Trip to Kyalancha

This time, there will be no reconsiderations; instead, we will focus on planning an exploration of a lesser-known location related to KA. As dedicated fans of KA, it is imperative that we embark on these explorations, especially since several of my friends have expressed interest and enthusiasm for such endeavors. We will initiate this journey with a modest beginning.

A Leopard in Kabini.  Photo by Abhiroop G Dastidar

Having read the account of a solitary leopard that once traversed the outskirts of Ramanagara and Kanakapura in Karnataka, I have long harbored a desire to explore this region. With time and opportunity now at our disposal, this marks the initial call for our expedition. Although I have frequently traveled along the Bangalore-Mysore highway, I have never diverted my route from Ramanagara to Kanakapura; this time, we shall make it happen.

We can organize the visit as a group comprising at least five to a maximum of ten enthusiasts from Karnataka, primarily from Bangalore, although anyone is welcome to join if they can travel and arrive at the designated time. It is advisable to have at least one car and several motorcycles. The car will serve as a storage space for our valuable items and food during the trek, while the motorcycles can facilitate travel along less accessible village and forest paths, if necessary.

This area remains largely unexplored, despite its proximity to Bangalore, partly due to ambiguous directions and place names. For instance, a location referred to as Kyalanche is said to be situated six kilometers east of Closepet (Ramanagara). However, my research on Google Earth has revealed a similar site approximately ten kilometers south of Ramanagara, closely linked to the Kanakapura road, which runs parallel to the main tributary of the Akravathy River. The location provided by Google Maps is also inaccurate.

The trip will be a one-day excursion, commencing early in the morning from Bangalore. Our meeting point will be at Ramanagara on the Mysore road at 6 AM. We will have a brief gathering, and a further 15-minute drive will take us to the village of Kyalncha along the Kanakapura road.

Bangalore to Ramanagara  70 kms.  Can be travel in one hour if we start at 4.30-5 am. 

Should you be inclined to visit, I encourage you to read the narrative of The Lonely Panther of Kuppa Gudda Hill. Utilize Google Earth or Wikimapia on your computer to explore the region. Unfortunately, Kuppa Gudda Hill is not easily identifiable. I am confident that some of you are familiar with the locality and the sites referenced in the book. It is my belief that our intended locations are situated within either the Banathimathi Reserve Forest or the Handigundi Reserve Forest. Arrangements for a local village guide should be made in advance. Additionally, obtaining permission from the forest department can be organized prior to the exploration.

The Handigundi Forest serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including leopards and sloth bears. Conservationists advocate for this area to be designated as a park to safeguard vultures and sloth bears. Officials from the Karnataka Forest Department have submitted recommendations for the 4,000-hectare Handigundi Reserve Forest to be established as a ‘Sloth Bear Sanctuary.’ Recent surveys have indicated the presence of approximately 60 sloth bears within these forests. This follows the controversy regarding the Sanghamitra Foundation's proposal to construct a Buddha memorial in these woods. The project entails the carving of a 715-foot-high statue on a 1,050-monolith for a spiritual center. This massive statue is to be sculpted from a hill-sized rock facing the Mysore-Bangalore road. The initiative has faced opposition due to concerns that it will disrupt the local flora and fauna, as well as the fact that the rocks are believed to be nearly 2.5 billion years old. To my knowledge, this forest and its rocks served as the filming location for the Bollywood classic, Sholay.

As we are uncertain of the precise location and the distance we must trek, we should prepare for an extended hike, which may include climbing the hill. If fortune favors us, we may have the opportunity to explore the same caves and underground channels described by KA. I anticipate that this will be both an exhilarating adventure and a potentially hazardous journey. It is advisable to carry water, snacks, biscuits or chocolates, and any necessary medications in your backpack, and to wear appropriate trekking gear.

Closepet and Kanakpura

For a start to locate the place, I  searched for Kyalanche around 6 miles radius from Ramanagara and found a similar name of a village which lies in another direction, which is different from the book.

According to the book, the place should be 6 miles far from Ramanagara which is represented by the yellow line.

So the search down to Kanakapura road 

Google Map  will show like this, but its little far from the actual village.

Kylancha is marked in red and   Kuppa gudda hill must lie closely   inside this Handigundi Reserve forest area.

6 miles from Ramanagara is confirmed.  The location of the dead calf was not accessible by his car. Assuming  1-3 km radius and he had to cross the river.

Kyalanche village is marked in Red. Akravathi river flows in between two roads which lead to Kanakapura. 

Somewhere here Don made a hide inside the Lantana bush. Distance around 2 miles from the village.

There is a hill at this spot. But I  am not sure of its name.is it Kuppa  Gudda hill ?. According to the book, the hill lies east to the village at 1  to 2  miles distance.

For those who are not familiar with Lanthana Bushes. Its a common sight in South India

Lantana bush can grow more than 6 feet.

"Miniature bouquets of flowers"I could d see a visitor too,  can you?

Where is Kuppa Gudda hill?

I possess no prior knowledge and am beginning from scratch. I was unable to locate any comparable names in that area, thus I am relying on my imagination to explore the potential options.

An ancient road leading from Ramanagara to Kanakapura is referred to as Muduwadi Road. On the left side of this road, there is a prominent hillock known as Anna Thanna Betta, located at Siddakallu. Given its proximity to Ramanagara, we can disregard this hillock.

