Well, I know … the above route sounds kinda weird. Going to Kolar district in Karnataka and Krishnagiri in TN! But we did it … that's the true spirit of an 'alemaari' … read on to know more.
23-Apr-06:
It was about to be just another sunday, before which we decided that we should make something meaningful out of the day. During those good old days of travelling to ITPL (Delphi – 2003-04), I remembered seeing a board pointing towards Chikka Tirupathi at the entrance of the KR Puram hanging bridge (it's not there anymore :-(). After some research about Kolar district with the help of my newly bought map of Karnataka, we finalised on going to Chikka Tirupathi.
We left home (New BEL Road) at about 07:45 hrs and took the ORR till KR Puram, where we entered NH4 towards Kolar (going over the cable-stayed bridge). It was a good drive till Hoskote (14kms from KR Puram), after which we turned right onto NH-207 (which connects Doddaballapur-Devanahalli-Hoskote-Bagalur-Sarjapur-Hosur). This is a calm road with a nice country-side view. in between villages, there are plenty of afforested areas. Kudos to the forest department for saving a district which would have been a desert otherwise! By around 9:00 hrs, we thought of stopping for breakfast. That was when we spotted a deserted dhaba. It was a simple but beautiful place, with a small pond (created by water from a borewell) on one side and fields on the other. We had a filling breakfast of aloo parathas and some 'kurukal thindi'. We washed the vessels in the pond, village 'ishtyle', and proceeded. We reached a railway crossing after this point and then comes an important junction – Timmashettyhalli/Tirumalashettyhalli cross, where we had to take a left. Quite a bumpy road from here for some distance, until Kalkunte.
Ranganathaswamy Temple @ Kalkunte:
Goddess Ranganayaki @ Kalkunte:
Lord Ranganatha @ Kalkunte:
Goddess Andal @ Kalkunte:
Kalkunte, or Kalkunte Agrahara, is the native of a sect of iyengars, known as kalkunte iyengars. We never knew that this village existed in Kolar district, and it was a very unexpected program for us. Lord Ranganatha resides in this tiny temple town in a very beautiful temple. After the darshan of the lord here, we proceeded towards Chikka Tirupathi, which is 8km from this place.
Chikka Tirupathi, as the name suggests, is a miniature of the real Tirupathi. The story of this place goes like this. 'Agni', the fire god, during the incineration (dahana) of the forest of herbs (khandava vana), causes burn injuries to the serpent god Takshaka. Takshaka bestows Agni with a curse that he lose his 'tejas'. A perturbed Agni comes to Lord Krishna, who suggests that the way out for him is to please Lord Vishnu, who can restore his 'tejas'. So Agni gets the 'shaapa-vimochana' by performing a penance and pleasing Vishnu. With great joy, Agni builds a temple for Lord Venkateswara at Chikka Tirupathi. The lord here is aptly named as 'Prasanna Venkateshwara'. All the utsavams that are held at Tirupathi are also held here. But compared to the main Tirupathi, not much rush was seen here.
NH-207 near Chikka Tirupathi:
Ayya @ Chikka Tirupathi:
After obtaining the blessings of Lord Venky, we turned right onto NH-207, proceeding towards Sarjapur. By then, it was just around mid-day. This is not at all the time to return! Where to go? The candidates were Masti, Mulbagal, etc, all in Kolar district. But we all wanted some variety, a different kind of spot. It was Ma's idea to go to Krishnagiri dam, one which she and Ayya had been to around 30 years ago! Ok … lets GO!
We continued on NH-207 to reach Hosur by 13:00 hrs, via Sarjapur, reasonably good road. From Hosur, Krishnagiri is 49 kms. The 4-lane express highway (NH-7) is simply superb. We zoomed to Krishnagiri with the intention of having lunch at the dam. The landscape is very scenic and worth mentioning is the hill of Shoolagiri.
Shoolagiri:
There is a fort at Krishnagiri, built by Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore. It is within the town limits of Krishnagiri. An amazing view, but we kept that for another day's itinerary.
