India Tourism - Destination India - Karnataka - Bangalore
 
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BANGALORE GUIDE

Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. It is called the Garden City for it's delicate blossoms and greenery that impart a unique beauty to this lovely city. The weather is the city's best feature, with pleasant summers and bearable winters. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city, where different cultures and customs exist. Kempe Gowda founded the city in 1537 - today it is a bustling and diverse city, with ancient arts that flourish alongside the Silicon Plateau of India!

Bangalore Guide Bangalore Hotels Bangalore Sightseeing Bangalore Packages
       
Bangalore Guide Bangalore Hotels Bangalore Sightseeing Bangalore Packages
       
BANGALORE TOURIST INFORMATION :-
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 betwen the coasts in southern India. Surprisingly, despite some adverse environmental impact of industrial development in Bangalore, another of its nicknames is "The Garden City". That's thanks to many local parks, along with pink cassias, golden acacias, and jacarandas which bloom throughout the city. Many international visitors come to Bangalore for its excellent schools and universities, such as the Indian Institute of Science. While enjoying the warm weather year-around, tourists can also use the city as a central base for day trips to other Karnataka attractions. And Bangalore doesn't only produce fine silk and software. "The Fruit Market of the South" is great for grapes, mangoes and guavas.
 
BANGALORE HISTORY :-
Pottery dating back to 4000 BCE and silver coins of Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius and Claudius have been excavated in and around present-day Bangalore district, but have not revealed much about its then inhabitants. The inscription stone found near Begur reveals, that the district was part of the Ganga kingdom ruled from Gangavadi until 1004 and was known as 'Benga-val-oru', the City of Guards in old Kannada. The Cholas of Tamil Nadu captured the city in 1015 AD and collected taxes through the local chieftans until 1116. The district came under the rule of the Hoysalas until the establishment of the Vijayanagara empire in 1336. Kempe Gowda I (1510 - 1570), whose ancestor had immigrated from Kancheepuram to the neighborhood of Bangalore due to a personal feud with the chief of Kancheepuram established the city of Bangalore under the Vijayanagar empire. The document describing the city as he conceptualised it, written in Telugu the commonly spoken language of this region, is still preserved. This language is still spoken in the villages of Bangalore, Yelahanka, Devanahalli, Doddaballapur, Hoskote, Anekal and Hosur districts. After the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, Bangalore changed hands several times. It was captured by the Maratha chief Shahaji Bhonsle, father of Shivaji, then working for the Adil Shahi sultans of Bijapur in 1638. During the siege of Bangalore, Shivaji's elder brother Shambaji was treacherously killed by Shahaji's rivals, led by the Ghorpade of Mudhol, for which Shivaji was to later exact a terrible revenge. After conquering the Sultanate of Bijapur, the Mughals then conquered Bangalore, which was then ruled by Shivaji's brother Vyankoji Bhonsale as a jagir (fief) of Bijapur in 1686; Vyankoji retreated further south. The Mughals in turn leased Bangalore to the subsidiary Kingdom of Mysore's ruler Chikkadeva Rayya Wodeyar in 1689. In 1759, the Wodeyar's Commander-in-Chief Haider Ali made himself the de facto ruler of the Mysore Kingdom, including Bangalore, but maintained the Wodeyars as a figurehead. When Hyder Ali died, his son Tipu Sultan deposed the weak Wodeyar, proclaimed himself Sultan and renamed the kingdom as the Sultanate of Khodadad (Khodadad or Khudadad means "given by God"). Under Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali the state made economic progress and trade with many foreign nations flourished from the ports of Mangalore. The French under Napoleon had promised to drive the British from India. Tipu successfully stalled the British in the first, second and third Anglo-Mysore Wars. Tipu, however, was defeated ultimately killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
 
BANGALORE AT A GLANCE :-
Bangalore Facts & Figures
State Karnataka
Area 1280 km² 
Population 6,532,577
Altitude 920 metres
Languages Kannada, Hindi and English
Density 5,103/km²
Climate Temperate and Salubrious
Literacy 75.42%
Rainfall 940 mm
Green Cover 40%
 
HOTELS IN BANGALORE :-

Hotel ITC Windsor Sheraton

 Hotel Nalapad Hotel Taj Gateway Hotel Le Meridien
Hotel Oberoi Hotel Ramnashree Hotel Comfort Infantry Hotel Grand Ashok
Hotel Taj Residency Hotel Leela Palace Hotel Rama Hotel Comfort Vijay
Bangalore International Hotel Taj Westend Hotel Park Hotel Ramnashree Calirifornia
 
BANGALORE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS :-
Lal Bagh Garden Tipu Summer Palace Vidhan Soudha Nandi
Chamundi Hill Janapada Arts Museum Halebid Belur
Mysore NrityBangalorem Village Somnathpur Sravanbelgola
Srirangapatnam      
 
BANGALORE TRAVEL INFO :-
By Air -Bangalore is accessible by air, road, and rail. Bangalore Airport is 13 km east of the City Station. It is also a stopover for many international flights.

By Rail - Bangalore is connected to the rest of the country both by metre gauge and broad gauge rail services. lt is an important railway station on the southern railway network. There are two railway stations in Bangalore. The main station is well connected to all major Indian cities.

