WEEKEND GETAWAYS NEAR BANGALORE :

 

    Best weekend getaways near Bangalore: Consider yourself lucky if you are living in the busy city of Bangalore. You are surrounded by some of the most charming and mesmerizing places in the country that prove to be a perfect weekend getaway from Bangalore.  Many people think Bangalore is just a place for techies, but that’s not true. It is also for travelers as one can pick up their bags and easily head out to any of these weekend getaways from Bangalore. You can satisfy your wanderlust anytime if you are living in Bangalore.

 

1.Q Mango Resorts :

Located at a distance of 60Kms from Bangalore, Q Mango Forest provides a bunch of outdoor activities like camping, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, etc.  A perfect getaway for a day with family and friends with a soulful experience.

You will also get to witness the best camping experience in South India with certified professionals where safety is their priority.

Enjoy a beautiful camping session in Ramanagara, away from the rush and bustle of daily life, for a great escape into nature. Indulge in exhilarating activities in the O Mango Resorts and experience ultimate joy.

Offering thrilling activities that will amaze and amaze you, this is the ideal location for a weekend retreat where you can satisfy your soul with the highest enjoyment. Explore the stunning splendor of Ramnagara’s thick hills, lush foliage, and rich flora while camping in the Q mango forest.

Swim, kayak, or canoe on the lake, or try out some other adventurous activities like Ziplining, as well as different indoor and outdoor games.

During the rain dancing session, DJ systems are built so that families may dance their hearts out. Sit around a toasty bonfire in the evening and engage in some entertaining chit-chat with your loved ones.

 

2.Nandi Hills :

In Chickballapur District of Karnataka, there is an ancient hill known as Nandi Hills. The Hills are also called by the name Nandi Betta. The ancient Dravidian temple dedicated to the Nandi statue that is located here is responsible for the hills getting their name.

These Hills are nestled near the town of Nandi. The Hills are the origin of the Arkavathy River. It is 10km from Chickballapur town.

There are many stories about the origin of the name Nandi Hills. Nandi Hills was called Ananda Giri, which means Hill of Happiness, during the period of Chola. Under the rule of Tipu Sulthan, the fort was built so Nandi Hills is also called Nandidurga.

It is called Nandi Hills as it resembles a sleeping bull.  Lord Shiva and Parvathi temples adorn the hills. From sea level, Nandi Hills is 4851ft above. It is closer to the Bangalore International Airport, located at a distance of 20km.

Nandidurga was traditionally held unimpregnable, and its storming by the army of Cornwallis was one of the most notable incidents of the First War against Tipu Sulthan of Mysore.

Nandi Hills is an absolute haven for those seeking a refreshing escape amidst the lap of Mother Nature. This quaint little own town has much more to explore than you would expect.

Nandi Hills has beautifully sculpted arches and majestic pillars, with completely painted walls and ceilings. It is scattered with shrines and monuments, and surrounded by a  magnificent view.

 

3.Coorg :

Coorg, known throughout the world as the ‘Coffee Cup of India’, is a perfect home away from home for a discerning traveler. A lush plantation paradise punctuated by pristine forests, this land has a unique charm of its own.

Fresh air, captivating sounds of nature and the heavy fragrance of seasonal coffee blossoms refresh one’s senses.   

Kodagu is the official name of Coorg and it is an astonishing piece of land in the southern Indian peninsula. Coorg earned the title of being the ‘Country of Million hills’.

It is on the slopes of the Westen Ghats and is also the biggest producer of coffee in India. The landlocked country of Coorg is inaccessible via trains or flights. Coorg is the name of a district and not a town or a city.

Coorg is indeed a piece of ‘Scotland in India’. The place features lush greenery, breathtaking waterfalls, forested hills, and landscapes that ooze a mysterious mist.

If you are after such a destination, then you should head to Coorg. People visit Coorg primarily to get relief from the city life. One of the best things to do in Coorg is camping in the wilderness. Sleeping under an open sky with innumerable stars is an exceptional experience. Another adventurous activity which attracts tourists is the river rafting at Barapole.

 

4.Ooty :

Somewhere in the blue mountains of the Nilgiris, we find the queen of hill stations Udhagamandalam, or in simpler words Ooty as it is known worldwide. This beautiful place is located in the beautiful Nilgiri Mountains down the south.

Ooty is a stunner for a great holiday, this place is known for the picturesque tea gardens, tourism, and numerous Bollywood films shot in and around the place.

Once the territory of Tipu Sultan, the area ruled under the East India Company and a habitat for the Toda tribes this place offers a lot for a traveler more than the scenic beauty.

There is ample sightseeing in Ooty that will leave travelers in awe while vacationing. Ooty’s magnificent tea plantations and red-roofed bungalows still carry echoes of the colonial past which fascinated every traveler visiting here for a holiday.

