Heggunda can be easily dismissed as one among the thousands of underdeveloped villages in Bangalore rural district, Karnataka, India. But in terms of historical heritage and natural attractions, Heggunda stands out unique and attractive. According to records found here, Heggunda then known as ‘Pokkunda’ was an important city during the Hoysala period (1115 AD). Today Heggunda is one of the few places that still retain the rustic charm of the countryside.

To the city dweller used to seeing endless rows of concrete buildings, hearing blaring horns and inhaling acrid vehicle exhaust, Heggunda offers an array of rejuvenating activity options: trekking, rock climbing, cave exploration, bird watching etc. And for those with a special interest in history and antiquities, there are herostones, ancient temples and inscriptions to admire and analyse.

The most interesting feature of Heggunda is the massive rocky hill — Ramadevara Betta — crowned by a Rama temple. The hill towers behind the village and its main face has been peculiarly sculpted and shaped by the elements. But beware of the several large beehives on the rockface disturbing even one of them might cause an army of soldier bees to chase you.

Memorial stones.
The village has about seven attractively carved memorial stones in various states of neglect. Two installed near the Anjaneya temple are being used as post to tie up cattle and one more is lying in the middle of a field nearby. The remaining four – including two depicting heroes wielding guns – are installed in the middle of the village amidst houses and they are being used as platforms to dry washed clothes.