Hundreds of Bengalureans took part in the Nandi Habba, a day long celebration of the rich heritage of Nandi Hills, on Sunday. The event was held by United Way Bengalururu, a not-for-profit organisation, in collaboration with the Karnataka government and Namma Nimma Cycle celebrated ‘Nandi Habba 2018’.
The day was marked by a number of activities including yoga sessions, cyclethon, games for children and nature walks, ensuring that community members spent a leisure weekend.
Nature & heritage walks by Nandi Walks was an eye opener for many who didn’t know the diversity in that Nandi holds both in nature & heritage #NandiHabba @uwbe pic.twitter.com/NFQNmDTAbm
— Priyank Kharge (@PriyankKharge) March 4, 2018
#NandiHabba was well received with rural arts & pastimes. Great work by our partners @uwbe pic.twitter.com/ZppVfWT6tP
— Priyank Kharge (@PriyankKharge) March 4, 2018
Sunrise with the moon! #NandiHabba2018 #nandihills #cleannandi #nandihabba pic.twitter.com/8wh6QzONcl
— United Way Bengaluru (@uwbe) March 4, 2018
Finished the #nandihabba #HalfMarathon today; finisher medal by local women from villages around foothills; nicely organised run with minor traffic management issues @PriyankKharge pls continue Nandi habba every year! pic.twitter.com/LOxmkKRdUN
— daktre (@prashanthns) March 4, 2018
The event also aimed to create awareness about the need to preserve the rich biodiversity and heritage of Nandi Hills.
"Nandi Habba was a celebration of the iconic Nandi Hills, home to South India’s only cloud forest and an act of commitment and strong affirmative action on the part of the Government of Karnataka towards one of Karnataka’s most beloved eco-heritage spaces," the organisers said in a press statement.
Over a 1,000 people attended the marquee event including several dignitaries such as Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy and former CM of Karnataka Sri Veerappa Moily.
"An event of this nature has been in the pipeline for years and we are so happy to see it happen finally! The heritage of Nandi Hills has much to be celebrated and I am very excited to see this event happen year on year," Veerappa Moily said.
Cheering on the participants with some drumbeats. #NandiHabba2018 #nandihills #nandihabba pic.twitter.com/nk4IRXgZjd
— United Way Bengaluru (@uwbe) March 4, 2018
All the Champs are here for Nandi Habba race! This is going to be epic! Posing here with Sridhar Savanur and Lokesh Narasimhachar(Loki). :)#NandiHabba #NandiHills #cycling #running #Yoga #outdoors #SpectrumRacing #BVCoaching #CPCS #fastandupindia pic.twitter.com/pRCufkBIAf
— BikeyVenky (@bikeyvenky) March 4, 2018
The Nandi Hills Heritage Restoration (NHHR) project, of which Nandi Habba is a part, will comprise of five initiatives, i.e. heritage, ecology, livelihoods, preservation of water bodies and solid waste management that will preserve Nandi Hills.