Tipu's Fort @ Krishnagiri:
Beyond Krishnagiri, the highway (NH-7) turns left towards Chennai, via Wallajahpet. We took the road towards Dharmapuri, and about 5-6 kms later, turned right towards the dam. The landmark to remember is a huge lake before the turn, and an arch at the entrance of the road. We drove up to the dam, parked the car and settled down beside the reservoir for lunch. It was an amazing view of such a huge expanse of water, stretching up to 4 miles before the dam! After lunch, we trekked the hillock that is besides the reservoir. It was really an enthralling experience to trek after a gap of so many years 🙂
Unlike in other dams, in Krishnagiri dam, thay allow you to drive on the dam. It was exciting to drive on that single lane stretch, with the reservoir on side, and the sluice canals on the other deep down below. There is an excellent and well maintained garden and deer park on the other side of the reservoir.
Krishnagiri Dam:
The Hill Ranges and Me:
Garden View … one more:
The 3 Musketeers – Krishnagiri Dam Reservoir View:
We left the dam site by around 16:00, stopped for coffee at Nilgiri's, Hosur, and reached Bangalore by 18:15. It was an excellent drive back home, as there was no traffic in electronics city, thanks to a sunday!
Overall tripmeter reading was 265km.
hi,
i am sumalatha from udupi. i like this website. plz inform me about that in my mail. plz i want leran something special about that. i didnt visit thirupathi. i saw only in photo and website. thats all.
Hi Suma,
Thanks for your comments. Please tell me what information you would exactly need, and I shall mail that to you.
I was searching for chikka tirupati details.. you have a gift of writing 🙂 all the best, I will take the road as suggested ..
BTW, i also reside @ new Bel road, but near to msr hosp…
Dear Alemaari,
Thank you for stumbling on our villaga KALKUNTE and publishing the photographs of our Lord Ranganatha Swamy.
A small correction in your information if you dont mind.kalkunte belongs to Hoskote Taluk Anugondanahalli Hobli and Bangalore Rural District and not Kolar as Chikkathirupathi.Its the last post of Bangalore Dist.
Thank you so much for having put our village on a website
Regards,
KGRanganatha
@Lakshminarasimman,
Thanks for your compliments 🙂
Btw … I also reside near msr hosp!
@KGRanganatha,
It was my pleasure to visit kalkunte!
and … many thanks for the correction you’ve pointed out; that piece of info was unknown.
Hi,
Thanks for putting information on Kalkunte.
Also there is one High School which is doing very good service for Rual students by offering good education @ reasonable (very very low compared to other private schools).
School Name is Ssi Ranganatha Rural high School. I am from the same school and I have great respect for my school. Its campus is very good. If you go once again in this route, please make a visit to our school campus.
Thanks and Regards
Ravi
(ymravikumar@gmail.com)
This is such a wonderful example of the Internet being such a wonderful invention. These pics helped me go on an N’joyable trip down memory lane. There’s nothing like sitting at some place in the US (where very often u r lost if u r an immigrant) and recalling some of ur best moments by just looking at the temple pics.
By the way, I’m from Bangalore and my mom’s place is Kalkunte. Thanx for the pics.
Hi , Thanks a Million for a sharing such exciting trip , I was trying to dig an upcoming telecom layout landmark on sarjapur road and i didn’t know that there is a fabulous places which makes lively trip with family … ” Kudos to you ” Wonderful Information .
Btw iam from Bangalore, Lakeview Defence Colony, it nice to read your blog way out from india.
Shiva & Netra
Cheers
Hi
I saw the details in our web site. It is good. We have some more on this temple. Can we share with you. If yes contact us
Regards
Sreedhar
It was good information on Chikka Tiruapthi, thanks for posting it, it wud help people who want to go there and have
no clue about the where abouts of the place and how to reach there etc.
Thx
Chetan,
Hi ,
Nice info about Chikka Tirupathi. Thank you very much.
some infos are missing and plzzz give the route details how to reach chikka tirupathi & Kalkunte from Hoskote ..? it will be very useful ..
Thanking you,
Parichay BP
@Ravi, @Buddyinus, @Shiv, @sreedhar, and @Chetan,
Thanks for all your encouragement!
@Parichay,
Its right there in the post. Anyway, once more for you.
B’lore – KR Puram – Hoskote – take right to NH 207 – Timmashettyhalli – take left – Kalkunte – Chikka Tirupati
Hi Alemaari,
Thanks for the info once again ……
Regards,
Parichay BP
parichaybp.blogspot.com
Dear Mr. Alemaari,
I accidentally stumbled onto your story. By the way, an excellent adventure to Krishnagiri!!! The discovery of Kalkunte and Chikka Thirupathi along the way was wonderful. I am originally from Jayamangala, about 3 km from Chikka Thirupathi. I went to Sri Ranganatha Rural High School in Kalkunte in late 1970s. From there I made it to St Joseph’s College in Bangalore, then to Bangalore University and to the United States in 1990. I think the wonderful education I got at Kalkunte has something to do with my own standing today.
