Bangalore: The city of contrasts

Charming colonial architecture, lush green gardens, astonishing museums, the uninitiated may think about an old hill station from British era. But the destination we are talking about is Bangalore.

Fast, uber-modern crowd, technological hub, beer capital, rock concerts – these are the more common labels associated with Bangalore but the city is a wonderful blend of the new and the old. It perfectly combines its old world charm with the rapid pace of life expected from the IT capital of India.

Renowned as the Garden city of India, Bangalore’s numerous parks and gardens, balmy weather, museums, temples and ancient lanes are a perfect foil for the fact that it is also one of the fastest growing cosmopolitans in world.

Bangalore’s history

According to legend, an old woman lived in this area had offered a humble meal of baked beans (“Benda Kalu” in Kannada) to the hungry King Veeraballa of Vijaynagara who had lost his way. The king, satiated with the meal, called the place “Benda Kalu Ooru” (land of baked beans) and hence the name Bengaluru.

The history of present day Bangalore dates back to early 16th century. It was during that time when Kempegowda, a local chief, built a small mud fort here. By 18th century, Bangalore had gained prominence as a major fort city under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore. The British took over Bangalore city after defeating Tipu Sultan and in 1831, it was made regional administrative city with a big cantonment.

On the other hand, numerous shopping malls, swanky restaurants and pubs, business opportunities, IT parks, etc. are the defining aspects of modern day Bangalore. The city has something for everyone: music and dance concerts (Western and Indian), theatre, dramas, exhibitions, carnivals, conferences and more.

Tourist Attractions in the City

While Bangalore is perfectly placed as a gateway to  a longer journey through southern India, the city itself has a lot to offer:

• The central attraction of the city remains the Vidhan Soudha or the State Secretariat which was built in 1954. A brilliant blend of modern architecture and traditional Dravidian styles, the secretariat is a sight to behold.
• Near the secretariat itself, is the 120-hectare Cubbon Park, which houses a number of neo-classical styled government buildings.
• The Government Museum of Bangalore (one of India’s oldest museums) and the Visvesvaraya Technological and Industrial Museum draw large number of visitors.
• The 16th-century, Dravidian-styled temple in Nandi hills, Venkataramanaswamy Temple, the Gavi Gangadhareswara Cave temple, and the Someshwara Temple appeal to the travellers seeking a spiritual refuge in the fact paced life of Bangalore.
• The northeastern edge of the city is flanked by the gorgeous Ulsoor Lake, which is an important picnic spot for the city dwellers.
• The southern part of the city is home to the iconic Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens where a number of flower shows are organized each year, the most prominent one being on the Republic Day.
• Those seeking a blast of past should visit the 18th-century fort and palace of Tipu Sultan.