Nandi Durga, popularly known as Nandi Hills is about 60 kms from Bangalore and 26 kms from new Bangalore International Airport. This hill station is a favourite weekend destination for the locals and the tourists alike. Situated 1478 meters above the sea level, Nandi Hills was once a favourite retreat of Tipu Sultan.

As many as six rivers like Palas, North and South Pennar, Chitravati, Arkavati and Papagni rise in and near about this hillock. Traditionally, this place is called “Kushmandagiri” for, the sage Kushmanda performed austerities here. Gangas enjoy the epithet of the lords of Nandagiri after this hillock.

The Yoga Nandeeshwara temple, dedicated to Lord Siva, with its grand Chola architecture and sculpture is situated on the top of the hill ‘Amrita Sarovara’, which means the lake of ‘Devine Nectar’.

The place name Anandagiri (Hill of pleasure) was changed into Nandidurga – Hill of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva during the time of Cholas.  The hillock was extensively fortified by the chiefs of Chikkaballapur and further strengthened by Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan after they took it from Madhava Rao of the Marathas in 1770 AD. Lord Cornwallis captured Nandidurga in 1791 AD. Later on it was converted into a hill resort by the British officers.

Tipu’s lodge is a rectangular two-storied structure built in east-west orientation measuring 12x7 mts. and is situated within a fortified area on the summit of the hill. Constructed of brick, mortar and wood, it has series of compartments. Towards the eastern end there is a flight of steps leading to a veranda which in turn leads to the rooms built at north. The walls accommodate niches and originally appear to have been decorated with paintings. The veranda has pierced balustrades. Tipu Sultan is said to have stayed in this building whenever he visited the place during expedition or hunting. 

Also famous is the Tipu’s Drop, which according to the tales, was used to be a place of capital punishment. During Tipu’s rule, the capital punishment was executed by throwing the convicts down to death. 

The Bhoganandisvara Temple, 9th and 16th centuries, at the foot of the hill is an important example of the Nolamba Style which had later extensions built during the Vijayanagar period (gopuram at the entrance). The second gate leads to a colonnaded enclosure with twin Siva Shrines.