Back... Nandhi Hills, Bhoganandhiswara Temple

A hectic week is behind me now. That is the reason you do not see any blog posts since last one week (or more so since Tuesday). Anyways, I did unwind after Friday evening. We bought a new pram for my daughter. A good sturdy one. And she just enjoys a sitting in it.

On Saturday, we went on our occasional family outing. This time we went to Nandhi Hills. We walked around the place with Gauri seated in the pram. We visited the Yoganandhiswara Temple and walked around the place, saw the armoury, the Nellikai Nandhi (probably the reason why the hills is named Nandhi Hills) and the small flower garden by the guest houses. The climate, as expected, was pretty good at the top. At 1450+ meters above sea level, it is quite a nice place for a day visit. Also, the short drive up to the top is quite enjoyable - it is a ghat road with steep curves at places. I had visited this place last on Sep 7, 2005. It was Ganesha Chaturthi and that day evening, Gauri was born. So, Nandhi Hills holds a special place in my heart.

I had also found out that there is a very ancient temple near Nandhi Hills called as Bhoganandhiswara Temple. We visited that place too. Incidentally, the Bhoganandhiswara Temple is close to 1100 years old. If you visit this temple, you will realise what a curious mix of architectures this temple is. Chola style dating back to 9th century AD, followed by Vijayanagara style additions upto 15th century AD. Also, I noticed that this is one temple where there are 2 shrines dedicated to two forms of Lord Shiva. One as Bhoganandhiswara and the other as Arunachaleshwara. Both these lingams are 1100 years old. And you will realise it by seeing the size and shape of the lingams. Each of these lingams have the Nandhi installed in front of them. Not one. 3 Nandhis. This was also quite a unique thing that I noticed over there. The pillars of the temple tell a story of their own. The inner prakaram are old Chola style. The outer prakaram are medieval Vijayanagara style. There is even an umbrella carved in stone. The umbrella was carved over 3 different periods and you can see the difference in the 3 color variations of the Umbrella.

There are 2 tanks. One inside the temple, near the priest's quarters, another one outside in the well-maintained garden. There are chambers for smaller deities or pilgrims all around the perimeter of the garden.

There is even a Kalyana Mantapa sculpted by the Hoysala style. The sculpture of the Kalyana Mantapa is intricate with birds and creepers carved in stone. Exquisite is the only word for it. This Kalyana Mantapa is built in front of one another unique feature of the temple - the fused idol of Shiva and Parvati together. I have never seen this before.

How to reach Nandhi Hills? This is an all-too common address. It is on NH7, en route to Hyderabad. You will see a diversion just after Devanahalli for Nandhi Hills. The road is good, with a little patchy surface at very few places. You will come to a T-junction on the straight road from where you need to take a left for Nandhi Hills. Neatly maintained ghat road takes you to the top of Nandhi Hills. 2 wheelers have to park at a little lower level. Do not know the actual reason. It probably is because most 2 wheelers are 2 strokes and can pollute more than the 4 wheelers.

To get to Bhoganandhiswara Temple, you need to take a right from the T junction and proceed 3 kms towards Nandhi village. A little into the village is the central "circle" where you can see the temple. If possible, take the services of the man who presents himself as the guide. Without him, you are as lost as a Frenchman in China in that big a temple with varied history. He did not even demand any money, but I paid him Rs. 20 for his services and he seemed grateful.

Do not miss this temple next time if you visit Nandhi Hills.


Just sharing this pic that I clicked from Tipu's Drop @ Nandhi Hills. More later...