Nandi Hills to remain closed from dawn to dusk on Valentine’s Day

Nandi Hills will stay shut for visitors from 6 am to 6 pm on Valentine’s Day as authorities enforce crowd-control and safety measures.

• Nandi Hills will be closed to visitors from 6 am to 6 pm on February 14.
• Closure targets law-and-order and safety issues on Valentine's Day.
• Couples and tourists should reschedule or pick different destinations.

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Valentine’s Day plans for couples and travellers around Bengaluru will need a rethink this year. For the first time, the Chikkaballapura district administration has announced a complete shutdown of Nandi Hills for visitors on February 14, citing law-and-order and public safety concerns.

According to official orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Chikkaballapura, entry to Nandi Hills will be prohibited from 6 am to 6 pm on Valentine’s Day. During this period, no private vehicles or tourists will be allowed to access the popular hill destination. Security personnel will be deployed at all major entry points to enforce the restriction.

For many Bengaluru residents, Nandi Hills is a go-to escape—known for sunrise drives, misty viewpoints and quick weekend getaways. However, authorities say the surge in footfall on Valentine’s Day has made crowd management increasingly difficult in recent years.

This is the first time the hill station is being shut specifically on Valentine’s Day, though similar restrictions have been imposed during New Year celebrations and other high-footfall occasions.

Officials have made it clear that there will be no relaxations during the restricted hours. A special officer at Nandi Hills said visitors should not expect any exceptions. “No visitors or private vehicles will be allowed to enter Nandi Hills between 6 am and 6 pm on February 14. Anyone attempting to enter will be sent back from the main gate," the official said, according to reports.

Why Valentine’s Day draws restrictions

Authorities say Valentine’s Day consistently sees a sharp spike in visitors, particularly young couples and groups, leading to traffic congestion, parking issues and pressure on local policing.

Located around 60 kilometres from Bengaluru, Nandi Hills has narrow access roads and limited space to handle large crowds. Officials note that experiences from previous New Year celebrations have shown how quickly unrestricted entry on peak days can escalate into chaos.

“It is purely a public safety measure,” an official explained, adding that regulating vehicular movement and visitor numbers is essential to prevent overcrowding and potential law-and-order issues.

Data shared by officials shows that Nandi Hills typically attracts 3,000 to 4,000 visitors on weekdays, while weekend footfall often crosses 10,000. Festival days and long weekends further strain security and crowd-control arrangements.

What visitors can do instead

Regular visitors say the Valentine’s Day closure has become increasingly predictable. Many now prefer postponing their trip to a quieter weekday or choosing alternative destinations around Bengaluru.

Authorities have advised couples and tourists to reschedule their Nandi Hills visit or explore other nearby getaways. The hill station will reopen to visitors after the restricted hours on February 14.

For now, Nandi Hills will spend Valentine’s Day much the way it’s meant to be—quiet, mist-covered and undisturbed—while romance finds its way to other corners of the city.