Ramanagara

Ramanagara is situated 50 Km from Bangalore at an elevation of 2450 feet above sea level. Ramanagara was known as Closepet in memory of Sir Barry Close who was a British official during pre-Independence from 1756 to 1813.

The city has a unique landscape of granite hills stretching 50 Kms dating back to Lower Proterozoic era.

When the Ramadevara betta / hill echoed Gabbar Singh’s famous dialogues in the movie Sholay, the granite hills were forever etched in the memories of the Indians. This hill was the chosen one to shoot David Lean’s movie Passage to India.

Ramanagar comprises of the following  hills Shivaramagiri, Yatirajagiri, Somagiri, Krishnagiri, Revannasiddeshwara Betta, Jalasiddeshwara Betta, Handigundi, Sidilakallu Betta, Anna-Thama rock, SRS betta, and Thenginkalbetta.  The place is a trekkers paradise.

While traveling from Bangalore to Mysore (picture above), the hill in the above photograph looks exactly like a Lion in a sitting posture. We have named the hill, Lion rock.

Sericulture is famous in this city and Ramanagara has the biggest Cocoon market in Asia. The Cocoons form the raw material to weave the exquisite Mysore silk sarees.

Many ground orchids are found on Ramadevarabetta. Avian friends like Yellow throated Bulbul and Long-billed Vultures are found in abundance here. The hills are perfect for Sloth Bears to roam and breed. I spotted a pair of Munias building their nest in Ramanagara.

Places of interest:
Channapattana
Janapada Loka
Ramadevarabetta
Mallur Aprameya Swamy temple
Kanva Backwaters

Place Statistics:
Type of place: City and district headquarters
Situated: Karnataka
Distance: 49 Kms from Bengaluru
Transport: Well connected by road, rail
Facilities: Many restaurants line the highway between Mysore and Bangalore

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