To See & Do
Must See, Must Do
- Get yourself an Ayurvedic massage at the Ayurveda Gram Spa Village (Tel: 5765 1090)
- Explore the colourful, crowded lanes of Chikpet, Brigade Road and Commercial Street and feast your eyes on the city's hippest crowd. Brigade Road and other major commercial centers in Bangalore, are a slice straight out of America.
- Visit the Bangalore Club and have a look at Winston Churchill's unpaid bar tab.
- Eat the butter masala dosas at the Darshinis and Shanti Sagars spread across the city.
- Rent a bicycle or just walk around the city in the early morning hours. The busiest of roads never look more peaceful and grand.
- Take your kids to Jawahar Bal Bhavan. The children's centre there screens children's movies and offers courses ranging from pottery to aero-modelling.
- The Laser shows at Nasa on Church Street are big crowd pullers. A do not miss!
- Visit the Jakkur Aerodrome and watch planes and helicopters taking off. There are air shows held here sometimes and if it is happening while you are here, DO NOT miss it.
- Akin to a carnival in the sky, you can catch the MiG's, Mirage and Sukhoi fighter planes, the much sought after Hawks, all indulging in sky robotics.
- Around sunset, you could take a drive along the Koramangala ring road, armed with some snacks and coffee, park yourself and watch planes take off and the traffic go by peaceful. It is breathtaking.
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Historical |
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Fort
Opposite the City Market, the fort was originally built in mud by the founder of Bangalore, Kempe Gowda, in 1537. Extended and fortified by Tipu Sultan, it is noted for the beautifully carved Islamic-style arches on the gateways and a well-preserved Ganapati Temple, a testament of Tipu's religious tolerance. One of the temple's outer walls carries an exquisite carving of Krishna playing his flute.
Tipu's Palace
Near the fort, this palace bears resemblance to Tipu's Daria Daulat Palace at Srirangapatna. Known as Rashk-e-jannat, or the Envy of Heaven, it is built largely of wood. What stand out are the five elaborately decorated arches surmounted by minarets, and paintings on the walls and ceilings.
Bangalore Palace
The famous Bangalore Palace was constructed by Mysore's Chamaraj Wodeyar. Inspired by the Windsor Castle, this palace was built in the Tudor style in 1887. Located between Jayamahal and Sadashivanagar areas, the palace ground has become a venue for various exhibitions, concerts and cultural programmes. The interiors have breathtaking floral motifs, cornices, mouldings and a painted ceiling.
One can visit the palace on weekdays and on Saturdays between 10 am and 6 pm. There is an entry fee of Rs 100 for Indians (children: Rs. 50) and Rs. 200 for foreign tourists (children: Rs. 100). Tel: 2336 0818, 2331 5789.
Vidhana Soudha
The seat of Karnataka's Legislative Assembly, the Vidhana Soudha is 46 m high and is one of Bangalore's best-known landmarks. It houses 22 departments in its 300 rooms. The grand structure, built in 1956, belongs to the Neo Dravidian temple architecture style. It has four domes at all four corners and in the middle is the famous four-headed lion, India's national symbol. Befitting the powers that it houses, the Cabinet Room has a massive sandalwood door.
But you'll have to make do with looking at the monument from outside, as entry is restricted. The building is lit up on Sunday evenings and on public holidays.
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Tech Parks |
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International Tech Park
The 69-acre International Tech Park is located in Whitefield, 12 km from Bangalore Airport and 18 km from the city centre. It currently comprises of five buildings Discoverer, Innovator, Creator, Explorer and Inventor.
For a visit, contact:
Information Technology Park Ltd.
3rd Floor, Discoverer Building,
International Tech Park, Whitefield Road,
Bangalore - 560 066
Tel: 28410570; fax: 28410588
E-mail: web@ascendas.com
Websit: http:/www.intltechpark.com
Electronic City
Located on the NH 7 about 23 km from the city centre is the heart of the India's IT industry. It is famous for its eminent clientele that includes market leaders in the field of electronics and information technology. You can stroll out side, entry to some offices needs special permission from the concerned authorities.
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Gardens and Parks |
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Cubbon Park
Cubbon Park is one of the largest and most green areas in Bangalore. An ideal place to unwind during the weekend or a weekday evening, it has a lot in store for kids. There is a beautiful bamboo grove and a play area with some rides and eateries. There is an imposing red Gothic structure within this park called the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, which houses the public library. Walking distance from here are the High Court, Government Museum, Technology Museum, aquarium and the Jawaharlal Bal Bhavan.
Lalbagh
Started by Hyder Ali in 1760 and completed by Tipu Sultan, this 240-acre landscaped park is home to some very rare species of plants. The Glass House, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, is the venue for the bi-annual flower show. Lalbagh is about 4 km from the Vidhana Soudha in the beautiful residential layout of Jayanagar. Entry to the park is free between 6 am and 9 am and 6 pm to 7 pm.
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Religious Places |
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ISKCON Temple
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple is a glass colonnade decorated ornately. There are five shrines, a theater showing films on the Hare Krishna movement, and lush gardens. Make sure that you do not miss a trip here. The temple boasts of a golden chandelier shaped like an inverted lotus, the world's tallest gold-plated dwajastambha (flag post) and the biggest gold-plated kalash shikara at a height of 28 ft. The temple is open to devotees from 7 am-1 pm and again 4.30 pm-8.30 pm.
