Day Trips in Bangalore

Bangalore is surrounded by wonderful places you can visit by road. Here are some Bangalore Day Trips for your South Indian itinerary.

Shravanabelagola
Hassan District, 157 km.

This is an ancient and important pilgrimage for Jains. There are two hills here – Chandragiri and Indragiri. The famous 58-foot 1,000-year-old monolith of the Jain saint Gomateshwara Bahubali, stands on the summit of Indragiri hill.

This idol is carved out of a single block of stone. Once every 12 years, it is showered with milk, gold coins, saffron, ghee (refined butter) and curd. The view of the surrounding countryside is worth it from the summit.

You'll find hundreds of inscriptions in Shravanabelagola, some of which record the voluntary death of Jain ascetics and lay devotees by starvation, considered as a means to attain enlightenment.

Nandi Hills
60 km

A hill station, 3,940 feet above sea level, Nandi Hills used to be the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. It was also frequented by the British who wanted to get away from the heat of the plains.

Several rivers originate from these hills and the surrounding forests are home to many animals and birds. Some of the sights you should see at Nandi Hills are:


Tipu's Drop, a point from where his enemies were thrown to their deaths, and which offers spectacular views
Brahmashram, the cave in which the famous sage Ramakrishna Paramhamsa meditated
Tipu's beautiful palace which you can see only from outside
Bhoganandishwaraswamy Temple at the foothills

Kolar Gold Mines
120 km

The gold mines of Kolar are the second deepest in the world, going down 10,000 feet. Now no longer in operation, the mines yielded significant amounts of gold during the British Raj.

Kolar used to be a beautiful colonial town then, complete with gymkhanas, sprawling bungalows and gardens. You can visit the mines with permission from The Secretary, Kolar Gold Mine Undertaking, Kolar Gold Fields.

Belur and Halebid
222 km

The temples in these two towns, about 16 km from each other, are glorious examples of 16th century craftsmanship. Every inch of these stone temples is sculpted.

Belur's most beautiful offering, the Chenakeshava Temple took 103 years to complete. The 42 celestial dancers on the walls were inspired by the beauty of Queen Shantala, the wife of King Vishnuvardhana Hoysala.

The stone earrings worn by the voluptuous temple dancers adorning this temple can rotate and stone beads of perspiration can glisten. The rotating Narasimha pillar bears a blank space meant to be carved by anyone who would challenge the craftsmanship of the Hoysala sculptors.

The walls of the Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebid are carved with friezes of naturalistic and mythical animals, as well as scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The twin temples here are dedicated to Hoysaleswara – King Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and Santaleswara - Queen Shantala.

Contributors
January 25, 2010 change by 2 many commas (1 point)
January 21, 2010 change by sarandipity
January 29, 2010 change by schitti

Museums in Bangalore

Bangalore Museums are mostly located near Cubbon Park.


Visveshwaraya Technological and Industrial Museum

Located on Kasturba Gandhi Road, this museum is named after the Dewan of Mysore. The museum exhibits all types of machines starting from airplanes, steam engines, electronics, and motor vehicles. It is perfect place for children and all those who are interested to know about the contribution that science has made for human welfare. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Government Museum

It is one of the oldest museums in the country and is located on Kasturba Gandhi Road. This museum displays the rich collection of the Indus Valley Civilization and Neolithic era. It also displays arts and crafts of South India. It is a perfect place to learn about the natural history, sculpture and art. The museum is closed on Wednesdays and public holidays.

Venkatappa Art Gallery

Located adjacent to Government Museum, this art gallery is dedicated to the noted artist, K. Venkatappa. The exhibited items include his work in wooden sculptures, paintings and plaster of Paris. Works of other noted artists are also displayed from time to time.


Gandhi Bhavan

This place is dedicated to the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Located on K.K. Road this place is a major attraction for a picture gallery of Gandhiji. They have a rare collection of childhood pictures of Gandhiji. The Bhavan is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

HAL Heritage Center and Aerospace Museum

Located in HAL building on Airport Road, this is 1 of the 3 aviation museums in the country. The museum exhibits the growth and development of the aviation sector in the country and iss closed on Mondays and public holidays.