Vaddarahalli is a village located in this road. near to the hill and the Name Kylancha is applicable here too.

KP doddi or Krishnapura doddi is a small village on Kanakapura road, situated before village Kyalancha. Does it have some connections?

Gunnur is the nearest village located near to Kyalancha and surrounded by some hills and most probable place to have a base camp,

A small hill, likely identified as Kuppa Gudda /Gowda Hill, is situated within half a kilometer from this location. To the west, approximately two kilometers away, there are two prominent hills that feature numerous caves and underground passages extending from north to south, resembling descriptions found in literature but on a grander scale. This has led to some confusion regarding the area.

KA indicated that the road leading to Kanakapura from Ramanagara is located to the south of the hill; however, this road runs parallel to the Akravathi River, positioned just west of the aforementioned hills. Notably, KA did not mention the river, which serves as a significant geographical landmark, raising questions about this omission.

Consequently, we face a challenging endeavor ahead. Prepare for an adventure, as we plan to spend approximately half a day exploring all potential avenues. A comprehensive strategy will be developed after gathering information from local residents and fellow group members.

While concealed in the lantana bush, Don (KA) shared intriguing details about various jungle creatures.

KA also referred to the bird known as the Seven Sisters. It is likely the Jungle Babbler, which typically lives in groups of seven to ten or more. This bird is quite vocal, and its presence can often be detected from a distance due to the harsh calls, squeaks, and chirps of its flock. Their diet primarily consists of insects, but they also consume grains, nectar, and berries.

Jungle Babbler  (பூணில் pūṇnil) photo J.M Garg.

7 sisters bird. Jungle Babbler.... well known for their habit of moving in groups giving them the local name of "Sath Bhai" which means seven brethren but translated by the English in India to "Seven Sisters". photo  Dr.C.S.Nagaraj

Bulbul
It is a largely sedentary resident, generally associated with boulder-strewn hillsides or rocky outcrops with dense undergrowth, usually under either thorn-scrub, scrub jungle, mixed dry or moist deciduous forest at 300-1,800 m. It is quite tolerant of denuded habitat, although not found on completely bare hills.  It is encountered in pairs or small groups of six or more. Berry-bearing shrubs, This bird is usually shy and hidden within scrub and is usually detected by its sudden cackling outbursts of calls.  Lantana is an important food source  It also feeds on insects.

Yellow-throated bulbul photo by Sudhir Shivaram location near Bangalore

White Browed Bulbul photo by Anukash location near Bangalore

KA mentioned about the Blue Jay. Blue jays not found in India. The original The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a large, crested songbird native to North America with a bright blue coloration. Blue jays are known to be beautiful, intelligent, and highly aggressive birds.

Indian roller by Arshad KA. The Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis), sometimes referred as Indian Blue Jay. So we can confirm this bird was mentioned by KA. They are best known for the aerobatic displays of the male during the breeding season. The Indian roller is very common in the populated plains of India and associated with legends. It is said to be sacred to Vishnu, and used to be caught and released during festivals such as Dussera and Durga Puja.A local Hindi name is neelkanth, meaning "blue throat", a name associated with the deity Shiva (who drank poison resulting in the blue throat).

Another local name in Telugu is 'pala pitta', and in Kannada it is 'neelakanthi'. Adding its chopped feathers to grass and feeding them to cows was believed to increase their milk yield.The Indian roller has been chosen as the state bird by the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka and Telangana

There is a very popular superstition that sighting a Neelkanth is considered auspicious during Dussehra. It is also believed that if a person sees this bird and makes a wish, it will take the wish to the similarly blue-throated Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash who will fulfill the wish. This is why many charmers capture them to make money. The birds are caged, their legs tied, their wings trimmed and even glued so that they cannot fly (because many people like to hold the birds on Dussehra day). Once the festival is over, the unfortunate bird usually dies, as it would have been starved for almost a month (Indian Rollers are hard to feed in captivity).Photo and info by Shreya Paropkari

A leopard standing near to a lantana bush.  Photo by Abhiroop G Dastidar

There are several boulders and dops in the fields surrounded by Kyalanche making difficult to guess.

 

Several  rocky hills sorrounding the village in red

Probable rock.

A large hill between Kyalancha and Kottagallu makes a wild guess.

View from south  to north and probable caves at northern side

View from Northern side. May be the caves situated in this location

Southern view.

Matching geographical features.

Last words

We are just were given some ideas of the location and geography.As we are planning the trip, this article is considered incomplete. After fulfilling our venture, we will come back with real pictures and more accurate details. 

I am sure that this trip will yield so many things. Sometimes we may not find anything new, sometimes we will have bitter experience in the forest, or from locals. But still, the trip will be an unforgettable one.

Things to bring

Wear trekking gear with shoes and cap

Sunglasses sun cream

water bottle. glucose powder, chocolates

Packed Breakfast and lunch. take some   Biscuits too

First aid kit  and medicines

Camera/Binoculars
Identity card/ DL etc
GPS/Printed map of the area.
Read this book

Date:  Will be announced soon. Most probably On a Saturday. As of now, the monsoon is started, I think it will be difficult for trekkers in the rocky area. Wait for the rains to stop and sunny but cooler climate.

*Editing mode