Bangalore has plenty of options for a one-day trips – in this video, we are going to explore the special place, just 50 kilometer away from Bangalore, and what special it is, the place, Religion and adventure co-existing together, yes it is Shivagange.
Shivagange, a hillock situated around 52 km from Bangalore, is a combination of temples and scenic beauty that makes it both a pilgrimage as well as an adventure spot. From a distance, the hillock looks like a ‘Shiva Linga’, with a spring flowing nearby that’s locally called Ganga, thereby naming it Shivaganga.
How to Reach:
Head towards Tumkur road. You will cross Neelamangla and then head towards Dobbespet. Do not cross Dobbespet, go below the flyover and take left. Keep on going straight. After around 6 to 7 kms, you will find a marking for Shivagange. If in doubt ask some one. or you can set your map to Shivaganga, it will lead you to the foot hill of Shivaganga entrance.
There are many direct buses from Bangalore Majestic Bus Depot to Tumkur. From Tumkur you can go to Shivagange.
Trek Path:
At the entrance, there are two temples namely Gangadhareshwara temple and Honnadevi temple which can be reached by climbing only few steps. Both of these temples are cave temples and are very old.
While climbing steps to temple, in the middle left side you can see the big Ganesha statue, this way leading to the hill top.
after the Nandhi statue, further few step ahead, you can see the Sri Gangadareshwara swamy temple at the right side, This temple is at the base of Shivagange hill. It is located in a cave-like rocky surroundings. Sri Shiva is worshipped with devotion and reverence by visitors. This place is also known as Dakshina Kashi. The hill is having various temples such as Shivagange Gangadhareshwara temple, Sri Honnammadevi Temple, Sharadambe temple, Olakal Teertha, Nandi Statue, Patalagange and several theerthas such as Agasthya theertha, Kanva theertha, Kapila theertha are also found in this hill.
From the left side near the Gangadhareshwara temple, there is a path that leads to the top of the hill. There are rock cut steps and hand grills are placed in many paths, so that will ease the climbing a bit, but the trek path is a difficult one, if you are just a beginner.
I done this in the Month on of July, the climate is pretty ok, but what I am suggesting you to do this trek between the winter months of November to February, as the surrounding will be full greenery and hills offer picturesque views in the winter dawn. The trail is open year-round and it’s beautiful to visit anytime.
This trek distance is around 6 kilometer up and down, it will take 3 hours to complete, but that depends on your fitness level. you can do this trek either morning or evening, the trail will be open by 6 am and closed by 7pm, in the noon time doing this trek will be bit hard and you feel much tired.
What I see here the best thing is, between the trek trail they have made shelters like this, even if you tired you can sit relax refresh and continue the trek. As I told Shivagange is not only the trekking place, it’s one of the famous pilgrimage place, so not only Trekking Enthusiast visiting this place, I can see lots of old aged people doing this. so, they made every half kilometer distance shelter and refreshing areas.
The mesmerising aerial view of the surrounding gives a soothing experience as you climbing the trails. we have climbing up to 1,368 metres to reach the top of the hill, and I am sure from the top most surrounding view will be ultimate.
I have covered the distance almost half, now I can see the summit in the long distance, even now I am extremely tried, I took a refreshment break here. in the shelters, they selling water, buttermilk, juice, fruits.
Big salute to these guys who come here every day and serve basic necessities for us. If these people not selling this, we would need to carry loads of water and also eatables, but my humble request to my viewers, I have seen throughout the trails, peoples are throwed Water bottles, biscuit packets extra. please do not do that, they have kept every refreshing shelter waste bin, please keep it in that, and be a responsible person.
And while eating, be careful monkeys, here are lots of monkeys. They can appear from anywhere.
in the mid-way you can see this tree, it’s called wish tree, or NagaLinga Flower Trees or Cannon Ball Flower Tree.
Devotees tie threads, bangles and pray for their wishes to be fulfilled. you can see yellow threads and bangles covering the entire Tree. I have seen tട്രീയെ പൂച്ചയ്ക്കുന്നതു he same kind of tree inside the Kotilingeshwara Temple premises also, there Childless couples tie a small cradle to the holy trees and pray for progeny. and also it’s believed, Women are blessed with a happy married life when they do this.
In the mid-way, you will find a small temple called Olakal Theertha where you can find a water spring. You need to put your hand into a deep, small opening to touch the water. It is believed that if you could touch the water, that means you are a person of good nature. It is also a belief that if you touch the water, then you are free from all the sins you have committed.
Little more ascend towards the hill, you can find a big Shiva and Parvathi statues in a sitting posture.
From this statue, till the top of the hill, the trek is the most difficult one. The trek trail becomes very steep and the steps are extremely narrow. There are railings for your support. Hold them tight and climb. These railings are a blessing in disguise. If not these railings, climbing till the top would have been highly difficult. Near this trek path, there are lot of monkeys. But, unless you show them food/water or do anything harm to them, they won’t create any problem to you. They will be jumping from railing to railing and will be trekking along with you. But, don’t you worry. They won’t hurt you unnecessarily.
though the steps were steep, but you won’t feel much difficult to climb, at the end of this steep, there is a rock shelter, you can sit relax and water flowing from inside the rock, that can drinkable.
As you are nearing the hilltop, the cool breeze touches your face and the atmosphere suddenly changes to a pleasant one. Now this is the final ascent to reach the top of the hill, there are rock cut steps and hand grills are placed till reaching the top, so this is not much difficult one as compares to previous trail.
At the top of the hill, in the left, there is a big Nandi statue, locally it is called, Basavanna statue, it’s carved out of a rock which can be reached by climbing few more steps butplease be very cautious if you climbing there.
These steps are the steepest one and are highly dangerous. Behind the bull statue, at one point, there is no rock support to keep your foot. You just need to walk on the railings. These two-three steps on the railings at such a height but with the view of the surrounding villages is splendid, definitely this one will be the highlight of this trek and unforgettable one. Do not miss to experience this amazing feeling when you are in Shivagange. But, we repeat, be extra careful while climbing up and down these narrow steps.
Little more steps of walk from the Nandi Statue towards the other side, you will reach another view point called Shanthala Point. This is the point from where Shanthala, the great Bharathanatyam dancer queen and wife of the great Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana is believed to have committed suicide. The place is named after her. View from here is extraordinary and cannot be explained in words. The spectacular view of the landscape is an absolute bliss and makes you forget all the hardship that you have undergone to reach the point and undoubtedly make you feel worth the climb.
definitely it’s worth visit here, there is another temple next to near the Shanthala Point, it is called Virabadra Temple and one more temple located near this it is called Sri Gangadhareshwara Temple.
so Friends, Overall it was an easy level of a trek but it’s tiring. the entire trail is well marked. There are man-made steps often carved into the rocky landscape makes the trail easier but there are many twisting and turning and few vertically steep rocky climbs.
The good thing is, there are frequent rest opportunities with food stalls, places to sit, eat, and relax.
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