Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a medium-sized hill in the core zone of the Western Ghats that may be reached through a minor road that runs through Hangala village in the Bandipur National Park’s northwestern section. The hills are visited by grazing wild elephants because they are part of the Bandipur wildlife reserve. This beautiful hilltop destination is just a two-hour drive from our resort in Kabini.
Gopalaswamy, Himavad The presence of the ancient ascetic temple on the top of the hill dedicated to Gopalaswamy or Lord Krishna forms the second part of the name. The third part is contributed by the fact that it is a hill or Betta. Betta is covered in mist for most of the year, so the first part of the name is Himavad, which means mist.
The Shri Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple, established seven centuries ago and is known for its gorgeous views, was once known as South Govardhanagiri and Kamalachala. The temple is at 4770 feet above sea level. The Himavad Gopalaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Gopalaswamy or Krishna, was built in the 14th century by the rishi “Agasthya.” The temple facing north was established in the Hoysala Era in 1315. King Chola Ballala constructed this temple in AD 1315. Later, the Mysore Wodeyars, passionate followers of Lord Venugopala, showed a keen interest in keeping the hill temple in good repair.
Image credits: chamrajnagar.nic.in
Image credits: Himavad Gopalaswamy temple, built in the Dravidian style of architecture, is one of many ancient temples of magnificent architecture established centuries ago in Gundlupet. The monument showcases the architectural and creative skills of bygone-age craftsmen. The temple is devoted to Gopalaswamy, one of the Hindu God Krishna’s many names.
The temple’s gopuram is single-tiered and rests on the enclosure’s compound wall. The Mukha Mantapa has a Dhwajastambha (flag-pillar) and a Bali-Peetam (sacrificial altar) (inner-porch). The sculpture of Dashavatara (the avatars of the Hindu God Vishnu) is located on the front parapet wall of the Mukha Mantapa, with Krishnavatara depicted in the centre (the avatar of Vishnu in which he appeared as Krishna). Overlooking the Garbha Griha is a shikhara tower (sanctum sanctorum).
Another remarkable feature is that cold water flows continuously all year above the door leading to the Sanctum Sanctorium. The priest gently tells the followers about the local stories and sprinkles this water on them. Because of the temple’s position, visitors have plenty of possibilities to take some stunning photographs. The surrounding hills and rich flora and the shrine’s appealing design make for excellent photographic subjects.
This location is known for its natural beauty and religious significance. The plains on the hills are covered in rich grass, and elephants, deer, and rabbits live there, while the slopes are covered in deep forests, which are home to tigers and leopards.
Suppose you’ve fantasized about strolling into the clouds or touching a cloud. In that case, this is the spot to come true your fantasies and be actually on cloud 9! Many species of Orchids native to the Western Ghats are embedded in the moss-covered branches, covered with sphagnum moss.
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Image credits: Rosewood, teakwood, and other precious woods cover the forest of Himavad Gopalaswamy Hill. The hills are visited by grazing wild elephants because they are part of the Bandipur wildlife reserve. Peacocks, parrots, forest chickens, and pelicans are among the many birds inhabit the hills. Anyone who visits this location will undoubtedly fall in love with it.
The most excellent part about this site is that there are no crows. According to folklore, a crow once swam in the nearby pond and transformed into a swan, and since then, no crows have been spotted here.
The destination is recognized for its beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys and the breathtaking dawn and sunset.
Featured Image credits: karnataka.com
