<p>A stretch of such ravines exists in Chikballapur district hardly 50 kms from Bangalore. These formations are located on the outskirts of Jangamakote, a nondescript town off Hoskote. <br /><br />If the name suggests the presence of a fort, there is none in the town. The only historical significance is that Jangamakote was built by a ruler of Sugatur family, Thimme Gowda, for the sake of Jangamas, a sect of Veerashaiva devotees. <br /><br />The place has a mind-boggling number of deep ravines, narrow gullies and pits with the course of a dried-up stream running through it. With a huge gaping depression flanked by drops on either side, the whole landscape looks like a gorge. This valley is often called the mini Grand Canyon, though its size and extent are by no stretch of the imagination, as grand. <br /><br />The ravines are similar to the Chambal valley of Central India. But there is no perennial river flowing here. While the depressions are about four-five feet deep at some places, further up the headland, they are more than 20-feet deep. The width also varies from five feet to 50 feet. A stream of water that courses through the area, though seasonal, has made the clay-rich soil unsuitable to tread on. <br /><br />The formations have been caused because of a combination of various factors like erosion by water, wind and weathering of rocks over a long period. <br /><br />The soil structure and appearance which varies according to the composition of minerals in it, is red and yellow, adding a golden tinge to the landscape. Located in an arid region, the soil also gets easily eroded which enables deepening and lengthening of trenches. <br /><br />Rain water washes away the powdery soil leading to the formation of gullies. Over time, the gullies form a long ravine. As the top soil which is full of nutrients is washed away, the land becomes barren and unfit for cultivation. <br /><br />These formations are referred to as Badland Topography, according to geologists. Year after year, more and more soil is eroded and is a cause for concern for farmers. <br /><br />These formations make for a surreal sight; the bluish grey rocks contrasting with the red, yellow and ochre hues of the ravine glowing in the evening light. In fact, this landscape has the potential to be developed as an attraction for visitors if the overgrowth of weeds and prickly bushes are cleared and a guided trail carved out. <br /><br />Getting there<br /><br />Drive up to Hoskote from Bangalore (28 kms) on Old Madras road and continue on the Vijayapura-Sidlaghatta road for 21 kms.</p>
<p>A stretch of such ravines exists in Chikballapur district hardly 50 kms from Bangalore. These formations are located on the outskirts of Jangamakote, a nondescript town off Hoskote. <br /><br />If the name suggests the presence of a fort, there is none in the town. The only historical significance is that Jangamakote was built by a ruler of Sugatur family, Thimme Gowda, for the sake of Jangamas, a sect of Veerashaiva devotees. <br /><br />The place has a mind-boggling number of deep ravines, narrow gullies and pits with the course of a dried-up stream running through it. With a huge gaping depression flanked by drops on either side, the whole landscape looks like a gorge. This valley is often called the mini Grand Canyon, though its size and extent are by no stretch of the imagination, as grand. <br /><br />The ravines are similar to the Chambal valley of Central India. But there is no perennial river flowing here. While the depressions are about four-five feet deep at some places, further up the headland, they are more than 20-feet deep. The width also varies from five feet to 50 feet. A stream of water that courses through the area, though seasonal, has made the clay-rich soil unsuitable to tread on. <br /><br />The formations have been caused because of a combination of various factors like erosion by water, wind and weathering of rocks over a long period. <br /><br />The soil structure and appearance which varies according to the composition of minerals in it, is red and yellow, adding a golden tinge to the landscape. Located in an arid region, the soil also gets easily eroded which enables deepening and lengthening of trenches. <br /><br />Rain water washes away the powdery soil leading to the formation of gullies. Over time, the gullies form a long ravine. As the top soil which is full of nutrients is washed away, the land becomes barren and unfit for cultivation. <br /><br />These formations are referred to as Badland Topography, according to geologists. Year after year, more and more soil is eroded and is a cause for concern for farmers. <br /><br />These formations make for a surreal sight; the bluish grey rocks contrasting with the red, yellow and ochre hues of the ravine glowing in the evening light. In fact, this landscape has the potential to be developed as an attraction for visitors if the overgrowth of weeds and prickly bushes are cleared and a guided trail carved out. <br /><br />Getting there<br /><br />Drive up to Hoskote from Bangalore (28 kms) on Old Madras road and continue on the Vijayapura-Sidlaghatta road for 21 kms.</p>
