An early morning drive to Nandi Hills is the perfect way to start your weekend. It’s a trip you will never forget. From breathtaking sunrise views and fresh air to the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangalore, Nandi Hills is a peaceful retreat you will want to visit again and again.
Nandi Hills is a hill station located in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka state. It is on the outskirts of Bangalore approximately 60 km from the city. It is situated at an altitude of 1,478 meters above sea level and occupies a whopping area of 80 acres. Nandi Hills is an old hill station built by the people of the Ganga Dynasty and is also popularly known as Tippu Sultan’s Summer Retreat.
The hills were named Anandagiri in the Chola period which meant, “The Hill of Happiness.” As the hill resembles the shape of a sleeping bull it is also called Nandi Hills. Also, a huge Nandi bull is situated at the top of Nandi Hill.
Nandi Hills is Bangalorean’s favorite sunrise destination for its spectacular weather and scenic views. It is becoming one of the most popular destinations in Bangalore because it’s so close to the city but doesn’t experience pollution as bad as other parts of Bangalore city.
Places to visit around Nandi Hills
There are several viewpoints you can visit to enjoy the beauty of the evergreen vegetation and the blue skies at the top of the hills. As a tourist you must visit the attractions around Nandi Hills and here are some of them.
1. Tipu’s Drop
Tipu’s drop is one of the old most famous tourist attractions in Nandi Hills. Located at 600 meters elevation from the cliff top. It is used to push the prisoners as a punishment for their crimes during the rule of Tippu sultan. You can have splendid views and experience the fresh air at these drop points. You can also get some cinematic views captured in your cameras.
2. Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
This age-old temple was built between the 9th and 10th centuries by people of the native Kannada Nolamba dynasty and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has beautiful hand-crafted architecture and paintings on the walls. You can visit this temple for its peace and serene surroundings. This is must visit place for modern-day conservationists to understand how the architectural elements blended together to form a seamless structure and are well preserved through various dynasties.
3. Tipu’s Summer Residence
Nandi hills is also popularly known as Tippu Sultan’s Summer Residence. During the summers Tippu used it as a summer resort and spend some time in the cooler climate away from the city. The construction of the palace was started by Haidar Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan and is referred Tashk-e-Jannat meaning envy of heaven. The residence is beautifully carved pillars and arches with intricate designs. The walls and ceilings are painted with stunning art.
4. Brahmashram
Brahmashram is located in the caves of the Nandi Hills region. It is the place once used for meditation by Sage Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who is a devotee of the goddess Kali. This is a perfect spot for people who are looking for silence and peace. It is a small cave but its significance makes it worthy of travel. You can also try to meditate by sitting in the lap of nature with your eyes closed and feel the peace.
5. Amrita Sarovar
Amrita Sarovar was the major source of water supply and is known as the lake of nectar. After sundown, you can view the shimmering waters in the moonlight. This lake is formed by perennial springs and is situated at the base of the Nandi hills. You can spend some time around the lake and listen to the chirping birds and enjoy the greenery of nature. It is not recommended to get inside the lake as it is full of green algae and is considered to be dangerous.
Nandi Hills Travel Tips
- Start early and reach early to avoid traffic jams.
- Carry an umbrella/raincoat for unexpected weather changes.
- Take a water bottle along as there is no free water available.
- Pack some snacks as there are few eating options around.
- Carry everything in a backpack as carrying food in transparent covers attracts monkeys.
- Beware of monkeys, don’t feed them or make eye contact.
- Wear comfortable pair of trekking shoes.
- Lastly, take a camera along to capture your wonderful experiences.
How to Reach Nandi Hills
You can take KSRTC or BMTC buses from the Bangalore Majestic bus stand to Nandi Hills. Also, you can prefer to travel by private buses you can board at your nearest bus stop. In case you miss the bus you can opt to travel on a bus connecting to Chikkaballapur. The travel expense of bus travel is cheaper compared to other means of transport to reach the place.
In case you wish to travel on your own vehicle or rent a taxi or cab you can experience the scenic views on your way. You will have a chance to have a few stopovers for clicking pictures and for having a tea/coffee break. The roads between the places are well maintained both for 4 and 2-wheeler vehicles.
The journey to Nandi Hills can be done in around 2 hours. The best way to experience this destination is on a road trip. Nandi Hills is a place where you can see the hilltop from different perspectives on a two-wheeler. It is one of the best ways to explore the place. It is better to avoid traveling late as you may miss the scenic views and will be stuck in traffic jams on your way back.
Things to do at Nandi Hills
- Trekking is popular among tourists, there are many trekking routes to explore around Nandi Hills.
- Paragliding is another activity that you can pre-book and experience the magnificence of the place from the high sky.
- You can also do camping to closely experience the beauty of nature, and check the availability before going.
- Explore every mile by cycling/biking around a 30km trail and let out the stress.
- Enjoy a stroll and capture many beautiful pictures around Nandi Hills.
- Take a heritage or cultural guide along to get a better understanding of the place.
- Go on a day trip with family and friends and spend time together between the clouds and nature.
- You can stay at the cottages attached to Nandi Hills and wake up to a view of the sunrise.
Nandi Hills Timings
Nandi Hills will be open from 06:00 am to 6:00 pm every day but it is advisable to check before going because timings may vary depending on climatic conditions. You should start early in the morning around 3:00 am to avoid traffic jams and reach the sunrise point in time and have a beautiful view of sunrise. There is a good and dedicated parking place for all vehicles near Nandi Hills. You can expect a huge crowd during the weekends as it is a popular travel destination for Bangalore people. You can visit the place all around the year but the best time to visit Nandi Hills is between September – February months.
If you are a resident of Bangalore or traveling from other places Nandi Hills is one of the most scenic places to visit. The place has some amazing views and is an architectural delight. It will be a great experience for people who like traveling, and photography and want to start a day with an amazing view of the sunrise. It is one of the best places near Bangalore to take your adventure to a whole new level, you will feel like you are in heaven.
