Ramadevarabetta is a granite hill and vulture sanctuary in Ramanagara district, Karnataka, about 70 km from Bengaluru on the Bengaluru–Mysuru highway. The same rocks stood in for the ravines of Gabbar Singh in the 1975 film Sholay, and a steep flight of stone steps climbs to a hilltop Rama temple. This guide covers what to see, when to go, how to reach it, and the facts worth checking before you set out.
Sri Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary, in Ramanagara district, Karnataka, is described by Karnataka Tourism as India’s first vulture sanctuary, declared in 2012 to protect the critically endangered long-billed vulture. It sits on scrub-covered granite hills roughly 70 km southwest of Bengaluru, crowned by a temple to Rama.
Key takeaways
- Ramadevarabetta was declared India’s first vulture sanctuary in 2012, covering about 346 hectares in Ramanagara district, Karnataka (Deccan Herald; Karnataka Tourism).
- It protects the Indian (long-billed) vulture, Gyps indicus, and the Egyptian vulture; a 2020 figure on Wikipedia records about five long-billed and 25 Egyptian vultures here.
- The hills doubled as Gabbar Singh’s territory in the 1975 film Sholay and are locally nicknamed “Sholay Gudda.”
- Best season is November to March; Karnataka Tourism lists timings as sunrise to sunset, though visitor-facing sources report a 9 am–5 pm gate — reconfirm locally.
- It lies about 70 km from Bengaluru and 10 km from Ramanagara town, reached via NH 275; a steep ~350-step climb leads to the summit Rama temple.
About Ramadevarabetta and quick facts
Ramadevarabetta is a rocky hill in Ramanagara district, Karnataka, set aside in 2012 as Sri Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary. A 2012 Deccan Herald report says the Karnataka government notified about 346 hectares (roughly 3.46 sq km) of these hills as the sanctuary; Wikipedia gives the area as 3.4641 sq km. The name means “Lord Rama’s hill,” and a temple to Rama stands at the top.
Do not confuse it with the many other “Rama” hills across South India. This one is the Ramanagara sanctuary off the Bengaluru–Mysuru road, managed by the Karnataka Forest Department. The granite here is part of the same pillar-and-boulder landscape that makes Ramanagara a well-known rock-climbing area.
| Location | Ramanagara district, Karnataka; approx. 12.75°N, 77.30°E (Wikipedia) |
| Status | India’s first vulture sanctuary, declared 2012 (Karnataka Tourism; Deccan Herald) |
| Area | About 346 hectares / 3.46 sq km (Deccan Herald; Wikipedia) |
| Protected species | Indian (long-billed) vulture, Egyptian vulture (RoundGlass Sustain) |
| From Bengaluru | About 70 km (Karnataka Tourism) |
| From Ramanagara town | About 10 km (Karnataka Tourism) |
| Best season | November to March (Karnataka Tourism) |
The vultures: what lives here and why it matters
Ramadevarabetta was created to protect the Indian vulture, also called the long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus), one of the last colonies of the bird in inland South India. According to RoundGlass Sustain, the sanctuary was set up for the Indian vulture and the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus); Wikipedia also lists the white-backed vulture at the site.
Numbers are small and precise counts vary by source and year. Wikipedia cites a 2020 figure of about five long-billed vultures and 25 Egyptian vultures; RoundGlass Sustain reports “as few as seven Indian vultures.” I could not find a Karnataka Forest Department census from 2024–2026 this session, so treat these as older figures and expect the colony to be tiny.
The collapse has a clear cause. RoundGlass Sustain explains that the veterinary painkiller diclofenac, given to cattle, caused fatal kidney failure in vultures that fed on treated carcasses; an estimated 97–99% of India’s vultures died. The drug is banned for veterinary use. Vultures nest on the high rock faces, so they are hard to spot — bring binoculars and scan the cliffs early in the day rather than expecting a close view.
Best time to visit
The best season is November to March, when Karnataka Tourism recommends visiting and the weather on the exposed granite is coolest. Early morning is best for both the climb and any chance of seeing vultures on the cliffs. Ramanagara gets hot from April, and the open rock offers little shade.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool, dry (best) | November–February | Comfortable mornings for the climb; the window Karnataka Tourism suggests. |
| Warm, dry | March | Still manageable early; carry water and start at opening time. |
| Hot | April–May | Harsh sun on bare rock; climb only at dawn if at all. |
| Monsoon | June–September | Rock steps can be slippery; greener scrub but check conditions. |
How to reach Ramadevarabetta
Ramadevarabetta is about 70 km from Bengaluru and roughly 10 km from Ramanagara town, reached via NH 275, the Bengaluru–Mysuru highway, according to Karnataka Tourism. The practical route for most visitors is to reach Ramanagara by train, bus or car, then take a local auto or taxi the last stretch to the hill.
