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Hillock holiday

The hillock near Bangalore makes for an idyllic holiday

Here is a perfect recipe to cool your city-weary nerves on a weekend. If you want to be amidst lush green environs, rocky cliffs, crystal clear streams and pristine countryside, then drive or bike down to the lesser known hills and dales of Bidadi.

Take the beautiful and relatively unknown hillock Narayanagiri near Bidadi in Karnataka, a town famous for industries like Toyota Kirloskar and Coca-Cola and spiritual retreats such as the Mehar Baba ashram and Nityanandapuri.

Narayanagiri is a rugged hillock with a beautiful plateau at its peak. The hill derives its name from the small but reportedly ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Narayana at the apex of the hillock. According to the temple priest, worship happens on special occasions, not on a daily or weekly basis. The sparse human habitat makes the hill ideal for lizards, mongoose, snakes, exotic birds and other small wildlife.

The nearest road is about three km from the base of the hill at Chikkakuntanahalli. From there, one has to trek through lush green paddy and ragi fields to reach the base of the hill. Having reached the base of the imposing hillock there are two choices — either climb via the steep but well-defined steps or take the winding and treacherous footpath to the top. Since the latter offers more adventure and exercise we decided to explore the pathway. The pathway — advised for the adventurous and agile — weaves through several massive boulders all the way to the top. Like the proverb "look before you leap" one has to be careful about one's steps here. One needs to be careful also because of a few snakes and other small animals in the vicinity.

Narayanagiri is fortunately not a crowd-puller yet. It is still quite clean and neat. It offers the visitor an array of activity options — wilderness walks, hill climbing, cave exploration, rock climbing, and lazing amidst Nature. One can even tie a hammock on the big tree at the top of the hill and relax with a book. In all an outing to Narayanagiri is bound to rejuvenate your soul. The best time to trip is between 9.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.

One can travel to Bidadi and hire an auto to Chikka Kuntanahalli. From here it is by foot all the way. Just before Bidadi a narrow road leads to the left with a board stating "Eagleton Golf Village". Take this road and travel further from the golf village to Chikkakuntanahalli. From here it is a straight trek to the hill via fields and bushes. Narayanagiri Betta is 49 km from Bangalore.

SRINIDHI RAGHAVENDRA

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