Avani Hills/betta

Avani betta

At a distance of 30 km from Kolar and 90 km from Bangalore City ,Avani is a small village in Kolar district of Karnataka. It is one of top historical places to visit as part of your Bangalore trip and among the popular sightseeing spots around Bangalore. It is also a popular location for Trekking.

  • Place: Avani betta, Avani Hills, Kolar, Karnataka
  • Distance: 90km from Bangalore
  • Type: Trekking, historical temple
  • Trek Difficulty: Easy to moderate
  • Trek Lenght: 2 kilometre
  • Trek Duration: 1 hour one way

The village of Avani received a prominent place mainly due to the legends associated with it. As per the local belief, sage Valmiki, the author of the epic Ramayana was residing here during the period of Ramayana.According to legends, the famous sage Valmiki resided in the village of Avani and gave shelter to Lady Sita during her exile from Ayodhya. Lady Sita, who was pregnant at that time, resided in the ashram of sage Valmiki. In due course of time her twin sons Luv and Kush were born there. It is in Avani where the famous battle took place between Lord Rama and his sons Luv and Kush.

One of the main attractions of Avani is the Sita-Parvati temple that is situated on top of the hill. It’s about an hour trek from the base to the top of the hill and the views from the top are breathtaking.

We visited this place in the month of September ,and decided to leave from Bangalore in the afternoon to avoid the harsh rays of sun and also to witness the sunset from the top of the hill.We were accompanied by kids hence carried ample of eatables and plenty of water,which is highly recommended as the place does not have any eatery/shops in the vicinity.One must carry enough water .Trail is easy to moderate so kids can visit the place .It is a must visit for all Bangloreans , Trekk lovers and who wants to explore the culture of India.

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The Land of Coffee

Chikamanglur

Mullayanagiri peak

Chikmagalur or Chikkamagaluru is a district in the state of Karnataka,located on the foothills of the Mullayanagiri peak . The mountains in Chikmagalur which are a part of the Western Ghats are the source of rivers like Tunga and Bhadra. Mullayanagiri, which is the highest peak in Karnataka is located in this district. It attracts tourists from around the state due to its pleasent weather. Wildlife enthusiasts would be interested in the Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary present in this district. 

  • Country.         : India
  • State                : Karnataka
  • Population.     : 1,18,401
  • Literacy rate.  : 79.25%
  • Highest elevation:. 1926 metres above sea level
  • Shopping Items : Coffee,Spices,Natural juices.

Chickmagalur district was called Kadur district till 1947.It is situated roughly in the south-western part of Karnataka state. A large area of this district is ‘malnad’, i.e., a largely forested hilly region of heavy rainfall. The district takes its name from the headquarters town of Chikkamagaluru which literally means younger daughter’s town – Chikka+Magala+Ooru-(in Kannada). It is said to have been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna. .

Some interesting Facts:

Coffee museum
  1. Coffee was first introduced in India through the Chikamanglur District in  1670 ,when the first Coffee crop was grown by Baba Budan in MullyanGiri Hills.
  2. He is said to have introduced the coffee plant to India by bringing seven raw beans from the port of Mocha, Yemen while coming back from Hajj. In those days coffee was exported to other parts of the world in roasted or baked form so that no one could grow their own and were forced to buy from the Yemenis. He brought seven beans because the number 7 is considered sacred in Islam. The coffee plants were then raised at the place that bears his name.
  3. The place is famous for two varieties of Coffee  Arabica and Robusta.
  4. Chikmagalur has an exotic local cuisine called “Malanadu” which is rich and spicy flavoured with coconut milk. A commonly known dish from this cuisine is Akki Roti, and Kaikadbu.

Best places to visit in Chikmagalur :

1 Mullyangiri Hills
2  Jhaari Falls/Buttermilk falls

Jhaari falls

3  Baba budangiri Hills
4  Toy train at Mahatma Gandhi park
5  Coffee museum(closed on weekends)
6  Sunset at Hirekolale lake
7  Basavanna Lake
8 Coffee and tea plantations of Chikmagalur.
9  Bhadra wildlife sanctuary
10 Temples of Belur and Halebeed

Marigold  fields nearby

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City of whispering Monuments

Bidar

Bidar also known as the          ‘City of whispering Monuments’      It is the Northern most  part of the Karnataka State of India.The administrative Headquarters of District is Bidar city.Geographically it resembles “The crown of the State”

Bidari Art

It is a hilltop City situated on the Deccan Plateau,in the North eastern part of Karnataka State in India, bordering Maharashtra and Telangana .The City is well known for its many sites of Architecture, Historical and Religious importance.Being located at the farthest of around 700 km from the State Capital Bengaluru.Owing to its rich heritage,the City has a prominent place in archeological Map of India.

  • State.                : Karnataka
  • Headquarters : Bidar
  • Division           : Gulbarga
  • Founded.         : 1956
  • Population      : 469,941
  • Sex Ratio.        : Per 1000 males 956      females
The Bidar Fort
  1. The Mountain top City has 98 Monuments’ of which four National Monuments are preserved by the Archeological survey of India and 14 by the State Archeology department of Karnataka.
  2. Bidar fort is more than 500 years old and still standing tall.This Fort was constructed along with many Islamic Monuments by Sultan Alla-ud-din Bahman.His first Capital was Gulbarga and later around 1427 AD Bidar.
  3. This Fort was build by Ahmad Shah Wali Bahman who belongs to Bahman Dynasty.
  4. The Bahamani Sultanate as it came to be called ,was the first Indo Islamic Persinate Kingdom in the Deccan.It’s unique contribution to the Architecture can also be seen in The Gulbarga Fort,and the Madrasa in Bidar apart from the Bidar Fort.
  5. The Fort is made up with red  laterite  stone which is sourced from around the Fort itself .

Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib

Gurudwara Nanak jhira Sahib is known to be  of the Holiest place for Sikh devotees in India and is belived that the first Sikh Guru Shri Guru Nanak Devji visited the place during famine in this region between 1510-1514 AD.There used to be accute shortage of drinking water in Bidar ,all efforts of the people to digging well were of no avail,even well water was found unfit for drinking .The Guruji were greatly moved by the miserable condition of people ,and while uttering ‘SAT KARTAR’ ,shifted a stone and removed some rubble from the place with his wooden slipper,To the utter Surprise of all a spring of cool and fresh water that has been flowing till date.This is how the place soon came to known as ‘Nanak Jhira’ (Jhira – spring).The crystal clear stream still flows out of a rock near the Gurudwara is belived to be God’s answer to the God’s prayer.Nearly four to five lakh pilgrim visit this Gurudwara every year.

Some interesting facts:

IAF Bidar
  • Home to the second biggest Indian Air force training centre in the Country The IAF station Bidar is used for advanced jet trainings of prospective fighter pilots on Hawk aircraft.
  • Bidar is also famous for its Handicrafts and rich heritage.
  • Unlike other places in the region,Bidar is the coolest and wettest place in North Karnataka.

Bidar  is one of my frequently visited places,and  while talking about the same I can recall the feeling of deep Spirituality ,inner peace and satisfaction one can get in the ‘abode of God’.

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