Places to Visit in Bangalore

[RobCleaver]

I will be in Bangalore in July and am being sent there by the company I work for. I will have the regular working hours but will also have some free time on me too, which I would like to spend sightseeing.

I would like to know the places to visit in Bangalore, which you think are worth visiting.
I don't want to go too far out of Bangalore, and if there is a place to visit which you think which is quite far away, please mention how far it is, so I can go at the right time keeping in mind the time it would take to visit the place.

 

[Kritika]

Yeah if you are in tight schedule than it would be better to go such places where travelling time is minimum. Therefor my bet is on Cubbon Park, amidst city , a place with almost everything that will make your visit worth. Then you can go to Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain, situated just opposite to Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, and close to Cubbon Park, Lal Bagh, and on off days you could visit Nandi Hills located at a distance of 60 Km from Bangalore. Apart from that there are many other places like
Tipu's Palace and Fort
Bangalore Palace
Crazy Amusement Water park
Wonderla Amusement Park
Moreover, Bangalore is very famous for Nightlife so you can go to some of the cool places in Bangalore for Rock, Jazz or some energetic pubs with great food (local/ continental), and ambience. Have a colourful stay in Bangalore. Thanks

 

[briannagodess]

Hello there, welcome to the forum!

Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. It is located at about 900 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest in elevation in the major cities in the country. It is sometimes referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, due to its role as the country's leading exporter of information technology. Bangalore also ranks as the fourth when in the country, when it comes to GDP contribution. Here are the best attractions in the city of Bangalore:

Religious

• Dodda Ganeshana Gudi Temple - This is also known as the Nandi Temple. It is located in the Bull Temple Road in the south of Bangalore. You can find it inside the Bugle Rock. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu demigod, Nandi, a close devotee and attendee of Lord Shiva. It is supposed to be the biggest temple dedicated to Nandi in the whole world. The stone cult image of Nandi is continually covered with benne. This temple was built in 1537 by Kempe Gowda.

• Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple - This is also known as the Gavipuram Cave Temple. This was built in the 16th century by Kempe Gowda. The temple was built in a natural cave which was cut into a monolithic stone. The courtyard of the temple also contains several monolithic structures. One of the main attractions in the temple is the two granite pillars that support the giant disk of the sun and moon. There are also two more pillars holding a Nandi structure on top. Every year, in the middle of January, on the Makar Sankranti Day, the temple experiences a surge in visitors. This is because this special day is when the sun rays fall on the Shivalinga for one hour as it passes between the horns of the Nandi.

• Surayanarayana Temple - This is also known as the Sun Temple of Bangalore. It is located in the Domlur area of Bangalore. It was built in 1995 by Shri Patel DR Krishna Reddy. The idol of the presiding deity, Surya, is about 3.25 feet in height. There are also idols of Kashyapa and Aditi below the idol of Surya. You can also find other idols of deities such as Lord Brahma, Nagaraja, Ugranarasimha, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Vaishnavi, Panchamukhi Ganesha and Adi Sheshasayi. It is best visited during the annual Suryanarayana Swamy, when the idol is carried out in a chariot by the pilgrims.

• Shivoham Shiva Temple - This is located at the Old Airport Road in Bangalore. It was built in 1995 by Ravi Melwani after he had a vision from God to build a Shiva Temple. He didn't have the money back then but he didn't lose hope and finally, was able to find a suitable land for the temple. The entrance gate of the temple has a shivalinga which is about 25 feet, supposed to be the biggest of its kind in the city. There's also a statue of Lord Shiva, with the Ganga River flowing out of his locks, also one of its kind in the country. The healing stones, two bell pillars facing the statue of Lord Shiva, are believed to have healing powers.

• Ghati Subramanya Temple - This is located in Tubagere, about 60 kilometres away from Bangalore. The temple is believed to be 600 years old already, built around the rule of the Ghorpade. The prime deity of the temple is Lord Karthikeya along with Lord Narasimha. The idol of Lord Karthikeya with a seven-headed cobra is made through a single stone. They are both placed in the temple as according to mythology, both their idols came from the Earth.

