A day trip guide to Nandi Hills

Nandi hills is the perfect place to visit if you want to escape the heat and the hustle and bustle of the Garden city. You must leave early in the morning to reach in time to catch the famed sunrise at the Nandi hills. However, the place has other attractions too if you happen to miss the sunrise. Do remember to include them in your itinerary the next time you are in Bengaluru. You can book a private taxi or ask your hotel in Bengaluru to make transportation arrangements for you.

The journey to Nandi hill is part of the experience. A winding highway with sharp turns and hairpin bends that offer majestic views of the city below takes you to the top. Make sure that you do not forget to take your camera along, to capture the amazing sites on the way. You should include the following places in your one-day itinerary to make the most of your trip.

Some of the major attractions around Nandi hills:

Skandagiri

Skandagiri is a hill close to Nandi hills. The tall hill is a favourite with those seeking adventure and offers paragliding and camping opportunities. The rough and uneven trail to the top is well marked and is ideal for trekking. There is an old Tipu Sultan fort right on the top. Though in ruins now, it is a must-visit if you are around. The panoramic view of the surrounding that Skandagiri offers are beyond amazing. You can literally touch the clouds from the top.

Bhoga Nandeeswara temple

The majestic temple complex located about 15 kilometres away from the base of Nandi hills contains three temples- Uma Maheshwara, Bhoga Nandeeshwara and Arunachaleshwara temples. Dating back to the 9th century, it is amongst the oldest surviving temples in Karnataka. The architecture of the temple complex is beyond compare. The ceilings, the pillars, and the walls are covered with intricate and majestic carvings. Also, do not forget to check out the huge temple tank with stairs set in stone.

Tipu's summer residence

One of the very few palaces in Bengaluru, Tipu Sultan's summer residence located on the top of the Skandagiri hill was started by Haider Ali. He named Tashk-e-Jannat, 'the envy of heaven,' due to the majestic architecture, carved arches, huge pillars and beautifully painted wall and ceiling. Predominantly made of wood, the palace gives a spectacular view of the surroundings from the top.

Brahmashram

Not many know of this place in Nandi hills. This is a cave near the foothills where the sage Ramakrishna Paramhansa used to meditate. This is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a bit of solitude.

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