“Kitne Aadmi the?” Is the famous Sholay movie dialog shot in Ramadevara Betta.
Ramadevara Betta is also known as Siddeswara Betta and Sholay Gudda and one of the most preferred family trekking destinations.
In the movie it was known as Ramgad, the den of the villain Gabbar. This was also a preferred shooting location for David Lean’s A Passage to India. The hill is 3,066 feet above sea level.
The huge rocks and boulders in different shapes and sizes are intriguing. Many slithering reptiles might have their homes in the various crevices.
Ramadevara Betta is a great place for monkeys to scamper around the rocks.
There are 350 steps that lead to 1000 year old Lord Rama Temple atop the hill. Many Seethaphal trees line on both sides of the steps.
The temple is small with a gopura (tower) and a hall.
The sanctum sanctorum has idols of Rama and his consort Sita.
It is believed that Lord Rama visited Ramadevara Betta sometime during his 14 years of exile. Beside the temple is a natural pond known as Rama Thirtha.
Further from the temple you can climb up to breathtaking views all around. Huge rocky hills dot the area.
With the wind whispering and the grass gently swaying you can admire the rock formations leisurely. The place is a delight to photographers, sketchers, and painters.
Butterflies in various hues flutter around on the gleaming grass.
We spotted Yellow tip, Orange tip and other unidentifiable butterflies.
Insects like grass hopper, damsel flies, and crickets were galore.
Wild flowers seem to enjoy the sun and wind to the fullest.
Flowering trees like Gulmohar and Amaltas were in full glory.
Rock Agamas camouflaged on the rocks slithered and posed for photographs.
The Saptharishi betta (hill of the 7 sages) is a congregation of 7 tall rocks.
After climbing down you can ask for directions for the Vulture sanctuary, which is few meters away. Here if you are lucky you will be able to sight the Egyptian Vulture and the Long Billed Vulture. 346.14 hectares has been declared by the State government in Ramanagar as Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary (RVS), to protect the long-billed Vultures, which are on the verge of extinction. High on the rocks if you see white marks, it means that there are Vultures nesting near that place.
The National Rock Climbing center in Basavanapura by General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure conducts various rock climbing and adventure camps for youth and school children.
Place Statistics:
Type of place: Rocky Hill
Situated: Ramanagara Taluk
Distance: 60 Kms from Bangalore and 3 Kms from Ramanagara
Transport: Well connected by road. Take the right deviation on Mysore highway after Ghousia College, Ramanagara and follow the road for 2 Kms
Facilities: Nil. Bangalore-Mysore highway has many eating joints to suit all palate
