About the Trip
Some of the best short escapes from Bangalore aren't far at all. Devarayanadurga — "DD Hills" to most Bangaloreans — is barely 70 km away, a cluster of rocky, forested hills topped with old temples, where a short pre-dawn climb rewards you with one of the finest sunrises near the city. Pair it with the serene Jain hill of Mandaragiri nearby, and you have a rewarding one-day trip that mixes a gentle trek, hilltop temples and a very different kind of pilgrimage.
It's a genuine day trip — out early, back by evening — which makes it perfect when you want hills and temples without a long weekend. The catch is the early start: to catch the DD Hills sunrise you'll be leaving Bangalore around 3:30 AM. It's worth every yawn.
Below is the plan we follow, what to expect at each stop, and the practical details worth knowing before you go.
Recommended Itinerary
🕞 03:30 AM – Pickup & Departure from Bangalore
Pickups begin around 3:30 AM across South and East Bangalore — an early start, but the whole trip is built around the sunrise. You'll reach the base of DD Hills by about 6:00 AM, just in time for the climb.
📍 Stop 1: Devarayanadurga (DD Hills) – Sunrise Trek
Devarayanadurga sits at around 1,200 m in the Tumakuru district, a temple town and hill station of granite hills wrapped in forest. A short, easy trek of a kilometre or two takes you up to the viewpoint, where you watch the sun rise over a sea of mist and rolling countryside — the reason for the early alarm.
The hills are crowned with temples: the Yoga Narasimha temple at the top and the Bhoga Narasimha temple at the foot, both dedicated to a form of Vishnu, and both worth a visit. The name Devarayanadurga means "Devaraya's fort" — it was renamed after the Mysore ruler Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar captured the hill.
What to Look For
- The sunrise viewpoint — mist-filled valleys and distant hills at first light
- Yoga Narasimha & Bhoga Narasimha temples — the hill's ancient shrines
- The fort remains and granite outcrops along the trail
- Namada Chilume — a natural spring nearby, tied in legend to Rama
🍽️ ~09:30 AM – Breakfast En Route
After a few hours exploring DD Hills, the group heads down around 9:30 AM for breakfast on the way to Mandaragiri — a well-earned meal after an early climb.
📍 Stop 2: Mandaragiri – The Jain Hill
The afternoon has a very different feel. Mandaragiri, also known as Basadi Betta, is a Jain pilgrimage hill near Tumkur — its hilltop holds a group of 12th-century Jain temples and a stupa within a great stone wall. At the base stands a striking modern complex: the 81-ft Guru Mandir, a temple often called the "peacock temple" for its fanned shape, and a 21-ft monolithic statue of the Tirthankara Chandraprabha. (You may see it billed simply as an "81-ft statue" — in fact the 81 ft is the temple building; the monolithic statue is the smaller one.)
It's a calm, white-marble contrast to the rugged DD Hills — spotless courtyards, intricate carving, and lakes beside the temples. A gentle hour or two here rounds off the day before the drive home.
🏁 ~02:00 PM – Return to Bangalore
From Mandaragiri the bus starts back around 2:00 PM, reaching Bangalore by about 5:00 PM — home in time for the evening, with a sunrise and two very different hills behind you.
One-Day Trip Summary
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 03:30 AM | Pickups begin across Bangalore |
| 06:00 AM | Reach DD Hills base, begin sunrise trek |
| Morning | Sunrise, viewpoint, Narasimha temples |
| 09:30 AM | Leave DD Hills, breakfast en route |
| Afternoon | Mandaragiri Jain complex & lake |
| 02:00 PM | Start return to Bangalore |
| ~05:00 PM | Reach Bangalore |
💬 WhatsApp-Friendly Itinerary
One-Day Trip: DD Hills + Mandaragiri
- 🕞 Pickup: 3:30 AM (for the sunrise)
- 🌄 DD Hills: easy trek + sunrise viewpoint
- 🛕 Yoga & Bhoga Narasimha temples
- 🍽️ Breakfast en route
- 🕊️ Mandaragiri: Jain hill, temples & lake
- 🏁 Back in Bangalore ~5 PM
A sunrise trek and a peaceful pilgrimage — all before dinner.
