NANDI HILLS

Situated 60 Kms north of Bangalore and 1478 metres above sea level, Nandi Hills, earlier known as Nandidurga, was the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. He and his father Haider Ali expanded the existing fort, built by local feudatory chieftains, into twin forts. Attracted by the salubrious climate of this area, the British built spacious bungalows and laid beautiful gardens. They succeeded in converting Nandi Hills into a charming hill station. Tippu’s Drop is a 60 metre cliff, offering breathtaking views. Adventure sports lovers can try their hand at parasailing. Nearby is the Yoga Nandeeshwara temple on the hill.

GUMMANAYAKA FORT

This fort is situated 16 Kms. East of Bagepalli, was founded around 1350 by a feudatory chieftain Gummanayaka and ruled for several years by him and his successors. It is noted for its fortified circular rock, that rises 150 ft above the surrounding hilly tract.

MUDDENHALLI

Muddenhalli, birthplace of Sir M. Visweswaraya, Visionary engineer and statesman and architect of Karnataka’s progress. Visit his home, now converted into a museum. The village of Nandi, houses the Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple. It is really a confluence of two temples and one of the finest examples of Dravidian temple architecture.

KAIVARA

This town is associated with the epic, Mahabharatha. Known as Ekchakrapura, this is where the Pandavas lived in exile, incognito. Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers is said to have killed the asura (demon) Bakasura, who was tormenting the people. Myth has it that a nearby cave in the hill, contains the corpse of the demon, which supposedly drips blood during Shivaratri. There is a garden complex in Kaivara, containing gardens and musical fountains. Also, in the garden are five cottages named after the pandavas and a mini zoo with herbarium. The temples of Amaranarayana and Bhimeshwara as well as the Yogi Narayana ashram are worth a visit.

TIPPUDROP

A steep deep in the south west of Nandi hill is named as Tippu drop. During Tippu’s regime Prisoners punished to death were pushed from this point.

NEHARU GUEST HOUSE

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Nandi hills. A Guest house has been constructed in his memory, which is maintained by the department of Horticulture. Nehru Nilaya was the venue for SAARC summit.

BHOGANANDEESHWARA TEMPLE

Boganandiswara temple in Nandi village constructed around 806 A.D. by Rathnavalli of Bana Dynasty is in Drawidan style. Temple is known for its anciental Architecture. Sri. Arunachaleswara temple, nearby Boganandiswara temple built out soap stone, is another example where one can find fine Ganga, Chola, Hoysala style of architecture.

VISWESHARAIAH TOMB

Tomb of Sir M.Visweswaraiah at Muddenahalli, Chikballapur.