It was few years ago on a random leisure ride, Pramod Bharadwaj told me about the existence of Nine Durgas around Bangalore. We instantly hatched a plan to do rides to all of them and Yogesh Rao too eagerly chipped in. We rode to three of them, but gods of work willed otherwise so work commitments took over and the plan was soon forgotten. Fast forward to few months ago (August 2015) when I decided to revive it as a means recuperate from beta launch of my startup.With the Durga Pooja around, this seemed like a great time to finish as a tribute to Goddess Durga.
Naveen, Ratnaveer and Sudhir of Fitness through Travel gang joined happily this time around.
What is Durgayana ?
Pinned Location Map of Nava Durga (Nine Forts)
Nine Durga’s around Bangalore
“Durga” is a Sanskrit word that means “invincible”. While commonly associated with the goddess Parvathi, it also is used as a name for Forts in various parts of India and particularly in Karnataka.
The legend has it that various rulers of erstwhile Bangalore area built nine forts around Bangalore to combat the invaders. Magadi was the capital of the kingdom in those days and hence the plotted map shows them in half circle around Magadi, which was the seat of power before Bangalore took over.
Nandi Durga (the most well known one), Savana Durga, Devarayana Durga, Kabbal Durga, Huliyuru Durga, Makali Durga, Hutthri Durga,Sri Bhairavana Durga &Channarayana Durga are the nine forts mostly scattered around south and west of Bangalore. Of these Nandi, Devarayana Durga, and Hutthri Durga(partial) have roads to the top and rest are trekking routes. Half of the forts are ruined but most temples still have some form of activity.
We decided to climb if roads are there and just ride till the base (or till wherever cycle goes). I could envisage this as a brevet like ride covering all of them in a single ride or multi staged ones. One can also include bike and trek and not just ride. There are really many possibilities here.
The ride
Magnificent few weeks of planning, plotting ensued and boy did we ride. We rode like maniacs waking up at 4 each weekend and feeling invincible after each Fort. It was just after monsoon and the whole landscape was resplendent with lush green countryside, overflowing lakes, streams and how can I forget blessed aralikattes (peepal trees with a platform to sit under them) . It was truly an Incredible India experience. After few weeks of frantic riding, I completed all of them last week just in time for Durga Pooja. Others have few more to go but I am sure they will finish them soon enough.
Collage of Nava Durga (@c Manjula Sridhar)
The collage of the hills with forts (barely visible) themselves and me grinning near them are here as documentary shots.
Durga and I !
Here are the mini ride reports with pics and Data. All distances are from Vidhana Soudha (Parliament)
Distance: 60 KM from Bangalore.
Road to the top: Yes. Moderate climb of 7 KM.
Completed : 25 times at least ,with the recent one few months ago.
Miscellaneous Tidbits: has Chamundeshwari temple on top, well-developed area close to BLR airport.
Distance: 75 KM from Bangalore.
Completed: 3–4 times last 2011.
Road to the top: Yes, moderate climb of 5KM.
Miscellaneous Tidbits: Has Yoga Narasimha temple at the top and Bhoga Narasimha temple midway with Puliyogare to die for.
Distance: 60 KM from Bangalore.
Completed: 2–3 times last in September 2010
Road to the top: No. Good trek of an hour or 2.
Miscellaneous Tidbits: Veerabhadreshwara temple, This hill was used an execution place for prisoners. Hence the name (Savu means death in Kannada).
4. Huthri Durga
Distance: 75 KM from Bangalore.
Completed: Once; October 2015
Road to the top: Halfway for 2 KM, rest is trekking path.
Miscellaneous Tidbits : Shiva Temple at the top. Quite a quaint village. They claimed we were the first cyclists to climb this :-).
Distance: 100 KM from Bangalore.
Completed: Once, in October 2015
Road to the top: No.
Miscellaneous Tidbits: Nice trekking spot. A murari ashram and a government school exists in the base which can be used as a base for the trek.
6. Sri Bhairavana Durga
Distance: 75 KM from Bangalore
Completed: Once October 2015
Road to the top: No, rough steps exist till midway. Rest trekking path.
Miscellaneous Tidbits: The village closest is Kuduru very accessible from Managlore highway, very scenic. Take the backroad from Solur for better views.
7. Kabbal Durga
Distance: 80 KM from Bangalore.
Completed: Twice, in 2010, recently in October 2015.
Road to the top: No.
Miscellaneous Tidbits: A temple of kabbalamma on top. Route goes through very very pristine untouched villages reminiscent of vedic times.
Distance: 90 KM from Bangalore.
Completed: Twice, in 2012, recently in October 2015.
Road to the top: No.
Miscellaneous Tidbits: Very scenic route from Kunigal and Magadi. Good people. Plenty of direct buses to Bangalore.
9. Makali Durga
Distance: 60 KM from Bangalore.
Completed:Many times, recent one in october 2015.
Road to the top: No.
Miscellaneous Tidbits: There is railway line adjacent to the hill. It gives a very romantic feel to the whole location.
Why Do This ?
While there are many reasons to do this, a particular mystic I met on the way told me a secret. Apparently your courageous startup that no one believes will be rewarded with funding. So what are you waiting for, cleanup your chains, startup and go !
(With special thanks to Naveen who provided excellent support during last few months)
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Originally published at manjulasridhar.wordpress.com on October 15, 2015.
