Bangalore

Capital of the state of Karnataka in southern India, Bangalore is the third largest city in India with over 6 million inhabitants. However, despite its densely populated atmosphere, Bangalore is celebrated as one of the most entertaining locations in India.

Archaeological evidence suggests signs of human activity around the Middle Stone Age, but the actual history of the region reaches back one thousand years. Firstly associated with the Ganga Kingdom and known as ‘Benga-val-oru’ (City of Guards) around the 11th century, it was taken and controlled by the Hoysalas until the 14th century Vijayanagara Empire. This state of flux continued throughout the Middle Ages until the Islamic Mughal takeover of India in the late 17th century enforced stability. British control came some centuries later after the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1798-1799 ended in defeat for the intrepid Tipu Sultan. This marked a turning point for the city, rapidly becoming one of the most technologically advanced cities in Asia.

Although the city’s association with British East India ended in 1947 with independence, Bangalore remains a city of the future, often recognised as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ due to its software and IT industries. Nevertheless, modernisation is nicely juxtaposed alongside plenty of natural beauty, making Bangalore a popular spot for tourists.

Attractions & Culture

Bangalore may lack the world-renowned architectural beauty of other Indian cities but still possesses a few points of interest. Chief among these is the Vidhana Soudha, built in the 1950s and now the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. An outstanding example of neo-Dravidian architecture with its beautiful domed tops and loggias, it stands as one of Bangalore’s major tourist attractions.

Further architectural monuments include the Karnataka High Court, built in 1884 and remarkable for its bright red façade, and Bangalore Palace, built by the Maharajahs of Mysore in centuries past.

The city is also famous for its temples such as the Bull Temple, unsurprisingly known for its huge statue of a bull, the Maha Bodhi Society Temple and the Gavi Gangadeshwara Cave Temple, which hosts the annual festival on Makara Shanranti.

However, as ‘Garden city of India’, Bangalore’s natural beauty is perhaps its main attraction. The best example of this is the Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, founded in the 18th century and now containing over one thousand species of flora across 240 acres as well as the Lal Bagh Rock, one of the earth’s oldest rock formations. Lal Bagh is complimented by the equally popular Cubbon Park, founded in 1864 and filled with entertainments.

Bangalore is very much a site of learning and, reflecting the character of the city, the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum is one of the most popular institutions. Established in the 1950s, the Museum contains collections pertaining to a wide range of scientific disciplines, from electronics to engineering. Continuing this theme is the Nehru Planetarium and the Daly Memorial Hall, the latter built in 1917 and home to the Mythic Society, explicitly set up to act as a repository for Indian life and culture. Also cultural in character is the Venkatappa Art Gallery, which specialises both in local art and the oeuvre of the great Indian artist, K. Venkatappa.

Cricket dominates sport in Bangalore. The local team, Karnataka Cricket Club, are one of India’s top teams and the former club of current stars Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid. Karnataka play their matches at the M. Chinnaswanny Stadium, which is also regularly used for Indian Test Matches.

Shopping

As a modernised city, Bangalore has plenty of excellent places to shop. Common starting points for tourists are Brigade Road and Commercial Street, all containing commonly found high-street stores. MG Road is an excellent spot for local crafts, particularly the Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium.

If that’s not enough, Bangalore is also home to a number of malls like The Forum in Hosur Road and Bangalore Central in MG Road.

Nightlife & Dining

With so many inhabitants, you’ll never be far away from somewhere to eat in Bangalore. The full range of Indian cuisine is covered in establishments across the city such as Karnataka regional cuisine at Kamat Yatrinivas in Ghandhinagar and Bengali at the acclaimed 36 Chowringhee Lane in Milkman Street

You can also find international alternatives like Vietnamese at Blue Ginger in Race Course Road and more Western-style food at Sunny’s at the Embassy Diamante in Vittal Mallya Road.

MG Road, Brigade Road and Church Street are the nightlife hotspots of Bangalore which is humorously also known as the ‘pub capital of India’. These are coupled with a number of decent nightclubs such as Zero G in Residency Road.

Tourist Information

  • Government of India Tourist Office
  • Ministry of Tourism
  • K.F.C. Building
  • 48, Church Street
  • Bangalore
  • 560 001
  • Tel: +91 80 252 78570
  • Web: [http://www.tourisminindia.com Tourism In India]

Airport

Bangalore is served by [http://www.thebangaloreairport.net HAL Bangalore International Airport], some 15 km from the city centre and accessible via taxi.

As the fourth busiest airport in India, international and domestic connecting flights are available regularly.

British Airways (London-Heathrow) use Bangalore International Airport to and from British locations.