SKANDAGIRI

Skandagiri, also known as Kalavara Durga, is an ancient mountain located around 70 km from Bengaluru city, and 3 km from Chikkaballapur. It is located Ballari Road (NH7 Hyderabad-Bengaluru Highway) and overloolks Nandi Hills, Muddenahalli and Kanivenarayanapura. The peak is at an altitude of about 1350 meters above sea level.

Skandagiri is considered to be one of the difficult places to trek. There are to trails: one is considered to be easy compared to another which is more dangerous. It all depends on which way one chooses to take up the trekking expedition.

SKANDAGIRI

It is common to teak in the dark and it is a lot of fun on a beautiful full moon night. Trekkers usually start climbing at around 2 am and aim to reach the top by around 5 am to catch the glimpse of beautiful sunrise. You must carry one torch per person if planning a night trek. Mid of December to second week of January is the best time to visit Skandagiri and witness the beautiful scene of Sun rising over the white bed of clouds.

This is a moderately difficult trek, as the hill is precipitous and high. The trek starts from the Papoagni Temple at the foot of the hill. The fortress is in full sight throughout the trek uphill. This steep and fantastic trek through a maze of dense shrub is highly fascinating.

Just as you reach the fort wall content that you have topped the hill, you see another ring of fort. There are six such series of stonewalls protecting an abandoned ancient temples on the hilltop. The trek is approximately 8 km and takes around 1.5 – 3 hours to climb.

It gets quite hot at the top as the day passes on. Local villagers camp on the peak and sell food, cold drinks, tea and other refreshments. Chikkaballpur authorities had banned trekking completely during the year 2011. However, the decision was revoked in August 2014 and only day trekking is allowed. Most of the trail has been marked with guiding arrows which, if followed, leads to a safe route to the hill top.

SKANDAGIRI HILL TOP

About Skandagiri Hills

Skandagiri is home to a hill fort by Tipu Sultan, weathered badly by nature and banyan trees. History tells that this small hill fort was surrendered to the British troops on 19 October 1791 and remained in. The British hands until the peace treaty of 1792, which concluded the third Anglo-Mysore war. There are two caves, through the hill as told by locals - one starts from the base and another one  somewhere midway, about 30 feet below , both leading to the temple at the top. Both remains unexplored yet and local people claim pythons in the caves swallowing their goats. It is said that there are 6 Samadhi’s in the cave.

Reaching There

SKANDAGIRI  MAP BY GOOGLE 

From NH 7, turn towards Nandi Hill, after reaching the base of Nandi Hill turn right and proceed to Kalwara village via Muddenahalli to reach Papagni Mutt, which is the base of the Skandagiri.

By Bus

From Bangalore Majestic KSRTC Bus stand get a bus  to ChikBelapur from Platform No 11. There are buses frequently, and it takes 1 hour. (Rs 36). The route is along NH 7 the route to Hyderabad crossing the Yelanka, and  Devanahalli  (Where the  new airport is Located).

From Chik balapur, You goto to a place called Pappagni matt, which is the foot of the Skandagiri Hill. The distance is about 5 Kms which can be covered by foot: autorikshwa  is also available 80 to 180 Rs . Walk takes around 1 hour admist plantations of papaya, guava, roses and many.

By Car.

You can follow the NH 7 to reach Chik Bellapur and from there you can move to Pappagni Matt where  you can park your vehicles there and start the Trek.