Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Bangalore Photo Gallery




Top 5 Must Do's in Bangalore

Bangalore Palace

The Bangalore Palace was constructed in 1887 by Chamaraja Wodeyar from Mysore. The architecture of the palace follows a Tudor style and the design is influenced by that of Windsor Castle in England. Chamaraja Wodeyar was inspired by Windsor castle during a visit to England. On the inside of the palace there are magnificent arches and woodcarvings while a beautiful garden spans the outside area. Other notable features are Gothic windows, towers and battlements. The main material used to build the palace is wood. The Bangalore Palace is also a good place to view a variety of paintings and is therefore a good attraction for visitors interested in art. Bangalore Palace stretches over 430 acres, of which 45,000 square feet is made up of buildings. Ganapathi Temple lies within the walls. This temple was built during the 16th century. The Bangalore Palace is situated 10 km from the Bangalore airport and it is easy to access. The palace was opened to the public in June 2005. Inside the palace is a gallery displaying historical photographs. There is an entrance fee.

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens

The gardens acquired their name from a group of red roses that are in bloom all year. The garden stretches over 240 acres and is host to a variety of exotic plants, trees and flowers. It was created in the 17th century by Hali Ali with additions made by Tipu Sultan who was his son. A feature of the gardens is a glasshouse which was constructed in 1889 to honor the visit of the Prince of Wales. The style of the glasshouse was inspired by London's Crystal Palace. During Independence Day and Republic Day flower exhibitions are held. Trees and plants are imported from a range of countries and over 1000 species of flora are exhibited, including some rare species. The Department of Horticulture and Banglador Development Authority are responsible for maintaining the gardens. Reconstruction was carried out in 2004.

ISKON

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) combines Dravidian and modern architecture to form an impressive building. Inside the building visitors will find a cinema, presentation theaters and a library and services for members. It is located on Chord road.

The Bull Temple

This temple is among the oldest temples in the area and it contains an impressive bull statue which is 15 feet high and 20 feet wide. The statue was created out of granite rock. At the end of every year a groundnut fair takes place at the temple.

Ulsoor Lake

Located at the edge of the city, this is a popular tourist attraction. It was constructed by Kempe Gowda II. There is a recreational center and the lake is a good place to go boating.

Contributors
January 19, 2010 change by jenna storm
January 26, 2010 change by schitti

Senior Travel in Bangalore

Seniors traveling in Bangalore have many options in regards to sight seeing tours and fun-filled activities. Due to its cosmopolitan culture, the city is very friendly and safe for the seniors. There are many options for enjoyment and relaxation which are not strenious on the health.

Garden Tour
Bangalore is also known as “The Garden City” due to several beautiful gardens in the heart of the city. Each of them is well known for its landscaping and lush green environment. Touring these gardens is sure to be a memorable part of your trip here. LalBagh is renowned for its exquisite collection of trees and plants. You can also enjoy the beauty sitting by the lakeside here. Cubbon Park is well known for its bamboo groves. There are many magnificent buildings like Vidhan Soudha, Bangalore Aquarium, Children amusement park, Planetarium and High Court inside the park that are a must see on a trip to Bangalore. Ulsoor Lake is well known for boating and hired cruises. It is perfect place for day outing with families. You can also enjoy the view of the lake sitting in the park. There are also several museums which can give you good idea about the culture and history of the city.

Temple Tour


There are many ancient and new temples in and around the city which should be seen during your trip. Apart from place of worship, these temples are some of the best examples of Indian architecture. The Bull Temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture and has a huge idol of Nandi Bull curved out of single rock. According to Hindu Mythology, Nandi Bull is the vehicle of Lord Shiva. It is one of the oldest temples of the city. Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is another ancient temple famous for a unique phenomenon. During Makar Sankranti, the sunrays pass through the horns of The Nandi Bull and fall on the Shivlingam inside the temple for an hour. ISKCON Temple, built in neo-classic style of architecture, is another must see in Bangalore. Situated on the hilltop, it gives very good views of the surrounding areas. Most of the temples have ample resting areas and refreshment facilities, so if you get tired you can take a rest and eat before moving on.

Enjoy Nightlife

Bangalore is very renowned for its nightlife culture. After a hectic day of sightseeing tours, bars and lounges are the best places to relax in the evening. Most of the bars have live bands and music. Moreover, you can enjoy great Multi-cuisines here. Some of the well known lounges in the city are Tiffanys, Ice, and Opus.

