Kunti Betta

Photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/tagindiateam/KuntiBettaMandyaDiscoveryTrek29Jun08#
http://picasaweb.google.com/tagindiateam/HarohalliBoulderingSep2008#

Location: Pandavapura in Mandya District, Karnakata, India
Nearest Towns: Mandya, Pandavapura
Distances: 150 km from Bangalore
Route: Bangalore -> Mandya -> Pandavapura (towards KRS)
Camping Sites: Base of Kunti Betta, Fields in the surrounding region
Trek Length: Half a day, (3 to 6 hours depending on the fitness level)
Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult
Terrain: Rocky
Things To Look for: Utensil Shaped rocks, Obelisk
Things To Be Aware Of: Slippery during monsoon
Things to carry: Sunglasses, Lot of Water, Hat or Cap,Canvas shoes
Best Time To Visit: All seasons except monsoons
Worst Time To Visit: Monsoons

Summary: Kunti Betta is a hillock near Pandavapura in Mandya District. The place is rich in history & heritage. Pandavapura features during the Mahabharata period. It is said the Pandavas ended their exile of 14 years in Pandavapura. Here is where Bheema slayed Bhakasura, the demon. A top Kunti betta, one can see the utensil shaped rocks which were apparently used by Pandavas for cooking. Sugarcane is grown in abundance in the fields around this place, giving it a feel of Mauritius . The multitude of canals passing by the fields gives the location an exotic look. On a sunny day, one can take a dip in any of the well maintained canals. The Chunchanghatte falls, Melukote and the newly excavated temple of Venugopalaswamy on the Cauvery river basin are very close by. The backwaters of KRS is at a distance of 20 km from here. We can also visit the nearby KRS dam where centuries old Temple is being excavated & reinstalled on the bank of the backwaters.

Giri's grandmother, who is from Mysore, was very excited when we told her that we were going to Kunti Betta for a trek. She informed us that during British times, these rocks were also called 'French Rocks'. Many wars were fought in this area between Tipu Sultan and the Brits!

We started very early from Bangalore to avoid the morning traffic on Mysore Road. Deciding upon the very famous Mallige Idli or Tatte Idli at Bidadi & almost a brunch at Kamat, we opted for the later. Kamat took more time from our schedule, making us ponder if Bidadi was a better place to pack breakfast. Sorely tempted to drink the sugarcane juice, we got off for an industial visit of the local jaggery making units. Kunti betta & its twin Onake Betta stood majestically a few miles away and were seen from a distance.

The painted stairs to the Ganapati Temple made a perfect picture. We spotted many kingfishers at the small pool next to the temple. There was also a cave that led nowhere. A wall was built inside the cave, giving a feeling that there was another world on the other side of the wall. Effect of too many harry potters, no doubt! An urge to break the wall and explore the unknown was too tempting.

The trek route started from near the pool. It was a natural slide of a rock, steep enough to give vertigo. This was a point where the timid heart gave way & refused to move. We had to climb many boulders, slither & crawl through tiny spaces. It was tough & exciting! Only sheer perseverance & will not to go back would lead us to the top.
The view from the top was amazing. We rested under the shade of huge boulders. Obelisk on this hill was another mystery unsolved. Mighty winds were blowing our way. The full view Pandavapura lake at the base of the hill could be seen only from the hilltop. While the clouds formed shadows on the lake, the color of the sky & the sun created magic of the surface of the lake. This natural kaleidoscope was enough to tempt us to go back to Kunti Betta again.


Best Regards,
Roopa Sreedhar
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