Nandi Hills, Banglore

Information:

Nandi Hills is 60 kms north of Bangalore and also known as Nandidurga. One of the summer retreats of Tipu Sultan, Nandi Hills was popular with the British too who built bungalows and laid out gardens here. Today it's a hot favorite among Bangaloreans who find this an ideal get-away for weekends. The 1,478 m high Nandi Hills are the source of many rivers. And the forests surrounding the hills, abound with wild animals. Around the Nandi Hills are several smaller hills which can be visited on foot. Nandi Hills enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year.

Attractions:

Tipu's Drop: A 600 m high cliff face where according to legend, condemned prisoners were pushed to their death.

Yoga Nandishvara Temple: This beautiful Chola temple has an inscription of Sambhaji, Shivaji's son. Don't miss the Dwarapalakas-the splendid metallic figures.

Nandi: Situated at the north-eastern base of Nandi Hills, this villages was, for some time, a British Military Station. The Bhoga Nandishvara Temple Complex here is, architecturally one of the most important Dravidian-style structures in the State.

Muddenahalli: The home town of Sir M. Visvesvaraya - the architect of modern Karnataka - Muddenahalli is just a few kms from Nandi Hills. The house of this genius is now a museum.

Travel Information:

• By Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore.
• By Rail: The nearest railhead is Chikkaballapur.
• By Road: Nandi Hills is connected by road to Bangalore and Chikkaballapur.