Bangalore

Bangalore is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Located on the Mysore Plateau in south western Karnataka, Bangalore has an estimated metropolitan population of 6.1 million (2006), making it India's third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area. Though historical references to the city predate 900 AD, a written history of continuous settlement exists only from 1537, when Kempe Gowda I, whom many regard as the architect of modern Bangalore, built a mud fort in the city and established it as a province of the Vijayanagara Empire.

On December 11, 2005, the government of Karnataka announced that it had accepted the proposal by Jnanpith award winner U.R. Ananthamurthy to rename Bangalore to its Kannada name, Bengaluru. (A number of other Indian cities have enacted similar name changes.) The new name was expected to be effective from November 1, 2006.

Tourist Attractions in Bangalore

Lal Bagh Gardens : Lal Bagh is a must see while visiting Bangalore. The name Lal Bagh has been given to it for the wonderfully bloomed red roses that remain blooming all through the year in this garden. The garden has also a collection of famous Botanical species. Though the flow of visitors to the park is a regular affair, the garden gets a festive look during the Republic Day and on the days of flower shows that are held here.

Vidhan Soudha : Vidhan Soudha, built in the year 1954 is one of the major centres of attraction in Bangalore. The architecture of the building is based on the neo Dravidian style and it presently houses the Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka. The building also houses a part of the Karnataka secretariat.

Cubbon Park : Situated in the heart of the Bangalore city, the Cubbon Park is an interesting tourist spot which one should not miss out. The park was laid by Lord Cubbon in the year 1864. It is spread over an area of about 300 acres and the layout is absolutely exquisite.

Bangalore Palace : Built in the year 1887, Bangalore palace is a must see tourist spot in the garden city. The architecture of the palace is based on the Tudor style. The palace is situated in the middle of the Bangalore city making it easily accessible for the tourists. Covering an area of about 800 acres, the palace gives a look of the Windsor Palace of England. Private residence, so no entry to tourists !.

Venkatappa Art Gallery : Venkatappa art gallery is a pleasant treat for the art lovers. It has about 600 paintings on display that you can see all through the year. The art gallery also has some of the exclusive collections of scenic displays.

Tipu's Palace : The palace and the fort of Tipu Sultan are the must see spot in Bangalore. The architecture, the layout and the overall look of the palace gives you the idea of the ethnic Mughal lifestyle. The fort and its remains present the history of the era in which it was built. The construction of the Tipu palace was started by Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan himself.

ISKCON temple : The International Society for Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON Temple Complex of Bangalore is a marvelous building structure that has blended the Dravidian and modern architecture in its construction. The building has some of the modern facilities like the multi-vision cinema theatre, computer aided presentation theatres along with Vedic library and a preaching library. The temple also has good accommodation facility for its members and non-members.

Shiva Statue : The statue is a 65 feet high depiction of Lord Shiva in a position of Padmashan or Lotus position. The statue is complete with Mount Kailash, the Lord's heavenly abode and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks in the background. The entire area gives you a clear picture of the mythological legend related to it.

Bull temple : The Bull Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva's Vahana (vehicle), Nandi the bull. Here you can find a huge monolithic statue of the sitting bull that draws a large number of people to this place every day. The statue is 4.5 meter tall and 6 meter long and has been at this place long before the present temple was built.

Aquarium : The sight of the Aquarium, which is the second largest in the country, is quite fascinating. Built in a well-planned manner, the Aquarium has a good collection of a variety of aquatic life. The Aquarium remains closed on Mondays.

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium : Among the other places to visit, the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is a must see. Visiting any of the shows here gives you a good view as well as factual knowledge on astronomy. Easily accessible from any corner of the city, the planetarium hosts daily shows of astronomy. It is a fascinating experience for the children.

Getting There

Air : Regular flights operate from Bangalore to Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Panaji, Kochi etc. The airport is 6 km from the city center.

Rail : Bangalore is connected to all major Indian cities by rail. Several super fast trains such as Shatabdhi, Bridavan, Lalbagh express connect Bangalore to Chennai, The City Railway Station is the main terminal in Bangalore.

Road : Major National Highways connects Bangalore to Chennai and Mumbai. Other cities and towns of the state and neighboring states are also connected by road. The Main bus terminal in the city is opposite City Railway Station.