In this blog post, you’ll find everything that you need to know to plan a visit to the most beautiful sunset spot near Bangalore – Kutagal – with location markers and more.

The Story of Kutagal and the Embracing Rocks

Legend has it that, a long time ago, a washerman (“Agasa” in Kannada) and his partner (“Agasagatti”) yearned to be with each other. But, their communities would not let them profess their love. In their desperation to escape the tormenting society, and unite, they decided to end their misery by jumping off one of the hills.

At the top of the hill, was (and still remains) a Temple of God Vishnu. The couple prayed to the idol, one last time – and lo! God manifested in the form of a hermit, and told them that he was there to help. When the couple narrated their ordeal and their plan, he assured them of their unity and turned them into an immovable form.

The two rocks appear to embrace each other even today, and have stood so for centuries!

How to get to Kutagal?

Ramanagara is 50 kilometres from Bangalore on the Bangalore-Mysore highway and it takes about an hour to reach, from the city.

Use this marker for navigating to the location

Car parking is available outside the Thimmappaswamy temple at the base of the mound; bikes can be parked safely there, as well. The edge of the rock is only a five minute walk from the temple.

Tip: Plan to visit this temple before noon to beat the crowds. In fact, you might just be the only one there considering how unknown this temple still is.

What to expect at Kutagal, Ramnagar

The best time to visit Ramnagar is an hour before sunset – the views are excellent and the hues in the sky can be captivating! It is very easy to spend between one to two hours and lose track of time.

If you are planning a visit with your family or friends, Kutagal is a great picnic spot.

Similar to Monument Valley, USA, these monolithic rocks have stood for a very long time and are scattered all over the village. Another similarity we could find was with the Ninh Binh Province in Vietnam, which is home to beautiful limestone mountains.

Caution: Staying after sun down is not advisable – Cheetahs are known to come out in the dark. It is also suggested to travel in groups and not wander out of the zone alone!

These pictures are proof that there is hidden beauty all around Karnataka, truly the essence of the ‘one state, many worlds’ ideology! Tell us, which is your favourite place in Karnataka?