Discover Forts of Karnataka

If you have stamina and vitality, then you have to visit Jamalabad Fort  - an old hill top fortification in Belthangady ,  Dakshina Kannada District . It is located in the  Kudremukh  range of hills. It is also referred locally as ‘Gadaikallu’ and ‘Narasimha Ghada’ I first visited this fort in 1990 and a lot sure had changed in the past 32 years. But I digress…let’s continue with the description. The first thing that strikes you is the sheer steepness of the fort and it makes you wonder how to climb it. Once you encircle it, you realize that it is not all that steep. Also, with the exception of the initial climb, where you have stones placed as steps, the rest of the path has steps cut out of black granite.                                                                           ☝ ...

Nijagal Betta has got to be the closest, simplest, and fastest getaway from Bangalore. It is located after Dobbespet on the Bangalore-Tumkur highway (aka Tumkur Road). It is fairly isolated and yet safe.  Parking your vehicle on the highway is not an issue and you can always have a steaming cappuccino at the CCD at the foothill to pump up your energy.    View from the foot of the hill  G Coming to the fort, the place is also known as 'Hale Nijagal' which translates to 'Old Nijagal'. Although it may not inspire awe compared to its neighbors such as Channarayana Durga, Devarayanadurga, and Madhugiri, it does have its own aura when viewed from the highway as it stands tall upon the hill    I first explored this hill fort in 1992. At that time, it had an upcoming dargah as well as some old temples in ruins. Now, after 30 years, some more pucca mosques have come up and there seems to be electrical connectivity. Having said that, the place still retains its ...