Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

Gopalaswamy Betta popularly known as Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a very beautiful hill located in the Chamarajnagar area of the Bandipur National Park. It is about 220 kms from Bangalore and about 90 kms from Mysore. It is one of the roads less traveled and is a great place for a daylong trek or nature trail. It is the highest peak of the Bandipur region often covered with clouds. The Gopalaswamy temple dates back to the 13th century and was built by the Cholas and later maintained by the Wodeyars of Mysore. Legend adds that sage Agasthya performed rigorous penance in this region and the place was also known as Hamsatheertha.



The area has more than 70 lakes and many dot the landscape as one climbs the hill through the good motorable road. The sanctum sanctorum or ‘Garba Griha’ has an idol of Krishna playing the flute with Rukmini and Sathyabhama on either side. The carvings of a tree canopy and cows, cowherd and many of Krishna’s friends are very well depicted too. The tree canopy of the idol is always covered in mist and also the roof of the ‘garba griha’ remains misty which gives its name ‘Himavad’ where ‘Hima’ means mist in Kannada.



The shola grasslands surrounding the temple are very striking and one can trek through them to reach the core regions of the Bandipur area on routes suggested by the forest department. It is a treasure trove for wild flora and fauna. The variety of colourful birds visible to the naked eyes is really amazing and is a bird watcher’s delight. Gaur, wild boars, wild dogs and elephants too are said to be very common. It is breathtaking as one looks at the horizon in all directions and colourful wild flowers dot the grassy background on the ground where our feet tread. The trees along the road are covered with lichens and beautiful orchids that are a wonder to botanists. Jungle fowls, Kingfishers, Minivets, Woodpeckers, Drongos, Cuckoos make the place a paradise.



The forest department monitors the littering in the place and strictly prohibits plastic, liquor and smoking. There are no shops selling anything which is such a blessing and the area is closed after 6.00 pm. This has helped preserve the sanctity of the place and a visit to this place is most rewarding during the months of October –December. The route from Mysore via Gundlupet on the Ooty highway is fairly good but for a small bad stretch near Gundlupet. One has to carry water and food and make sure nothing is left behind.