• Dakshina Mukha Nandi Tirtha Kalyani Kshetra - This is located on the northwestern area of Bangalore. It is also known as the Nandi Tirtha. There's a unique Nandi stone here which is positioned facing the south, hence the name of the temple, Dakshina Mukha Nandi which means South Facing Nandi. There is a continuous stream of water flowing out of the Nandi stone, hence the name Tirtha. This water then flows into a tank, which is known as Kalyani in the local language. The origin of the temple is not known though locals believe it to be 7,000 years old already. The temple is dedicate to the Lord Shiva but there is also a shrine dedicated to Ganesha here.

• Shri Mukshi Naga Kshetra - This is located in Ramohalli, about 18 kilometres away from Bangalore. The temple has the largest statue of Lord Naga, at about 16 feet tall and 36 tons of weight. The temple is fairly new but the location has been known as the home of the Serpent God for a long time already. As per the legend, devotees has to make 9 pradakshinas around the anthill where the serpent resides to have their wishes fulfilled within 90 days. Even now, devotees still do this ritual before visiting the temple. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Subramanya in the Naga avatar.

• Kadu Malleshwara Temple - This temple was built in the 17th century by Venkoji, brother of the Shivaji. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The temple is located in the Malleshwaram locality of Bangalore. Shiva is known as Mallikarjun in the temple. The tirtha of the temple is believed to be the source of the Vrishabhavathi River.

• Infant Jesus Shrine - This church was built in the year 1969 by Rev. Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy. In 1971, Rev. Fr. L. Peter brought the statue of the Infant Jesus from the Sacred Heart Shrine to this church. Finally, in 1979, the church was inaugurated, headed by Rev. Dr. D. S. Lourduswamy. However, the present structure was only inaugurated in 2005 by Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras. The church was witnessed many miracles making it one of the most visited ones in Bangalore.

• St. Mark's Cathedral - This is located at the western end of the Mahatma Gandhi Road. The foundation for the cathedral was laid in 1808 but it was only completed in 1812. The Bishop of Calcutta consecrated the building in 1816. The church then underwent a series of renovations and reconstructions. The cathedral also houses some memorials for several British soldiers and officers. The church has a dome, semi-circular chancel and Roman arches. Its entrance has elaborate woodwork with delicate carvings. The stained glasswork is also quite tastefully done. The bell in the church is also one of the most maintained ones in the country.

Meditation

• Pyramid Valley - This is located in Kebbedoddi, about 30 kilometres away from Bangalore. This is a meditation centre founded by Brahmarshi Patriji in the year 2003. It is also known as Maitreya-Buddha Vishwalayam. It is an ideal place for meditation and relaxation and has even been named as one of the seven wonders of Bangalore. The pyramid can accommodate up to 5,000 people at a single time. There are accommodation options within the pyramid itself. There are also dining facilities within it.

Historical

• Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace - This was the summer residence of the Mysorean leader, Tipu Sultan. It was Hyder Ali who commissioned the building of the palace but it was only finished during the reign of Tipu Sultan in 1791. It is located in Old Bangalore, near the Kalasipalyam Bus Stand. The palace was made using teak and has arches, pillars and balconies. In the first floor, there are four small rooms which were used as Zenana Quarters. The walls of the palace are adorned with beautiful floral motifs. Now, the ground floor houses a museum showcasing the achievements of Tipu Sultan along with the crown and royal clothes of the ruler.

• Vidhana Soudha - This is the seat of the legislature of Karnataka, which was completed in 1956. The construction and planning of the building can be credited to Kengal Hanumanthaiah. This is the largest legislative building in the country, with about four floors above and one floor below ground level. The building is best visited during Sundays when it is illuminated during night time.

