Rangasthala

About Rangasthala

The stone statue of Vishnu is simply splendid. The black stone sculpture carved in the Vijaynagar style is best viewed when there are no other visitors to the temple. The temple priest is more than willing to accommodate a special viewing for a small consideration offered to the diety. Please respect the religious sensibilities, but go there for sheer artistic splendour.

Interesting things to Visit

For those tourists who suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they do not buy something every day of their travel, the best option is to ask locals for a craft store.

It is best to stick to vegetarian food when you are in the Greater Chikballapur Area (GCA). There is one non-vegetarian restaurant Shreyas Restaurant on NH 7 that is worthy of recommendation.

The two best restaurants in Chikballapur are the ones that are part of the two hotels on National Highway 7. The hotels are called Shanthi Sagar and Brindavan. Both have outdoor seating. Both serve only vegetarian food. The food on offer is very good and the service is excellent, in both places.

Tips & Suggestions

Drivers in buses run by private operators are very solicitous. The bus driver will drop you off wherever you want. No special consideration necessary. The bus drivers in State run buses will tell you to take a hike.

Taxis are available. You have to negotiate the price before you board the vehicle. Please seek the assistance of a local in negotiating the price. A daily rate is also available in addition to the round trip rate.

The Temple Timings are :
Daily Morning 8.00 Am to 11.00 Pm and Evening 5.30 Pm to 8.30 Pm.

Location info

**Address:**Sri SheshadriBhattar,
Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple,Rangasthala,ThippanahalliPost
Chikkaballapur,KolarDistrict,Karnataka
India
Tel-08156273565

• **District:**KolarDistrict

• **Nearest City:**Thippanahalli

• Best time to visit: Best Place to visit in the month of June to march

Climate & weather

Karnataka might not be called as the best state in India, but it is certainly catching up. The credit definitely goes to the stimulating climate that induces people for a holiday tour to this state again and again. The tropical monsoon climate that covers the entire coastal belt of Karnataka, gives the state a moderate summer and pleasant winters. The Southern part of Karnataka experiences hot, seasonally dry tropical savanna climate. The north Karnataka experiences hot, semi-arid, tropical steppe type of climate

History of Rangasthala

In photos you can see are a Saligrama Moorthy and Saptharishi did the Prathistaparu(Build). The Moorthy’s at Srirangam, Srirangapatana and Sri Rangastala all were installed on the same day and same time. Outside praharam and Gopuram etc were constructed by Vijayanagara Kings. There is a praharam around garbhagriha. If you closely observe you can observe as if the garbhagriham is in the shape of a Bamboo Basket we assume that Sri Ranganatha is in the middle of the basket. One more interesting story which we got is During Lord Rama’s Patabhishekam Vibhishana also comes to attend it and in the end Rama presents a Lord Rangnatha’s moorthy in Bamboo basket and Vibhishana is compelled to do the Prathistai in Srirangam and to commemorate the occasion the Saptharishi s do the Prathistai of Lord Ranganatha with Bhoo and Neela Devi here in Rangasthala. SO the Lord appears as if he is in Bamboo basket. The idol of Ranganatha is four and half feet in length with Bhoo and Neela Devi sitting near the leg. Lord is in Yoga Nidra and his Shesha is spreading his five hoods like a Umbrella. And Vainatheyan is sitting below . In the wall there are Sapthrishis ,Brahma, Ashta Dhikbalakas, Rambha ,Urvashi ,Pancha Ayudham’s etc. and it appears as if Lord is in Vaikunta and he is surrounded by all the gods. And All Devatha’s etc they are doing Namaskaram to Lord.

Things to do at Rangasthala

Trekking, mountaineeering, and rock climbing are the best things to do in Chickballapur. There are five hills, locally known as Pancha Giris (literally five hills), about 15 km south of Chikballapur, including the tourist destination known as Nandi Hill. The five hills are known locally as Nandi Giri, Chandra Giri, Indra Giri, Brahma Giri, and Hema Giri. Also, there is a sixth hill known locally as Kalavaara Hill or Skanda Giri. The Nandi Hill, along the face known as Tippu’s Drop, is good for vertical scaling
The Kalavaara Hill is very good for camping overnight at the top. On a good day, you will literally be above the clouds and see the clouds roll by.
The two hills, locally known as Pandava Hill and Kaurava Hill, named after the legendary fraternal enemies of Mahabharatic fame, about 11 km north of downtown Chikballapur, are also very good for mountaineering.

