Welcome to Nandi Hills

The beautiful Nandi Hills, popularly known as Nandi Betta or Nandi Durga for the locals and the people of Karnataka. This hillock is situated about 60 km from Bangalore City, about 24 kms from Chickballapur town. Nandi is the bull in Sanskrit, Kannada and Telugu. He is the sacred abode or Vahana to Lord Shiva. Nandi Hills gets its name from the famous Nandi temple situated atop this hill.

The Nandi hill is about 4851 ft. (1478 meters) above sea level. Because of its proximity to the Bangalore International Airport and the NH -7 Highway, this location with its rich greenery and natures paradise has become one of the hot spots for tourists, trekkers and campers alike. During summer many Bangaloreans plan a one day trip to this place.

History

During the Chola reign, Nandi Hills was known as Ananda Giri, Hill of Happiness. There is an ancient temple of Yoga Nandeeswara atop the hill. A fort was built during the period by the chieftains of Chikkaballapur. It was strengthened by the famous King of Mysore Tipu Sultan. This fort was considered impregnable, it covers a vast area of 90 acres and soldiers could shoot from all directions without being seen and there is thefamous “ Tipu drop” a 600 metre cliff with a huge rock landing after the drop. Prisoners and convicts during Tipu’s reign were pushed off this cliff .

Tipu also built a summer rest house atop this hill. In 1791, Lord Cornwallis, stormed the place and captured the place marking a major event in the history of British rule in South India. Francis Cunningham built the summer residence here for Sir Mark Cubbon. British officials enjoyed their summer stay at Nandi Hills.

Some of the famous sightseeing at the Nandi Hills and its foot hills are:

Tippu Drop this used to be the place where convicts or prisoners were pushed to death during the reign of Tippu.

Fort: During the Ganga period, the Chikkaballapur chieftains built a fort. Tippu strengthened it further and also build a rest house.

Tippus Summer Residence also known as Tashk-e-Jannat (Heaven’s Envy) a beautiful palace resembling the Dariya Daulat at Srirangapatna was built in 1791on top of this hill. The fort covers a huge area of 90 acres and is above 4851 feetabove sea level . A soldier could hide in this well constructed fort and shoot in all four directions at the same time. The fort has five arches with minarets owing the art and architecture of Tipu’s regime. There are many paintings on walls and ceilings but are maintained in bad shape. This palace is closed to the general public.

Secret Tunnel: A secret tunnel on the west is believed to have helped the Kings to escape during unforeseen attacks.

Horse Way: This tract for the Horses is in the fort on the North-eastern side, specially made for Tippu soldiers to climb the hill on horseback.

Amrutha Sarovara : This lake atop hill is formed by the water-lets flowing from the hills. It has clear cooling water with does not dry throughout the year.

Temples There are temples dedicated to Sri Bhoga Narasimha, Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Yoga Narasimha at the foot hills is famous for intricate carvings on them. There is a huge Kalyani with Mantap. This place has structures of rich heritage and is of archeological importance.

Rivers The rivers Pennar, Palar and Arkavati originate from these hills. Most of the sources have dried up Arkavathi River Origin: Arkavathi River takes its birth on the south-west of the hill.

The Gandhi Nilaya and Nehru House are mini museums guest houses dedicated to our great National leaders Mahatma Gandhiji and Nehurji.

Brahmashram It is said that Sage Ramakrishna Paramhamsa meditated here. It’s a cool cave with serene environment. The place has big rock structures.

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.

Chikballapur Sri M.Visveswaraya initially studied in Chikballapur. Also visit SSS Temple (Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Sri Subramanya, Sri Shanimahaathma Temple), H.S. Garden, Chikballapur.

Gavi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple : on the way to the Sultanpet, from Tippus palace, natural formation of

Apart from these, there are other interesting places like Anjaneya temple, Nellikayi Basavanna, Antaragange, Baananthi Bande, Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple etc.

How to reach here:

By Road: 60kms from Bangalore city on Bellary Road, NH 7 Highway. At the 36th milestone take deviation to left, 11 kilometers to reach Nandi cross. 3kms to reach foot of the. On the Doddaballapur road, turn right to reach the road that leads to the top of the hill. From the foot is 8 kilometers of the top.

Buses ply regularly from Bangalore , Devanhalli and Chikkaballapur.

Accommodation

Nandi Hills provides modern, well-furnished accommodation for tourists. Nehru House, Gandhi House, are the Government guest houses. The Horticulture Department runs a vegetarian restaurant and the Karnataka Tourism Department runs a vegetarian / non-vegetarian restaurant "MAYURA".There are many resturants and dhabas enroute for short eats.

Timings: Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For enquiries and booking contact:

DIRECTORATE,
Horticulture Department,
Lalbagh, Bangalore -560004.
Phone:080-26579231

Or

SPECIAL OFFICER, Nandi Hill Station, Chikkaballapur Taluk, Kolar district. Phone:08156-2678621