Around Bangalore
| Bannerghatta National Park (25km) |
Sprawling over 104 sq km, the
National Park has a tiger and lion
safari, a crocodile farm, a snake park,
elephant rides, and a nature camp
for children.
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| Nrityagram Dance Village (30km) |
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 Founded by the late Odissi dancer,
Protima Gauri, the dance village
at Hessarghatta offers the study of
classical dance and allied subjects
like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi,
choreography, philosophy, music,
mythology and painting. Guided
tours are organized for tourists. These
include lunch, dance demonstrations,
and a short lecture.
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| Brindavan, Whitefield (18km) |
Summer ashram of Sri Satya Sai Baba.
The seer resides in this spiritual and
educational centre for three or four
months each year.
The huge banyan tree sprawling over
a few acres in Ramohalli Village is
a botanical wonder. It is also a great
picnic spot.
Situated in a deep
valley set in the midst of hills, the main attraction of this
fascinating picnic spot is its waterfall,formed by
thin jets of water spurting
down from a height of 90m. These jets of water
converge at the bottom to resemble
a pond of pearls, hence the name Pearl Valley.
Overlooking these falls is a small shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva,
adding a religious aura to the place.
Trek amidst nature’s splendour
or go off on a biking-hiking trail in
one of the highest places around
Bangalore. Situated around 60km
from Bangalore, towards the town of
Magadi, Savandurga welcomes you
with its gigantic hills, dense vegetation
and beautiful landscapes. The view of
the sheer black rock will inspire you
to have a go at it. In some places, the
rock slants upwards at an angle of 70
degrees, and the ascent is difficult. On
top, find a stone Nandi inside a Mantap
(similar to those built by Kempegowda
to mark the boundaries of Bangalore),
facing the breathtaking spectacle
that lies in the front. Be awestruck by
Mother Nature’s creations.
A word of caution, the area is surrounded
by dense vegetation and is inhabited by an
occasional bear or leopard, which moves
freely after dusk. Make sure not to stay at
the top after dark. Carry water, food, a firstaid
kit and a survival kit in your backpack.
Exercise caution while ascending or
descending, and always move in groups.
Situated in Kanakapura Taluk, it is
a perfect spot for one day outings.
Sangama (100 km from Bangalore), is a point where three rivers meet. From
here, trek 5km to Mekedattu, amidst
lush green forest and breathtaking
hills, while you listen to the distant
roar of the Cauvery River, as well as
the chirping of birds. Do not miss
the awesome Cauvery drop, which is
sure to leave you enthralled. Take a
left 16kms before Sangama, and travel
6km to the Yeleguri Village to reach
the beautiful waterfall.
Called the Mecca of Rock Climbers, the
wilderness around Ramnagara, 50km
from Bangalore on the Bangalore-
Mysore Highway, is a climber’s delight.
This amazing place has plenty of
opportunities for budding as well as
professional rock climbers. There are
a few temples at the top of these
hillocks. The classic Hindi movie, Sholay, was shot on these picturesque
rocks. These clusters of rocks are spread
over many kilometers.
It is the starting point of night treks to
the Nandi Hills. Watch the shimmering
lights, as you trek through these beautiful hills. The temple of Lord
Subramanya is located here, which is
also one of the ancient pilgrim centres
in Karnataka. Ghati Subramanya is
45km away from Bangalore, towards
Dodda Ballapur. Do not forget to
carry a powerful torch, water and
other essentials. Thick cotton clothing
is a must for trekkers.
 The once-capital of the Ganga Kingdom
is also a place worth exploring. Visit
the famous Kolaramma Temple,
originally built by the Gangas and
later renovated by the Cholas. Some
of the other spots to visit here are
the Someshwara Temple built during
the Hoysala period, a shrine with its
attractive individual stucco figures
of Sapta Matrikas, and the Makbara
with the grave of Haider Ali’s relatives.
