Turahalli Forest & Omkar Hills: Bangalore's 20km Inner-City Escape to the Largest Clock Tower and Hidden Trails | Chapter 74 (Mar/Apr 2013)

Place: Turahalli Forest & Omkar Hills.
Distance: 10 x 2 = 20kms.
Directions: Bangalore > Uttarahalli > Omkar hills > Turahalli Forest.
Participants: Sukesh > Karhtik (Sp)
Bikes: Pulsar.
Previous Visit: BR hills - The Furnace Ride.

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

This is quite a different kind of run when compared to the others done down the lane. These experiences of two runs are squeezed into this article. First we had visited Omkar Hills on 31^st March, and Turahalli forest on 7^th April. Both these places are less than 10kms, but worth every effort put as they made our morns worthwhile.

INTRO & PLAN:

As Sukesh was new to the town of Bangalore, he wanted to explore the places around his part of town, which happened to be my part of town as well. So we decided to hit the road on separate days to explore and conquer the places nearby.

ASSEMBLE & RIDE:

Yes I was up at 05:00 sharp, did a few push-ups and sit-ups, had a sip of coffee and was all set to go. Took the nearest route to Uttarahalli where Sukesh was put up. After picking up Sukesh we visited these wonderful places.

OMKAR HILLS:

As we proceeded on the Uttarahalli main road, we passed in front of JSS college and we took a deviation to reach the temple premises. As we were just about to park the bike we saw a couple of beautiful peacocks running around behind the bushes. (After which we tried chasing it, that’s a different story :P) Alright here are the places you got to look out for at Omkar Hills:

i)  Clock Tower:

          * Largest tower in India, bigger than Big Ben.

          * Total Weight is 500kgs, each hand weighs 40kgs.

          * Total height is 40 feet.

     Other details are written out there get off your lazy butt and explore.

ii)  All God’s Club:

          * We call it by this name because there exists a huge tree, surrounding which are present all the religious big shots sitting at peace in their own sweet worlds.

          * The weather was pretty pleasant as it pretty early and best of all there weren’t people around.

iii)  Omkar temple:

          * This is the main attraction of this place.

          * It has 12 Lingas from different states.

          * The ambience of the place is excellent throughout the day.

          * We missed the pulliyogre this time, but nevertheless we spotted the beautiful Shanmukha temple afar.

          * We spent about 15-20mins at this wonderful place and decided to leave.

 

TURAHALLI FOREST:

Turahalli forest is situated about 5kms from Uttarahalli. As Sukesh wanted to try riding my bike, we went to Sompura which is pretty much an empty site, only roads are laid and surroundings rich in green. It is opposite to Omkar hills and below the NICE road. We loafed around for about 30min here and there. And we did spot a couple of peacocks here dancing around in the lush green (this was on our 2^nd visit, not the same day).

 

After roaming for some more time, we decided to visit the Turahalli forest as it was hardly just 2kms from where we were. As we rode between the thick eucalyptus trees the breeze carried a pleasant scent and made the ride a good one.

Then we spotted an abandoned kids camp, it had all kinds of things like info about bugs, roaches etc. It had also other camping essentials like rope climbing practise, crawling etc. We also spotted a huge “Snakes & Ladders” board painted on the floor, with a huge dice that was fixed on a support. (We did try playing, but the dice was an unbalanced mass :P i.e it always showed the same number ha-ha)

 

On both occasions we returned home early at about 09:00, and settled down for some heavy breakfast.

CONCLUSION:

These were separate runs carried out on two different days. I felt these both were the missing but important links, the short trips that are very essential for the filling the entire whole.

Until Next Time Cia \m/

MAPS:



ALL PHOTOS:

  

⬅️ 73. BR hills 75. Devarayanadurga ➡️

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The 20km Spiritual Quickie: Visiting Shanmukha Temple & India's Largest Clock Tower at Omkar Hills | Chapter 65 (Nov 6, 2012)

Place: Shanmukha temple(NICE road) & Omkar hills.

Distance: 10 x 2 = 20kms.

Directions: Bengaluru – Shanmukha temple – JSS College – Omkar hill s.

Participants: Madhu(k.) > Karthik (Sp).

Bikes: CB Unicorn > Pulsar.

Previous visit: Mavathur  lake, Nelligudde kere & Manchinbele.
Budget: Rs0/head (Little Petrol was enough :P)

IN LESS THAN 50 WORDS:

This was the shortest chapter we have pulled off till date. This time for a change it was definitely the destination that was important rather than the road which leads to it.

INTRO & PLAN:

This run was planned when we saw the sun go down in the Global Academy. It had been more than year since we visited Shanmukha temple. First we planned to go to only Omkar hills but ended up covering up both places. Madhu was the only one on the confirmed list.

TIME: 23:00 (5/11/2012)

 

ASSEMBLE & RIDE:

Yeah I was up at about 05:00, did a few push-ups & sit-ups, had a little coffee & left my home at 07:00. Went to bakery which was the starting point, had some tea etc., again & began the ride the places.

Shanmukha temple is just 4kms from here, so nothing much to write about the ride to the place. We took a shortcut, went below the NICE road and reached Rajarajeshwari Nagar.

TIME: 07:30

SHANMUKHA TEMPLE:

We spent about 30mins this place. This temple is clearly visible from the NICE road; hence some of the people I’ve come across call it the “NICE road temple. The ambience of the temple is simple brilliant, very tranquil in the mornings. Lots of changes had been done since our last visit.

Latest update being the crown is being filled with crystals which make the top sparkle from a very long distance itself adding to the majesty of the place.

OMKAR HILLS:

We reached Omkar hills t about 08:15; it is hardly a 15mins ride from Shanmukha temple. Omkar temple is situated right behind J.S.S College, Uttarahalli road. First we visited the huge clock tower, then the “All God’s Club” and finally the main temple..

1.  Clock tower:

* Largest Clock tower in India, bigger than Big Ben, London.

* Total weight 500kgs, each hand weighs 40kgs.

* Total height is 40feet.

Other info is written at the place, get out there & read it :)

2. All God’s Club:

We call it by this name cause, there are all forms of the single entity (or what I believe energy) present here. There is a huge tree like the enlightenment tree ha-ha, surrounding which are Hindu, Islam, Christianity, Sikh, Jain & Buddha. 

 

3. Omkar temple:

The temple is constructed in North-Indian style. There are 12 linga’s and each has a separate Gopura over it. We made a quick lap around the 12 different lingas from different states each with a different name. Then went outside and sat with the Pulliyogre enjoying the view of NICE road & Shanmukha temple seen about 5kms away.

Finally we left the place t about 09:00 & rode back at a slow pace to reach back base for breakfast.

TIME: 09:15

 

CONCLUSION:

“Some of us our religious, some aren’t but the respect we give to the place is something that has overpowered our personal opinions. This might have been the smallest chapter we have pulled off, but this is the run which taught us the biggest lesson” :)

Until next time Cia\m/

MAPS:



ALL PHOTOS:

⬅️ 64. Mavathur, Manchinbele, Nelligudde kerek 66. Shivanasamudra ➡️

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