If there's a quick road trip destination needed, or somewhere to watch the sunrise from, or simply escaping to the hills for a short while, the default answer for most Bangaloreans is arguably Nandi Hills. The hills, also known as Nandi Durga, were a popular summer retreat of Tipu Sultan and later the British. Today, the hills are alive with the sound of trekkers, cyclists, excited first-timers, and lots of monkeys. At 4850 feet above sea level elevation, you are treated to some brilliant fresh air, cooler mornings, and scenic views.
Nandi Hills are part of the Panchagiri range of hills that include Skandagiri so you can make this road trip into a one-day adventure trip. But coming back to Nandi Hills, the long winding roads that lead to the summit are scenic as well and once you are at the top, there's a bit to do here. The historical bit is where you can see Tipu Sultan's Summer House or what remains of it. The fort walls built during the time of Paleyagars of Chikkaballapura, the district where Nandi Hills is located, remain. There's a point called Tipu's Drop, that apparently was a place where prisoners were pushed down to death.
From a religious standpoint, there are two temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva at Nandi Hills. The Chola-style Yoganandishwara Temple is on top while the Bhoganandishwara Temple is located on the foothills in the village of Nandigrama. The giant Nandi bull in front of Yoganandishwara Temple is said to be the reason why the hills are named so.
Since this is a popular weekend destination for many families as well, on weekends especially, you'll find the park and the garden filled with people chilling about or romancing away (there isn't a middle ground). The most popular thing to do here is catching the sunrise and there are several viewpoints where you can get the best views. Plus, the whole place is well maintained — from the parks to the several viewpoints that are covered as well so you don't feel the sun even on a summery afternoon.
A few eateries and stalls dot the space that serve everything from dosa and idlis in the morning to snacks such as chips, soft drinks, and even ice cream. Of course, you have to keep an eye on all your belongings, especially food, since the monkey population here is notorious for snatching anything they fancy.
How to reach Nandi Hills: Nandi Hills is located about 60 km from Bangalore and you can drive down here. There are KSRTC buses that ply here as well as private taxis.
Things to keep in mind: To prevent overcrowding, there are several restrictions in place concerning the number of vehicles that can go up. You can take the shuttle bus from the car parking area to the top which charges a nominal fee of INR 25 one way.