Contributors
January 29, 2010 change by goadventurefreak
February 02, 2010 change by schitti

Budget Travel Ideas in Bangalore

Those traveling to Bangalore on Budget Travel must remember that the city is quite expensive as compared to other cities in India. However with proper planning the trip can be more enjoyable and within your budget. Here are some tips that can help you save money during your trip in Bangalore.

Reaching Bangalore

By Air
Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka state in India. Therefore it is easily accessible from all the major cities in India as well as abroad. If you are short on time then the fastest means of reaching Bangalore is by air. Both international and domestic air services operate in Bangalore. Airlines offer great discounts time to time. So if you are a budget traveler then all you have to do is keep track of these offers on the internet and make your flight arrangements accordingly. Jet Airways and Kingfisher Red are some of the best domestic airways for budget travelers.

By Train
Bangalore is well connected by train to all the major cities in India. Reaching Bangalore by train is comparatively cheaper and more comfortable. Consider it only if you are not short on time. Garib Rath Express and Sampark Kranti Express are good options for budget travelers.

By Bus
Intercity bus services connect Bangalore to major nearby cities like Mumbai, Madurai, Goa, and Chennai. Both government and private buses operate overnight journeys to Bangalore. Bus travel is far cheaper than train and air services. However the journey can be very tiring. Traveling by Volvo buses is a better option than traveling by other buses.

Budget Accommodations

Bangalore, being a major commercial city of South India, gets lots of visitors throughout the year for business purposes. Therefore there are many budget accommodations easily available in the city that provide you only with the basic amenities necessary for a comfortable stay. It is recommended that you must choose your accommodation within the main city area so that you save money on transportation. Some of the renowned budget hotels are Hotel Rama, Geo Hotel and Chancery Hotel.

Getting Around

The best means of getting around in the city is by auto rickshaw. They are cheaper than hiring a taxi as well as a good way to avoid the crowded public transport. Most of the auto rickshaws have a meter reading system and will charge accordingly. However if the meter does not work then it is better to bargain first before boarding to avoid any problems later on.

Contributors
January 28, 2010 change by goadventurefreak
January 29, 2010 change by schitti

Family Travel Ideas in Bangalore

Bangalore Family Travel is all about sightseeing and fun filled activities for all. The friendly atmosphere and climate makes the trip very enjoyable throughout the year.


Innovative Film City Tour


This is one of its kinds in India and a major center of attraction for both children and adults alike. Initially designed as movie studio, this theme park has turned into an entertainment center for all. There are several attractions within the park.


Funplex 4D Theater Experience
Other than visuals and audio effects, this theater also has many special effect, like moving your seat or splashing water according to the visuals, which makes you feel like you're part of the action, too.


Louis Tussuad's Wax Museum
You can watch the stars of yesterday and today as they are in Madame Tussuad's, London.


Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum
Enjoy the entire T.V show as films, displays and statues in the museum.


Other Attractions
The Aqua Kingdom, Dinosaur museum and go-carting are some of the major attractions here which are enjoyed by people of all age groups.

Cubbon Park

This Park is located in the heart of the city and has several attractions for all age groups. This area holds some of the magnificent buildings like the Vidhan Soudha, Visvesvarya Museum, Government museum, Bangalore Aquarium and High Court. You can easily get a good insight into the culture and history of the city in the museums. For children, the best place is the Nehru planetarium and Bal Bhavan (Children Amusement Park ). The toy train is a major attraction here. A visit to the doll museum in Bal Bhavan is really breathtaking. And if you're tired of visiting the sites, you can relax in the soothing green surrounding of the park area.

LalBagh Botanical Garden

This is the ultimate place for an outing with family. The garden is famous for its wide variety of plants. The beautiful landscaping is truly mesmerizing. The view of the lake and the hills is sure to thrill everyone. The garden is also the venue of an annual flower show on Independence Day and Republic day.


Ulsoor Lake

A perfect place for a picnic with family. You can enjoy boating here as well as take an adventure trip to the small islands in one of the hired cruises. You can swim in the nearby recreation center. If you're tired of sitting here, you can go shopping in the nearby Ulsoor Market.

