Devarayanadurga Bangalore: ✔Timing, Location, Best Time to Visit

In India, there is no dearth of temples built on hilltops, and one such place is Devarayanadurga. Around 1.5 hours’ drive from Bangalore, the around 4000-feet-high hillock is also a popular trekking destination. In this sense, the place doesn’t just let you get away from the city life, but also seek blessings. So, the next time you are staying at a hotel in Bangalore, take some time out for a short yet rewarding one-day trip to Devarayanadurga, an amazing place to visit in Bangalore.

Here is everything you need to know about this weekend getaway from Bangalore, including its history, timings, entry fee and architecture: 

Devarayanadurga, Bangalore Information

Devarayanadurga: History

The three principle attractions of Devarayanadurga — Yoga Narsimha Temple, Bhoga Narsimha Temple and Namada Chilume — all have a mythological past of their own.

Yoga Narsimha Temple is said to have been built at the place where Lord Brahma, after a long, deep penance, was visited by Lord Vishnu, in his Narsingha incarnation, and Goddess Lakshmi. While Lord Brahma was engaged in penance, Sage Durwasa, the angriest among them all, visited him and installed an idol of Narsingha at the place where the Bhoga Narsimha Temple has been built.

The history of Namada Chilume, which is around 6 km from the hillock, goes back to the time of the Ramayana. It is said that while in exile, Lord Ram and Sita stayed at the hill for a while. One day, when Lord Ram was looking for water to apply sandalwood paste on this forehead, he couldn’t find any. So, he shot an arrow in a rock, from which water flowed out; Namada Chilume, a natural spring, is said to be this very hole.

On a realistic note, the history of the temple goes as far back as the 17^th century, at least, with the temples said to have been constructed by the then King of Mysore, Kanthirava Narasaraja I. However, some accounts ascribe the establishment of the shrines to the Chola Kings, who ruled the area between the 3^rd century BC and 13^th century AD.

Devarayanadurga: Architecture

The temples in Devarayanadurga are built in the typical South Indian style, characterised by the ornately sculpted vimana (pyramidal tower) above their innermost chamber. There are several pillars inside the temples that carry inscriptions, giving a window into its history and information of all the patrons who built or renovated them from time to time. The entrance of the temples face east, as is the Hindu custom.

Devarayanadurga: Today

A great place for a one-day trip from Bangalore, Devarayanadurga beckons a significant number of travellers, both trekking enthusiasts as well as pilgrims. There is a large pond on the premises of the lower Bhoga Narsimha Temple, around which you might see a lot of monkeys. In the month of March or April, a chariot festival is organised at the nearby Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. During it, the idol of Lord Narsimha is installed on a chariot laden with gold and taken out on the street. Devotees from around the area come here and circumvent the hill, in a ritual known as Giri Pradakshine. Another festival, Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Jayanthi, is celebrated in May.

Devarayanadurga: Trek

The hike begins at the base of the hill, from a brick-and-mortar structure, which looks like a turret tower. This is because the hillock also houses a fort! From Bhoga Narsimha Temple, which is located at a slight elevation, a 100-step staircase leads to the Yoga Narsimha Temple on the top. Those who want to go further up, to the actual hilltop, need to negotiate some treacherous terrain and climb certain boulders. At the hill top is a mandap, or an open pillared hall, which gives magnificent views of the temple below, greenery all around and road leading up to the base of the hill. 

Places to Visit in Devarayanadurga

• Bhoga Narsimha Temple
• Yoga Narsimha Temple
• Cave Temple
• Hilltop mandap
• Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Attractions near Devarayanadurga

• Namada Chilume (6 km)
• Goravanahalli (20.6 km)
• Nijagal Betta (21.6 km)
• Kaidala Shri Chennakeshava Swamy Temple (24.1 km)
• Kyamenahalli (27.2 km)

So, whether you are an adventure seeker or a spiritual traveller, Devarayanadurga will aptly reward you with its hiking trails, oodles of greenery, tranquillity, ornately sculpted temples, panoramic views and interesting mythical legends.