Nandi Hills also called Nandi Durga is arguably the most popular weekend destination for the city crowd of Bengaluru. The rivers North Palar, South Pennar, Chitravathi, Arkavathi and Papaghni take their birth at Nandi Hills. It has been under the control of Paleyagars of Chikkaballapura, Tipu Sultan, Marathas and finally the British. It was called ‘Nandigiri’ in the ancient inscriptions. The bracing air and serene environs of Nandi Hills, perched at an altitude of 4850 feet above sea level, provided the British and Tipu Sultan with an idyllic summer retreat. The weather at the hills is pleasant throughout the year and here, you can take leisurely strolls. Adventure sports lovers can try their hand at parasailing. An ideal trekking destination, the prominent places which can be visited from Nandi hills are to the north-west-Channakeshava Betta (4762 ft), south-west Brahmagiri (4657 ft), north, Skandagiri (4749 ft) south the steep precipice and the well at the bottom called “Shravana Tirtha.”

Why visit Nandi Hills: Historical Significance: It is believed that the fort walls here were built by the Paleyagars of Chikkaballapura and later strengthened by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It was under the Maratha control for some time. The precipice to the south-west has the name “Tipu’s Drop”, which is believed as the place where prisoners condemned to death were pushed down to the valley below. At the centre of the plateau, a big water pool has been dug out and a rectangular stone structure is built for the storage of water. The pool is named “Amrit Sarovar.”
Temples in Nandi Hills: Two ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are located in the Hills. The Yoganandishwara Temple on top of the Nandi Hills has the architecture of the Chola style. The garbhagriha entrance of this temple has decorative brass covered doors and dwarapalakas (door keepers) on either side. It is said that these doorkeeper images were the gifts of Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara ruler. Located in a village Nandi Grama near to Nandi Hills is the Bhoganandishwara Temple. The original temple belongs to a period prior to the 9th century A.D. with later additions during Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagara periods. In this Bhoganandishwara temple complex, there are two separate garbhagrihas in one straight line, with separate Nandimantapas. Of these Nandimantapas, one has a little garbhagriha also. The temple to the north is dedicated to Lord Bhoganandishwara and the southern one to Lord Arunachaleswara. The exquisite stone fringes in them display ornate workmanship and artistry.