Savandurga, with its two forbidding hills, temples and scenic beauty, is definitely a place worth exploring. Located just 33 kilometers from Bangalore city, the area is easily accessible from anywhere in India.
Savandurga is best known for Karigudda and Biligudda. These literally mean the black hill' and the white hill'. Karigudda and Biligudda rise to a height of 1226 metres above the Deccan plateau. Made of huge rocks, granite and laterite, the hills are a tough climb. The crevices and folds make the trip to the top a tiring one, but for enthusiasts, the climb will be worth the effort. The ruins of an old fort crown the top of the hills.
Reaching Savandurga
Savandurga is 60km from Bangalore.
Route 1: Bangalore - Magadi - Naykanapalya - Savanadurga.
Reaching Magadi is easy in KSRTC or private buses available from KR Market. One needs to get down before Magadi at the Ramanagaram road. Any bus to Ramanagaram will take you till Nayaknapalya. From Nayaknapalya its only 4km away for which autos are available.
There are several buses that run from Bangalore to Magadi, close to Savandurga. The travel time would be close to two hours. Local buses and autos will take you from Magadi to Savandurga.
Trekking
Since it is located 1226 m above sea mean level and has a good steep slope, it makes for a good and adventurous trekking experience. You can visit the place with a group of people which makes it a relaxing yet a thrilling experience at the same time.
Rock-climbing
Though, rock climbing needs prior permission from the authorities, Savandurga hills because of it's monolithic formations provide for an accomplishing adventure for the rock-climbing enthusiasts. On top of the rock there will be a fort and a temple. The temples situated at the base of the hill, dedicated to Sri Basaveswara, Sri Narasimhaswamy and Sri Veerabhadraswamy, also attract a large number of devotees.
Corporate Excursion
Trekking, Cave explorations at Savandurga are often favored by corporates. This place is popular amongst the corporate groups who bring down their team here for team building excursions. A day at the Savandurga hills is great for the carrying out of exciting team building exercises that are also a lot of fun.
Nature walks
It is a nature’s paradise with the place surrounded by dense Savandurga forest and the river Arkavathi flowing towards the Manchanabele dam. The forest is said to be the home of diverse flora and fauna. The place is also known for its medicinal plants. Infact at the base of the BiliBetta hill you can check out the medicinal herb plantation. If you don’t want to be on your own then contact groups like Thrillophilia, which organize such walks.
Cycling
If you are a cycling enthusiast then you can try cycling fromBangaloretoSavandurga, Manchanabele dam and Big Banyan tree. For routes check out dailymile.com and mapmyride.com.
Pilgrimage center
At the foothills there is a famoustempleofSri Lakshmi NarasimhaSwamy. The idol is bas-relief structure that has naturally occurred from stone. The Sri Lakshmi NarasimhaSwamy and SavandiVeerabhadreshwaraSwamy located nearby are popular pilgrim destinations. The Sri Lakshmi NarasimhaSwamy temple is built in Hoysala style and is of Vijayanagara period.