Gopalaswamy Hills

2025-09-30T21:33:07Z

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{{short description|Hill in the Gundlupete Taluk, Karnataka, India}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2022}}
[[File:Gopalswamy Betta.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of road leading to Gopalaswamy betta]]
[[File:Temple atop the hill.jpg|thumb|Temple atop the hill]]

'''Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta''', is a hill (betta in Kannada) located in the [[Gundlupete]] Taluk, [[Chamarajanagar district]] of the state of [[Karnataka]], [[India]] at a height of 1450m and is extensively wooded. It is also the highest peak in the [[Bandipur National Park]]. It lies in the core area of the Bandipur National Park and is frequented by wild life including [[elephant]]s. Dense fog predominates and covers the hills round the year and thus gets the prefix ''Himavad'' (in the language of [[Kannada]]) and the temple of Venugopalaswamy ([[Krishna]]) gives the full name of Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://www.ancient-temples- |title = cache:9auRHTkHP68J:www.ancient-temples- - Google Search}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}</ref>

Its geographic coordinates are: Latitude 12.97°Ne and longitude 77.56°E.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.access-india.com/karnataka-hill-stations-gopalaswamy-betta.htm |title=Hill Stations in Karnataka, Karnataka Hills, Karanataka Hill Station Tours, Hillstation of Karnataka, Hill Stations of Karnataka, South India Hill Stations, India Hill Stations |access-date=21 June 2008 |archive-date=10 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610084508/http://www.access-india.com/karnataka-hill-stations-gopalaswamy-betta.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Access ==

It is approximately 220 km from [[Bangalore]] and 75 km from [[Mysore]] on the Mysore [[Ooty]] road -10 km away from [[Gundlupete]], which is 60 km away from Mysore. There is a motorable road all the way to the top of the hill. No entry for private vehicles, visitors have to take the Govt bus organised by the Karnataka state transport from the Foothills. Materials used for pooja (prayers) alone such as flowers, fruits, Incense sticks etc. are permitted. Other food items are not permitted to be carried in. All these materials should be carried in non-plastic bags. Visitors are allowed from around 8:30am till 4pm. Overnight stay on top is not allowed.

Private vehicles are not allowed beyond the forest check post. One has to make use of the mini bus arranged by forest department to visit the temple. Per person round trip ticket will cost Rs.60
First bus will operate at 8:30 am and last bus is at 4:00 pm.

There is a forest department guest house at the top of the hill, which is not available for public, only public servants on official duty are allowed to use it.

Best Season to Visit the temple is in winter and in Rainy.
[[File:Gopalaswamy_hills.jpg|thumb|View near temple]]
==History==
The temple was built in hoysala Era in 1315. King chozha built this iconic temple. Tamil culture, Later the Wodeyars [[Wodeyar dynasty]] of Mysore improved the hill temple.
[[File:Clouds_seen_from_Gopalaswamy_hills.jpg|thumb|Clouds seen from temple]]

==Temple==
The temple is dedicated to ''Gopalaswamy'', which is one of the names of the [[Hindu]] god [[Krishna]]. The ''[[gopuram]]'' of the temple is single-tiered and rests on the compound wall of the enclosure. A ''[[dhvajastambha]]'' (flag-pillar) is present in the ''mukha mantapa'' (inner-porch). The parapet wall of the façade of the ''mukha mantapa'' contains the sculpture of ''[[Dashavatara]]'' (the [[avatar]]s of the Hindu god [[Vishnu]]) with the centre portion of the sculpture depicting ''Krishnavatara'' (the [[Avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] in which he appeared as [[Krishna]]). There is a ''shikhara'' tower over the ''garbha griha'' ([[sanctum sanctorum]]).

The ''[[garbhagriha]]'' contains an idol of [[Krishna]] holding a flute under a tree. [[Krishna]] is flanked by his friends and the [[Human position|posture]] is that of a dance with the left big toe resting on the right one. The panel also features several characters and icons from Krishna's avatar.

Gopalaswamy's idol is flanked by his consorts, [[Rukmini]] and [[Satyabhama]].
[[File:View_from_Gopalaswamy_hills.jpg|thumb|View from temple]]

==Legends==
Legend says that sage [[Agastya]], performed intense penance and as a result [[Vishnu]] blessed this place and promised to reside here. As this was a place of worship and penance, it used to be called as 'Hamsatheertha', which means the lake of swans in [[Sanskrit]]. Swan acquires a mythological significance in [[Hinduism]], symbolizing knowledge, tranquility and salvation.

==Wild life==
Being a part of the [[Bandipur National Park|Bandipur]] National Park, the hills are frequented by grazing wild elephants. The place is also known for its views of the surrounding hills, valleys and visitors may also see sunrise and sunsets from the top.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

[[File:Forest Dept Entrance Check Post of Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta.jpg|thumbnail|right|Forest Dept Entrance Check Post Fares & Timings]]

==Location==
This temple is located in the heart of Bandipur National Park, Is a vital habitat of wildlife such as Tiger, leopard, Wild Dogs and other herbivores such as Indian Gaur, Chittal, Sambar etc. Venturing beyond the temple premises is an offense as per Wildlife Act 1972, The Forest department is concerned by the increase in number of tourist visiting the temple and causing disturbance.

Trekking, Picnicking, partying other activities are punishable offense. Hence visitors are instructed to refrain from venturing beyond the temple premises.
To minimize disturbance on wildlife entry timing has been changed to 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. And permitted time to return is 1 hour 30 minutes with effect from 01/Jan/2023.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:GOPALSWAMY HILLS 012.jpg|The Road to GS Hill
File:Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta.jpg|The hillroad
File:GOPALSWAMY HILLS 107.jpg|{{center|helianthus garden}}
File:2012-bandipur-gopalaswamy.jpg|Views from the hill
File:Bus to the hill top.jpg|Bus service to the hill top
File:Hindu Temple Entrance.jpg|The temple arch
File:HimavadGopalaswamyBetta01.JPG|The temple road
File:Gopala Swamy Temple in Bandipur National Park.jpg|View of the temple
File:2005-himavad-gopalaswamy.jpg|The temple courtyard
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage|Gopalaswamy Hills}}
{{commons category}}

{{coord|11|43|N|76|35|E|source:cawiki_region:IN|display=title}}

[[Category:Hills of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Geography of Chamarajanagar district]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Chamarajanagar district]]

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Gopalaswamy Hills