Karnataka has always had a deep-rooted culture embedded within itself, distributed across the many nooks and corners of the terrain. From generous mountain ranges to culture and traditions, the state is filled with beautiful hotspots that are prime locations throughout the year.
Surrounded by the peaks of Shiva Ramagiri, Somagiri, Krishnagiri, and Yeti Rajagiri, Revanna Siddeshwara, Sidilakallu, and Jala Siddeshwara, the city of Ramanagara is one such popular destination among the tourist population. The most important factor which puts this region on the map is the rich silk harvest here. Mysuru silk saris that are famous across the world for its superior texture and quality, are made from the silk harvested in these regions. The Karnataka Department of Tourism terms this place to be the largest market for silk cocoons in Asia. Therefore, Ramanagara is known as the ‘Silk city’. Approximately 50,000 kg of the cocoon is sold every day which is freshly cultivated by the farmers. The market in the city allows its visitors to shop traditional silk artworks and take a tour to the silk industries, or lazily walk across the cocoon vendors.
Being called as silk city is not the only name which has been gifted to this beautiful city, the hills tops and mountains stretched across Ramanagara is a popular base for many adventure sports and due to this fame, it is also called as the ‘Mecca of Rock Climbers’. The most famous among this is the Sri Revanna Siddeshwara Betta hills that is famed for its arduous rock-climbing spots and Siddheshwar temple. There are a total of three temples along the trail to the top of the hills – Sri Revana Siddeshwara Temple, Bheemeshwara Temple and Renukamba temple. These temples are carved out of the monolithic rocks and still stands as a wonder of the past.
The rocks and the boulders here were the shooting site for the Bollywood Classic Sholay which earned the place a lot of attention. The hill was the hideout place for Gabbar and the rugged terrains made the region look like a perfect place for the robbers.
The State’s Department of Tourism also acknowledges that Ramanagara is known for its Channapatna toys. Yet another name given to the town is ‘Town of Toys’. Wooden toys are created in a unique way and each one of them is elegantly carved out on wooden pieces. The Karnataka government helped the local artisans and revived the art when few years back this art form was on the verge of dying.
This city also is home to the famous Mekedatu which is where the Rivers Arkavati and Kaveri confluence, creating a beautiful dynamic. The river flows through the gorge and the display it extends is just beautiful.
Ramanagara is also proud to have the only vulture sanctuary in the country, the Ramanagara Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary. The Park was built in 2012 and visitors can see three out of nine species of vultures here – the white-backed, long-billed, and Egyptian vultures.
Image courtesy Kshitiz Bathwal, Navaneeth KN, Vaibhavcho from Wikimedia Commons
