Trip to Goravanhalli Mahalakshmi Temple and Devarayanadurga
Distance: 80 km from Bangalore and 30 km from Tumkur
Journey Time: Around 2 hrs from Bangalore depending on traffic
How to reach there: KSRTC and private buses ply from Kalishipalyam. As buses are few, it may be wise to travel in private vehicle.
Route: Bangalore – Yeshwantpur – Jalahalli – Nelamangala – Dobaspet – take right turn under flyover for Goravanahalli, Devarayanadurga etc
The Maha Lakshmi temple located in Goravanahalli is very sacred. It is said that any wish made here comes true. Also, the idol of Sri Lakshmi is said to be self originated. Apart from Mahalakshmi, it also features other deities like Marikamba and Nag dev (snake god). One can opt of special darshan which cost Re 1 per person. There is nothing much difference between special and normal darshan.
Nearby is a reservoir on river Suvarnamukhi known as Teetha reservoir. The drive to Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi temple is a very pleasant one through the country side with hills and greenery. The road is little narrow but in pretty good shape. One you take the road for Goravanahalli at Dobaspet, do not expect any petrol bunk. But don’t despair, shops at small market places stock petrol. They typically charge little more than the market price. I was charged Rs 60 for 1 litre that is around Rs 8 extra.
If you leave early in the day, you can see many places around Goravanahalli. Devarayanadurga comes on the way, Madhugiri fort, Siddara Betta and Siddaganga temple comes little further. We went to Devarayanadurga on the way back. As you travel you will see a big gate under construction, take right here for Devarayanadurga. It is 5 km from here. If you are coming towards Goravanahalli, the gate will come on the left hand side.
We reached Devarayanadurga around evening and it was awesome to watch the surrounding in the twilight zone.