Bangalore

Bangalore Tourism
Bangalore or Bengaluru, popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India, is the capital city of the South Indian state of Karnataka. Situated on the Deccan Plateau, in the south-eastern part of the state, the city experiences a moderate climate. History of Bangalore From the 50s, this beautiful city of gardens, also known as the Garden City, with its temperate climate, lovely bungalows, tree-lined broad avenues and laid back ambience was a pensioner's paradise. Bengaluru derives its name from the Kannada words ‘benda kalluru’, which means the land of boiled beans. According to legend, Veera Ballara, the Hoysala king, once lost his way during a hunting expedition. Wandering around, he met an old lady who gave him boiled beans to eat. In order to show his gratitude, he named the place, Benda Kalluru. Some historians believe that the name was derived from the ‘benga’ or ‘ven kai’ tree. Bangalore, as we know it today, was formed by Kempe Gowda. Formerly, Bangalore was ruled by a number of rulers and dynasties, including the Vijayanagara Empire and Tipu Sultan. A number of temples and monuments, which were built in the earlier days, are still a part of the city’s landscape. Major towns and subdivisions were formed during various rules. The city was sold to the rulers in Mysore in the earlier days and was later in the hands of the British whose rule continued till Independence. People & Culture of Bangalore Bangalore has always seen a very diverse population, especially since modern times. It is a multi-cultural city permeating class, religion and language. Even though it is a cosmopolitan city, Bangalore holds on to its traditional features. Major festivals like Dasara, Deepavali, Ugadi, Sankranthi and Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated with great pomp and fervour. There are a lot of festivals & events hosted in Bangalore like Karaga, Kadalekaye Parishe, Bangalore Habba, Lalbagh Flower Show and more. Bangalore is also a centre of renowned colleges, academic institutions, important central government establishments, scientific and research institutes and organisations. Bangalore has a very strong art and culture scene. It is home to various theatre groups; theatre platforms like Rangashankara and Jagriti and numerous art galleries that showcase established and emerging artists. Although Bangalore is a city rooted in tradition, it has a modern side to it. The city’s nightlife best reflects that. Various restaurants, lounge bars and pubs have been mushrooming across the city. Also, as it is a major IT hub, the city also has a huge population of expats. Things to do in Bangalore The city also comprises a number of attractions, among which are the two botanical gardens, Lal Bagh (Glass House) and Cubbon Park. Other attractions include Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Bangalore Palace, Nandi Hills, Bannerghatta National Park and Mayo Hall. Vidhana Soudha, Visvesvaraya Museum, HAL Aerospace Museum, Bull Temple and ISKCON Temple draw a large number of tourists. The city is also home to one of the country’s biggest malls - Mantri Mall in Malleswaram. Food & Shopping in Bangalore There are two distinct facets to shopping in Bangalore. Areas like M.G. Road, Brigade Road and Commercial Street are the lively places in the city and also paradise for shoppers. Apart from street shopping, Bangalore has a number of malls that house national and international clothes and accessories brands such as UB City, Mantri Mall and Garuda Mall among others. These brands range from high-end fashion houses to affordable labels. On the other hand, the old city has areas like Majestic, Chickpet and Cottonpet where a string of shops sell the most affordable gadgets, textiles and other items. Tourists have a host of food options to choose from when visiting Bangalore. The city has innumerable ‘Darshinis’ in every nook and corner where South Indian treats like idlis and dosas are offered. Bangalore also has a strong food culture, which is why it has restaurants serving world cuisine, right from French to Vietnamese. Travelling to Bangalore Travellers can reach Bangalore from any destination in India by air, rail and road. The Bangalore International Airport is connected with almost all major cities of the country and the world. The city has three major railway stations – Bangalore City Junction, Bangalore Cantonment and Yeshwanthpur Junction. The city is also well connected by buses run by the KSRTC and other private operators to regions within the state as well as neighbouring states. Travelling within Bangalore The best way to explore Bangalore is by public transport. For a more organised tour, tourists can sign up for Bangalore holiday packages. The city has many Volvo buses too that ferry passengers to different areas within the city. Tourists can go on a ‘Bangalore Darshan’ organised by the State Tourism Department where they will be shown all the major attractions of the city. Local tour operators too organise such tours. Another option to travel within the city is by auto rickshaw or by hiring a taxi. The city also has the new Metro which connects M.G. Road to Byappanahalli, which itself has become a tourist hotspot. Accommodation options in Bangalore There are numerous hotels in Bangalore. Areas like MG Road, Old Airport Road or Ulsoor have luxury hotels and suites. For more budget options, tourists can opt to stay in hotels near residential areas like Whitefield, Jayanagar or even near the Bangalore Railway Station. Another alternative is to book a number of service apartments located in localities like Indiranagar, Kormangala and Residency Road among other areas. Although, Bangalore is known for its pleasant weather throughout the year, winter is the best time to visit Bangalore.