

Location info:

Address:Savandurga Hill, Bangalore,Karnataka,India
District: Bangalore
Nearest City: Bangalore
Best time to visit: November to April

Climate/Weather:

The weather is moderate in the range of 15 - 22 Degree C all through the year. Best season:Septmeber to Jan

History:

Savandurga comprises of two hills known locally as Karigudda (black hill) and Biligudda (white hill). The earliest record of the name of the hill is from 1340 AD by Hoysala Ballala III from Madabalu where it is called Savandi. Another view is that the name is originated from Samantadurga attributed to a Samantharaya, a governor under Ahchutaraya at Magadi, although there is no inscription confirming this.This was the secondary capital of the Magadi rulers such as Kempegowda. from 1638 to 1728, Mysore took over this place and Dalavayi Devaraja occupied this place with the palace at Nelapattana. In 1792 Lord Cornwallis captured it from Tippu Sultan and this was described by Colonel Wilks.

Interesting things to do:

Trekking:
We were five comprising Ananda H.M.(Organizer), Sameer Nagaich, Venkatesh, Babu & myself. That was 10:30am on June 23,2007 when we reached the base. A climate just bespoken for the expedition with sun hiding somewhere within the clouds, small drizzle now & then and gentle winds. Sameer added his words to this saying "The climate would've never got better than this!".Thankfully, there is a safe & convenient way has been marked with arrows as to direct trekkers to the destination. The trek comprised of 4 checkpoints commemorated with four different fort walls coming all over the way. Venkatesh inaugurated the trek with a joke saying "Aa, Tensingh gu saha havaai chappali hakkondu ee betta hattakaagalla. Aadre naavu hakkondu hogidvi gotta!(Even Tensingh can't climb this mountain wearing slippers, but we've done that!).

 

Forest Walking:
After lunch & a little relaxation started a hiking over the forest countryside on the other side of the mountain and the way to that begins from the park itself. This showed a real adventure of walking at a no-man area, surprisingly we are again accompanied by Fathima all over the way. This is again 1.5 hours of walk through camping area, woods, ponds and rocks. We reached place of an old abandoned temple in midst of the woods. We stayed, slept, tattled there for almost an hour or so. At 5:00pm in the evening we are about to prepare our tea, but our portable gas stove didn't light up and we have to return without having tea. Finally again after continuous walk for an hour we reached the park gate where our vehicle stood. We could see Fathima waving a bye for all of us with her tail, saying her a goodbye & few biscuits we are on the go way back to the concrete jungle called Bengaluru.

Interesting things to Visit:

  • Veerabhadreshwara Swamy temple
  • Narasimha Swamy temple

Mobile range info:

 

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Bangalore railway station
Nearest Airport:Bangalore airport
Road Transport:Savanadurga is about 50 Kms away from Bangalore. You could take a bus from Bangalore or come here by your bike or car. The easiest route is to take the Magadi Road until you reach Magadi town. After this you will have to take a left towards Ramanagram and reach Nayakanapalya. Take a left here again and proceed further to reach Savandurga. The local villagers are helpful with directions.

Nearest Visiting places:

The Bangalore Palace & Fort:
The Bangalore Fort was built by Kempe Gowda and expanded by Tippu Sultan. Within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple.The Bangalore Palace was built by a Wodeyar king in 1887 on the 400 acre space. Inspired by the Windsor castle, this palace was built in the Tudor style, complete with Gothic windows, foiled windows, battlements and turrets resembling the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, this summer palace has been constructed largely of wood and is famous for its carving and paintings.

Lal Bagh:
Hyder Ali laid out this famous botanical garden and his son added horticultural wealth to them by importing trees and plants from several countries. The garden today houses over 1000 species of flora which include rare and enchanting collection of tropical plants, trees and herbs. The Glass House, modelled along London's Crystal Palace, is the center of attraction in this 2400 acre park. Bi-annual flower shows attracting participants from all over India is held in the Glass House. In July, 2003 it was decided that the Department of Horticulture and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) would jointly take up the development of Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens.

