Nandi Hills got its name from the ancient Dravidian temple dedicated to the Nandi Bull statue that’s located here, and Nandi is believed to be the mount of Lord Shiva. There are actually two Nandi Temples here, one is in the village at the foot hills and the other is at the top of the hill.
Nandi Hills was earlier known as Ananda Giri during the reign of the Cholas, which stands for the ‘Hill of Happiness’. As per folklore, the name might have originated with the visit of Yoga Nandeeshwara who also conducted penance here. As per another belief, the resemblance of the hills to the sleeping Nandi Bull gave the name to this place.
The Nandi Temple in the village at the bottom of the hills was built by the Banas who ruled this region in the Ninth Century. This temple is an amalgam of different styles of temple building, because it was renovated by various dynasties that ruled this place.
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 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 the famous “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.
This region was ruled by the Banas, the Cholas, the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara Kings, Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan and then taken over by the British.
Nandi Hills was also the favorite summer retreat of Tipu Sultan, who once ruled over the Mysore Province. He also built a fort here, which is known by the name Nandidurga Fort. After the fall of Tipu Sultan, this Fort was occupied and patronized by the British as well. It is believed that this fort might also have rendered its name to hills.
Tourist Activities at Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills offers plenty of opportunities in trekking to its visitors. There are many trekking trails at Nandi Hills that go around the Fort, which also provide great views of the scenic surroundings.
Nandi Hills also offers opportunities in tandem paragliding for those who are interested in flying like a bird. Tandem Paragliding flights are perfect even for beginners, wherein they will be strapped to a harness along with a trained pilot. The weight of the people who intend to fly should be in the range of 45 kg to 85 kg, and they should also be healthy and fit.
Nandi Hills offer four different take offs that are situated towards the North, North-west, South-east, and South. The take off from the North-West of the Nandi Hills require a 40-minute hike from Curve 20. Since there are plenty of many flat lands around, Nandi Hills are often frequented by the professional pilots as well as the paragliding enthusiasts from all across India.
A Haven for Nature Lovers
Nandi Hills is famous for its rolling green slopes that surround the Amrit Sarovar Lake. Nandi Hills is considered sacred as it is the source of rivers such as Palar, Arkavati, and Pennar, which joins with River Cauvery on their further course. The moist evergreen forests of the Nandi Hills provide the natural habitat for diverse species of wildlife, including the Shaheen Falcon, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Uropeltid snakes, Pill millipedes, and the endemic Yellow-throated Bulbuls.
Nandi Hills offers historic and scenic attractions such as Tipu’s Drop, Tipu’s Summer Palace and Fort, Horse Way, Secret Escape Route, Amruth Sarovar Lake, and Brahmashram. It is also famous for its temples such as the Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple, Sri Bhoga Narasimha temple, Sri Ugra Narasimha temple, Sri Yoga Narasimha temple, and Gavi Veerbhadra Swamy temple.
Accommodation
Nandi Hills provides modern, well-furnished accommodation for tourists. Nehru House and 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 restaurants and dhabas enroute for short eats.
Nandi Hills Address : Nandi Hill Station, Chikkaballapur Taluk, Kolar district. Distance between Bangalore to Nandi Hills is 61 km. Travel Time by road is 1 hrs
Nandi Hills was earlier known as Ananda Giri during the reign of the Cholas, which stands for the ‘Hill of Happiness’. As per folklore, the name might have originated with the visit of Yoga Nandeeshwara who also conducted penance here. As per another belief, the resemblance of the hills to the sleeping Nandi Bull gave the name to this place.
The Nandi Temple in the village at the bottom of the hills was built by the Banas who ruled this region in the Ninth Century. This temple is an amalgam of different styles of temple building, because it was renovated by various dynasties that ruled this place.
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 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 the famous “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.
This region was ruled by the Banas, the Cholas, the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara Kings, Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan and then taken over by the British.
Nandi Hills was also the favorite summer retreat of Tipu Sultan, who once ruled over the Mysore Province. He also built a fort here, which is known by the name Nandidurga Fort. After the fall of Tipu Sultan, this Fort was occupied and patronized by the British as well. It is believed that this fort might also have rendered its name to hills.
Tourist Activities at Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills offers plenty of opportunities in trekking to its visitors. There are many trekking trails at Nandi Hills that go around the Fort, which also provide great views of the scenic surroundings.
Nandi Hills also offers opportunities in tandem paragliding for those who are interested in flying like a bird. Tandem Paragliding flights are perfect even for beginners, wherein they will be strapped to a harness along with a trained pilot. The weight of the people who intend to fly should be in the range of 45 kg to 85 kg, and they should also be healthy and fit.
Nandi Hills offer four different take offs that are situated towards the North, North-west, South-east, and South. The take off from the North-West of the Nandi Hills require a 40-minute hike from Curve 20. Since there are plenty of many flat lands around, Nandi Hills are often frequented by the professional pilots as well as the paragliding enthusiasts from all across India.
A Haven for Nature Lovers
Nandi Hills is famous for its rolling green slopes that surround the Amrit Sarovar Lake. Nandi Hills is considered sacred as it is the source of rivers such as Palar, Arkavati, and Pennar, which joins with River Cauvery on their further course. The moist evergreen forests of the Nandi Hills provide the natural habitat for diverse species of wildlife, including the Shaheen Falcon, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Uropeltid snakes, Pill millipedes, and the endemic Yellow-throated Bulbuls.
Nandi Hills offers historic and scenic attractions such as Tipu’s Drop, Tipu’s Summer Palace and Fort, Horse Way, Secret Escape Route, Amruth Sarovar Lake, and Brahmashram. It is also famous for its temples such as the Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple, Sri Bhoga Narasimha temple, Sri Ugra Narasimha temple, Sri Yoga Narasimha temple, and Gavi Veerbhadra Swamy temple.
Accommodation
Nandi Hills provides modern, well-furnished accommodation for tourists. Nehru House and 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 restaurants and dhabas enroute for short eats.
Nandi Hills Address : Nandi Hill Station, Chikkaballapur Taluk, Kolar district. Distance between Bangalore to Nandi Hills is 61 km. Travel Time by road is 1 hrs
