Bangalore

Introduction

Bangalore, also called Bengaluru, by the locals, was made the capital of Karnataka in 1830. The city was named “Bengaluru” in 2006. People started moving to Bangalore in the 1950s as the state offered employment opportunities. In the late 1990s, many IT companies set their offices in Bangalore. Hence, the city is also known as the IT capital of India.

Bangalore is also known as the garden city of India. The city houses numerous lush-green gardens and parks. Apart from being close to nature, the city also accommodates countless IT companies and hence is also called “Silicon Valley.” Bangalore is loved for its culture, food, climate, and nightlife. There are many places to visit near Bangalore and in the city as well.

OVERVIEW

Location: Karnataka

Nearest Airport: Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore

How to reach: by air/road/train

Famous for: Vidhan Soudha, Bangalore Palace, Pubs, IT Hubs

Best time to visit: All year round

WHAT TO SEE

Vidhan Soudha,Bangalore Palace

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace,National Gallery of Modern Art

Lalbagh Botanical Garden,Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Government Museum, ISKON Temple, Bull Temple

Details

Apart from being called the IT hub and garden city, the place is also known as the cultural hub. This is because the city is home to people coming from different geographical backgrounds. The main languages spoken in the city include English, Kanada, Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu. There are countless restaurants and cafes in the city which serve all possible cuisines. The city encourages traditional dance and music as well as offers a happening nightlife.

Places of interest:

Vidhan Soudha: It is located in the northwestern end of the famous Cubbon park. The architecture is based on Neo-Dravidian designs. The place was built in 1954. Currently, Vidhan Soudha is used by the state government as a legislative building. This place has gates in all four directions.

Bangalore palace: It has a close resemblance to the Windsor Castle in England. The palace was developed by Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar in 1878. The palace has stained glass windows, beautiful architecture, lush green gardens, intricate carvings, and attracts a lot of tourists. There are many portraits and paintings inside the palace, which are from the 19th and 20th centuries. The palace also serves as a venue for some amazing cultural events, shows, and concerts.

Tipu Sultan’s summer palace: Tipu Sultan, an Indian ruler, used to spend summer in this palace. The palace was built in 1791, and the architecture of the palace leaves the tourists in awe. The interiors were designed by taking inspiration from the Indo-Islamic designs. Tourists must definitely visit this majestic palace.

National Gallery of Modern Art Museum: This place is a heaven for all art and history lovers. The gallery houses artwork which dates back to the 18th century. The museum exhibits work of some famous people like Raja Ravi Verma and Rabindranath Tagore. The place also conducts frequent film screenings and has an in-house cafe.

Lalbagh botanical garden: This lush-green garden is situated in the heart of the city. This place takes people one step closer to nature and is one of the most loved tourist attractions. The place houses a wide variety of plant species. Tourists admire the glasshouse built in the 19th century.

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath: It is an institution for young artists and an art gallery. This place is a must-visit for art lovers as it houses a huge collection of traditional, Indian, folk, contemporary, and modern art. The place was opened in 1960 and had 13 museums and five art galleries.

ISKCON Temple: The main deity of this temple is Lord Krishna. It is one of the largest temples. The beautiful interior and the positive vibes leave any tourist enthralled.

Bull Temple: This temple was built in the sixteenth century. Nandi (bull) is the main idol in this temple. The bull idol has been carved from single granite stone and is almost six meters long. The idol is decorated with fresh flowers.

Nearby attractions:

Nandi Hills: There are many places to visit near Bangalore, and one of the most popular destinations is the Nandi hills. It is located almost 60km away from the city. Traveling to the peak of the hill can be a bit tedious, but the view is definitely worth it. The best time to reach the peak is before sunrise or sunset to get a glorious view.

Srirangapatna: It is a small town in Karnataka. It is a two-hour drive from Bangalore. One can take a train, bus, or taxi to reach this town. Tourists can visit Ranganathaswamy temple, bird sanctuary, Balmuri falls, and Dariya Daulat Palace.

Other attractions:

Street shopping: Tourists can indulge in street shopping while visiting Bangalore. The place has some good shopping places like commercial street, MG road, etc. The commercial street offers a huge variety of sarees, blouses, accessories, bags, shoes, and many more items for affordable prices. Tourists can shop for clothes, shoes, sunglasses, from MG road.

Pub capital of India: Bangalore is known and loved for its nightlife. There are many pubs across the city. Some of the famous and happening Sherlock, Plan B, Pecos, and Toit. Plan B offers amazing meat-based dishes and 90s vibe as the place plays old songs. Toit is the most crowded pub, and it offers an amazing party vibe and delicious food like lamb, fig and cheese pizza, and Toit steak. Pecos offers old rock songs, great food, and amazing drinks. Sherlock pleases the people with its beautiful interior, delectable food, old classics, and great drinks. Bangalore pubs will never fail to give the perfect party feel. They are, however, most famous for the draught beer.

Where to stay:

Ritz Carlton Bangalore: It is a five-star hotel located in the heart of the city. It is just 1 mile away from the famous tourist attraction, Cubbon Park. The hotel offers a comfortable stay and is loved by people for its architecture and food. The place has multi-cuisine restaurants that serve delectable food. The interior ofRitz Carlton Bangalore is a mixture of modern and traditional designs that make it exquisite.

Taj Westend: Taj Westend Bangalore is a five-star hotel which is located near the racecourse road. The hotel is spread across 20 acres and is surrounded by lush green gardens. The hotel has around 117 rooms, which offer a luxurious stay. The hotel also offers other amenities like restaurants, spa, garden, and swimming pool.

Conrad: This five-star is located in the heart of Bangalore city. The 24 story hotel has around 285 rooms. The rooms are well-equipped with basic and modern amenities and offer a comfortable stay to the guests. The hotel also provides other amenities like an infinity pool, spa, salon, restaurants, and ballroom.

ITC Gardenia: ITC Gardenia is a 5-star luxury hotel that offers a memorable stay to its guests. The hotel is located in Ashok Nagar and is quite close to many tourist attractions. Gardenia is 4km from Bangalore railway station and 35km away from Bangalore International airport. The hotel offers luxurious and comfortable rooms. Other amenities in the hotel include seven in-house restaurants, helipad, swimming pool, spa, and shuttle services.

Tourists can also check out some other options like Leela palace Bangalore, Radisson, The Park, JW Marriott Bangalore, and many more.