Bangalore

1. About the Place

One of the prettiest cities of India and despite its metropolitan character, one of the friendliest is Bangalore. This "garden city of India" has been a popular destination for Honeymooners who find it a peaceful & tranquil break from the hurried and frantic pace of the urban places they come from. The city is a popular destination for all leisure seekers, for which the mild climate of Bangalore is amply suited.

Located 1,000 m above sea level, this bustling capital city of Karnataka, has a perpetual holiday atmosphere, thanks mainly to its picnic weather.

Founded in 1537 by a local chieftain, Kempe Gowda, Bangalore has seen much and imbided even more. Rapid industrial growth has not taken away Bangalore's old-world charm.

A trip here can be truly delightful. Known as the Garden City and Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore offers you more than a day or two of sight-seeing. There is always something going on here; music and dance concerts (both western and Indian), dramas, exhibitions, carnivals… you could go disco-hopping or pub-crawling, to the restaurants or to movies, window-shopping, or even for a round of golf.

Bangalore enjoys a salubrious climate all year round, with the monsoon from June to October.

2. What to see?

Vidhana Soudha:

A magnificent building housing the State Legislature and Secretariat, it was conceived and executed by Kengal Hanumanthaiya, the then Chief Minister, in 1956. It is built entirely of Bangalore granite in the Neo-Dravidian style.

Attara Kacheri:

This elegant two-storeyed building is directly opposite the Vidhana Soudha. It houses the State High Court. Within walking distance are the Public Library, the Government Museum, the Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum and the Venkatappa Art Gallery.

Cubbon Park:

This beautiful park, sprawling across 300 acres, was laid out by Lieutenant General Sir Mark Cubbon in 1864. The park is green and dotted with fountains, statues and flowering trees. Close to the park is the Bal Bhavan and the Aquarium.

The Lalbagh:

Started by Hyder Ali in 1760 and later completed by Tipu Sultan, this 240 acre landscape park is home to some very rare species of plants. The Glass House, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, is the venue for the bi-annual flower shows.

Bangalore Palace:

Inspired by the Windsor Castle, this palace was built in the Tudor style by a Wodeyar King in 1887.

Bull Temple:

One of the oldest temples in the city built by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore.

Tipu's Palace:

One of his summer retreats built in 1791, this is a two-storeyed ornate wooden structure with pillars, arches and balconies.

Ulsoor Lake:

It is a perfect getaway dotted with a picturesque island. You can enjoy a boat ride here or swim in the nearby pool.

The Shiv Mandir:

The 65 ft. huge sitting Shiva on Airport Road is a major tourist attraction.

Shakthi Hill Resorts:

Man made Water Falls at Shakthi Hill Resort which is 12 Kms. from Bangalore.

Iskcon Temple:

Built at a cost of Rs.32 crores on a sprawling 7 acre plot, atop the Hare Krishna hill, is a pious blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony.

Musical Fountain:

Dance with the swinging waters at this unique attraction at the Chowdaiah Road opposite the Nehru Planetarium.

Planetarium:

On Chowdaiah Road, this is your gateway to the magnificent skies above this beautiful city.

3.Around Bangalore

Bannerghatta National Park:

Located 22 kms south amidst sylvan surroundings, this park has a crocodile farm, and a tiger and lion safari.

Nandi Hill: 60 kms north, is a small hill station. It was one of the retreats of the Tiger of Mysore. Tipu's Drop-a 60 m high cliff face-offers a magnificent view.

Hesaraghatta:

25 kms away, has an artificial lake and a dairy and horticulture farm. Boating and windsurfing are the other attractions here.

Nrityagram:

The famous dance village-where young dancers are trained in all disciplines of traditional Indian dance.

Shivaganga:

56 kms north-is a conical hill which offers a breathtaking view from the top. There are two shrines dedicated to Lord Gangadhareshwara and Goddess Honnadevi.

Devarayanadurga:

70 kms from Bangalore, this beautiful countryside is dotted with hill top temples and an ideal place for trekking.

Ramanagaram:

49 kms south-west, this beautiful landscape spot is popular with rock-climbers. It is also an important silk cocoon marketing centre.

Janapada Loka:

Is about 53 kms from Bangalore, near Ramanagaram. A subsidiary of the Karnataka Janapada Parishath, is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of folk culture, sprawling across 15 acres, the complex has an art gallery, and open-air theatre, a studio and a museum.

Channapatna:

60 kms south-west, this town is famous for its lacquerware and hand-crafted wooden toys. It is also a silk centre.

Dodda Alada Mara (Banyan Tree):

28 kms from Bangalore, the tree is spread over 3 acres and is 400 years old. The tree is also the largest in Karnataka.

Savandurga:

61 kms from Bangalore near Magadi is yet another spot enjoyed by the trekkers.

Mekedatu:

98 kms south, is a beautiful picnic spot where the river Cauvery squeezes through a narrow gorge.

Muthyalamaduvu (Pearl Valley):

40 kms away is known for its verdant surroundings and beautiful water falls. This is a favourite picnic spot.

Whitefield:

16 kms from Bangalore, the ashrama is founded by the philosopher and educationist, Sri Satya Sai Baba. The ashrama is quiet and peaceful. The devotees come from all over the word to visit the ashram.

International Technology Park:

Located at Whitefield, it is the country's first and most successful software tech park, acting as a frontline institution for export oriented software units. The tech park thus emphasises the status of Bangalore as the Silicon Valley of India.

4. Shopping

Shopping is a delightful experience in Bangalore. You can take home handicrafts is sandalwood and rosewood, available in state-owned emporia and private stores. For gold and jewellery, you can visit the quaint Jeweller's Street. Silk sarees and silk fabric from Bangalore are a rage all over India.

Some of the favourite shopping haunts ate M.G. Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road and Commercial Street. Bargain hunters tend to favour K.G. Road, Malleshwaram and Shivajinagar.

5. Festivals

Karaga (March-April):

This is a unique local event held at the Dharamaraya Temple.

Kadalekay Parshe (November):

This peanut fair is held by local farmers every year at the Bull temple.

6. Where to stay?

A wide range of hotels are available, from Five-Star to Economy.

Budget:

Airlines

Mid-Range:

Top End:

7. How to reach?

Bangalore is connected by air, rail and road to Delhi, Chennai, Bombay and Calcutta and to most other Indian cities and towns and also foreign countries.

Air:

The Indian Airlines office Tel.:221 1914 is in the Housing Board Buildings, Kempegowda (KG) Road. Rhere are private airline operators also.

There are daily connections to Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, plus numerous flights to Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, Mangalore, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram.

The only direct international flights from Bangalore are to Muscat, Sharjah and Singapore, but there are numerous international connecting flights via Mumbai, including flights to the Gulf States, Paris, London, New York and Singapore. The advantage is that you can go through customs and immigration in relative peace at Bangalore airport.

International airlines with offices in Bangalore include:

Bus:

Bangalore's has a huge and well-organised Central bus stand directly in front of the City train station. All the regular buses within the state are operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC, Tel.:287 3377). Bus service is available for Mysore, Ernakulam, Hospet, Jog Falls, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Madurai, Coimbatore, Ooty and Panaji.

Train:

There are two train stations in Bangalore. The main one, the City train station, is the place to make reservations. Bangalore is connected by direct daily express trains with all the main cities in southern and central India.