Unearthing History: The Thrill of Trekking the Fort Hills Around Bangalore

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The region surrounding Bangalore is a treasure trove for trekkers, offering an exciting blend of natural beauty and profound history. Rocky hills, monolithic structures, and majestic forts holding centuries-old clues—these are the features that continuously draw adventurers.

From the time of the Hoysala and Vijayanagara empires, local rulers built numerous formidable hill forts for governance and protection. Today, their ruins stand as evocative reminders of our past.

🏰 Living Proofs of a Grand Past

The architectural legacy is visible everywhere:

  • Nandi Hills (Nandi Durga), with its association with Tipu Sultan's palace and the infamous "Tipu Drop," is living proof of this heritage.

  • Skandagiri, offering a pleasant atmosphere similar to Nandi Hills, holds a special place in the hearts of trekkers.

  • Hills like Gudibande, Savandurga, Huttari Betta, and Devarayana Durga all proudly proclaim the fort-building traditions of past dynasties. While some structures remain strong, others have succumbed to the ravages of time.

🌿 Eco-Tourism and Better Management

In recent times, the Forest Department has been taking welcome steps towards better management by identifying several hills under the "Eco Tourism" initiative. This approach has yielded positive results:

  • It has helped reduce unethical activities.

  • Incidents of trekkers getting lost have decreased.

However, there is still a significant need for better guidance, trained local guides, and increased public awareness to truly unlock the potential of these sites.

🎬 Discovering a Hidden Gem: Bidirukatte near Savandurga

Devanahalli, Chikkaballapur, Tumkur, Ramanagara, and Kolar are home to many unique hills, mountains, and monoliths perfect for trekking.

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting 'Bidirukatte', a stunning location near Ramanagara, nestled in the lap of Savandurga, Asia's largest monolith. Access to this quiet heaven must be booked through the Forest Department's Aranya Vihara website. The beautiful natural structure, the thoughtful design of the space, and the sheer silence surrounding it are truly breathtaking.

The Hollywood Connection


What many people do not realize is that Bidirukatte holds a fascinating cinematic history! This hidden bamboo grove was a key filming location for the famous Hollywood film, A Passage to India.

  • Released in 1984, the film was directed by the legendary David Lean.

  • It is an adaptation of the novel by the great English writer E.M. Forster.

  • The film went on to win two Oscars.

It is a source of immense local pride that important scenes of this globally acclaimed movie were shot right there in this quiet bamboo heaven.

💡 A Note for Parents: Taking your children to places like Bidirukatte offers a priceless learning opportunity about geography, history, and environmental conservation, blending adventure with education.

📈 The Untapped Potential of Local Tourism

The areas around Bangalore have served as backdrops for countless films, from Hollywood and Bollywood to major South Indian productions. Iconic films like Sholay, Coolie, and A Passage to India were all partially shot here, yet many locals remain unaware of this rich cinematic legacy.

Given Bangalore's economic strength, the government has a fantastic opportunity to develop these areas. By using modern technology to promote these historical and scenic locations in an eco-friendly manner, the government could generate significant revenue and create sustainable job opportunities for local communities.

🗺️ My Durga Trekking List

Around Bangalore, there are a total of 9 major Durgas (hill forts), each steeped in unique history. So far, I have been fortunate enough to trek to five:

  1. Nandi Durga

  2. Huttari Durga

  3. Makali Durga

  4. Devarayana Durga

  5. Savandurga

There are still many more Durgas and hills left to explore, and I look forward to completing the challenge!

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