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Bangalore Travel

City Information
The first city in India to get a new name according to Kannada tradition, Bengaluru is the third largest city in India. The capital of Karnataka, Bengaluru in its due course of time has earned many sobriquets- ‘Garden City, Silicon Valley, Pensioners' Paradise, Pub City, but primarily is synonymous with IT revolution in India.

Located on the Deccan Plateau, it is a growing metropolis weaving together diverse set of cultures and people. The bustling cosmopolitan culture of Bengaluru is often compared with the likes of Global Cities of the World like Miami, Berlin and Boston. At present, the city is an IT hub, making it popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India.

Major Tourist Destinations

Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens
Named for its amazing wealth of red roses, Lal Bagh or The Red Garden is a well known botanical garden in Bengaluru spreading greenery all around. With an area of 240 acres, the expansive lush garden was commissioned by ruler of Mysore, Hyder Ali in 1760. A beautiful glasshouse modeled on London’s Crystal Palace is the popular spot for yearly flower shows. Through the garden one can also discover over 1,000 species of flora and trees that are planted more than a century.

Cubbon Park
Cubbon Park is where the city breathes a whiff of fresh air consisting Gulmohar, Rosewood, Cassias and many more. This 120 hectare park has earned city the sobriquet of Garden City. Located in the landmark lung area of Bengaluru, this green expanse was named after former British Commissioner Sir Mark Cubbon.

The landscaping in the park creatively combines natural rock protruding with thickets of trees, massive bamboos, with grassy expanse and flowerbeds and the monuments within its limits including a State Central Library, Government Aquarium, Museum and an Art Gallery.

Bengaluru Palace
Reflecting the majesty of Wodeyars, Bengaluru Palace is modeled as a smaller version of the Windsor Castle in England. Still a home to present Raja, the palace offers s sneak peak to grandeur of the Mysore Royal Family through family photos, paintings and lavish interiors. The Palace Grounds also have been a host to many world class artists like Aerosmith, Akon, Backstreet Boys, Enrique and the likes.

Vidhana Soudha
Magnificent and majestic, Vidhana Soudha is the seat of Karnataka’s state legislature. Built in granite, this imposing edifice is based on temple architecture and is Bangalore’s best known landmark. Incorporating the elements of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles, the main entrance of Vidhana Soudha is covered by the four headed lion, the national emblem of India.

Basavanagundi Nandi Temple
Homing one of the biggest monolith idols of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull, Nandi Temple is located in Basavanagudi, a town in the vicinity of Bangalore. Made of granite, the temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style. Being one of the oldest temples of the city, it draws devotees from all over the country.

Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum
For quirky minds who are curious in knowing science and engineering principles can visit Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM) in Bangalore. Managed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Government of India, this museum is a part of centenary celebrations of engineer-statesman, Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Everything from the mechanical replica of the Wright Brothers’ Airplane to engineering displays of 3D gaming, the museum is a heaven for tech savvy people.

Best time to visit – September to March
How to get there

By Road – Bengaluru enjoys a well laid out roadways network. Being an entry point to Karnataka, Bengaluru has extensive road connectivity to major cities. Mysore and Hampi are the mostly visited sites from Bengaluru.

By Train – With two major railway terminals, Bengaluru city is connected to all major Indian cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Guwahati, Ajmer and many more.

By Air – With a newly built Bengaluru International Airport, the city due to extensive corporate travelling and tourism prospects is fourth busiest airport in India in terms of passenger traffic and number of air traffic movements.

Excursions

Bannerghatta Biological Park
Following 25 km journey to the south of Bengalore, one can experience wildlife like never before in Banerghatta Natural Reserve, which is also a national park. This hilly place is an abode to exotic species of white tigers, lions and other mammals.

Hessaraghatta Lake
Located 18 km northwest of Bengaluru, Hessaraghatta Lake is a manmade fresh water reservoir to meet the drinking water needs of the city. 12 km further journey takes a traveler to Nrityagram, a dance academy established by former dancer Protima Gauri Bedi. The academy teaches Indian Classical Dance forms to the aspirants.

Nandi Hills
Situated at an elevation of 1455 m, Nandi Hills or Nandidurg is an ancient fortress of south India located 60 km north to Bengaluru. Once the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan, the hills are good for hiking with stellar views. Further to this, one can also explore the hidden heritage of two notable Chola Temples.

Mysore
Smooth as silk, fragrant as sandalwood, colourful as its paintings, grand as its palaces, Mysore mesmerizes everyone like that only. The historic seat of Wodeyars, is easy to acclimatize and is identical to its royal heritage. During Dassara or Vijay Dashami festival, the grandeur of Mysore mushrooms with celebratory spree and the palace also is lit up during the festival.

Hassan
Hassan is more popularly known as the temple architectural capital of Karnataka with the remarkable and finest stone temples. Offering glimpses of the Hoysala Dynasty, Hassan is a home to Sravanabelgona, Belur and Halebidu. The Master Control Facility of Indian Space Research Organisation also operates from Hassan.

Sravanabelgola
From a distance, the world’s largest monolithic stone statue of Lord Gomateshwara welcomes a visitor to Sravanabelgola. Located in Hasan district, the town is the famous Jain pilgrimage. Also known as Kashi of the South, the temple witnesses the colourful Maha Mastakabhisheka of the lord every 12 years with vermillion, honey, curd, milk, turmeric paste, gold and gems over statue’s head.

Belur and Halebid
Once the capital cities of Hoysala Dynasty, Belur and Halebid are now known for their immaculately crafted Hoysala Temples. The Chhanekeshava Temple at Belur is still an active place of worship centering on Lord Vishnu. Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebid features remains of the temple depicting the sculptures of Hindu deities, sages, birds and the life of Hoysala rulers.

Puttaparthy
Puttaparthy’s main attraction is Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram, the residence of notable spiritual teacher Sathya Sai Baba.

Nearby Cities - Kola (68 km), Mysore (140 km), Kabini (218 km), Coorg (260 km), Ooty (290 km), Pondicherry (296 km), Chennai (331 km)

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