This hill is about 50 kms from Bangalore (Bengaluru). Going from Bangalore – Mysore road (SH 17) one approaches ‘Ramanagar’ the ‘Silk town of the India’. Just past Ghousia college of engineering and after the prison take a ‘U’ turn at Krishna marriage hall entering a concrete arch… further down 3 kms (the only narrow bad road on this trip) you reach the famous foothill of Ramadevara Betta – as it’s locally called. Vehicle parking is charged at Rs.10/- with a parking ticket by the contractor.
Ramanagar was earlier called ‘Closepet’ after Sir Barry Close (1756 – 1813) an Army General who was in-charge of this town. He built the bridge across the Arkavati river which flowed through the town and it exists to this day. Ofcouse the river runs dry. This town was under the domain of Mauryas (268-372) and later was controlled by the Gangas, Cholas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar Kings, Yelahanka Naadaprabhus, Wodeyars – Mysore kings, Hyder Ali and finally Tipu Sultan…during his time he named it ‘Samsherabad’. Today it’s called Ramanagar, the town below Ramadevara Betta. Ramnagar is the second largest producer of silk India.
Ramadevara hill today is protected fenced sanctuary of Longbilled Vultures, which are going extinct, 846 acres are marked for its protection. This hill houses a lot of birds and is a paradise for birdwatchers. It’s rocky terrain is suitable for Sloth bears too. This hill is a trekkers & rockclimbers paradise too… there are some 80 documented routes. This hill was made famous by two movies – ‘Passage to India’ & ‘Sholay’ – it’s rugged terrain suited the script of the movies.
Ramadevara Hill is a place of lot of small temples. . . the most important one are the two temples of Ram, Sita & Lakshman with Hanuman being one and the other being the Parvati temple on top of the hill. Dividing this temple is a small pond called the ‘Sita pond’. . . the depth of this pond seems to be 2000 – 3000 feet. A team of foreign scientist gave up their research measuring it. Today this pond is considered dangerous and fenced and entry is barred. 380 well-cut defined stone steps takes you to this place. One can further tred the rocky path and walk around to enjoy the scenic beauty of all the surrounding 7 hills. Further climbing a rickety metal ladder supporting some rough cut rock steps leads you to the zenith peak flat hilltop which has an amazing view all around. The hilltop has a small pond. It’s a miracle to find water bodies on such a high hill.
This hill has mention in epics, puranas. Ramanuja, the legendary Vaishnava saint too has visited this place. The mantap behind the Parvati temple is built by Kempegowda. It’s believed that he found some treasure here on top of the hill. It’s believed he visited the place around 1530 and built a fort around here. In 1638-39 then plunder of south India, Ranadulla Khan laid seize and took over the hill because of it’s strategic location for sometime.
The 7 hills that form the beautiful landscape all around this place are – Shivaramagiri, Yatirajagiri, Somagiri, Krishnagiri, Revanasiddeshwara hill, Jalasiddeshwara hill & Sidalakalu hill. These surrounding hills according to people of Ramnagar resemble lot of Hindu deitys or animals or birds – An emotional divine imagination.
This place is a good day picnic spot. Small eateries are there in Ramnagar town. The foothills have some snack shops. Packed lunch is advisable, but beware of monkeys. Last but not least, taste or pack the famous ‘Mysorepak’ from the 1926 established Janardhan Hotel.
Parking around this place is a nightmare. Ramnagar is well connected by train, bus and the roads are good to drive except at high peak hours. Going early to this place to beat the heat and traffic is the best. It’s a lonely hill at times, caution is advised.
Jagdeesh Laxman Singh
aka Jugie Singh
Text & Photography
[email protected]
