This temple was constructed by King
Harihara Bukka Raya of the Sangama Dynasty of
the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century.
It was built according to
Vaishnavaite traditions.
The sage Agastya wanted to
build a temple for Lord Venkateswara on this
site. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail
of the idol got broken.
The sage was upset over this and performed a penance
for Shiva.
When Shiva appeared, he said the place suits Shiva better as it
resembles Kailash.
Agastya then requested Shiva to give the devotees a Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single
stone, which Shiva obliged.
Growing Nandi
The devotees believe that the Nandi idol in front of the
temple is continuously increasing its size.
The locals say that the idol was
initially much smaller than its present size.
They say that certain
experimentation was carried out on this idol and it was said that the type of
rock out of which the idol is carved has a growing or enlarging nature
associated with it.
It is said that people used to do Pradakshinas (rounds)
around it in the past. The temple staff has already removed one pillar as the
size of the Nandi has increased.
According to Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy,
the Basavanna (stone nandi) of Yaganti will come alive and shout when Kali Yuga
ends.
Absence of Crows
Legend has it that while the Sage Agastya was performing his
penance, crows disturbed him and he cursed that the crows cannot enter the
place.
As the crow is the Vahana for Lord Shani, it is believed that Shani
cannot enter this place.
At Yaganti temple in
Kurnool district, crows fear to caw
It is said that Agastya wanted to build a temple for Lord
Venkateswara at this site.
However, the statue that was made for the temple
could not be installed as the idol’s toenail broke.
Upset by this, the sage
decided to perform penance.
One day, when he was meditating, a pack of crows
descended on the region and started cawing loudly.
Irritated by the sound, Agastya cursed the crows and said
that they could not hover around Yaganti. Since then, no cawing can be heard at
the temple.
Locals believe that the crow, which has the habit of
pilfering and thieving, is the vehicle of Lord Shani.
Transportation
Yaganti is located in the Kurnool District in the state of
Andhra Pradesh, India, approximately 100 km from the city of Kurnool.
The temple is 14 km west of Banaganapalle (Mandal
headquarters) on the Banaganapalle-Peapully road.we can reach the temple even
from the Historic site Belum caves in 1.5 hrs and measures a distance of 45 km.
The Yaganti temple has been frequented by sages and
common-folk who wish to cultivate the habit of living righteously.
They believe that misfortunes will vanish from their lives
with the darshan of Yaganti Uma Maheshwara. There are several cave temples
adjacent to the main temple in Yaganti.
The Agastya Cave is believed to be the place where Agastya
performed penance to receive Lord Shiva’s blessings.
The Venkateswara Cave is another one of the caves in the
region. Locals believe that the idol of Lord Venkateshwara found in the cave is
much older than the idol at Tirupati.
The Veera Brahman Cave is the believed to be the place where
Potuluri Veera Brahmam, popularly known as India’s Nostradamus, wrote some
chapters of his book of prophecies – the Kala Gnanam.
Nandi Hills, also known as Nandidurg or Nandi Betta is an
ancient hill fortress situated in a district called Chikkabalapur in
Karnataka. Situated near the town of
Nandi, the ancient belief is that they are the origin of the Arkavathy River.
It
is 1478 meters (4851 ft.) above sea level. Nandidrug is generally known as
Nandi Hills.
It is located just 10 km from Chickkaballapur town and
approximately 60 km from the city of Bangalore.
The hills are nestled between
the neighboring 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.
Nandi Hills obtains its name from an ancient Nandi temple situated on
Nandi hill.
This temple has a thousand year old sculpture of Nandi.
An ancient
lord Shiva and Parvati temple also adorns this hill.
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.
A glance into its name
The
ancient Dravidian temple dedicated to the Nandi statue that is located here is
responsible for the hills getting their so-called name.
However,
different stories surround the origin of its name. During the Chola Period, the
hills were called Ananda Giri, which means “The Hill of Happiness”.
Some say
that Yoga Nandeeshwara performed his penance here and the hills are named after
him.
It is also said that the name of
Nandi Hills originated from the resemblance of the hill to a sleeping bull
(Nandi).
History
Nandi
hills witnessed the first ever attack of the army led by Cornwallis against
Tipu Sultan of Mysore in 1791.
Tipu Sultan and later the British used this
place as a retreat during the summer seasons and a residence was built by
Francis Cunningham for Sir Mark Cubbon.
The
place due to its favourable climatic conditions also instilled interest amongst
horticulturists who experimented with different species of plants.
Many trees
including Eucalyptus, Coffea Arabica are found here.