Contributors
January 30, 2010 change by goadventurefreak
February 09, 2010 change by schitti

Getting Around in Bangalore

Getting Around in Bangalore
If you have got the travel bug, don't resist, give in! You couldn't have chosen a better place than Karnataka. Karunadu - the elevated land, blessed with beautiful locales is a delightful place with an amalgamation of various rich cultures, crafts, heritage centers et al., It has an enviable posterity and presents much to be discovered. Travel on…

Bangalore, located 1000 Mts. above sea level, this city was formed by Kempegowda. This city also is a gateway to Southern India. People on their way to Ooty, Kodaikanal, Madras, Kanyakumari, Mangalore etc., for that matter even Karnataka, stop here as it acts as a center point to all the other places and is well connected to other major cities. Today it has almost become the fifth metro of India and is fastest growing city in Asia. Its known as The Garden City of India & The Neon City. Bangalore is really a cool place to be in if you want to relax as well as enjoy your life. Details given here make a perfect guide for tourists and enrich the knowledge of local people about the city and state.

In Bangalore

Vidhana Soudha - This imposing edifice built almost entirely of dressed Bangalore granite is a tribute to temple architecture. Housing the Legislative Chambers of the state government, this 46 meter high seat of the government is Bangalore's best known landmark. This is one of Bangalore's most important buildings. Mr. Kengal Hanumanthaiah the then chief minister of Mysore decided to construct the Vidhana Soudha entirely along Indian style of architecture. There are four domes on all the four corners. The main entrance is overshadowed by the four headed lion,the symbol of Indian sovereignty. It houses 22 departments and 300 rooms.

Cubbon Park - In 1864, Lord Cubbon, the then viceroy of India, laid out 300 acres of verdant tranquility. Today, it remains anoasis of greenery in the heart of modern Bangalore. This beautiful park is the haunt of the seeker of pleasure and tranquillity and is highly popular with walkers, joggers and nature lovers. Complementing the natural beauty of the park are the red Gothic structures of the State Central Library and the High Court. Situated close to the High Court is the State Central Library, worth a visit for its rare treasure of books and building has the "pompeian red" colour and architectural style of stone and fluted pillars, with walls finished in lime plaster. Apart from its rich flora, Cubbon Park houses a number of institutions of significance like the Cheshire Dyer Memorial Hall, Ottawa Chatter, Museum, Century Club and the Press Club.

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum - This museum is a tribute to the brilliance of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, one of the architects of modern Karnataka, Browse through this building to get an idea of working models of different machines. One of the specialties of the museum is the mobile science exhibition which tours the state the whole year round. It displays an airplane and steam engine in its compound. There is a comprehensive range of exhibits on electronics,motor power and the uses and properties of wood and metal. Visitors who have a deep interest 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 Childrens' Science Gallery. It is located on Kasturba Road Bangalore 560001.

Government Museum - A beautiful 1877 structure with Corinthian columns. Being one of the oldest museums in the country, this museum boasts an exquisite collection of coins, sculptures, inscriptions, old paintings and excavated items. The Venkatappa Art Gallery adjacent to the Museum is named after Late K. Venkatappa, a noted artist. You will find 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 is centrally located, over a space of 1.5 sq. km. A place of prominence in the early years of the century, the lake was then 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. It is a major tourist attraction with a boat club where you can hire out cruises with stops at some of the tiny islands that dot the lake.

Bangalore Palace - The Bangalore Palace in the heart of the city is a unique edifice inspired by Windsor castle and built in the Tudor style in 1880 at the cost of Rs 1 million. A built-up area of around 45,000 sq. ft., this 110 year old monument is a popular tourist attraction. Built by the Wodeyar King it is surrounded by a garden all around, almost giving it a fairytale setting.

The Fort and Tipu Sultan's Palace - Only parts of the fort remain, standing in mute testimony to the struggle of Tipu Sultan against British domination. Tipu Sultan in the 18th century. The fort is noted for its beautifully carved arches in Islamic style and for the well preserved Ganapati temple. Originally built by Kempe Gowda in 1537. It was extended and fortified by Tipu Sultan. Hyder Ali, Tipu's father had imprisoned David Baird along with a number of British army officers here. Tipu Sultan's Palace close to the fort is now a museum. The palace was started by Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan in 1791 it took ten years of planning and construction. This was one of Tipu Sultan's summer retreats. It is a two-storeyed ornate wooden structure with pillars, arches and balconies flanked by gardens on either sides leading to the palace. The eastern and western projecting balconies of the upper floor contained the seat of state from where Tipu conducted affairs of the state. An inscription on the wooden screen describes the palace as the "Abode of Happiness".

