This painting attempts to capture the enduring charm of Nandi Hills, India, where the whispers of history intertwine with the undulating contours of the landscape. Once considered a full day’s excursion from Bangalore, today the rapidly expanding city’s borders has made it a mere stone’s throw from the airport!!

Origins of Nandi Hills date back to the 11th century, under the auspices of the Ganga Dynasty, whose architectural genius still resonates in the scattered ruins that adorn the rocky terrain. Rulers of Bangalore including Tipu Sultan and the British Raj then embraced it as their summer retreat. Today, Nandi Hills is synonymous with the mystical spectacle of sunrise, where clouds enfold the peaks in a tender embrace, beckoning early risers in droves and forming Bangalore’s infamous traffic jams as early as 3 am!!!

But even if you are unlucky to make it to the top like me, solace awaits at the foothills, where the Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple complex sprawls. Spanning over 2 acres, this 9th-10th century hidden gem stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of five dynasties – the Banas, Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas, and the Vijayanagar Empire. As one wanders the inner compound, the walls of the temple reveal a symphony of pilasters, turrets, and exquisitely pierced windows adorned with friezes of elephants, yalis, and lions.