A Visit to Nandi Hills

ON 26th November 2022, we went on a short but exciting trip to Nandi Hills, a popular tourist spot near Bengaluru, Karnataka. We were six people (from UTC Bengaluru) in total—including a couple and a baby. We started early in the morning by bus from Bengaluru, full of excitement and energy. Along the way, we had to change buses two times, and finally, we took a shared auto to reach the hilltop. The journey, though a bit long, was enjoyable and filled with laughter.

Why Nandi Hills Is Famous

Nandi Hills is well known for its beautiful sunrise, cool weather, and peaceful natural surroundings. The place is wonderful and blissful, with fresh mountain air and lush greenery all around. It is located about 60 km from Bengaluru and stands at an altitude of approximately 1,478 meters above sea level. Tourists love the green valleys, mist-covered slopes, and ancient structures. It is also a popular destination for trekking, cycling, and weekend getaways from the busy city life.

Nandi Hills – Origin of Six Rivers

One fascinating fact about Nandi Hills is that it is the origin of six rivers, which flow in different directions and support many regions in southern India:

1. Penna River (Uttara Pinakini) – Flows towards the Deccan Plateau and discharges into the Bay of Bengal.

2. Arkavathi River – Flows westward and joins the Cauvery River.

3. Palar River – Flows eastward and is a major water source for Chennai City.

4. Chitravathi River – Flows towards Puttaparthi (Andhra Pradesh) and joins the Pennair River.

5. Papagni River – Flows through Rayalaseema (Andhra Pradesh) and merges with the Pennar River.

6. Dakshina Pinakini (South Pinakini) – Flows towards Hosur (Tamil Nadu) and finally empties into the Bay of Bengal.

This makes Nandi Hills not just beautiful, but also geographically important.

Origin and Meaning of the Name “Nandi”

The name “Nandi” comes from the sacred bull Nandi, the vehicle (vahana) of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology. In Kannada, the local language, “Nandi” means joyful or happy. At the top of the hill, there is a large stone statue of Nandi, placed outside an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the hills are named after this sacred figure—hence the name, Nandi Hills.

Our Experience

When we reached the hilltop, the view was breathtaking. The sky turned golden as the sun rose slowly behind the hills. The air was fresh and cool. We took many photographs and enjoyed walking around the scenic areas.

However, we had an unexpected and memorable adventure. A monkey suddenly snatched the bag from the woman in our group—without us even noticing. Within seconds, it climbed a tall tree and sat comfortably on a branch, curiously peeking into the bag. We struggled for nearly 30 to 40 minutes, trying to call, scare, and even plead with the monkey to drop the bag.

Instead, the monkey opened the zipper, and began pulling out items one by one. Cosmetics, ID cards, and other small belongings started falling from the tree. We had to search the bushes and grass below to recover the scattered items. Thankfully, we found most of them, although a few things were lost or damaged. It was both a stressful and funny moment, and it taught us an important lesson!

Monkeys are everywhere on Nandi Hills, and visitors should be very careful with personal belongings. If you are carrying chips or any eatables, they will likely follow you wherever you go. If you’re kind enough, you can feed them—but always do so carefully and avoid teasing them.

Later, we visited the ancient Nandi Temple, explored the remains of Tipu Sultan’s Fort, and sat under the shade of trees, enjoying the peace and quiet. Even the baby in our group seemed happy with the fresh mountain air.

We shared some snacks, had a small picnic, and laughed about the monkey story. By late afternoon, we began our return journey, tired but joyful.

Final Thoughts

Nandi Hills is a perfect place for a one-day trip, especially for those who love nature, history, and peaceful surroundings. It is not far from Bengaluru and is suitable for families, friends, and even solo travellers. Just remember to hold your things tightly and stay alert—because the monkeys are always watching!

We had a wonderful time, and it will remain one of our most unforgettable trips.