Gandhi Bhavan - The teachings of Gandhiji are imparted by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, which is in the Gandhi Bhavan located on Kumara Krupa Road. An organized picture gallery depicting the entire life of the Great Mahatma have been maintained by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.

Lal Bagh Gardens - This 240 acre expanse of greenery forms one of India's most beautiful botanical gardens. The credit for this goes to the rulers Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, who laid out an 18th century paradise with rare trees brought from far off Persia, Afghanistan and France. At the heart of the gardens is situated the Glass House. Its design was obviously inspired by the Crystal Palace, London. Flower shows are held here every January and August, with an impressive participation.

Attara Kacheri (High Court) - A two storied building of stone and brick, painted red, Attara Kacheri literally means "The eighteen offices or departments". They originally comprise the general and revenue secretariat of the state government. It now houses the High Court of Karnataka state.

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium - Founded in the year 1989, to commemorate the birth centenary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,the Planetarium aims to instill an awareness of astronomy amongst students as well as the common public. The 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. Timings : Daily two shows, at 1500 hrs and 1630 hrs except on Mondays.

Jumma Masjid - The oldest mosque in the city is located on Old Poor House Road and was once called the Sangian Jamia Masjid. The mosque stands as the reminder of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's conquests in the south. The mosque's raised prayer hall is adorned by granite pillars.

Karnataka Folk Museum - The Karnataka Janapadha trust manages this museum where many rare masks, artifacts and costumes are displayed. It also boasts of an impressive collection of folk music and videos of folk dances. It is located at Kumara Park West, Sheshadripuram.

Kumara Park Kanyakaparameshwari Temple - The Temple has a fascinating feature - Marble Mandira, murals of holy places and Darpana Mandira (Mirror Mandir) depicting Rishis, Bhagawada Gita and Vasavi history.

St. Marks Cathedral - This cream coloured Cathedral founded in 1808 and completed in 1812, was consecrated by the Bishop of Calcutta in 1816. This Cathedral is a beautiful colonial structure having a graceful dome over a semicircular chancel that transports the visitor almost immediately into traquility. Roman archers along the walls are the features of the Cathedral.

St. Mary's Basilica - This Church situated opposite the Russel Market Square was built as a small chapel in 1818 by Abbe Dubois, but was later converted into an ornate Gothic style Church by Rev. L.E.Kleiner. By 1882 a fairly large number of stained glass windows from Paris adorned the Basilica, but were removed during World War II. These were re-restored with great care in 1947. The Church was given the status of a Basilica (then the Sixth in India) in 1973 through a Papal order by Pope John Paul VI.

St. Andrew's Kirk - The only Scottish Kirk in Bangalore, situated on Cubon Road parallel to MG Road contains stained glass windows depicting Lord Jesus and his eight apostles. A pipe organ was also installed here in 1881. The walls are adorned with polished brass plaques. There is also a plaque of John Cook, the Principal of Central College in Bangalore in 1915.

The Bull Temple - The awesome monolithic deity in this temple, Nandi, draws devotees from all over the country. One of the oldest temples in Bangalore situated in Basavanagudi and dedicated to Nandi, the mount of lord Shiva. This 4.5 meters tall and six meters long monolithic bull is supposed to be older than the temple housing it. It is believed that the source of the river Vishva Bharti originates at the feet of the statue.

ISKCON Temple Complex - This temple is an exquisite blend of modern and traditional south Indian temple architecture. The building houses a multi-vision cinema theatre, ten mini computer aided presentation theatres, vedic library and a preaching library. The temple has varieties of accommodations to house various types of people, like bramacharis, members, devotees and people taking short term courses offered here. Finally we would like to say that this structure is on of the most beautiful buildings one can ever see. You really have to see it to believe it. So just say Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and look forward to a visit to this place.

