Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta

Tripoto
19th Mar 2020

Kunti Betta Parvat

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

“Leave the road, Take the trails.” - Pythagoras

Day 1

The beautiful brown boulders piled on top of one another, verdant and picturesque sugarcane fields, and the azure lake of Pandavpura offer a unique view from the top of the peaceful Kunti Betta Parvat. Kunti Betta Trek provides the perfect and quick respite from the mundane city life of Bengaluru. Situated approx. 130 kms away from Bengaluru, Kunti Betta is commonly known for its breath-taking and adventurous sunrise trek. Sharing a topography akin to Hampi, it is situated a little ahead of Mandya district in Karnataka, in a small town called Pandavpura. It derives its mythological importance from the tales in Mahabharata that explain how the Pandavas spent a majority of their exile in Pandavpura. The panoramic views from the top of the hillock, served with an enveloping feeling of serenity, make for the perfect 1-day getaway.

View from Kunti Betta Parvat

Photo of Kunti Betta, SH 19, Pandavapura, Karnataka, India by Prakriti Arora

How to Reach:

By Air: The nearest airport is Mysore Airport from where you need to hire a taxi to scale 40 kms to reach the starting point.

By Train: Mandya Railway Station, Karnataka is the closest railway connection to Kunti Betta. Auto-rickshaws ply from the railway station which can take you to the starting point of the trek.

View from Chennai-Mysore Shatabdi Train

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

By Car: The drive to Kunti Betta is a short 3-hour long journey from Bengaluru city, along Nice Road and Mysuru Highway. The drive is scenic as the route runs along well-maintained highways and through a couple of villages, best for gorging on some fresh fruits being sold on the way.

Concrete carpet on NICE Road

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

The scenic drive on Mysore Highway, NH 275

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

Kunti Betta trek is famous amongst the trekkers and hiking clubs in Bengaluru for its proximity to the city and thrilling ascent. The overnight trek is usually organized by specific clubs like Thrillophilia, Plan the Unplanned etc. However, if you like to travel solo or with your choicest company, the following guide is for you:

1. Best Time to Visit

The topography of Pandavpura, specifically Kunti Betta, includes huge boulders piled up to form a hillock. Therefore, the best time to visit is during October to April. During the monsoon season, the boulders tend to get slippery and make the hike precarious and difficult.

Inula flower blooming on the way to the top of the hill

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

2. Sunrise Trek or Day Trek?

As mentioned before, Kunti Betta is most commonly known for its sunrise trek, which includes climbing the boulders as the moonlight and the trekking guide lead you. The ascent does not take more than 2 hours if you’re climbing at a moderate speed, which gives ample time to relax by a bonfire on the top, under a massive blanket of stars. With the breaking dawn, you also get to witness the illuminating Pandavpura town and lake nearby.

However, the trek can also be enjoyed in broad daylight. It is rather recommended to scale the Parvat during the day if you are travelling on your own. The panoramic views, verdant sugarcane and paddy fields become more vibrant, and the glistening water of the lake turns more luring as it mirrors the blue skies. Most importantly, it is easier to follow the track and find hike markers during the day.

Busily looking for green arrow markers for direction

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

3. Finding the Starting Point of the Trek

Vehicles are only allowed till the parking of the Sri Mallikarjuna Temple, Kunti Betta, from where the hikers are supposed to climb a flight of 100 stairs and walk past the temple complex on a roughly paved trail. The trail runs along the hillock, which leads to the solitary starting point.

The first flight of 100 stairs leading to the starting point

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

Ganpati Statue on the way to the trail

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

PRO TIP: Keep walking past the photographed point to take the trail leading to moorlands and the base of the hill

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

4. Trekking to Kunti Betta Parvat

The trek to the top of Kunti Betta Parvat can be classified as intermediate. It requires little or no experience, and save for a couple of points, the ascent is fairly easy – all it requires is climbing from one boulder to another. The trail runs along brief stretches of moorlands to volcanic granite rocks.

However, if you are travelling by yourself, keep an eye for green colour arrows painted on the boulders, these markers will help you in reaching the zenith and not getting lost on the way.

As for the tricky bit, you might need an extra support while squeezing your way through a few boulders or even jumping from one to the other while escaping the crevices.

Sneak peek of the hike

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora
Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

5. Trek Essentials

Despite being only 2 kms long trek, you might need a couple of essentials, based on the time you’ll be trekking.

For Sunrise Trek:

a. Torch

b. Sleeping bag

c. Insect/mosquito repellent

d. Energy Food and water

e. Sturdy shoes

f. Full-body covering clothe

For Day-time Trek:

a. Sturdy shoes

b. Energy Food and water

c. Cap/Hat

d. Trekking pants/trousers

e. Raincoat/Bag cover

6. Things to do after the Trek

a. Pandavpura Lake

The beautiful, azure lake which keeps the trekkers company while their ascent as well as descent from the hill top is Pandavpura Lake, which is a beautiful spot to relax and unwind post the trek. It is at a short distance of 2 km from the starting point of the trek and makes for a tranquil picnic spot.

Pandavpura Lake view from the trek

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

b. Thonnur Kere

Constructed as early as 11th century, Thonnur Lake is only 14 kms away from Kunti Betta. A glorious statue of Sri Ramanujacharya welcomes the tourists to Thonnur Kere. The Kannada scriptures state that the learned saint had fled the persecution of King Kulothungan from Chola Empire, and had planned and built the lake over 1,000 years ago, before moving forward to Melukote.

It is one of the most stunning locations to spend a day or camp overnight and enjoy a serene evening by the lakeside. Tourists can also enjoy swimming or hire a coracle ride to explore the lake.

Thonnur Kere

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

Enjoy picnicking on the steps of Thonnur Kere

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

c. SriRangapatna

The historical town of SriRangapatna is also worth paying a visit, if monuments and temples interest you. Enjoy the soulful aarti at Ranganathaswamy Temple and conclude your visit by diving deep into the life and history of Tipu Sultan through a visit to SriRangapatna Fort.

SriRangapatna along Cauvery river

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora

A visit to Kunti Betta Parvat and the nearby lakes is enough to recognize that you do not need a set of holidays to take a much-needed trip, nor do you need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the beauty this amusing world has to offer. All you really need is the zeal to make the ordinary extraordinary.

Photo of Exploring the Bangalorean Backyard: A Trip to Kunti Betta by Prakriti Arora