Savana Durga (Savandhi) is considered as the largest monolithic hill in Asia. The hill elevates to 1.2km above sea level.
The beautiful monolithic hill amidst the deciduous forest makes a perfect weekend get away from the bustling Bengaluru’s urban life and is 60 km from the city in Magadi Taluk. This massive granite boulders a perfect paradise for the rock climbers and adventure trekkers.
Historically this fort hill had a prominent place in the third Anglo Mysore war lead by Lord Cornwallis and Tippu sultan, finally the army of lord Cornwallis took over this fort.
In the foothill of this hill lies the ancient temple dedicated to Sri Savandi Veerabhadra swamy and Laxmi Narasimha temple which attracts many devotees from this region.
ಶ್ವೇತಾಂಗಂ ಶೇಷಭೂಷಾಂಗಂ ಖಡ್ಗ ವೀಣಾಧರಂ ಶುಭಂ. ಧೃತಕೃಷ್ಣಮೃಗಂ ವೀರಂ ಶಾರ್ದೂಲಾಜಿನವಸನಂ. ಅರ್ಧೋನ್ಮೀಲಿತ ನೇತ್ರಂ ಧಂ ತ್ರಿನೇತ್ರಂಚ ಜಟಾಧರಂ.ಸೌಗಂಧ ಪುಷ್ಪ ಮಾಲ್ಯಂ ಶ್ರೀ ವೀರಭದ್ರಂ ನಮಾಮ್ಯಹಂ
The trekking trail is a moderate to easy climb to the hill and approximately takes one to one and half hour to reach to the summit of the hill.
Although it was a fort atop the hill , one will not find a big bastion unlike the other forts in Karnataka , only the soldiers outstation, a small watching tower resides in this hill.
At the summit of the hill there is Nandi statue facing the south adorned with beautiful bells on its neck.
The summit view of Manchanabele reservoir across Arkavathy river is beautiful and scenic.
Cited from the Bucknanan’s “ The journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar”
“1800 June 13- I went to Magadi which is in our maps called Maghery .The road passed through a wild but romantic country , which consists of low hills, intermixed with little cultivated valleys The higher parts covered with trees, which owing to the poverty of the soil , are in most places very small ; but near Savanadurga , in a few other parts the timber and bamboos grows to a good size. The summit of all the ridges of hills are bare rocks of granite porphyry, and often rise into high sharp peaks, or immense masses of naked stone. By far the most remarkable of these is occupied by Savana Durga, which the army of Lord Cornwallis took by assault ; ever since which time it has been deserted.
– Francis Buchanan
Shiva congrats , one more colored feather in your collection !
Good wishes for the efforts.