Nandi Hills is otherwise called Nandi Durga. If you are in Bangalore or if you plan a trip to this city, Nandi Durga is among the best week-end destinations. You will feel away from the hustle and bustle of Bangalore city by visiting Nandi Durga. The significance of these hills is that it is the birthplace of Papaghni, Arkavathi, Chitravathi, South Pennar and North Pennar Rivers. This Nandi Hills guide aims to share everything you should know about this place.
The region in which Nandi Hills is located was under the control of different dynasties. Examples include Paleyagars, Tipu Sultan, Marathas and the British. In the ancient inspirations, it was referred to as Nandigiri. The serene atmosphere and the bracing air of these hills provided the Tipu Sultan and the British with the best summer retreat. The hills are perched at an altitude of 4850 feet above sea level.
The climate at this hill is pleasant all through the year. Not only for nature lovers but also for adventure freaks, Nandi Hills offers the best trekking destination. People visit a few spots in Nandi Hills prominently. They are the Shravana Tirtha which is well located at the bottom, the Skandagiri, the Brahmagiri and the Channakeshava Betta. Other than the well, the other three are hills in different directions.
History of Nandhi Hills
Many stories are told about the origin of these hills. During the Chola Period, these hills were called Anandagiri Hills. The meaning of this term is the hill of happiness. These hills were called by this name because they looked like a sleeping bull. A bull is called Nandi in different South Indian languages.
Yet another theory states that this hill got its name from an ancient Dravidian-style temple, where a statue of a Nandi or bull is located on the hills. This temple is more than 1300 years old.
In the 11th Century, the Ganga Dynasty developed this hill. During the British rule in this region, the hills were held impregnable under the army of Cornwallis. During the First World War against Tipu Sultan, Cornwallis used these hills to safeguard his army. This happened on the 19th of October 1791. So, this is an important date in the history of Nandi Hills.
Later, the British rulers turned these hills into summer retreats during the hot season. Particularly, the British Ruler Francis Cunningham constructed the summer residence in these hills for Sir Mark Cubbon.
After a few decades, the weather at the top of the hills was considered ideal for horticulture. So, many different species of plants were introduced. This was done in an experimental garden. Later, potato cultivation was introduced by Colonel Cuppage. Potato growth happened well in these hills. Later, tea plants were also introduced for cultivation in these hills.
How to Reach Nandi Hills from Bangalore?
You will be interested in knowing about the Nandi Hills distance from Bangalore first from this Nandi Hills Guide. From Bangalore, you can take three different routes to reach Nandi Hills by road. They are:
- When you travel via the Bellary Road, you can reach Nandi Hills within a 61.3 km drive
- The Nandi Hills distance is 64.2 km via the Doddaballapur Main Road
- The hills are located 76.3 km away from Bangalore via the NH75 route
By Train
If you want to travel by train from Bangalore, you can take the Kolar DEMU from the city’s Kempegowda Train Station. You should board off the train at Chikkaballapur Railway Station. This railway station is located around 9 km away from Nandi Hills. So, after reaching the station, you can hire a cab to reach the hills. The train journey from Bangalore will take around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
By Bus
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operates two buses from the Kempogowda Bus Station to Nandi Hills. The first bus starts from Bangalore at 7 am and travels through Chikkaballapur to reach Nandi Hills by 9.15 am. The second bus starts from Bangalore at 8.15 am every day and reaches Nandi Hills by 10.05 am. This bus travels through Doddaballapur.
Also read Tips For A Perfect Stay in Bangalore
Key Attractions and Things To Do In Nandi Hills
Not only nature, temple and trekking but also many other things attract locals from Bangalore to Nandi Hills during weekends. In this Nandi Hills guide, I would like to share about a few important attractions and things to do when you are at these hills:
Visit Water Falls
Nandi Hills has many beautiful waterfalls. You can visit one of these waterfalls to freshen up before exploring the entire hills:
- Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta
- Hogenakkal Falls
- Shivagange Falls
- Chunchi Falls
- Muthyala Maduvu Falls
Biking or Cycling
Many of us love to cycle and we use it for stress relief. As against cycling on busy roads, it will be more enjoyable when you cycle on a sliding hilly road. When you are travelling by car, you can take your cycle along. Once you are at Nandi Hills, you can cycle on the serene roads and can see rare birds and even animal species. The pleasant wind that passes through your face when cycling will relieve all your stressors.
Visit the Tipu Drop
Thousands of visitors love visiting the Tipu Drop at 600 metres. From this place, you can get stunning panoramic views. This place has a horrifying history. Yes, it is believed that a ruler punished people by dropping them off the cliff. However, remember that it is a safe and quiet place to take some stunning pictures and even to meditate in silence.
Trek to Skandagiri Hills
Skandagiri Hills is among the best spots for trekking enthusiasts from Bangalore. It is also called Kalavara Durga. You can witness the clouds and dense vegetation by trekking at Skandagiri Hills. You can also find a rocky temple atop Skandagiri Hills. Make sure to get some attractive views from the top. When you visit this spot between December and March, the climate will be pleasant.
