Location: Kolar
Top 10 Things to do in Kolar, India
Kolar pronunciation (help·info)The Golden city of India, is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Kolar District and is known for Largest production of Milk, which recently surpassed Denmark, gold mining. Kolar is popularly known as the land of silk, milk, Mango,(National fruit of India) and gold. The city is famous for the Someshwara temple and the Kolaramma temple. Kolaramma is considered as goddess of city of Kolar.Kolar has APMC market Which is 2nd largest in Asia, Largest in South India. Kolar is leading India in production of Mango, Tomato,Milk which exported to various other nations like UK, USA, UAE etc. Kolar .
1. Avani
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By ArjunVade - Bengaluru, India
Ramalingeshwara Temple at Avani.
The temple has four Shiva lingas, Ramalingeshwara, Lakshmaneshwara, Bharateshwara and Shatrugneshwara.
According to legend, Avani hills was the abode to Valmiki ashrama, where Sita resided during her exile. The hills still has places marked where Lav-Kush were born and brought up, where the Ashwamedha Yagna horse was tied by the twin brothers.
Rama and his 3 brothers decided to absolve their bad ‘karma’ of waging war against their own children by doing a puja here. That is when they established a linga each.
The temple around these lingas was constructed by Western Ganga followed Nolamba and a few portions by Chola dynasty. The architecture is a fine example of Nolambas, who were followers of lord Shiva. Nolambas ruled southern Karnataka, and a few portions of AP and TN around 10th century.
The Ramalingeshwara temple is at the foot of the hills, and the hill top has a Sita devi temple, one of the very few ones dedicated to Sita devi. Per legend, the temple also marks the location where Sita left this world by entering back the womb of her mother earth.
2. Lord Someshwara Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Hawabaaz
Lord Someshwara( Shiv ling)and Parvati temples in the complex. We went on a week day so quiet, peaceful. Could observe the beautiful carvings of Chola and Vijaynagar times. They have various functions and ceremonies to celebrate the Lord and Parvati marriage on specific days on a beautifully sculpted Kalyan Mantappa. Saw similar one for cultural festival also.
3. Antharagange Caves
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Pr4sh4nt - Lucknow, India
The caves are just an hour's drive from Bangalore. Great part about them is the fact that anyone with basic fitness can get in and enjoy the trek.
If you really want to enjoy the fullest do hire one of the kids as guide and they'll help you explore every nook and crevice
4. Kolaramma Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Rajesh k - New Delhi, India
This is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Durga and Saptamatrikas. The temple is more than 1000 years old. The temple is architecturally rich and is constructed in Dravidian style. It is well maintained. We visited during the evening time over the weekend. It was moderately crowded.
5. Kotilingeshwara Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Traveller G - Chennai District, India
INTRO:
Being 100 KMs from Bangalore (1 Hr, 30 MIns Drive, by good road, except for the last 20 + Kms, which is one way - But OK), a morning drive will comfortably take for great Darshan & and have a half day for other sight seeing!! (See OUR other REVIEWS & Photos). Staying a day in Kolar will give you a lot of scope for sight seeing & Night life - even Antara Gange Caves, night trekking + Stay is possible - Please book in advance for comfort!)}
{Some Examples are: Kolaramma Temple, Antara Gange Caves (Simple trekking), etc}
>> Kotilingeshwara Temple (Lord Shiva) is in the village of Kammasandra in Kolar. The temple has one of the largest number of Shiva Lingams" in the world.
About the temple
Earlier the village was known as "Dharmasthali" where Manjunathasharma (CE 788-827) A great devotee / Bhakta Manjunatha lived. Heard that this temple is renovated in 1980.
There is a huge lingam measuring 108 ft (33 m) tall and 35 ft (11 m) tall! Also, Lord Nandi {Refer Our photos}, is surrounded by lakhs of small Lingams {Lingoms are - normally - from 1 foot to 3 feet in height. Lord Nandi sits over a platform of 60 feet (18 m) in length, 40 feet (12 m) in width & 4 feet (1.2 m) in height.
A Rest house, Marriage hall, Meditation hall, exhibition center are also available..
