Chikballapur Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Chikballapur

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, located on Nandi Hills at a height of 4851 ft, is a recommended site in Chikballapur that tourists can visit if time permits. The temple is said to have been built by Rathnavali of the Bana dynasty in 806 AD in the Dravidian style of architecture. It is believed to be built in honour of Sri Yoga Narasimha and Sri Ugra Narasimha. Sri Arunachaleswara Temple, built of soapstone, is at a small distance from the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple and is visited by several tourists.

Skanda Giri, popularly known as the Kalavara Durga, is a hill fortress that dates back to the time of Tipu Sultan, the famous ruler of the kingdom of Mysore. This ancient structure stands at an elevation of 1350 m on the Nandi Hill ranges in Chikballapur, Karnataka. Visitors can see the ruins of the Tipu Sultan's Fort from Skanda Giri. The fortress was constructed by a local king, who according to a legend successfully defended it from Tipu Sultan for several days.

There are two caves in Skanda Giri which might also merit a peek while visiting the fortress. The two caves are yet to be properly explored, but locals say that one of them leads to the fort. The locals also believe that the cave has 6 samadhis or mausoleums. Besides, the locals are of the opinion that the caves are home to pythons that devour goats and other small animals that stray into the caves.

Gummanayaka Fort was founded and ruled for many years by Gummanayaka, a feudal chieftain in the 1350s. A fortified circular rock adds a distinct look to the fort; it is perched at the height of 150 ft on the hilly tract.

M. Visweswaraya Museum should be visited when in Chikballapur, if time permits. Established in the honour of Sir M. Visweswaraya, one of India's most accomplished engineers, the museum houses a host of interactive exhibits. The different floors of the museum are devoted to different scientific disciplines and all the halls are dedicated to different interests. The different halls include the Electrotechnic Gallery, the Engine Hall, the hall dedicated to Space Gallery - Emerging Technology in the Service of Mankind and the Fun Science Hall. Others include the Biotechnology Hall, the Science for Children Gallery, the BEL Hall of Electronics and the Dinosaur Corner. The museum also houses a full scale replica of the aircraft that the Wright Brothers invented.

Visitors can participate in several activities, such as the Taramandal Show, the Science Demonstration Show, the Sky Observation Programme and the Commemorative Programme or even listen to the Popular Science Lecture. The museum also organises activities for students, such as the Southern India Science Fair, Science Drama Competition, Science Quiz Contest, Student's Science Seminar and Creative Ability Centre. A number of education and scientific workshops, exhibitions and conferences are organised at the museum.

The M. Visweswaraya Museum gives visitors the opportunity to see things they cannot see in a regular museum, such as the reaction turbine, HF aircraft, steam wagon, circular type calculator and Edison's phonograph. They also get the chance to see the mechanical calculator, gramophone, combination lock, sewing machine and steam locomotive amongst other things. The museum is ideal for children and science enthusiasts.

Muddenahalli, a town located at a distance of 7 km from Chikballapur, is the birthplace of a visionary engineer deemed as the architect of Karnataka's progress, Sir M. Visvesvaraya. A property belonging to his family at Muddenahalli has been converted into a museum, showcasing a huge collection of his written work and photographs. The Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, displaying Dravidian architectural style, located in the vicinity of this attraction, is also visited by a number of tourists.

Murugumullah Dargah of Fakhi Shah Wali, one of the oldest dargahs or Sufi shrines of Karnataka, can be visited while on a trip to Chikballapur. During the annual festival of Urs, multitudes of devotees make their way to this dargah.

Bhimeshwara Temple, according to a legend, marks the spot where the Indian mythological character Bhima killed Bakasura, a demon. The temple was constructed in honour of Bhima.

Amaranarayana Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god of preservation, Vishnu, is known for its appealing architecture. The structure consists of a Navranga Mandapa and displays four sculpted stone pillars with exquisitely carved designs. It is believed that a statue belonging to the Hoysala dynasty was placed in the temple by King Vishnuvardhana.

Kaiwara, originally known as Ekachakrapura, is a town that finds reference in the popular Indian epic, the Mahabharata. It is the place where the major protagonists of the epic, the Pandavas, five sons of a king of the Kuru dynasty, Pandu, stayed during exile. According to the legends, it is the site where one of the five brothers, Bhima, killed Bakasura, a demon, for creating nuisance.

The cave located in the proximity is believed to still conceal the remains of the demon. Locals say that the blood of Bakasura still continues to spill during Shivaratri. A garden complex with musical fountains, a herbarium in a mini zoo and five cottages dedicated to each of the Pandavas have been put up in the vicinity. The Amaranarayana Temple, Bhimeshwara Temple and Yogi Narayana Ashram are other attractions in the area that are visited by tourists in large numbers.