For planning a wider trip, see our Karnataka travel guide and the Bengaluru travel guide, since most visitors start from the city.
| Mode | Details | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, is the nearest airport (Karnataka Tourism). | ~95 km |
| Rail | Ramanagara (Ramanagaram) is on the Bengaluru–Mysuru line; MEMU trains and Mysuru-bound trains stop here (RailMitra). | ~10 km to the hill |
| Road | Frequent KSRTC and private buses on the Bengaluru–Mysuru highway stop at Ramanagara; taxis run from Bengaluru. | ~70 km from Bengaluru |
Exact train times and running days change, so confirm current schedules on IRCTC or the railway enquiry service, and bus timings on the KSRTC website, before you travel.
Things to see and do
The main thing to do at Ramadevarabetta is climb to the summit Rama temple and watch the cliffs for vultures on the way. The News Minute describes the climb as about 350 stone steps, with an Anjaneya (Hanuman) temple at roughly the 250th step and a fenced natural pond called Ramatheertha along the route; Citizen Matters puts the count nearer 450, so treat it as a steep 350–450-step climb with railings on the final stretch.
The summit shrine is usually called the Rama (Kodandarama) temple; some accounts also use the names Pattabhirama, so expect local variation. From the top you get a wide view over the granite pillars that gave Ramanagara its rock-climbing reputation.
| Spot | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Summit Rama temple | Hilltop shrine reached by a steep ~350-step climb; the main pilgrimage draw. | 1.5–2.5 hrs round trip |
| Vulture cliffs | High rock faces where long-billed vultures nest; scan with binoculars, best early. | Part of the climb |
| Anjaneya temple | Smaller shrine partway up, around the 250th step (The News Minute). | 15 min stop |
| Ramatheertha pond | Fenced natural rock pool on the route. | Brief stop |
| Sholay rocks viewpoint | Granite formations used in the 1975 film, visible from the top. | Photo stop |
On the Sholay link: The News Minute notes the hills are popularly called “Sholay Gudda” because the film’s locations are visible from the summit, and reports that the village set built for the shoot was later dismantled. Treat the scene associations as film lore rather than anything marked on the ground.
A suggested day plan
Ramadevarabetta works well as a half-day or full-day trip from Bengaluru. A simple plan:
- Leave Bengaluru early (by around 6 am) to reach Ramanagara and the hill soon after it opens.
- Climb to the Rama temple, pausing at the Anjaneya shrine and scanning the cliffs for vultures on the way up.
- Spend time at the summit for the views, then descend before the midday heat.
- Have a South Indian lunch in Ramanagara town.
- Combine with a nearby stop — Janapada Loka folk museum or a Ramanagara rock-climbing/trek area — before heading back.
Where to stay
Most visitors do Ramadevarabetta as a day trip and stay in Bengaluru, which has the widest range of hotels. Ramanagara town has basic lodges and a few highway hotels and resorts along the Mysuru road, better for an early start than for comfort. I could not verify specific tariffs from official sources this session, so the bands below are indicative planning estimates — reconfirm when booking.
| Type | Where | Indicative per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Lodges in Ramanagara town | ₹800–₹1,500 |
| Mid-range | Highway hotels/resorts near Ramanagara/Bidadi | ₹2,500–₹5,000 |
| Comfort | Hotels in Bengaluru (day-trip base) | ₹3,500–₹8,000+ |
Book ahead on long weekends, when the Bengaluru–Mysuru corridor is busy.
Food to try
There is no restaurant at the sanctuary itself, so plan to eat in Ramanagara or on the highway. Carry your own water for the climb. Local eating is standard Karnataka fare:
- Masala dosa (crisp rice-and-lentil crepe with a spiced potato filling) and idli (steamed rice cakes) for breakfast.
- Ragi mudde (steamed finger-millet balls) with saaru (a thin lentil broth), a staple of this part of Karnataka.
- Thatte idli, the flat plate-shaped idli associated with the Bidadi–Ramanagara stretch of the Mysuru road.
- Filter coffee to finish.
Budget breakdown
A day trip from Bengaluru is inexpensive. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for a one-day visit; the entry and parking figures come from visitor-facing sources, not an official forest-department tariff, so reconfirm at the gate.
| Item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry fee | ~₹25 | Reported by visitor sites; not confirmed against an official tariff. |
| Parking | ~₹10–₹20 | If driving; varies by report. |
| Transport | ₹200–₹1,500 | Train/bus share at the low end; taxi/fuel at the high end. |
| Food | ₹200–₹400 | Breakfast and lunch in Ramanagara. |
| Total | ~₹450–₹1,950 | Public transport vs. own car / taxi. |
Permits, fees and rules
No special permit such as an Inner Line Permit is needed to visit Ramadevarabetta; it is an open wildlife sanctuary on the edge of Ramanagara town. Entry fee and timing details, however, are not consistent across sources. Karnataka Tourism lists timings as sunrise to sunset, while visitor-facing sites report a gate open roughly 9 am–5 pm and an entry fee of about ₹25 per person. Because these come from non-official sources and conflict, confirm current fees and hours with the Karnataka Forest Department or the sanctuary gate before you go.
