Kunti Betta consists of two rocky hills that stand surrounded by coconut trees, sugarcane and paddy fields. Kunti Betta is located on the Bangalore-Mysore road, in the Pandavapura Taluk of Mandya district of Karnataka.
Kunti Betta is an offbeat place that offers a lot of excitement for adventure seekers. The Thonnur Lake situated near Kunti Betta offers the scope to enjoy various water-based adventure activities. Mentioned below are 8 adventure activities that be enjoyed at Kunti Betta.
Kunti Betta – History And Legend
It’s calming to get out of the city for a weekend and commune with nature. If you enjoy trekking, Kunti Betta must find a spot on your bucket list.
Kunti Betta is a trekking point with two identical rocky hills in Pandavapura. The hills stand at a height of 2882 feet. It is 130 km from Bengaluru and 30km away from Mysore. Kunti Betta is favored by trekkers, nature lovers, climbers, cyclists, and just about everyone looking for a weekend getaway.
It has mythological and historical significance. While the hillsides are popular trekking routes, the base of the valley is an abode of temples. Statues of Nandi and Ganesha carved out of large monolithic rocks are the more popular attractions. The temples also have a 25-foot deep pond within the premises.
Legend
According to legend, the Pandavas lived on this hill for some time while they were in exile. This is believed to be the hill where Bheema killed the demon named Bakaasura. A large footprint-like indentation in the rocks is believed to be Bheema’s footprint and proof of this legend.
This is one of the most popular sights of a trek up this hillside. To further cement the truth behind the legend, a small pond at the summit of the hill and utensil-shaped rocks found nearby are believed to have been used by Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas. This pond is also known as ‘Kunti Kola’ and one of the reasons the hill is known as ‘Kunti Betta’ is because it was her favorite place.
History
Kunti Betta dates back to the 18th century. This was when Tipu Sultan ruled the kingdom of Mysore. Kunti Betta became his camping ground when he sought the help of the French army to fight against the British. For this reason, the place is also known as French Rocks.
Sightseeing Options In And Around Kunti Betta
Onake Betta
This is another hill that stands opposite the temple in the valley. The hill gets its name from a huge pillar at the summit that resembles a pestle or ‘onake’ as it is locally known. The hill has a moderately steep, rocky climb but climbers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding fields, village and lakes.
Adventure Activities At Kunti Betta
Kunti Betta is a must visit for trekkers. There are many routes on both hillsides as well as rock faces that are ideal for climbing. The trek and hike difficulty levels are considered moderate but there are many boulders to be climbed over and tiny spaces to be slithered past. The paths can be challenging at spots. If you don’t want to follow the beaten path, you can make your own as well. The distance to the summit is around 7km.
The best time to plan a trek at Kunti Betta is between October and March.
1. Trekking
Kunti Betta is a great place for trekkers to explore. The trek to the hilltop is a short one and is not very tough for the major part. But towards the summit, the trek gets steeper. Novice trekkers may require anchored ropes to reach the top. The trek offers splendid views of the surrounding areas. An interesting thing about Kunti Betta is that night trekking is allowed here. This makes it a great destination for those adventure seekers who want to enjoy a nocturnal adventure.
2. Rock Climbing
Kunti Betta is a perfect place for rock climbing. The steep rocky hills offer a challenge for adventure seekers to climb them. Rock climbing at Kunti Betta can be enjoyed by both beginners and experienced climbers.
3. Rappelling
The rocks of Kunti Betta provide the ideal scope to enjoy rappelling. The summit of Kunti Betta has a height of 950 metres. The ascent and descent are both steep and provide a challenge for adventure seekers. Rappelling at Kunti Betta has a thrill of its own. This activity is mainly for seasoned rappelling enthusiasts.
4. Camping
Kunti Betta is an ideal destination for camping. The hilltop presents an amazing view of the valley and the lake below. The place is perfect to spend a night out sitting near a campfire and having a meal under the moonlit sky. Tent pitching and shelter building can only add to the excitement of camping on a hilltop.
5. Swimming
Adventure seekers can enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool waters of Thonnur Lake. The lake gets its water from the backwaters of the KRS dam. One can find water in this lake throughout the year. This makes it an ideal spot for swimmers to have a good time in the water.
6. Kayaking
The Thonnur Lake is a nice spot to enjoy kayaking. This activity is a thrilling one as it requires both skill and technique to ride a kayak. Adventure seekers enjoy kayaking as this close decked boat is a fast craft that can accommodate just a single person and can provide ample excitement for the rider.
Tonnur Kere is a beautiful man-made lake connecting two rocky hills. It dates back to over 1000 years ago and is believed to have been built by king Ramanuja. At the time, it was known as Tirumalasagara. As kingdoms came and went the lake was known by many different names. The most popular amongst them are Kere Thodanur and Moti Talab.
7. Boating
Boating is another activity that can be enjoyed at Kunti Betta. It is great fun to ride the boats that are generally referred to as Dinghy. Crossing the lake in these boats is a popular activity at this place. These boat rides can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
8. Fishing
Fishing is another activity that can be enjoyed at the Thonnur Lake near Kunti Betta. Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck by angling in the waters of the lake. This fun activity can be enjoyed by visitors throughout the year.
Best time to visit Kunti Betta
The best time to visit Kunti Betta is from October to May.
How to reach Kunti Betta
Kunti Betta is situated at a distance of about 125 km from Bangalore (Bengaluru) and about 33 km from Mysore (Mysuru). Kunti Betta is well-connected by several means of transport and can be easily reached.
By Air
The nearest airport to reach Kunti Betta is the Mysore Airport that lies at a distance of around 40km from the spot. Visitors can hire taxis or cabs to reach Kunti Betta from the airport at Mysore.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is the Pandavapura Railway Station, which lies at a distance of about 8 km from Kunti Betta. Visitors can take taxis or auto-rickshaws from the railway station to reach Kunti Betta.
By Road
There are several buses that ply from Bangalore to Mandya or Srirangapatna. Visitors can reach Pandavapura from these places through local transport. Upon reaching Pandavapura they can hire auto-rickshaws to reach the Kunti Betta base.