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A couple's vacation to Nandi hills

Last week, a couple made an impromptu decision to spend two days at Bangalore's very own hill station - Nandi hills. Having packed the kids off to their grandparents, the couple had a great time bird watching, exploring nearby attractions and clicking each other's photos. Here's a photo tour... 


Starting leisurely on a Tuesday morning, we reached the foothills in less than an hour...


Our first halt was at Bhoga Nandishwara temple at the base of Nandi hills...


It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva...



The original temple in the complex, identified as one of the oldest temples of Karnataka, dates back to the early 9th century...



A perforated decorative stone window which contains figure of a dancing Shiva...





The entrance...



Kalyani or Pushkarni(temple tank)...








Ornate Pillar carvings of the Vasantha Mantapa made of soap stone...
















The stone umbrella...





Ornate pillar of the vasanta mantapa, made of soap stone...










Pillars in the large open mantapa...











The big wooden chariot...


Carvings on the wooden chariot...

































Fallen flowers of Gulmohar becomes her nail extension kit...





Wicked...





We continued our journey to Nandi hills. The road is very scenic...


We checked in to our hotel at Gandhi Nilaya located on top of Nandi hills. Quite a breathtaking view from the balcony...


In the evening, we ventured out for a spot of bird watching...


A Common tailor bird came hopping...








Red-whiskered bulbuls were in abundance...









Angel's trumpet...


Orange-headed Thrush...




Puff-throated Babbler...









 Birding engaged us for more than an hour...





White-cheeked barbet...






We visited Tippu Sultan's summer residence...


We walked along the periphery to view the dramatic evening sky...  








Darkness brought us back to the hotel. Lights in the valley...











In the morning, as I opened the balcony door, I realized that we were among the clouds...


Here's a video of the cloudy morning...





The morning walk was fun. This is near Gandhi Nilaya where we were staying...


Droplets from the dew and cloud...


Hitchhiking pose...


We visited this 1300-year-old Yoga Nandeeshwara temple dedicated to Hindu god, Shiva...


The unusual color of water in the temple tank was really interesting...








Ashy prinia...









Alstroemeria...


Overall, it was fun and allowed us to carry some unforgettable memories.
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