Kyatsandra a small town located about 70 km away on the Bangalore-Tumkur road is a must visit locale for all trekking and rock climbing enthusiasts. Particularly famous for the Siddaganga Matha, a religious-cum-charitable institution which provides free boarding, lodging and education to over 10,000 children from across the state, Kyatsandra’s most important feature is the tall and imposing Ramadevara Betta sited about 1 km away.
The 3,900 ft tall and completely wooded hill - Ramadevarabetta - sited on the outskirts of the town is visible as a massive rocky cliff with a vast plain at its top from the highway. But one can’t imagine that anything other thorny bushes and wild animals can exist on the hill.
Ramadevara Betta, so called because of the presence of a small cave temple dedicated to Lord Rama atop the hill is accessible via a steep footpath which takes one through thickly wooded slopes of the hill. To reach the base of the hill one has to walk from Siddaganga Matha through fields, beside lakes and cross a small stream. There are several paths leading in different directions. These paths are essentially formed by the flow of rainwater and grazing cattle. If one is not sure of the terrain it is advised to take a local guide from the Siddaganga Matha.
One particularly beaten path strewn with small rocks and appears as if it circumambulates the hill in the northwest direction is the correct way to the top. The initial 60 percent of the ascent passes through bushy jungle full of thorny plants such as lantana. Unless one is very careful the razor sharp thorns will tear your clothes and skin. Walk slowly and quietly and you maybe able to sight wildlife such as hare, mangoose or an occasional fox or wolf also. Watch your step, there are lots of snakes in the forest.
The final stretch of about 500 ft is on a steep rock slope bereft of any support and highly exposed. Be extra cautious while on this stretch, during monsoon streams of water flow down making the entire slope very slippery and there is rampant growth of algae and mosses on the rock face. Even a small slip will take you 1,000 ft down hill and leave you nursing several fractured bones. At the end of the rock patch is the fort wall several sections of which have collapsed. These collapsed sections serve as entrances to the once impregnable fort.
The 3,900 ft tall hill has a vast completely fortified plateau strewn with large boulders. One can still see the remains of the strong fortifications but in a highly dilapidated condition. A medium sized Shiva temple with attractive rounded pillars similar to those found in several Vijayanagar style temples is located amidst the fort ruins. Contiguous with the temple are several ancient mud and stone buildings which might have served as granaries, powder magazines, stone dolmens and platforms in the historical times. The main deity of the temple perhaps a Shiva Linga has been removed and the floor dug up perhaps by treasure hunters. There is also a large Nandi statue inside the temple.
The other interesting places atop the hill include a medium sized lake with flowering lotus plants; a small cave temple dedicated to Rama with a small perennial spring inside, and several ancient cave dwellings, fortifications and interesting rock formations. The top of the hill offers panoramic views of the surroundings including the lush green wilderness of Devarayanadurga State Forest with its intermittent rocky hills on one side and irrigated fields, quaint villages, the national highway and railway track on the other.
WarningsRamadevarabetta is a steep and rugged hill with several paths leading in different directions. These paths are not necessarily formed due to humans walking, it can be due to down flow of rain water, cattle or even wild animals like boars, jackals, foxes, sloth bears etc which abound the place. Be careful and it is better to take a local guide with you to climb the hill. Any high school student of the Siddaganga Matha will be happy to lead you to the top for a small tip or even a coke will do.
Getting thereRoad. Start off on the NH 4 and drive for about 62 km to reach Kyatsandra after passing through Nelamangala, Dobbaspet and several small villages on the highway. You will know you are in Kyatsandra when you see several small hotels sporting the board ‘Thatte Idly’. Turn right at the first major intersection here and proceed for about 11/2 km to reach the Siddaganga Matha. From here one has to proceed on foot towards the towering hill on your right. Initially the walk is on tar road and then through a village path beside a lake and then to the hill. Watch out for human excreta as you walk towards Ramadevarabetta from Siddaganga as the ashram inmates use area as an open toilet.
Bus. There is KSRTC bus to Tumkur departing from Majestic bus station every 15 minutes. All Tumkur-bound buses stop at Kyatsandra and from here it is only a 10 minute walk to the Siddaganga matha and about 25 minutes to the base of Ramadevarabetta.
Food. Kyatsandra is famous for the Thatte Idly (Thatte - Plate) a rice delicacy served with ultra spicy chutney in several hotels here is popular among all visitors.
Accommodation. Siddaganga Matha has built up several self-sufficient rooms with built-in attached kitchen and bathrooms which are rented out to visitors at a nominal charge of Rs.50 per night.