How to reach Rangasthala

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Chikkaballapur

• **Nearest Airport:**Bangalore

**Road Transport:**To reach Rangasthala: From Bangalore, then Travel towards Chikkaballapur , then once you reach Chikkaballapur ask for Bus stand / Gauribidanur road Then if you travel 5 kms on Gauribidanur road on Right hand side you will find the Sign board Rangasthala take a right turn and travel till dead end Sheshadri Bhattar lives in the same temple compound, If any Seva is to be conducted, a week’s time should suffice to make arrangements. The rate for Thirumanjanam is Rs.500/- & Kalayana Ustava is Rs.1000/-

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Hotel Sandarshini - in Chikkaballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
Hotel Truptisagar - in Chikkaballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
Hotel Shantisagar - in Chikkaballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
Chats - Visit Pappu’s Paanipuri Chat Centre, Basavanagudi Road, Chikkaballapur. (A must Visit)
Hotel Sowmya - (Lodge & Restaurant)in Chikkaballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),

Nearest visiting places

• Nandi hills

Nandi Hills is a hot favourite among Bangaloreans who find this an ideal get-away for weekends. The 1478-m high Nandi Hills is the originating point of many rivers

• Vidurashwatha Temples

Vidurashwatha is a small village located in the Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated near the Karnataka - Andhra Pradesh border and about 6km from Gauribidanur, it had a major role to play in the freedom movement of India

• Nandi Archeology

At the foot of Nandi hill and its fort , 60 km from Bangalore, is a temple reflecting the Noramba style. In the 16th century there was a big open mandapa in the front with small

• Arkavathy River

Arkavathy River or Arkavathi River, is a river in India, originating at Nandi Hills of Chikkaballapur district. It is a tributary of the Kaveri River, which it joins at Kanakapura called sangama in kannada after flowing through Kolar District and Bangalore Rural district

• Penner River

The Pennar (also Penner, Penna or Penneru) is a river of southern India. The Penner rises on the hill of Nandi Hills in Chikballapur District of Karnataka state, and runs 560 km (350 miles) north and east through the state of Andhra Pradesh to empty into the Bay of Bengal

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**Chikkaballapur

• **Nearest Hospital:**Chikkaballapur

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Karnataka’s cities offer diverse cuisine. Bangalore has a legendary food scene from iconic darshinis (stand-up eateries) to craft breweries. Mysore is known for Mysore pak and traditional meals. Temple towns (Udupi, Dharmasthala, Murudeshwar) offer excellent vegetarian fare.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Karnataka has a rich collection of churches primarily in Mangalore (Mangalorean Catholic), Bangalore (colonial-era), and Mysore. St. Philomena’s Cathedral in Mysore (neo-Gothic, one of Asia’s largest) and the Rosario Cathedral in Mangalore are the most photogenic. The interiors of Mangalorean churches with their detailed altars are worth shooting.

Best time to visit Rangasthala

October to March offers pleasant weather for temple visits. Major festivals at the temple draw large crowds — visit during non-festival periods for a quieter experience. Early morning (6-8 AM) is ideal for peaceful darshan.

Timings & opening hours

Typically 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily. Pooja timings vary by temple. Special ceremonies during festivals may extend hours. Some temples have specific darshan timings.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry is generally free. Special pooja, abhisheka, or VIP darshan tickets may have charges (typically INR 10-200). Camera/phone fees may apply at some major temples.

Duration needed

30 minutes to 1 hour for a standard visit. 1-2 hours if attending special poojas or exploring the temple architecture. Half a day during major festivals.

Safety tips

Temples in Karnataka are generally safe. Remove footwear before entering (shoe-keeping counters available). Secure your belongings. Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas during festivals. Follow temple-specific dress codes.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Carry a scarf or shawl for covering shoulders. Small change for offerings and donations. Avoid leather items inside temples.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station serves the district. Nearest airport: typically Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore or Mangalore International Airport. KSRTC buses connect major towns near the temple.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What are the temple timings? A: Typically 6:00 AM-12:00 PM and 4:00-8:00 PM. Check locally for specific pooja schedules. Q: Is photography allowed? A: Exterior photography is usually allowed. Interior/sanctum photography may be restricted — check signage. Q: What is the dress code? A: Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected. Traditional Indian attire is preferred.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Pilgrims Destination

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Rangasthala

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Rangasthala on popular travel photography sites and social media.