Chikkajala Fort

Series visit to ruins fort around bangalore continues and its Chikkajala fort. Due to globalisation, IT capital is loosing its old charm and has no place for history. yet again one more fort which will be missed by everyone. The roadwidening by NHAI has demolished almost everything. Unfortunately its under (Archeological Survey of India) ASI but as of today no boards were seen. The fort contains A pushkarni,Temple and ruins of fort. Yes we all should agree due to lack of interest in history we tend to lose many historical monuments and we look for it in books!. Its said to have two-acre fort, believed to have been built more than 200 years ago. The fort consists of a dilapidated dwelling and a huge hall supported by number of stone pillars. One has to muster enough courage to enter the hall because it may come crashing any moment.Lots have carving around the pushkarni walls and ground.

Near by places: Varlakunda Fort, Devanahalli Fort, Gudibande fort,Kundana Fort.

Kundana Fort

  

Kundana fort is located near devanahalli in kundana village, once again only runs of small fort can be seen. Its a three tier fort, There is a doorway at the entrance. one can see Anjaneya temple and channakeshava temple on the fort hillock.There is a new built road till the fort wall. Look for Garuda stambha near the temples. Kundana fort is almost 40 kms from hebbal. There are no boards better to ask villagers the way to fort.

Permission : Not required

Climbing time : 30mins

Parking: At the base of the fort.

Note: Be aware of monkeys

Near by places: Varlakunda Fort, Devanahalli Fort, Skandgiri Trek, Nandi Hills, Horagina Betta Trek, Chikkajala fort

Gudibanda Fort Alias Surasadmagiri Hill

Gudibanda is a taluk in chickaballapur district. Gudibanda fort also known as Surasadmagiri Hill. Gudibanda is a small town about 100 km from Bengaluru. It is said to be its a replica of madhugiri fort. The fort is situated in the right side of town. Gudibande fort is 7 layered fort built by local chieftain Byre Gowda. He is said to be RobinHood of Gudibanda. Interestingly the fort has rain water harvesting and many ponds inside the fort. There is a temple on top of fort. There are several caves inside the fort. On the middle way of fort A Hanuman idol embedded on the wall. A spectacular view from the top of the fort. Again its one of the ruined fort, should have maintained well by government. A temple at the top was locked. Said to be it belongs to Lord Shiva and also considered one of the 108 Jyothirlingas as per Wiki.Few of the sculpture embedded on the walls and pillars are invisible because of non maintenance.There no good hotels in the town Better to have in Highway.

How to Reach :
Bangalore/Hyderabad Highway -- Take a left from the Highway(Check for Boards) -- Gudibande Town

Near by places: Varlakunda Fort, Devanahalli Fort, Skandgiri Trek, Nandi Hills, Horagina Betta Trek

Permission : Not required

Steps : Yes

Climbing time : 30-45 mins Max If its non stop

Parking: At the base of the fort

For more photos : vikasjakatiphotography

First Aid Saved Friends life

My friend broke his arm in one of our trips and this is how rest of us helped :D We were in a remote area where there was no doctor facility. He was having immense amount of pain which came down after this setup. Next day we visited nearest city and Doctor was really impressed with our friends creativity :) Edit: Many of them asked where this happened. It happened at Gandikota also known as 'Grand canyon of India' which is very remote from the city. We always carry basic First aid kit with us. Finally it helped .
The aim of first aid was to make sure there is no hand movement. When we are back to Bangalore we directly took our friend to hospital. Doctor appreciated the effort made by us, even he took a snap of it. May be he will share this in his Medical Council.

Gandikota Details : http://www.thetravelreminiscences.in/2014/09/gandikota-grand-canyon-of-india.html

Step 1: We searched for 2 litres empty  bottle and cut based on friends visual hand measurement. 1 litre bottle can be used too depending upon patient hand measurement.

Step 2: Put White plaster around the around the cut bottle so that the bottle stay rigid.

Step 3: Pick any stick clean all the dirt and thorns.

Step 4: Apply pain relief ointment before bottle is kept below the hand

Step 5 :  After ointment cotton covering to be done before the bottle fix

Step 6: Cotton and plaster rigidly fastened so that bottle can be easily attached

Step 7: Attach the bottle below the elbow

 Step 8: Stick to be used outside the bottle to make sure bottle doesn't have movement

 Step 9:  White bandage to be used to make bottle and stick motion less.

Bhairavadurga Trek - A Navadurga

Around Bangalore there are Navadurgas ( Nine Forts) i which Bhairava durga is one of them. There are no enough information of nine forts, Assuming or reading few blogs, May be Bhairavadurga is also part of Navadurgas. Not much of history of this place is known except that it was built by Kempe Gowda II and later was conquered by Tippu Sultan and the British.As it was rainy season we couldnt find the path as it was completly blocked by shrubs, thick grasses. Initially we struggled to ascend as it was steep. We realized we are in wrong path but we managed climb up. There is no temple at the peak.an impregnable fort, the massive rocky hill with steep gradients on all sides is difficult to climb. The hilltop is fortified and encloses a large plateau and a fresh water spring. Viewed from an angle, the boulders at the apex of the hill appear to be laid out like lotus petals. Make sure near trek base you have government hostel and Arch.For the first time ascending took 1 hr and descending took 2 hrs as there was no roads. At one point we were panic but managed to descend down with naturally formed ropes (Balli).

Directions : Bangalore - Nelamangala - Solur - Kudur - Fort Base

Permision : Not Required

Parking : After arch inside village

Best time : October - February

Distance from Bangalore : 55 Kms

Total time to trek: 3 hrs