Ramadevarabetta Hills

Kote Anjeneya Temple

By Meera

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A view of the  broken steps to the anjaneya temple 

Ramdevarabetta Hills in Ramnagara district of Karnataka which is now a vulture sanctuary has innumerable temples from different eras and each pertaining and depicting the visit of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman during their 14 long years of Vanvaas. So, one can see many young enthusiasts as also old people during the weekdays as also the weekends who flock in great numbers to the main temple of Pattabhirama. However, a few of them also make it a point to visit other temples. Some are easily accessible while some are remote and isolated.

Ramdevarabetta Hills

A Rocky Climb

By Meera

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The Ramdevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary 

After a long gap, I was on a weekend trip but this time it was not with Tharangini but with a group of relatives. This was a trip organized by my niece Ramya and we decided to venture to a location made famous in Bollywood’s classical blockbuster “Sholay.” This movie was shot in the scenic rocky and weather-worn hills of Ramdevarabetta in Ramanagara district of Karnataka state, India.

The Soligas - Lifestyle, Worship and Rituals

By Tharangini

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Thanks for joining me from the previous part. Let's continue with Mahadevagowda's narration of the Soligas' lifestyle..

Mahadevagowda

Life in the forest

Life inside the forest needed a lot of skills, to survive and stay alive. The staple diet consisted of various tubers and the leafy greens that grew there. Despite living amongst so many animals, the Soligas never hunted and they knew how to keep themselves from being hunted too. Apart from this, they knew how to identify the various forest fruits that were safe for consumption. The Soligas are also experts in collecting forest honey, which was also a part of their diet.  

BR Hills - The Land Of The Soligas

By Tharangini

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The trip to BR Hills was delayed by almost five years. For some or rather multiple reasons, the place I used to visit with enviable frequency seemed to stay so close yet so far all this while. So this year when the plan finally formed to visit my favorite haunt, I was cautiously optimistic. I am glad that despite a few hurdles during the planning, the minute I was in the embrace of the beautiful hills, I felt I was never away. 

This was the first time I was traveling with Meera to BR Hills and staying in Giridarshini Homestay. After having hyped up so much about the homestay over the last year, I kept my fingers and toes crossed that she would equally feel at home here as much as I had felt during all my previous visits. 

Gold and green mix in the hills