Shivagange

Distance: Around 60 km from Bangalore

Journey time: 1 and half hour to 2 hours

How to reach there: Private bus to Dobbspet and then by auto (minimum fare Rs 10) to Shivagange. Private buses available from KR market. There are few KSRTC buses also available from Majestic to Dobbspet. Shivagange is 8 km from Dobbspet.

Route:

Route 1: Take a left turn to NH48, (which goes to Mangalore). Travel till Gudemarana halli(16 KMs from Nelamangala). Take a right turn, travel for 15 KMs to reach Shivagange.

Route 2: Instead of taking left near Nelamangala, go stright on NH4 till Dabaspet(20KMs from Nelamangala). Take left turn and travel for 6 KMs to reach Shivagange.

Where to eat: Not available, carry your own food and water. However, on the way on Tumkur highway you will get a lot of dhabas.

Where to stay: Not available

Shivagange is small hillock located at a small distance of 60 km from Bangalore city. Shivagange got its name from the Shiva temple atop the hill and the spring water(Gange) which flows here. This place is very popular with trekkers for and pilgrims due to the presence of large number of temples. If ones starts early then Shivagange, Namada Chilume and Devarayana Durga can be conered in a single day. To climb up the hill is approximately a 2 km trek. It is also know Dakshina Khashi or the Kashi of South India.

What to see:

1. Gangadhareshwara Temple: Gangadhareshwara, an avatar of Shiva is the deity of this ancient temple. In the inner sanctum it is said that there is a tunnel which runs upto Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Bangalore. However, it is closed from both side and no one has yet tried checking the route.

2. Olakala Teertha: Olakala Teertha, is another temple where a spring water flows in between rocks and one has climb down steep narrow rock. It is said that who is honest or good can touch it. But looks like if you enter your hand deep inside and search for while, you will be lucky.

3. Nandi Statue: The Nandi statue is located at the heighest poing at Shivagange. This point is known as Shantala point. It is said that from here Queen Shantala wife Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana commited suicide. From here one can get a awesome view of the surrounding area.

4. Patala Gange: The word Patal gange literally means underground Ganga. In this temple you will see water flowing from underground and hence the name. The water level keeps changing throughout the day. Legend has it that water here is connected to Antaragange in Kolar. The water is considered sacred in both the places.

It would be wise to leave this place before dusk.