Gopalaswamy Hills

Also known as the Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, it is a majestic and lofty hill lying in the core area of the Bandipur National Park. Located in the Chamarajanagar district of the state of Karnataka, at the height of 1,450 metres above the sea level; the name of the hills gets the prefix Himavad since the mountain is surrounded by mist all year round. Himavad in the native language of Kannada means fog, while Betta in the same language means mountain. The hill is located in the core area of the Bandipur National Park and is frequented by wildlife, especially elephants. This hill is home to a dense forest and is also the highest peak in the park.

The attraction is especially famous for its elephant safari rides, and tourists who visit the area make it a point to try this. Another popular tourist destination here is the Gopalaswamy Temple located on the hill. This temple is dedicated to Lord Venugopala Swamy, who is considered to be one of the incarnations of the Hindu God Krishna. The hill thus is deemed to be a place of worship and penance and holds great religious and historical importance other than being an important sightseeing spot. Gopalaswamy Betta is also known for its picturesque views of the surrounding hills. Visitors are particularly fond of the spectacular views of the sunrises and sunsets from the top of the hill.