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Bengaluru, Karnataka
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Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka is the Garden city and the fifth metro of India. It is also called the Silicon valley because of the increasing numbers of computer industries setting shop there. This Neon city is the gateway to Southern India too. People on their way to Ooty, Kodaikanal, Madras, Kanyakumari, Mangalore and other places in South India go via Bangalore as it is well connected to other major cities.
Located 1000 mts above sea level, Kempegowda was the founder of this city. Famous for its pubs and discos, Bangalore also boasts of a lot of historical places of great importance.
How to reach
By Air - Bangalore has its own airport 40 kms away from the city.
By Rail - Bangalore City is connected to all towns and cities by the rail network
By Road - Within the city tourist taxis are available from agencies, hotels and taxi stands. Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) maintains a fleet of cars for hire. The metered auto-rickshaw is the most popular mode of transport. The city also runs an efficient city-bus service. Bangalore is connected by express trains with all the main cities in southern and central India. It takes 42 hours to reach Delhi, 20 hours to Goa, 12 hours to Mumbai and seven hours to Madras.
Bandipur- 220 kms, Belur- 322 kms, Madras- 334 kms, Bombay- 9100 kms, Cochin- 526 kms, Dandeli- 481 kms, Halebid- 214 kms, Jog Falls- 377 kms, Kodaikanal- 430 kms, Mysore- 140 kms, Panaji- 595 kms, Sravanabelagola- 160 kms, Tirupati- 250 kms.
Places to see
Vidhan Soudha
It is the Legislative House of the state government and has 300 rooms housing 22 departments of the Karnataka government. Build according to the temple architecture style, it is 46 metre high and built totally of dressed Bangalore granite. There are four domes on all the four corners. On the entrance is a four-headed lion, the symbol of Indian sovereignty.
Cubbon Park
Lord Cubbon, the viceroy of India in 1864, laid out 300 acres of land and ordered it to be converted to a green belt. Today it is an oasis of greenery in the heart of modern Bangalore. The red Gothic structures of the State Central Library and the High Court are situated inside the park. The buildings are "pompeian red" in colour has stone, fluted pillars, with walls finished in lime plaster. Apart from its rich flora, Cubbon Park houses a number of institutions of significance like the Sheshdri Iyer Memorial Hall, Attara Kacheri, Museum, Century Club and the Press Club.
Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum
Located on the Kasturba Road this museum is named after M Visvesvaraya, one of the architects of modern Karnataka. On display are working models of different machines.
The mobile science exhibition which tours the state the whole year round is a unique feature organised by the museum. There is an airplane and steam engine on display in its compound. Visitors who are interested in popular science can work on some of the exhibits here. Seminars, demonstrations and film shows on scientific subjects are organized periodically. The highlight of the museum are the five galleries --- Engine hall; Electronic Technology Gallery; Kimbe Paper Metals Gallery; Popular Science Gallery and Children's' Science Gallery.
Government Museum
One of the oldest museums in the country, it has an exquisite collection of coins, sculptures, inscriptions, old paintings and excavated items.
The Venkatappa Art Gallery
It is adjacent to the Government museum and is named after K Venkatappa, a noted artist. There is a selection of his famous paintings, Plaster of Paris works and wooden sculptures. Also on view are works of various contemporary artists.
Ulsoor Lake
The lake covers an area of 1.5 sq km and is centrally located. The lake was known as "Halsur" or "Alasur". It extended over an area of 125 acres and was constructed by Kempe Gowda during the second half of the second century. There is a boat club where boats can be hired to take a round of the tiny islands that dot the lake.
Bangalore Palace
The Bangalore Palace was built in the Tudor style in 1880 at the cost of Rs 10 lakh. It has a built-in area of around 45,000 sq ft. It was built by the Wodeyar King.
The Fort and Tipu Sultan's Palace
The fort is in ruins and is a sad reminder of the struggle of Tipu Sultan against British domination in the 18th century. The carved arches in Islamic style and the well preserved Ganapati temple are worth seeing. Originally built by Kempe Gowda in 1537 it was fortified by Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan's Palace near the fort has been converted into a museum. The palace was started by Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan in 1791. It took ten years to complete and served as Tipu Sultan's summer retreat.
Gandhi Bhavan
Gandhi Bhavan is located on Kumara Krupa Road. It has a picture gallery depicting the life of Mahatma Gandhi. It is maintained by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.
Lal Bagh Gardens
It is one of the largest Botanical gardens in India and is spread over an area of 240 acres. Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan set it up with rare trees brought from far off Persia, Afghanistan and France. There is a Glass House designed after the Crystal Palace, London. Flower shows are held here every January and August.
Attara Kacheri (High Court)
It is built of stone and brick and is painted red. It was originally the general and revenue secretariat of the state government. It now houses the High Court of Karnataka state.
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
Built in 1989, to mark the occasion of the birth centenary of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Planetarium has a sky theater with a dome of fifteen meters in diameter has a seating capacity of 225. It also has an observatory with a professional six inch code refractor telescope.
Jumma Masjid
It is the oldest mosque and is located on Old Poor House Road. It was earlier called the Sangian Jamia Masjid.
Karnataka Folk Museum
There are many rare masks, artifacts and costumes on display. It also has a collection of folk music and videos of folk dances. It is located at Kumara Park West, Sheshadripuram.
Kumara Park Kanyakaparameshwari Temple
There is a Marble Mandira and murals of holy places and Darpana Mandira (Mirror Mandir).
St Marks Cathedral
This Cathedral was built in 1812 and is a beautiful colonial structure with a dome. Roman archers adorn the walls.
St Mary's Basilica
This Church is opposite the Russel Market Square. Stained glass windows from Paris adorn the Basilica.
St Andrew's Kirk
The only Scottish Kirk in Bangalore, situated on Cubban Road parallel to MG Road contains stained glass windows depicting Lord Jesus and his eight apostles.
The Bull Temple
The huge stone statue of Nandi the bull of Lord Siva, is 4.5 meters tall and six meters long and is believed to be older than the temple housing it.
ISKCON Temple Complex
This temple is a blend of modern and traditional south Indian temple architecture. The building houses a multivision cinema theatre, ten mini computer aided presentation theatres, vedic library and a preaching library. The temple offers accommodations to devotees and people taking short term courses offered here.
Shiva Statue
It is a 65 ft high statue of Lord Shiva seated in Lotus position.
Sri Gavi Gangadhar-Eshwara Temple
This cave temple witnesses a unique phenomenon that is a wonderful architectural and astronomical feat of ancient sculptors. On 14th/15th January (Makara Sankranthi day) every year, a ray of sunlight passes precisely through the horns of the stone bull outside the temple and illuminates the deity (Shiva Linga) inside the cave.
Aquarium
Located on Kasturba Road, in Cubban Park
Bal Bhavan
Children's Park with its own theater and playground. Toy train and boat rides are popular.
Chennai - Bengaluru Road drive
Highway - NH 75
Time - 6 hrs
Distance - 330 kms
Karnataka
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Capital - Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Ideal time to Visit - October - March
Road trip summary, time, kms and tolls and other information required to plan your road trip.
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Planning a visit to J&K read through travelogues to plan your trip
June to October is a season of incessant rains. Bengaluru is plesant throughout the year, most cultural events and shows take place in winter season. In September you can watch the Kali Podu in Coorg. Summer lasts from April to June, Monsoon from June to September and Winter from December to January.
The end of monsoons is the best time to view waterfalls in Karnataka. Beaches lie Malpe, Karwar, Marwanthe can be best enjoyed from August to March.