Description

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a hill (betta in Kannada) located in the Chamarajanagar district of the state of Karnataka, at a height of 1454 m above the sea level located about 220 km from Bangalore and 80 km from Mysore and very near to Bandipur national park, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a famous tourist destination place which boasts the Venu Gopala Swamy temple (Lord Krishna) on top of the hill. Dense fog predominates and covers the hills round the year and thus gets the prefix Himavad (in the native language of Kannada) and the temple of Venugopalaswamy (Lord Krishna) gives the full name of Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta. This place feels like a hill station. One will witness large part of thick forests surrounding the hill. Elephant herds roam around the temple during night time. It is also the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park. It lies in the core area of the Bandipur National Park and is frequented by wildlife including elephants. 

this temple was built by the King Chola Ballala during AD 1315. There will be a car festival during Phalguna masa - Sravana Nakshatra(during March-April). This is a 7 days celebration. Unlike in most of the other temples in India, here, the car (Ratha) is made during this time and will be dismantled after the celebrations. The temple is small, neat and clean. A rock can be seen at a distance of one Km from the temple. There is a belief that people not having children, on performing puja here (Santana praapti), will have kids. 

Other than the spiritual importance, this place is an excellent picnic spot for all. There are a total of 77 lakes situated over a distance of 5-6 km on this hilly region. These can be seen only by walking through hills and forest areas and the way is naturally made. Among these, one lake is called Hamsa theertha (Swan lake). There is a story behind this lake. Once a crow took bath in this lake and became Hamsa (Hamsa means swan in Kannada). Interestingly, one cannot see any crows surrounding this place. The lines of hill range at Madhumalai and Nilgiris can be seen from the temple premises. 

The hill is home to wild animals like Elephants, Gaur, Sloth Bear, and the elusive Tiger. There are places uphill where you get a birds-eye view of the forests below, so while driving up or down. stopped out of the vehicle armed with a camera and binoculars and screen the forests below. Some Times, the elephants are visible even to the naked eye. It is fascinating to see the Elephants from the above move with their little ones slowly eating their way into the forests. We have also spotted Sambar, Gaur, and an abandoned Tiger cave. These regions were a favorite hunting ground for the Mysore Maharajahs and their British guests. The Royals have built a guest house on top of the hills and there are some rare pictures of the Maharajahs and their guests with their prized hunt the tiger.

how to reach

Car/Bike: Head on SH17 towards Mysore, from Mysore, take the Ooty road NH212, after Gundlupet, before Bandipur forest, watch out for board indicating directions for Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta. Turn right to reach the hills.  

Karnataka State Road: Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses ply from Gundlupet to this hill. Also, any busses towards Ooty / Gudalur can drop to Hangala.

Visitors are allowed only from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Food/Accommodation: Plenty of options available on Mysore road as well as NH212.

Tips

• Private vehicles NOT ALLOWED.  One has to park their vehicle in the base of the hill and take the KSRTC buses to reach atop, the ticket costs Rs.20 and the timings are around 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
• No one can stay atop after the official hours because of wild animals movement. The best time to visit would be from July to February.
  
• Please make sure you carry enough food & drinking water. Not sure whether anna daana (free food) is offered every day. There are petty shops at the foothills where you can get fruits, snacks or soft drinks.
• Could not find toilets near the temple area. 
•  Liquor and smoking are strictly prohibited.
  

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