Bananthimari Betta

1. Wear trekking shoes for a comfortable trek.
2. Carry your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.
3. Avoid wearing bright colored clothes.
4. Carry atleast 2 litres of water and energy food (like chocolate bars, glucon-D, electrolyte drinks etc.)

Take the Kanakapura- Malavalli route from Bangalore, which is also called the Sathanuru Route sometimes. Take a left turn from the Y-Junction in the outskirts. A few kms ahead you will (maybe) find a lake on the right. You might also not spot it as it stays dry most times of the year and the authorities are fast filling it up with concrete to shut it down. Keep moving ahead on the same route until you spot a public school on the right and turn from the cut right next to it. Around 6 kms further on the same route you will find the temple arch. You will have to park your vehicle half a km before the temple and set ahead on foot. In case you lose the way, you can ask the villagers for Bananthimari Temple and they will guide you accordingly.

Bananthimari Betta gets its name from the Devi Temple situated at the base. Bananthi meaning ‘mother who is nursing a new born’, and mari meaning ‘the violent goddess’.

Bananthimari Betta is also ideal for rappelling. The steep rocky boulders make for a great accent and a lot of adventure enthusiasts come here for the same. Other activities including mountain climbing, hiking, rock climbing etc. Some people also camp at the base of hill near the village. There are also bonfires and other events organised from time to time.

Bananthimari Betta is surrounded by verdant green fields which is mostly used by shepherds to feed their flocks. To begin with, the Devi Temple at the base of the hillock serves as a great starting point. You will also find localites and villagers on the way up, collecting firewood or tending to their livestock. As the height increases, the scenery gets more and more enticing. A few meters ahead in the trek, you will be awed at the beauty of the neighboring vistas of the tiny little stream flowing amidst virescent mountains. Most of the hillock is made up of granite rocks with patches of protruding grass and vegetation and a few trees here and there. The coarse granite rocky boulders offer the perfect grip to trek and hike; and are believed to be older than the rocks present in Ramanagaram or Madhugiri. The top of the peak is slightly blunt and flat; it offers enchanting views of the paddy fields in the distance, and the tiny township below. In any case, the mesmerising memories of this trek are bound to stay with you for a long, long time.