Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta (H G Hills)

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, is a hill (betta in Kannada) located in the Chamarajanagar district of the state of Karnataka, at a height of 1454 m India and is extensively wooded. It is also the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park. It lies in the core area of the Bandipur National Park and is frequented by wild life including elephants. Dense fog predominates and covers the hills round the year and thus gets the prefix Himavad(in the native language of Kannada) and the temple of Venugopalaswamy (Lord Krishna) gives the full name of Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta.

The hill is home to wild animals like Elephants, Gaur, Sloth Bear and the elusive Tiger. On one of our visits we have spotted a herd of 25 Elephants moving in the forests near the foothills. There are places uphill where you get a bird’s eye view of the forests below, so while driving up or down…. stop…get out of the vehicle armed with camera and binoculars and screen the forests below. The Elephants though so far away are visible even to the naked eye. It is fascinating to see the Elephants from above move with their little ones slowly eating their way into the forests. We have also spotted Sambar, Gaur and an abandoned Tiger cave.

These regions were a favorite hunting ground for the Mysore Maharajahs and their British guests. The royals have built a guesthouse on top of the hills and there are some rare pictures of the Maharajahs and their guests with their prized hunt…the tiger.

The Place is approximately 220 km from Bangalore and 75 km from Mysore on the Mysore Ooty road. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses ply from Mysore to Hangala. The hill station is situated 16 km southwest of Gundulpet. There are two routes leading to the spot. They are Gopalapura – Kumagahalli and Gundi – Vijayapura- Hangala.

Start from Gundlupet, continue in the same Ooty-Mysore road towards Bandipur. Nearly 8Kms after Gundlupet, a place called Hangala is available. Take right turn at this place to proceed towards Gopalaswamy betta. There is a motorable road all the way to the top of the hill.

Just before starting of the hill, there is a Forest Check post. Private vehicles are not allowed to the top of the hill from this check post. You have to park your private / tourist vehicle in the parking area nearby to this check post and have to opt Only KSRTC Buses (facility provided) to reach the top of the hill. Visitors are allowed to Temple only between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM. Last Bus from the Top of the Hill will be at around 4:30 PM.

Very frequent buses are available from Mysore to Gundlupet. From Gundlupet, Karnataka State Government Buses are available to top of the temple. Private vehicles are available from Gundlupet to Forest Check Post on hire basis. From Check post, Private Vehicles are not allowed to the Temple. So plan your trip accordingly.

Staying on hill is not allowed:
Tourists are advised to stay at Gundlupet or cottages in Bandipur which are very nearby. Additional places which can be visited in this area include, Bandipur Wildlife sanctuary, Nugu and kabini reservoirs, Hulugana Maradi, Goddess Sri Chikkamma Devi temple.