Nandi Hills

Its been a long time since I updated my blog … been kinda busy at work and the workout

27-May-06:
This trip was special for all of us, because we were to be accompanied by Akka, Anand and best of all, cute little Giri! We left home by around 07:00 and picked up akka and family at Malleswaram. We got breakfast packed from Ganesh Darshan (17th Cross, Margosa Rd), and took Bellary Road via Mekhri circle. Around 5 Km before Devanahalli, we spotted a deserted petrol bunk and decided to stop there to have breakfast. The weather was excellent with a cool breeze blowing across the plains. We enjoyed the sumptuous breakfast of idlis, vadas, and khara bath!

After Devanahalli, there is a road to the left that leads to Nandi hills. This should not be confused with the road to Doddaballapur (NH-207), which is a little before the road to Nandi hills.

The road to Nandi:

Nandi hills from a distance:

Tipu Drop:

We spotted a huge concrete statue of Ganesha in a residential school enroute Nandi, which was very attractive.

Giant Benaka:

Further on this road, the left takes you up the hills, whereas, the road to the right leads to Bhoganandeeshwara Temple, around 3 Km from this junction. This is a very huge temple which very few people know, and is an amazing piece of architecture. Some photos inside the temple …

View of Nandi hills from the temple:

Around the sanctum:

The inside walls of the temple:

Kalyani:

Vasantha Mantapa:

Mantapa outside the temple:

After spending some time in the lawn of the temple, we proceeded uphill. The narrow and winding road has nearly 48 curves and the drive is truly enjoyable. We reached the top by lunch time, and had lunch at a local restaurant. Then we went around for a small trek around the hill, after seeing the very famous Tipu drop, the place where Tipu Sultan of Mysore used to punish his enemies. It is a cliff that is thousands of feet deep, and I am sure that not even a bone can be traced, if someone falls there! Not to forget, Tipu drop even today is a hot favourite suicide spot for frustrated lovers

Some lesser known spots … towards the east of the hill, you have a small ditch (yes!), which is supposed to be the source of the Penniyar river (the one that flows in Krishnagiri). Further down, there is a stone statue of 'Nellikayi Basavanna' (Nandi), the guy who is responsible for getting the name for this hill! To the west of Nandi hills lies a route to Ghati Subrahmanya (near Doddaballapur), which makes for an excellent night trek. I am just waiting to go hiking on this route!

Some views from atop Nandi hills:

Moi!

After spending some more time amidst nature, we returned to Bangalore by evening. As usual, we did some shopping for Devanahalli's famous 'Chakotha' and jackfruit. Unluckily, we had a flat tyre a few kilometres before Jakkur, the same tyre that succumbed during our Mysore trip early this month. Looks like I will have to get the tube replaced.

Some more photos …

Park atop Nandi hills:

My favourite … Giri in the middle of a sneeze!

One more amusing point observed during this trip was the large number of couples with babies sighted at the place. Perhaps shows the amount of frustration they face, and the urge they have to get away from home after a long period of confinement!