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Weekend Trip Bangalore to Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta Hill Range.

Route Map: Route: Bangalore >> Bidadi >> Ramanagara >> Chennapatna >> Maddur >> Mandya >> Sri Rangapatna >> Mysore >> Nagangud >> Gundlupet (small streach of bad roads) >> Turn Right where you see directions to Gopalaswamy Betta.

Tip: No food or accomodation facilities..Do carry enough refreshments and beverages. Best time to visit is early morning or around sunset.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is located in Chamarajanagar District and lies in the core area of Bandipur National Park. It is about 220 km from Bangalore and 82 km from Mysore. It us at 4,801 ft (1454 m) above sea level and is extensively wooded. After reaching Gundlupet from Mysore, a 10-km drive further down would lead to Hangala village. Turn to the right and drive for 4 km amidst golden yellow sunflower gardens dotted with tall coconut trees to teach the Gopalaswamy Betta Forest check post. The entire area is ‘protected forest’ and is controlled by the Forest Department. After paying the toll fee, the drive up the hill for the next 7 km is an adventure as the roads are steep and narrow. If lucky, you can even spot herds of deer and elephants moving around without a care in the world in the green canvas spread across a vast territory. According to locals, tigers, leopards and bison are also spotted regularly in the early morning hours.

On your onward journey further up, the air becomes unbelievably cool and dense fog hits you, signifying your arrival at the temple doors atop the hill. Perumal Dandanayak, a chola viceroy, built the Gopalaswamy temple in 1315. Later, the maharajas of Mysore, who were ardent devotees of Lord Venugopala, displayed keen interest in maintaining the hill.


May be there would be some decent accomodation facilities sooner than later.

Kiran's Trip to Gopalaswamy betta and hill range through his camera eyes.

You can also check out his captures at:

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/azadkiran

Himavad Gopalaswamy Hill (betta) the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park. Dense fog predominates and covers the hills round the year. Hence the name Himavad, meaning filled with fog,. The place is known for its scenic valleys. Gorges and hills like Neeladri, Hamsadri, Garudadri, Pallava and Mallikarjunagiri.

This place has much to offer to adventure seekers too, as a trek up this hill can be athrilling experience with its rare flora and fauna. The place is also credited with a variety of medicinal plants.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is located in Chamarajanagar District and lies in the core area of Bandipur National Park. It is about 220 km from Bangalore and 82 km from Mysore. It us at 4,801 ft (1454 m) above sea level and is extensively wooded. After reaching Gundlupet from Mysore, a 10-km drive further down would lead to Hangala village. Turn to the right and drive for 4 km amidst golden yellow sunflower gardens dotted with tall coconut trees to teach the Gopalaswamy Betta Forest check post. The entire area is ‘protected forest’ and is controlled by the Forest Department. After paying the toll fee, the drive up the hill for the next 7 km is an adventure as the roads are steep and narrow. If lucky, you can even spot herds of deer and elephants moving around without a care in the world in the green canvas spread across a vast territory. According to locals, tigers, leopards and bison are also spotted regularly in the early morning hours.

On your onward journey further up, the air becomes unbelievably cool and dense fog hits you, signifying your arrival at the temple doors atop the hill. Perumal Dandanayak, a chola viceroy, built the Gopalaswamy temple in 1315. Later, the maharajas of Mysore, who were ardent devotees of Lord Venugopala, displayed keen interest in maintaining the hill.

As the name of the hill goes, the temple on the hill is dedicated to Lord Gopalaswamy, which is one of the many names of Lord Krishna. The gopuram of the temple is single-tiered and rests on the compound wall of the enclosure. At the entrance of the temple, Jaya and Vijaya, the celestial guardians, welcome you. A dhwajastambha (flag-pillar) and a balipeetam (sacrificial altar) are there in the mukha mantapa(inner-porch). The parapet wall of the façade of the mukha mantapa contains the sculpture of dashavatara (the nine avatars of Vishnu) with the centre portion depicting Krishnbaavatara (the avatar of Vishnu in which he appeared as Krishna). There is a shikhara tower over the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum). The garbha griha contains a panel with an idol of Krishna holding a glute under a tree. Krishna is flanked by his friends and the posture is that of dance, with the left big toe resting on the right one. In the panel are also shown milk sellers and cows. Lord Gopalaswamy’s idol is flanked by his consorts. Rukmini and satyabhama.

Throughout the year, dew formation can be seen on top of the entrance of garbha gudi and on the left shoulders of Gopalaswamy – hence the name ‘Himavad’. The temperature inside the temple is also relatively cool.

According to chief priest Lakshmipathi Bhat, there are 77 theerthas or springs along the slopes of the hills within 25 km radius of the temple. The saying is that the crows, which took bath in these springs, turned into swans and hence there are no crows in Bandipur. About a kilometer away from the temple is a rock, consume water from the spring on an empty stomach and visit the Gopalaswamy temple to seek the Lord’s blessings will very soon be blessed with children.

According to Mr Bhat, water in the natural springs on the hill is in its purest form and hence ideal for consumption. This water is also believed to have the goodness of 28medicinal roots and minerals dissolved in it naturally. A lake, a few hundred feet below the peak, serves as the local watering hole for wildlife.

Apart from its religious significance, the place has a lot to offer for keen travelers out to explore the world. Huge mountains enveloped by greenery on all sides, amazing clusters of green and brown trees dotting the terrain, dew formation in pockets, pretty wild flowers in different colours… the scenic beauty of the place is breathtaking!

Often seen are groups of gaur grazing on the slopes with colourful birds chirping in the background for company.

On the hill is a government guest house, the building of which dates back to the British era, and was used by the Wodeyars of Mysore. Though there are a couple of rooms adjacent to the temple for visitors to stay, nobody is allowed to stay on the hill after 5.30 pm. The jungle Lodges & Resorts runs a facility on Gundlupet- bandipur highway, which could be the right choice to spend the night in.

Despite its scenic beauty. Gopalaswamy Betta is not the chosen destination of travelers who generally go to either Ooty or kodaikanal for a holiday. How ever, those who are familiar with the place visit regularly from the neighboring towns of Karnataka. Tamil Nadu and Kerala states.

Though Gopalaswamy Betta has the potential to became an excellent tourist destination, continued neglect and official apathy has cost the place dear in terms of development. Absence of public transport is the main culprit as not all travelers can afford private vehicles. The KSRTC operates only one schedule on Saturdays from Gundlupet. The bus leaves at 10.30 am and is back by 2 pm.

Pack your own food if you are visiting this place, as there are no restaurants of shope on the hill. However, on advance request, tasty and sumptuous food is prepared and served by Mr Gopalakrishna Bhat. Though Mr Bhat does not ask visitors how much to pay, they generally consider it their dury to repay the courtesy extended to them in an unknown place.


For more details. Contact :

Mr Lakshmipathi Bhat ; 9448596076 or

Mr Gopalakrishna Bhat : 9448543361.

Landline : 08229-323091