Nandi hills is a favourite destination for Bangaloreans for one day trips! We add few more places to make it more intersecting for you!
One Day trips from Bangalore 7 is the seventh in the series of day trips to places around Bangalore.
These day trips are easy to do, will break the monotony of city life and can be considered as a weekend breaks around Bangalore. They will also provide a nice outing to family to tourist places around Bangalore.
This time we will take you to Nandi hills and beyond…….
You must be wondering all these days why we did not cover Nandi Hills, Bangaloreans’ perennial favourite for day trip? We have been there countless times. By all modes of transport – Bus, car, motorcycle and Bicycle! It is always fun to go to this hill. Albeit crowded these days. But if you know the right time to be there, you will enjoy it.
Read on and we will tell you all…..Here we present you with a plan for a one day trip to Nandi hills and much more than that….
The Circuit
Route map – Bangalore – Nandi Hills – Bhoganandishwara temple – Muddenahalli – Devanahalli Fort – Bangalore
Total Distance – 139 KMs
The Plan
7 AM – Depart from home. Those who are in North and East Bangalore, it is easy to hit Airport road. For those of us staying in South Bangalore you have to either wade through the city or go via NICE road and exit at Tumkur road. Take the first available U Turn and then turn left at Peenya junction and continue on Outer Ring Road till you reach Airport road.
8 AM – You can have your breakfast in India Paratha Company or Nandi Upachar or Srinidhi Vaibhavaon the highway.
9 AM – Depart for Nandi hills. Drive on the highway for few kilometres and then turn left at the prominent signage. Drive on the good road and follow the signage. As you start climbing the hill, the road turns curvy with few hair pin bends. Make sure you drive safe.
10 AM – Arrive at Nandi hills. Spend two hours exploring the hills – Tippu Drop, Shiva temple, the birth place of Arkavathy river, Cubbon house – the British bungalow built for Lord Cubbon, check out few viewpoints – The KSTDC restaurant has some fabulous views.
A panoramic view from the top of Nandi Hills ( Picture Courtesy – Mahendra Patnaik)
12 Noon – Depart from the hill and come to Bhoga Nandishwara temple in Nandi village. A lovely temple built during Vijayanagar period – 16th century -, it is a photographers’ paradise. The huge Temple tank and surroundings are peaceful. Appreciate the sculptural heritage of the temple.
Panoramic view of temple tank of Bhoganandishwara temple ( Photo Courtesy – Nicolas Mirguet)
1.30 PM – Depart temple. You can have lunch in many Dhabhas/restaurants at the junction where the road climbs up to the hill from the highway. The food is quite decent.
3 PM – After lunch drive to Muddenahalli for a quick stop over at Sir M Vishweshvariah’s ancient home which is now turned into a nice museum. An icon of modern India, Sir MV as is fondly called was awarded Bharataratna in 1955.
Sir MV’s ancient house. Now converted into a museum.
4 PM – After visiting Muddenhalli, if you are not tired, pay a visit to Devanahalli fort. This is the place where the great Tippu Sultan was born. A majestic fort with gateways and bastions, it still has Tippu and Hyder Ali’s houses maintained in good condition. The temples inside the fort built during Vijayanagara period have lovely sculptures. Spend an hour exploring the fort.
Entrance to Devanahalli Fort
5.30 PM – Depart for Bangalore
Travel Tips
a) It is good to be there in Nandi Hills early in the morning when there is no rush. Sunrise at Nandi Hills is an experience. But you can expect large crowd during weekends in the morning.
b) Nandi Hills will get crowded during weekends. Our recommendation is to avoid going there on weekend if you want a quiet outing.
c) Expect rash driving by motorcyclists on the hill road. Be aware of few drunken youths as well.
d) Bhoga Nandishwara temple at the foothills and Venugopala Swamy temple inside Devanahalli fort are fine specimens of Vijayanagara style of Architecture. Talk to the priests of these temples for interesting stories.
e) Make sure you have a good cap. Sun will be harsh in the afternoon.
f) Avoid going to the edge of the hill for clicking pictures with valley in the background. Many have lost live when they lost balance and fell from the hill.
g) Sunrise from October till June is a lovely experience. Weekends are good times to go if you don’t want to experience crowds.
We would love to hear from you. Have you been to these places? What has been your experience?
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