Nandi Hills 4,851 ft (1,479 m) above sea level are located in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka state and are approximately 60 km from the city of Bengaluru.
The hills are nestled between the neighbouring towns of Nandi, Muddenahalli, and Kanivenarayanapura. The hills are traditionally held as the origin of the Arkavathy River. Nandi Hills is the source of the three rivers Penner River, Ponnaiyar River and Palar River.
According to the legend, the name Nandi Hills originated from the shape of a hill, which resembles a sleeping bull. During Chola rule, it was known as Ananda Giri, meaning ‘The Hill of Happiness’. Moreover, the place is associated with Yoga Nandeeshwara, who performed penance. Nandi Hill was also called ‘Kushmandagiri’ for, the sage Kushmanda performed austerities here. The Gangas enjoy the epithet of lords of Nandagiri after this hillock. The Jaina antiquity of the place is attested by a Shravana-tirtha. The place name Anandagiri (Hill of Pleasure) was changed into Nandagirihill of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva during the time of the Cholas. The hills are also commonly called Nandidurga because of the fort build here by the ruler Tippu Sultan.
The Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Nandi village is one of the oldest temples in Karnataka dating back to the ninth century. The temple hewn out of rock consists of two complexes. While the first complex houses three deities, the second complex consists of a huge and majestic kalyani pond. The foundation of the temple was constructed by the Banas of ninth century. The Chola rulers of the 11th century constructed the roof of the temple. The marriage hall was built by the Hoysalas in the thirteenth century and a wall of the second complex was built by the Vijayanagar kings. Beautiful stone carvings are a popular tourist site and are a source of inspiration for students of art and architecture.
Nandidurg (Nandi Hill) usually apprehended unassailable was stormed by Lord Cornwallis in the year 1791 and that was one of the most prominent incidents of the first war against Tipu Sultan of Mysore. A description of the siege is given in Browne’s History of Scotland and the records of the 71st Highlanders. Nandi Hill was previously a much loved resort for British Raj officials throughout the summer season. Francis Cunningham built the summer residence here for Sir Mark Cubbon.
Nandi Hill is now a famous tourist spot throughout the year. The Karnataka state horticulture department maintains a garden for the tourists. The pressure of tourists on the environment here is great with a considerable problem of litter, noise and physical disturbance. Nandi Hills is located close to the Bangalore International Airport. In addition, the hills are located about 20 km from the National Highway (NH-7) just after Devanahalli Town. Due to its location, Nandi Hills is rapidly developing and numerous commercial and residential ventures are underway in the region.
The flora of the Nandi Hills is typical of high hills. Inside the fort at the peak, many of the large trees are planted exotics such as Eucalyptus and the undergrowth consists of Coffea arabica along with some native species. The forest acts as a substrate for cloud condensation and every morning the trees are covered in water. This allows for many moist forest species of plants and animals. The hills are very rich in birdlife making it a very popular location for birdwatchers and bird photographers. The evergreen forest area on top of the Nandi Hill is a much loved wintering site for many migrant species of warblers, flycatchers and thrushes. The hill slopes are the home of the Yellow-throated Bulbul, a species endemic to the hills of peninsular India.
Source:
http://www.bangaloretourism.org/hill-stations-nandi-hills.php
http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/nandi-hills/
http://www.holidify.com/places/nandi/sightseeing-and-things-to-do.html