ISKCON:
Situated on Chord Road, it is a must visit temple in Bangalore. It stands over a small hill and is a very clean and well maintained temple. Akshaya Patra program sponsored by the temple is very popular.

Bull Temple:
This temple, built by Kempe Gowda, houses the magnificent stone statue of the sacred bull, Nandi. It stands over 15 feet tall and is over 20 feet long . In Nov/Dec every year, when the groundnuts have been harvested, a groundnut fair is held near the temple. The first groundnuts are offered by the farmers to the sacred bull.

Gangadhareshware Temple:
Known for its four monolithic pillars and rare idol of Agni, the God of fire,this temple was built by Kempe Gowda. A unique phenomena is witnessed here on Jan 13/14th every year when the rays of the setting sun enter through the window, pass between the horns of the Nandi and shine on the Shivalingam.

Dharmaraja Temple:
Located at Nazarethpet in the suburbs of Bangalore, this temple is the starting point of the annual Karaga procession. The revered idols of this temple are the Shri Dharmaraja Swamy, hero of the Mahabharata and Lord Krishna.

Dargah Hazarath Tawakkal Mastan:
This Muslim shrine,located in Cottonpet, a suburban locality, is associated with the Hindu Karaga festival too. The procession annually visits the Dargah of this Sufi saint, Tawakkal Mastan. His tomb attracts both Muslim and non-Muslim pilgrims.

Jumma Masjid:
The Jumma Masjid is probably the oldest mosque in the city. It is an imposing structure with tall ornamented granite pillars adorning the elevated prayer hall. Scores of devote Muslim worshippers throng this masjid during the annual festivals of the Muslims. It is located in the busy market area of Bangalore, K.R.Market.

Ravindra Kalakshetra:
The Kalakshetra, built to commemorate Rabindranath Tagore's centenary, promotes cultural activity in the city. It has a superb theatre and houses the Cultural Akademi Offices. Next to it is the Gothic styled Puttannachetty Town Hall whose huge auditorium can easily accommodate over 1500 persons.

St. Mary's Church:
Established by a French missionary Abbe Dubois in 1811, St.Mary's church is the only church in Karnataka state to be elevated to the status of a minor Basilica. Every September, The Virgin Mary's festival is celebrated with a procession that attracts people of all faiths. The church is situated near the Shivaji Nagar Bus Terminal.

Ulsoor lake:
A picturesque lake with several tree-shaded islands in it, is an ideal picnic spot. You can go boating or go for a swim in the nearby swimming pool that is part of the recreational complex near the lake. You can also go to the nearby Gurdhwar, the largest Sikh shrine in Bangalore...More

Tipu's Palace:
Built in 1791, this beautiful two-storeyed ornate wooden structure with exquisitely carved pillars, arches and balconies was one of Tipu's favourite summer retreats.

Hesaragatta:
25 Kms away, Hesaragatta is an interesting picnic spot offering water sports to the adventurous. Boating and wind-surfing is the major attraction. It also has a dairy & horticulture farm where you can picnic.

Ramohalli:
Ramohalli, located 28 Kms west is a popular picnic spot. A major attraction at Ramohalli is the 400 year old giant Banyan tree which sprawls over an incredible 3 acres.

Muthyalamaduvu:
Also known as the Pearl Valley, Muthyalamaduvu is 40 Kms away. The beautiful cascading water falls surrounded by verdant settings provide an ideal picnic getaway.

Ramanagaram:
Rock-climbers and adventure seekers need look no further. 49 Kms south-west from Bangalore, Ramanagaram, provides the ideal location with landscaped rock faces. Another major attraction at Ramanagaram is the silk cocoon marketing centre. One of the most famous Hindi movies Sholay was shot in Ramanagaram.

Janapada Loka:
Sprawling across 15 acres, Janapada Loka or "Folk-culture World" is a world of simplicity and art.Janapada Loka, a subsidiary of the Karnataka Janapada Parishath, is dedicated to preserve and promote folk art and culture. The complex has an art gallery, an open-air theatre, a studio and a museum. Janapada Loka is located near Ramanagaram and is 53 Kms away from Bangalore.

