I was looking for a thrilling road trip from Bangalore with rejuvenating nature retreats and historical significance. Finally I got a chance to visit a few beautiful places in Chikkaballapur, a charming town near Bangalore.
Bhoga Nandeshwara Temple was our first destination. It is beautifully situated at the foothills of the Nandi Hills. It is roughly 60 km from Bangalore, making it a popular short getaway.
History states that the temple dates back to over 1,000 years, with contributions from the Chola, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara dynasties. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Bhoga Nandeshwara. The architecture is a mix of Dravidian styles, with intricately carved pillars and serene courtyards.The temple complex is also the origin point of the Arkavathi River.
The old Ratha outside the temple greets you as you enter this ancient temple dating back to the 9th Century. Built by the Nolamba Dynasty and later extended by the Vijaynagara Kings, this is the oldest temple of Nolamba construction in Karnataka
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| Chariot in front of the temple |
The temple houses three different temples: the Arunachaleshwara Temple, the Uma Maheshwara Temple, and the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple. The Arunachaleshwara temple represents the childhood of Lord Shiva, the Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple depicts the youthful phase of Lord Shiva, and the Uma Maheswara temple depicts the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
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| View of the large Maha mantapa (main hall), a Vijayanagara Empire era construction |
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| Window carving on outer wall of the Arunachaleshswara shrine |
This stepwell is probably one of the highlights of the Temple. It's beautiful construction makes it one of the most picturesque spots in the temple
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| Kalyani (temple tank) |
Had lunch at 2 pm. The next place on our chart was Nandi Hills. This place is lovely early in the morning but gets hot during the day. Then a short walk from the parking slot to the peak. We strolled through the lush green pathways.
We went to a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It was a small stone edifice with a small sanctum.
We walked for a while taking in the fresh air of the hills. We explored the amazing view from the peak and relaxed for a while.
Then we started our descent. There were stalls selling fruits near the parking area. By 4 PM, we started towards Isha Foundation.
Nestled in the tranquil surroundings at the base of Nandi Hills, the 112-foot Adiyogi statue is the centerpiece of the complex and symbolizes the first yogi. We explored the surroundings. The main attraction is the Adiyogi Divya Darshanam, which is a 15-minute laser projection show that narrates the story and significance of Adiyogi. By 7 PM. we were anxiously waiting for the light show. The imaging show is accompanied by a narration by Sadhguru, the founder of Isha Foundation.
By around 8 PM, we headed back to Bangalore.