Contributors
January 28, 2010 change by goadventurefreak
January 29, 2010 change by 2 many commas
February 02, 2010 change by schitti

7 Day Itinerary in Bangalore

Your Bangalore Itinerary may leave you asking for more time. There are so many attractions in and around the city that it's impossible to experience all of them within seven days. By the time the trip is over, many tourists start planning for their next vacation.

Day 1: Cubbon Park Tour

This beautiful garden located in the heart of the city is famous for its bamboo groves. There are many significant buildings inside the park, like The Vidhana Soudha, High Court, Public Library, Doll museum, Nehru planetarium and the children's amusement park. After visiting these sites, you can relax in the serene environment of the park area. The park also has a toy train facility for the children.


Day 2: Visit Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace and Fort

Located in the City Market area of Bangalore is the beautiful palace of Tipu Sultan. The major attraction here is the wooden carvings and the museum. Surrounding the Palace is the Fort. You can visit the ancient Ganpati Temple here.

Day 3: Boating at Ulsoor Lake

Located in the vicinity of M.G. Road in the eastern part of the city is the beautiful Ulsoor Lake. You can enjoy boating and swimming here. After your lake tour is over, you can visit the Someshwara temple in the area and shop in the Ulsoor Market.

Day 4: Bangalore Palace

Located in the heart of the city, this beautiful palace resembles the medieval castles of England. It is well known for its superb woodcarvings and Tudor-style architecture. After visiting the Palace you can enjoy rides in the Fun World Amusement Park within the Palace Grounds.


Day 5: Enjoy the Nightlife

Your trip is incomplete without enjoying the nightlife here. Bangalore has a very active nightlife and is well known for its pubs and lounges. Fuga, Athena and Taika are some of the renowned pubs here.


Day 6: Trip to Amusement park

A visit to Wonder La Amusement Park, the biggest park in India, is the best way to relax and enjoy. Located on the outskirts of the city, the park has many rides that you will definitely enjoy with your family.


Day 7: Shopping in Bangalore

Bangalore is very famous for silk. On your day out you can go shopping at M.G Road and Brigade Road. You can buy silk, antiques, books and much more. Commercial Street is another favorite destination for shoppers. It's known for good bargains.

Contributors
January 28, 2010 change by goadventurefreak
January 29, 2010 change by 2 many commas
February 02, 2010 change by schitti

Things to do in Bangalore

Bannerghat National Park
Bannerghat National Park is located 20 kilometers outside Bangalore and is a worthwhile activity to include in your trip to Bangalore. It is a wild animal park that started out as a lion park and then grew to include a tiger park. Every day there are driving and walking tours available. There is a butterfly park as well, or you can arrive early to go on safari.

Cubbon Park
Located in the heart of Bangalore, this park is the perfect place to go jogging or walking. A great family activity is to take a picnic and relax in Cubbon park for the afternoon. Shade is available amongst the trees, flowers and open areas. The park is well kept and frequented by locals.

Shopping
Brigade Road offers good shopping options and is one of the busiest shopping areas. It also has international brand names available to purchase. Forum Mall and Bangalore Central Mall are other shopping areas.

Festivals
Join in with a festival to see snake charming, dancing, costumed parades and performances. Festivals include Diwali in October and Bangalore Habba in December.

Paint Your Own Pottery
This is a perfect activity for children or for the whole family. Children can paint their own ceramic items and then have them glazed and returned as a keepsake from their holiday. This activity is available at "Paint Your Own Pottery Studio" on 6th Main Road Indiranagar.

Walking Tour
Enjoy a walking tour of the city to take in the city sites and learn more about the history of Bangalore.

Watersports
If you are looking for a action packed day, go down to one of Bangalore's beautiful lakes and take part in some water sports. Boating and sailing are amongst the available activities. Ulsoor Lake and Hebbal Lake are some of the many lakes in the area. At the lakes you can also go for a walk in the gardens.

Amusement Park
Bangalore has an amusement park called Star City where you can spend the day on rides which include roller coasters.

Massages
If you are looking to relax and take a break from site seeing then a massage is the perfect activity. It can also help relieve the aches and pains from carrying backpacks and the long hours of site seeing. Massages are offered in a variety of techniques including Thai massages and oil massages.

Spa
Spend a day in the peace and quite of a spa. Rejuvenate from your travels at one of the spas located in or around Bangalore. Fifth Element Spa is well known.

Contributors
January 18, 2010 change by jenna storm
January 26, 2010 change by schitti