As a notified sanctuary, normal protected-area rules apply: stay on the marked path and steps, do not litter or carry single-use plastic, keep noise down, and do not feed or disturb wildlife. There are no verified published drone rules specific to this site this session; as a wildlife sanctuary, assume drones are not permitted without forest-department permission.
Practical tips
- Start early. The climb is on open granite with little shade; mornings are cooler and better for spotting vultures.
- Footwear and water. Wear grippy shoes for the stone steps and carry at least a litre of water each; there are no shops on the climb.
- Binoculars. Vultures nest high on the cliffs and are easy to miss with the naked eye.
- Cash and connectivity. Carry some cash for entry and parking; mobile network is generally available in Ramanagara but can be patchy on the hill. Draw cash in Bengaluru or Ramanagara town rather than relying on an ATM at the site.
- Medical. The nearest hospitals are in Ramanagara town; for anything serious, Bengaluru is about 70 km away.
- Solo and women travellers. The main route is a popular pilgrimage climb and generally busy in the mornings; as anywhere, start early, keep to the stepped path and descend before dusk.
- Respect the colony. This is a refuge for a species that nearly vanished — keep your distance and leave no trace.
Nearby places
Ramadevarabetta pairs easily with other stops in Ramanagara district and on the way back to Bengaluru. Exact road distances from the hill were not verifiable from official sources this session, so confirm them locally.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Ramanagara town & rock-climbing hills | ~10 km | Granite pillars popular with climbers; the wider “Sholay” landscape. |
| Janapada Loka folk museum | Near Ramanagara (confirm locally) | Folk-art and culture museum run under the Karnataka Janapada Parishath. |
| Kanva Reservoir | ~69 km from Bengaluru (district profile) | Artificial lake and quiet picnic spot in the district. |
| Bidadi (Innovative Film City) | Towards Bengaluru (confirm locally) | Theme/film park; also known for thatte idli stops. |
| Bengaluru | ~70 km | City base with onward links across Karnataka. |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ramadevarabetta and how far is it from Bengaluru?
Ramadevarabetta is a granite hill and vulture sanctuary in Ramanagara district, Karnataka. According to Karnataka Tourism, it is about 70 km from Bengaluru along NH 275, the Bengaluru–Mysuru highway, and roughly 10 km from Ramanagara town. Most visitors come as a half-day or day trip from the city.
Why is Ramadevarabetta famous?
Ramadevarabetta is known for two things: it was declared India’s first vulture sanctuary in 2012, protecting the critically endangered long-billed vulture, and its granite hills were a filming backdrop for the 1975 film Sholay. A steep stepped climb also leads to a hilltop Rama temple.
Can you still see vultures at Ramadevarabetta?
Yes, but numbers are very small and sightings are not guaranteed. A 2020 figure on Wikipedia records about five long-billed and 25 Egyptian vultures. The birds nest high on the cliffs, so bring binoculars, visit early in the day and scan the rock faces rather than expecting a close view.
How many steps are there to the top of Ramadevarabetta?
Sources vary. The News Minute describes about 350 stone steps to the summit Rama temple, with an Anjaneya shrine near the 250th step, while Citizen Matters puts the count closer to 450. Expect a steep 350–450-step climb with railings on the final stretch; allow 1.5–2.5 hours round trip.
What is the entry fee and timing for Ramadevarabetta?
Karnataka Tourism lists timings as sunrise to sunset, while visitor-facing sites report a gate open about 9 am–5 pm and an entry fee near ₹25 per person. Because these figures come from non-official sources and conflict, confirm the current fee and hours with the Karnataka Forest Department or at the gate.
What is the best time to visit Ramadevarabetta?
The best season is November to March, which Karnataka Tourism recommends, when the weather on the open granite is coolest. Within the day, early morning is best for the climb and for any chance of spotting vultures. Avoid the harsh midday sun from April onwards, as the bare rock offers little shade.
Last updated and sources
Ramadevarabetta suits day-trippers from Bengaluru who want a short, steep climb, a hilltop temple and the rare sight of one of South India’s last vulture colonies. Go between November and March, start at dawn, and treat the vultures as a lucky bonus rather than a sure thing.
Last updated: 24 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Karnataka Tourism, Sri Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary (karnatakatourism.org); RoundGlass Sustain, “Ramadevarabetta: A Vulture Sanctuary in Rapidly Urbanising Ramanagara” (roundglasssustain.com); Wikipedia, “Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary” (en.wikipedia.org); Deccan Herald, “Abode of endangered vultures safe” (via India Environment Portal); The News Minute, “The lofty rock formations of Ramanagara” (thenewsminute.com); RailMitra Bengaluru–Ramanagaram schedules (railmitra.com). Accessed September 2026.