Birdwatchers and
photographers consider it as one of the ideal places of interest with the
presence of rare species of birds like the Nilgiri Woodpigeon, Peregrine Falcon
and Shaheen Falcon.
Uropeltid snakes, Whistling Thrush and Yellow throated
Bulbul can also be traced.
This place is also one of the favorite abodes for
migrant species like flycatchers and warblers during the winters.
Slowly
it is gaining prominence as a popular tourist destination.
It was developed as
a proper hill station during the British Raj.
One has to climb about 1,175
steps to reach this mesmerizing spot.
It has become quite popular weekend
outing spot for the Bangaloreans.
Nandi Hills scenic places of interest
At
a height of 4851m above sea level, Nandi Hills is a favorite destination for
all nature lovers and a popular picnic spot.
If
you like taking photographs and appreciating the beauty of nature and are moved
by beautiful views that Mother Nature has created for us, then Nandi Hills is
the ideal getaway for you. Some breathtaking scenery, rare flora, cool fresh
air and peace, makes the hills the perfect place for a holiday.
The
best time to enjoy the beauty of this scenic place is early mornings.
Although
you can visit the hills at any time of the year, it is recommended to go during
the rainy season.
Sightseeing in and around Nandi Hills
Tipu Sultan’s Fort
Also
known as, Tashk-e-Jannat, which means “Heaven’s Envy”, Tipu Sultan’s Fort is a
destination that is of interest to all the visitors at Nandi Hills.
The fort is
on a sprawling area of 90 acres and is above 4851 feet above sea level.
A
soldier could hide in this well constructed fort and shoot in all four
directions at the same time.
The
fort was actually built by Haidar Ali but Tipu Sultan completed it.
Standing atop the hills, the fort features
five arches with minarets, showing off the beautiful art and architecture of
the ancient era.
The
walls and ceilings of the fort are engraved with beautiful paintings.
The
beautifully designed towers and archways of the fort act as a major attraction
for tourists. It was once the summer residence of Tipu Sultan.
Many
trekking trails with great scenic surroundings go round the Fort, making it a
haven of trekking opportunities for visitors.
Tipu’s Drop
A
cliff at an altitude of 600m, Tipu’s Drop is the ideal spot for a panoramic
view of the city. It has a gory historic past attached to it too. Legends say
that this was the place where Tipu Sultan forced his prisoners down the cliff
to meet their death.
On a windy night,
the wind rustling through the leaves is said to be the screams of these
prisoners. famous place from where Tippu Sultan threw his condemned prisoners
to death
Bhoga Nandeeshwar Temple
A
beautiful and ancient temple, Bhoga Nandeeshwar Temple is situated at the base
of Nandi Hills, making it the perfect place for a weekend break and a popular
picnic destination.
It is twinned with the Yoga Nandeeshwar Temple, which is
situated at the top of the hills.
Both
temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The twin temple concept is popular only in
Karnataka, where two temples, both dedicated to the same deity are built, one
at the top and the other at the bottom of a hill.
The Yoga Nandeeshwar
The
Temple is renowned for the huge and majestic statue of Nandi (bull) built at
the entrance.
It houses not one but
three temples in total, each one dedicated to Arunachaleshwar, Uma Maheshwar
and Bhoga Nandeeshwar.
These three forms
of Shiva represent his youth, marriage and renunciation
The
temples are exquisitely built, with monolithic stone pillars that are adorned
and sculpted with divine deities.
The magnificent concept to design the
intricate pillars makes it very hard for one to leave the temple.
It is an architectural masterpiece indeed.
Amrita Sarovar
Amrita
Sarovar means “The Lake of Nectar”. It is also known as “Lake of Ambrosia”.
The
Sarovar is a beautiful water body that has been formed by perennial springs. It
is also the prime water source for the area.
A visit at night is a must, to see the beauty of the sparkling clear
water in the moonlight.
Very close to,
it is the chabootara, (platform) where Tipu Sultan used to pray.
A beautiful
water lake that brims with lucid water all the year round.
Tipu's Summer Palace –
During
the Ganga period, the Chikkaballapur chieftains built a fort.
Tippu
strengthened it further and also build a rest house.
This used to be Tippus
summer bungalow. It is not open to the general public.
Horse Way –
A stone doorway in the fort on the
North-eastern side, is believed to have been the horse way for helping soldiers
to climb the wall on horse back.
Secret Escape Route –
A
secret passage on the west, is believed to have helped the Kings to escape
during unforeseen attacks.
Temples
–
There
are temples dedicated to Sri Bhoga Narasimha, Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Yoga
Narasimha and you can see beautiful old temples.
Gavi Veerbhadra Swamy temple –
On top of the hill, on the way to the Sultanpet, from Tippus
palace, natural formation of huge boulders has been transformed into a
magnificent temple.
