1. Nandi Hills: a unique and picturesque hill
Nandi Hills aka Nandi Betta or Nandidurg is a picturesque fortress set in majestic mountains, offering heavenly views and bliss when you go to temples. Enjoy the caress of the cool, fresh air and feast your eyes on the breathtaking landscapes. Admire views of the entire city from Tipu Falls, a high-altitude cliff famous for its historical tales. To get an adrenaline rush, you can also go cycling or paragliding.
Destination Category – Family Vacation, Picnic, Adventure
Distance to main town – 61 km
How to get there – You can travel by rail and road. You can take the Bangalore-Hyderabad highway. Nelamangala is the closest bus station near Nandi Hills. 3 train stations connect the hills of Nandi from Bangalore. These are Oddarahalli, Dodballapur and Chikkaballapur stations located 16 km, 17 km and 19 km away respectively.
Best visiting time – Any time of the year
Main attractions – Bhoga Nandeeshwar Temple, Yoga Nandeeshwar Temple, Tipu’s Drop, Tipu Sultan Fort, Amrit Sarovar
2. Bheemeshwari: a paradise for adventurers
Bheemeshwari, in the Mandya district of Karnataka, is the right place to visit if you like adventure activities. The best part is its proximity to Bangalore. You can go camping with friends and family or stay in jungle resorts, lodges, camp cabins close to the evergreen beauty of the Cauvery River and beautiful rolling hills. This destination offers a plethora of adventure activities such as rafting, boating, coracle rides, trekking, ziplining, tug-of-war and angling. This place is famous for its Mahseer fish and is also called the fisherman’s paradise. The delight of photographers are dense forests, picturesque places with mystical and unexplored charms.
Destination Category – Adventure, Family Vacation, Wildlife Tour
Distance to main town – 105 km
How to get there – For road transport, private taxis are the best options. Bengaluru station is the nearest railway terminal that will give access to this place.
Best time to visit – September to February (monsoon is great for rafting)
Main Attractions – Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Fishing Camp, Galibore, Doddamkkali, Koklebellur Pelicanry, Shivanasamudra Falls, Mekedatu Falls, Cauvery-Arakavathi River Sangam, Bheemeshwari Nature Camp
3. Srirangapatna: a historic and peaceful island town
Srirangapatna is a serene and calm island imbued with the spirit of history, culture and religion. The majestic monuments that dot the city are heritage splendors in a city surrounded by the waters of the Cauvery River. It exudes the spirit of the ancient kingdom of Mysore, for it was the capital of the reign of Tipu Sultan.
Destination Category – Family Vacation, Pilgrim Spot, Heritage Tour
Distance to main town – 124 km
How to get there – Srirangapatna is easily accessible from Bangalore as it is on the busy Mysore road. You can hire a direct taxi or get off at Srirangapatna Station while traveling on the Bangalore-Mysore train.
Best visiting time – April, May, September, October
Main attractions – Ranganathaswamy Temple, Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu Sultan Mausoleum, Jama Masjid, Karighatta Hill, Nimishambha Temple, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Balmuri Falls
4. Somnathpur: the epitome of South Indian temple architecture
Somanthpur, near the Cauvery River, is a must-see if you enjoy the opulence of South Indian temple architecture. The temple of Prasanna Chennakesava is the famous temple attraction in the city; the temple’s intricate artwork, carvings, and carvings (with a metallic sheen and polish) exemplify Hoysala’s finest architecture. The idols of gods and goddesses are archaeological wonders in a small town dotted with countless temples.
Destination category – Family vacation, heritage visit, place of pilgrimage
Distance to main town – 138 km
How to get there – You can take direct buses to Somnathpur from Bangalore or hire a taxi. The nearest airport is Bengaluru International Airport.
Best time to visit – October to March
Major attractions – Shivanasamudra Falls, Gunja Narasimha Swamy temple, Agastheswara temple, Talakad Panchlinga temple (which is home to Pathaleswara Shivalinga which is known to change color at different times), Mudukuthore Mallikarjuna temple
