Need a break from the urban hustle-bustle? Want some quality time amid nature? Try Kollegal, a three-hour drive from Bengaluru. While on the Bengaluru-Mysore highway, take a diversion in Maddur to Malavalli town. Drive through this sleepy town to the Shivanasamudra Falls with the twin waterfalls: Gaganachukki and Bharachukki. The falls look best from the Shivanasamudra watch tower. You can also view it from the Dargah Hazrat Mardan e Gaib.
The adventurous can climb the stone steps. Beneath Bharachukki falls is a lovely still water body where you can have a dip. Another highlight is a ride in the country boat (teppa), which takes you closer to the falls.
At lunch time, try the river fish Rahu or katla. Both are available in the form of a curry or crunchy fries and are served with steamed rice. Tiny stalls around the dargah offer soft drinks and snacks. Another 12 km later is Kollegal. There are great food joints and even the bakeries serve fantastic snacks, especially the Iyengar bakery opposite the Town Police Station. Bread toast is popular here. You can also try the honey cake, benne muruku and badam milk. A must have is the akki bonda, which is sold on the roadside.
A must-visit hotel is the Union Club, opposite Shanti Theatre, for traditional dishes. They serve many kinds of dosas, poori sagu, upma and chappati-kurma. Maradi Gudda in the middle of the city has a temple right on top. Trek up there and watch the sunrise or sunset or get a pretty view of the city below. It will take you half an hour to 45 minutes to climb up.
About 25km away is Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement, where you can enjoy the landscape, get a peek into the Tibetan culture. There is also a Buddhist temple on the premises. If you are game for some adventure in your cuisine then you can try the Tibetan food served there. The place also has a tiny market, where you can shop, especially sweaters, hand knitted by the Tibetan women.
Another option is to drive up to Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM hills). On the way is a tiny village called Singanallur, the hometown of Dr. Rajkumar. At Tala betta you can trek with the permission from the forest department. Once you reach the hill, you are greeted by the aroma of sandalwood. M.M. Hills was once Veerappan territory. A temple on the mountain top, with the Mettur dam on the other side, offers a lovely view from the top. The temple offers delicious vegetarian food at Dasoha Bhavana.