• Attara Kacheri or Karnataka High Court - This is the high court of the state of Karnataka. The court is located in Attara Kacheri, a red brick building. The high court was established in 1881 and was then known as Chief Court of Mysore. In 1973, its name was changed to Karnataka High Court. The Attara Kacheri building was established earlier though, at about 1868.

• Devanahalli Fort - This is located 35 kilometres north of Bangalore. It was built in 1501 by Mallabairegowda. In 1749, the fort was conquered by Nanjarajaiah. Later, the fort was captured by Hyder Ali and then, Tipu Sultan. In 1791, Lord Cornwallis captured the fort. The fort has many temples inside, namely: the Venugopalaswamy Temple, the Siddalingeshwara Temple, the Raghavendraswamy Math and the Chandramouleshwara Temple. You can also find the houses of Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and Dewan Purnaiah inside the fort.

• Bangalore Fort - This started out as mud fort in 1537, built by Kempe Gowda I. In 1761, Hyder Ali reconstructed the fort and turned it into a stone fort. After the fort was seized by the British, it was destroyed. And now, only the Delhi Gate and two bastions remain in the fort. Many structures were present inside the fort which were all destroyed by the British like a church, cemetery and school.

• Bangalore Palace - This palace was built by Rev. J. Garrett, the first principal of the Central High School. Its construction was started in 1862 and was completed in 1944. In 1873 AD, the palace was bought by Chamaraja Wodeyar. The palace was built using a Tudor style of architecture, complete with fortified towers, turrets and battlements. The interiors were tastefully done, with carvings, floral motifs and paintings. The palace has many rooms, halls, ballroom and a sprawling ground.

• Mayo Hall - This is a stone and mortar structure located next to the Public Utility Building in Bangalore. It was inaugurated by the British in 1883. The hall houses pictures of noble men of the British government. The first floor houses exquisite and elegant furnitures. Because of its location on a hill, it offers a panoramic view of the Parade Grounds and Ulsoor Lake on the one side and then, the Shoolay Lake, Race Course and Brigade Grounds in the south.

Nature

• Lal Bagh - This garden is located in the southern part of Bangalore. It was originally constructed by Hyder Ali but was finished by Tipu Sultan. The construction for the garden was commissioned in 1760 but it took many years for it to be completed. The garden has over 240 acres of land and has over 1,000 species of plants. The Lal Bagh Rock is one of the oldest rock formations in the world, believed to be traced back about 3,000 million years ago. Every year, during the week of Republic day and Independence day, flower shows are conducted in the garden to educate people about the importance of plant conservation.

• Cubbon Park - This park was built in 1870, under the leadership of Major General Richard Sankey. Originally, it was named as Meade’s Park, after Sir John Meade, the acting Commissioner of Mysuru in 1870. However, it was later changed to Cubbon Park, after the longest serving commissioner which is Sir Mark Cubbon. In 1927, it was renamed again as Sri Chamarajendra Park, after Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar. There's a total of around 6,000 plants in the park.

• Bannerghatta National Park - This was founded in 1970 but was declared as a national park in 1974. In the year 2002, it became a biological reserve as well. The attractions of the park are: a zoo, a pet corner, an animal rescue centre, a butterfly enclosure, an aquarium, a snake house and a safari park. You can find the park about 22 kilometres south of Bangalore. Some of the animals commonly spotted in the park are elephants, gaurs, leopards, jackals, wild boars, spotted deers and many more.

• Lumbini Gardens - This is a waterfront leisure park in Bangalore. It is located on the banks of the Nagavara Lake. The park has a number of dry rides, water rides, wave pool and even boating rides for guests. Boat rides consist of pedal boats, general boats, battery boats and many more. There's even a coffee boat ride where you can enjoy sipping a cup of coffee while boating. Dry rides include a merry-go-round, toy train, battery operated cars, caterpillar ride and Columbus ride. There is also a food court with a wide variety of foods and snacks for guests.

