Savandurga Trek
Savandurga Trek huddled in the Deccan Plateau of Karnataka, Savandurga is renowned as one of the largest monolithic rocks in Asia. The 4022 feet tall Savandurga hill is sited about 60 km west of Bangalore off the Magadi road. Savandurga is an amalgamation of two hills; "Karigudda", signifying "black hill" and Biligudda meaning "white hill" in Kannada. The hill is formed mainly of granite rocks and is surrounded by shrubs and deciduous trees. An abode to extensive diversity of flora and fauna; one can effortlessly catch a glimpse of yellow throat bulbuls, while sloth bears and leopards can be seen in some dense sections. It is likewise called as 'Savinadurga' or the Fort of Death, in light of the precarious incline and defence structure. Savandurga is heaven for climbing aficionados, and climbers can scale sheer rock faces enduring up to grade seven. Along with a thrilling climb, Savandurga offers spectacular vistas of Magadi, Manchinbele dam, Thippagondanahalli reservoir and Arkavathi River.
Savandurga Trek Information
Base Village: Magadi, Karnataka
Trek gradient: Moderate. Savandurga is a continuously uphill trail with some rising and falling segments, along the rocky terrain with some moderate steep rock inclinations.
Approximate time: 4 to 6 hours
Trekking distance: 5-6 km too and fro
Water sources: None, one should carry at least 2 litres of water before starting the trek.
Best months to visit: Highly recommended to trek during the winter months. The best months are from the end of September to February. The trail is open and does not feature any trees, therefore during heavy monsoons, the hiking path becomes slippery, which makes it difficult to climb and it is unbearably hot and humid during summers.
How to reach Savandurga Hill
Nearest Airport: Kempegowda International Airport which is just 90 km from Savandurga Hill
By Rail: Bidadi Railway station that is 17 kms from Savandurga hills or Magadi which is 12 kms from Savandurga
By Road: 60 km from Bangalore. Regular buses ply to Magadi Road.
About the Savandurga Trek
Savandurga has two temples at its base. These temples dated back to 1340 AD and believed to have been built by the Hoysala rulers. One is the Savandi Veerabhadraswamy temple and the other being the Sree Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple. The way to the top divided into four sections. Most of the trekking route lies on the southern side of the monolith, ranging from 700-950 feet of technical climbs. The path towards the top commences behind the Narasimhaswamy temple. There will be an asphalt stroll of 200 to 300m which prompts the trail. The course is generally simple to discover as devotees and trekkers seen going towards it. The underlying path chases a muddy trail in the direction of some undergrowth. This area is a light rising until you arrive at the base of the slope. The rocky segment or the bottom of the hill denotes the finish of the first ascent. It should take you around 10 to 15 minutes to arrive at the base of the slope.
Manchinbele reservoir
The subsequent segment starts as you step onto the slope and begin strolling up towards the highest point. Prescribed to start this area promptly in the day as once the sun gets overhead, the stone warms up and it can turn out to be very testing to climb in the heat, particularly throughout the summer months. No sooner than you start climbing up the rock, you'll get the chance to see significantly more greenery and glances of the Manchinbele reservoir. This area is somewhat steep. It's a decent 400-500m rising and should take 20-25 mins. The path isn't straightforward to spot, so look out for markings on the rocks and stones to guarantee you are on the right track. When you arrive at the old fort structure, you've finished the second segment of the trek.
Manchinbele and Thippagondanahalli
From here the course turns significantly steeper. It is, in any event, an hour-long approach to another fort wall. There are impressions like engravings in the rock, utilized to climb up the slope. These spaces in the stone presumably cut in from the period of Dalavayi Devaraja or even prior. In this area, you will likewise get the opportunity to see the accumulation of rainwater in the hollow formations of the hill. You will also come across a couple of tanks used to store rainwater by the inhabitants of the fort.
A couple of moments after you arrive at the second fort wall; you get a break from the rocky path. The course presently changes into a rocky cavern structure and afterwards into a sloppy track directly until you arrive at the top. This part is somewhat dubious as the path is unbalanced, and on the off chance that you miss the markings, you may get off the trail. Additionally, there are parts where you'll need to jump and move over boulders. Once you cross these boulders, you soon arrive at the top. Then you will have to walk towards the Nandi temple and soak in the extraordinary sight. It should take you around 10-15 minutes at max to arrive at the sanctuary. The excursion is amazingly remunerating as the view from the top is terrific. You can see the lavish green backwoods and parts of the Manchinbele and Thippagondanahalli supplies and in the skyline sight at towns of Ramanagara and Magadi.
Highlights of the Trek
Stunning visuals of the surrounding dams and woodlands
- An exciting blend of rocky, muddy and forest trails with caverns that will leave you awestruck
- Savandurga trek follows a path to the head of Asia's most significant stone monument slope.
- The different water activities that the participants can appreciate towards the finish of Savandurga trek add to the reviving and unique experience of this stunning excursion.
- Climbing paradise for novices as well as professional climbers
- The short distance makes it an ideal trek for all adventure buffs that are short on time.
- The lavish green perspectives will keep you charmed, and the all-encompassing Magadi backwoods scene will take your breath away without a doubt.
- Savandurga hill is off Magadi Street and is accessible through buses, vehicles or bikes, and this makes Savandurga a perfect trek close to Bangalore.
- The Arkavathi river streaming into Thippagondanahalli supply adds to the full, magnificent view while arriving at the fortification.
- This trek offers a perfect amalgam of ancient history and serene nature.
Featured image credits: Solarisgirl
