Lepakshi, Puttaparthi and Horsley Hills: Andhra weekends from Bengaluru

Rayalaseema begins 100 km from Bengaluru, and three of its best places sit within a morning's drive of the city: Lepakshi's hanging pillar, Puttaparthi's ashram and the breezy Horsley Hills.

Lepakshi (120 km, day trip)

Leave by 7 am on NH44, turn off at Hindupur, and reach the Veerabhadra temple by 9:30. The hanging pillar, the mural ceiling of the Natya Mandapa and the Naga-linga take an hour; the monolithic Nandi is on the road out. Lunch in Hindupur and back by evening — or continue to Penukonda fort (40 km) for the Gagan Mahal.

Puttaparthi (140 km, overnight)

Prasanthi Nilayam's bhajans are at dawn and dusk; the museum and planetarium fill the day. Simple, clean stays inside and around the ashram. Add Thimmamma Marrimanu, the five-acre banyan near Kadiri (70 km), on the way back.

Horsley Hills (150 km, overnight)

Via Chintamani and Madanapalle, the road climbs to 1,265 m. APTDC's resort on the hill is the place to stay; the viewpoints and Gali Bandalu are best at sunrise and sunset. Combine with Gurramkonda fort or Talakona falls (90 km) on the way to Tirupati.

All three

A three-day loop: Bengaluru → Lepakshi → Penukonda → Puttaparthi (night 1) → Kadiri and Thimmamma Marrimanu → Madanapalle → Horsley Hills (night 2) → Bengaluru via Chintamani. About 550 km in total.