7 Stunning Clifftop Locations For Stargazing You Must Visit Near Bengaluru
The Indian city known as Bengaluru officially serves as the 'Silicon Valley of India' and stands out because of its technological complex and lively way of life and active evening social scene. The urban landscape of Bengaluru extends to numerous unique natural settings which offer perfect viewpoints for star watchers. Several hidden cliffs beyond Bengaluru city limits allow you to view stunning night sky vistas which remain untouched by urban light pollution. Seven hidden clifftop locations exist near Bengaluru that enable anyone from amateur stargazers to star viewers to experience mesmerizing celestial sights.
1. Nandi Hills: A Classic Favorite
Nandi Hills stands as the leading spot for stargazing in this area at a 60-kilometer distance from Bengaluru. This hill station reaches 4,851 feet above sea level and presents breathtaking views of valleys underneath along with clean astronomical night sky observations. The protected environment of this location provides excellent dark conditions which enable viewers to witness celestial visions including both constellations and planets and meteor showers when the Perseids or Geminids seasons are active. One can experience fresh air from the sloping meadows while lying on the grass to witness the Milky Way illuminate the sky.
2. Savandurga: A Majestic Monolith
The granite monolith formations of Savandurga stand near Bengaluru at a distance of around 60 kilometers west of the city. The historical fortress site in addition to its cultural value provides amazing opportunities for watching celestial objects and stars against the dark background of the night sky. Visitors can reach elevated positions here to view the brilliant night sky because the challenging terrain blocks out urban light pollution. When the moon shines in its full state throughout the night, the cliffs at Savandurga become a magical spot that draws photography lovers together with stargazers.
3. Skandagiri Hills: Mystical Beauty Under the Stars
The trekking trails with ancient ruins at Skandagiri Hills exist approximately 70 kilometers outside Bengaluru. Visitors from various backgrounds choose this summit for its complete visibility of the night sky because they consider it one of their most desired destinations. Camping under the stars delivers a memorable experience at this location since the open sky displays multiple stars and planets alongside shooting stars. At this peaceful mountain area you can deepen your connection with nature while communing with the universe because of its peaceful setting.
4. Ramanagara: The Land of Boulders
The southern Bengaluru district holds Ramanagara where Sholay made it famous as a location about 50 kilometers southwest of the city. The area stands out due to its extensive rocky formations which create a distinct environment for watching stars as well as boulders that cover its terrain. The sparse population of this area produces barely any artificial light that would spoil star-gazing views so astronomers find it perfect to study celestial formations. The top of large boulders provides a better observation point because it heightens your horizon view of rising stars and far-off galaxies.
5. Devarayanadurga: A Spiritual Retreat Beneath the Stars
The twin temples Yoganarasimha and Bhoga Narasimha exist in Devarayanadurga about 70 kilometers from Bengaluru where visitors can admire panoramic views of the plains. The elevated position at the peak creates ideal star viewing opportunities particularly when cold winter weather produces clean air conditions. A transformative experience occurs when you climb these temple steps because the city sounds vanish into peaceful ambience which prepares you for an enchanting stargazing experience.
6. Chikballapur: Off the Beaten Path
Those who journey to Chikballapur from Bengaluru by covering 70 kilometers northeast will find private places ideal for stargazing. Numerous small hillocks and open fields in the district lack enough artificial light to damage the natural darkness of the area. The combination of peaceful lake waters along with wide open skies makes Muddenahalli Lake an excellent location for stargazing. Under starlit clear nights the stars reflect across the lake water to create an enchanting double image of celestial objects in the sky.
7. Antharagange: Caves and Constellations
Antharagange stands as 'Ganges from Within' due to its somewhat hidden nature near Bengaluru at a 70-kilometer distance. The hill range contains natural caves as well as waterfalls and dense vegetation that create a peaceful environment to escape city life. Starry expanses become more visible under natural dark conditions at night. Anyone who wishes to witness a unique stargazing experience must visit Antharagange because its geological formations harmonize perfectly with celestial wonders.
Tips for an Unforgettable Stargazing Experience
The following recommendations will help you achieve the best experience when visiting cliff-secluded locations :
Before your visit consult the lunar calendar to select nights that occur during or after the new moon when skies stay the darkest.
