Testimony to history and frozen in time, Nandi Hills (also known as Nandidurg) is a popular weekend getaway. A hill fortress that was built by the Ganga Dynasty and later expanded by Tipu Sultan, it is located in Chikkaballapore district, Karnataka. The hills are about 10 km from Chikkaballapore town and approximately 60 km from the city of Bengaluru. Adding to the natural beauty of the mountains are the shrines and gardens – featuring intricate paintings and carvings.
Things to do:
Rise early and reach by 5:30 am to catch the sunrise from the hilltop, a popular pastime among visitors. There is a temple on the top of the hills and surrounding gardens tended with great care. Sunsets are just as majestic.
You can also purchase fresh grapes from here, as Nandi Hills is one of the prominent grape growing regions in Karnataka, India’s second largest grape-producing state.
Getting there:
The nearest railway station is at Chikkaballapur (9km), and the nearest airport at Bangalore (58km), from where taxis are available to Nandi Hills. Buses are also available from Bangalore and most neighbouring cities. You could also hire a cab or self-drive as well.
Trivia:
The first ever SAARC summit hosted by India ( in 1986 ) was held at Nandi Hills.
