Guide
Places to Visit in Malur: 8 Best Spots for a Day Trip from Bangalore
Looking for places to visit in Malur for a quick break from Bangalore? This small town in Kolar district, also spelt Malur, is only about 50 km from the city. It surprises most first-time visitors with old temples, a village full of stone sculptors, colourful festivals and one of the biggest adventure resorts near Bangalore. Malur was once called Malligepura, the "town of jasmine", and it still has a calm, green, small-town feel.
In this guide, we list the best places to visit in Malur, plus a few famous spots nearby in Kolar. We also share how to reach and a simple one-day plan.
Quick Guide: Best Places to Visit in Malur
- Chikka Tirupati Temple
- Sportico Resorts
- Shivarapatna Sculptors' Village
- Malur Town Temples and Karaga Festival
- Masti Village
- Antara Gange (near Kolar)
- Kolaramma and Someshwara Temples (Kolar)
- Kotilingeshwara Temple (near Kolar)
1. Chikka Tirupati Temple
The most famous of all places to visit in Malur is Chikka Tirupati, which means "small Tirupati" in Kannada. The Sri Prasanna Venkateshwara Swamy temple sits in Lakkur hobli of Malur taluk, about 15 km from Malur town and about 12 km from Sarjapura.
The temple is built in the Dravidian style with a five-tier gopura (tower) and a temple tank. Many devotees from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu visit it as a closer alternative to Tirupati. The annual chariot festival (Brahmotsava) draws big crowds.
Good to know: The temple opens early in the morning. Weekends and festival days are busy, so go early to avoid long queues.
2. Sportico Resorts
Sportico Resorts is a luxury resort near Bangalore, set across 30 green acres with Karnataka's biggest island pool. If you want to add fun and relaxation to your list of places to visit in Malur, this is the place.
Enjoy a landscape featuring 200+ exotic plants, relaxing stays and exciting adventures:
- 140 rooms for getaways and corporate offsites
- Karnataka's tallest zipline tower, freefall, dirt kart, paintball, wall climbing and high ropes
- Rain dance, cricket turf and kids' play area
- Luxury spa, multi-cuisine restaurant, rooftop bar and pub
- Family day outings, team-building and overnight stays
- Conference facilities, banquet halls and destination weddings
Whether you want a pool resort for a family day out, a team escape with your colleagues or a weekend getaway in Karnataka, Sportico has it all in one place. It is about 22 km from Sarjapur, 26 km from Whitefield and 27 km from Hosur.
Plan your next day out, team escape or weekend getaway: see our day outing packages, staycation rooms or call 080 22222224.
3. Shivarapatna Sculptors' Village
Shivarapatna is one of the most unique places to visit in Malur taluk. Almost every family in this small village has carved stone idols for generations. As you walk down the main road, you will hear the sound of chisels and hammers and see huge sculptures of gods, goddesses and national leaders outside every home.
Idols carved here are sent to temples across India and abroad. You can watch the sculptors at work, talk to them about their craft and even buy a small stone idol as a souvenir.
Good to know: Be polite and ask before taking photos of the artists at work.
4. Malur Town Temples and Karaga Festival
Malur town itself has many old temples, including the Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple close to the railway station. The town is best known for its Karaga festival, which is held about a week after the famous Bengaluru Karaga. During the festival, the streets fill with lights, music and devotees.
If you are planning places to visit in Malur around festival time, check the local dates in advance, as they change every year.
5. Masti Village
Masti, a hobli of Malur taluk, is the birthplace of Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, one of the greatest Kannada writers and a winner of the Jnanpith Award. It is a quiet stop for literature lovers and anyone interested in Kannada culture.
Places to Visit Near Malur (Kolar Side)
Kolar town is about 30 km from Malur, so these places make an easy add-on to your trip.
6. Antara Gange
Antara Gange is a rocky hill just outside Kolar town, famous for the Kashi Vishweshwara temple, where water flows all year from the mouth of a stone bull (Basava). Behind the temple, a trail leads up through huge boulders and caves to the hilltop. It is a favourite spot for sunrise treks and cave exploration.
Good to know: Wear good shoes and avoid the caves after heavy rain.
7. Kolaramma and Someshwara Temples
In the heart of Kolar town is the Kolaramma Temple, dedicated to the town's goddess and more than a thousand years old. Just a short walk away is the 14th-century Someshwara Temple, known for its beautifully carved pillars and halls. Both are a treat for history and architecture lovers.
8. Kotilingeshwara Temple
Kotilingeshwara Temple in Kammasandra village, near Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), is famous for its giant Shiva linga and lakhs of smaller lingas spread across the temple grounds. It draws huge crowds, especially during Maha Shivaratri.
How to Reach Malur from Bangalore
- By car: Malur is about 50 km from central Bangalore. From Whitefield or Sarjapur, it takes about an hour by road.
- By train: Malur is on the Bangalore–Chennai railway line, with regular local trains from Bengaluru.
- By bus: KSRTC buses run from Bangalore to Malur and Kolar.
A Simple One-Day Plan for Malur
- Morning: Start early with darshan at Chikka Tirupati.
- Late morning to evening: Head to Sportico Resorts for adventure activities, lunch, the island pool and rain dance.
- Night (optional): Stay over at Sportico and visit Shivarapatna and the Kolar temples the next day.
This way, you cover the best places to visit in Malur without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best places to visit in Malur? The top places to visit in Malur are Chikka Tirupati Temple, Sportico Resorts, Shivarapatna sculptors' village, the Malur town temples and Masti village. Antara Gange, Kolaramma Temple and Kotilingeshwara are close by in Kolar.
How far is Malur from Bangalore? Malur is about 50 km from central Bangalore and about an hour's drive from Whitefield or Sarjapur.
Is there a resort in Malur for a day outing? Yes. Sportico Resorts in Malur offers family day outings, team-building packages, adventure activities, a pool, spa and overnight stays.
Can I cover the places to visit in Malur in one day? Yes. You can visit Chikka Tirupati in the morning and spend the rest of the day at Sportico Resorts. For Shivarapatna and the Kolar temples, plan a second day or an overnight stay.
What is Malur famous for? Malur is famous for the Chikka Tirupati temple, the Shivarapatna stone sculptors, its Karaga festival and its clay tile and brick industry.
Plan Your Malur Trip
From ancient temples to stone sculptors and an adventure resort, there are plenty of places to visit in Malur for every kind of traveller. Make Sportico Resorts your base for a relaxed day out or a weekend getaway near Bangalore.
Book your visit: Day outing packages | Team outings | Call 080 22222224