Shiva Statue - 65 ft. high depiction of Lord Shiva seated in Lotus position. Backdrop of Mount Kailash with Ganga flowing from matted rocks. The statue looks majestic during the night with its lighting.

Sri Gavi Gangadhar-Eshwara Temple - This cave temple witnesses a unique phenomenon that speaks volumes for the architectural and astronomical skills 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, the Aquarium is housed in a diamond shaped building. The aquarium has a variety of exotic cultivable as well as ornamental fish. Located at Cubbon Park, Kasturba Road Bangalore 560001. Open from 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs.

Bal Bhavan - Children's Park with its own theater and playground. Toy train and boat rides are added attractions. Closed on Mondays and the 2nd Tuesday of the month.



Contributors
December 02, 2006 change by lokapriya (2 points)
November 29, 2006 change by giorgio

Practical Information in Bangalore

Practical Information in Bangalore
Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. It is also known as the Garden City and has many tourist attractions to enjoy during your visit. Bangalore was founded in 1537 AD by Kempe Gowda.


Money

ATM's are available, making cash withdrawal easily accessible. American Express and Thomas Cook change travelers checks.

Population


Bangalore has a population size of 6.1 million, making it the fifth largest city in India.


Currency

Indian Rupee


Electricity

220 Volts

Time


Indian Standard Time (IST) UCT + 5:30


Language

A diverse range of languages are spoken in Bangalore including Tamil, Telegu, Kannada and Hindi. English is spoken, especially in tourist areas, and it should be enough to get by.

Area


268 square miles

Dialing Code

+91

Area Code

080


Religion

About 80% of the population consists of Hindus, making it the majority religion. The rest of the population consists of Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. There are many religious sites and temples to visit in Bangalore to learn more about the religions practiced in the area.


Altitude

Bangalore is at an altitude of 920m (3021ft) above sea level.

Climate

The climate is mild and temperatures are pleasant. During summer, temperatures reach 27C whilst winter is colder with temperatures of 20C. Monsoon season is from June until September and Bangalore experiences heavy rainfall during this time.

Getting There


Bangalore has a domestic airport so it is possible to fly from other cities into Bangalore. Some international flights land here. The airport is located 15 kilometers from the city center and is well connected to public transport. The City Railway Station of Bangalore is a good way to get to Bangalore as it is connected to most of the major cities and offers express trains. The bus terminal is close to the City Railway station and offers transport from many other major cities in India. Buses are operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation.


Safety

Bangalore is reasonably safe to walk around during the day time, however tourists should always take necessary precautions and be aware of their surroundings. At night do not walk around the cities and avoid alleyways or deserted areas. Do not get into taxis or auto rickshaws if there is another person inside besides the driver. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas.


Internet
There are internet cafes, and if you have your own computer wi fi is available in some areas.


Contributors
January 26, 2010 change by schitti

History in Bangalore

Bangalore history goes back many centuries and its name ‘Bengaluru’ first appeared on a milestone in the Mauryan Empire in the 9 th century A.D. So though the tale of Bengaluru being named by an emperor after the meal of boiled beans (Benda Kalluru) is dated in 1120, the existence of the city is known before then as it was taken over by the Chola Empire in 1015.

Bangalore History - Overview

The city as it exists today was built by Kempe Gowda in 1537 and was further expanded by his sons and grandsons. It first came into the ken of the Marathas and was captured by Shivaji’s father and gifted to Adil Shah in 1638. The great Maratha emperor Shivaji married a girl from Bangalore in 1640.

The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured Bangalore in 1687 and sold it to the Wodeyars in 1690 for a paltry sum of money. The Wodeyars are even today considered as rulers in that area though they have shifted their palaces to Mysore which is about a 120 km from Bangalore. Hyder Ali then came into the possession of the city, receiving it as a gift from the Wodeyars in 1759. Hyder Ali built the Lal Bagh gardens which even now are a famous tourist spot for its vast gardens in the heart of the city. His son Tipu Sultan lost the city to the British in 1791, but was given back the city. After his death a few years later, the city was returned to the Wodeyars whose dynasty exists even now, though they have lost all the powers of rulers after the Indian Government abolished all princes and rulers.

