Nandi Hills

Nandi-Hills is situated at a distance of approximately 60 km. from Bengaluru, Situated 1479 m above sea level. It’s been long time we visited this place, so planned for a ride on weekend and thought of coving Nandi Grama also on the way.

Nandi Hills is a perfect place for one day outing from Bengaluru, it’s not only a place for couples, bike riders, photographers and even kids will enjoy this place. Started early morning and picked Chethan on the way. Hardly will it take 1 hour 30 minutes from Bengaluru (again depends on number of breaks). We have to take Airport road to reach Nandi Hills.

Now a day’s police became very strict and they will not allow vehicles before 6.00AM from check post. We reached Nandi Hills top by 7.00AM, by that only parking place was filled with vehicles and fought almost 30 mins to park our vehicles. 

Nandi Hills Entrance

Once we parked our vehicles, it was time to capture beauty of hill station in our cameras J

Spent some time walking around the different corner of Nandi hills, such as – Tippu Drop, Shiva temple, the birth place of Arkavathy river & check out few viewpoints. Need to mention the view from restaurant as well. 

This place will be over crowded on weekends.

Other place to visit around Nandhi Hills: Nandigrama, Avalabetta, Devanahalli Fort.

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple

Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is a Hindu temple located in Nandi village, at the base of Nandi Hills in the Chikkaballapur district. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

This temple is around 15 Kms from Nandi Hills. Around 60 Kms from Bengaluru. While coming back from Nandi Hills we visited this beautiful temple.  

About Temple:

This temple is perhaps the finest and the one of the most beautiful temples in Karnataka.  This is a twin temple built side by side. The north one is dedicated to Bhoganandishwara and the southern shrine to Arunachaleshwara. Each consists of a garbhagriha , a sukanasi and a navaranga.

Timings: 

Monday 7.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
On other days 7.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and evening 4.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

There is no entry fee for this temple but need permission to take photos at this place.

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp

The Sakrebailu Elephant Camp attracts wildlife enthusiasts and tourists alike. It is one of those ecotourism centres in Karnataka that offers general people an opportunity to look at the elephants from close quarters 

While travelling to thirthahalli stopped near this beautiful place for a while to see the elephants. On the Shimoga-Thirthahalli road, around 14 kms from Shimoga we will find this Sakrebailu Elephant Camp.

About Camp: Karnataka State Government has taken the initiative to protect these elephants and let them live in the wilderness. The eco-tourism center facilitates tourists as well as local people to visit the camp to witness the tuskers in proximity

The tourists can watch the bathing of elephants where they spray water on each other and get scrubbed by the Mahouts.

The baby elephants are a fascinating watch.

This place provides good opportunity to see the elephants so close and one of the must visit place while traveling with kids.

After clicking some pics we head towards thirthahalli and Kuppalli.

Kuppalli

Kuppalli is a small village in Thirthahalli taluk around 18Kms from Thirthahalli. Even though Kuppalli is a remote place, easily we can reach to this place from Thirthahalli. We can find proper direction boards from Thirthahalli. Kuppalli is famous for being the birthplace and childhood home of famous Kannada poet Kuvempu (Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa). 

The childhood house of Kuvempu at Kuppali has at present been transformed into a museum by Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishtana (a trust dedicated to Kuvempu). This trust has carried out huge developmental works in Kuppali to showcase Kuvempu and his works to the external world.

Kavimane: 

Kavimane means the House of the poet in Kannada language is the family house of Kuvempu. This three storied house where Kuvempu spent his childhood is located in the middle of green forests of Malnad. 

This house has been converted into a museum. Kavimane is open to public on all days of the year from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. There is an entry fee of Rs. 5 for adults and for children above 10 years.

Kavishala:

Kavishaila located on top of a small hill in Kuppalli is a rock monument made of megalithic rocks and dedicated to Kuvempu. The view around this place is awesome. Rocks are arranged and placed in a circular fashion. At the centre of this rock monument is the place where Kuvempu was laid to rest after his death and a memorial has been constructed at that location.

 

Felt very happy to be in this place on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava.