Yes it's in the state of Andhra Pradesh of India.

In an earlier avatar when Horsley Hills was not the commercial hill station it is now, it used to be an undeveloped rustic hillock. According to local legend, a pious woman called Mallamma used to live on the top of the hill where she was protected and looked after by an elephant. Word soon got around and the place was rather simplistically dubbed Yenugu Mallamma Konda (hill).

News of this also reached WD Horsley, the Collector of Cuddappah District, who was desperately seeking an escape from the heat, dust and fiery food of the Andhra plains. He came here in a hunch and was bowled over by the natural beauty of the place. In 1870 he constructed two quaint houses and thus laid the foundation of a hill resort, which was duly name after him. The hills became his summer retreat and the sarkari trend continued with the hilltop villa becoming the summer rest-dence of the Andhra Pradesh Governor.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

On first glance, it's easy to dismiss HORSLEY Hills as a touristy resort with bureaucratic bungalows that has nothing to offer except cement bunks, neatly numbered flowerpots and parks with slides. For one, it's perhaps one of the few places in India that calls a tree by name. A 150-yrar-old eucalyptus tree year Horsley Bungalow is endearingly called Kalyani.

The lush forests around Horsley Hills are ideal for nature walks picnics and drives. The hill station has a few interesting excursions but beyond that, there's not much else. If you are looking for a place where you can just put up your feet and relax, this is it.

Horsing around

The most prominent tourist spot is Gali Bandalu (Windy Rock), a rocky slope that derives its name from the gusty winds that blow nearly all da. The Eastern and Western viewpoints are great places to watch the sunrise and set. About 40km from Horsley Hills and often confused with it is Gurram Konda, between Madanapalle and Raichoti. Literally ?Horses Hill? it is so named because its steep pathway was nice accessible only on horseback. At the foot of the hill is a small fort called Mahal.

Rishi Valley School

A prestigious institution run by the J Krishnamurthy Foundation, Rishi Valley is noted for its alternative and unconventional mode of teaching. The school is 25 km from Horsley Hills and is set against a stunning backdrop. The school is located in a valley that was declared a bird preserve in 1991, whose wooded groves make it an excellent haunt for birdwatchers. Visitors can check out the school only during school vacations, and need permission from the principal to visit while school is on.

For kids

Kids frolic in the three tiny gardens and parks here. The numerous trees and moderate temperature spell lots of bird watching. A small natural lake, 1km down the hill, is great for angling.

AROUND HORSLEY HILLS

Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary (94km). This sanctuary is in the Palmaner area, off the Bangalore-Chennai Highway near Kuppam. Spread over an area of 358 sq km, Kaundinya is in a decent state of preservation. The notable species here include elephants, mouse deer and antelope.

Tirumalai (148 km)

Towering above this celebrated temple town of Andhra is easily one of the richest places of pilgrimage in the world Tirumalai, the abode of Lord Venkat-eshwara-chiefly thanks to the zeal with which people throw money and gold in the humid of the Lord. Every year, Tirupati draws more pilgrims than Mecca and the Vatican. It is among the most important places of pilgrimage in South India.

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