Skandagiri

Skandagiri (also known as Kalavaarahalli Betta) is 75 km from Bangalore, India.

Overview

This place is located near Nandi Hills, India

Best time to visit this place is : November to January (Non-monsoon time)

Route: Bangalore - Hebbal Flyover - Yalahanka - Devanahalli - Chikkaballapur - Skandagiri.

About Skandagiri:Skandagri is approximately 75km from Bangalore city on Bellary Road [NH-7 Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway] , near Nandi Hills and Chikbalapur. Located at an altitude of 1750 mts, it is every adventurer’s paradise with beautiful night trek, altitude camping, stunning sunrise, serene and swimming clouds.

FACT Files This place is called Kandavara Halli and the mountain is called Kandavarahalli Betta (also called as Skanda Giri and Kalwarbetta). It is located near Chikkaballapura - a district in karnataka.

Kalwarbetta, 68 km from Bangalore is one the hill forts amongst the Nandi Hill ranges. The dilapidated walls of Tipu's fort can be found today on steep Kalwarbetta (Skandagiri), near the village of Kalwara. History says this was a small but strong hill fort. It surrendered to British troops on 19 October 1791. It remained in British hands until the peace treaty of 1792, which concluded of the third Anglo-Mysore war.

This is a tedious trek as the hill is precipitous and high. The trek starts from the Papagni Temple at the foothills of Kalwara village. The fortress of Kalwarbetta is in full sight throughout the walk uphill. This steep and fantastic trek through a maze of dense shrub is highly intriguing. Kalwarbetta is a teaser. Just as you reach the fort wall contended that you have topped the hill, you see another ring of fort. No sooner you reach there; you will find another majestic fort wall waiting to be conquered. There are six such series of stonewalls protecting an abandoned temple on the hilltop.

There are 2 caves, one starts from the base and as per locals, leads to the temple at peak and another one is somewhere midway which is about 30 feet only. Both are yet unexplored, especially the first one. Local say that there are pythons in the caves and had galloped their goats at times. Supposedly, there are 6 Samadhi in that cave.

Height -- about 1750m from sea level. Distance ... From Bangalore 70+ km. From Nearest Town/Medical Help : Chikkaballapura Nearest Airport/ Railway station: Devanahalli/Bangalore

The Route(Getting there): There are two routes to Kalawarahalli Betta. One way is to take a turn towards Nandi Hills and go further to kalawara village crossing Muddenahalli - Birth place of Bharath Rathna Sir M.Visvesvaraya. This route is shorter compared to the one from Chikaballapur. Second one is to go to Chikaballapur and then to Kalawara village. From Kalawara village ask for Omkara Jyoti Ashrama / Papagni Mutt. There is a shiva temple and vehicles can be parked there. This is at the base of the hills. Nandi to Kalawara to Papagni Mutt is 6 km. Chikaballapur to papagni Mutt is 3 km. level of Trekking: Moderate
** must carry Water, first aid box, snacks or light foods as nothing available on the top or on the way to trek from papagni Mutt Its a popular belief that it is fun on a full moon night to start the trekking expedition at 12:30 midnight and aim to reach the top at around 5:30 AM early morning. This timing allows viewing of sunrise against the backdrop of golden clouds.

Recently the Karnataka Forest Department has shown interest in Skandagiri due to the frequent visit of people and has established a parking place for all the vehicles visiting there. An Entry Fee of Rs 15 is charged for each person visiting the hill.