Offbeat destinations offer the best experiences and mostly unadulterated and travellers discover their beauty. Their journey and experiences infuse the curiosity in others too. This infusion will ultimately creates a “travel cycle” which is started by wanderers which will ultimately put such wonderful sites on the tourism circuit. Urban air chokes up with appearance of vast number of concrete, disappearance of green belts and vehicles. A urban dweller ask for a fresh breath. For naturalists, some secrets lies about 1800 feet above the city. Nandi betta aka Nandi hills, presents majestic wildlife along with amazing history and culture.
Hillocks enriched with flora and fauna is mesmerizing for those who visit this site foe trekking and getaways from the hustle and bustle of the city. This amazing paradise is basically a hill fortress and nestled near Nandi town and 10 km away from town Chickballapur. Traditional belief is, this hill station is the originator of Arkavathy river.This hill station was summer retreat for Tipu Sultan initially and later followed by Britishers. This site is an ideal destination for the people interested in trekking and exploring nature. The name is derived from Lord Shiva’s mount namely Nandi or bull.
These hillocks are oriented towards southern Kerala and surrounded by many small hillocks.
After the period of Tipu Sultan, this land went under the rule of Britishers. Just after the British reign, this site gained popularity and attention of tourists.
This site offers a very pleasant weather and landscape throughout the year and atracts a large number of tourists not only from bangalore but also from many other parts of country and foreign tourists too. Best time of the day to visit the site is before sunrise to enjoy amazing sunrise view. The Location is open for 6 AM to 6 PM but on weekends try to arrive soon at the site to avoid the traffic and enjoy the trip.
Nandi Hills is one of those sites in Karnataka which must not be skipped but the tourists and travellers faced with question that how to go to Nandi Hills? And this question has a simple answer. Here are the directions to go to Nandi Hills.
No direct flights are available for Nandi Hills. Following are the some nearest airports so you can get flight to them and then take cab on rent and drive to the site. After Devanahalli, turn left and you will see a sign board with Nandi Hills written on it and then keep going on this track straight. From NH7 take a diversion and after it there is an another turn( left) and it leads to the factory and after few kilometers you will see a temple and you are at the site. Bangalore Airport: which is 39.1 km away from the site, Nandi Hills. Hindustan Airport (BLR) Karnataka : 42 km away from Nandi Hills. Mysore Airport (MYQ) Karnataka: 165 km away from Nandi Hills.
Are you thinking how to reach Nandi Hills by train? Major routes from other cities are not available to Nandi Hills but you here is list of nearby railway stations, Oddarahalli (ORH), Karnakata: This railway station is 17 km away from Nandi Hills. Dodaballapur (DBU),Karnataka: 17 km away.
Main bus stop is not available in Nandi Hills but the best options ar following: Anand Travels: popular bus service for the tourists and travellers available on daily basis but you have to book your tickets before time as not to miss out visit by bus. Nelamangala bus stop, Karnataka: 43 km away from the site. These buses leaves at 8:30 AM from the 13 NO. Platform and leaves from the Hills back to the Bangalore at 4:15 PM but the timing is not confirmed or followed strictly. Buses are not available in the afternoon.
Driving up for the Nandi Hills by road is a pleasant journey and the view is amazing as winding roads up and it is the easiest route to reach Nandi Hills. You have to start your journey from Bangalore which is 61 km away and takes about 2 hours if you go by road. It is the most preferred way to reach the site (Nandi Hills) . there is only one road to the top so be aware of the vehicles coming from other sides too.
Thousands of people travel every week to the site through bike and it is absolutely safe and really fantastic as other fellows on bikes you get to meet on the way will make you feel safe as a lot of people go to the site before sunrise so you are not alone on the way.
This destination has a limited number of food points but the quality of food and prices are much reasonable. Various Hotels are also available for accomodation and rates start from as low as INR 600 and reach about INR 300 or may be above per night as per your demand and comfort. Best opinion for Budget conscious travellers to choose the following hotels with amazing hill station view.
KSTDC Mayura Pine Top. Capital Hill Home Stay. Mount View Resort. Oak Farm. Discovery Village. Mount Palazzo. THe Green Hill View.
Shriakt .Nandi Hills, Karnataka, India. Sinchana Palace Restaurant, Karnataka, India. Hotel Sangeetha Home Food, Nandi Hills, Karnataka, India. OYO 15965 Hotel Nandi Geteway, Karnataka, India. The Olives Multi Cuisine Restaurant. Indian Paratha Palace.
Pappu’s Paanipuri Chat Centre
M.L.N.S.V Dhaba , Karnataka, India.Swathi Family Restaurant, Karnataka, India. Udupi Swada, Karnataka, India.
Shree Hotel, Nandi Hills , India. Nandi Upachar, Bengaluru , Karnataka. SIZZLING CHINESE Restaurant , Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Sri Babu Raju Ram Fuel Station SY NO. 45 NH-7 ,Chikkaballapur ( open 24 hours) Bharat Petroleum Petrol Bunk. Doddasagarahalli,Karnataka, India (Closes 8 PM) Bharath Petroleum Kempathimmanahalli, Karnataka, India ( Open 24 hours) HP PETROL PUMP-VIHANN FUEL PARK SY NO. 125, NH 69 ( Closes 11 PM) IOC Nandi Service Station ( Gas Station) Closes 10 PM. MGR petrol bunk Muddenahalli , Karnataka, India.
Brahmashram: Cool cave with Stage Paramhamsa meditated. Nandi: Located at the foot of the site and really a wonderful place to visit. Speciality is the temple of Bhoganandishwaraswamy. Paapagni Mutt: It is 3 km away from Chikballapur. Temples: 3 temples are there: 1) Sri Bhoga Narasimha 2) Sri Ugra Narasimhs 3) Sri Yoga Narasimha
Summer Residence of Tipu Sultan: It is present on the top of the hill but this place is not open for the people.
Cycling: Many bicycle clubs arrange weekend cycling tours to the site but endurance level should be high. Paragliding: awesome site for paragliding but but keep the basics off time and weather in mind. Trekking: A huge trek is present on the backside of the hill to provide the tourists amazing trekking opportunities.
A huge number of remarks are there by travellers for the site, food , hotels and their other experiences but following is a summary of these reviews. Accessibility: 4/5 Local Sight seeing: 4/5 Accomodation: 3/4 Safety: 4/5
Visit the site during winters( September –February) Avoid the travelling during July and August as the site receives moderate level of rainfall. Leave the site before sunset. If you are planning trip with kids then plan to drive by ping the fee at the entrance for the car and drive to the top of the hill Do not carry food items in hands to avoid aggressive monkeys at the site.