By Road - Bangalore is connected by road with national highways throughout the country. Bangalore has a large bus terminus, which is near the railway station. All types of tourist buses are easily available on hire.
 
BANGALORE FAIRS AND FESTIVALS :-
Fairs and festivals are celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervor to invoke divine blessings as well as for the sheer joy of living. A celebration of life at its best.

Karaga festival : It is celebrated in March and April. Karaga, an earthen pot embodying Shakti is taken out in a night procession for more than 12miles before being immersed in the Sampangi tank. Devotees balance pots on their heads to test the strength of their character. A priest attired as a woman also does the same thing in the main temple procession.

Kadalekaye Parishe : It is celebrated in November. It is also called Peanut festival as the farmers celebrate the first groundnut crop of the year. The local farmers worship at the Bull temple and seek blessings. Makara Sankranthi or Pongal :It is known in the South, is celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvest season. People believe that the first rays of the sun on Sankranthi will bring them a good harvest. It is also celebrated to mark the change of seasons from winter to spring.

Yugadi : The Kannadiga New Year day of Yugadi falls on the second half of March or early April is celebrated with devotion and delight. This day is considered very auspicious to start new ventures. The festival begins with ritual bath and prayers and continues till late night. It is generally held that Brahma created the world on this day. Also Lord Vishnu is said to incarnate himself, as Matsya. Brahma is the chief deity worshipped this day. Ugadi also signifies the advent of spring with colorful blossoms, green fields all heralding a new beginning. The vibrancy of life signifying growth, prosperity and well-being filling the hearts of people with joy and contentment. On Ugadi the predictions are made for the New Year among the chanting of mantras. The preparations are made a week ahead with houses given a thorough wash and shopping for new clothes. People also decorate the entrance of their houses with fresh mango leaves and draw colorful floral designs in front of the houses.

Varamahalakshmi : The annual Lakshmi Pooja is celebrated all over Karnataka in August. The origin of this puja lies in the Vedic age. On this auspicious day married women make offerings to Mother Lakshmi in the form of garlands of cash, jewellary and other valuables. They pray for prosperity, peace and happiness for their families and husbands. All financial problems are said to be solved after performing this puja. People meet each other and women perform puja together. It is also customary to offer vermilion or kum-kum to at least five married ladies.
 
BANGALORE CULTURE :-

Bangalore's rich cultural heritage combined with its technological and industrial achievements has made it one of India's most happening cities. Culturally also Bangalore is witnessing the revival of traditional art in the form of dance, drama and art. Almost every aspect of painting, pottery, weaving or theatre has been restored and exists for us to enjoy creating an incredible fusion of the old and the new. The IT boom and intense corporate activity has attracted people from all over as bees to the honeycomb. It has become a melting pot for many cultures giving it a rich cosmopolitan character. The city offers something for every one-recreation areas, pubs and magical nightlife, quick getaways and big shopping malls, thriving arts and entertainment scene. It has become the style capital of the country in a true sense. Bangalore's fancy restaurants dish out everything from Mexican to Polynesian fare with cool and sunny skyline playing perfect host.
 
BANGALORE SHOPPING :-

If you enjoy shopping, you will enjoy Bangalore. From the air-conditioned ambience of super stores like Shopper's Stop and Kemp Fort to the bustling by-lanes of Chickpet, Bangalore has something to offer every kind of shopper. You could find yourself shopping for some of the biggest brands in the world while strolling down Brigade Road, or you could be engaged in friendly haggling with a shopkeeper for an exquisite silk sari somewhere in the City Market. Whether you are looking for Kancheepuram silk or Swarovski crystal, chances are you will find it in Bangalore. You just need to know where to look.
 
BANGALORE CUISINE :-
Bangalore is a paradise for those who love good food. The city offers a wide choice of cuisines, from the traditional to the exotic. You can try the simple but excellent fare offered at the several "idli" shops, and the numerous bakeries. For a hearty meal, the city is home to several restaurants serving anything from continental to Chinese cuisine. To most people today, eating is more convenience than a luxury. A wholesome, hygienic meal can be had for as little as Rs. 20/- at a string of Darshanis, or if you have deep pockets, you can spend a few thousands at any of the star restaurants. Check out 'Bangalorebest' Wine & Dine above. Have a nice time and a great meal. Bars close at 11 p.m (last orders by 10.30 p.m). Some restaurants stay open till midnight. Eating out after pub closing time is best in the 24 hour coffee shops or at the bigger hotels.
 
BANGALORE LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT :-

Bangalore offers the hard working IT professional a variety of ways to unwind and relax. From watching the latest Hollywood releases in the comfort of some of the best theatres in the country to parasailing at the Jakkur aerodrome, in Bangalore you can do it all. So whether you prefer outdoor activity, pub hopping, eating out, dancing or just relaxing by the pool at a swanky resort with your family, Bangalore offers you a host of choices.
 
BANGALORE RACES :-
The Bangalore Race Course is one of the finest in India. Some of the biggest field stakes can be witnessed here. The racing season lasts from November to March and May and June.
 
 

 
 

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