Plan your weekend: With historic forts, lakes and trekking spots, Chikkaballapur is full of suprises

Taking its name from Kannada,in which chikka means small, while balla refers to the measure to quantify the food grains as in the erstwhile days, the town has been an agricultural centre of the state. Panchagiri is often associated with Chikkaballapur, as it is surrounded by picturesque hills.

Among the hills, Nandi Hills are the most famous ones, while the Kalavara Halli hill, also known as Kalavaara Betta, is extremely famous for trekking. So, if you’re looking to challenge and push your physical strength, while being amidst lush greenery, Chikkaballapur provides all that for you.

With its rich history, the region has seen several conquests and battles. Then de facto ruler of Mysore kingdom, Hyder Ali, had also captured the town for a period of three months. After 5-lakh pagodas were paid, the army was then taken back. Tipu Sultan had also acquired Chikkaballapur in the past. The place, however, is growing as a tourist spot for a variety of fun activities it can offer.

One can trek, explore nature or even just marvel at the architecture of the structures. Temples of Bhoganandishwara, Yoganandishwara atop the Nandi Hills, and Skandagiri Hills offer picture-perfect locations to just sit back and enjoy the green landscapes in the town. Chikkaballapur also has a small, yet pristine lake called the Kandavara lake. The decades-old Gummananayaka Fort is a hidden gem in the region. A remnant from the Vijayanagara Kingdom days, the fort is located atop a hill, which one can trek along with friends or family.

Muddenahalli, which is only 3km from the town, is the hometown of eminent engineer Sir M Visvesvarayya. One can also take a short ride to the town to visit a memorial, which is also the house the engineering genius grew up in. Chikkaballapur also is a major location for silk cultivation, so if you’re keen to learn about the process of silk extraction, you can visit one of the sericulture farms in town.