Children's Playground –
The Horticulture department maintains a lovely garden for
children to play games like the slides, merry-go-round, swings etc.
Brahmashram:
it is said that Sage Ramakrishna meditated here.
Nehru Nilaya:
Where Jawaharlal Nehru used to stay, now a guest house of the
horticulture department of India.
A beautiful 150 years old colonial house, its
British architecture draws tourists by the throngs.
During its time, it was the
summer retreat of the Commissioner of Mysore, Sir Mark Cubbon.
It is surrounded by lush green gardens.It has now been converted into a guesthouse
by the Horticulture Department.
Gandhi house:
Gandhi House is also a popular tourist spot in the area. It is
where the late Mahatma Gandhi used to reside.
The DPAR Government of Karnataka
maintains the residence.
Muddenahalli:
A village that is the home of Muddenahalli Museum built in
memory of one of the most accomplished scientists of India, Sir. M
Visvesvarayya.
Other attractions around the area include Anjaneya temple,
Nellikaya Basavanna,Anthargange and
Baanathi Bande.
Muddenahalli - Kanivenarayanapura:
Home town of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the legendary architect
of modern Karnataka.
Along with Kanivenarayanapura, it is the site of the
upcoming Sri Sathya Sai Baba University and College of Medicine, 600 crore
Visvesvaraya Institute of Advanced Technology, and a 70 crore "Silk
City".
Paapagni:
The Panchanandikshtra. Visit it is Only 3 km from
Chikballapur.
Activities in Nandi Hills
Paragliding
Go away with a beautiful and memorable experience of Nandi
Hills by paragliding over the hills and valleys that the area is so famous for.
Cycling
The landscape, terrain and the alluring altitude, not to
forget the lush green forage everywhere make it the perfect cyclist
paradise.
You will be sure to get a
cycling/biking experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
Check out the vineyards, grapes and cracked mustard seeds if
you are lucky you can see them on the roads where the farmers spread them so
that your car can thrash them.
Also look out for cracks in the fort wall, which
allow you to go outside and get some spectacular views of the plains below,
eagles soaring level to your eyes.
However, be careful as the terrain falls
steeply down and a fall will certainly crack most of our body.
Entry Fee
Entry
fee is 10 Rs per person. You have to buy the ticket from the bus stop area.
There's a ticket for Rs 100 for parking car.
If you are paying Rs 100 for
parking then no need to buy seperate entry ticket for all passengers.
Two
wheeler parking charge is Rs 20.
Timings
The
entry and exit times are now limited to 6 am to 6 pm to avoid crimes.
When to Visit
All
year around. In the rainy season it is extremely wet on the hill.
A summer
visit will make you spell bound.
It's best if you are on top of the hill before
sunrise.
The wind, fog and clouds that blow towards you in the morning is just
amazing.
How to reach Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills can easily be accessed by road as well as by the
rail as it is conveniently networked with the major cities in Karnataka
including Bengaluru.
By air
Nandi Hills does not have its own airstrip and the nearest
airport is Hindustan Airport, which is about 42km away.
Mysore Airport is 165 km away. From either
airport, you can take a train or travel by road to the Hills.
By road
You can drive or even bike to Nandi Hills from Bengaluru via
the Bangalore- Hyderabad Highway.
Other cities from which you can travel to
Nandi Hills by road include Bellary, Mysore and Devanahalli.
Nandi Hills does
not have its own bus station and the nearest one is Nelamangala, which is 43 km
away.
2
Hours - There is a motorable road to the top of the hill.
Beware there is only
one road to the top. You can expect vehicles coming from the other side as
well. Buses ply from Bangalore.
There are two roads to the top one that goes
through Chikkaballapur and the other that goes through Doddaballapur.
The
latter is the fastest way to reach the top around 2 hrs while the former takes
more than 3 hrs.
If
you are going by bus, you will get KSRTC bus from Majestic Platform no. 10.
There is a bus to the top at 8.30 AM. You will get KSRTC buses from the Hills
to Banglore. Bus timings are 2.30, 4.15 and 5.00 PM
There
are no buses in afternoon(12PM - 4 PM) from Bangalore so make sure that you
arrive before time.
The charge is around 40 /- per head.
If
you miss the direct bus to the top of Nandi Hills, take a bus to Chikballapur
from KSRTC bus stand (Majestic) Platform no. 10.
From Chikballapur there are
frequent buses to the top.
By rail
The nearest train station is Oddarahalli which is 16 km away.
Dodballapur is 17 km away from Nandi Hills and Chikkaballapur station is at a
distance of 19km.
