About 10 km from Chickballapur town and 60 km from Bangalore city in the state of Karnataka lies the beautiful hill fortress called “Nandi Hills or Nandidurg”. This popular tourist destination was once the summer resort of the great King of Mysore Tipu Sultan also known as “Tiger of Mysore”. The pleasant climate available right throughout the year is what makes Nandi Hills a popular tourist destination. The hills were named after the lovely statue of “Nandi the bull” which stands outside the ancient temple of Yoganandeeshwara devoted to Lord Shiva which was built during the Chola dynasty. The dense forests and the rich flora and fauna available add more beauty to this region. The landscape of this region is such that it allows for outdoor activities such as cycling and paragliding. So if you are in love with nature, fascinated by forts, temples, or a cycling or paragliding enthusiast then “Nandi Hills” is a destination that you must visit.
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How to reach Nandi Hills?
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Nandi Hills Map
By train:
The closest station to Nandi Hills is located in Chickballapur town. Taxi services are available from Chickballapur station to Nandi Hills. Bangalore railway station is the nearest major station to Nandi Hills which is well connected to most of major cities in the country.
By road:
A number of Government Transport bus services are available from places within the state like Chickballapur, Nandigrama, Bangalore etc to Nandi Hills. Additionally, private bus services from Bangalore to Nandi Hills are also available. Bangalore and Mysore are the starting points that are located at a close proximity to Nandi Hills.
a. How to reach Nandi Hills from Bangalore : The shortest route to reach Nandi Hills from Bangalore is via Bellary Rd as depicted in the map above. Alternatively, click on the Google Maps link here to view on Google Maps.
b. How to reach Nandi Hills from Mysore : There fastest route from Mysore to Nandi Hills is from Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (Bengaluru) and the route map is depicted above. Alternatively, click on the Google Maps link here to view on Google Maps.
By flight:
The closest airport to Nandi Hills is in Bangalore. The Bangalore Airport receives regular flights from most of major cities around the country. Taxi service is available from the airport to Nandi Hills.
Climate and the best time to visit Nandi Hills
The climate in Nandi Hills throughout the year remains consistently temperate. The temperature during the summer months i.e. March to May ranging from 23 degrees to 29 degrees. During the winter season that begins in December and ends in February the temperatures ranges from 11 degrees to 21 degrees. During monsoons that begin in June and extends to August Nandi Hills receives what can be termed as “moderate” rainfalls. This place can be visited throughout the year except during the monsoons.
Places To Visit Around Nandi Hills
Nandi Temple: It was built during the reign of Kempe Gowda during the Vijayanagar period. Located at the foothills of Nandi Hills, this holy pilgrimage center displays some splendid carved pillars and metal works. The reigning deities of this temple are Yoganandeeshwara and Bhoganandishwara. There is a lamp tower which is ignited every day.
Amrita Sarovar: Formed by springs, the Amrita Sarovar is a lovely pond that looks beautiful on a moonlit night. It is also referred to as ‘The Lake of Nectar’ and ‘Lake of Ambrosia’. ShriUgraNarasimha Temple and Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple Chabootra lies in close proximity to the hills.
Tipu’s Summer Palace and Fort: It is a must-see site. Constructed out of wood, the archways and towers of this summer resort of Tipu Sultan are beautifully embellished. The variety of wall paintings and ceiling works are worth admiring. The five arches with minarets only add to the aura of the fort.
Brahmashram: A cave ashram, it has been constructed out of natural boulders. It was once the meditation center of Sage Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Tipu’s Drop: This is a 600 meters high cliff that was used as the punishing ground for the prisoners of Tipu Sultan. The prisoners were pushed down from here.
Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple: Built by the Cholas, the Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple is an ancient shrine of this region devoted to Lord Shiva. The magnificent wall carvings and designs truly deserve appreciation.
Narasimha Temples: Sri Yoga Narasimha and Sri UgraNarasimha temples, located on the hill top is worth visiting. The lower part of the hill has Sri BhogaNarasimha Temple, devoted to Lord Narasimha.
GaviVeerbhadraSwamy Temple: It is located on the way to Sultanpet from Tipu’s Palace. It has been constructed out of huge boulders.
Gandhi House: It is the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and is maintained by the DPAR (Protocol) Government of Karnataka.
Other places of tourist interest in close proximity to Nandi Hills and which must be explored include Chikballapur, MM Hills, GhatiSubramanya, Devarayanadurga, Nrityagram, Kolar, Bannerghatta, and Kurudumale.
Accommodation – Hotels, Resorts and Home Stays in and around Nandi Hills:
Click on the link here to check out the places to stay near Nandi Hills, Karnataka on Google Maps.
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