Discovering Devanahalli: A Heritage Walk Through Time

Devanahalli has always been just “the airport area” for me—a place I passed by without a second thought. I never imagined this seemingly quiet town held centuries of history. It was only last week, when I joined a group of enthusiastic history lovers for a heritage walk, that I realized how much I had been missing right here on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Known as the birthplace of Tipu Sultan, Devanahalli is one of the region’s most significant historic towns—yet remains unseen and unexplored by many.

Setting Off: The Train Journey

I had signed up for a curated heritage walk with Bengaluru Prayana, which included a train journey from Bengaluru. We assembled near the unreserved ticket booking counter, where our guide Shyam Kodavarthi quickly collected the tickets. Once everyone arrived, we walked to Platform 4 to board our local train to Devanahalli.

The train rolled out at 8:20 AM, and we reached around 9:40 AM. At Yelahanka, Raksha—our second guide and the founder of BengaluruPrayana—joined us. The journey itself was full of lively conversations, laughter, and anticipation.

 

First Impression: Devanahalli Heritage Railway Station

As we got down at Devanahalli Station, Shyam introduced us to the fascinating history of this old station. With its small windowed ticket booths, gable roofs, and charming colonial-era architecture, it feels like a postcard from another time. Inside, quirky caricatures promoting train safety added a fun, nostalgic touch—we couldn’t resist stopping to read them all.

Breakfast Stop : Hunger Cravings

Just a short walk away was Srinidhi Café, our breakfast halt. Steaming idlis, crispy dosas, hot tea, and the welcome availability of restrooms made this the perfect refueling point before the trail.

 

Tipu Sultan’s Birthplace

Our first heritage stop was the tomb marking Tipu Sultan’s birthplace. A modest pillared enclosure with a stone plaque stands at the site, surrounded by a dry‑stone pond and various plantations. The ASI has marked this as a Protected Monument, preserving its quiet cultural significance.

 

Walking to Devanahalli Fort

On our way to the fort, we passed a massive kalyani (stepwell) near the Sri Sarovar Kalyani Anjaneya Swamy Temple—an unexpected yet serene sight.

We continued walking towards the fort. 

 

Devanahalli Fort

Standing tall since 1501 CE, the Devanahalli Fort was built by Mallabhaire Gowda and spans about 20 acres. Its robust stone walls, semi‑circular bastions, and beautifully carved gateways tell stories of strategic brilliance. Inside, we explored remnants of old residential structures, ancient temples, and traces of the fort’s once‑bustling life.

We then walked along the temple street of Devanahalli

 

Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple

Within the fort lies the Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple, built in classic Dravidian style and belonging to the post‑Vijayanagara period. This too is an ASI‑protected monument, and we even spotted Kannada inscriptions inside—tiny details that make history feel alive.

 

Malang Shah Wali Baba Dargah

Our next stop was the Malang Shah Wali Baba Dargah, a tranquil spiritual place overlooking the serene Devanahalli lake. It offered a peaceful pause before wrapping up the walk.

Heading Back

We made our way back to Devanahalli Station to catch our return train at 1:30 PM. 

With tired feet but full hearts, we boarded the train—carrying with us stories from a town that had been hiding in plain sight all along.

This walk was wonderfully curated by the BengaluruPrayana team. From temples and forts to dargahs and forgotten railway stations, Devanahalli revealed itself as a treasure trove of heritage. I left feeling enriched, humbled, and a little incredulous that such a historic gem sits so close to Bengaluru.