Gaining the name from the tall statue committed to the god Nandi erected on the hilltop, Nandi Hills is a hill station that has cautiously been uncovered by travelers over the years. Now a popular holiday place for the people of Bangalore and others, it was also the same place where Tipu Sultan sought to run away from the heat of the plains and of the battle.
Located at a height of 4,851 ft above sea level, all the notable grandees like Queen Elizabeth II, Mahatma Gandhi, and more have enjoyed in Nandi Hills. It is dissolved with monuments and sanctum featuring solemn pillars and beautifully carved archway with tangled painted walls and ceilings. Being a hidden gem covered by captivative views of hills and valleys, a cortege of weekenders travel here at early hours just to catch a glance of the sunrise from the top.
The weather here is soothing throughout the year but the best time to visit these Nandi hills is from September and May. Maybe the roads could be slippery and typical to climb up during the rest of the monsoon months. It is best if you are on the hilltop before sunrise since afternoons can be suffocating during summers. So plan your trip early in the morning at around 5.30 AM to witness the beautiful sunrise. This place remains open from morning 6 AM to 10 PM.
This Nandi Hills guide will help you plan your trip, by giving a detailed description of the overall experience of the place and making it a paradise to be in.
How You Can Reach Nandi Hills?
Nandi Hills are at a distance of 166 km from Mandya, 210 km from Maysoor, 75 km from Tumkur, 61 km from Bangalore, 80 km from Kolar, there are many other ways to reach Nandi Hills. You can easily reach there by all three means of transport—road, rail and air.Single person entry is restricted, make sure you go with at least one companion. If you are traveling solo then try to join another group before heading toward the ticket counter.
By Air
Airport is situated at a distance of 33 km away, the nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport which carries both domestic and international tourists. And after landing, you can take a bus from here to Nandi Hill.
By Train
Railway Station is situated at a distance of 9 km away from Nandi Hills, the nearest railway station is the Chikkaballapur from where you could take a cab, taxi or a bus to your destination. Bangalore Railway Station is the major railhead which is well connected to all big cities of India’s like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
By Road
Government buses on a daily basis run from Nandigram, Chikkabellapur, and Bangalore to Nandi Hills. Touristers can also take a cab or self-drive but have to park their individual vehicles at respected places at the foot of the hills. The parking fees for the four-wheelers is INR 60 and for the two-wheelers is INR 15. There are also many other buses and other transport provided by the Nandi authorities which is a much better arrangement as you get to avoid traffic on the road and are able to reach on time.
By Local Transport
Although most of the sites in Nandi Hills are best explored on foot, taxis, as well as e-rickshaws, are opted by tourists to travel in the city. All buses leave from Bangalore’s central bus station, Kempegowda Bus Station (KBS) locally known commonly as Majestic.
Places To Visit In Nandi Hills
Here are some places to visit during your trip. Nandi Hills don’t have any specific timings, these places have their own timings that you need to keep in mind before going.
● Tipu’s Drop
● Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
● Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
- Brahmastra
● Amrita Sarovar
- Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple
- Nehru Nilaya
- Grover’s Zampa Vineyard
Things To Do In Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills is not just famous for its tourist attractions but also for the adventure activities and other interesting things to do here. Here are three things that you can do
- Cycling
Cycling at these hills is a completely adventurous thing to do . With its beautiful trees, flowers and the cold early morning fog of the forests, you can have an unforgettable cycling or biking memories and experience at these hills
- Trekking
Trekking in this place is very famous and it is an easy to moderate level trek. So it is perfect for both beginners and experienced ones.
- Paragliding
This place offers an extraordinary paragliding experience which you can find at very few places in India. Timing for the same is from 8 AM to 1 PM.