CAPITAL OF KARNATAKA-BANGALORE
Telephone Area Code:080
Capital of Karnataka. One of the fastest growing cities in Asia . Due to its importance in the field of Science and Technological progress, Bangalore is known as the silicon valley of India . (The 2nd largest computer software exporters in the world after US) The Beautiful green public parks made it the “Garden city”.
Bangalore often referred to as 'The Garden City' for its numerous parks and avenues of jacaranda, gulmohar and cassia is the sixth largest and one of the cleanest cities in India . World-class technological excellence has earned it the sobriquet, India's Silicon Valley and today it rivals Chennai as the most important metropolis in the south thanks to India's booming computer software industry most of which are based in Bangalore.

 

Founded by Kempa Gowda in 1537 and a British garrison town for about 50 years from 1831, the dramatic growth of the city in the last 3 decades has almost completely destroyed its architectural heritage. The colonial style bungalows with big gardens in front have almost all given way to high-rise commercial buildings and apartments. Only the High Court and The Bangalore Club have survived till date. Although often noisy and crowded with frequent traffic jams, Bangalore 's affluence and cosmopolitan nature has bred a pub culture similar to those in western countries but unique in India . Flashy bars, well-lit discos, pubs serving draught beers and a number of exclusive nightclubs frequented by the well-heeled youngsters and office goers make Bangalore surprisingly different from the more laid back cities of the south. Excellent shops and cinemas, a variety of places to stay and dine, a convenient transport network, salubrious climate, all contribute to making a couple of days stopover at Bangalore well worth its while.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area
2,190 Sq.kms
Population
6,520,000   (2006)
Altitude
920 M
Rainfall
970 mm average
Tourist Season
56
Clothing
30.9
Languages
291,220 (Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93)
STD Code
6,313 (Rs. at current prices in 1992-93)

PLACES OF INTEREST

Some of the important tourist points are Cubbon Park and Museums, Vidhana Soudha, Lalbagh botanical gardens, Tipu’s summer palace, Bull temple, and Iskcon temple.

 

Bull Temple : At Basavanagudi is one of the oldest temples, typical of the Dravidian style of architecture. Built by Kempe Gowda, the Nandi, the sacred bull, carved out of a single boulder, is 6.1 meter long and 4.6 meter high.

Cubbon Park : This beautiful 300 acre park built in 1864 has the public library and the museum
Lalbagh Botanical Garden : Located in the southern suburbs of Bangalore city is this beautifully laid out 96-hectare landscaped botanical garden. Founded in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and developed by his son Tipu Sultan, it contains centuries-old trees that are labeled for easy identification, lakes, lotus ponds, flowerbeds, a deer park , fountains and a rare collection of tropical and subtropical plants that attract visitors in large numbers. There is a glasshouse here modeled along the lines of London 's Crystal Palace , one of Kempe Gowda's watchtowers and a strange lawn clock surrounded by Snow White and- the Seven Dwarfs. Horticultural shows are organized in the glasshouse twice a year in February and August. The park is a pleasant place to wander around and relax. It is open on all days from morning till evening.

Gangadhareswara Cave Temple : Built by Kempe Gowda, this temple with four remarkable monolithic pillars is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It also has a rare idol of Agni, God of Fire.

Jumma Masjid : Oldest mosque built by Nughal Killdeer, was damaged by cannon fire during the third Mysore war and renovated in 1836.

St.Mary’s Cathedral : Built by French missionary in 1882 AD it is a grand Basilica with an impressive tower arid typically gothic pointed arches.

The Fort & Tipu Sultan’s Palace : Built initially in 1537 by Kempe Gowda as a crude mud structure, it was rebuilt by Hyder Ali in 1761. In this fort Hyder Ali had imprisoned David Baird along with a number of British army officers. The fort has well preserved Ganapati temple within its precincts and the temple on the outer wall carries exquisite carvings of Sri Krishna playing his flute and inside, there is a fine statue of Lord Ganesh which still attracts devotees. Near the fort is Tipu's palace, begun by Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan in 1791. It resembles Daria Daulat Palace of Srirangapatnam.

