Best tourist places to visit in and near Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills to Bangalore is what Lonavla is to Mumbaikars, one of the closest places for weekend getaways. Entwined with a lush green exterior and blessed with dense forests, the gorgeous Nandi hills make for quite a spectacle. You can take your bike out for a spin or pack your trekking bags and camp at the top of the Nandi hills. There are many activities that you can take up while you're at the hills. However, one of the more fun things to do would be to explore the places around Nandi Hills. From quaint villages to towering hills, the places to visit near Nandi Hills is just as adventurous!
Best tourist places to visit in and near Nandi Hills
One of the closest villages and best places to visit in Nandi Hills is the Lepakshi village. It is located right at the border of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and has the famous monolithic Nandi bull's statue. It is a sculpture of a three-headed bull attached to a single body and faces the North. The other prominent structure of the village is the Hanging Pillars of Lepakshi. It is easily one of the top tourist places to visit in Nandi Hills.
The Anantapur district which is on the borders of the two states has often attracted many tourists and is one of the places to visit in Nandi Hills. One of the highlights of the city of Anantapur is the clock tower that is located right in the city centre. The city also has the famous ISKCON temple along with the Paashanti Nillayam Sai Baba ashram which counts as some of the other interesting tourist places to visit in Nandi Hills.
You can get a Grand Canyon-like feel in Karnataja's small andd quaint village of Gandikota. Located on the banks of the river Penna, the town's fame doesn't just come from the canyon but also the fort that overlooks it. If you are planning for a camping trip around Nandi Hills, you should definitely add Gandikota to your list.
A little close to the Nandi Hills is the astounding city of palaces, Mysore! You should definitely add the city of Mysore to your list of tourist places to visit near Nandi Hills. The city has some of the finest palaces and rich cultural heritage that makes it a popular attraction.
Also known as Tumkur, the city which is situated within Karnataka is one of the top industrial towns in the state. Along with all the industrial complexes, the city is also ideal for several hiking and pilgrimage. Wear your hiking shoes and go for a trek to the Tamadecara Betta or the Devarayanadurga hills. Further, you can also opt for a pilgrimage by visiting some of the temples in the city. If you're visiting Nandi Hills in the weekend, you could choose this place.
For the love of birds, you cannot miss visiting the village of Rangantittu, which is one of the places to visit near Nandi Hills. Perched up the banks of the exquisite Cauvery river, the village inhabits about 150 varied species of birds. The fact that it houses such high number of species make it a famous tourist place to visit near Nandi Hills for ornithologists across Asia.
A little about 35 km from the capital city of Bangalore in Karnataka is the lovely city of Hessarghatta which is popular for its grasslands. You will be thrilled by the lush green natural beauty that would surround you as you add Hessarghatta as one of the places to visit in Nandi Hills. The roads are perfect for bike rides and organic living.
There is rich history and cultural heritage that makes Kolar a beautiful place to visit near Nandi Hills. In the past, it was known to be a haven of gold mines. Currently, it is one of the best places for trekking and long hikes that youngsters often choose during their visit to Nandi Hills. It is also famous among the biker gangs thanks to the quaint coffee shops and multitudes of green terrains.
Need we say more about Bangalore? The cultural hub of South India, it is also recognised as the garden City for its green canvas that the state has managed to preserve. There are many go-to destinations for young crowd, especially for beer lovers. Often people from Bangalore choose Nandi Hills as one of the places to visit for weekend getaway scenes. Tip for when you plan to travel- Visit InterMiles to book your flights for yourself and your loved ones and earn miles. You can earn InterMiles when you book flights across
If you do wish to cross the Karnataka border to the Chittoor region of Andhra Pradesh, you should pay Horsley Hills or better known as Horsleykonda a visit. The alluring hill station with its dense forests and magnificent views make it one of the best places to visit near Nandi Hills. Due to its prominence to safeguard wildlife and nature, the government has taken special measures to preserve the place.
Named after the King of Mysore, Chamaraja, the town of Chamrajnagar is one of the famous tourist spots to visit in Nandi Hills. What makes this town a tourist attraction is the fact that one can indulge in knowing more about the process and production of sandalwood and silk. Further, close to the town is the Shivanasamudra waterfalls which adds more beauty to the town.
Another quaint village located close to the Tumkur village is Madhugiri. Famously known for its eccentric rock formations that stand tall, the small town of Madhugiri is easily one of the best places to visit near Nandi Hills. The kings of Vijayanagar built the famous Madhugiri Fort to store resources and supplies. In today's time though, the place is a perfect locale for gorgeous views of the city.
More towards the city of Bangalore and a little away from the Nandi Hills is the pleasant Devarayana Durga hill station. The hill station is located in a perfect space which overlooks the green mountains and valleys. In fact, while you reach the top, the Devarayana Durga hills would give you the great views of Mango plantations which cover both the sides of the road. You could cover the place for a day trip.
While Nandi Hills is a fun place to trek and hike, you can also choose the enchanting Skandagiri Hills for the same. The place is excellent for trekking beginners. Winter is considered to be an ideal time for trekkers to visit the hills. With the blend of cool breeze and sounds of nature, it plays quite the harmony to your body and soul.
To visit Hindupuram, you will have to cross the state border and visit Andhra Pradesh. Also recognised as a city of gold, the city is perched atop the banks of the lovely Penna river which houses various Dravidian-style temples. You can make it a pilgrimage and visit some of the beautiful temples such as the Jain temple, the Chowdeshwari Temple and more.