Siddarabetta trekking, Medicinal plants & spiritual center~ Tumkur district -

Siddarabetta ~ Tumkur district

Facts

Distance: 100kms from Bangalore
Terrain: Rocky
Type: Medicinal Forest
Total Trek/Hike Kms: 2kms
Forest Type: Shrub Forest
Difficulty Level: Moderate

About the place:

Siddarabetta is situated in the district of Tumkur. It is one of the most visited and ideal trekking destinations near Madhugiri hillock. Nestled amidst the rocky hillocks, temples, and caves this hillock is surrounded by beautiful landscape, lush greenery, and boulders.

Located just 100kms from Bangalore, this hillock is an abode of Sri Siddalingeshwara Swamy (Lord Shiva) temple. The specialty of this temple is that it is in a cave. When you reach Siddarabetta, you will see an arch in the entrance that says “Sri Siddeshwara Swamy Kshetra” welcomes you. There is also a board in the Kannada language that says, devotees are requested to climb this hillock barefoot. However, if you are trekking beyond the temple, it is advisable to wear your shoes.

The trekking trail begins with a stairway which seems easy, but when you start climbing further, the hillock becomes steeper. In a few places, the steps have been carved out of the hill with good supporting railings to help the trekkers. After scaling a few distances, you will be amazed to see the breathtaking scenery around you. You also will find a hut-like structure a few meters away. If it is a sunny day, and you are feeling tired of climbing, you can relax here for a while and then continue.

However, after a stretch, there are no stairs or even railings. You need to trek on the boulders for some distance. Though the path is short, it can be very slippery and risky during the rainy season. You not only need to be careful while ascending the hillock from this point but also should be beware of the monkey menace. So make sure you don’t carry any eatables while mounting. Siddarabetta is very famous for its medicinal herbs.

The higher you climb, the more beautiful will be the panoramic view of the surroundings. I have heard people say, every good beginning will have a wonderful ending. Likewise, you will find a sacred cave after a tedious climb to this hillock. The cave is surrounded by huge rocks. After trekking in the scorching heat of the sun, you will be welcomed to a cool and calm environment inside the cave. Here you can have a good darshan of Lord Sri Siddalingeshwara. As this is a holy shrine of Lord Shiva, hundreds of devotees climb the steps barefoot and seek the blessings. There is a small Shivalinga crowned by a five hooded snake. You can also find idols of Nandi and Lord Ganesha. A few idols of the Snake God can also be seen here..

After having a good darshan of the lord, you will have to continue ascending the hillock to reach the summit. The trail is rough, and not so steep. En route to the hillock top, you will come across several caves. A tiered trekker can rest for some time here and continue the expedition. You can see a glimpse of the peak after 30-40 minutes of trekking. Nevertheless, when you reach the pinnacle of this hillock, your joy multiplies experiencing the cool breeze and appealing greenery around. The summit is huge and flat. There is a lake as well on this hillock. Even that is considered sacred and has medicinal value.

If you are a bird watcher or an ornithologist, Siddarabetta is an apt place as you will get a great chance to explore a fleet of migratory birds flying on the way to the nearby forest. Amid the spectacular sunrise, chirping of the birds, and cool breeze you will also get to listen to the holy chants of Lord Shiva. This gives a lot of calmness and peace of mind. You can even go on a night trek to this hillock. The view from the zenith is captivating. Descending this hillock is a bit more tedious than ascending uphill.

Overall trekking to Siddarabetta gives an enthralling experience to the adventure enthusiasts. You can experience the tranquility of the temple and also admire the enchanting view of nature atop the peak.

At the foothills a few meters away, Karnataka Forest Department has established a nursery in association with FRLHT. Here the workers nurture the saplings of more than 50 species of Aromatic and Herbal plants. They even plant these in the nearby forest area.