The necessary equipment includes both binoculars and a telescope (if available) along with warm clothing and drink and food items together with plenty of water.
You can easily identify constellations and planets through the usage of stargazing applications SkyView and Stellarium which are available for download.
The practice of respecting nature means you should both pack all your waste for removal and never interrupt natural wildlife in their habitat.
When venturing outdoors for stargazing bring safety items such as informing someone about your plans along with a flashlight that includes red light mode for preserving night vision while you carefully walk on uneven grounds.
Final Thoughts
Natural landscapes surrounding Bengaluru create ideal conditions for people who want to observe stars. The tourism destinations of Nandi Hills and Skandagiri and Antharagange offer separate enchantment and fascination to visitors. These concealed cliff observation points serve the astronomers and ordinary stargazers alike to discover space's secrets through their unique vantage points. You should pick your equipment and escape urban life to witness the starlight which will open stunning and marvelous experiences.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
19 minutes ago
- NDTV
Is Adventure Tourism In India Worth Your Money? The Red Flags And Safety Risks
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara inspired growth in India's adventure tourism market since 2011. The market was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 46.731 billion by 2030. Fatal incidents have risen due to unlicensed operators, untrained staff, and poor safety measures in India. In 2011, when director Zoya Akhtar released a movie about three male friends, intertwined in their own lives and taking a three-week-long trip, it not only became a commercial hit but also inspired many Indians to think differently about travel. You see, the movie titled (if you haven't guessed it yet), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, revolves around Kabir, Imran and Arjun, and their once-in-a-lifetime vacation in Spain before Kabir's wedding. The trip was essentially meant to help them combat their deepest fears through three adventure sports, each chosen by one of them. The trio explores Spain in a full-on desi way and eventually faces their fears through scuba diving, skydiving and running of the bulls. After facing each challenge, they experience a sense of gratification that makes many of us want to try at least one of the ourselves. Often, Bollywood and social media have glamorised adventure sports and the adrenaline rush that comes with them, turning it into something everyone wanted to chase post the film's release. Today, the Indian adventure tourism market is experiencing significant growth, fuelled by a young, thrill-seeking demographic and rising disposable incomes, all wanting to live life like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (quite literally). The market was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 46.731 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 19.6% over the next five years. However, unlike Kabir, Imran and Arjun—who underwent proper training before each sport—India's growing demand is being met without the same level of infrastructure and safety precautions. The Rise In Fatal Incidents Ft Adventure Sports This boom, however, has been a double-edged sword. As more Indians seek thrill-filled holidays, the infrastructure, regulatory mechanisms and safety checks haven't always kept up. Not everyone goes the ZNMD route of professional preparation and certified guides (Remember Laila from ZMND?). Alok K Singh, Chairman and CEO of Travomint, a travel agency, points out, 'There's been a clear rise in incidents — due to unregistered operators, lack of training, and failure to meet safety standards.' He further lists some incidents: Puri Beach, Odisha - The most recent case, occurred in May 2025, a boat capsize incident happened at the Puri Beach involving Snehasish Ganguly, elder brother of Indian Cricket Team captain Sourav Ganguly, and his spouse, Arpita. Following this incident, the Puri district administration officially suspended all water sports activities in the region, pointing out the critical need for stronger safety measures. While many licensed vendors agree to worldwide norms, some continue to struggle with lack of regulations. Manali: Tadi Mahesh Reddy, a 32-year-old, at Manali was attempting to take off (during paragliding) at Raison when a sudden gust of wind caused his glider to descend instead of ascend, leading to his death. Goa - In January 2025, Shivani Dable, a 27-year-old girl from Pune lost her life during a paragliding activity in Keri Village, North Goa. Her glider crashed into a ravine soon after taking off from a cliff, and even the instructor did not survive. This incident raised concerns over safety practices, unlicensed operators and safety checks in adventure sports. Bir Biling, Himachal Pradesh - A tragic incident happened during paragliding in 2023, when a tourist's safety harness malfunctioned mid-air, raising concerns about unlicensed operators and outdated equipment. After thorough investigation, it was revealed that the flight was operated by an unregistered operator. This tragedy led to widespread public outcry and renewed regulations along with better standards for paragliding operators. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand - Several cases of rafting accidents were reported due to overloading and untrained guides during river rafting. One such case occured in 2017, when a Delhi tourist tragically died after a raft capsized near Garud Chatti bridge. After this incident, local authorities launched safety audits, however, implementation is still not consistent. Common themes? Unlicensed operators, untrained staff, and inadequate equipment. Today, Adventure sports in India vary in price depending on the location and season. Scuba diving costs between Rs 1,500 and Rs 8,000 per dive, with Andaman and Lakshadweep on the higher end. River rafting in places like Rishikesh can range from Rs 499 to Rs 2,999 per person, depending on the stretch covered. Paragliding prices start at Rs 1,800 and can go up to Rs 5,500 in top spots like Bir Billing. But are they safe? Shreya Chawla* (name changed as per request), a 23-year-old professional from Noida, who loves adventure sports shares, 'They make you sign a waiver. If something happens to you, it's your fault. But the training is almost non-existent. During paragliding in Bir, I was just asked to run at a certain speed. When I went scuba diving in Goa, they dropped me into the water without any special preparation.' Louis D'Souza, Managing Partner at Tamarind Global, a focused destination and event management company, tells NDTV that adventure tourism isn't inherently dangerous, but lack of regulation makes it so. 'We always advise travellers to check if the operator is certified, whether there's insurance, and how trained the guides are,' he adds. Where The Law Stands In 2023, India's Ministry of Tourism laid out formal 'safety guidelines' for adventure tourism. These included age limits, mandatory insurance for operators, and penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 for safety breaches. However, enforcement remains inconsistent across states. Mind you, these are just guidelines and not laws. Now, even though states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have issued more stringent region-specific guidelines, insiders say, many operators continue to flout the rules — either due to lack of awareness or because enforcement agencies lack manpower. Like Shreya's case, any first-timers trust operators blindly, not knowing what questions to ask or red flags to spot. How Industry Experts Are Tackling The Crisis Trishal Rao, Chief Sales Officer at SKIL, a travel management company, believes stronger checks are non-negotiable. 'We work only with ISO-certified or Adventure Tour Operators Association of India-affiliated operators. Our checks include reviewing guest feedback, auditing sites like TripAdvisor, and even demanding references for group trips,' he says. Rao adds that clients sign waivers, but it doesn't absolve the vendors of accountability. 'We ensure insurance is in place, and we expect partners to conduct drills, have evacuation plans and keep ambulances accessible. You can't compromise on safety,' he adds. D'Souza agrees and adds, 'Yes, there are more incidents — but mostly from unregulated players. We advise travellers to ask: Does the operator have certification? Is there insurance? Are the guides trained? Our role is to ensure transparency and accountability.' Even equipment matters, says D'Souza. 'We personally review activities before adding them to itineraries. Adventure stalls are everywhere now — not all are reliable,' according to him. But on ground level things are different. Not everyone is authorised, or trained enough. Trekking is one such activity that remains highly unregulated. Often people are misguided. Treks are made to sound 'easy' to appeal to the participants, but the reality might be different. This lack of information is consistent in the other adventure sports as well. Vaibhav Kala, founder of Aquaterra Adventures and senior VP of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), says, 'Adventure tourism is gaining popularity due to the physical and mental thrill. But gear, guides and guidelines are critical. We need stricter enforcement and national registration for operators.' Kala is also part of a core team pushing for a model law to be adopted across states. 'We want a national register for operators and stricter controls. Currently, anyone with a few rafts or parachutes can open shop. That's dangerous,' says Kala. Who's At Fault, Really? While most operators make clients sign disclaimers, legally and ethically, both sides hold responsibility. Experts say that while tourists must be cautious, it's primarily the operators' duty to uphold safety norms. But many small vendors still operate in the grey zone. Rakesh, the owner of a similar adventure sports establishment in Manali, has been in this business for almost 10 years. In Himachal Pradesh, he says, many individuals, especially the inexperienced ones, are able to enter the adventure sports market as obtaining a licence is "pretty easy". According to Rakesh, officials conduct quality checks on equipment used in these activities only twice a year. Kala further notes that unregistered operators shouldn't be allowed to run at all. 