One of the major tourist attractions in this Queen of Hills happens to be the Nilgiri Mountain Railways. A UNESCO World Heritage, a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is an experience of a lifetime.

Other points of tourist interest include Avalanche Lake, Upper Bhavani Lake, and Emerald Lake. Boating at the famous Ooty Lake also qualifies as one of the most exciting things to do here.

Apart from that, travelers can explore a host of other places of interest in the hill station that include the Botanical Gardens, the Pykara Lake and Falls, and even sanctuaries. Ooty makes for an ideal destination for honeymoons, solo travelers, family vacationers, and also for individuals who simply want to travel with friends.

 

5.Mysore :

Mysore, which is also known as the cultural capital of Karnataka, is home to many opulent and royal places. It has several yoga centers and lush green sandalwood forests, that gave this city names like ‘City of Palaces’, ‘ Sandalwood City’, and ‘City of Yoga’.

Recently the city was declared the ‘Secondest Cleanest City in India’. This makes it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Karnataka.

The rich cultural heritage and historical significance of this glorious city attract tourists from around the world, who explore the splendor of Mysore city that includes prehistoric sites, places, monuments, temples, churches, zoos, and well-manicured gardens.

The cosmopolitan nature of the city and its affluent standard of living further adds beauty to Mysore, which consists of people of all religions and facets of life. With several options open for tourists, the city plays a host to travelers throughout the year, inviting them to visit places like Mysore Zoo, Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills. Brindavan Gardens, etc.

Mysore was once the capital city of Karnataka and so, it has a lot of historical buildings, monuments, and sites, that are now developed into museums, libraries, and gardens.

 

6.Chickmagalur :

Huddled up amidst the lush green Western Ghats, Chickmagalur is a quaint city and one of the best hill stations to visit in Karnataka.

If you are looking for a serene and pleasing retreat to step away from the chaos of the cities, pack your bags to Chickmagalur and enjoy the tranquility it offers.

Chickmagalur has everything you wish to explore as a traveler. From forts, temples, waterfalls, lakes to breathtaking viewpoints, the endless list of amazing places to visit in Chickmagalur attracts innumerable tourists from across the world.

Along with these, the resplendent hill station is also famous for tea plantations and coffee estates where you can enjoy countless cups of the best tea and coffee.

Apart from exploring within the city, you can also check out other nearby attractions in your Chickmagalur trip and visit destinations like Kemmangundi, Mullayanagiri, Sharadha Temple, and many more.

Plan a trip to this beautiful hill station and spend some time in the verdant hills, enjoying the serenity and picturesque beauty.

 

7.Ramanagara :

Who did not watch Sholay? If you did, how to can you miss being at this place? It was the place where few shots were taken of the movie.

The place Ramanagara is also known as a place where people have ruled a lot. Be it Cholas, Mysore, Gangas, Tipu Sultan, Hyder, Vijayanagara, or Mysore, the place was governed by all of them at a point.

It fits the bill if you are finding an adventurous place to visit near Bangalore. For people who love trekking, rock climbing, cave exploration, rappelling, it has rocky terrains which can make you do all.

It is also known as Silk city due to its cocoon and silk industry. It is a perfect tourist place for having a great picnic near Bangalore.

Ramanagara Hills offers a perfect combination of peace and adventure to its visitors. People started recognizing this after watching the stunning shots in Sholay.

There are various adventurous activities in Ramnagar Hills. You can have the best experience of rock climbing and trekking at night. This place is perfect when you want to spend a quality weekend getaway from Bangalore.

It will surprise you with amazing tourist spots. Thus, stop thinking about the lazy weekend. Instead, start planning for watching gasping stars in these hills.

 

8.Sakleshpur :

Located at an elevation of 3113 feet, Sakleshpur is a hill station in Hassan district, Karnataka. The hill station is hidden away from the noise and pollution of city life.

With the lazy streams, meadows, clean air, mountains covered in mist, and velvety grassland, this hill station is the perfect destination to unwind and relax.

Located amidst the Western Ghats, Sakleshpur is famous among trekkers. You can walk through tunnels, trek to beautiful Ombattu Gudda peak or enjoy the Hadlu waterfall.

You can also visit the coffee estate, Raxidi Estate, which covers about 1000 acres of land. The rolling hills covered in the coffee plantations are a sight to behold. It also has pepper and cardamom plantations. The hills covered in mist add to the charm of the place.

Trekking through the beautiful landscape of Sakleshpur is a must-do. One of the famous routes for trekking is Bisile ghat or Bisile reserve forest in Sakaleshapura taluk. Kumar Parvat is among the challenging hikes of the region.

Another hidden gem is the Manjarabad fort, which is located on National Highway 48, just outside Sakaleshapura. It is constructed by Tipu Sultan as a strategic defensive location.