Your story, reminded me of my own “alemari” trips from Kalkunte to Jayamangala. You can go to Jayamangala via Lakkur or via Chikka Thirupathi. Most days we walked to school in Kalkunte (about 7-8 km one way). On lucky days, I would ride my brother’s bicycle (a luxury in those days). When I had a chance, I would ride the bike through different villages and get lost. When home late, we would get punished for coming home late. Those days of innocence are simply wonderful.
Thanks for the memories of Chikka Thirupathi, Kalkunte and various villages along the way.
Sreerama
Very encouraging! Thanks a ton!
Such responses inspire, keep me going 🙂
Hi Alemarri,
Thanks for the wonderful information about Chikka Tirupathi.
Wanted to know if they to head tonsure and ear piercing also there.
Regards.
Priya
@Priya,
Thanks for the compliments.
I did see head tonsure being done, not sure about ear piercing.
Where did u have lunhc? Had you packed it or did you have at some resturant. Can you give me details?
Vasudha
@Vasudha,
We did pack lunch. I am not aware of any restaurants on this route. Neither do I remember seeing any good ones.
Happy to read the letters.
hi
Thanks for Publishing this information , i am student of the Same School, Their is Ranganath Tempel in the same Village, it is a very old tempel if you want any information please mail to me.
Thanks for the memories
srinidhi- HR Consultant
Bangalore
Dear Alemaari,
You are giving such anice tips about Chikka Thirupathi and Krishnagiri Dam.
Could you please inform me how many KM From Bangalore City station to Krishnagiri?
Please.
Thank you.
Renuga.
Nice dtls… Can you clarify chikka tirupati to hosur distance….
Do u have any trip links.. If u can share with me….
Hello,
Nice information, keep up the good work.
do you have other places like this in and around Bangalore, please let me know.
We are a bunch of young fellas want to travel many such places in and around bangalore.
Thanks again.
Dear Sri Alemaari
I am writing this from HOYSALA nagar,near Ramamurthy nagar. We are having a small Devotional group,known as R K Asthika Samaja. Apart from reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasra nama and Bhajans every Saturday, we celebrate Sastha Preethi ( Ayyappa Pooja ) on the last Sunday of December every year. In order to have additional activity, we thought of undertaking some trips to temple arond Bangalore ,to start with. This made me to stumble upon your blog. Your description is very good and the photos are added attraction. We are now programing to to visit Chikka Thirupathi, Sri Ranganatha temple Kalkunte and Koti lingeswara temple in the coming week ends.I hope we cover these temples in one day.
Thank you very much.
Rajagopal ( 65 Years )
The style of writing is very familiar to me. Did you write guest posts for other blogs?
Hi alemaari,
Really its very thankful to u. Given Wonderful information
about Kalkunte via chickka thirupathi to Krishnagiri, even i am staying very near to kalkunte (Thathanur) & I studied in the Great SRRH School.
Great Alemari,
Even my friends already joined this
Previously i saw few Names like Ravikumar , Srinidhi , KGRanganatha, Hi Friends I am Venugopal if u remember myself please contact me the mail
Venugopala
venur100@gmail.com
Hey Alemaari (urf AG) 🙂
I hope you remember me…..a very well written and inspiring article….I am planning to visit the place tomorrow (06-Jun)….hoping to explore same fun and excitement as you…
-Amit
Almariji,
Please let me know where Yattahalli is in Krishnagiri District.I am in search of this place desperately as I came to know it is my native place.My ancestors migrated from Yattahalli to the Astagrama village Yelagondanahalli during the years 1850-1860 as per information. I have searched very hard for this place as I want to know which my Kuladeivam is and visit the temple at Yattahalli.I guess it’s name has changed or it might have been included in any other State or District after Independence.All my efforts to find Yattahalli have gone in vain.Can you help me out?.Thank you.
Hai all,
Its nice to see so many friends, near to our village (Bhodanahosahalli), please suggest good school to my son (2 years now) for next year, as i don’t want him to put to schools which is in very hi traffic, costly, international. Is Sri ranganatha school is good, it is just 7 km from our house ? Iam very confuseed about schools. i studied in vidya mandir (ITI) but its too far for my son to travel at this young age.
from
mamatha_bl@rediffmail.com
Hi,
Thanks for the blog and details.
