Tipu's Summer Lodge

Tipu's Summer Lodge is a historic palace located atop Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka, about 60 km from Bengaluru. Built in the late 18th century as the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, it is noted for its simple architecture, wooden pillars and wall paintings. Maintained as a protected heritage structure, it is a key attraction within the Nandi Hills hill station complex.

Visitors can expect a small, single-storey palace structure built of wood, stone and brick with pillared verandahs, arched openings and faded wall paintings. It is situated within the fortified area atop Nandi Hills surrounded by gardens and fort walls. Visitors can walk through the verandah and view the interior rooms, observe architectural details, and combine the visit with panoramic hill views and nearby viewpoints within the Nandi Hills complex.

The lodge was built as the summer residence of Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore, in the late 18th century. Construction is attributed to the period of Hyder Ali and completed under Tipu Sultan. It served as a seasonal retreat due to the cooler climate atop Nandi Hills, which was also a fortified stronghold of the Mysore kingdom. The structure is now a protected monument.

The lodge represents Mysore-era palace architecture and is an important heritage landmark of Nandi Hills, reflecting the historical association of the hill station with the rulers of Mysore and its continued significance as a cultural and tourism site in Karnataka.