One of the best places to visit near Bangalore is the land of rocky hill, temples and caves distanced about few kilometers from Bangalore enfolds the gorgeous Siddara betta. It is a popular travelers spot near the district of Tumkur district of the state of Karnataka. The place is at an elevation of 1700 feet high.

It is a popular hilltop where the trekkers and the spiritual followers seek their delight. The main attraction here remains the temple of Lord Shiva enclosed in a cave where a fair number of devotees simply visit on every occasion. 

The hill is very much loved by the trekking enthusiasts and the professional climbers.  The summit exposing to the panoramic beauty of the place is serene as if heaven falls here. The trek is quite difficult due to the steep slopes of Siddara betta. The place hosts a number of activities to be explored, which is perfect for a day trip to the mundane schedules of regular life.

The etymology of the Siddara betta is rich with historical evidence and stories. The hills are several years old thus saints come here for meditation and atonement.  As a result, the hill is named as Siddara betta which translates to the ‘Hill of Saints’.

Siddara betta trek

The rock-cut Siddara betta steps are extremely difficult to reach out to the hilltop.  Frankly, there is a straight route which is made up of the stairs. The man-made stones cover up the entire trail for the trekkers to climb up to the hill. The rocky terrains and the caves add to the adventurous trekking experience. If you are pretty strong and regular trekkers you can make it easier. 

Cave exploration is another most amazing activity to be explored here. The caves have several byways within them. With the help of a guide, this can be executed well.

Places near Siddara betta

At Siddara betta there are lots of things to explore.

Temple of Lord Shiva

This is one of the common and popular attractions, extremely close to the summit of the Siddara betta. The unique part of the temple is the whole of the shrine simply encompasses within a cave. It is surrounded by rock structures and boulders. There is a flowing stream of water underneath the temple. It is said to have medicinal benefits.
 
Madhugiri Betta

Another destination is a singular rock structure and considered to be the largest monolithic structure across Asia. Madhugiri Betta is an embedded slope of hillocks namely Madhugiri fort.  The upward movement towards the temple is tougher and has 4 phases to cover. The foremost is the flight of stairs and as you go higher the stairs are surrounded by railing for safety.  The steps are extremely narrow and curved. There is hardly any physical support to it. Thus, it is a risky trek.  You will explore the enchanting birds’ chirping and the village view too.

Channarayana Durga 

This hilltop within the district of the Tumkur covers around 11 kilometers from Siddara betta.  The untouched serene location has a number of forts and religious shrines. It is a very antique structure to explore. The trek to this is highly moderate and takes up the entire half-day to return back to the location.

Siddaganga Mutt

This Veerashaiva monastery named Siddaganga Mutt is a must-visit destination near Siddara betta.  This place is largely visited by the devotees to seek blessings from the spiritual leader named Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, reportedly stays in this Mutt. The house is basically an educational abode for the kids from school through the college.

Siddara betta can be best explored during the winter months from November to February. The climate is simply harsh during the summers.

A hassle-free one day trips from BAngalore to Siddara betta must be explored. The hill is full of monkeys so carefulness is advised. Carry a flashlight if you are exploring the cave. Many people mislead that reaching the temple is the summit, but the reality is, you’ll get a path from the temple to reach the exact summit of the hilltop.