Although we’re not hardcore advocates of Valentine’s Day, hubby and I use February 14 as an excuse to take a break from our lives and head outdoors. We’d always wanted to take a closer look at the Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple that we’d heard so much about. The idea was even more inviting as we wanted to go to the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary which was relatively nearby.
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple – Video
We decided to club both destinations on the same day. We woke with the birds on Valentine’s Day 2014 and by 6 am we were on the road.
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple – Karnataka
A Birdie Morning
Our first stop was the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary which is about 140 km from Bangalore along the banks of the river Kaveri. It is one of the most important sanctuaries in the country frequented by lakhs of people every year. We arrived there at 8:30 and spent a couple of hours oohing and aahing at the variety of birds that has its home there.
Drive to the Temple
The Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple was our next stop, only 90 km away from the sanctuary, but since we weren’t sure quite how good or bad the roads would be we thought we’d play it safe and set out for it at around 11. We got to our destination at 1 pm, but I gotta tell you the drive was just as fascinating, if not more so, than the Temple itself.
Towards Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Hills – Chamarajanagar – Karnataka
Trees lined both sides of the road, the latter pothole-free and clean the entire way. There was plenty of many-hued greenery to satisfy any nature-lover’s soul. The hills were ever-present in the distance and made a rugged picture against a glorious backdrop of sky. And what a day we picked to travel! Although skies in February are generally quite clear, cyclone warnings had brought in the clouds to many coastal areas. So we had puffy, cotton ball clouds filtering in the sun, making the drive quite comfortable and pleasant even though the sun was at its peak.
Towards Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills – Karnataka
Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills Beauty – Chamarajanagar – Karnataka
Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills Temple – Entrance
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Hills – Forest Department Check post entrance
There and Back
We were stopped at a check-point run by the Forest Department as the hill is a restricted area. We paid Rs 50/- to allow our car to pass through and proceeded with a warning from the officials to return in exactly 90 minutes. Staying there beyond that point would incur a fine. We thought this a pretty good rule and immediately started imagining what it would be like if ALL touristy spots enforced it!
The last 5 km took us up a hill and the view as we ascended was even more enthralling than the road had been thanks to the Bandipur forest that surrounds the hill. The vistas of natural beauty transport you to a different time and space. A fitting entrance to the Temple, we thought.
Driving on the Hills at Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills Temple
Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills Pictures – Karnataka
Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills in Chamarajanagar – Karnataka
Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills – Chamarajanagar – Karnataka
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Entrance – Chamarajanagar in Karnataka
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple
The Temple was built way back in 1315 AD by King Ballala for Lord Krishna (Gopalaswamy is just one of Krishna’s many names).The inner sanctum of the Temple has a sculpture of Krishna playing his flute.
Today, the Temple is a bright yellow that is starkly obvious from afar. A walk up a short flight of steps leads to the Temple’s outer yard and the Temple itself.
Like all holy places, there is legend behind this Temple too. The story goes that the great sage Agastya meditated and did penance at this location. It pleased Lord Vishnu so much that he said he would make his home there, thus permanently blessing the place and ensuring that generations would come to pay their respects.
The ancient vibe of the Temple has survived the modern world and if it wasn’t for the cameras and cell phones in our hands we could easily have forgotten which century we were in.
We would have loved to stay much longer than allowed but the time factor forced us to make our way back only after one hour of arriving so that we made the deadline at the checkpoint.
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Hills Karnataka Tourism
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Hills
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Hills – Chamarajanagar – Karnataka
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Chamarajanagar – Karnataka
At Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple – Chamarajanagar – Karnataka
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Hills
Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple Hills Karnataka
Temple Travel Tips
- There is no food available at the top of the hill so make sure to carry your own. Be extra sure to clean up any mess as they don’t take too kindly to litter there.
- Although there is a water pumps available that you can use to freshen up, it’s a good idea to bring your own water for drinking.
- There is no accommodation available up there so it’s a good option for a day trip. Well, a partial day trip anyway as you can’t stay up there for more than an hour and a half.
- Don’t go too far from the temple as they frown upon hikes or even partying and picnics. This isn’t some arbitrary rule. They just don’t want to disturb any wildlife in the Bandipur Forest that surrounds the hills.
- The timings to visit the Temple are from 8:30 am to 4 pm only. So plan your visit accordingly.