Hitha Nanjappa

We visited Ankushagiri Fort after changing our original hiking plan and choosing the hill from Google Maps. Starting from the Perumal Temple at the base, we passed the ruins of an ancient temple before reaching a junction where we chose one of two faint paths. The trail led onto rocky terrain with distinctive rock patterns and continued to the ruins of the Someshwara Swamy Temple, where only pillars, a fallen Garuda stambha, and a stone vessel remained. We then explored another section of the hill containing scattered fort ruins, hero stones, engraved kolam designs, and a lone electric pole before returning via the same route and visiting the Perumal Temple on our way back.

We visited Kunagalu Betta on a clear morning when the trail was busy, with a steady flow of hikers throughout the day. The broad approach road was lined with custard apple trees, many of them bearing ripe fruit. We explored the cave-like rock arch before continuing to the Nandi statue and the summit temple. Strong winds at the top made the summit a comfortable place to spend time despite the crowds. After visiting the temple, we explored the adjoining hillocks and found faint paths through tall grass and thorny vegetation. While searching for old structures, we unexpectedly came across a flight of rock-cut steps that led directly back to the parking area, revealing an alternate descent route. Clear visibility throughout the hike provided views of the surrounding granite hills.

We visited Bala Kodandaraya Swamy Temple on a clear morning after driving through villages and a short unpaved forest approach to the base of the hill. The climb followed well-laid stone steps through a forested section before reaching the temple arch, where the vegetation opened onto exposed granite with wide views of the surrounding valley. We explored a side path leading to a pond filled with blooming lilies at the base of a large rock face before continuing to the hilltop temple. At the summit, local devotees and the temple priest drew water from a natural rock cleft that serves as a perennial water source for the temple before the day's पूजा. We spent time exploring the summit and descended before the exposed rock heated up later in the morning.