Wanderlust Tales : Trekking trip to Shivgange , Bangalore
HOW TO GET HERE:
Shivgange, located around 60-70 km from Bangalore is in the Tumkur district. It has a historic significance of housing the huge rocky hill in the shape of Linga. The beauty of the place is just inexplicable and the view from the top is just breathtaking.It is an instant weekend getaway. 💙
The drive from Bangalore to our destination took us around two and a half hours. You must try to start early, this saves a lot of time from the traffic of Bangalore. And specifically for trekking, an early start helps to avert the scorching heat.
Use Google maps and you can always nag the passers-by for information on the routes. 😌
I would suggest that the NICE roads be taken since they make the driving easy and fast. You have to pay a toll for accessing these roads.
SHIVGANGE:
Shivgange is a popular rock trekking location. The way up to the top is damn steep. The man-made steps are engraved which makes climbing up little easy. There are added railings, grasp good hold of it to make sure you don't slip.
Because God forbid, if you slip - you will never know - where you might land. So be very very careful! 😓
Making your way to the top is an adventure in itself. It is almost part rock climbing. 🙏
Because God forbid, if you slip - you will never know - where you might land. So be very very careful! 😓
Making your way to the top is an adventure in itself. It is almost part rock climbing. 🙏
I am not against animals ~ but sorry to say if they do such things, it becomes quite a pain for people visiting the place! 😰
On the way uphill, you will find few food stalls serving food, water, and tea. They have few benches at each stopover where you can sit and rest. But from the food perspective, it is advisable you carry your own drink/food. For me, it is the hygiene that's was more bothering.
The trek in actuality is tiring - definitely not for weak(in stamina or heart) or having knee or leg problems.
There would be approximately 200-300 steps you need to climb, on the sloppy hill.
As you find your way up, you will find a huge Nandi bull structure in between. This serves more as the gateway to the top. There are numerous rocks alongside which have been carved out and are standing still for now. To view it as a whole - it is a little scary. As long as these rocks are silent, they don't pose any danger, but imagining the worst gives me goosebumps...
Our final destination was the temple atop, which is the Shiv temple. And the view from here, just beyond words. It is a bird's eye view. Just picturesque!
There is a popular belief here, that ghee when used for Abhishek, turns to butter. Quite surprising actually, this is contrary to the normal.
We were unable to see this since, by the time we reached here, it was almost time for the temple to close. But it was really nice that they hurried us so that we can have the Darshan.
The temple has been carved out within the rocks. The shrines are inside the cave. Although claustrophobic, I took the huge leap of faith and went ahead.
The priest told us about the Patal Ganga - the water of Ganga which flows between the two rocks. If you happen to touch the water, it is considered a good omen and it is believed that you must have committed some good deeds.
Luckily, I was able to touch it. 😉
The name of the temple is Olakala Teertha temple. You need to take a note about the temperature is soaring inside in the temple. Surviving above 10 minutes is an uphill task.
In all the chaos, it slipped my mind to click few pictures of the temple. I got too engrossed managing myself against the temperature and slipperiness of the place.
A word of caution - be extra careful and grip tight. Caution guys!
There would be approximately 200-300 steps you need to climb, on the sloppy hill.
MYTH/LEGEND:
We were unable to see this since, by the time we reached here, it was almost time for the temple to close. But it was really nice that they hurried us so that we can have the Darshan.
The temple has been carved out within the rocks. The shrines are inside the cave. Although claustrophobic, I took the huge leap of faith and went ahead.
The priest told us about the Patal Ganga - the water of Ganga which flows between the two rocks. If you happen to touch the water, it is considered a good omen and it is believed that you must have committed some good deeds.
Luckily, I was able to touch it. 😉
The name of the temple is Olakala Teertha temple. You need to take a note about the temperature is soaring inside in the temple. Surviving above 10 minutes is an uphill task.
In all the chaos, it slipped my mind to click few pictures of the temple. I got too engrossed managing myself against the temperature and slipperiness of the place.
A word of caution - be extra careful and grip tight. Caution guys!
MUST HAVE/DO:
Few handy tips - before you start:- Start early - preferably by 06:00-ish
- Carry light food items
- Carry ample amount of drinks/glucose/water
- Be wary of the monkeys
- Try to touch the water of patal Ganga 😂
- Don't pay for any ticket for entering - they charged us Rs.30/-
- Wear proper shoes and comfortable clothing
- Carry extra hand towels
- Take head caps and eye gear to protect your head/eyes from the heat
- Don't carry too much in your bag - carry only the necessary things on your way up ~ it could make the climb tedious.
- The trek is not for the weak nor for people with problems in knee or leg pain.
Cheers to life!!
~Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!
P.S. All the above photos have been clicked by me.
Comments
Post a Comment