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Biligiri Ranga - BR Hills - Awesome weekend destination


In this post , we share our visit experience to Biligiri Rangana Hills and RanganathaSwamy temple on top of BR Hills.

Highlights of this Spot
  • Hill range about 170 kms from Bengaluru , covering almost 3 to 4 districts connecting the eastern & western ghats
  • About 5000 ft from sea level
  • Houses a wild life sanctuary - Elephants , Deers , Tiger reserve , Stags , Bulls & much more
  • BiliGiri means White Hill - which would have got its name due to the white cliff.
  • Ranganatha Swamy temple right on top of BR Hills - belongs to Yelandur taluk of Chamarajanagar district - has history dating since Ramayana period.
  • Unique Idol of lord vishnu in standing form worshipped as RanganathaSwamy 
  • Temple attracts devotees all over karnataka for its best views of mesmerizing surrounding nature.






We headed to this spot on a Saturday weekend after covering Mudukothore temple in morning . We took the Takaladu , Kollegal , BR Hills forest road to reach this spot. There is a check post at the entrance of forest who took our contact details and soon we entered inside the forest , greeted with monkeys all around , the narrow clean roads were a pleasure to drive on in the silent forest with chirping bird sounds. 






There is a clear road to reach on top of the hills - after covering some 20 kms we reach the hill top , the curvy hill roads were another attraction with scenic views all around . It was 11.45 AM when we reached temple . We parked our car on the hill top parking area , covered few stairs and reached temple sanctum. Temple is open between 7 AM to 2 PM and again from 4 PM to 8 PM. 







There were tow routes to reach temple , once was the foot path from bottom of hill  and the other which we took. Temple Gopuram seem to be getting newly constructed. In front of sanctum was a dwaja stambha . There was not much crowd ,so we got darshan of Ranganatha Swamy & laxmi in few minutes . 





Biligirirangana betta has alternative references with the following names , "Bilikalla Betta" and Swethadri. The earliest reference of this sacred place is available in the Bhramanda Purana in it Teertha Prahamsara Khanda . The place also has reference as "Champakaranya" ( forest of Champaka flowers) in puranas and also as "Gajaranya" (forest of elephants) during the rule of region by ganga dynasty.  Description suggests that idol was installed by sage Vashista when lord Srinivas (Tirupathi) blessed him with appearance in B.R Hills.  In Ramayana it is believed Rama , Lakshmana performed worship here during their search for Sita. Temple was built and renovated during period of Vishnuvardhana in dravidian style of architecture.




We noticed temple has arrangements for Dasoha i.e free lunch between 12 PM to 2 PM. There are very few hotels in this region . We found GiriDarshini to be a good one for a fulfilling lunch. We relaxed for about an hour here enjoying the cool breeze , touching clouds. 



We felt blessed to snap out surrounding nature from this hill top. One gets a great view of hills range , forest coverage , BR Hills soliga community villages from this spot. 










Overall an awesome must visit destination near Bengaluru which could be covered in a day.  Covering this spot we then moved towards K.Gudi forest . Do visit this spot and share your visit experience. 

Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna Swamy temple - a fabulous spot


In this article , we share our awesome experience of our visit to Mudukuthore near Talakad about 125 kms from Bengaluru

Highlights of this spot
  • Mudukuthore in kannada means to turn and flow. 
  • River kaveri takes a turn at this spot and flows towards Srirangpatna
  • Lord shiva in form of Shivalinga is worshipped here as Mallikarjuneshwara
  • Believed to be consecrated by  Arjuna of Pandavas and hence named Mallikarjuna
  • One of the pancha lingeshwaras of Talakadu
  • Temple is on hill top above 200 feet 






We headed to this spot from Bengaluru on a Saturday weekend taking the Kanakapura , Malavalli high way towards talakadu . After covering 2 and half kms - we took the diversion towards Talakadu road . Roads though narrow had new tar applied and we could cruise through them on top gear. At the dead end of this road , we noticed a small mantap and direction indicator towards mudukothore mallikarjuna temple.





On reaching temple premises , it seemed some weekend fare was on and people were just kicking in for temple darshan. Temple was on a hill top which could be around 200 feet , There were two ways to climb - either take the stairs or take a round over vehicle for 500m and cover half of the stairs. We parked our vehicle here.





Soon we started climbing the stairs - taking darshan of Kalabaireshwara Idol , stairs were covered with sheds , so it was cool and we reached on-top in 15 minutes . Sanctums of Shivalinga , Deepastambha , Bharamarambha Devi were noticed. Temple construction resembled Dravidian style though recently renovated. We took darshan of shivalinga - environment was calm and we felt blessed.  The views from temple Gopuram doors was awesome.




The surrounding scenic nature , kaveri river flow views was mesmerizing . 
















Devotees from surrounding villages visit this spot occasionally  , take a holy dip in the kaveri river , perform pooja , prepare a barbeque lunch on the river side spending their day out.



One may take a coracle ride on the kaveri river and reach a resort on the other side of river bank. After playing on kaveri river , our team headed further towards Talakadu road onto BR hills.



Overall an awesome spot to visit with family , friends group and spend a day out package on a weekend. Do visit this spot and share your experience.


Ghati Subramanya - dual deity darshan in midst of Scenic beauty

In this article , we share our visit experience to Ghati Subramanya temple , about 50 kms from Bengaluru city center.

Highlights of this spot
  • Believed to be more than 600 years old - Dravidian  type architecture
  • In the midst of Ghats section surrounded by lush green scenic spots and hills.
  • Idols of Lord Subramanya , Narasimha together in opposite directions believed to be Udbhava / self originated idols
  • A unique of its kind - of taking darshan of Narasimha idol through a mirror placed behind Subramanya Idol
  • Anna Dasoha - Free lunch program to all devotees
  • Main attraction for devotees seeking blessings for new child or partner visit here




It was a Sunday noon when we reached this spot after covering Chikka madure temple. It was about 11.45 AM when we reached the spot . We took the doddaballapura road diversion towards Ghati.Though from name of place , we expected Ghats section , however the roads were level - except at a railway crossing where we had to stop for few minutes.



At the spot , we noticed a busy temple area with devotees all around . There was also a Sunday fare going on adding to more local visitors. We noticed the temple main gopuram and were shocked to see the long queue tailing for darshan even outside the temple. Hence we took the special darshan ticket of Rs.50 - guess what we got in another big long queue taking turns inside the temple , standing in queue for another 90 minutes before we reached the main sanctum. May be we visited at peak time. Cucumbers sold inside the waiting area was a good time pass snack.



A Dwajastambha coated with brass was consecrated in front of the temple sanctum. On entering the temple sanctum - we took darshan of Subramanya under Adishesha , behind which Narasimha idol could be seen through a mirror. The panchamrutha used for abhishekam was given as prasadam. Other attractions include idols of Lakshmi , Ganesha , Anjaneya , Photos depicting subramanya avatars 



Behind the temple is a park where hundreds of Naga Stones is consecrated. It is believed devotees wishing for a new child or partner visit this spot and pray for blessings. There is ample space for parking . Temple is open between 6 AM  till night 8.30 PM.



While we drove back , we visited the Dam nearby - took the other path where we could experience Ghats section similar curvy roads , enjoyed the ride . Overall an awesome spot to visit with family and friends . Do visit this spot and share your experience.
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