Where it is – Chickballapur Distt, 100 KM from Bengaluru, Karnataka. Time to climb the fort- 1 hour 15 minutes. 1.5 KM steep. 750 steps. Tough. Time to spend – 2 to 3 hours. Drive time- one way 2.15 hrs. Till end good road.
What to see – One Lakes, reservoir, hillocks, Medieval temple, trekking. Nearby place- Avalabetta 10 KM, Sabbanahalli or Vatadahosahalli lake Where to stay – No hotels except small restaurants at foot hill.
My Rating of the place – 3/5
History
This fort was built in mid of 17th century by a local yogi and chieftain who was popular as Robin Hood of the area, looted rich and donated the wealth to poor. The rich finally conspired against him and got him killed. He is believed to belong to Tuluva dynasty of Vijaynagar Empire. Byre Gowda generations now live in place near Bannargatta.
Our journey
We start at 10.30 AM and it took about 2 hours to reach there. The traffic is less even on airport road (NH44). On way no halt as due to Corona we did not prefer to take anything in restaurants. We pass the Nandi Hill deviation and after about 20 KM take left turn on a narrower road. The road is quite good.
Driving on this road for another 20 KM we come across marigold field and got down for photos.
Further travelling for about 10 KM we come across Byresagar water reservoir. This is huge reservoir and looks like a big river or sea. The water is muddy. This reservoir was built by Byre Gowda in 17th century.
We see cluster of scattered green hillocks both side of road. Passing further we reach the Gudi Bande village. This looks to be well populated and developed village with lot of pucca houses but we do not see any big restaurants here. May be that this fort is not advertised much on Karnataka state tourism map.
The village looks very calm and isolated and feels like people live in much harmony. There seems to be good percentage of Muslim population. We have to take a small U-turn as fort is on right side, a walkable distance of about 500 meters. The hill is called Surasadmagiri hills. But we parked our vehicle on road side. Locals told that we can park the vehicle at foot hill of fort. There is narrow road which leads car to parking place.
Our climbing experience
The whole climb of 1.5 KM is in 7 phases. I see lot of people – senior citizens-most of them ladies, family with small children and young couples come with inspiration and wish of accomplishing the feat of climbing up to top but senior citizens give up midway. Total number of steps small and big are 735.
Note- I have marked the climbing phases as per my understanding as these are not marked in the fort. Even the gate numbers are not marked officially.
Phase 1 of climb
Phase 2 of climb
The view of the fort from end of phase 1. I can see wall surrounding the fort only after reaching the top of fort. From bottom we can see some part of wall as in photo below.
The view of the village from phase 2 of climb. Looks like a hill station though not.
The traverse of the climb is full of huge rocks and natural paths are there. No rocks are disturbed to make the path.
Phase 3 of climb
After second phase we start getting tired and restlessly ask people coming down about the steepness of next phases. Another view below of the village from phase 3 height.
This reminds Jodhpur with houses in blue hue. Far we can see lake Sabbanahalli or Vatadahosahalli lake which is 10 KM from the fort.
Below is the first gate. With the architecture of this gate we can imagine that this fort might have been in use. The design of the “jharokha” windows shows that it was built with all prosperity of artwork. Not much description is found about the grandeur of this fort but it would be a strong hold of Byre Gowda. That is why Mughal emperor Azam Shah conquered up to Doddballapur but gave up coming to Chickballapur.
Phase 4 of climb
Below is phase 4 climb and we can see the height of steps is much and difficult to go ahead for seniors. This is second gate. In the gate we can see some space for guards. The gates are made small so that no enemy’s elephants or cannons can enter the fort.
The reason of this tunnel is not clear but it may be a secret path to send more force or escape.
Phase 5 of climb
We get really tired when we reach the phase 5.
The gate 4 is pretty simple and made by tunneling the earth.
Phase 6 of climb
The look of the fort remnants from phase 6. From here the fort resident can also see the activity of the guards at burj or their signal. The steps seem to have been cemented in later centuries or now for tourists.
Gate 5 is near to fort top and so has been leisurely architecture. The purpose of upper lime coated almarahs might be for putting the God idols?
We can see this burj below from phase 5 from where guards can see the entire path of the climb.
Phase 7 of climb – Last phase
Here we reach phase 7. All are quite tired. But as it was rainy season we do not feel any thirst on way.
These two big untouched rocks defend the fort inmates naturally and allow only a narrow pass to have better control of incursion from down. These rocks (Bande) also add many fold beauty to the top.
At top of fort
We can see the wall of the fort from top only. Entire view from right side of the fort. Far we can see Sabbanahalli or Vatadahosahalli lake.
This is the 400 years old temple which was closed when we see it today. This is Shiva Parwati temple and known as Sri Rameshwara temple and is one of the 108 Jyotirlingas of the country.
The fort’s main feature, is the rain water harvesting. It is said there are 19 such ponds and were interlinked. About 3 Lakh liters of water got stored in these ponds. I see only two of them.
Now we can see remnants of the defense wall of the fort. People throw their mats and take rest for about 2 hours and eat their packed lunch. But of course the whole fort is kept very clean and plastic free. I did not see any monkeys here except two dogs.
By 5.30 PM we reach back to the foot hill. We drive another 10 Km to see the Sabbanahalli or Vatadahosahalli lake. This lake does not look me so impressive though many bikers come here but escape the Gudibande fort climb.
Epilogue
I have seen many week end getaway places around Bengaluru but this is the most liked place for me. I wonder why it is not advertised by Karnataka tourism department. I had seen Penukonda fort in Andhra which is 71 KM from Anantapur. There was nothing much there but it is hyped so much by Andhra Pradesh tourism department then why not Gudibande. This way Karnataka tourism is much lagging from Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. One full day is needed to cover this fort and major interest is climbing about 700 steps in a steep of 1.5 KM. You can cover Sabbanahalli or Vatadahosahalli lake also same day. But it is not possible to club Avalabetta in same trip same day.
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