Trek to Narasimha Swamy Betta & SRS Hills

     Our initial plan for this day was only to visit Sri Revanasideshwara Swamy Temple, popularly known as SRS Hills, which is a 30 mins. climb. As I searched through the Google Maps in my saved places to go, I saw another interesting place named Narasimha Swamy Betta, just 10 kms away. Thanks to a Facebook group member for posting the place a few days back. The plan was changed immediately to climb this one first & then while coming back to visit SRS Hills.
As usual, we left home around 6 am driving through Mysore Road and picked up my friend & his 2 kids. The team for today also includes my wife & daughter. Our first target is to have some hot Thatte Idli at Bidadi which was achieved in no time. Then, we continued in Mysore Road & took the Kanakapura Road from Ramanagara. (One can take the Kanakapura Road from Bangalore itself based on convenience)
There are so many hills on the way that needs to be visited. On the way, I showed the SRS Hills on the right side and as we crossed the SRS Hills arch, my wife was surprised to know that we are not going there first.
Part-I: Narasimha Swamy Betta

A few minutes’ drive further on the same road; we have to take a right through an arch.  The destination is 2.5 Kms from the arch & you have to drive through the village to reach there. We followed Google Maps that was pretty accurate in getting us out of the village. Finally we reached the base of the hill around 8:45 am & we were the only one there. There was a cement road till the base where we parked our car.

The trek started with a mud road, which clearly was the path of water flowing during the recent rains.  After a few minutes of climb in the mud path, we reached the entrance gate where some sort of construction was left uncompleted. The view was great from that point as the weather was clear.

 

Now the actual trek starts with bushes all around. One can hardly see the path as the bushes were thickly grown & tall. Also there were thorns in some plants that were pricking us as we walk & were sticking to our clothes. We even took some support sticks for the kids to climb & to clear the path at times, which also can be used against any animals (in case).

 

At some places there seems to be 2 paths, so by our experience we got the right one & continued our trek. After some 15 mins around the bushes, we reached a rock, a so-called view point where we rested & took some pictures. The view from here was still better.
 

 

We continued our walk further up & we could see a stone-wall, like that of a fortress. Also at some places there was steps built of stones.  We could see some small caves which gave a cool place to rest now & then. As we had a lady & a small kid, we slowed down our trek at times. After some 30 mins, we reached a small flat area which had some great views. We could even see the SRS hills from there. Also we could see our car parked at the base from that point.

 

After some 20 mins of further climbing, you reach the top of the hill. At the top, we were surprised to see a large shed that was used to prepared food using firewood. The top of the hill was almost flat & we entered the top from one end and walked down to the other end. The view from top was amazing as we could see the surrounding hills & villages. 

 

 

The Narasimha Swamy temple was a simple one under a shed, with the deity carved in stone, attached to a pillar. There were small water bodies around the temple and one even had some fragrant lilies. We even picked one lily from the pond that turned out to be taller than my friend’s 4-year old daughter.

 

 

It was like a private-hill for us that day as there was none other than 6 of us. After spending some time exploring the length of the hill on the top, we started our trek down.  It is the same way down through the bushes, thorns, steps, rocks, etc.; and it took us around 45 mins. to reach the base as we slowed down often. As we were climbing down, it was getting a bit cloudy & we could see a lot of dragon-flies flying around. It would be risky to climb the hill during rains.

We rested at the base for a while, also for clearing the small thorns & other sticky plants from our clothes. We then left to our next destination from the only-car parked at the base.

Travel Tip:  

    Shoes & full length pants will be helpful for this trek. Group travel is recommended. Carry your own food/water as there are no shops & please do not litter.
 

Location: 

    https://goo.gl/maps/jh5XPedf6AKBEcyK8
Route:
    Bangalore-(via Ramanagar)-Narasimha Swamy Betta: 82 Kms
    (Alternate route: Bangalore-Kanakapura-Narasimha Swamy Betta)
 

Part-II: SRS Hills

 
Driving back through the village again, we reached the arch and drove to the SRS Hill through the arch on the Ramanagara-Kanakapura Road. In no time, we reached the Renukamba Temple near the base of SRS Hills. After having a light snack, we visited the Renukamba tempme & the proceeded to the SRS Hill base. We had some delicious sugarcane juice there from a local’s cart, which had some fresh sugarcane from his field.  When complimented on his juice, he thanked us & was feeling sad that nowadays people prefer packed drinks than fresh ones.

Before starting the trek, there were mandatory COVID protocols at the entrance.  The base of the hill had a small Shiva temple under the cave. After visiting that one, the trail to the top started.  Initially there was plain path with occasional steps. 

Then the steps were etched on the rocks. The whole trail was covered on the top which was comfortable to climb in the noon too. You can see this blue top shade in the Google Satellite Map very clearly. Most of the steps were on rocks only & it was almost vertical at some places. But there were railing on either side for support. 

As you climb up, you get a good view of the surrounding hills & villages. Also you can view some resort adjacent to a lake that had kayaking & other activities going on amidst Mango plantations.

We reached the top in 30 mins to see 2 small temples/gopurams facing each other.  We sat there for some time enjoying the breeze assuming that those are the temples. 

Later on knowing that the Revanasideshwara temple is further down, we climbed down on the other side of the hill. Luckily we entered the temple just before closing time (2 pm). 

After the visit, we climbed up to the top & then started our trail down and reached the base in around 20 mins.  We saw some monkeys snatching coconut & banana from other visitors near the base temple.

Our targets being achieved for the day, we drove back home with a small meal break in between.
 

Travel Tip:  Do not carry food items as there are a lot of monkeys. The climb may be uncomfortable for the old- aged & small kids.
Location:
     https://goo.gl/maps/yMKnbvrndd65fHHM6

Route:
    Narasimha Swamy Betta – SRS Hills: 11 Kms
    SRS Hills - (via Ramanagara) - Bangalore: 72 Kms