Situated along the bank of River Arkavathi, Kanakapura is a small town in the south Indian state of Karnataka. Located 50 km away from the capital city Bengaluru, it is a hidden gem bountiful in greenery and waterfalls. Kanakapura is famous for silk and granite production. With numerous adventure activities such as trekking, boating, bird-watching, and nature walks, it is fast growing as a tourist hotspot. The weather at Kanakapura remains pleasant throughout the year. It is a perfect destination to beat the heat or the weekday blues.

How to reach:

By air: Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore is the nearest airport to Kanakapura, at a distance of 78 km.

By rail: Ramanagaram Railway station is the nearest major train station, which is located 25 km from Kanakapura.

By bus: Kanakapura is well connected by highways. Regular buses ply from Bangalore and other nearby cities.

Chunchi Falls

Amidst rocky terrain and green foliage, Chunchi Falls on the Akravati River gushes down from a height of nearly 100 feet through multiple tiers. It is a popular weekend getaway and picnic spot. With no proper path to the falls, visitors navigate through countless rocks and overgrown pathways. Post monsoon, it serves as an ideal place to swim, play and relax. Dip into the cool water is quite rejuvenating and relaxing. Proper caution can avoid any accident, as the rocks get slippery at times and deep gorges lie all along the way. Adventure buffs will totally fall in love with the trek and the scenic beauty around the falls.

Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta

Literally translating to ‘white hills’, Bilikal Betta is a great trekking destination. At an elevation of 3780 feet, it is the highest hills in the neighboring area. A temple dedicated to Lord Rangaswamy sits atop the hills under a giant white granite monolith, from where the hill draws its name. Relatively unexplored, Bilikal Betta is perfect for visitors looking for a mix of tranquility and adventure at the same time. The summit offers a spectacular view of Kanakapura and surrounding places.

Pyramid Valley

An oasis of new age spirituality, Pyramid Valley International is the world’s largest meditation pyramid. Situated 20 km away from Kanakapura, up to 5000 people can peacefully meditate within the pyramid at a time. A part of the Maitreya-Buddha Vishwalayam, this international meditation center is dedicated to spiritual wisdom and the attainment of self-realization. Adorned with carved rocks, calm water bodies and verdant gardens, the walkway leads to a majestic statue of Maitreya Buddha. Meditational classes, spiritual classes, seminars, workshops, and annual conferences dot the events calendar at the Pyramid Valley. Apart from the pyramid, there are art galleries with Buddhist themes and an amphitheater sits amidst the well-maintained lawns. Pyramid Valley is a haven for those seeking spirituality outside the old world realms of rituals and religions.

Sangama and Mekedatu

Along the way to the Chunchi Falls, Sangama is the confluence of Arakavathi River and River Kaveri. Tourists flock to the place during summers as the water level remains low, making it possible to stroll over the river. Mekedatu is a site by the stretch of narrow, deep gorges through which Kaveri river flows, nearly 4 km from Sangama. Meaning “goat’s leap”, there’s an interesting legend behind the name. The tale is about a herdsman who encountered an incident of a goat being chased by a tiger. The goat being frightened jumped from one side of the gorge to other while the tiger did not attempt the feat and discontinued the chase. At Mekedatu, the mighty Kaveri river flows hardly through a 10 m wide gorge, which is more than 150 m wide at Sangama. The serenity around the place makes it a popular picnic spot for families.

Art of Living Centre

Founded by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Art of Living International Centre is a meditation and yoga ashram. Located on the Kanakapura road, it spreads over a massive area with lush greenery all around. The place is ideal to relax and enjoy the serenity. Visitors come to the ashram to spend time in solitude and indulge in self-introspection. Vishalakshi Mantap is the focal point where spiritual enthusiasts attend courses in meditation. The Radha Kunj garden is a perfect place to stroll during the evening.