Bangalore – The Dream City!!!
Pleasant weather, pleasant people, pleasant hangouts.
Bangalore is known for its pleasant climate throughout the year, as the city is located at a height of over 3,000 feet above sea level. As the nation’s leading IT exporter, it is also nick named as Silicon Valley of India. It is South India's most alive city and there are no outsiders in Bangalore. Nearly every one speaks English, even if it’s only a smattering, and everyone is aware of the privilege they're bestowed with. Yes, every resident of Bangalore, regardless of where they're from, takes immense pride in their address. Malls, parks, pubs, theatre, cafes, art galleries, palaces - at any given point, Bangalore is buzzing and alive with activity. Now, Bangalore is one of the fastest growing cities in the world.
Bangalore, founded by the then ruler Kempegowda in 16th century, derived its name "Benda-kaal-ooru", meaning 'city of boiled beans'. In view of Kempe Gowda’s contributions, the government has renamed the Bangalore international airport as "Kempegowda International Airport" in December 2013.
The following are some of the places of interest in and around Bangalore:
Vidhana Soudha
An imposing edifice housing the State Legislature and the Secretariat of Karnataka, this is one of the best known landmarks of Bangalore.The majestic VidhanaSoudha, the seat of power was constructed by late Shri Hanumanthiah, the Chief Minister in 1956 where main secretariat is housed. Few years back the government has constructed one more building to accommodate some of the departments nearby called Vikasa Soudha and this is look wise same as Vidhana Soudha but small in size.
Attara Kacheri
Overlooking Vidhana Soudha is this red brick and stone building in the Graeco-Roman style of architecture. It houses the state High Court.
Lalbagh Gardens
Lalbagh is a botanical garden, commissioned by Hyder Ali in 1760. Take a stroll in this 240-acre park, which is home to India’s largest collection of rare tropical and subtropical plants, as well as many centuries-old trees. It contains one of Kempegowda’s watch towers, a surreal lawn surrounded by Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, an ornamental clock, a beautiful lake, a topiary park, a charming wooden bandstand and a glasshouse modelled on London’s Crystal Palace.Timings: 8 am to 6 pm, Entry: Rs.10
Cubbon Park
Cubbon Park provides Bangaloreans with over 300 acres of sprawling greenery in the heart of the city. The park was created in 1884, by Major General Richard Sankey. The park is home to numerous trees and plants that span over 68 general and 96 species. The park houses the State Library, an impressive, red Gothic structure, and is dotted with fountains, statues, flowering trees and shady groves.
Bangalore Palace
Bangalore Palace (1862) is located near Mekhri Circle and Cantonment Railway station and is built to look like a smaller replica of the Windsor Castle in England.
Visveswaraya Industrial & Technological Museum This museum is dedicated to the memory of Sir M Visveswaraya, the architect of modern Karnataka. It provides a brief history of technological development in the country, and houses many technical inventions. Kasturba Road, Bangalore 560 001
Tel: 080-2286 4009/ 4563
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm, Entry: Rs.20
Government Museum
Government Museum, Bangalore established in 1865 is acclaimed as one of the oldest museums in the country. It houses an amazing collection of archaeological items such as stone carvings, pottery, paintings, coins, sculptures and inscriptions.
Kasturba Road, Bangalore 560 001
Tel: 080-2286 4438, Timings: 10.00 am to
5.00 pm, Open daily, except Mondays
HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum
Marvel at India’s first and only aviation museum which has a large collection of aircraft models, photographs, fighter planes, and helicopters. There are also aircraft simulators, a mock air traffic control tower and an aero modeling club, besides a reference library at this centre established by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Varthur Road, Bangalore 560 017
Tel: 080-2522 8342, Entry: Rs.25 for adults, Rs.15 for children
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath
This is one of the premier fine art institutions in the country. Its activities extend to dance performances, folk theatre, photography exhibitions, puppet shows and musical recitals. Chitrakala Parishath is a goldmine of paintings by famous artists including Roerich. It contains a graphic studio and an open air theatre, and houses five art galleries which are hired out to artists who wish to display their work. The Parishath has worked to revive dying art forms, its most notable successes being in traditional Mysore paintings and leather puppetry. It also holds workshops, artists’ camps and demonstrations. The institution houses the Chitrakala Vidyalaya, a college of fine art forms, affiliated to the Bangalore University and offering courses in painting, sculpture, graphic art, applied art and art history.
Art Complex, Kumara Krupa Road,
Bangalore 560 001, Tel: 080-2226 1816
Timings: 10 am to 5.30 pm
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
The planetarium is perfect for star gazing. Watch the ‘Sky Theatre Show’ and unfold the marvels of the universe, planets and the solar system.
