BENGALURU: Silicon Valley in a Garden City
Best places to visit in Bengaluru, sightseeing & tourist attractions in Bengaluru
Once a Pensioners’ Paradise, Bengaluru – earlier know as Bangalore – is now a booming metropolis bustling with young executives in a hurry. Currently known as India’s Silicon Valley as well as Pub City, it is still the original Garden City.
The fact that it’s located some 3,000 feet above sea level implies that the city is blessed with pleasant weather throughout the year.
Map of Bengaluru
The capital city of Karnataka in South India lies in the south central reaches of the state.
What’s Famous Here?
Culture of Bengaluru: The capital city of Karnataka is an important center for science, aeronautics, electronics and software. The fifth largest city in India and the fastest growing one, Bengaluru is a yuppie’s haven, attracting people from all parts of the country and abroad, for business, work and higher education.
Spread over 366 sq km, Bengaluru is studded with beautiful parks and gardens, wide tree-lined avenues, imposing colonial and modern buildings and bustling bazaars. Indeed, it’s one of India’s most trendy and westernized cities.
Very much a part of the city’s ‘attractions’ are its pubs, bars, restaurants and shopping arcades as well as its 200 plus cinema and theater halls. Most are crammed in the busy narrow streets near the railway station and the affluent areas around the Mahatma Gandhi (M.G.) Road and Brigade Road.
Bird watching at the Indian Institute of Science
This postgraduate institute (its alumni includes luminaries such as C.V. Raman, H.J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai) has a vast and delightful campus, which harbors 149 species of birds!
What to see ?
Vidhan Saudha: The Assembly Building, with its impressive dome is one of India’s most spectacular buildings and an outstanding example of the neo-Dravidian style of architecture. Built in 1956 of granite, it has a massive door which is made of pure sandalwood.
The building stands at the northwestern end of Cubbon Park and is flood-lit on Sundays and holidays.
Cubbon Park:
This 300-acre park, blooming with flowering trees, was laid out in 1864 and is one of the main ‘lungs’ of the city.
Within the embrace of these shady glades, stand a number of red Gothic 18th century buildings. These include the High Court, a public library, and two Government museums.
There is also a large children’s park (adults not allowed unless accompanied by children!), with a toy train which seems to spend more time in the repair shed than on the tracks.
Nearby is the recently built General Post Office.
Lalbagh Botanical Gardens (Open from 8 am to 8 pm)
An attractive park spread over 100 hectares in the southern part of the city. Laid out in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, it contains centuries-old trees (many of which are labeled), lakes, lotus ponds, flowerbeds and a large collection of rare tropical and subtropical plants.
Bull Temple
Built by Kempe Gowda, the founder of the city, it’s one of the oldest monuments in the city. The Central Deity of the temple is a huge 15-ft monolith of the Nandi Bull.
Only Hindus are allowed to enter and are expected to leave a small donation.
Located 400 meters west of the temple is the five centuries old Watchtower, also built by Kempe Gowda.
Statue of Lord Shiva
On the Airport Road, there is an awesome and relatively new attraction: a 65-ft. high sculpture of Lord Shiva with River Ganga flowing from his matted locks and Mount Kailash as the backdrop.
M.G. Road and Brigade Road
These two major arteries through the most affluent part of the town are where the city’s exclusive hotels, restaurants, airline offices, bookstores, crafts and silk shops are located. Here you’ll also find all the popular hangouts of students, yuppies and tourists.
Tipu’s Palace(Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm. Admission free)
It was built by Tipu Sultan in 1791. Though neglected, it is worth visiting.
Boating at Ulsoor Lake
The lake lies on the northeast of Cubbon Park and has boating facilities.
Swimming in these waters is not recommended.
Mythic Society
Founded in 1909, it’s housed in a building with Corinthian pillars and an arched doorway and is a booklover’s and historian’s delight.
Travel to Bengaluru
Local Languages: Kanada and English
Best Time to Visit:
The best season is between November and March when the temperatures are between a minimum of 19* C and a maximum of 30* C.
The summer months are not that hot, thanks to the fact that the city is located at an altitude 3,000 ft. Temperatures during this time of the year range from 20*C to 33* C, although they are times when they can soar into the high 30s.
The monsoons in Bengaluru are moderate as it lies in the rain shadow region.
How to Reach Bengaluru
AIR:
Bengaluru’s international airport is located around 40 km from the city’s center.
BMTC, the city’s transport system, runs 12 routes between various locations in the city and the airport.
RAIL:
Bengaluru City Railway Station is around 6 km from M G Road in the city’s center.
ROAD:
The huge, well-organised Central Bus Station stands in front of the City Railway Station. Karnataka State Road Corporation (KSRC) and Private Buses ply within the state. Buses for Mysore leave every 15 minutes.
Excursions from Bengaluru:
Nrityagram Dance Village
Located 30 km from the city, this is one of India’s leading schools of Classical Dance forms. Regular conducted tours take visitors through its premises, explaining Indian philosophy and culture. The tour ends with a lecture-cum-demonstration of the different dance forms and a vegetarian lunch.
Nandi Hills
Located at an altitude of around 5,000 ft, this little retreat in the north of the city was the favorite retreat of Tipu Sultan who would entertain himself by throwing his enemies off a 600 m cliff. Today the practice is frowned up and visitors go here to picnic, knowing that no one will push them over while they admire a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area.
The Wakefield Ashram of Sathya Sai Baba
Located 20 km from the city’s center, the Ashram is the summer home (March to May) of one of the country’s more popular living saints.
Bannerghatta National Park
Located 21 km south of the city, the park is more of a zoo where visitors go on safaris to sport caged lions, tigers, elephants and other wild animals. A few leopards and other animals do roam free in the surrounding forest.
Hotels in Bengaluru
From private luxury resorts to state run tourism lodges, Bengaluru has accommodation to meet the needs of almost every budget.
Bengaluru Travel Packages:
Customize your travel. Write your requirements & we will revert with a quote as soon as possible.
Flights to Bengaluru
Bengaluru’s international airport is located around 40 km from the city’s center.
BMTC, the city’s transport system, runs 12 routes between various locations in the city and the airport.
Trains to Bengaluru
Bengaluru City Railway Station is around 6 km from M G Road in the city’s center.
Buses to Bengaluru
The huge, well-organised Central Bus Station stands in front of the City Railway Station. Karnataka State Road Corporation (KSRC) and Private Buses ply within the state. Buses for Mysore leave every 15 minutes.
Car Hire in Bengaluru
To experience Bengaluru at your own pace, you can take a car hire. Hire a cab and get enchanted by the captivating locations of Bengaluru. You can also hire a cab for excursions from Bengaluru