Madhugiri Fort or Madhugiri Betta

Trip Details
Distance From Bangalore	110 Kms
Type	Trekking on a rocky hill
Difficulty level	Medium, But please be very cautious !
Kids?	NO, Not advisable
Hours Needed	2 hours
Best time to visit	Avoid rainy season (July to Sep) and sunny day
Local guides	Not available
Food	Madhugiri is a Town and you get small eateries. I suggest you have at restaurants on Tumkur NH
Nearby Places and Blogs	Siddara Betta : http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2014/05/trekking-and-cave-exploration-in.html Sivaganga : http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2014/05/shivagange-or-dakshina-kashi-near-tumkur.html Devarayana Durga: http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2014/05/devarayanadurga-narasimha-temples-and.html Nearby Famous fort : Chitradurga Fort: http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2014/05/windmills-near-pollachi-and-chitradurga.html
Other tips	Please be very very cautious or avoid the last stretch if you are not confident. For few meters there are no railings to hold. Nothing much to see. Visit only if you like pure trekking. If you really want to see a Fort, then you should visit Chitra Durga. Visit this blog.

Refer my blog for list of all the Weekend breaks or Daytrips from Bangalore. Click this link.

Madhu means Honey in Kannada and Giri means Hill. This is the second largest monolithic hill in Asia and about 3930 ft or 1200m high. First largest monolithic hill is the Savanadurga which is 1226m high and this is also very close to Bangalore. First, I warn all the readers to be extremely cautious while climbing the last stretch. No guides available. 

When you go on Tumkur Road, in one place you will see a sign board for Sivaganga showing left and Madhugiri / Siddarabetta on right. You need to take right there. Use Google maps on your mobile, search for "Madhugiri Betta". Either you can park outside or inside the fort entrance. Inside fort there are some government offices.

You can see two big temples in the town and from the top you get to see the whole town. These temples are Venkataramana and Malleswara Temples. There is also a Jain temple inside the fort entrance.

On top of the hill there is a ruined Gopalakrishna Temple. I always see a Temple on most of the hills. 

Always wondered how people took the materials to such a height and built temples and forts. Really amazing. 

At the last stretch there are no railings to hold for few meters and please be very cautious. Avoid if you are not confident. I did cross this part. I was all alone and by mistake I was carrying my camera bag as well all the way up. So did not have much confidence beyond the last few meters where there is nothing to hold. So did not reach the top at all though it was so close. 

This is not so tough compared to Siddarabetta or Sivaganga. There are no guides available and most of the part of fort is all ruined, so not so interesting. Only if you like to see the town from heights and if you like trekking, then you may want to visit. Otherwise I suggest you visit Siddarabetta or Sivaganga which are far more exciting. Chennarayana Durga, Devarayanadurga are also nearby.

If you want to see a big and famous Fort that is closeby Bangalore then please visit Chitradurga and the blog post with lots of photos can be found here. Click this link to read.  http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2014/05/windmills-near-pollachi-and-chitradurga.html

Note: Dont go on a sunny day, start early. Also dont ever try when it is raining or during rainy season. Carry water. For other details visit Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhugiri

Moving onto photos.

View of Madhugiri Fort from base

Bastions at Madhugiri Fort

Another view of Bastion at Madhugiri Fort

Yet another view with the steps .. !

So sunny, yet I did not leave Sun god also, captured him. He is smiling there with his rays !

It was so hot and sunny when I went, took a shot of scorching sun !

View from little above the base of the Fort with the view of fort walls 

Another view of the fort from base ...

See the monolithic second largest hill - Madhugiri Betta

Temple at the base of the Madhugiri Betta or Madhugiri Fort

Close view of Madhugiri Betta or Madhugiri Fort. See on top. the fort walls !

Well balanced boulder ...bit scary to look from here... ! Below the fort complex is seen.

Snake is worshipped as a God !

So tough and challenging world around, yet I popped up from seed and will grow ! Young grass at rock !

Steps..... 

Ruined .... 

Water storage inside the Fort and the bastion can be seen on left side... 

I guess this is Siddarabetta. View from top

Venkataramana and Malleswara Temples at Madhugiri Town. View from top. 

Do you see the Cactus plant ? Growing on bare rock. 

This is dangerous part. No railing to hold. Please avoid if you are not confident. 

Final few steps.... but I was so tired and scared to climb further alone. ! Just took a picture !

Beautiful isn't it ? 

View from midway to top !

View of the town and surroundings !

Hills everywhere... Shaded by clouds !

Anjaneya Temple inside the Fort complex

Water storage 

Steps.... 

These are made so narrow those days, to avoid using huge logs or elephants to break-open the doors !

View from Anjaneya Temple

Other blogs on nearby places are listed below, click them to read. 

Sivaganga

Siddarabetta Caves

Devarayanadurga








Chitradurga Fort

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