Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, is a hill means (betta in Kannada) located in the Chamarajanagar district of the state of Karnataka, at a height of 1450m and is extensively wooded. It is also the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park Himavad Gopalaswamy Hill, located near the Gundlupet Taluk in the Chamarajanagar district, is 220 km from the capital city of Bangalore. If you take the Ooty road, you will find a village called Hangala. Going to the right from there, you will encounter Sri Gopalaswamy Hill which is massively spread
The Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple is said to have a history of over seven centuries. According to history, this temple was built by the Hoysala ruler Chola Balla and was further developed in the days of the Mysore EmperorsBuilt in a single enclosure, the temple has a spacious courtyard, and the entrance porch is decorated with dhamatara carvings, altars and flag pillars. Here, they give their own answer to the question of how the hill came to be called the Gopalaswamy hill. According to local elders , this hill is called Govardhanagiri, because it looks like a cow from a distance. Likewise, the hill was covered with greenery, as was the case in the past. Gopardhavagiri Gopalaswamy ascended by the Gopalakas..
Lord Krishna is also known as Santana Gopalakrishna who resides here with Rukmini and Satyabhama. It is also believed that the original statue was installed by Agastya Maharshis. Gopalaswamy Hill is surrounded by hills such as Triyambakadri, Niladri, Mangaladri, Shankharadrigiri, Hansadri, Garudadri, Pallavadri, Mallikarjunagiri etc. It is also believed that the childless will bathe in the Thotlu Tirtha. During the world famous Mysore Dasara, a special pooja will be held at Gopalaswamy Hill
Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills, within the confines of the Bandipur National Park, retains its significance and tradition. The Forest Department declared the area a wildlife sanctuary by 1972, making it one of the largest tigers in India. Anyone who has been successful in attracting out-of-state tourists will be informed by the high priest who works in his own language. The prasadam system is made for the devotees.