Nandi Hill: The highest point in Bangalore

Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka is home to the highest point in the city, NANDI HILLS. It is an ancient hill fortress located in the Chikkaballapur district. Also known by the name ANANDANAGAR. It was the work of the Ganga Dynasty. The most attractive thing about the hills is their breathtaking scenic beauty. Since it is the highest point of the state therefore one gets a splendid view of the city from the top. Below are some of the places worth your time while in Nandi Hills. Let’s begin…

Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The hills are famous not only for their ecology and ambience but also for their historicity. The Chola Dynasty established the temple in the 11th century. The main deity is Lord Shiva. The Chola rulers Rajendra Chola and Kulottunga have their names etched onto the walls of the temple. Thus the spiritual popularity and the intricate architecture enchants the viewers.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

The temple is located at the base of the Nandi Hills. It is one of the oldest temples of Karnataka, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple built in the 9th century received patronage from various dynasties of South India like the Ganga Dynasty, Hoysala Dynasty, Vijayanagar dynasty. The architectural style of the temple is Dravidian. The complex is divided into three shrines- Arunachaleshwara shrine, Umamaheshwari shrine, Bhoga Nandeeshwara shrine. The speciality of these temples is in the architectural grandeur.

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

The palace is Tipu Sultan’s summer residence. This place is prominently known as Tashk-e-Jannat. True to its name the place is beautiful and one of the major attractions of Nandi Hill. There is a unique charm to the palace. The walls are embellished with extraordinary motifs and paintings. The location of the palace adds to the aesthetics of the site.

Tipu’s Drop

In British India, the site was known as a summer retreat. There are places like TIPU’S DROP, Tipu’s Summer Palace associated with the ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. So a remarkable site is Tipu’s Drop on a cliff 600 m above ground. Moreover one can enjoy adventure and nature at the same time. Hence the site provides a mind-boggling experience with paragliding and parasailing to its visitors. 

Amrita Sarovar

Next in line is the AMRITA SAROVAR. It has been a source of freshwater for the Nandi hills and surrounding regions for ages. Therefore also known as the Lake of Nectar. The real beauty indeed lies in its serenity and enchanting spectacle. 

Brahmashram

In Nandi hills, the next spot is BRAHMASHRAM. It is an ancient cave. The great RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHANSA visited the cave for meditation. His followers rever it as a pilgrim site. It is pure and pious and is a great place for relaxation.

Skandagiri

Best known as the Kalavara Durga, the site is a hilltop fortress, located 3 km from Chikkaballapur. if you are planning on a fun and adventurous weekend then this hill fortress is perfect. The calm and serene surroundings help in mental relaxation and bring one closer to nature. The site is apt for photoshoots due to its pristine view.

Grover’s Zampa Vineyard

Have an interest in different varieties of Wine then this is a must-visit site. The area surrounding Nandi Hills is occupied with Vineyards. It produces some of the best quality wines for Karnataka and nearby states. On visiting the Vineyard, you can also take a tour of it and taste the different wines. For people who are interested in wine culture, this place cannot be a miss.

Shree Ranganathaswamy Temple

On the way to Nandi hills, there is a temple at Chikkaballapur dedicated to Ranganathaswamy. The temple was built by the Hoysalas. The temple is in the vicinity of the Nandi hills which enhances its aesthetics. If the legends are to be believed, visiting the temple ensures salvation for the devotees. Hence the reason for its prominence. The beauty of the temple is that the chief deity is carved in a single piece of Shaligrama stone. The architecture and the aesthetics combine together to give a valuable experience at the temple.

Gudibande Fort

The fort in Chikkaballapur belonged to the Tuluva dynasty of Vijayanagar. On the top of the fort is a Shiva temple. It is one of the 108 Jyotirlingas. The fort has a rainwater harvesting system. Therefore it has unconventional popularity. While on the way to Nandi hills, one can give a visit to this fort.

On reaching the hills, one can go for adventure sports like paragliding, parasailing, camping, trekking, early morning walks up the fort, etc. Nandi Hills is a hill station with historical and spiritual attributes. It has a unique magnificence attached to it. For an experience of a lifetime, don’t miss out on this one. Its pristine view is a sight to behold.

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