Chowdiah Road, High Grounds,
Bangalore 560 001 Tel: 080-2220 3234,
2222 6084, Timings:10 am to 5.30 pm
Shows in Kannada at 11.30 am,
2.00 pm and 2.45 pm
Shows in English at 12.45 pm,
3.45 pm and 4.30 pm
Closed on Monday and second Tuesday
Entry: Rs.25, School Children: Rs.15
National Gallery of Modern Art
Spread over an area of 3.5 acres, this historic heritage mansion was transformed from a residency into a museum, with a display space of 1551 sq. m. The heritage building has been supplemented by a new Gallery Block, which adds a display space of 1260 sq. m. It houses paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings from the late 18th century. It also displays works by famous Indian artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Amritha Shergil, Ravindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy and also works of other international artists.
Manikyavelu Mansion, 49, Palace Road,
Bangalore 560 052
Tel: 080-2234 2338, Fax: 080-2220 1027
Email: ngma.bengaluru
Web: www.ngmaindia.gov.in
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm
Open daily, except on Mondays and
National Holidays. Entry: Rs.10
Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain
View the colourful swirling fountains dancing in tune to music.
Raj Bhavan Road, Bangalore 560 001
Tel: 080-2286 4125
Timings: 7 pm to 7.30 pm,
Sunday- 8 pm to 8.30 pm (Closed on Monday and second Tuesday).
Venkatappa Art Gallery
Houses the paintings and art materials of the eminent artist Venkatappa, as well as those of other renowned artists.
Kasturba Road, Bangalore 560 001
Tel: 080-2286 4483/ 3737
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm, Tariff: Rs.4
Ulsoor Lake
Enjoy an idyllic afternoon at this lake, which is dotted with picturesque islets. Boating facilities are also available here.
Sankey Boat Club
The ideal place for lazy boat rides and leisurely walks on breezy evenings.
ISKCON Temple (International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
Built in an ornate architectural style, the Krishna Temple is a blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony.
Bull Temple
Built by Kempegowda in Basavanagudi, it is reminiscent of 16th century Dravidian style architecture. It has a huge granite monolith of Nandi.
DoddaGanesha Temple
Just below the Bull Temple is the huge Ganesha Temple, with a monolith Ganesha idol 18ft high and 16ft wide.
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
Built during Kempegowda’s reign, this unique cave temple contains a granite moon, sun-disc monoliths, a stone umbrella, a Shivalinga, and three cave passages. Every year, during Makara Sankranthi, this cave temple witnesses a strange phenomenon, when a ray of light passes precisely between the horns of the stone bull outside the temple, and illuminates the deity inside the cave.
Ragi Gudda Sri PrasannaAnjenaya Swami Temple
Located on a hillock known as Raagi Gudda (Ragi Mountain) the Hanuman Temple attracts large numbers of devotees from South Bangalore. In addition to being a place of worship, it has now been transformed into a cultural, educational and social service project that offer free medical checkup, free education, book bank, free coaching for students, meditation centres, yoga, music and Veda reading, library and choultry. Three huge rocks representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the added attractions here. A unique feature of Hanuman Jayanthi celebrations is the educational exhibition organised with different themes.
Shiva Temple
This temple has a 65ft Shiva statue, an artificial pond resembling the Manasa Sarovar Lake, and caves. The replicas of Jyothirlingas are a major tourist attraction.
Infant Jesus Church
Established in the year 1979 by Rev. Dr. Lourduswamy, the then Archbishop of Bangalore, the church draws huge crowds on Thursday, the day dedicated to Infant Jesus.
St. Mary's Basilica
St. Mary's Basilica: The oldest church in Bangalore.
Sheshadri Iyer Memorial Hall
This houses the State Central Library. Find here a rich collection of reference books.
Timings: 8.30 am to 6.00 pm daily, except on Mondays.
Jamia Masjid
A majestic 5-storey mosque located in the heart of Bangalore’s City market area, the Jamia Masjid is the largest mosque in the city. Its sprawling interiors, with pure white marble from Rajasthan, can accommodate a staggering 10,000 worshippers at a time.
Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park is situated 22 km south of Bangalore. This hilly place is the home for one of the richest natural, zoological reserves. The 25,000 acre (101 km²) zoological park makes this a major tourist attraction of Bangalore.
Shopping
Brigade Road is one of the busiest commercial centers of Bangalore where you can get any sort of shopping done.
Commercial Street is a busy commercial centre of Bangalore for getting all sorts of shopping done.
MG road was previously known as "South Parade" is the most important landmark of Bangalore.
Malls in Bangalore
The Forum Shopping Mall, The Mantri Square, Garuda Mall Entrance.
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