A sacred hill located at 50 kms from Bangalore, known as Ramadevara Betta has this ancient temple called as Lord Pattabhirama temple.
It is said that the idol of Lord Rama exists here from the times of Ramayan and the idol was installed here by no other than the monkey king – Sugreeva. Hence this place is called as Ramadevara Betta.
Ramadevara Betta Location ( Ramanagara Hills )
Ramadevara Betta means Ramadevara hill and the hill gets its name from Lord Rama and hence the village at the foot hills is known as Ramanagara.
But, Ramanagara is also famous for two other things. Ramanagara Hills is famous for
- Ramanagara is known as silk city of India and this area id famous for silk production
- And Ramanagara Hills – this place also got its fame due to the film Sholay. The village depicted in movie Sholay is at this foot hills and the movie’s scene were shot on these hills.
But let us more concentrate on the history of Ramadevara Betta ( Ramanagara Hills )
Legend of Lord Pattabhirama at Ramadevara Betta
There are 2 stories which talk about this place.
The end of Sukhasura
As per one of the stories, after defeating Ravana, Lord Rama, along with Ma Sita and Lakshmana, returned to Ayodhya.
A grand ceremony was held in Ayodhya after Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya.
Lord Rama was king of Ayodhya and a grand celebration took place. The monkey king sugreeva was also present there and saw Lord Rama sitting on the throne with Ma Sita on one side and Lord Hanuman and Lakshman standing on other side.
Sugreeva wished that he could capture this moment and worship lord Rama in king form throughout and hence he got the statue of his diety lord Ram carved in a stone with Ma Sita on the left hand side and Lakshman and Hanuman on the other side.
While taking this idol back to his Kingdom Kishkindha, when he reached this place, he was attacked by a demon named Sukhasura and a strong fight erupted between them. To fight the demon Sugreev had to keep the idol on the ground.
In the fight , Sukhsura was defeated, but after defeating Sukhasura when Sugreev tried to lift the idol, it did not move.
After some time a akashwani was heard ( accouncement from sky) that Lord Wished to be here. Hearing this Sugreeva installed the idol here and since then this place is called as Ramanagara and the hills is called as Ramadevara Betta and Lord Ram is called as Lord Pattabhirama.
End of Kakasura
As per another legend, during their exile, Lord Rama and Ma Sita visited this place and Lord Ram was resting, while Ma Sita was sitting next to him.
Lord Ram was in sleep when the king of crows name as Kakasura attacked Ma Sita. Not wanting to disturb Lord Rama, Ma Sita tolerated the pain. But a drop of her blood fell on Lord Rama.
This disturbed Lord Rama and he woke up. Seeing the wound of Ma Sita, he got very angry. He got some darbha grass and made a arrow out of it and shoot it on Kakasura.
Kakasura got scared and approached Lord Bramha and Lord Shiva for help. But they advised Kakasura to go back to Lord Rama and ask for his forgiveness as he only has the power to stop this arrow.
Kakasura then approached Lord Ram and asked for forgiveness. Lord Rama, forgave the crow, however he asked the crow to sacrifice a part of his body to the arrow to stop it.
Kakasura sacrificed his left eye and it is said that since then all the crows cannot see from left eye.
As per local legend from that time , no crow has been seen in this region.
How to reach Ramadevara Betta ( Lord Pattabhirama temple )
The temple at Ramadevara Betta is in Ramanagara, the silk city of India.
Ramanagara is around 50 Kms from Bangalore. It is on Bangalore Mysore highway.
If you put Ramadevara Betta google maps it will take you straight to the parking lot.
You can also map – Sholay Shooting Point, Ramanagara. It will also lead you there.
This region lies in a vulture sanctuary and hence this place is also called as Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary or RamanagaraVulture Sanctuary. At the gate of sanctuary you need to by an entry ticket which will be around Rs 75 / – ( four wheeler)
Ramadevara Betta ( Ramanagara Hills ) climb
The climb from bottom to top of the hill is around 600 steps.
The climb is not steep and the steps are well paved and painted colorfully. It might be that during summer times this becomes a challenge hence there are shades and sitting places provide.
But there is greenery all around and view from top is just amazing.
It takes around 30 mins for the climb.
On the way you will pass a small temple of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman.
Opposite to main temple there is a elevated rock on which another small temple is built which is called as Shri Rameshwara Swamy temple. There is a view point next to this temple.
The sorrounding view from this view point is just amazing.
Sita Devi Pond
There is a pond below the main temple. It is a huge and a very beautiful pond,
But this pond is barricaded and no one can go near the pond.
it is said that the depth of the pond is not known.
Over all, it is a very sacred and interesting place to visit. The idol of Lord Rama is from times of Ramayana and hence it makes this hill and sacred place to visit.
The existing temple around the idol is said to be more than 1000 years old.
Watch our video about this temple on youtube
So friends, do visit this temple when you find some time.
Jai Shri Ram!
breath taking! Vulture- is often used as a bad word by people who want to describe a cruel person. however, the real vulutres in Ramadevara betta are nerver cruel! They just hunt for their food unlike human beings.