India >> Karnataka >> Bangalore Travel Guide

Bangalore Hotels and Travel Guide

Bangalore, is the capital of the state of Karnataka and is the seventh largest city of India. Also known as the Garden City because of its many beautiful gardens and parks and the silicon valley of India because of the high concentration of IT industry in this city. The city of Bangalore is known for being one of the most techno savvy cities of India. This city is thronged with budding software parks and major national and global IT firms having their offices in the city. Though the origin of Bangalore city is ancient, this modern city was founded way back in the 16th century and has since been acting as an important administrative and a business center.
Bangalore city is one of the few true educationally inclined cities in India. Bangalore houses some of the most prominent and internationally well known institutes like Indian Institute of Management (IIM-b), India Institute of Information Science (IIS-b), etc. Also the city of Bangalore is well known for its nightlife with lots of discos and pubs that have come up in and around the city.
SHOPPING:

If you enjoy shopping, you will enjoy Bangalore. From the air-conditioned ambience of super stores like Shopper's Stop and Kemp Fort to the bustling by-lanes of Chickpet, Bangalore has something to offer every kind of shopper. You could find yourself shopping for the some of the biggest brands in the world while strolling down Brigade Road, or you could be engaged in friendly haggling with a shopkeeper for an exquisite silk sari somewhere in the City Market. Whether you are looking for Kancheepuram silk or Swarovski crystal, chances are you will find it in Bangalore.

CLIMATE:
The city of Bangalore is about 3000 meters above sea level. The climate is pleasant during January and February and again from June to October. November to mid-January are winter months, when the days are cool and evenings and nights can be cold. March, April and May are the summer months, with April being quite hot.

The temperature ranges from 22 to 32 degrees Centigrade. Rainfall can be expected from the end of May to October.

During the last few years, Sathya Sai Baba has stayed in Brindavan mainly between February to the middle of June, when Prasanthi Nilayam is at its hottest.
EXCURSIONS:

For excursions, Bangalore offers you excellent spots to move around and enjoy. You also have the number of options to choose from in the modes of transportation too. The city has sufficient options available ranging from tour operators to taxi drives where the driver can also act as a good guide. Starting from religious sites to natural marvels, you can choose any of the options Bangalore has for you. The gigantic Banyan Tree, the flora and fauna rich Banerghatta National Park, the picturesque Nandi Hills, the thrilling Mekadatu and so on. The list goes on and on.

Nandi Hill
Situated at a distance of about 60 kilometres from the city, Nandi Hill is a picturesque spot to visit. It is a popular health resort for the people of the southern plains of India, especially during summers. The shimmering lake and the green valley is a treat to the eyes. This popular summer retreat is located at an altitude of about 1,615 m above sea level.

Mekadatu
The word Mekadatu literally means goat's leap in the local language. The name of the place has an interesting legend related to it. According to the legend, the holy river Arakavathi flows into a ravine narrow enough for a goat to leap across. Hence the name Mekadatu. The river Arakavathi flows through a deep gorge only to make the confluence with the river Cauvery where you can also visit the Hindu temple of Lord Sangameshwara.

Bangalore Parliament
 Bangalore Parliament - Bangalore

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Bangalore
Lalbagh Botanical Gardens - Bangalore

Bangalore Palace
Bangalore Palace - Bangalore

Bull Temple, Bangalore
Bull Temple - Bangalore

Big Banyan Tree
As if the list above is not enough, Mother Nature seems to have bestowed all her love to this garden city of Bangalore. This is especially felt when you see the gigantic banyan tree spread over almost three acres of land. It is situated at a distance of about 28 kilometres west of Bangalore at Ramohalli. You must not miss a visit to this place to have a look at the tree.

Banerghatta National Park
Another natural retreat to visit in Bangalore is the Banerghatta National Park. Situated at a distance of approximately 11 kilometres from Bangalore, the park houses some of the exotic species of flora and fauna. If interested, you can also explore the nearby temples here. The Banerghatta National Park is also a birdwatcher's paradise for it has more than a thousand species of birds in it.
Attractions and Places to Visit 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.

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 Haider Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan himself.

ISKCON: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON Temple Complex of Bangalore is a marvellous 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 meters tall and 6 meters 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.

How to Reach Bangalore

By Air: Bangalore is accessible by air, road, and rail. Bangalore Airport is 13 km east of the City Station. It is also a stopover for many international flights.

By Rail: Bangalore is connected to the rest of the country both by metre gauge and broad gauge rail services. lt is an important railway station on the southern railway network.

By Road: Bangalore has a large bus terminus, which is near the railway station. There are two railway stations in Bangalore. The main station is well connected to all major Indian cities