Trekkers' Delight near Bengaluru

 

 

 

 

SAVANA DURGA

Trekkers’ Delight

Savana Durga is a well-known trekking hill near Bengaluru.  This Asia’s largest mono-lithic rock mountain is located 60 KMs West away from Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka. It was for some time,  a second (summer) capital of many local royal chieftains. Rulers of Hoysala, Magadi, Vijayanagar, Mysru wodeyars,  and other dynasties ruled here ever since AD. 1350. The name, Savina Durga’, ‘fortress of death’ seems to be the appropriate name of the hill.  Even today, local elderly people remember the older name as Dabbugundu-  rock to push an enemy, invader or a culprit. 

Lavanis or folk songs of this region refer to many heroic deeds of local pallegars, chieftains, who used the tough and steep rocks for dumping anti-social or criminal war detainees. Even to this day, the two hills- Karigudda (black hill), and Biligudda, white hill, are well known for steep mountaineering adventures. Trekkers quite often visit this place on Holidays and weekends to try their sport. The hill is about 1226 meters above sea level, and a part of Deccan Peninsula. River Arkavathi flows through nearby Thippagondana Halli lake, earlier main water source for the ever-growing city of Bengaluru, until river Kaveri made her way into the IT Town.

History:

Savanna Durga has seen ups and downs in the history of Karnataka. This hill fort was an important part of III Anglo-Mysuru war in 1791, when the fort was captured by Lord Cornwallis. The names that appeared earlier was Savandi, in a Hoysala inscription of 1340 AD. The earliest record of the name of the hill is from 1340 AD by Mummadi Ballala, ( Ballala III ) of Hoysala dynasty, from Madabalu village, where it is called Savandi.  Another view is that the name originated from Samantadurga.

A fort built or developed by one     Samantharaya, a governor under King Ahchutaraya at Magadi, says a local legend,  although there is no inscription confirming this. This was the secondary capital of the Magadi rulers like Veera Kempegowda. From 1638 to 1728, Mysore Wodeyars took over this place and a local leader, a dalavayi  occupied this place with a palace built at   Nelapattna, a town down the hill.  In 1780, lord Cornwallis seized the fort   from solders of Tippu Sultan,  during the III Mysore war.  Later the British Sergeants might have used this as summer resort. Siege of Savandoorg happens to be a very important event in the  history of Karnataka, establishing the supremacy of colonial rulers overpowering the new and weak Mysore Wodeyar dynasty then, just founded by Yaduvarayaru. This fort was later used by others for storing defence armoury, and waging war with the enemies, using the local hilly tribe soldiers. Human habitats are sparingly found in downtown.

Savandi Veerabhadra and Savandi Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temples were built downhill, during this time. It is very curious to know that though Shiva- Vishnu were given equal priority in worship those days, their fierce forms of Veerabhadra and Narasimha are installed in temples of Bengaluru- Tumkur and Kolar Districts of this period. We find Yoga Narasimha at Devarayan durga, in nearby Tumkur district, and several Kala Bhairava or Virbhadra temples in Kolar and other nearby places.  Some people here worship both as house deities. That the hill was a place of residence for tribal people, is evident from the fact that during annual car festival, the members of this community are the first to draw the chariot of Bhagavan Shiva Virbhadra and Narasimha Swamy. A large number of local people gather each year for the annual festivities in Shravana, and Magha ( August & March)   months of the year.

Early humans lived here:

Excavations carried out in  this area have revealed that human beings lived here as early as Megalithic civilization (4500-1000 B.C.)  A large number of urns, small pots found here in caves are known to have used as vessels used in cremation of the dead. A number of caves have been discovered in nearby hill areas. Rivulets and streams dot this area during rainy season. Settlements of early man is also found in Devarayan Durga and Magadi, nearby places. Megalith or large stone and mortar structures are found near this place.

Trekking place:

Earlier, there were no steps to reach the hill top and it was covered by bamboos and other trees forming a barricade. Later rulers made a crude approach road to reach the top of hills. There are stories in local folklore about using large sized Chameleons to lift heavy material top from foothills.

Professional Trekkers identify trekking routes from simple to hard ways. There is about 750 to 900 ft of technical climb, to South of the monolith by routes- Moon light (Beladingalu), Kothi Dina (Simple monkey day), Deepavali (trade route).  Each route is followed by a distinct group of Trekkers. Easiest among this is named Cloud Nine’. The entire trekking journey can be completed by half a day or so depending on time of the year and other factors.  Every trekker will carry sufficient water and something to munch, as they are not available here. Skandagiri, Bidadibetta, Nandi hills, Bannerughatta  are places for trekking. Trekking camps are held regularly to educate, promote and encourage this adventure sport. the time This place welcomes tourist most months of the year except rainy days of August, when the road and hill is very slippery. Public transport is available from Bengaluru though sparingly.

Parking for vehicles is available near the temple premises. Nearby places of tourist interest are Magadi town, about 18 Kms from here,  with several temples, Thippagondanahalli reservoir, also called Chamaraja sagar, located at the meeting place of two rivers- Arkavati and Kumudvati, which supply water to parts of West Bengaluru, and also a major source of drinking water.

Savana Durga is about 90 Kms from Bengaluru International Airport, 66 Kms from KSRTC Bus Station and KSR Bengaluru City Railway Station. November to June is best time of the year to visit this place.