The fort was constructed in 1792. It is believed that a passage has also been constructed by Tipu Sultan from this fort to another fort located in Sriranagapatna. The fort is situated on a hill at a height of 3,241 ft and gives a sweeping view of the surroundings. The Arabian Sea is also visible from the fort on a clear day.

Sakleshpur has a temple at the entrance of the town. The temple has a lingam which is called Sakaleshwara. The Ratha yatra of Sakaleshwara swami that is held every year in February on Purnima is famous.

Another temple has been constructed in this town called Holemalleshvara. The temple dedicated to Shiva is located at the bank of River Hemavathi. The temple gets filled up with water from the river during the rainy season.

 

9.Yelagiri :

Located in Tamil Nadu, Yelagiri is called the Poor Man’s Ooty. The hill station, which is located at an elevation of 4,626 ft in the Vellore district, is a famous trekking destination.

Surrounded by rose gardens, orchards, and lush green valleys, Yelagiri is one of the most beautiful hill stations in South India. The hill station has 14 hamlets. The roads to this scenic hill station have several hairpin roads offering a breathtaking view of the hills and slopes.

Yelagiri is not as commercialized as other famous hill stations and the government has undertaken many steps to promote this place. The place offers many adventure sports like rock climbing, trekking, and paragliding.

Once the property of the Zamindar of Yelagiri, the land was taken over in the 1950s by the government. The hills station has a pleasant climate throughout the year.

Swamimalai Hills is one of the places you must visit. The place offers one of the most scenic treks in the region. The trek is not difficult and the view from the top of the hill is worth the climb.

The artificial Punganur lake is one of the places in Yelagiri you must visit if you are a boating enthusiast. The lake also has a garden called the ‘Mughal Garden’. You can enjoy a lazy boat ride in the lake.

The nature park located in Yelagiri is home to several varieties of plants. Spread across 12 acres of land, the park is an ideal place to relax and unwind. The lush green landscape, artificial waterfalls, and musical fountains will keep you entertained. The park also has a bamboo house, fish aquarium, and many more features.

 

10.Belur :

Scenes from Ramayana, Upanishads, and Mahabharata have been carved on the temple walls. The temple is adorned with sculptures of animals and birds.

The Chennakeshava temple complex is surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple, which was built by King Vishnuvardhana’s queen, Shantaladevi. According to legends, the poses of the sculpture are inspired by Shantaladevi and her dance.

The Pushkarni or the stepwell is another attraction of the temple. The stepwell is located to the right side of the temple’s main entrance. The Raya gopuram at the entrance was added later and has Dravidian style.

Another popular feature of the temple is the Darpan Sundari, a sculpture of a lady with a mirror. The craftsmanship and the beauty of this sculpture are unmatched. Green soapstone has been used to build the temple, which has intricately detailed carvings. The temple also has sculptures made using sandalwood and ivory.

Known for temples, Halebeedu is located in the Hassan district. This small town, along with Located on the bank of the Yagachi River in the district of Hassan, Belur is famous for the Chennakesava temple, which is one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture.

Belur, along with Halebeedu, was once the capital of Shravanabelagola and Hoysalas. Belur became the capital after the Delhi Sultanate invades the place. Belur has a rich history and beautiful heritage structures.

Apart from the Chennakesava temple, there are several temples in Belure like the Veera Narayana temple and the Kappe Chennigaraya temple. Belur’s temples give you a peek into the exquisite Hoysala craftsmanship and architecture style.

Chennakesava temple is the first thing you must see when you land in Belur. Dedicated to Vishnu (Chennakesava), the Chennakesava temple was constructed to mark King Vishnuvardhana’s victory over Cholas in 1117. Some believe that the construction of the temple was completed in 103 years.

The construction was completed by the grandson of Vishnuvardhana, Veera Ballal IIShravanabelagola, and Belur forms Karnataka tourism’s golden triangle. Your trip to Belur is incomplete without a visit to Halebeedu.

Halebeedu is the twin town of Belur.  Halebeedu, which means the ruined city, was once called Dwarasamudra, which meant entrance to the ocean. Many temples were built in the 12th century when Halebeedu was the capital city of the Hoysala Empire.

The empire started to fall after it was invaded by the Delhi sultanate. Kedareshwara temple and Hoysaleswara temple are the two main temples of Halebeedu.

These temples were constructed using soapstone. The Hoysaleswara temple has two monolith Nandi images on the sides. The temple complex also includes an archeological museum.

Kedareshwar temple is famous for its magnificently carved Hoysalaemblems. The temple was constructed in 1319 and attracts devotees of Vishnu and Shiva from across the state. The temple has shrines for the idol of Janardhan, Brahmalinga, and Shivlinga.