The Silicon Valley and IT Capital of India, Bangalore is a combination of sorts. Popularly known as the Garden City, Bangalore derives its name from 'Bendakaaluroo,' a name fondly given by King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty. The name went through a number of transformations, before it landed in its present form. This hip cosmopolitan city has grown in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years. However, it has maintained its essence and roots, adapting well to the needs and norms of growth and culture. The pulse of the city can be felt along the upmarket streets of Mahatma Gandhi Road (M.G.Road), Brigade Road and Commercial Street.
Air: Bangalore has a domestic and International airport. Bangalore is linked to Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata , Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Tiruvananthapuram by air. Several international airlines operate flights from Bangalore to the US, UK, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. Bangalore airport is 13 km north of the city centre.
Rail: The nearest rail junction is Bangalore.
Road: Bangalore has a good network of roads.
What to see?
Aquarium: To get a good idea of the variety of fish located in the ocean around India and the tropics generally, a visit to this wet world is a must do activity especially if you are travelling with children. You'll find the building in the wonderfully popular Cubbon Park.
Bangalore Palace: Set in the middle of the greenery of a sprawling garden is the Maharaja's Bangalore Palace. Constructed in 1887 on the lines of the medieval castles of England and Normandy, Bangalore Palace resembles the Windsor castle.
Bull Temple: A typical Dravidian style temple, built by Kempe Gowda. It has a mammoth monolithic bull 4.5m height and 6.5m long. The Nandi bull is revered for being the vahana (vehicle) of Shiva.
Cubbon Park: In 1864 Sir Richard Shankey, the chief engineer of Mysore, laid out the Cubbon Park. It was named after the longest serving Commissioner of Bangalore - Sir Mark Cubbon. A lush grassy expanse with flowerbeds, shady bowers and flowering trees, Cubbon Park is a haven for thousands of strollers and breeze seekers and although not really a place to escape the masses totally, can offer tranquillity from the city itself.
Lal Bagh: Spread over 240 acres of flowering parkland. Lal Bagh has a rare collection of tropical and sub-tropical trees, plants and herbs to quench the thirst of both layman and horticulturist. Hyder Ali was the force behind laying out the park in 17th century. But Tipu Sultan was responsible for enriching the vast collection by importing several specimens from Afghanistan, France and Persia.
ISKCON Temple Complex: This temple is an exquisite blend of modern and traditional South Indian Temple architecture. The temple houses people taking short term courses offered here. Its structure is one of the most beautiful in Bangalore and a visit is well worth it.
Foodie
International Cuisine can be savoured at any of the following eateries: The Peacock, Tycoons, Manhattans, Madison Square, The Regency, Shezwan.Continental Food can be found at the Lotus, Jockey Club and Le Jardin among others.South Indian Good places for top meals of this kind can be found at Karavalli or Coconut Groove among many others in the city.North Indian If you after something more along north Indian dishes then either the Bankura Punjabi Restaurant or the Peacock Garden will certainly cater to this taste.Vegetarian Discover all the wonderful dishes you can have that are purely vegetarian. The Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), Udupi Sri Krishna Bhavan, Woodlands, Kamat Hotel, and many more.
Nightlife
Some of the famous spots for nightlife enjoyment are the Pubs Black Cadillac, The Pub World, NASA, The Underground, Guzzler's Inn, The Night Watchman, Take 5, Hi-Spirits, Scottish Pub, Pecos, Oaken Cask, Cheers, High Octane, Noon Wine, Time 'n' Again, The Pub, Crossroads, 19th Church Street, Downtown, The Brigade Pub or Oasis.
Shopping
Commercial Street is one of Bangalore's busiest commercial areas. While garment, hosiery and textile stores are in a majority here, you can also find shops selling shoes, art supplies, stationery, novelties, jewellery, travel kits, sports and general goods.
Mahatma Gandhi Road Known as South Parade in the days of British rule, Mahatma Gandhi Road still retains its old world charm, while at the same time exuding the energetic, modern spirit of India's Silicon Valley. Here you can get everything from electronic equipment to books, magazines, photography supplies, silk saris, antiques, textiles, garments and general goods. Shopping Centres to look out for on M. G. Road are Shrungar Shopping Complex, Barton Court, Public Utility Building, Spencer's Super Market, the Coir Board showroom, Natesan's Antiquarts, Kids Kemp, Saree Kemp, Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium and others.
Brigade Road Extremely popular with the youth, Brigade Road is a beehive of commercial activity. You can get anything here from electronic equipment like TV sets and music systems to refrigerators, garments, pots and pans, toys, music and shoes. Also located on Brigade road is Poom Puhar, the Tamil Nadu handicrafts showroom.
Residency Road here you can find steel furniture and other handicraft in metal, clay and wood. Quite a few government handicrafts emporia are located on this road. Some of these are: Gangotri, the Uttar Pradesh Government Handicrafts showroom, offering brassware, wooden furniture, jewellery, etc.
Language tips:
Yes : Howdu
No : Illa
Thank you : Dhanyavada
Please : Dayavittu
Excuse me : Kshamisi
Hello : Namaskara
Goodbye : Hogi baruve
I do not understand : Nanage Artha vaagtha illa
What is your name : Nimma Hesaru Enu
How are you : Neevu hege ideera
What is the price : Adara bele estu
The Silicon Valley and IT Capital of India, Bangalore is a combination of sorts. Popularly known as the Garden City, Bangalore derives its name from 'Bendakaaluroo,' a name fondly given by King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty. The name went through a number of transformations, before it landed in its present form. This hip cosmopolitan city has grown in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years. However, it has maintained its essence and roots, adapting well to the needs and norms of growth and culture. The pulse of the city can be felt along the upmarket streets of Mahatma Gandhi Road (M.G.Road), Brigade Road and Commercial Street.
