A Hillock in the Far Horizon called Chi - Ku - Chi Betta
A hill in a far horizon located outskirts of silicon city is a place every nature lover, adventurer loves to explore during a weekend. A hillock called Chi Ku Chi is one such less known place which kindles the adventurer to explore it and appreciate the beauty of it. A ideal day trek if you want to try...
Vishwanath Radhakrishna
Every time i climbed the Shivagange hillock,a popular weekend getaway from Bangalore just 5 kms off Dobbaspet known as the Dakshina Kashi.I was elated by the cool breeze and mesmarised by the grand views of the surrounding landscape. Though i was bit annoyed by the monkeys dominating the hill. Meanwhile, i felt that its their territory, and I was moved by the erstwhile interesting history of Hoysalas connected to it.
In the later years during a visit and leisure stay at the Foothills adjoining to the hillock, i was impressed by a hill in the far horizon with a unique name given by the local folk called Chi - Ku - Chi Betta.It sounded out like some warm greeting in Japanease or a phrase in Chinese Language.!
Located at a altitude 3500 ft above sea level, a glimpse of shimmering rocks at the summit during the sunset behind Devarakere lake motivated all times to explore and surmount it.
During a recent stay with my friend Satish, he captivated by the unique name expressed his desire to explore it. We crossed the paddy fields and walking behind the areca plantation until we reached the base of the hillock.
We did not feel the heat of summer, because of cool breeze. The locals cautioned about the leopard with a cub and movement in the upper reaches of the hillock,they even mentioned of few attacks on the livestock over the years.
We were soon on the boulders,we could make out few locals had set fire and certain patches were charred, interspersed with thorny bushes.There is a saying that apperences are deceptive and it definitely suits to this hillock.The hillock though looks easy more or less like a cake walk is steep 60 degree - 70 degree slope and is truly demanding. With no soul around or a guide to lead, a small slip while negotiating or traverse can be harmful.
We could sight few fresh scats of a carnivore and a old carcass of a livestock.To the North was conical Kengal Betta, Mandaragiri - A Jain Piligrim centre,Nijagal Betta , to West Bhairavadurga - One among Navadurgas built by Kempegowda and few more hillocks in the distance.
In the rugged terrain what caught my senses and attention was a white flower swaying in tune to slow blowing wind caressing us , with sweet aroma emanating from it. It was none other than Gummy Gardenia or Kadu Bikke in local dialect Kannada growing profusely on the slopes.
After crossing 2 patches of steep rock faces,holding onto pinch holds and dried grass growing profusely on the creacks on all fours, we rested amidst huge boulders, scattered on the rocky bed and they seemed precariously balancing the gravity of earth.I kneeled on a flat rock and my imagination knew no bounds.A huge rock seemed as if a turtle literally was approaching to greet us.!
The distant hillock Shivagange posed a grand look and a different view altogether The resting crescent rock and view of waterbodies was alluring.
Each rock,piled up one above other had a distinctive look and every face had a grand view. The eerie silence was disturbed by sound of birds in the thickets.We rested in the shadow of the rocks which have withstood the vagaries of nature.It was cool and was soothing !.The panoramic views from hilltop was rewarding and every step seemed worthwhile.
The place was no one word short of heaven, the hillock with lot interesting aspects was like a pandoras box . the innumerable boulders and chimneys looked ideal for rockclimbers.The thick forest cover behind the hillock is a treasure trove of medicinal plants.It was already 1:00 pm and having spent more than 2 hours on the hillock, we decided to head back. .Though we had a intension of witnessing the sunset we started the descent.The descent was isn't easy, with detours and manouvering slopes.With a heavy heart we bid good bye and soon we were amidst fields.We quenched our thirst by the lake, we could sight cormorants, Egrets, bee eaters resting on perch and .a a common Kingfisher with a feed.
A sense of satisfaction enveloped our senses, for having spent time on a hillock, unheard and unexplored !