Apart from temples, there are beautiful
hillocks overlooking the town of Kolar,
providing ideal trekking tracks for
adventure enthusiasts. Kolar is reputed
for its country blanket (Kambli). Shop
for some on your way.
The taluk headquarters of Bangalore
Rural District is 41km away from the
city. Kempegowda was forced to leave
Bangalore in 1638 and make this town
his headquarters. He built a fort and
the Rameshwara Temple. There is also
the Someshwara Temple built in 1712,
with Kempegowda’s hazara near it.
| Sri Siddalingeswara Yoga Vana Hills (30km) |
An hour’s drive from Bangalore
will take you to Sri Siddalingeswara
Yoga Vana Hills which is a registered
charitable society. Over here Nature
is at her beautiful best. An escape
from the nearby crowded city of
Bangalore. It is ideal for meditation.
Some of the facilities provided here
are “Vanamoolika Vydya” (which is an ancient Indian art of treatment
using Jungle Herbs), Meditation,
Pranayama, Massages, Yoga, etc. A
total of 30 therapies are imparted here.
Apart from this, this NGO’s objectives
include poverty reduction, upliftment
of the economically weaker sections of
society, etc.
It is a less known, small water dam,
approximately 45kms from Bangalore.
The dam built across River Arkavati,
is a great spot for bird-watchers.
Some of the birds sighted here are
Brahminy kite, Green bee-eater, Pied
kingfisher, Purple-rumped sunbird,
White-browed bulbul, Indian robin,
Pied bushchat, Oriental skylark,
Woolly-necked stork, Black drongo,
Red-wattled lapwing, Golden oriole
and the Brahminy starling. En route,
visit the “Big Banyan Tree” (Ficus
Benghalensis), a massive 400 year
old tree. Relax under the canopy of
the banyan tree before you head to Manchanabele Dam.
Situated 53km from Bangalore on
the Mysore highway, Janapada Loka
is a treasure-trove of Karnataka’s
folk heritage. The 15 acre complex
houses museums, an open-air theatre,
a studio and other structures. The
museum, which provides insights into
the life and arts of a large number of tribal and rural folk across Karnataka,
has an amazing collection of 5000
artefacts that represent the essence
of Karnataka’s folk culture. The
exhausitive display includes an array
of agricultural, hunting and fishing
implements, weapons, ingenious
household gadgets, masks, dolls and
shadow puppets.
This four-faced hill (1368m) resembles
a Nandi from the east, a Ganesha from
the west, a linga from the south, and
a cobra from the north. An arduous
climb takes you to the two main
shrines, Gavi Gangadhareshwara Cave
Temple and Honnadevi Temple. You
can stop to rest midway between the
two at Patalaganga, a natural spring.
Set amidst hills and dense forests,
Devarayanadurga is dotted with hilltop
temples like the Yoganarasimha and
the Bhoganarasimha. It is also famed
for Namada Chilume, a holy natural
spring, and the Mahalakshmi Temple
at Goravanahalli.
This popular weekend getaway is just
60km from Bangalore. The bracing air
and serene environs of Nandi Hills,
perched at a height of 1455m above
sea level, provided Tipu Sultan and
the British with an idyllic summer
retreat. Here, you can take leisurely
strolls or experience the spine-chilling
thrills of paragliding. Two ancient
temples dedicated to Lord Shiva grace the hill, one at the foot and the
other at the peak. Nandi Hills shot
into prominence during the visits of
Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960s and
the heads of the SAARC countries in
the 1980s.
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The World’s Largest Meditational Pyramid is just 35 kilometers from
Bangalore city. Commonly described as a slice of heaven on earth, this
slate grey Maitreya Buddha Pyramid sits nestled amidst rocky hills and a
lush green valley. About 5000 people can meditate at a time inside its
vast interiors. The oasis of green surrounding the pyramid evokes a
feeling of tranquility. Its precise measurements, the murals on the
walls and tastefully decorated interiors combine to produce an inspiring
and rejuvenating effect on those who meditate within its confines.
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