Bull Temple
Located in Basavangudi, the Bull Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva's vahana (vehicle), Nandi the bull. Here you can find a huge monolithic statue of the sitting bull. The statue is 4.5 m tall and 6 m long and has been in this place long before the present temple was built. Behind the imposing Nandi Bull, is a tiny lingam shrine. The underground Sri-Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is equally fascinating. On Makara Sankranti day (14 January) they say that a ray of light passes between the horns of the Nandi Bull outside the temple and lights the idol that is kept here. There is a huge rush during this day.
Shiva Temple
Located on Airport Road, the Shiva Temple has a 65-ft tall idol of Lord Shiva, seated in Lotus position against the backdrop of Mount Kailash. When lit at night, the statue makes for a spectacular view. Photography and videos are not permitted inside the temple. One can listen to the melodious bhajans and receive food for the soul.
Sai Baba Ashram, Whitefield
This ashram was founded by the spiritual guru Sri Satya Sai Baba, revered by many across the world and considered to be the reincarnation of the Shirdi Sai Baba. Brindavan, as it is called, lies 16 km from Bangalore. Any public transportation will take you there, though autorickshaws tend to charge extra.
The bhajan sessions at the ashram are a huge hit. Do try to make it to the ashram between 9 am and 10 am and participate in these delightful sessions which soothe the strained mind. Devotees queue up to seek Baba's blessings when he is in Bangalore. The line-up begins outside the ashram gate and once tokens have been distributed, they are directed towards the Darshan Hall. The queue on the footpath outside the ashram wall usually begins around 6.15 a.m. There are two cloak rooms where you can leave your belongings, along with your cell phones and footwear. The afternoon darshan and bhajans commence between 4 pm and 5 pm. The after-darshan hours see many devotees staying back and meditating. Sundays witness an all-day bhajan session in the Darshan Hall. The bookstore, supermarket, canteen and tiffin stalls are all open post-darshan.
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Festivals |
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Yugadi (March-April): It is generally held that Brahma created the world on this day and he is the chief deity worshipped in this festival. Ugadi is also the Kannadiga New Year and marks the advent of spring.
Karaga (March-April): An earthen pot embodying Shakti is taken out in a night-long procession and then immersed in a tank. Devotees balance pots on their heads to test the strength of their character.
Makara Sankranti (January): The festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvest season. People believe that the first rays of the sun on Sankranti will bring them a good harvest. It also marks the change in seasons, from winter to spring.
Varamahalakshmi (August): The annual Lakshmi Pooja is celebrated to appease the goddess of wealth. On this auspicious day married women make offerings to Goddess Lakshmi in the form of garlands of cash, jewellery and other valuables. It is also customary to offer vermilion or kum-kum to at least five married women.
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Adventure |
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The lakes in Bangalore offer wide scope for boating and canoeing. You can go jet skiing, boating or paddle around in a canoe. For a coracle ride, visit Hogenekkal (130 km). Another popular place is the Yediyur Lake located in the Basavangudi area.
For cycling enthusiasts Bangalore has plenty of biking areas. A number of rental outlets are based in the city, if your hotel doesn't provide one. You could contact Bangalore Aerosports and join other cycling enthusiasts on a trip around the city. The club also offers parasailing.
For more info, contact
Bangalore Aerosports Pvt. Ltd.
22/2 Alfred Street, Richmond Town
Tel: 23637440 / 9845213374
E-mail: amehta@bangaloreaerosports.com
Website: www.bangaloreaerosports.com
Eco-sports Ozone offers camping, trekking, rock climbing, kayaking, paragliding, white-water rafting and more. For more information, contact them at 23310441 or 23448054, or write to ozoneindia@vsnl.com.
Born Free takes kids and on a fishing trip to one of the nearby rivers or lakes. You can give them a call on 5112 3190 or 509 323 or email them at
info@bornfreeindia.com
If you like horse riding, you could contact the Bangalore Amateur Riders Institute. Another option is to go on one of the camps organised by Princess Equestrian Academy for riders of all ages at the academy premises, located at Bangalore Palace grounds.
For details contact Subedar Major John or Mr. Fiaz at the riding club on 3347331 or call 3311046 between 6 am and 9.00 am and 3.00 pm-9.00 pm. For a luxurious dip or swim in a pool, you can contact Le Meridien and Taj West End who offer their pools to the public for a small fee.
Bangalore Aero sports offers numerous air-borne activities including parasailing. It is open 9 am-5 pm, all seven days. Telephone them on 3637440 or email at blr_area@satyam.net.in.
Others
Agni Aerosports Adventure Academy,
Hangar 2, Jakkur Aerodome,
12th Km, Bellary Road
Tel: 856-5574 or 525-5529
Agni Aerosports conducts air-borne activities like parasailing, gliding, ultralight/microlight flying and sky diving.
For exploring the outdoors and a spot of fishing, contact Cauvery Fishing Camp at 23147093.
The Kabini River Lodge is 220 km from Bangalore and 80 km from Mysore. For bookings contact:
Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd.
Shrungar Shopping Centre
MG Road
Tel: 5597021-24-25; fax: 5586163.
The Golf Resort, (29 km away) on the Mysore Highway is another must-visit. It can be reached at 26764403.
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