At a glance Bangalore is atop a ridge in the Deccan Plateau. The Bangalore Urban District is divided into three taluks: Bangalore North, Bangalore South and Anekal. The Bangalore North taluk is a relatively more level plateau, while the Bangalore South taluk has an uneven landscape with hills and valleys. About the city Bangalore is the capital city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the seventh largest city in India. Bangalore is also known as the Garden City because of its many beautiful gardens and parks. Though the origin of Bangalore is ancient, the present-day city was founded in the 16th century and has since continued to be an important administrative center. Because of the high concentration of IT industry, it also called the Silicon Valley of India. Bangalore is booming, and a look at some of its nicknames says why: "India's Silicon Valley," "Fashion Capital of India," "The Pub City of India," and on. Home to well over 6 million people, and a base for 10,000 industries, Bangalore is India's fifth largest city and the fastest growing city in Asia.The capital of the state of Karnataka, Bangalore is situated halfway between the coasts in southern India. The city was founded in the 16th century, and witnessed great southern dynasties like the Kadambas, the Hoysalas and Vijayanagar emperors. Legend has it that the name Bangalore comes from "boiled beans" (Benda Kaluru), which were served by a humble old lady to a hungry ruler in the 10th century. Religious Places ISKCON Temple The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple is a glass colonnade decorated ornately. There are five shrines, a theatre 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, WhitefieldThis 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. Festivals 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. Adventure 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 Entertainment Movies Bangalore has a lot of theatres spread across the expanse of the city, with multiplexes gaining prominence. The Innovative Multiplex at Marathahalli and Priya Village Roadshow (PVR) in Koramangala, I-Max on Magrath Road and Sigma on Cunningham Road all draw the crowd in scores. Theatre Theatre buffs head to Ranga Shankara (JP Nagar, 6th Phase), a venture of Arundhati Nag in memory of her late actor husband Shankar Nag. The tickets are priced between Rs. 50-100. For show details, look up the dailies or their website: http:/www.rangashankara.org. Or give them a call at 26592777/26494656. Nightlife Often called the Pub City, Bangalore has some of the most happening night spots in the country, but with a Cinderella hour! The dress code is mostly smart casual, but there is no harm in dressing up to leave them gasping for breath! Th cosmo crowd here are anything but judgmental. If in mood for an energetic evening in a funky environment with some good drinks and super music, visit i-Bar, at The Park on MG Road. (Tel: 2559-4666). Hypnos (Gem Plaza, Infantry Road) is your escape to the serene Mediterranean. It serves Greek, Lebanese and Spanish food with an array of exotic cocktails to down them with (Tel: 41113364-66). The Blue Bar (Taj Westend, Race Course Road), is a stylish open-air bar that serves amazing concoctions (Tel: 5660-5660). Once a colonial house, Spinn (Residency Road) is a blast from the past. There is a sleek discotheque, a lounge, an al fresco and some funky music (Tel: 2558-1555). Visit a quintessential British pub in Geoffrey's. It is located in Hotel Royal Orchid (1 Golf Avenue, Airport Road, Tel: 25205566). Another pub styled on the lines of classic English pubs is Tavern Inn on Museum Road (Tel: 41113339). The Bangalore Central mall has a night club called the Hint (Tel: 4123557/8). Taika is a good lounge bar cum nite night club on Church Street (Tel: 41512828). Athena is the night spot at the Leela Palace (Tel: 41265417/8). Zero G is on Residency Road (Tel: 22079014-6). Purple Haze (Residency Road Tel: 22213758/22220054) and Styx (M.G Road, Tel: 25582259/ 5676046) are head bangers paradise pubs. Places with a Goan feel are the Opus (Sankey Road, Tel: 23442580/ 23568507) where you can Karaoke on Sundays and The Beach at 100 ft Road, Indiranagar (Tel: 41261114/5) where you find sea sand and