At a distance of 37 km from Belur, and 44 km from Hassan, Sakleshpur or Sakleshpura is a hill station. Situated at an altitude of 3061 ft, this hill station in Hassan district of Karnataka is one of the best hill stations near Sakleshpur, Bangalore, and one of the best places to experience Karnataka tourism. There is no dearth of tourist places in Sakleshpur, places to visit in Sakleshpur, Sakleshpur tourist place, places to visit in Sakleshpur.
About Sakleshpur
Sakleshpur is the gateway to the Western Ghats from Bangalore and Hassan’s side. The city is surrounded by high green hills covered with coffee, cardamom, pepper, and areca plantations. It is a magnificent city in the Western Ghats on the Bangalore-Mangalore highway.
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According to the history of Sakleshpur, the region was ruled by the Chalukyas, Hoysalas, and the kings of Mysore. This name was received by the city itself during the time of Hoysalas. Legends claim that when the Hoysalays reached this small town they found a Shivling and named it Sakleshvara. However, some locals claim that the city was named Sakleshpur because it was a very rich area in terms of agricultural production.
This beautiful hill station is also very popular for its attractive mountains, beauty, and pleasant weather. Manjarabad Fort, Sakleshvara Temple, Agni Gudda Hill, Magajahalli Waterfalls, Beta Barateshwara Temple, Hemavati Dam, Pandavar Gudda, and Agni Gudda are some of the popular places to visit in Sakleshpur. Also, this lesser-known hill station in the Western Ghats is famous for the Bisley Reserve Forest Trail and trekking activities at Kumar Parvatha, in which one can explore the rich biodiversity of this place.
Where to stay in Sakleshpur
There are plenty of accommodation options in Saleshpur ranging from mid-range hotels to homestays and resorts to good budget hotels. Homestays in Sakleshpur are the best places for tourists to stay at home even on holidays.
Saleshpur maintains a cool and misty atmosphere throughout the year but the best time to visit this quaint hill station is from October to April, when the climate is pleasant and suitable for sightseeing. Apart from this, the city is famous for the Rath Yatra of Sakaleshwar Swamy which takes place every year in the month of February (on the full moon).
Top 7 places visit in Sakleshpur Karnataka
Manjarabad Fort
At a distance of 6 km from Sakleshpur Bus Stand, Manjarabad Fort is an ancient fort located in Hassan district of Karnataka. It is one of the historical forts in Karnataka and one of the best places to visit in Sakleshpur.
Perched at a height of 3240 feet, Manjarabad Fort is a star-shaped fort built in 1792 by Tipu Sultan, the then ruler of Mysore. When the fort was inspected by Tipu Sultan after its construction, Tipu found it surrounded in mist and hence named as Manjarabad Fort. The name Manjari is a corrupted version of ‘Manju’ which means ‘mist or mist’ in Kannada.
This star-shaped fort was built on the pattern of military forts developed by the French architect Sebastian Le Prestre de Vauban. It is an interesting octagonal design with eight walls. Made using large granite blocks and mud and surrounded by deep thickets, the fort has a parapet, which is provided with cannon mounts and musket holes at regular intervals. Inside, there is also a cross-shaped tank to collect rainwater to meet the drinking water requirements of the soldiers. Besides these two basements were built next to the deep well which was underground structures used to store ammunition. The fort also has a tunnel that leads to Srirangapatna.
The fort is situated on a hill, it gives a clear and commanding view of the surrounding areas. When the weather is clear, the Arabian Sea can also be seen from the fort. Vehicles cannot reach the fort and tourists need to walk 200 meters away from the fort. To reach the gate, one has to walk about 253 steps to climb.
Sakaleshwar Swami Temple
Situated on the banks of the Hemavati River, Sakleshvara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, the Sakaleshwara Temple is a great relic from the time when the Hoysala Empire was at its peak in South India. It is a beautiful temple that stands as a testimony to the exquisite craftsmanship of Hoysala architecture.
Situated at the entrance of the city, the temple is a very famous place for the pilgrims of this region and the city got its name because of this temple. The temple has a huge idol of Lord Shiva which is pleasing to everyone’s eyes. The temple is famous for the Rath Yatra which takes place every year in the month of February (on the full moon).
Magajahalli waterfall
At a distance of 21 km from Sakleshpur, Magajahalli Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in the village of Magajahalli in Hassan district of Karnataka. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sakleshpur and one of the best Sakleshpur tourist places.
This whole place is filled with peace. Visitors can also get into the water and enjoy themselves but need to be more cautious about the slippery rocks. Visitors can get a breathtaking view of the Pushpagiri Mountain Range from the flock as it is situated at the foot of the mountain.
Agni Gudda Hill/Agni Peak
It is one of the beautiful peaks of Karnataka and one of the best trekking places in Saklepur.
The name ‘Agni Gudda’ means ‘Fire Mountain’ and is so-called because of the extremely volcanic nature of this hill in the region. This trek is frequented by enthusiasts and people interested in outdoor camping. This location has also been recorded in the shooting of various South Indian and Bollywood films.
The peak can be reached by trekking 3 km from Anganni village. It is quite a moderate climb which will take 1 hour to reach the top of the hill. From the top one can get postcard views of the surrounding plains and green areas. Visitors need to carry water and snacks as there are no shops available. Anyone can pitch their tent and go camping overnight at the top.