Participate in Paragliding
Do you get excited about the very thought of soaring high in the sky? If so, you can choose to engage in paragliding in Nandi Hills. When you do this, you can witness the magical western ghats from a bird’s eye view. If you love adventure activities, you will be thrilled to descend from the sky. If you do not have a fear of flight, you will also enjoy seeing the sights around you. You need not have to feel concerned about your safety. The reason is that you will be guided by a properly trained professional. You will get proper instructions as many paragliding operators can be found in Nandi Hills. With proper guidance and support by your side, you will be made to jump off the cliff. After a while, you will raise back with an open parachute attached to you.
Camping at Nandi Hills
If you fear heights, you can go camping alone when you are at Nandi Hills. The hills offer the opportunity for tourists to camp overnight under the sky filled with stars. However, the campsite in these hills is located at the base of the hill. Here, you can take part in other activities as well. Examples include rope activities and zip lining.
Best Time and Season To Visit
In this Nandi Hill Guide, I should share some details about the best season or time to visit the hills.
Remember that Nandi Hills offer scenic views by glow-in beauty all through the year. So, you can choose any time of the year or any season to visit these hills from Bangalore. On most days of the year, the average temperature in this region will be between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius. Read on to learn more about the climatic conditions in Nandi Hills. In turn, you can plan your visit on a season that you feel meets your preferences:
Nandi Hills in Monsoon
Do you love to explore places during the rainy season? If so, you can head to Nandi Hills between June and August. During this season, you can get a beautiful glimpse of the hills. You will see dark clouds moving around the whole hill. The temperature during this season will be between 22 and 40 degrees. The wind blows at an alarming rate during this season. Make sure that you stay precautious when trekking or driving the steps towards the summit. The reason is that during this season it will be slippery.
Summers
During the summers, Nandi Hills experience a bit of heat. The reason is that during this season temperature range between 25 and 40 degree Celsius. However, you will have a pleasant experience exploring the hill during this season as you will not feel the heat much. Particularly, early in the morning, you will experience a cool breeze touching your face. During the summer, early morning is the ideal time to trek to the summit. During the daytime, it will be a bit humid. You can also plan your trek late in the evenings. The evenings are also comfortable and cool. You can watch the sunset during the summer, which will bring you the best experience.
Winters
Winters fall between September and February. This is the best season if you would like to see and experience fog. During this season, you will see thick clouds, mist and tall-green trees. The winters here will make you feel as if you are in heaven.
The sunrise during this season will bring you a magical experience. This is the best season to experience adventure activities like camping, trekking and paragliding. The winters will have temperatures between 10 and 22 degrees Celsius. So, make sure to pack your clothing accordingly.
How Long To Spend In Nandi Hills?
Nandi Hills is most often selected for weekend trips from Bangalore. You can explore the hills within a maximum of three hours. However, with many view points, lakes and adventure activities available, you can spend an entire day in Nandi Hills. This depends on the time available to you.
Best Restaurants and Cafes in Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills has different restaurants. Each of them serves different kinds of cuisines. So, you can choose one of these restaurants based on what you would like to try:
- Ground Zero Hub – Chinese and Indian cuisine
- Nibbles N Nector – Italian and Mexican cuisine
- Café KA43 – Chinese and Indian cuisine
- Indian Paratha Palace
- Nandi Upachar
- Falcon Greens
- Gowdaru Slv Hotel Veg & Non Veg
- The Olives Multi Cuisine Restaurant
- Tribal Café
- Sinchana Palace Restaurant
- NH7 Refuel
- Motor City Café
- Hills Drive Café
Entry Fees & Ticket Prices
In this Nandi Hills guide, I should share about the entry fee. To gain entry into the Nandi Hills, you will have to pay an entry fee of Rs.40. For foreigners, the entry fee is Rs.600. Also, a car parking fee of Rs.175 is applicable. If you go to the hilltop by a two-wheeler, the parking cost will be Rs.30. You can get the tickets at the entry point of the hill.
Conclusion
In addition to being a place for adventure seekers and nature lovers, Nandi Hills is also suitable for spiritual seekers. Yes, the hills house two ancient temples. One of these temples is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Yoganandishwara. The second temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of Bhoganandishwara. These temples showcase old architectural styles. With temples, adventure activities and a lot of things to do, Nandi Hills is an ideal destination for your entire family,
FAQ
Is Nandi Hills a Safe Place To Go?
Yes, it is a safe place. The reason is that this hill station is visited by tourists in large numbers every year. Within a few hours from Bangalore, you can reach a safe region to spend a few hours of quality time with your friends or family.
You will encounter many trekkers and bikers en route. Also, expect some mysterious monkeys around. If you are riding a bike or cycling, be aware of acute curves on the path that take you to the top of the hill.
What is Nandi Hills Popular For?
Nandi Hills is particularly popular among trekkers. Many people visit this place for stunning panoramic views of the valley around. Also, the location away from the hustle and bustle of the city is yet another factor that makes Nandi Hills popular among Bangloreans. Hope, this Nandi Hills guide will help you plan your trip effectively. Share your thoughts here.
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