Development of Bangalore as a City

Bangalore developed as a city under the British and their colonial rule and was administered by them after taking over from the Wodeyars in 1830. An army cantonment was built in Bangalore in 1809 and is seen even today with the Southern Command of the Indian Army having its headquarters there.

Bangalore saw its first railway engines in 1859 and also saw the development of Cubbon Park. This park is even today a world famous horticultural showpiece and like Lal Bagh is within the city, vastly adding to its beauty. Other modern developments like the motor car, the telephone and electricity also made its way into Bangalore with the first airline flying into Bangalore in 1940.

The IT revolution has established its self in Bangalore and it is considered the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India. Today many countries of the world outsource their IT work to Bangalore based companies. Other modern industries and research institutes also are part of Bangalore as are also a number of prestigious educational institutes.

Bangalore has officially changed its name to Bengaluru, though it may take some time before the new name establishes it’s self as firmly as the older one.




Contributors
January 29, 2010 change by schitti

Eating Out in Bangalore

Eating Out in Bangalore
Bangalore is a paradise for those who love good food. The city offers a wide choice of cuisines, from the traditional to the exotic. You can try the simple but excellent fare offered at the several "idli" shops, and the numerous bakeries. For a hearty meal, the city is home to several restaurants serving anything from continental to Chinese cuisine. The restaurants mentioned below are a guide only as there are numerous excellent eateries throughout the city. For those that have never visited before though, the following may help:

Restaurant/Bar Hours Bars close at 11 p.m. (last orders by 10.30 p.m.). Some restaurants stay open till midnight. Eating out after pub closing time is best in the 24 hour coffee shops or at the bigger hotels.

Enjoy madi ('Do enjoy' in Kannada)!

Idlis

Is there a better way to start or end the day than with steaming hot idlis served with steaming hot sambar and chutney? I have trouble figuring out whether I eat idlis for the sambar or gulp sambar for the idlis.

They are available anywhere in Bangalore in any fast food restaurant, but the idlis served in two places really stand out -- Veena Stores on Margosa Road, Malleswaram (though you could forgo the sambar here); and in a narrow lane in VV Puram, located in between Lalbargh West Gate and Minerva circle and adjacent to Sajan Rao Circle, where it is served in carts.

If you are a food connoisseur, you could try the Kanchipuram Idli in Kadambam (Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road), the Rice Kadabu at Woody's (on Commercial Street), or the Mini Sambar Idly, Rasam Idly and Green Idly in Sri Krishna Bhavan (Malleswaram I Cross).

Believe it or not, we tried to register a domain called www.idly.com to compile a list of best haunts for idlis but, to our utter disappointment, found it taken.

Vadas

I guess size does matter and nothing can beat Bangalore when it comes to sheer size of the vadas.

I presume vadas will remain a monopoly of Bangalore for quite some time to come.

I especially recommend the Maddur and Masala vada in Woody's.

Dosas

When it comes to dosas, I have to give it to the lesser known mortals or the 'unsung warriors'.

I have not seen anything like the Benne (ghee) Dosa and the Benne Masala Dosa served in a restaurant in Malleswaram, 7th Cross, off Margosa road (I have to blame my aging memory for not remembering the restaurant's name).

[This happens many a times, blame it on the food, your memory is probably doing just fine. Its called Shree Sagar or more popularly C.T.R(Central Tiffin Room - No relation to M.T.R)].

If you are looking at variety, you got to give it to the Dosa Corner in Jayanagar, Fourth Block. Remain forewarned, however; you are in danger of losing yourself in the mad rush there.

If you are looking for the typical Madras style dosa and, particularly, the onion dosa; you have to try Brindavan at MG Road and Krishna Cafe in Koramangla.

I think the Jowar Dosa served in Sri Krishna Bhavan and the Andhra Pesarattu served in Woody's (I think it's the Friday special) deserves a mention under the non-conventional dosa category.

