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Vibrant Bangalore   

by: Debbie Salcedo

The capital of the Indian state of Karnataka, Bangalore, is one of the major industrial and commercial centers of the country.

Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of the country, center of India's software industry. Other major industries also include aircraft, electronics and machine tools. Despite being one of Asia's fastest growing cities, Bangalore remains one of the most elegant cities in India. With tree - lined avenues, a large number of parks, gardens and lakes, Bangalore is aptly called India's “Garden City”.

The city attracts people in large numbers, from all over the country, and abroad, who have come to look for better job opportunities, and higher education. Surprisingly, all this frantic industrial expansion and increase in the population, has not diminished any of Bangalore’s old-world appeal.

What to See

Vidhana Soudha

The Vidhana Soudha is one of the most splendid architectural creations, India can boast of. Located at the northwest end of Cubbon Park, it is a granite structure built in the neo-Dravidian style of architecture. Conceived and executed by Kengak Hanumanthaiya, the then Chief Minister, it houses both the State Legislature and Secretariat.

 

Gardens

Bangalore is also renowned for its beautiful sprawling gardens, the notable of which are the Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park.

Spread over an area of 240 acres, Lal Bagh contains a wide variety of plants and trees, a deer park, and one of the largest collections of rare tropical and sub-tropical plants, in the country. One of the latest additions to the park’s attractions is the Glass House, a huge conservatory, which serves as the venue for the annual flower, vegetable and fruit shows.

Cubbon Park, covers an area of 300 acres. Within its premises are the Public Library, the High Court, the Government Museum and the Visveswaraiah Technological & Industrial Museum. The Government Museum, one of the oldest in India, came into being in 1886, and houses collections of coins, art, relics from the Mohenjodaro and also, some pieces from Halebid and Vijayanagar Periods.

Palaces and Temples

Located near the City Market, are the remains of a fort dating back to the days of Hyder Ali. There is also, Tipu Sultan's summer palace, an elaborately decorated structure, with ornate arches and minarets.
      
Bangalore boasts of some of the oldest, and most beautiful temples in the country. Adjoining Tipu's summer palace is the Venkataramanaswamy Temple, a 300-year old temple built by the Wodeyars, which is still in very good condition.

The Bull Temple, built by Kempe Gowda, may be found in Basavangudi at the south of Bangalore. The centerpiece is a massive 15-foot Basava or bull carved from a single boulder.

Another impressive temple is the Gavi Gangadhareswara temple, an unusual cave temple. It has been designed in such a manner so that, on the festival of Sankranti, the rays of the sun pass between the horns of a Nandi Bull placed outside the temple, and thereby, illuminate the image of Lord Shiva.

The city also has its share of serene lakes, the principal amongst them being, the Ulsoor Lake, which also has boating facilities. The other lakes around Bangalore are the Sankey Tank, the Yediyur Tank and the Lal Bagh Lake.


To Get There

Bangalore is well connected to all the major cities of the country, by air, rail and road.

Where to Stay

Some of the hotels available for accommodation in the city are: Taj Residency, The Oberoi, West End Hotel, Hotel Ashok and Hotel New Victoria.