• MN Krishna Rao Park - This is one of the oldest parks in Bangalore. It was named after MN Krishna Rao, Dewan of Mysore, who donated money for the construction of the park. The park houses some very large and old trees which provide some shades to guests. The park is popular amongst joggers and even families.

• Bangalore Aquarium - This is also known as the Government Aquarium. It was established in 1983 and is the second largest aquarium in the country. The aquarium has three floors: the first floor has the office and laboratory space with 14 huge tanks while the second floor has about 69 tanks. Some of the aquatic species you can see here are eels, mahseers, freshwater prawns and blue gouramis.

• Jayaprakash Narayan Biodiversity Park - This is also known as the JP Park. You can find it in Mathikere in the northwest area of Bangalore. The park has four lakes and is set amidst 25 acres of land. It was opened in 2006 by the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, H.D. Kumaraswamy. It is the third biggest park in Bangalore, after the Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh. The park has exotic and aquatic species, a nursery, a nature centre, an exhibition plaza, an amphitheatre and a rock garden.

• Bugle Rock - This is a massive rock located in the Basavanagudi area in the south of Bangalore. The Bugle Rock has an estimated age of over 3,000 million years already. Aside from the rock, other attractions were added into the area like a fountain, waterfalls and even temples. There's also an amphitheatre within the area, which can accommodate up to 300 people at one time.

• Dodda Alada Mara - This can be translated as the Big Banyan Tree. It is located in the village of Kettohalli in Bangalore and is about 400 years old already. It is about 28 kilometres away from Bangalore. This single tree covers about three acres of land and is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The tree is also home to a large number of monkeys so do be careful when you're bringing your foods, bags or cameras within it.

Lakes

• Kaikondrahalli Lake - This lake is located on the Sarjapur Road in the Kaikondrahalli village in Bangalore. This is one of the most well-maintained lakes in Bangalore. It is also a popular spot for environment activists and lake restoration activists. The lake is surrounded by large trees and the Bellandur inhabitants. It is also a good picnic spot that locals throng to especially on weekends. The lake is also home to many species of birds so it's a birdwatcher's haven.

• Ulsoor Lake - This is one of the biggest lakes in Bangalore. It is located on the eastern part of the city, close to MG Road. The lake can be traced back to the time of Kempe Gowda although the present structure can be attributed to Sir Lewin Bentham Bowring. The lake is spread over 123 acres and even has several islands. There are also boating facilities here so guests can make use of that. There are also several food stalls and restaurants where you can dine while enjoying the views.

• Madiwala Lake - This is another big lake in Bangalore, at about 114 acres. During the winter, a huge number of spot-billed pelicans can be spotted in the lake. Egrets can also be spotted nearby the lake. For the kids, there's a children's park within the lake premises that they can enjoy.

• Hebbal Lake - This is located in the north of Bangalore. It was built by Kempe Gowda in 1537. Some of the bird species seen here are the spot-billed pelicans, Eurasian spoonbills, spot-billed ducks and shovellers. The shallow zone of the lake is also home to birds such as purple moorhens, purple herons and grey herons.

Museums

• Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum - This museum was established for Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya. It was opened by the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1962. The museum has several galleries, namely: Engine Hall, How Things Work, Fun Science, Electrotechnic, Space Emerging technology in the Service of Mankind, Biotechnological Revolution, BEL Hall of Electronics and Children Science Gallery. The Engine Hall has various cars, machines used in industry, a jet aircraft engine and other mechanical devices. The How Things Work Exhibit attempts to explain how these machines work. The Electrotechnic Exhibit explains principles of electricity and electronics. Similarly, the other exhibits explains phenomenon in the world of industry and technology.

• The Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum - This is India's first aerospace museum. It was established in 2001 and attempts to showcase the history of aviation in the country. The museum has displays of various helicopter and aircrafts. It also has aircraft engine models, flight simulators and exhibits of Indian aviation history.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium - This is located on the T. Chowdiah Road in Bangalore. This planetarium was established in 1989. One of the major attractions of the planetarium is its Sky Theatre, which has a capacity of about 225 people. Its dome is about 15 metres wide. The show timings for the theatre are 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. The planetarium also has a Science Park and Science Centre. There's also an exhibition hall showcasing various paintings of astrology related structures.