Specials

~ Kerala Sevai, Vegetable Kharabath, Rava Pongal, Mangalore Pathrade (Sri Krishna Bhavan)

~ Malabar Adai (Woody's Thursday evening special) and Mango Rice (Woody's Sunday morning special)

~ Curd rice (Woody's)

~ Menshinkhai (chilli) Bajjis (Malleswaram, 8th Cross)

~ Mangalore Baji (Janata Cafe, Malleswaram)

~ Puliyathorai/ Tamarind Rice (Kadambham)

~ Drumstick Soup, Kuzha Puttu Kadalai Curry, Masala Vada Pulusu, Appam, Vegetable Stew (Malgudi, off Marthahalli Ring Road)

~ Phulkas (Queen's, Church Street); you have to eat a minimum of 15 and tire the waiter. It is a matter of sheer perseverance or a case of 'mind over matter'

International Cuisine can be savoured at any of the following eateries: The Peacock, Tycoons, Manhattans, Madison Square, The Regency, Shezwan.

Continental Food can be found at the Lotus, Jockey Club and Le Jardin among others.

South Indian Good places for top meals of this kind can be found at Karavalli or Coconut Groove among many others in the city.

North Indian If you after something more along north Indian dishes then either the Bankura Punjabi Restaurant or the Peacock Garden will certainly cater to this taste.

Vegetarian Discover all the wonderful dishes you can have that are purely vegetarian. The Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), Udupi Sri Krishna Bhavan, Woodlands, Kamat Hotel, Chalukya Samrat and Sukh Sagar Food Complex have some excellent choices that will keep you going back for more.

Middle Eastern Cuisine One of the better spots for Mid-eastern meals is Sana's Arabian Food

Far East You can’t go wrong dining at any of the following restaurants where rice or noodles form part of each dish: Rice Bowl, Chinese Hut, ,Chung Wah, Memories Of China, The Orient, Mandarin Room, Paradise Island, Chezan, Szechwan Court, Shangai Bar & Restaurant, Shangrila Bar & Restaurant, Ginza,Taipan, Noodles or the Jade Garden,China Club to name but a few.

Barbecue Meet new friends and fellow travellers when you join in on the BBQ at any of the following eateries: Pool Side Barbecue (West End Hotel),The Royal Afghan,The Greens, Windsor Grill

24 Hour Coffee Shops A night out on the town can wind down with a hot ‘cuppa’ or an Irish Coffee at one of the following all day/night joints: Coorg, Lanai, Southern Comfort, The Central Park, Potuck Cafe

Cocktail Bars Take your lady out for a quiet “sundowner” at any of the following excellent choices: Jockey Club, Hibiscus, Coconut Groove Bar, The Royal Derby, Jazz Club, Sundowner, The Crazy Horse Bar, Lobby Lounge

Fast Food & Ice Cream Parlours If you are travelling with kids a ‘junk food’ treat is always popular (or perhaps you fancy the stuff too?). You can’t go wrong paying any of the following eateries a visit: Richie Rich, Donald Duck, Super Rich, Indiana Fast Foods, Mac Fast foods, Ice Station, Chit Chat, Lake View, Corner House, Koshy's Kulfi, Shreeraj Lassi Bar, Yankee Doodle, Waikiki, Casa Picola or Hot Breads.

The Pubs of Bangalore Meet other travellers and socialise with the locals at one f he many pubs in the city. Some of the more popular spots are the Pubs Black Cadillac, The Pub World, NASA, The Underground, Guzzler's Inn, The Night Watchman, Take 5, Hi-Spirits, Scottish Pub, Pecos, Oaken Cask, Cheers, High Octane, Noon Wine, Time 'n' Again, The Pub, Crossroads, 19th Church Street, Downtown, The Brigade Pub or Oasis.

Contributors
December 14, 2006 change by lokapriya (4 points)
December 14, 2006 change by giorgio

Bangalore Travel Guide

Bangalore Travel Guide
Banglore is the English version of Bengalooru, the way it is pronounced in the local language Kannada. It is said that the word Bengalooru originated from the sentence "Bendakaalooru" meaning "City of baked-beans", as the color of the soil resembled that of baked bean. During the first centuries immediately after Christ, the Southern part of the present day Karnataka state, where Bangalore is located, Jainism was the main religious belief. Once part of the Vijayanagar kingdom, this city was founded by Kempa Gowda in 1537AD. Later, ruled by Tipu and other Mysore kings as well as the British. It was a major military base for the British.