Tel:080-4334 4334, 4334 4337, 089706 50070 (6.00 am to 8.30pm)
Fax: 080-4334 4353
Email: enquiry@karnatakaholidays.net
Karnataka
Tourism
No
49, Khanjia Bhavan, 2nd Floor, Near-Vittal Mallya Road, St Marks Road,
Bangalore, Karnataka 560001
080
2235 2828
Where to stay :
There
are well-furnished bungalows for lodging and good catering establishments.
For
reservation of accommodation, the Director of Horticulture, Lalbagh ,
Bangalore- 2. Tel:91 - 080 - 26611925.
DIRECTORATE,
Horticulture Department,
Lalbagh,
Bangalore-560004. Phone:080-26579231. (Between March 15th to July 15th)
SPECIAL
OFFICER, Nandi Hill Station, Chikkaballapur Taluk, Kolar district.
Phone:08156-2678621. (Between July 16th to March 14th)
Hotel
Mayura Pine Top, managed by KSTDC. Tel: 91 - 08156 - 250906 / 91 - 08156 -
278624. No phone booking, booking on first come first served basis. Only three
rooms.
The Kotilingeshwara Temple lies
in a very small village named Kammasandra in the Kolar district. The temple is
extremely famous because of the largest and the tallest Shivalinga present in
Asia. More than 2 lac devotees visit this temple every year.
Maha Shivaratri is a special
occasion and a large number of devotees make it a point to be there on this
auspicious day. The temple can be easily reached from the gold fields of Kolar.
The Shivalinga is 33 mts and is
the tallest in the World. It has an accompanying Basava statue which is 11 mts
tall and is surrounded by a large number of Shivalingas spread across the area.
The project involves an establishment of one crore shivalingas hence it is
named Kotilingeshwara and currently, there are about a hundred lakh
shivalingas.
The Kotilingeshwara Temple lies
in a very small village named Kammasandra in the Kolar district. The temple is
extremely famous because of the largest and the tallest Shivalinga present in
Asia. More than 2 lac devotees visit this temple every year.
Maha Shivaratri is a special
occasion and a large number of devotees make it a point to be there on this
auspicious day. The temple can be easily reached from the gold fields of Kolar.
The Shivalinga is 33 mts and is
the tallest in the World. It has an accompanying Basava statue which is 11 mts
tall and is surrounded by a large number of Shivalingas spread across the area.
The project involves an establishment of one crore shivalingas hence it is
named Kotilingeshwara and currently, there are about a hundred lakh
shivalingas.
This temple has been constructed
by Swami Sambha Shiva Murthy in the year 1980. The first linga was installed in
1980 and since then there have been many lingas present in the temple. There is
also a huge and tall Nandi installed beside the linga. The Nandi is 11 mt tall
and sits over a huge platform.
Within the premises of the
temple, there are about eleven other temples for different deities. The first
of them includes the temple of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Maheshwara
temples. This is followed by a temple of Lord Kotilingeshwara.
The temples include Goddess
Annapoorneshwari Temple, Goddess Karumaari Amma Temple, Lord Venkataramani
Swamy Temple, Lord Panduranga Swamy Temple, Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana
Temple, Lord Panchamukha Ganapathy Temple, Lord Anjaneya Temple, and finally
Goddess Kannika Parameshwari Temple.
The Government has declared this
temple as a tourist spot so that hundreds of tourists from across the World can
come and pay their respects to the largest Linga in Asia. Two flower trees,
named one Nagalinga and Cannon Ball are located here, and many unmarried women
pray for a blessed and happy married life.
Poojas
at Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
Daily poojas are performed at all
the installed Shivalingas by the priests every day. The pooja is carried out with
music and drums and all the priests recite mantras as well as pour water on the
lingas.
The devotees can also offer
special poojas by installing the lingas. These lingas can be installed on any
day chosen by the devotees in their names. Regular poojas will be carried out
and offered to all the lingas installed.
Facilities
at Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
There are rest houses constructed
for devotees in the temple premises. In addition, free mass marriages are
performed here every year. This is carried out by priests with drums, music and
chants. Currently, there are around twenty weddings performed every week. There
is also a meditation hall built for devotees who wish to meditate in peace.
How
to Reach Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
By Air
The nearest airport to Kolar is
located at Bangalore.From the airport,
travelers can hire cabs or rely on public transport to reach Kolar.
By Rail
There is a well-connected rail
network from Bangalore, Mangalore, Hassan, Kolar and Hubli.
By Road
If you want to reach the temple
by road, you need to head through Kolar. Kolar is at a distance of 2.5 hours
from Bangalore.
