Rock Climbing at Ramanagara

Ramanagaram

Location: Ramanagaram, Karnataka, India
Nearest Towns: Ramanagaram, Bidadi, Mandya, Bangalore, Mysore,
Distances: 50 km from Bangalore
Route: Bangalore -> Bidadi -> Ramanagaram
Camping Sites: The temple atop the hill, Fields in the surrounding area
Trek Length: half a day,
Activities: Rock climbing, Bouldering, Rappelling, Trekking
Permission: Permission Required for Rock climbing & Rappelling (RFO- Ramnagaram Office) Rs25 Per Person and guide charges Rs150/-
Things To Look for: Legendary Temples,
Things To Be Aware Of: Monkeys, Slippery surfaces during rain
Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult
Best Time To Visit: All around the year except monsoons
Worst Time To Visit: Avoid monsoons

Summary: Ramanagaram is situated in a valley surrounded by (48 km from Bangalore) rocky hillocks is sub-divisional headquarters from 1884. It became a taluk headquarters in 1928, and the place was named Ramanagaram in 1949 . It is the biggest cocoon marketing centre now.

Ramanagaram Rocks lie on the right side of the Bangalore Mysore main road beyond Ramanagaram town and are visible from the main road. To reach the rocks, one could ask directions to 'Rama Devara Betta'. Beyond Ramanagaram town, you will see a diversion on right hand side. There is an arch at the entrance of this road. This leads to the base of the 'Rama Devara Betta' Hillock. Cars can be parked here. Monkeys have made this place their abode. Beware of monkey attacks. Do not carry anything in plastic covers. Do not eat while climbing the steps.

There are a few hundred steps that lead to the top of the hillock. There is a resting place & platform on top and a few temples of Rama, Seetha, Hanumantha. Another huge hillock stands tall making the top of Rama Devara Betta as its base. This is most famous rock climbing wall in Karnataka. A natural pond leads the way to this hillock. One needs to be careful while crossing the dense pathway to reach the base of the climbing wall of the hillock. It is very dangerous to swim here and must be avoided. Many a villager has lost his life by diving into this pond. Avoid trekking on rocky surfaces if it is raining very heavily.

Ramanagaram is spread on the banks of the Arkavati and the old bridge connecting the town was built by Sir Barry Close, the Resident at the Royal Court of Mysore. Hence, the place was named Closepet, during the British period. Closepet Granites are formed during the Lower Proterozoic era . They form the rock belt stretching north south direction about 50kms. This belt has potassic granites, low grade granite greenstone belts with iron manganese ores, also younger gneiss's of granitic and granodioritic composition with gold bearing schist belts.

Ramanagara gets its name from Ramagiri Hills or Ramadevara Betta. Along with Ramadevara Betta there are other hills Rama Siddeshwara betta, Shivar-amagiri, Kaakasura Betta, Kapotagiri, this hill resembles a lingam when viewed from the east, Ganesha from the west, a serpent from the north and Lord Hanuman from the south. The village has a Agrahara, on the banks of the river Arkavati. Arkeshwara Temple built in Vijayanagara style was later renovated by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III.

The popular movie of 1970, Sholay, was shot in Ramanagaram area. Nature enthusiasts & bird watchers also haunt this site as many species of birds make their home here due to the vicinity to Ranganatittu Bird sanctuary. The hills are the home for endangered species like the Yellow throated Bulbul and Long billed Vultures. Many people have spotted the sloth bears, tigers were found in the region in 1900s. Stone Quarrying has been one of the long time works threatening the environment and the ecosystem.

For a Bangalorean, it is amazing to know that River Arkavati flows all the way to Bangalore through the Nandini Layout Area of Rajaji Nagar. During time of my grandparents who settled in Rajajinagar in 1950, my uncles & aunts used to trek, walk up to the stream and bathe & have have memorable picnics. Sadly, hazards of urbanization have eaten into this river and once a beautiful stream, today it is just another gutter.

I used to enjoy looking at the tall rocks on my drives to Mysore. My first trek/trip to these rocks happened only when we organized a rock climbing/rappelling camp on these hills.

This is an internationally recognized rock-climbing site. Grades here vary from 5.8 – 5.11 American with 1 to 2 pitches. There are the climbs called Wanakkal wall (“Gabbar ki asli pasand”, “labour pain”) on the Rainbow wall (“UIAA”, “Kalia”), on the Anna Thamma Rock (“Darkness at Dawn”, “Black Diamond”).

I have always felt that rock Climbing is one of the safest adventure sports. Every climber needs to be equipped with high quality safety gears. This is a sport which is an ultimate test for our inner strength, endurance, confidence and concentration powers. Though its more of physical activity, its mental game one should win. Here, there is no 'men can do it better'. We are competing with ourselves to know how much better we can do for ourselves, how much more we can stretch our limits. Every individual test his/her own capacity and comes out feeling mentally stronger with a sense of achievement! I hope to get back to my favorite sport again.


Best Regards,
Roopa Sreedhar
9886162404