To date a vast area of the city is retained by Indian military and defense forces and is not open to visitors and the public. After independence, the Indian government setup strategically important defense, telecommunication and aeronautical development industries here, as it is located hundreds of miles away from the mainland coast and thus safe from possible enemy attacks.

The early 1980s saw State (provincial) government initiating a number of electronic industries here and later in 1990s this became a natural hub of the Indian Software Industry. A big chunk of Indian Software Engineers are based out of Bangalore. Bangalore has been home to many eminent personalities like Dr C V Raman, Girish Karnad, Narayan Murthy, Prakash Padukone, G R Vishwanath etc.

Bangalore is famous for its booming IT and Internet industry. The city has a large Anglo-Indian minority and is considerably more westernized than many Indian cities. The fact that Bangalore is a high-tech place does not mean that it has no interesting sights. It's simply an all-round place. You might want to visit the Palace of Tippu Sultan, once home to the south Indian king famous for battling the British, the Bull Temple, the Indian Institute of Science and other scientific research institutes, Cubbon Park, and the 240-acre/100-hectare Lal Bagh botanical garden: its pools, terraces, fountains, trees, and herbs are highlights.
Bangalore is also an excellent starting point for exploring Southern India and the state of Karnataka in particular. Bangalore is 855 km southeast of Mumbai. It lends itself well to a day-trip to Hampi. There are also a number of organized day trips to Mysore, the historic capital of the state during British India, when it was the princely state of Mysore.

Many international tourists consider Bangalore, one of the five biggest Metropolitan cities of India, as just a connecting place to other destinations. They haven't heard of any interesting places in this area, especially compared to neighboring Kerala and Goa. Yet, many people visit Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Cubbon Park, Vidhan Soudha- the state assembly building, International Tech Park at WhiteField, Vishweshwariah Industrial Museum, Bannerghatta National Park, Shopping Streets like MG Road, Brigade Road and Commercial Street. Malls like Forum and Bangalore Central are the latest places to hang-out for the city's youth.

The important tourist destinations of South India are easily accessible from here: Mysore Palace, Nandi Hills, Coorg,Ooty and Kodaikanal hill-stations, Bandipur National Park and other reserved forest areas, Hampi and Hassan district's ruins of medieval sculptures, Jogfalls and other fascinating waterfalls, scenic backwaters and the ayurvedic relaxation centers of Kerala. The main attractor of tourists to Bangalore is its nice climate (except in March - May) and its large, English speaking, modern-minded, population. One sees a mix of different Indian linguistic groups here. Most of the local shopkeepers speak four to five languages. It is one of the few cities in India, where one can easily get by without knowing the local language. The rapid pace of development during the last few decades caused hundreds of thousands to migrate here from rural areas and other Indian states.

Globalization of market helped Bangalore to emerge as the global customer support business outsourcing hub. It is not rupees that are shaping the new face of Bangalore, but dollars/pounds sterling, etc. Real estate value has shot up several times during the last two decades making lare areas unaffordable for the average Indian.


The fast development of Bangalore has attracted multinational corporations and large Indian corporations, pubs and night life, clubs and party halls, multi-storied buildings and highways, broadband Internet and Internet cafes, amusement and lake-side parks, travel business and packaged tours, five-star hotels and resorts, flyovers and shopping malls. But this trend also has brought in pollution, corruption, escalation in the crime rate, drinking water scarcity, mosquito menace, large scale rural to urban migration, and expansion of slum areas. Business interests decide government policies more than the democratic will of the people.

The outskirts of Bangalore witnessed massive real estate development especially around the designated area of the proposed International Airport of Devanahalli and Information Technology Corridor area. All in all it is a very friendly city.

Things you may feel happy about Bangalore: modern friendly people, a relatively international culture, good climate and availability of food and consumer items from across the world. Bangalore is an upcoming spa destination due to its excellent weather .The 5th element spa on Inner Ring road is the only Thai spa in the heart of the city on Inne ing Road .Relax yourself there whenever you are in angalore.A small place but very professional and very authentic Thai.

Things you may feel unhappy about Bangalore: The fact that the garden city is rapidly losing its serene charm, increase in the greed for money, pollution, corruption, traffic jams, poverty, crime related issues, mosquitoes, scarcity of drinking water, lack of long term interest of authorities and businesses, unclean streets.