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.....

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

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

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

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Temple timings, expect some 30 mins of delay in opening

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Anjaneya (Monkey God) 

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You get a good view from here

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Very common to see the full grown trees on the rock

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Mantap

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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.

Devarayanadurga
PWD Guest house is seen and the road

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Very colorful.....

Tree growing on rocks Devarayanadurga
Full grown tree on rock

Devarayanadurga
Temple Tower or Gopura or Vimana

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You may better bring your own water bottle. 

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Temple pond. Monkeys enjoy playing here...

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

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One more tree on the rock

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

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

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

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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

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Wood became rock ? 

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View of the main temple from the middle point above the main temple.....

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View from the middle point, do you see the shade of clouds down? Also see the lizard on that stone...!

Devarayanadurga
PWD guest house and the road

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Yes, it is balanced and will not fall........... I guess so !!!

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This is how you go up ..... muddy path....


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View of the main temple from the Mantap which is on top

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Yes, you need to come through this to top

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View of the main temple from the pond

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Monkeys play in the pond

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Came to the PWD Guest house area, this is where we saw many butterflies

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View of the main temple from Guest house road

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This is the temple below

Namadha Chilume Devarayanadurga
In the entrance of Namadha Chilume, the board shows the map with places around
Namadha Chilume Devarayanadurga
Namadha Chilume Entrance

Namadha Chilume Devarayanadurga

You can Deers apart from the natural spring.... nothing else

Namadha Chilume Devarayanadurga
Natural spring which is so clear....

Namadha Chilume Devarayanadurga
Add caption

Namadha Chilume Devarayanadurga
Information Board in Kannada