December 9, 2008
SAVANDURGA – A rocky abundance
As with all trips that I plan to undertake this too was decided just the night before we left for it. After many people dropped only myself and Arpan were left to go for the planned trip to Savandurga.
We left our house and went to Toll Gate at about 8 in the morning. We had to wait for only a few minutes when the bus to Savandurga (via Magadi) arrived. This was perhaps the only time in my travels that I was able to get transport so conveniently. Otherwise we first had to catch a bus to Magadi and from there hire an auto or find some other transport to reach Savandurga. (Savandurga is 12 km from Magadi and 56km from Bangalore).
Anyway after a somewhat frustating ride we reached Savandurga at 10 am (the seat where I was sitting had no backrest). After learning that the last bus from Savandurga to Bangalore is at 2.30 pm we immediately decided to start the climb. What stood before us was a towering mass of rock and stone. (Savandurga is supposed to be one of the largest monolithic rock in the world)
The path up the hill(!!) is marked by arrows so the way was not difficult to follow. What though was difficult was the climb. The hill is pretty steep and the climb is moderately challenging. There are no steps but just the rock face to climb. At places you can find the remnants of a fort (this was a secondary capital for Magadi rulers) on the way up.
After 2 hours of climbing we reached the summit where an idol of Nandi in an Mantapa is placed. We basked in the sun for some time and savoured the view from this vantage point. We had climbed the Bili Gudda and were able to see the Kari Gudda (another hill beside) which is separated by a valley; a beautiful lake, the Arkavathy river and Savandurga village looking like a toy setting. The breathtaking views down the hill made us feel that the climb was worth the effort.
We had lunch there itself. The descent was fairly quick and in 80 minutes we were back to the base. The time was 1.30 in the afternoon. After sipping coconuts to cool us down and quench our thirst we visted the Laksmi Narasimha temple. There were a lot of devotees and we paid our obeisances to the god and goddess .
Our business there was finished by 2 am. We killed another hour sipping coconuts again, having bhel puri and listening to radio. The bus arrived at 3 and we undertook the journey back home. We reached Bangalore at 5 and completed what seemed a perfectly timed and memorable travel.
Savandurga is ideal for 1 day trip and for those who love to climb and conquer heights. It is advisable to bring your own vehicle. You have to follow the road to Magadi and just before the city you have to take a left turn to go to Savandurga. The place is frequently visited by the people.
-
- Resting on the slopes
-
- Among the rocks
-
- View from the top
-
- Pond we found on the way
-
- Karigudda in the background
-
- Seated on the edge
-
- Lakshmi Narasimha temple
-
- Savandurga from a distance
-
- Myself at the base
-
- Another View from the top
-
- Arpan at the summit standing next to the Nandi Mantapa