Know Before You Go
| Detail | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Distance from Bangalore | DD Hills is around 70 km (about 2 hours) via Tumakuru; Mandaragiri is close by |
| The trek | Easy — roughly 1–2 km on steps and rocky path; fine for beginners and families |
| Early start | The 3:30 AM departure is what makes the sunrise possible — sleep on the bus |
| Temple etiquette | Both the Narasimha temples and the Jain complex are active shrines — dress modestly and remove footwear |
| Best season | Pleasant year-round; the post-monsoon months (Sept–Feb) are greenest and clearest for sunrise |
| What to carry | A light warm layer for the cool early morning, grippy shoes, water, sunscreen and cash |
FAQs
1. How far is DD Hills from Bangalore?
Devarayanadurga is around 70 km from Bangalore, roughly a 2-hour drive via Tumakuru. Mandaragiri is close by, which is why the two pair naturally into one day.
2. Why is the pickup so early?
The whole trip is built around the DD Hills sunrise. A 3:30 AM departure gets you to the base by about 6:00 AM, in time to climb the short trail and reach the viewpoint before the sun comes up. Sleep on the bus and it's painless.
3. Is the DD Hills trek difficult?
No — it's an easy trek of only a kilometre or two on steps and rocky path, suitable for beginners, families and older travellers. Grippy shoes and a little care on the rocks are all you need.
4. What is Mandaragiri?
Mandaragiri (Basadi Betta) is a Jain pilgrimage hill near Tumkur. Its hilltop has a cluster of 12th-century Jain temples, while at the base is a large modern complex — an 81-ft temple known as the Guru Mandir (or "peacock temple") and a monolithic statue of the Tirthankara Chandraprabha, set among white-marble courtyards and lakes.
5. What are the temples at DD Hills?
The two main shrines are the Yoga Narasimha temple, at the top of the hill, and the Bhoga Narasimha temple, at the foot — both dedicated to Narasimha, a form of Vishnu. There is also the Namada Chilume natural spring nearby, associated in legend with Rama.
6. Is this trip suitable for families?
Yes. The trek is short and easy, and both stops are calm and scenic. The only thing to plan for is the very early start — bring a warm layer for the pre-dawn chill and let the kids nap on the bus.
Did You Know?
Fascinating facts about DD Hills & Mandaragiri
🌄 Devarayanadurga (DD Hills)
A Fort Named for a King
"Devarayanadurga" means "Devaraya's fort" — the hill was renamed after the Mysore ruler Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar captured it in battle.
Two Narasimhas, Top and Bottom
The hill has a Yoga Narasimha temple at its summit and a Bhoga Narasimha temple at its foot — a "yogic" and a "worldly" form of the same deity, on the same hill.
Rama's Spring
The nearby Namada Chilume spring is tied in legend to Rama, who is said to have drawn water — and the sacred namam mark — from it.
🕊️ Mandaragiri (Basadi Betta)
Temples From the 12th Century
The top of Mandaragiri holds a group of Jain temples and a stupa dating to the 12th century, enclosed within a massive stone wall.
The 81-ft "Peacock Temple"
At the base stands the Guru Mandir, an 81-ft temple dedicated to the Jain Acharya Shantisagar — nicknamed the "peacock temple" for its fanned, feather-like shape.
Two Hills, Two Faiths, One Day
Few day trips let you watch a Hindu-temple sunrise and walk a serene Jain pilgrimage site within a few hours — DD Hills and Mandaragiri sit close together near Tumkur.
Travel Tips
- Embrace the early start. The 3:30 AM pickup is the price of the sunrise — sleep on the bus and you'll reach DD Hills fresh.
- Carry a light jacket. The hilltop is cool and breezy before dawn, even in summer.
- Wear grippy shoes. The DD Hills trail is short but rocky, and dew can make the granite slick at first light.
- Respect both shrines. Dress modestly and remove footwear at the Narasimha temples and the Jain complex.
- Carry water and cash. Facilities are limited on the hill, and small stalls are cash-first.
- Go post-monsoon (Sept–Feb) for the greenest hills and the clearest sunrise skies.
- Keep it unhurried at Mandaragiri. The Jain complex is a place to slow down — the calm is the point.
Ready to Travel?
Join BOZ Travel's one-day group trip to DD Hills and Mandaragiri. Skip the pre-dawn driving and the planning — travel with a fun group, and let the coordinator handle the logistics while you enjoy the sunrise and the temples.
Our trips include comfortable transport, breakfast, entry tickets and an experienced trip coordinator — so all you have to do is turn up (very early) at the pickup point.
References
- Devarayanadurga - Wikipedia - The hill station, its elevation, the Narasimha temples and the name's origin
- Mandaragiri - Wikipedia - The Jain hill, its 12th-century temples, the Guru Mandir and the monolithic statue