Bettadapura Sidilu Mallikarjuna Swamy

Where is Bettadapura?

Bettadapura Sidilu Mallikarjuna Swamy is near Periyapatna at a distance of 15 kms on Periyapatna Hassan road. It will take less than 30 minutes at any time of the day. Periyapatna is 67 kms from Mysore, on the Mysore Madikeri Road. Bettadapura is the village name and the hill temple Bettadapura Sidilu Mallikarjuna Swamy is well before the village if you travel from Periyapatna.

History and Legends of Bettadapura Sidilu Mallikarjuna Swamy.

1. A cow reared by a man let in the morning freely for grazing and used to return back in the evening. It started giving less and less milk on daily basis. To know the truth once he followed the cow. The cow went to the hill top and poured milk over the lingam in the hill top. Out of curiosity when he dig further in that place he saw a lingam.

2. Sidilu means lightening in Kannada. Whenever lightening happens the bolt circles the lingam in the top and then comes down.

3. One of the lightenings hit the Shiva on the top through a hole in the back wall.

4. There are four elephants two in the front and two in the back of the entrance of the steps. These elephants were subsequently added by Mysore Maharaja because the first ever elephant that carries the howdah of Dasara Festival came from this area.

5. The Shiva at the top of the hill is worshipped with Mallika (Jasmine) hence the name Mallikarjuna Swamy.

6. The temple was built during Chola period 1000 years ago.

How to reach Bettadapura?

The starting point is called as Bettadapura Gopura which is 15 kms from Periyapatna. Climbing after 8 a.m. will be a difficult task on any day of the year. To reach Bettadapura Gopura it is better to start early at 6.00 a.m. It is possible only if you stay either in Mysore, Hunsur or Periyapatna. It is better to stay at Periyapatna for an overnight stay and start your journey by 5.30 am so that you can reach the entrance by 6.00 am. Buses are available in the morning going to Hassan from Periyapatna or Hole Narasipura. You can hire autos also. The nearest train station is Mysore.

Trekking to Bettadapura and spots to see around it.

There is absolutely nothing available in the entrance except sufficient space for parking the vehicles. Hence it is better to take at least two litres of water and energy bars. So pack these things in advance. If you want to spend some time at the top better to pack breakfast like bread butter jam and fruit juices.

The entrance of the Bettadapura is having one small cubicle structure on both sides. A granite Nandi statue is kept on the top of the structure facing each other. There is a balance like structure with around 30 feet height. It might be used for weighing because I am not aware of its purpose.

A small tower three layers in typical Dravidian architecture is constructed at the entrance. From here starts the 3000 + steps to reach the top. Literally there is no source of water anywhere in the top for drinking purpose. For every 100 to 200 steps roughly there are shelter available for resting purposes.

Some of the shelters are plain some with place for sitting some with statue of Shiva and some with Nandi. One of the resting places in the route is in totally dilapidated condition and it is supported by iron rods to avoid any further damages.

At the first turn of steps towards right there is a hanuman temple to your left on plain walk of 50 metres. It is a puzzle to have a Hanuman temple who is linked always with Lord Rama on the way to Shiva temple.

After around 2500 steps there is a Nandi temple after the arch and to the left with 15 metres walk you get the first view point with a Pillar of 15 feet height and Nandi perched on the top. The pillar is free standing without any mortar for 1000s of years. Here you can spend some time but with caution as there is no protective barriers on the rock edge.

Finally after an hour and 10 minutes I reached the hill top with an entrance tower. The temple is structured with a big hall on all the three sides supported by pillars and to the main deity Shiva’s right you have Devi temple. The top portion of the entire temple is protected by a 4 feet height compound still in good condition beyond which it is dead drop.

There are utensils which were used in earlier times like a pot made up of steel. It is so big that it can’t be brought from below but made at the top itself with blacksmiths. The temple is having a two part wooden door with intricate carvings. After the door there is a hall and then sanctum sanctorum.

The Devi temple is to the right of Shiva in the outer circumference of the hall. The Devi is intricately carved and actually when you enter the first pathway goes to the Devi temple only.

To the opposite of the Shiva temple there is a huge hillock or monolithic stone on the top of which again a pillar and a Nandi statue on the top of it. This Nandi is exactly opposite to the main Shiva deity. It is visible from the main temple. How they measured the distance and positioned the Nandi exactly opposite to main deity Shiva is really puzzling. There are hooves like marking on the big stone through which people are climbing to the huge granite stone and reach the top where this pillar and Nandi are there. From here the view point is nice.

Further 20 feet down there is a cave like structure where you can comfortably stay away from the nature whether it is sun shining, raining or blowing winds.

The outer compound is constructed in such a way that you can leisurely walk around the pathway to see the 360 degree view. Many trekking groups are coming here early in the morning to see the sun rise especially on Sundays.

The getting down is always easier and taking half the time to climb. It is better to exercise caution because some steps are slippery especially during rainy season and some are not exact 90 degrees but tend to angle towards bottom beyond 90 degrees. There are no holding rails on either side of the steps. The steps are very normal and not at all steep.

Best time to visit Bettadapura.

It is universal in Indian climatic conditions, the best time for any trek is between November and February. I went on 5^th of January which is bit cold at 13 degree C in the morning later shoot up to 24 by the time I came back.

In rest of the months other than monsoon months from May to September it is better to complete before 10 am. During monsoon it will be always lovely with a poncho to protect but caution with regard to slippery steps is a must. In the evenings rarely people go up but some intentionally wish to see the sunset. Because there is no power on the way it is better to carry a torch. Still I feel it is avoidable. Other than festival times specifically like Shivarathri, it is better to go in group on Saturday and Sundays and rest of the days the temple is not open. The priest number is given on the wall and better to contact him before going about the opening of the temple for that day.

Tips

To start early with two litres of water is more than enough. A shoe with a good grip during monsoon season. Though there is no need for trekking pole who wishes to, can use it. A cap to prevent you from direct sun light as there are no shade giving trees on the way except for the small shelters in between.

Conclusion

This is the highest hill temple with most number of steps in the Mysore district. Though the steps are not steep still it is better to keep fit for climbing 3000+ steps at a stretch. The cool breeze lovely architecture will make you to wish for coming once again. Yes that is true and I wish to climb again during monsoon to enjoy the rain with His blessings.