palm tree stools to sit on! The list is exhaustive so if you are one for living it up on the wild side, visit a different place every night or even 2 or more on a single night. Kidding Around Jaamba Jungle This is a place where both kids and adults can have fun. It is furnished with eco-friendly furniture and has a wide assortment of games, video games and a play area. The multicuisine Jaamba Restaurant offers a decent fare. For more info, contact: Jaamba Jungle 10th Floor, The Estate No. 121, Dickenson Road Tel: 5092233, 5325221 Timings: 11 am to 10 pm, daily. Neeladri Amusement and Water Park This is an unwind-and-relax pit stop for both adults and kids. Spread over 30 acres of splendidly done landscape, the park consists of 45 different fun rides, a video games arcade, an amphitheatre, restaurants, ice-cream parlours and chaat stalls. Neeladri Amusement and Water Park Electronics City, Hosur Road Tel: 26529370 Timings: Weekdays, 10 am-6 pm Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10 am-7 pm. Crazy Waters Another popular spot amongst Bangaloreans, it is on Bannerghatta Main Road. Have a rollicking time in the pool or glide down tunnels on colourful floats. For info, contactCrazy Waters Bannerghatta Main Road Gottigere Village Tel: 6584910, 2913806 Timings: Weekdays, 10 am-6 pm Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10 am-7 pm Wonder-La Wonder la is about 30 kms away from Bangalore on the Mysore road. If you like to get wet, you can try out the wet rides, including the Lazy River, Musical fountain and crazy cars. But the dry rides are scarier, with some taking you upside down. Weak hearts are cautioned! There are special rides for kiddies, the moon walker is a wavy slide which is all padded up, so that even toddlers can come down it without any problems Wonderla Holidays Pvt, Ltd 28th Km, Mysore Road, Hejjala (P.O) Bangalore- 562109 Telephone: 08113-324441-44 reception@wonderla.com Website: wonderla.com Timings: Monday -Friday - 11am to 7pm Sat, Sunday & holidays 11am to 8pm There are several others, like Fun-O-La (Wide Tunnel Road, Murugeshpalaya, Tel: 5269499, 5277034), Fun World (Palace Grounds, JC Nagar, Tel: 3430496) and Thrilarium (Mota Royal Arcade, Tel: 5098223). Government Aquarium The aquarium exhibits indigenous and exotic, cultivable as well as ornamental fish. You can get to see the Hocks Stick, Pearl Coushmi, Indian Tiger Borb and the Moon Tail. The aquarium is open 10 am-5 pm; Thursdays are holidays. You need to buy a ticket at the entrance to gain admission. How to reach Bangalore is accessible by air, road, and rail. Bangalore Airport is 13 km east of the City Station. There are number of daily flights to important cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi, Mangalore, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram. Bangalore has direct international flights to Muscat, Sharjah and Singapore. It is also a stopover for many international flights. How to reach Bangalore, Reaching Bangalore, Bangalore Travel, Bangalore Tours, Bangalore Tourism, visit Bangalore Bangalore has a large bus terminus, which is near the railway station. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and buses belonging to Tamilnadu and Goa Roadways also operate from here. It is well linked to Mysore (3 hours), Hospet (9 hours), Chennai (8 hours) and Mumbai (24 hours). The KSRTC conducts a number of tours and excursions around the city. There are two railway stations in Bangalore. The main station is well connected to all major Indian cities. There are number of daily express trains from Bangalore to other cities of India. Getting Around: Tourist taxis are easily available from agencies, hotels and taxi stands. Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) maintains a fleet of cars for hire. Contact Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation 10/4, Kasturba Road Tel: 2212901/2212902 /2212903 Travel Aids Opp. Ulsoor Lake (1 Km from M. G. Road) 'Lake Point' 38/13, Meanee Avenue 5303636, 5302222 Dial-A-Car H. O. 152/1, Anjaneya Complex Airport Road 5272622, 5261737, 5278451 Clipper Holidays Suite 406, Regency Enclave 4, Magrath Road (off Brigade Road) 5599032 Europcar Sheriff House, 85 Richmond Road 2219502, 2994008, 2225645 Comfort Travel Links 58/9, 1st Main, Temple Street Karnataka Sugar Federation Complex, Malleswaram 3343233, 3368329, 3343299, 3314293 Hertz Rent A Car 127, Silver Lake Terrace 167, Richmond Road (Near Trinity Circle) 5599408, 5594854, 5584759 A very commonly used mode of transport is the metered auto rickshaw. Do not let the auto drivers bully you into a fare more than what is displayed on the meter. The city also runs an efficient bus service, but buses are usually crowded and not on time. Distances Best Seasons Generally speaking, India has a three-season year - the hot, the wet and the cool. October to February are the cooler months in Karnataka - a pleasant average of 23°C (73.4°F). You'll need wet weather gear from July through to early September, while the mercury regularly exceeds 30°C (80°F) in March, April and May. Bangalore is an ideal retreat from the blazing summer sun. The climate is moderate and pleasant all the year through. Summers (April-June) are relatively mild and winters (October-February) are cool. The city experiences southwestern monsoon rains from June to August. The period between October-February is thus the ideal time to tour the scenic city. Bangalore city is located in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern region of India. It is 3,113 feet (949 m) above sea level, on top of a ridge in the Karnataka plateau. Bangalore is 998 km from Mumbai (Bombay) and 562 km from Hyderabad. The climate of Bangalore is moderate and pleasant. Summers are mild (April-June) and winters are cool (October-February). Cotton clothing for summers and light woolens for winters are ideal in Bangalore. Bangalore city experiences southwestern monsoon rains in June-August. Although the weather of Bangalore is pleasant throughout the year, it is best visited in the winters Places in and around Bangalore Palace Windsor Castle in the middle of India, Bull Temple Bull Temple is one of Bangalore's oldest. Built by Kempegowda in the Dravidian style Lalbagh Botanical Gardens Shanti Nagar Red Garden This delightful park, was laid out in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan 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. Tech Parks 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. Gardens and Parks 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. There are a number of places of tourist attraction near Bangalore. These places around Bangalore make excellent weekend trips and excursion options from Bangalore. Thirty kilometers from Bangalore is the Nrityagram village, housing a classical dance academy. Bannerghatta National Park Bannerghatta National Park, 21 km from the city, is an important place to visit. Sixty kilometers from Bangalore is the Nandi Hill Resort, which is also famous for its temples and fort. Devarayandurga, 70 km from Bangalore, is famous for its hilltop shrines. The craggy rock formation around Bangalore offers adventure activities like trekking and rock climbing to the adventure seeker. Devarayandurga (70 km), and Ramanagaram (49 km) are important spots for adventure. Places to see in Bangalore, Places to visit in Bangalore, Tourist attractions in Bangalore, Weekend trips from Bangalore Excursions, Events in Bangalore, Festivals in Bangalore Bangalore has a number of cultural centers near it, which offer to the tourist a number of traditional craft items. Ramanagaram is a silk cocoon-marketing center.Janapada Lok (near Ramanagaram) and Channapatna (60 km southeast of Bangalore) are famous craft centers. The Doda Alada Mara, a 400-year-old banyan tree lying 28 km from the city, is an idyllic place for picnics. Mekedatu, 98 km south of Bangalore, and Muthyalamaduvu, 40 km from Bangalore (also known as the Pearl Valley), are other important picnic spots. The historic city of Mysore is 139 km from Bangalore and offers to the traveler a number of monuments belonging to Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the erstwhile rulers of the place. It also has a number of ancient Hindu temples and a few monuments built by the British. Whitefield Ashram, the summer abode of the Shri Sathya Sai Baba, 20 km east of Bangalore, and the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Temple Complex are important spiritual centers, worth paying a visit.