Vidhana Soudha : This is an imposing granite structure with a total plinth area of over 5, 00,000 sq.ft and houses the secretariat, the State legislature and several government' offices. The huge carved doors of the cabinet are made of pure sandalwood.
Venkataramanswamt Temple : Temple near Tipu's Palace was built by Chikka Deva Raja Wodeyar nearly 300 years ago, in the typical Dravidian style
Durgah of Hazrat Tawakkal Mastan Shah Suharawardi : Situated in the heart of Cottonpet this Muslim saint's shrine has been associated with the Hindu festival of ‘KANGRA’. The famous Kangra procession, while passing through the city, visits the 'Durgah' of the Sufi saint Tawakkal Mastan whose tomb attracts thousands of both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Ulsoor Lake : It is indeed a pretty picnic spot in the heart of the city. There are motorized dinghys and rowboats available here for hire. One of Kempe Gowdas watch towers stand sentinel nearby and there is also a public swimming pool here.

HOW TO REACH

Airport : Bangalore Airport around 13 km from the city centre operating Domestic and international. Bangalore is connected by air with Ahmedabad, Kolkata,Chennai,Kochi,Coimbatore,New delhi,Goa,Hyderabad,Mangalore,Mumbai,Pune and Thiruvananthapuram.

Rail : Bangalore is connected by rail with cities all over India .

Road : Bangalore is well connected by road with national highways throughout the country. All types of tourist buses are easily available on hire. Karnataka State Transport and many private bus operators run buses from Bangalore to many centers of the State and also to the neighboring States.


HOTELS IN BANGALORE
STAR CATEGORY
NAME OF HOTEL
5 Star Delux
  ITC Hotel Windsor Sheraton & Towers, The Leela Palace Kempinski, The Taj West End Hotel.
5 Star
  Le Meridien, Royal Orchid Park Plaza ,Taj Residency, The Grand Ashok Bangalore, The Oberoi,The Park.
4 Star
Gateway Hotel on Residency Road, St.Mark’s Hote, The Capitol Hotel, The Georgian Resort, KAPL – Ayurvedagram Health Resort.
3 Star
Ashraya International Hotel,Eagleton-The Golf Resort,Harsha Hotel and Convention Centre, Villa Pottipati,Hotel Museum Inn, Hotel Ramee Guestline,Hotel Samrat Residency,Nahar’s Heritage Hotel,Ramanashree California Resort & Club, Sovereign The Heritage Hotel, The Central Park,Pai Viceroy.
2 Star
Hotel Abhishek,Hotel Geo,Hotel Indraprastha,Hotel Ramanashree,Kamat Yatri Nivas,Nalapad’s Hotel Broadway Annes,Nalapad’s Hotel Broadway Complex,Nilgiris Nest, The Club, Woodlands Hotel.
1 Star
  Hotel Ajantha, Nalapad’s Hotel Bangalore International.
Govt.Approved
Ballal Residency,Highgates Hotel, Holiday Village, Hotel Chalukya,Hotel Kanishka,Hotel Maurya,Hotel Swagath,New Victoria Hotel, The Basil, The Richmond Hotel, Airlines Hotel.
Others
Anand Bhavan Lodging,Angsana Oasis Spa & Resort,Berrys Hotel, Bombay Ananda Bhavan Hotel, Comfort Inn Infantry Court,Gupta’s Board & Lodge, Hotel Algate,Hotel Cauvery Continental, Hotel Curzon Court, Hotel Gangothri,Hotel Hoysala,Hotel Ivory Tower, Hotel Luciya Internalal,Hotel Mahaveer,Hotel Rajatha,Hotel Rajputana,Hotel Shalimar, Hotel Shiva International,Hotel,Tribhuvan,Kabini River Lodge (Jungle Lodges & Resorts),Quality Inn Vijay Residency,Rama,Safina Hotel,Shakthi Hill Resorts,Sukh Sagar Hotel, Sunny Holiday Village,Taj Kuteeram,The Atria Hotel.
 
HOW TO PLAN YOUR TOURS
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