Sri Narasimhaswamy Betta is a fort hill near Kanakapura with a temple on top. A typical hill structure around Bengaluru. Recently, Chaya and I visited this place, and in this post, I’ll share our experience.
Reaching the base of the hill
Reaching the base of Sri Narasimhaswamy Betta was uneventful. From our home, there were two routes – one via Bidadi and the other via Kanakapura. We wanted to have breakfast at the Thatte Idli hotel in Bidadi, so we chose that route. The breakfast was heavy, but we hoped to burn it off with the climb!
The last two kilometres were through a maze of village roads leading to the base of the hill. A newly constructed arch with a gate marked the entrance. A concrete road stretched for about a kilometre beyond the gate, but since it was locked, we parked our car outside and started our walk.
Trek to the hill
It was 9 AM, but the sun was already harsh despite the winter season. The first 10-15 minutes of walking on the concrete road felt a bit dull. The villagers seemed to have made efforts to construct some temple-related structures along the way.
Once the concrete road ended, we took a deviation. The path was clear, leaving no room for confusion. Soon, we reached what looked like the entrance to the fort. With trees growing over the fort walls, the place had an old-world charm. We paused to admire the beauty of the ruins.
We continued climbing. From internet photos, the hill had seemed small, but in reality, it wasn’t. The ascent was steady, accompanied by the pleasant sounds of birds. We came across a few people descending, but otherwise, the place was quiet and undisturbed.
As we reached the upper sections of the hill, the remains of the fort walls became visible. It must have been an impressive structure in its prime, but now most of it lay in ruins, overgrown with trees. We couldn’t find much historical information about the place.
At the top
After about an hour, we reached the top. A small pool and a modest temple greeted us. The spot was serene, except for the trash left behind by devotees. It’s strange how people expect God to reside in such a filthy place. Perhaps the gods created by humans can, but not the one who created us!
We spent a long time soaking in the beauty of the surroundings. It made us wonder why people flock to crowded places like Nandi Hills when such pristine spots exist. But maybe it’s for the best. Too many visitors from the city would only disturb the peace.
Eventually, we reluctantly began our descent, returning to civilization. Climbing down was faster, though we had to be cautious on stretches with loose soil that could cause slips. Overall, it was a refreshing weekend getaway.
We returned via Kanakapura Road.
Information and Tips
- This place is about an hour’s drive from the western part of Bengaluru.
- The climb to the top takes around an hour.
- There is enough parking space near the entrance.
- Most visitors are from local villages. It is not widely known outside, so apart from auspicious days, the trail is usually empty.
- The path is generally clear. If unsure, follow the electric poles leading to the top of the hill.
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