'''Nandi Hills''' is a hill station in Karnataka State, India.
Understand
This range of craggy hills (the highest peak being 2004 m) holds the shimmering Amrita Sarovar Lake and offers walks of sylvan beauty. A popular health resort today, it was also the place Tipu Sultan and assorted royalty retired when they sought to escape the din of battle and the heat of the plains.
The hills are located about 60 km north of Bangalore and about 5970 ft above sea level. The deviation road at Oordagere on the Bangalore-Tumkur Road can reach it. On the top of the hill, there are temples dedicated to Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Yoga Narasimha. On the lower hill there is a temple dedicated to Sri Bhoga Narasimha. There is a Traveler's Bungalow and a Kalyana Mantap on the top of the hill and a Forest Lodge and Taluk Board T.B. at the foot of the hill.
A flight of 1,175 steps leads from the base of the hills to the top. On top was Tipu Sultan's summer retreat and the remains of Tipu's fort bear this out. Tipu's Drop, a 600 metre high cliff face, where prisoners were hurled down the precipice, is an awe-inspiring sight.
Sir Mark Cubbon, when he was Commissioner of Bangalore made this his summer residence. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Queen Elizabeth II were among the other dignitaries who enjoyed their stay here. More recently, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and the SAARC delegates chose this spot for a retreat after their international deliberations.
You can visit this place at any time of the year. Its best if you are on top of the hill before sunrise. The wind, fog and clouds that blow towards you in the morning is just amazing. To be on top of the hill by 5:30AM, you need to leave bangalore at around 4AM. If you are not sure about the route, leave even earlier.
Get in
'''Fastest and most convenient journey - by car/ bike or Rikshaw'''
There is a motorable road to the top of the hill.Beware there is only one road to the top. You can expect vehicles coming from the other side as well. Around 40 curves to be negotiated before you reach check point cum entry gate where entry tickets are issued. Two wheelers are not allowed beyond this point as road is not well formed / slippery while 4 wheelers are allowed to proceed. You can choose to climb up thru steps and be in the midst of natures lap savouring many different things such as old temple, a very large open tank, Tippus rock, Hanuman Temple etc.. There are many monkeys on the way that engage in violent fights and make cacophonous noises that can frighten you.
Bangalore to Nandi Hills directions->
From Hebbal flyover take NH7 and take a left diversion (about 10km after passing by BIAL airport flyover) with a signboard in English "Nandi Hills 22 km". There is another left just before it but that leads to a factory. Around 7 km after the BIAL flyover towards Nandi hill across the highway, you can see a fort / birth place of Tippu Sultan.
'''More adventurous but also save - Bangalore to Nandi Hills by Bus'''
All busses leave from Bangalore's central bus station "Bangalore Majestic". As this is a local bus, tickets (charge around 40 /- per head) are sold directly in the bus.
In the morning and evening there are direct busses. The KSRTC bus to the top leaves at 8AM from platform 10. Returning direct busses from the Hills to Banglore leave at 2:30PM, 4:15PM and 5PM.
If you miss the direct bus to the top of Nandi Hills, there is a 2nd possibility to reach the hills by public transport: Go to Chikballapur and from there with a private bus to the Nandi Hills. The busses leave every half an hour and it takes about 2 hours to reach the hill.
Take the bus to Chikballapur from platform 11. After about 1 hour you will reach Chikballapur (The station is announced by the bus driver, but it is hard to understand. So better make sure that you check on the right side if you see the bus station sign for Chikballapur.)
From Chikballapur there are frequent mini buses to the top. In August it was a Qualis, which was leaving just on the other side of the street. The journey is about half an hour.
There are no buses in afternoon (12PM-4 PM) from Bangalore so make sure that you arrive before time.
Get around
there is also a bus from bangalore at 7am also
See
'''Tippus Drop''' the place from where Tippu made his prisoners fall .
'''Tippus Summer Residence''' a beautiful palace on top of this hill. This palace is closed to the general public .
'''Temples''' There are temples dedicated to Sri Bhoga Narasimha, Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Yoga Narasimha .
'''Rivers''' The rivers Pennar, Palar and Arkavati originate from these hills.Most of the sources have dried up .
'''Brahmashram''' It is said that Sage Ramakrishna Paramhamsa meditated here.Its a cool cave .
'''Nandi''' At the foot of Nandi Hills is this place with "Bhoganandishwaraswamy Temple", it is a Wonderful Place. (A Must visit)
'''Muddenahalli''' The home town of Sri M.Visveswaraya, the architect of modern Karnataka. Muddenahalli is just a few Kilometers from Nandi Hills. The house of this genius is now a museum.(A Must visit)
'''Paapagni''' The Panchanandikshtra. Visit it is Only 3 km from Chikballapur. (A Must visit)
'''Chikballapur''' Sri M.Visveswaraya done his school Days in this place. And Also visit SSS Temple (Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Sri Subramanya, Sri Shanimahaathma Temple), H.S. Garden, Chikballapur.
Do
Paragliding
http://www.flynandi.com/
Picnic
See the vineyards,grapes,cracked mustard seeds if you are lucky you can see them on the roads where the farmers spread them so that your car can thrash them.
BirdWatching
Look out for cracks in the fort wall, which allow you to go outside and get some spectacular views of the plains below, eagles soaring level to your eyes. However, be careful as the terrain falls steeply down and a fall will certainly crack most of our body.
Buy
Entry fee is 3 Rs per person (make sure you buy the ticket, where the bus arrives).
There's a ticket for Rs 60 for parking car and Rs 15 for Two wheelers.
Grapes on the way.
Eat
'''Club Cabana''' - It is a beautiful resort with water sports and a good bar. From NH7, take a left 2 Km before the BIAL flyover and drive straight for 1.5 km.
'''Hotel Sandarshini''' - in Chikballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
'''Hotel Truptisagar''' - in Chikballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
'''Hotel Shantisagar''' - in Chikballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
'''Chats''' - Visit Pappu's Paanipuri Chat Centre, Basavanagudi Road, Chikballapur. (A must Visit)
'''Hotel Sowmya''' - (Lodge & Restaurant)in Chikballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
'''UP Punjabi Dahba''' - on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway, on the right when traveling from Bangalore and just before the turning for to Nandi Hills.
'''Hotel Ranjitha''' - This hotel is on the top of the hill and the only one present .There is nothing special about the food.
Drink
Hotel Mayura.
Hotel Mayura Pine Top has a good Bar and Restaurant.No need to carry drinking water as you will get mineral water bottles. Lipton vending machines are also present.
Sleep
For accommodation at the T.B., contact the Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Tumkur.
There are well-furnished bungalows for lodging and good catering establishments. For reservation of accommodation, the Director of Horticulture, Lalbagh, Bangalore- 2. Tel:91 - 080 - 26611925.
Hotel Mayura Pine Top, managed by KSTDC. Tel: 91 - 08156 - 250906.
'''Hotel Shantisagar''' - (Lodge & Restaurant) in Chikballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
'''Hotel Sowmya''' - (Lodge & Restaurant)in Chikballapur on the main Bangalore-Hyderabad highway NH-7 (B.B.Road),
Be careful
Be careful with monkeys on the hill. Avoid keeping eatables in the hand. Also, there are many dogs, so be careful.
Get out