Located near Bengaluru’s Dobbaspet village, Shivagange Hill stands tall amidst lush countryside environs. Apart from being a much-revered pilgrimage for locals, the hill also offers fantastic trekking opportunities for adventure lovers. By Karan Kaushik
Embark on a day trek to Shivagange Hill
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Shivagange Hill
At 804.8 metres high, Shivagange Hill is one of the largest peaks in Karnataka. Located at a distance of 54km from Bengaluru, the Hindu pilgrimage site makes for a nice trekking adventure with your mains.
The mountain is shaped like a shivalinga and from it sprouts a natural spring, known as Ganga. Shivagange Hill is also called Dakshina Kashi or the Kashi (Varanasi) of the South. Blessed with stunning natural beauty, the place is home to several temples. The prominent ones include Gangadhareshwara temple, Sri Honnammadevi Temple, Olakal Teertha, and Patalagange.
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Trekking to Shivagange Hill
The prime attraction at the hilltop is the grand rock statue of Nandi, which is reached after traversing the last stretch of the trek. From here, you get a 360-degree of the verdant rolling hills and lush forests. Trekking to the hilltop takes around an hour and a half. It’s an easy trek. Man-made steps guarded by railings have been installed to make the trek easier for everyone. The total ascent you need to make is 2500 ft.
On your way to the top, you’d come across little shops selling knick-knacks, eatables, water bottles, and soft drinks. The first stretch of the trek requires you to climb till the midpoint, which has a statue of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati. From here, it’s a challenging climb uphill. You’ll be required to cover a steep ascent of 75 degrees. Thankfully, it’s guarded by iron railings.
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On reaching the top of Shivagange Hill, a giant statue of Nandi welcomes you. There’s an old fortress too along with an ancient temple. Perambulating the Nandi statue is considered auspicious. If trekking on a weekend, you’ll meet a lot of fellow trekkers and pilgrims. Be mindful of your steps. On your way down, do visit the Olakal Teerth temple, which is famous for housing the mouth of the natural spring.
Fair warning: Shivagange Hill inhabits a large number of monkeys. These could get extremely notorious and may even grab your bags, sunglasses, and food packets. Be careful.
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Plan it well
Leave during the early morning hours from Bengaluru to avoid traffic. You can board a train or bus to Dobbaspet. From the Dobbaspet station, you can hire a shared autorick to the base of Shivangange Hill.
Related: Here’s What Makes Dhak Bahiri Cave Trek The Most Thrilling Trek In Maharashtra
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