Bangalore,
a fast growing metropolis, is the capital of the southern Indian state of
Karnataka. Founded by Kempe Gowda in 1537, Bangalore is now a modern
bustling city. The city spreads over an area of 476.66 sq. km and has a
population of 6,158, 677. Kannada is the mother tongue of the region, while
other widely spoken languages are Urdu, Hindi and English. Bangalore is home
to a number of business establishments and high-tech industries like
aerospace, electronics and fast spreading software companies. The city also
houses world renowned institutions of learning and research, most popular
among them are the Indian Institute of Science, National Aerospace
Laboratories and Bangalore University. Bangalore is also famous in the field
of art and culture; the city houses several schools of classical music and
dance. The city has many imposing structures of historical and architectural
significance and some of the oldest and most beautiful temples in India. The
Garden City of Bangalore abounds in beautifully laid out parks and gardens,
wide avenues, majestic buildings and charming bazaars.
Climate & Clothing
Bangalore is situated at an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level and enjoys
a salubrious climate. Summer months of April-June are mild and temperature
reaches to a high of 35°C. Winters (October-February) are cool and the
temperature falls down to 11°C. The city experiences most of the
rainfall during July-September. Although the climate of Bangalore is
pleasant all through the year, the best time to visit the city is from
November to February. Light cotton clothing is suitable for summers, while
light woollens are ideal for winters.
Accommodation
Some of the most popular hotels of the city include Le Meridien (5 Star/
28, Sankey Road), Taj Residency (5 Star/ 41/3, M.G. Road), The Leela Palace
(5 Star/ 23,Airport Road), The Taj West End Hotel (5 Star/ Race Course
Road), Windsor Manor Sheraton (5 Star/ 25, Sankey Road), The Oberoi (5 Star/
37-39, M.G. Road), St. Mark's Hotel (4 Star/ 4/1, St. Marks Road), Hotel
Luciya International (4 Star, 60, O.T.C Road), Gateway Hotel (4 Star/ 66,
Residency Road) etc.
Attractions
»
Cubbon Park : Situated in the heart of the city, this park has
beautifully laid out lawns, grassy expanse, flowering trees, childrens's
playground and a restaurant.
» Vidhan Soudha : Built in the Neo-Dravidian style
of architecture, this grand edifice is located at the northern end of Cubbon
Park. Vidhan Soudha houses the Secretariat and the state Legislature.
» Lalbagh : Located 2 km southeast of the city
centre, the beautiful garden stretches over an area of 240 acres was laid by
Hyder Ali in 1760. The garden cotains old trees, lakes, lotus ponds,
fountains, flower beds, a deer park and a rare collection of tropical
plants.
» Government Museum : Situated at Kasturba Road, the
museum was established in 1886. It has a large collection of artifacts,
sculptures, coins and inscriptions found in various parts of Karnataka.
» Tipu's Fort : Located on Krishnarajendra Road, the
fort was originally built with mud by Kempegowda in 1537. The fort was
renovated by Hyder Ali in 1761 and was repared by Tipu Sultan later.
» Bull Temple : The beautiful temple dedicated to
'Nandi', the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, is situated on Bugle Hill at the end
of Bull Temple road. The temple was built by Kempegowda in the Dravidian
style of architecture.
» Venkatappa Art Gallery : Established
in the year 1966, the museum exhibits paintings of the famous court painter
S.K. Venkatappa. Musical instruments made by Venkatappa are also on display.
Airport
Bangalore airport is located at a distance of 8 km from the M.G. Road in
the city. The city is well connected by air with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai,
Kolkata, Hyderabad, Goa, Thiruvananthapuram and other cities in India.
Direct international flights from Bangalore to Muscat, Sharjah and Singapore
are available.
Local Modes of Transport
The
buses run by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) are efficient and
economical modes of transport for moving around in the city. Other local
modes of transport are the metered auto-rickshaws, tourist taxis and cars.
Entertainment Options
If you are looking for good entertainment, then Bangalore is the perfect
city for you. Bangalore, the fashion capital of India, keeps pace with the
modern world, and the city people love fun, music and dance very much. The
city has several multiplexes which are always ready to draw the crowd, and
they revive the fun of movie watching. Bangalore is not only famous for its
cinema halls but the city is also famous for its nightlife. The city is full
of life till late night, with people visiting discos and night clubs.
Adventure Activities
Coorg hill station is not too far away from Bangalore. For adventure
enthusiasts, the hill station a number of sports options.
Shopping
Shopping in Bangalore is real fun for those who love exploring markets and
shopping complexes. The shops of Bangalore offer eveything from pure silk
saris to Swaroski crystals. In addition to these, there are several shops
selling shoes, garment, hosiery, jewellery, art decors, stationery,
novelties, travel kits and sports goods. Some of Bangalore's most popular
shopping areas are Commercial Street, Mahatama Gandhi Road, Brigade Road and
Residency Road.
Tourist Offices