Theme Parks

• Wonderla Bangalore - This is an amusement park located in Bangalore. They have dry rides, water rides, kiddie rides and high thrill rides. The park is open from Mondays to Sundays. Some of the dry rides include a XD theatre, pirate ship, dungeon ride and crazy wagon. The water rides include a jungle lagoon, lazy river, boomerang, twisters and wave pool. High thrill rides include a flash tower, equinox, hurricane and mixer. The kiddie rides include a mini pirate ship, mini express and carousel.

• Innovative Film City - This is another amusement park in Bangalore. It has an assortment of sections like an Aqua Kingdom, Cartoon City, Dino Park, Mini Golf, Mirror Maze and many more. The park also has a number of museums like a fossil museum, wax museum, tribal museum and oddities museum. Adventure sports like go karting, zip lining, bull riding, archery and dirt biking can also be done here. You can also do some tours within the studios in the film city.

• Fun World - This is located in JC Nagar in Bangalore. The park has three sections: the Fun World, the Water World and the Star City. The best attraction is the Water World with a variety of water rides. You can indulge in rides like the amazing cyclone, pendulum, wave pool and water slides.

There you go. I hope this helps!

 

[Dhruv]

Bangalore, also known as the "Garden City of India," has plenty of interesting places to visit. Whether you have a day off or a weekend to explore, here are some must-visit places in and around the city:

1. Cubbon Park: Located in the heart of Bangalore, this lush park is perfect for a relaxing walk amidst greenery. You can visit the State Central Library located inside the park as well.
   
   
2. Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Another iconic garden in Bangalore, Lalbagh is home to numerous species of plants and trees, including a famous glasshouse.
   
   
3. Vidhana Soudha and Attara Kacheri: These two buildings are the landmarks of Bangalore and house the state legislative assembly and the high court, respectively. You can marvel at their architectural beauty from the outside.
   
   
4. Bangalore Palace: This beautiful palace is known for its Tudor-style architecture. You can take a guided tour of the palace's interiors.
   
   
5. ISKCON Temple: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple is a serene place to visit. You can attend the daily aarti and enjoy the peaceful ambiance.
   
   
6. Nandi Hills: About 60 km from Bangalore, Nandi Hills is a popular getaway for a day trip. The cool climate and breathtaking sunrise views make it a must-visit destination.
   
   
7. Bannerghatta Biological Park: If you are interested in wildlife, you can explore this park that houses a zoo, a butterfly enclosure, and a safari park.
   
   
8. Art of Living International Center: Located on the outskirts of the city, this spiritual and wellness retreat offers various programs and activities in a tranquil environment.
   
   
9. Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: This historical palace is a reminder of Tipu Sultan's reign. It's an architectural gem and gives insights into the city's history.
   
   
10. Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum: A great place to visit with family, this museum showcases various scientific exhibits and artifacts.
    
    
11. HAL Aerospace Museum: If you're interested in aviation and aerospace, this museum provides insights into the history and achievements of HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
    
    
12. Wonderla Amusement Park: For some fun and adventure, you can spend a day at Wonderla, a popular amusement park with thrilling rides and water attractions.
    
    
13. Ulsoor Lake: This picturesque lake offers boating facilities, making it a nice spot for relaxation.
    
    
14. Bull Temple: Dedicated to Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, this temple is known for its colossal monolithic bull statue.
    
    
15. Ragi Gudda: For panoramic views of the city, you can trek to Ragi Gudda, a small hillock in the outskirts of Bangalore.
    

Please note that Bangalore's traffic can be challenging, so plan your visits accordingly, especially if you're traveling during peak hours. The best time to explore the city is early in the morning or during the evening when the weather is pleasant. Enjoy your stay and exploration in Bangalore!