'The National Tourism Board for Adventure Tourism is pushing for a model law to be adopted across states. That will be the game-changer,' he says. The debate on disclaimers and liability is far from settled. While many operators use waivers to shift responsibility, legal experts say they are not foolproof. How Can You Stay Safe? India's potential to lead in adventure tourism is undeniable. The geography, biodiversity and growing youth population make it a natural fit. But the foundation has to be solid. Till then, if you want to stay safe follow Kala's advice, 'We need three pillars — enforcement, education and ecosystem. Only then will we stop reading about unnecessary tragedies.' Before committing to an adventure, individuals should ask these key questions, says Kala - Have they researched the outfitter's (elaborate) credentials? Is the company registered with relevant tourism authorities or industry associations? Are the guides certified, trained in first aid and CPR, and experienced? What is the emergency exit plan? Rao adds that educating tourists needs to be a priority. 'At the point of sale, operators should hand out safety checklists. Digital platforms could include reviews specific to safety. Insurance should be offered as standard, not optional.' Remember, adventure tourism, by its nature, involves risk, but that risk can and must be managed. For India to become a world-class destination, safety should not be an afterthought. Until then, maybe watch Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara again — but think twice before trying to recreate the thrills without asking the right questions first.
News18
38 minutes ago
- News18
Air India Expands Self Check-in & Baggage Drop To 19 Global Destinations Including The UK, Europe & Canada
Last Updated: This service is now available for passengers flying from India to destinations across Europe, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Air India has expanded its integrated self check-in and baggage-drop service for travellers flying from India to destinations in the UK, Europe, and Canada. This service, which allows passengers to skip traditional check-in queues, is now available at a total of 19 international airports. The airline had already rolled out this digital facility for routes to the United States, Australia, and various Indian cities—becoming the first Indian airline to do so for international routes. Where Is This Service Available? Passengers flying from India can now use the self-service kiosks at major airports including: What the Service Offers The self-service kiosks allow passengers to: This saves valuable time and removes the need to wait in long queues at check-in counters, offering a much quicker and more comfortable airport experience. Other Passenger-Friendly Services In the past year, Air India has launched several initiatives to improve passenger experience:
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Like it survived a WWE match': Famous airline's baggage handling sparks outrage
A recent domestic flight has left a senior professional from Deloitte raising serious concerns over baggage handling practices in Indian aviation. The passenger, who flew with IndiGo from Delhi to Hyderabad, has accused the airline of returning his luggage in a damaged condition, with missing items, and no timely response from the support team. 'My luggage looked like it had survived a WWE match': Deloitte employee LinkedIn post: Abhishek Kumar, a senior analyst at Deloitte, took to LinkedIn to share his dissatisfaction with IndiGo after what he described as a distressing post-flight experience. According to Kumar, the luggage he had checked in at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport was severely damaged by the time it reached Hyderabad. In his LinkedIn post, Kumar wrote, 'My luggage looked like it had survived a WWE match - zips gone, locks missing, contents clearly tampered with, and surprise surprise: items missing! At IGI, my bag weighed over 14 kg. By the time I got it in Hyderabad, it was barely 13 kg.' Passenger highlights lack of response from IndiGo Apart from the physical damage, Kumar also raised concerns about IndiGo's customer service. He mentioned that despite repeated attempts to reach out for a resolution, the airline did not respond adequately. 'I've been chasing your team for a resolution like it's a toxic ex who owes me money - and yet, radio silence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo Honestly, pathetic service,' Kumar said in the same post. IndiGo issues brief response on social media Following the viral nature of the complaint, IndiGo responded publicly through a comment on the post. The airline said, 'Mr Kumar, we would like to understand your experience better. Request you to share your contact details and PNR via DM, and we'll get in touch with you promptly.' Similar complaints reported earlier According to the media reports, this is not the first time such an issue has surfaced involving the airline. Earlier in the month, a passenger from Goa had also alleged that her luggage was returned damaged, and claimed that follow-up attempts with the airline did not lead to any meaningful resolution. Thumb image credit: LinkedIn/Abhishek Kumar