I am put up in Bellandur, ORR, and would like to take the Sarjapur Road to reach Chikka Tirupathi. But I am not sure about the road from Bagalur towards Chikka.
Could you pls tell us if this road is motorable/decent/bad ?
Thanks,
Rajesh.
hi rajesh
the road from sarjapur to muglur is under repair . but no problem.. that is the nearest one from bellandur
Never knew about this route shall make a trip.
Anil Kashyap, Lagos, Nigeria
Hi Alemaari…
thanks for your excellent info……like u I am also a wandering monk…..I like travel. I have visited so many places and have wonderful info like you. But I have not shared it like you have done…….
I am an expert on places in and around Thirupathi. Many people only go and see Venkanna and come back. But if you stay on there are so many places to explore.
Anyway I was looking for info on Krishnagiri Dam……I got it. Thanks once again. In case you need any info on places around Thirupathi….u know whom to contact !
Thanks
Anand
Hey .. love the review..
Are we still allowed to ride/drive our vehicles onto the dam??How does one get onto the Dam??
What time is the dam open to visitors ..Is it open 24×7?? or are their specific timings??
And is there a route.. to the deer reserve ?
Thanks
thimayya
@thimayya
thanks!
pvt vehicles are not allowed on the dam. you can park your car before the dam and walk around.
i went in the afternoon, and did not notice any signboards mentioning timings.
– alemaari
I am really so happy and proud to know abt our native place.
Feeling so nice.Thanks for providing all of us kalkunte commumnity such great informations.Thanks a lot…….
I AM PROUD TO BE A KALKUNTE…………..
hai………….. is there anyway to get an old house or 30×40 feet site in Kalkunte Agrahara ? I am belongs to Palghat Iyer community and interested to have an small house near Ranganathaswamy temple in Kalkunte Agrahara. can you help me….. my cell no is 8892474560. I am not from a rich family fanancially but rich in culture and commitments. my email id is sipcon.blr@gmail.com
[…] When my husband started the engine.. I mentioned that I read from one of the blogs that I read had a mention of “Kalakunte”. Everybody agreed . https://alemaari.wordpress.com/2006/05/08/kalkunte-chikka-tirupathi-and-krishnagiri-dam/ […]
[…] proposition since the highway past Karnataka border was supposed to be great for a long drive. The blog had good amount of details about the place and the […]
there is a divine guidance to reach His temple.
i also stumbled to this site which Almighty
has guided me. i will be a pleasure to prostrate before
Him
dear
sir iam near in ganagalore village
hoskote tk
Hi nimma sandeshakke tumba dhanyavadagalu
Deva
9742211039
Thanks
head tonsuring is done there.. I saw only one person to do for all..
there is 14Rs ticket to be taken at the main entrance.. After that the hair cut person demands some tip.. i gave 20Rs to pacify him..the work done is ok..
want to know about the panneswaramadao temple in krishnagiri dist,i am told giriprathishinam is done here also as done at thiruvannamalai,facilities availableand temple timing etc will be of great healp
Truly it’s helpful. Thanks,
Rupesh
Very Nicely written, Sir.
Thanks for excellent tips. My ancestral place is Attikunete village on the road between KGF to Mulbagal. I visited ChikkaTirupati long time ago. I remember lot of renovation of the temple was done by a Telugu Film Producer who happened to be from that area. I did not know about Kalkunte Ranganatha Swamy. Thanks for the nice photoes and article.
Keep writing!
Namaskara
Manjunath
Hi I need Phone number of chikkatirupati temple. Could anyone post the same?
Dear Friends
I am Vishwanath H P (1990-1993 Batch) from Bangalore even I have stuided in Sri Ranganath Rural High School, Kalkunte Agrahara. In fact my relations are still staying in this place. Thanks for your recognizing this school in website.
Please keep in touch with me….vishwa_77@yahoo.com
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Kalkunte Agrahara does not belong to kolar district it belongs to Bangalore Rural District, Hoskote taluk, and the pin code is 560067
We also visited the Kalkunte Agrahara temple on the way back from chikkitirupathi.
Very nice place … again we are planing tommorow.
even after 10 years of your visit to this remote places like Kalkunte agrahara and chikka thirupathi , people are responding great sir dhanyavadhagalu sir