Nandi Hills, Mountain settlement in Chikkaballapura district, India
Nandi Hills is a mountain settlement in Chikkaballapura district, India, located on a ridge with open views over the surrounding plains. Paved paths wind through the area, passing stone temples and viewpoints carved from the rock.
Local rulers built fortifications here from the ninth century onwards to control trade routes. Later, the site served as a summer retreat for British officials during colonial times.
The name comes from the sacred bull Nandi, worshipped as the companion of Shiva in local temples. Pilgrims visit the area regularly to attend religious festivals and offer flowers at shrines.
The ascent follows a paved road with several curves, suitable for cars and two-wheelers. Warm clothing is advisable in the early morning hours, as temperatures at altitude are noticeably lower.
A stone staircase passes directly through a narrow rock cleft that serves as a gateway into the complex. This passage once functioned as a defensive point, and visitors walk through it daily today.
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