Channapatna:
A bustling town, 60 kms south-west from Bangalore, Channapatna is famous for its eye-catching lacquer ware and hand-crafted wooden toys. It is also a major silk centre of Karnataka.

Mekedatu:
Gushing waters, imposing landscapes, and untouched picnic spots is what Mekedatu is all about. The Cauvery river squeezing through a narrow gorge before traversing its south-bound terrain is a breathtaking sight .It is 98 Kms south of Bangalore.

Nandi Hills:
One of the popular retreats of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, Nandi Hills offers breathtaking getaway of the weary tourist. Tipu's Drop, a 600m high cliff face provides a magnificent panoramic view of the beautiful terrain. Nandi Hills is 60 Kms north of Bangalore.Other attractions are Tipu's Drop, Yoga Nandishvara Temple, a beautiful Chola temple, Dravidian-style Bhoganandishvara temple and Muddenahalli, hometown of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, architect of modern Karnataka at the base of the hill.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Petrol Pump:Bengaluru,Karnataka,India

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Hotel St. Mark's Bangalore:Marks Rd,Bengaluru,Karnataka,India,ph:080 40019000

 

Bangalore Gate Hotel :Kempe Gowda Rd,Bengaluru,ph:080 41100777

Comfort Inn Hotel:Gandhinagar 18,III Main Road,Bangalore,Karnataka,India,ph:080 22203025

Things to carry:

 

Tips & Suggestions:

 

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:
Wockhardt Hospital:No. 23, 80 feet road, Guru Krupa Layout, Nagarabhavi,Bangalore,Karnataka,India,ph:080 23014444
Shushruti Hospital And Research Centre:Shushruti Nagar,Andrahalli Main Road, Peenya 2nd Stage,Bengaluru,Karnataka,ph:080 28362040
Society/Community Phone Number:

Savana Durga Hill Station Nearest Attraction

Antharagange Temples
One of the ancient temples of india. It has miraculous water coming from mouth of got cow statue 365 dayz a year. It is a holy place people visit this temple from many parts of the Karnataka, Kolar District and karnataka state on Mahashivratri festival day every year. It is protected by Forest authority of india, has lots of Monkeys and wild Deers....more
Chikka Thirupathi Temples
Chikka Thirupathi : This sleepy little town is 10 km off Sarjapur. It takes about an hour from the Sarjapur ring-road junction. The road (if you can call it that) is very bad for a few kilometres after the Wipro office. It gets much better as you near Sarjapur. The scenery certainly isn't breathtaking, but it is a nice break from the chaos in Bangalore.....more
Kaivara Temples
Kaivara is centre for pilgrimage. This place is located in the Chintamani Taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka, a state that is in the south western part of India.. It is about 65 km from Bangalore. This place is historically significant. It is said that the Pandavas of the great Indian epic Mahabharata lived here during the exile in the forest (Vanavasa).....more
Kudumalai Temples
Though the name sounds like a place in Tamilnadu, this historically important place is located in Mulabagal taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka. Many people would have seen the century-old giant idol of Lord Ganesha in Bangalore on Bull Temple Road. The idol at Kurudumalai is as awe-inspiring.....more
Palar River
Palar is a river of southern India. It rises in Nandidurg hills in Kolar district of Karnataka state, and flows 93 km in Karnataka, 33 km in Andhra Pradesh and 222 km in Tamil Nadu before its confluence into the Bay of Bengal at Vayalur about 100 KM south of Chennai.....more
Ponnaiyar River
249 The river finally surrenders in to the Bay of Bengal at Cuddalore. The Ponnaiyar river basin is encircled by the Cauvery river basin in the west and south and Palar and Tondiar basins in the east and north respectively.....more
South Pennar River
The South Pennar River is known as Dakshina Pinakini in Kannada and Thenpennai in Tamil. It is also referred as Ponnaiyar .The river originates in the Nandi Hills in the Kolar district of Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before entering into the Bay of Bengal.....more