Easy Night Treks around Bangalore | Kunti Betta Sunrise Trek

Kunti Betta is a small hill situated at a distance of around 130 Km from Bangalore near the Pandavpura town in the Mandya district of Karnataka. Kunti Betta has gained some popularity for being one of the best night treks around Bangalore.
With its steep rock faces, the hill is at an elevation of 2882 m above sea level. Pandavapura has a historic importance as it is believed that the five Pandava brothers along with their mother Kunti stayed here during their exile.

Getting There, we have started from Bangalore around 2.30 AM by car. The route taken was Bangalore - Bidadi - Ramanagaram- Mandya - Pandavapura- Kunti Betta on National Highway 17

Kunti Betta Base Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/rnDNXKH6kCsK9rzY9

First Trekking Point:
https://goo.gl/maps/cwRLCZybtWuCWFXHA

Second Trekking Point:
https://goo.gl/maps/28rmhmhob1SiQyQWA

Once you reach near the Kunti Betta hills base, you will arrive at a govt. school. You can park your vehicle there on the ground in front of the school.

After parking the vehicle, you will have to climb around 100 stairs then you will arrive near a water tank. Continue straight further down the trail. It will take you on the other side of the hill. Then, there will be a short U-Turn where you will have to leave the road and start the trek.

The initial stretch passed through a clearing leading to the hill. This was the easy part of the trek. Soon the terrain changed and we were gradually ascending. Except for a few stretches, the trail was a fairly simpler one, with a well-trodden route.

Camping is allowed at the Kunti Betta but tents are not needed actually. If you simply carry a sleeping bag that should be fine.

There was a tall stone pillar on the top, which was our camping ground for the night. We walked and stretched a bit and sat on rock watching the moon and sky in the night sky above. Within a few minutes, the dawn broke and the surroundings turned into a picturesque landscape.

This place is mind blowing. A nice night trek for adventure lover. U can witness an impeccable sunrise view.

The stone pillar was actually the viewpoint that provided panoramic views of the Pandavapura Lake, also known as the Thonnur Lake, and surrounding fields. The sunrise was a beautiful view, adding to the tranquillity of the place. Little after sunrise, we started climbing down.

The name Pandavapura also echoes a mythological past and is associated with the five Pandava princes of the Mahabharata. The princes and their mother, Kunthi, are said to have stayed here for some time during their exile. A stone pillar on top of the hill is said to be a pestle used by Kunti. The legendary stone pillar was recently reinstalled, after it was damaged by miscreants.

One of the temples here is also associated with her, while a pond formed from rainwater flowing down the hills is called ‘Kunti Kund’. There are also legends associated with Bhima and Bakasura. The demon Bakasura is said to have been killed here. A giant footprint-like formation seen here is called ‘Bhimana Pada’ or the footprint of Bhima. There are also temples dedicated to Mallikarjuna and Sri Rama and a few other small shrines in Kunti Betta.