Skandagiri

Skandgiri is a lovely hill in Bangalore noted for trekking and sunrise views. It is also known as Kalavara Durga among locals. It is surrounded by the Nandi Hills and has an elevation of 1450 metres.

The trek to the summit position is exciting and of moderate effort for trekkers. People are known to spend the night beneath the stars on the hilltop, which offers a spectacular view of the surrounding hills.

Skandgiri was previously home to a magnificent fort built by Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore in the eighteenth century. After the struggle between his kingdom and the Britishers was lost, power shifted to British officials.

Under their management, the fort did not thrive. Only a fraction of the fort's walls remain standing today, with the majority of the fort lying in ruins. The terrain is notable for two temples, one at the bottom of the hill and another at the summit, which were not damaged, while everything else is now in ruins.

This is also one of the noteworthy trekking sites in Bangalore that can be visited both during the day and at night. In fact, one of the most risky things you can do at Skandagiri is to hike up the hill during a full moon night. The exhibition of natural splendour surrounding you at the top of the hill will be an enchantment to treasure!

1. Papagani Mutt

This temple is one of a kind, dedicated to Goddess Parvati and other local deities. The spiritual energies of this temple are said to be so intense that worshippers may feel them the instant they enter. On Saturdays, a special Pooja is performed at the temple to appease the Goddess Parvati. On visiting Skandgiri, you will encounter a swarm of trekkers who make it a point to visit the temple before beginning their journey.

2. The Shiva Temple
The temple is perched atop Skandagiri Hill. The temple's magnificent architecture draws the majority of visitors. Lord Shiva, one of the most important deities in Hindu tradition, can be worshipped in his sitting incarnation. After reaching the summit, trekkers pay their respects to the holy deity.

3. Tipu Sultan Fort

The fort, which was built by the Maharaja of Mysore, is now in ruins, but the few walls that remain pique the imagination of many hikers. The great scale design of these walls seems to exude the elegance with which the fort may have been constructed. A closer investigation of the fort shows two caves and up to six'samadhis' within the building. If you enjoy adventure, you should visit these caverns. When your journey is finished, you may like to retire to a stone home building at the summit.

4. Sleep Beneath the Stars
Skandgiri's gorgeous and alluring settings provide you with a unique opportunity to rest under the shade of the stars while gazing around the natural surroundings. This is the ideal rest for a trekker who has exerted physical effort to go on this adventure. Also, Skandgiri is one of the rare spots that allows trekking at night.

How to Reach:

From Bangalore International Airport:

Skandgiri's nearest airport is in Bangalore. The mountainous town is around 60 kilometres from Bangalore. Tourists can take a bus supplied by KSRTC that runs at regular intervals between the two destinations.

The passengers are dropped off at Chikballapur, the route's final stop. From there, people can either take a leisurely walk to Skandgiri or hire an auto to drop you off at the foot of the hills, 15 minutes away from the station, although walking may take 45 minutes.

Best time to visit:

Skandagiri is best visited between the months of April and June, and November and March. The weather is excellent at this time, and the environment transforms into a wonderful show of ambient hues. The rainy season, which lasts from July to October, must be avoided when visiting Skandagiri.