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SKANDAGIRI

BY:-

R.HARSHA


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Skandagiri, also known as Kalavara Durga, isan ancient mountain fortress locatedapproximately 50km from Bangalore city, and3km from Chikballapurin the Indian state ofKarnataka. It is offBellary Road (NH-7Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway), andoverlooks Nandi Hills, Muddenahalli, andKanivenarayanapura . The peak is at analtitude of about 1350 meters. It is known as

the "adventurer's paradise" and features abeautiful night trek, altitude camping, stunningsunrise, and serene and ocean like clouds.


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The village atthe foothill ofthe mountainis calledKandavara

Halliandthe hillis calledKandavarahalli Betta (akaSkandagiri

andKalwarahalli Betta).Itisinthe Chikkaballapuradistrict ofKarnataka.

Skandagiriis one ofthe hill fortsinthe NandiHillranges. The

dilapidatedwalls ofTipu Sultan's fort canbe seen eventoday.

Thiswasbuiltto be asturdy,selfsufficient fortress.Itwasbuiltseveral centuriesago bylocalrulersandwaslaterheldbythe

Maratha Empire. Tipu Sultanreportedly capturedthis fort from a

localrulerbybribingtwo milkwomenwho usedto supply milkto

the rulerto poison him and his mento death. Tippu usedthe fort

asa militarybase in his fierce fightagainstthe British.Itsurrenderedto British troops on 19 October1791 andwaslater

dismantled.Itremainedin British hands untilthe peace treaty of

1792,which concludedthe thirdAnglo-Mysore war.


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There are 2 caves, one starts from the base and

asperlocals,leadsto the temple and fortatpeakandanotherone issomewhere midway

which isabout 30 feet only. Both are yet

unexplored, especiallythe first one. Localssay

thatthere are pythonsinthe cavesand haveswallowedtheirgoatswho wanderinthe caves.

Supposedly,there are 6 Samadhisinthat cave

andthusthe areais considered holy.


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Altitude about 1350m above sealevel

Distance 70 km from Bangalore

Nearest

Town/MedicalHelp

Chikkaballapura, 5 km

NearestAirport/

Railwaystation

Devanahalli(bangalor

e international airport

Co-ordinates 13253N 774058E


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Gettingthere

There are two routes to Skandagiri:

From NH-7, turn towards Nandi Hills. At the base

of Nandi Hills turn right and proceed to Kalawaravillage via Muddenahalli (birth place ofBharath

Rathna Sir.M.Visweswaraih).

From Chikkaballapura proceed directly to Kalawaravillage.


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Directions

Follow the

Bangalore International Airport , better known as

BellaryRoad. After crossing the BIA , you shall be on Chikkaballapura road.

Follow the same road until you find a Visweswaraih statue on to yourLeft.

Note that this is a small bust and is easy to miss. There is also a smallGanesha temple right next to that left turn.

Take a left at this place and a right turn at the City Municipal Council alittle further down. Later this shall directly lead to papagni Mutt, which isthe basement of Skandagiri.

At Kalawara village ask for Omkara Jyoti Ashrama / PapagniMutt(132526.6N 774128E). There is a Shiva temple near the base

of the hill, where vehicles can be parked.

Nandi to Kalawara to Papagni Mutt is 6 km.

Chikaballapur to papagni Mutt is 3 km.


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It is common to trek in the dark, and it's a lot fun on a

beautiful full moon night. Trekkers used to start climbing at

around 2:00 AM and aim to reach the top by around 5:30

AM to catch the sunrise. Sometimes the night trek is

banned because of security reasons. One must ensure

that the night trek is available prior to trekking.

Don't forget to carry your camera to take breathtaking

pictures of 360 degree view of surroundings. You can also

see Nandi Hills from here.


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This is a moderately difficult trek as the hill is precipitousand high. The trek starts from the Papagni Temple at the

foot of the hill. The fortress is in full sight throughout the

trek uphill. This steep and fantastic trek through a maze

of dense shrub is highly intriguing. Skandagiri is a teaser.

Just as you reach the fort wall content that you havetopped the hill, you see another ring of fort. No sooner do

you reach there, than you find another majestic fort wall

waiting to be conquered. There are six such series of

stonewalls protecting an abandoned ancient temple on

the hilltop.


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