Bangalore Weekend Destinations - Part II

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'Weekend' the very word freezes work for few seconds. Are you planning to explore new destinations? Then you are at the right place. Explore Bangalore's other nearby weekend destinations and freeze the work load and tension for two long days in Balmuri Falls, Ranganthitu Bird Sanctuary and the ever charming Nandi Hills

Ranganthitu Bird Sanctuary and Balmuri Falls:
Ranganthitu Bird Sanctuary is an excellent picnic rendezvous. An island created by river Cauvery near Srirangapatna is the nesting & breeding place for various migratory species of birds from all over the world. A perfect feast to eyes who love watching birds caressing and floating in the air that create a heavenly view.

Ranger-guided boat tours of the isles are available throughout the day, and are a good way to watch birds, crocodiles, otters and bats. Best time to visit this Bird Sanctuary is during the months of July - September. The best time to watch migratory birds is in December. Accommodation is available at Ranganthittu in the form of three Riverside Cottages. However, most tourists prefer to stay at nearby Mysore.

Balmuri Falls is the primary attraction at the Ranganthittu Sanctuary. It is a man-made reservoir few kilometers away from Ranganthittu. If you were expecting a huge water fall then you are going to be disappointed as it is just a few feat fall that tantalizes your senses when you sit underneath it. Let the falling water give a sensual massage with soft showers. Good time to visit this place is in winter season when there is just enough water in the river.

How to reach?
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is about 130 kms away from Bangalore. Hit the Bangalore-Mysore highway till you reach the bridge at Srirangapattanam. You"ll soon find directions to the bird sanctuary. Follow it until you reach the clean and speck sanctuary that can entice any being at a sight.

Balmuri Falls
Head back to the Bangalore-Mysore highway and drive towards Mysore till you see the sign board for the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam. Take a right turn and head straight until you spot a a sign-board for Balmuri Falls. Drive again for 3-4 kms with the specified direction on the board until you reach the falls.

Nandi Hills or Nandidurg

Nandi Hills, 65 Kms from Bangalore and 1,478 meters above sea level, is an ideal destination for romanticists. The hill fortress gets its name from an ancient Nandi temple situated on this hill. This temple has a thousand year old sculpture of Nandi. History states that it was Tipu Sultan's summer retreat and Tipu's fort walls still stand as its testimony. The tranquil arena with the soft cooing birds and the warmth of cold winds will let you sway to the world of fantasy. If you wish to stay back, there are a number of hotels at the Nandi Hills. The hill station also offers guest house, forest bungalows and lodge.

Some of the major attraction of the place are,

How to reach?
Government buses ply from Bangalore, Chikkaballapur and Nandigrama every hour. It takes 2 hours from Bangalore and one hour from Chikkaballapur to reach Nandi Hills. However I would suggest you to zoom on your bikes for a vivid experience. Although a bit tiresome its a perfect road for a long drives. On Bangalore Bellary road, reach Devanahalli cross, which is on the 36 th milestone. Take the deviation on the left and travel 11 kilometers to reach Nandi cross. The foot of the hill is 3 kilometers from here. On the Doddaballapur road, turn right to reach the road that leads to the top of the hill. From the foot is 8 kilometers of the top.

So, why wait, just shut down your P C's pack your stuffs and drive in to the land that can make the celebration truly a memorable one.