All young Indians dream about high-paying jobs and life in metro cities. As you start slogging in the industry during the whole week, you crave for a perfect weekend getaway. Thankfully, Incredible India has gifted such sites to every metro city. Our today’s destination is one such weekend getaway from Bangalore, Nandi Hills. Today, it is a favorite destination for tourists to watch the sunrise. However, once it used to be an impregnable fortress.

Story Time

Nandi Hills are at today’s Chikkaballapur Distict of Karnataka. In medieval India, Rulers of the Western Ganga Dynasty recognized the importance of this hill and built a fortress on it. During the subsequent time of Chola period this place was recognized as the Hill of Happiness with the name of ‘Anandagiri’. In later period, Tipu Sultan of Mysore enlarged and strengthened the fortress. During the first war against Tipu Sultan of Mysore, army of General Cornwallis had to take the fortress by storm. This became the place of retreat for officers of the British Raj. Sir Mark Cubbon, British Commissioner of Mysore even built his summer residence on the hill.

When you visit Nandi Hills – 

Trails and trekking paths of the Hills are famous amongst hikers and trekkers. There are various points and sites to visit once you reach the top of the fortress. Tipu’s summer residence, a small two story building with pond and park is one of the main attractions along with “Amrit Sarovar” a rectangular water storage pond. If you are able to reach before time, the sight of sunrise from the top of the Hills is completely captivating. There’s a cliff known as Tipu’s Drop. Back in the days, Prisoners punished with the death penalty were pushed from the cliff. There is a garden with a play area for kids and families to play and relax. A very ornate and sculpted temple of Bhoganandishvara at a nearby village Nandigram and a temple of Yoganandishvara on top of hills.

So, if you are looking for a perfect weekend getaway from your hectic life of Bangalore or you are planning for a trip in the region, don’t forget to think about Nandi Hills.

This brings to the I am participating in A2Z challenge with Blogchatter and this is my take on ‘N‘ challenge. “N is for Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapur District, Karnataka”. You can find my other posts from this challenge here.