For many years,while traveling From Bangalore to Mangalore (my home town) my eyes would start searching for this huge Arch on the right side after crossing Yadiyur which is the entrance of Haddina kallu betta.
I heard lots about Egyptian vultures dwelling in Haddina kallu Betta before I had seriously thought of birding, and wanted to see them myself. My birding friends had already visited those places and not keen on visiting again because of the distance to reach there and the amount of hardship to climb the steps-less hill with barefoot. ( you are not supposed to wear footwear because its a temple premisses)
The urge of meeting the vultures encouraged me to drive a distance of about 100 Km away from Bangalore on my own, one fine Sunday along with my son and that was really an adventurous trip of my life.
After crossing the flyover at Yediyur, we had to drive for about 7 KMs and look out the signage of “Byrasandra” on the left and for a lovely arch on to the right.
Beautiful welcoming Arch on the highway, at the entrance
Taking U-turn We entered the village road. A huge arch written “Haddina Kallu Hanumantharaya Swamy Temple”. A arch with figurines of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama were sculpted on it welcomed you.
The Byrasandra village was at a distance of four kilometers.
Driving through the fields, you can see the hill from distance.
The moment we entered the village road we were greeted by coppersmith barbet, magpie robin, Indian roller red vented bulbul, Whiskered bulbul, prinia birds, Orange eyed babler, jungle babbler
bush chats, pied bush chats, indian robin, Brahminy starling, Asian koel, eastern warbler, sunbirds, mynas, parakeet,
capturing them on my camera and recording the video of them., took more than hour to reach the village.
As we proceeded, we saw lots of painted storks, grey pelicans, redwattled lapwings, sandpipers, in either side of the road.
Lush of greenery and vegetation is an ideal place for birds to breed as well.
The village entrance was very calm and peaceful very clean.
The black winged kite perched on the wire stopped us abruptly and the background of the hill gave such a classy look. Saw lots of black kites, and brahminy kites.
Vehicle had to be parked on foothill and walk. First you see the Shrine of Indrajit, the son of Ravana, who’s small statue adorns to the shrine on the right side of the arch. Here, people who have taken a vow sacrifice chicken to the god and cook food from the offering.
The board at the arch says that we need to leave our footwear at the foothill and climb barefoot.
Barefoot walking and climbing was challenging. Some stretches of the climb were very steep.
Climbing the hill in the morning sun was quite a task. No option but to climb in the sun.
I’m a videographer, and i also click few photos, I had my tripod, Nikon Coolpix B 700 and Cannon DSLR, to click stills, and a bottle of water, with all these started climbing the hill slowly.
Breath taking scenery all around, stops you often and prompts to capture the beauty of nature.
One has to climb about 1050 steep steps to get to the top of Haddina Kallu hill.
At the top there is a holy pond where pilgrims take a dip before offering prayers to the god.
Temple was under a shed.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is a powerful god for believers. A priest comes from the village to offer pooja everyday. On Saturday and Sunday there are special pooja.
The atmosphere was calm and peaceful. We sat down on the floor in the temple, after offering our prayers. The sound of the Temple bells ringing was mesmerizing.
After spending a while we came out and started watching the sky and the surrounding area. The view from the top iwas breathtaking.
Now all needed was only Egyptian Vulture!!!!!!!
As a birder I knew this one place I really had to encounter with Egyptian Vulture.
My prayers were heard. I saw the Vulturesl flying very high in the sky, after a while they landed on a huge rock. Though it was a quite a distance I was happy that I could see them in my camera, and record them. It was a thrilling moment to watch the family. Juvenile vulture with parents. My wishes were fulfilled.
The heat on the rock was unbearable to stand on, and the Vultures wont come any closer. They vanished in the sky far away. I slowly started to climb down, it was not easy to get down from the hill.
It took around 1.30 hours to climb and 30 minutes to come down. Should be more careful while coming down.
When i Started from home in the morning, only Egyptian Vulture was in front of my mind. Now i knew it was the whole lot of stories i’was coming back with.
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