My Journeys In India: Devarayanadurga

May 22, 2014

Devarayanadurga Narasimha temples and Namadha Chilume

Trip details
Distance From Bangalore	72 Kms from Bangalore and 18 kms from Tumkur
Type	Trekking - on a rocky hill
Height	Approx 1.2 km high
Difficulty level	Small trek if you could reach the top with your car, yes there is a well laid road, Medium trek if you walk up on the well-built steps
Kids?	Yes, Kids 5+ years can climb
Hours needed	1.5 hours. 15 mins to climb, another 30 mins if you want to goto the top further.
Best time to visit	Anytime
Local guides	Not available, not needed. Temple priest can help you explain history
Stay options	Bangalore or Tumkur
Food	Not available here, only Kamat or other motels in Bangalore-Tumkur highway
Nearby places	Siddarabetta, Madhigiri Fort
Other tips	· Temple opens up only by 10AM or 10:30 AM only. And by 11AM abhisheka( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhisheka ) starts · If you want to climb up further from the main temple, you need to return back to main temple before 5PM evening. See the photo of the notice board.

This is very close to Bangalore and Tumkur. This is again a rocky hill. One best thing about this place is that you can drive up the hill, yes there is a well-laid road which takes you to the top. Once you reach the top, on right side a small road goes to PWD guest house and the temple is on the left side. Car parking is available and some small shops are there as well.

Though the sign board says the temple timings is from 10AM, the priest open up only 10:30AM. And immediately after that the Abhishekam starts (within 10 mins I guess).

From the main temple, you can trek little up to the top. This is just a small trek and you can reach the Mantap on top within 15 to 20 minutes. From there the view is fantastic. This is close to 1.2 kms high.

Carry water and snacks with you, but eat near the local shops as there are many monkeys around.

Wiki Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devarayanadurga

There is a place by name Namadha Chilume. Only a natural spring is there apart from deers. Nothing much.
Anyway captured few photos and shared below.

Wiki reference for Namadha Chilume http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namada_Chilume

Photos.....

View of the temple from the car parking area, from here you need to go few steps up by walk.

You can park the car near the shops on left side.

Yes, do you see the steps? You need to walk a little

Temple timings, expect some 30 mins of delay in opening

Anjaneya (Monkey God)

You get a good view from here

Very common to see the full grown trees on the rock

Mantap

Do you see the notice? It says you need to come down before 5:30 as they will close this gate. This is the only way to climb further to top and also the entrance to the main temple.

PWD Guest house is seen and the road

Very colorful.....

Full grown tree on rock

Temple Tower or Gopura or Vimana

You may better bring your own water bottle.

Temple pond. Monkeys enjoy playing here...

Notice board saying you cannot go up the hill after 5PM

One more tree on the rock

Somehow that small rock is stuck between two big rocks, you need to go through this way to top

Well balanced and will not fall .... !! Dont worry !!!

Little more you need to climb to reach that Mantap on top

Those early days, it looks like these were used as some wooden steps or something.... but it is very clear this was wood long back and now become rock like