Kalavaarahalli Betta

This is my first trek from Bangalore n i'm sure it'll remain in my memory as one of my best trek.Trekking in moonlit is a newest exp. to me and i must say,it was though bit rough-n-tough but a refreshing time-pass specially from busy Bangalore-life.

some members of KMC have arranged this moonlit Trekking Expedition on the fullmoon weekend of 3/4 th March,2007.

The participants were asked to assemble at the pick-up point, near Hebbal Flyover by 8 Pm (friday night,2-Feb-07), I 've reached there with one of my colleague, Koustabh by 8.30 and relieved to see that, only few had come before us -- No wonder, Indians are famous for their so-called Indian standard time!!!

anyway, the Bus ultimately started at around 10.30 PM-- there're around 70+ peoples - i was surprised to see lot of female perticipants, in fact, there was an aunty (definitely of 50+ yrs). The bus took the Hyderabad HighWay from hebbal, and after around 60 kms, (and near Chikaballapur, a small town in bangalore rural district) it took a left turn to Chikaballapur, a small town in bangalore rural district. After around 10 km of journey (via chikaballapur) through a tiny road we reached to Omkara Jyoti Ashrama / Papagni Mutt at kalawaraVillage which seems to be a very old though a small one.

we had a simple but homemade dinner there arranged by the organisers. Then Lacchii, One of the organiser, gave us a small briefing and we're all set to start moonlit-expedition at around 12.30 night. Weather was perfect- not so hot , not so cold -- almost clear sky and enough moonlit to switch off our torch we're asked to accompany. we have started moving in a Queue --i was at the end with my colleagues- Kalesh,Rupesh,Veerana, Malli, Deepak

After crossing around 100 mts of flat field we started climbing the hill. There was no clear steps or path - and lot of boulders and shrubs on the way. I was so excited that i started clicking my camera when-ever a big Boulder coming on the way.Anyway, I made my pace faster and started overtaking others ..Around quarter an hour gone and I reached on somewhat clean rock without any shrubs on it and pleased to see that people ahead me already stopped and taking rest over there I was also feeling exhausted and took rest there for few minutes ..took some photos with Sam, Dinesh, Madhu -- my other colleagues..

we resumed the climbing after few minutes and after 100 mts or so came across a small stone- made room it was a shiva temple ---inside that theres a shiva lingo made of Stone our Cameras again stared clicking -- I just went over that to that stone-room to give a pose

Anyway, around 15 more minutes and I found remains of a old wall seems to be the outer boundary of a Old Fort over that theres somewhat flat space and a Pole over it we all stopped there to take rest again Sam brought some snacks biscuits n benanas I happily joined him to have it.

After few minutes we resumed our journey now the path is bit steep,








but, Thank God, theres a visible path to the top made of steps cutting on the rocks just like inclined stairway ..Sometimes the inclination as high as 50-60-degree and we had to use our hands for grips. Anyway, after around 30 mins of tough climbing we reached the top the time was around 2.30 AM --- one by one everybody reached on the top -- theres a small temple / mantapa made of stones but bigger than the one we saw on the way

also, theres a long stretch of a wall-remains in one side. Definitely, there was a fort here in this hilltop.

We started making bonfire on a flat place we all sat around it people started to show their singing /dancing talents , much to the delights of others though I cant do any , I also joined them in singing .. the time passed by nicely, I never felt sleepy though some people try to take small nap over there. it was my first ever night-out, and definitely quite memorable one !!! around 5 am, morning we came to one side to see the moon-set. there're cloud over here and there but we could see little reddish Moon very clearly

Its around 5.30 Am time to experience the much awaited Sun-Rise we came to the other side of the hill-top ..its getting brighter sky was little bit cloudy we can see the fogs/clouds flowing below us - thats really a great memorable scene!!!


we could see peak of Nandi Hill and another peak beside it on the south -- white Cloud/Fogs was engulfing the middle of these 2 Green Peaks nicely and trying to engulf the peaks as well -- Really an amazing sight!!!

again clicking started .I have taken a video of it -- but alas, my 128 MB space is full..

I had to delete some photos ( and mistakenly I deleted that video as well (after reaching home I realized that and theres nothing I could do but cursed myself.) to catch those beautiful moments .. People moving one part to another of that side to get the best view of sunrise --

Anyway, we all started clicking our camera it s around 6 AM views were much clear we could see the reddish small sun above the sea of clouds we can even see a clear muddy road down , which leads to Nandi hills.

I with Sam came down little further to that ridge to a small flat place where there are some Stones standing like pillars. Sam went to the top of one and asked me to take snap of his heroic act obviously, I also followed next and Sam caught that moment in the camera which was quite a dangerous pose

Anyway, its time to leave though I just long to make my stay longer n longer to experience those wonderful views which were quite clear nowAnyway, we started to climb down at around 7.00 AM we took another side of the hill to come down I was again at the end with my colleagues Verrana,nikhil after half an hour or so i came across a little flat place where we took some rest And by 9.30 we reached the mantap from where we started our Trekking ..

We had a nice tea there prepared for us, with biscuits took some rest .and around 10Am our Bus started back towards blore. By 11.30 Im back to our house.

Overall, its a nice time pass with experiences of some exotic views the organizers are quite helpful and guided us well with a careful watch. ---- best part was the discipline maintained (liquor/smoking were strictly prohibited)

FACT Files

This place is called Kalavaara Halli and the mountain is called Kalavaarahalli Betta (also called as Skanda Giri). It is located near Chikkaballapura - a small town under bangalore rural district.

Height -- about 1750m from sea level.

Distance .. . from Bangalore 70+ kms

Nearest Town/Medical Help : Chikkaballapura

Nearest Airport/ Railway station: Bangalore

The Route(Getting there):

There are 2 routes to kalawara betta. One is take a turn towards Nandi Hills and go further to kalawaraVillage crossing Muddenahalli. This is shorter route than the one from Chikaballapur. Second one is to go to chikaballapur and then to kalawaraVillage. From KalawaraVillage ask for Omkara Jyoti Ashrama / Papagni Mutt. There is a shiva temple and vehicles can be parked there. This is at the base of the Hills.

Nandi to Kalawara to Papagni Mutt is 6 kms

Chikaballapur to papagni Mutt is 3 kms.

level of Trekking: Moderate

** must carry Water, first aid box, Snacks or light foods as there's nothing available on the top or on the way to Trek from papagni Mutt