NOTE: Heard as, out of 1 crore Lingams (ie. 1,00,00,000) , more than 90,00,000 have been installed (?) Devotees keep bring in more & more...
6. Antara Gange
Overall Ratings
4 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Traveller G - Chennai District, India
NOTE:
Antara Gange is a mountain in the Shathashrunga, Kolar, Karnataka. Antara Gange means "Ganges from deep". It is about 3 KMs from Kolar town and seventy kilometers from Bangalore. The temple has a pond which gets a continuous flow of underground water from the mouth of a Basava (Bull - VAHANA of Lord Shiva).
There are 7 villages on this mountain, including Therhalli which consists of rocks and lot of caves around. [Explore the photos].
IMPORTANT:
There is enough resting place (around the shrine) if some are not going for the Cave Exploration..
.. A drive of 1 hr, 30 Mins over an excellent Road (Kolar)
.. Safe Parking at the site
.. Very few steps to the shrine
.. Observe the timings if you want to do the poojas
.. 30 minutes climb / Trek to multiple caves
.. OVER ALL GOOD & RECOMMENDED
.. MIND BLOWING view points
.. There are many educative "BOARDS" - read them or take pics to read it afterwards.
.. Lot of scope of different PHOTOGRAPHY !
CARE:
>> Carry water / soft drinks & snacks (don't get dehydrated)
>> Be careful about the monkeys
>> Better to have modest dress, if you want to visit temple.
>> Trekking needs shoes, better!
Plan a day's PICNIC with family and friends.
7. Bhoga Nandishwara Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By rahulsgupta - Bengaluru, India
This temple complex was originally constructed in the 9th century and thereafter additions made by the Chola, the Hoysala, the Vijaynagaram kings. This hidden gem is a must visit for anyone interested in history or sculpture. Unfortunately benign neglect by the authorities may completely destroy this beautiful ancient architectural monument. Before visiting, it is useful to read up about the temple, since there are no guides or written text for any of the temples or monuments.
8. Zion Hills Golf County
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
A weekend getaway close to Bangalore. Enjoy playing and learning golf on world-class championship course and golf training facility or having delicious food under the stars specially made by our chef. Fully serviced luxury villas and rooms for stay makes it an ideal destination for families.
Reviewed By AbhiChat - Bengaluru, India
Zion Hills is a good weekend getaway & a golfing destination. It is located off the the road leading to small town of Bangarpet from NH 4 (Old Madras Road). So depending up on where you are staying in Bangalore, it would be an average...MoreDear Sir, Thank you for the favourable review. Very glad that you have had good experiences at our property and look forward to having you back with us very soon. Thanks and regards, Arjun
9. Antaragange caves
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Amritansh4 - Bengaluru, India
I went there along with 2 friends. The trip was organized by Escape2Explore/ Thrillophilia. They provided the pick up and drop facility and 2 guides were always available with the total group size of 20 people. The guides were quite polite and helpful.
We began trek at around 12:45 or so. The trekking part to reach the caves and caves within is simply amazing. The overall experience was amazing given the night time and the trickiness of path inside the caves. Once the trek was done, there was a bonfire organized. We all sat for a while and then entered into sleeping bags provided by them.
The whole trip was organized in a planned manner and is value for money.
10. Lord Ganesha Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By kumarkvs - Bangalore
We planned to visit important places in Kolar district.We came across Antara gange near Kolar town and Ganesha & Someshawara Temples in Kudurumale near Mulbagal.
We first covered Anataragange in the morning and reached Mulbagal for lunch.Mulbagal is half an hour drive from Kolar town (on NH4).We had lunch at Saravana Bhavan on NH4 (at Mulabagal Junction). Food at Saravana Bhavan is ok.
Kudurumale is 8-10 km from Mulbagal town and road from Mulabagal to Kudurumale is good.In Kudurumale,we visited both Lord Ganesha temple and nearby Someshwara Temple.
Lord Ganesha temple is on the bottom of a nearby hill. Lord Ganesha statue is very big one ( ~ 14 feet).
Nearby Someshawara temple is also very old one and is also on the bottom of a hill. Someshawara temple is on the hill rock without any foundation.We can see Nandi statues on the gopurams.
