Chota Ladakh, half day trip from Bangalore

Covid has put a major halt to all our major travel plans. This year we had our Ladakh trip planned in September, which we eventually had to cancel. So while discussing about it with my husband, we thought why don't we plan a half day trip to this '60 km far place' from Bangalore that now goes by its new nomenclature 'Chota Ladakh'.

A leisurely early start from our home after gorging home made aloo parathas and lassi, we made the start.

From Whitefield its roughly one and half hours drive during these covid times since the roads are empty. At normal times we would have stopped by Empire restaurant but we settled for two takeaway coffees from CCD. For most of the road we took help from Google maps. Once we approached close to the place the roads became rough, narrow and full with stone. There is no markings as to where 'Chota Ladakh' is. We had to ask some locals. There is no road that leads to the lake and one has to walk almost half a kilometre to reach the lake. While returning back we came to know that this place is actually closed by authorities since there has been way too many deaths that has happened because of people slipping into the lake and drowning.

Just like everyone, I was also curious as how this remote place got its name which relates to Ladakh. So I read up a few websites and came to know of the story. When the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) decided to upgrade the Bangalore-Chennai (NH4) highway to 4 lane, the NHAI authorities took quarry land for keeping all the construction material such as stone chips,gravel. Because of the weight of the construction materials, the quarry land further deepened into a huge pit and in course of time, the pit got filled with water. Since the pit was formed inside of a hillock so during daytime, the water in the pit gets a deep blue colour because of the reflection. This place was eventually discovered by some enthusiastic college youths from Bangalore who gave it the name 'Chota Ladakh' and in the era of social media the place became popular.

Now coming to my personal opinion about this place, did I like it or do I recommend anyone to go there? My one word answer is 'NO'. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing to go there to waste your time, enery and money for. The place is not developed, there are no proper roads which leads to the place, it does not anyway look like Ladakh at all. Moreover the water in the lake is poisonous with harmful chemicals and there have been at least 20 cases of deaths because of drowning in this pit. Also the water does not look blue.

So please whoever reading this blog, please abstain from owing to this place since the place will not only disappoint you but is also dangerous. Instead visit Nandi Hills, Krishnagiri, Machinabele if you are looking for a short trip.

Recently I came to know from some travel group that some local miscreants have started harassing people for money. They are charging Rs 500 per vehicle. So to those of you who are still planning to see this place either come in a big group during day or don't come at all.