H D Kote - Exploring Kabini's Hidden Gem
Bucket List Time – Kabini backwaters Calling!!!
Kabini is an ideal place to visit for wildlife enthusiasts for its abundance of wildlife ranging from carnivores to mammals to birds. For nature lovers also Kabini has a rich variety of flora and fauna to offer. Hence this place will be in almost any traveler’s bucket list.
We decided to visit this during the last week of March this year for a quick 2-3 day trip. We first booked our stay in Bison resort since getting bookings in any jungle resort of Kabini itself is challenging since they are almost booked throughout the year. But after we got our booking confirmation, we had another challenge on how to reach there from Bangalore since we did not have a vehicle. When we inquired with the resort, we got to know that there is no public transport to the resort and the only way to reach there is by self-drive or cab. Then one of my travel friend (thelightbaggage) gave us an idea to reach H D Kote first, plan a day’s sightseeing since this place has a lot of ancient temples and then book a taxi/auto to Bison resort.
We booked our to and fro train tickets from Bangalore to Mysore. Our stay at H D Kote also was booked. And we had also checked that there are a lot of KSRTC buses to H D Kote from Mysore KSRTC bus stand. The plan was all set perfectly and it’s time to get, set and go.
[25-Mar-23] Arrival at H D Kote
We had booked the Vande Bharat Train for our onward journey from Bangalore to Mysore. So time to tick off yet another item from my bucket list. Thanks to my friend for booking this.
We boarded our train at 10:30 am from KSR station and it was a WOW moment travelling in this super express non-stop train.
We inquired at the bus stand and got to know that we will get H D Kote buses at Platform 6.
Heggadadevana kote or H.D.Kote is a taluk or taluk headquarters in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka. People who have bookings at Kabini Jungle lodges and resorts have to pass by this place but no one would have known that this place is also rich in heritage, wildlife, dams, flora and fauna. In this blog, I will take you on a tour of this hidden gem of Kabini.
Kabini Dam
Our first stop of the day was Kabini dam. But unfortunately visitors are not allowed inside. So we just clicked pictures from outside.
Bheemanakolli Mahadeshwara Temple
This is one of the oldest temples in H D Kote and is surrounded by Kabini Backwaters from 3 sides which makes it even more special. This temple hardly has any visitors. So, it was really peaceful here. After praying to the deity, we took a walk along the backwaters. It was so calm here as well. Simply loved this serene experience away from the hustle bustle of city life.
Sri Ravi Rameshwara Temple
This is also yet another ancient temple in H D Kote and its not open on all days.
Our driver had to call up the temple priest and open it for us. This temple is 2500 years old. Temple priest explained to us about this temple which can also be seen in an interview he has recently given to a media spokesperson.
After praying to the deity, we then took a parikrama of the temple. We could see some stairs leading to a viewpoint at the backside of the temple. We took these steps and were amazed with the views of the backwaters and the surrounding mountains.
It was dark by now. Priest helped us with another shorter route leading towards H D Kote since this village has poor lighting and we might lose our way.
Enroute, we asked our driver to stop by at a good vegetarian restaurant. He recommended Kabini Restaurant. We were served good veg food in banana leaf.
Finally, our driver dropped us back to our hotel and we hit the bed early since we had to get up early at 6 am next morning to visit yet another oldest temple of H D Kote. Luckily even for this temple visit, our driver had requested the priest to open it for us.
[26-Mar-23] – H D Kote Sightseeing and drop to Bison resort, Kabini
We woke up at 6 am today and by the time we got ready our driver was there to pick us up from the hotel. We headed straight to Sri Ramalingeshwara temple.
Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple, Matakere
This is a temple protected by Dept of archeology and museums of Karnataka. The Garbagriha hosts Shivalinga with the walls having Hoysala style architecture. On the left side, there is a Parvathi temple. At the back side of the temple you will find around 5-6 Shiv Linga’s. This temple is located at the confluence of rivers Kabini and Taraka. So you have an opportunity to get some amazing clicks here as well.
Since for our next destination we had to travel for almost an hour, we decided to have breakfast first. Enroute, we stopped by a mess where we were served hot tatte idli and veg pulao. Both tasted yummy.
Chikka Devammana Betta
As the name suggests, the betta (or hill) is a sacred place with a temple on a hilltop which is dedicated to Goddess Chikka Devamma who is believed to be the sister of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
The drive up to the hill-top itself is very scenic with mesmerizing views of the surroundings. You will come across many hairpin bends. But the condition of the road is really good and you will cover the journey to the top in hardly 15-20 minutes by car. For people who would wish to walk/trek up to the hill-top, the Government has started constructing steps from the base camp but it's still not finished. And there is no other means of transport to reach here.
The drive up to the hill-top itself is very scenic with mesmerizing views of the surroundings. You will come across many hairpin bends. But the condition of the road is really good and you will cover the journey to the top in hardly 15-20 minutes by car. For people who would wish to walk/trek up to the hill-top, the Government has started constructing steps from the base camp but it's still not finished. And there is no other means of transport to reach here.
We parked our car and from the parking lot till the temple you need to take around 20-30 steps. But this journey too is interesting as you pass by some shops selling local sweets and flowers.
Once you are on top, you will find temple premises with devotees. Luckily there was no darshan queue and we got darshan of the deity quickly. But clicking pictures inside the temple is not allowed. Hence I don’t have a picture of the Goddess.
After praying to the goddess, we came out and took parikrama of the temple. From each corner of the temple premises, the views were breathtaking. You will get to witness a panoramic view of the fields, nearby villages and even Nugu reservoir.
We stood there enjoying the view around us. After some time we hopped onto our car and started descending down the hill towards our next destination – Nugu Dam.
Nugu Dam
Dam is closed for visitors. So, we just saw it from outside and clicked pictures of the dam while driving towards Nugu dam.
Since our check-in time at Bison was 12 PM, we decided now to bid bye bye to H D Kote and drove straight to Bison resort. I will be sharing all the experiences of my stay at Bison resort, Kabini in my next blog (Link).
After exploring H D Kote, I seriously felt that this place is highly undervalued. This small tinsel town closer to Mysore has lots to offer to quench every traveler’s thirst – ancient temples, dams, hills and Kabini backwaters. Would recommend people heading to Kabini resorts to plan an extra day and visit this Mysore district’s hidden gem as well.
Other blogs in the series
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