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Voykit pocket guide · India
Arsikere
Half a day is enough: see the hill temple, then move on to Hassan, Belur or Shravanabelagola. A rail junction, not a base.
Arsikere (also spelled Arasikere) is a railway town in Hassan district, Karnataka. Its only sight is the Thirupathy Hill Temple, a 3 km climb from the centre. Most travellers pass through on the way to Hassan, Belur or Shravanabelagola. Half a day covers the temple and a meal; there is no reason to stay longer.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (hot), Jul–Sep (monsoon)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,000–1,500 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,500–2,500 excl. bed · High ₹2,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire and ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Autorickshaw to hill temple and back | ₹100 |
| Meal at Raghavendra Restaurant | ₹100–200 |
| Tea at a local stall | ₹10–20 |
| Bus to Hassan | ₹50–80 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BLR · Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
- About 3.5 h by road or train to Arsikere
- IXE · Mangalore International Airport
- About 3 h by train
Typical fares
- Autorickshaw to hill temple and back
- ₹100 (check)
- Bus to Hassan
- ₹50–80
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Autorickshaws charge about ₹100 for the trip up to the hill temple and back, including waiting time. Walking is possible but steep.
See and do
Known for
- Thirupathy Hill Temple
- Rail junction (Bangalore–Mangalore line)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hassan | Train or bus, about 30 min | About 45 min |
| Belur | Bus via Hassan, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Shravanabelagola | Bus via Channarayapatna, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Halebidu | Bus via Hassan, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Sakleshpur | Train or bus, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Near the bus stand
- Basic lodges like Raghavendra Lodge; walk to the temple and station.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | ಎಷ್ಟು?eshtu |
| To the hill temple | ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನಕ್ಕೆbettada devasthanakke |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhanyavadagalu |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- The temple is on a hill: wear comfortable shoes and carry water.
- Autorickshaw fares should be agreed before the ride.
- Limited dining options; Raghavendra Restaurant near the bus stand is the main choice.
Arsikere is a small, quiet town. The main risk is heat and dehydration on the hill climb. Agree autorickshaw fares upfront.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Arsikere yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Thirupathy Hill Temple
- Rail junction (Bangalore–Mangalore line)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Arsikere, revision 5300583 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5300583
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/arsikere). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.