Want to escape the grind of routine? Want to break free from the hustle and bustle of city life? Here are the top ten places for a one-day trip near Bangalore.
1) Hogenakkal Waterfalls – The cascading wonder
Hogenakkal Falls is a waterfall on the river Kaveri. It lies on the border between the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu and the Chamrajnagar district of Karnataka. This waterfall is about 130 km from Garden City and is an ideal place for a one-day trip near Bangalore. It is sometimes acknowledged as the Niagara Falls of India. Hogenakkal gets its name from the Kannada meaning ‘Smoky Rocks’ as the river that falls on the rock with force looks like smoke emanating from the rocks. The bathing areas and boat rides make it a sought-after tourist attraction. Coracle rides are permitted during the dry season when the gushing water from the falls doesn’t disturb the passage of coracles. Fish freshly caught near the gorge can be deliciously cooked in the stalls on the left shore.
The best time to visit Hogenakkal is soon after monsoon when the falls are in full form. However some people prefer to visit the place during off season when the crowd is scant.
2) Yelagiri – Of orchards, rose gardens and green valleys
Yelagiri is a hill station surrounded by orchards, rose gardens and green valleys. The hill station, which is 156 km from Bangalore, lies in the Tirupattur district of Tamil Nadu. This quaint hill station, still on the path of development, is known for adventure sports like paragliding and rock climbing. Yelagiri, at a height of 1410.6 metres above sea level, is also a trekkers’ paradise. Swamimalai Hill, which is the highest point in Yelagiri, is a destination for trekkers and offers beautiful views.
The hill station has several trekking trails through thick forests. Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills also serve as good trekking options. The best time to visit Yelagiri is from November to February, though the hill station boasts of a favourable climate for tourists throughout the year.
3) Chota Ladakh – The Bikers’ Paradise
Chota Ladakh, also referred to as Dodda Ayur, is a serene spot which lies about 60 km from Bangalore. It is a small quarry, which is filled with rainwater and surrounded by rocks. The place gets its name from its somewhat resemblance to Ladakh. Bikers highly frequent it, as it is one of their favourite spots. Camping is a preferred activity in this place. Owing to its proximity to Bangalore, tourists consider the place to be a breakfast getaway. However, it is advisable to go there in the early mornings or evenings to escape the scorching sun.
4) Kotilingeshwara Temple – A perfect getaway for spiritual vibes
Koti in Kannada means a crore and hence Kotilingeshwara means one crore Shivalingas. This temple boasts of the tallest Shivalinga in the world, along with 90+ lakhs of other Shivalingas of various sizes. A towering Shivalinga of 108 ft tall is surrounded by smaller lingas. In front of the huge Shivalinga is a gigantic Nandi. This temple is located in the Kammasanadra, a small village in Kolar District of Karnataka. There are shrines for other deities as well. The Kotilingeshwara temple is open from 6 AM to 9 PM. The distance between Kotilingeshwara temple and Bangalore is about 100 km and makes way for a perfect one day trip near Bangalore.
5) Dodda Alada Mara – A perfect picnic spot
Dodda Alada Mara on the Bangalore Mysore road is a 400-year-old Banyan tree that spreads across more than 3 acres of land in the village of Kethohalli. It lies about 30 km from Bangalore. The tree is the second largest in the country and the largest in Karnataka. It is a perfect getaway for a picnic with family and friends amidst the limbs of the Big Banyan tree. The seating arrangements around it pave the way to simply relax. A small temple under the tree also attracts people to worship. Tourists also cycle their way around the tree to the Manchandela Dam near the Dodda Alada Mara. The tree is home to many monkeys, and tourists are cautioned to take care of their things.
6) Akkayamma Betta – Of Temples, Sunrise and Sunsets
Akkayamma Betta is a small hillock that lies about 30 km from Bangalore. Vehicles can almost reach the top of the hill, and tourists can cover the rest of the distance in a ten-minute walk. Tourists also opt to walk up the steps from the base of the hill. There are five temples on the top of Akkayamma Betta, of which one is a cave temple. The temples are open on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Tourists can also visit the Doddajala Lake nearby and Chikkajala fort. The Chikkajala fort is about 300 years old and also hosts a Hanuman temple in it. Beautiful orange flowers cover the expanse of the grasslands during monsoon season. Tourists can enjoy the sunrise and sunset from this hillock. Akkayamma Betta makes way for an ideal one-day trip near Bangalore.
7) Ambur – Of Spicy Biryani and Leather
Ambur is a town in the Tirupattur district of Tamil Nadu, known for its leather industry. Ambur spicy Biryani and Makkhenpeda are very popular amongst tourists. It lies about 161 km from Bangalore. Tourists visit this town to relish the lip smacking Biryani and shop for leather goods. Ambur Shoe Lounge is a must visit for shopaholics, where people can buy leather goods like handbags, clutches, purses, slings, backpacks and laptop bags. The Karuppuleeswarar Temple in Gudiyatham, which is a 1000 year old temple around 30 km from Ambur is also worth visiting.
8) Shivanasamudra Falls – The beauty of the twin waterfall
The twin waterfalls, the Bharachukki Falls and the Gaganachukki Falls, together form the Shivanasamudra Falls in the Mandya district of Karnataka. The Shivanasamudra Falls on the Kaveri River is a perennial and spectacular waterfall. It is in its best form during the monsoon season. The waterfall lies about 137 km from Bangalore and makes for an interesting one-day trip. The Bharachukki Falls has a wider flow of water than the Gaganachukki Falls and is hence popular amongst tourists.
Tourists can view the beauty of the Gaganachukki waterfalls from the Shivanasamudra watch tower. Though the twin falls lie next to each other, the viewpoints are about 15 to 20 minutes’ drive. Swimming is dangerous, and tourists are not allowed near the water. The Shivanasamudra falls serve as a perfect picnic spot and an excellent one-day trip near Bangalore. The best time to visit the Shivanasamudra falls is from June to September, when there is a good flow of water.
9) Talakad – The historical site of temples
Talakad is a place of temples. It is a must visit place for those who are interested in history and archaeology. It is a town, which got submerged in sand owing to the curse of a queen. The few temples that were excavated from the sand are a part of over 30 temples that were submerged in the sand. The Pathaleshwara temple, Vaidyanatheshwara temple, Arkeshwara temple, Maruleshwara temple, Keerthi Narayan temple, Thirumakudal Narsipur temple, Mallikarjuna temple and Somanathapura are some of the interesting temples with fascinating archaeology. Talakadu today is known for horticulture and wine making.
Fine wine, artisan cheese and diverse culinary experiences form the face of the present day Talakadu. Talakadu lies about 135 km from Bangalore.
10) Sula Vineyard (Domaine Sula) – Wine and More
Sula Vineyards rebranded as Domaine Sula is located in Channapatna, about 60 km from Bangalore. It’s an ideal picnic spot and a place for understanding wine tourism, which includes aspects like wine tasting sessions, winery tours and gourmet dining options. Domaine Sula, located on the Bangalore – Mysore highway, aims to popularise wine tourism in the country.
Karnataka also is the second largest grape producing region with a developing wine culture. Here, in Domaine Sula, tourists can spend a day learning about the various aspects that are involved in the transformation of grapes in the fruit form to wine in the glass. Sula Domaine is open every day from 11.30 AM to 6.30 PM
