16 minute read
CITY SIGHTS
from BLR 1st half 2021
by Travel&Shop
GETS ITS OWN LOGO
Bengaluru has become the first Indian city to have its own logo, joining the club of global metros like New York, Paris and Berlin. The logo was unveiled recently, with letters BE and U highlighted, reflecting the city’s ethos where everyone gets a chance to be oneself. The new Bengaluru logo will establish Brand Bengaluru on the global tourism map.
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CAR HIRE YUVAN TRAVEL HOUSE
2A Main Road, 458, Kasturi Nagar Off Outer Ring Road; Tel: 81234-12344
SUHALAYA TRAVELS
16B, 1st Street, Ulsoor Tel: 99014-44499 open 24 hours.
SHREE GIRI CABS & TRAVELS
GF - 015, Kedia Arcade, 92 Infantry Road; Tel: 4130-6855, 9am-9pm
SANKY TRAVELS
34, 3rd Main, 3rd Cross, RMV 2nd Stage, Dollar Colony; Tel: 2351-5905. 10am-6.30pm
FORTUNE TRAVELS
17, 7th Main, CMH Road, 2nd Stage, Indiranagar; Tel: 2520-0058, 9am-10pm
CLASSIC CABS
2, Soundarya Excellence, 3rd Main, Old Binny Mill Road, Ganganagar; Tel: 2343-8821. 7am-10pm
BANGALORE CABS
1673/A, 2nd Cross, Prakash Nagar, Rajajinagar Tel: 4155-2222, open 24 hours For airport service only.
MEGA CABS
67/A State Highway 104, Baglur Cross, Yelahanka; Tel: 4747-4747, 7100-4747
YES CABS
12/1, 7th Cross, Maruthi Nagar Main Road, Madiwala; Tel: 4112-4112. Open 24 hours.
AUTORIDERS
1,2 & 3, Survey No 218/2, HAL 3rd Stage, Airport Road; Tel: 4126-5010.
METRO TRAVEL GROUP
38/13, Lake Point, Meanee Avenue, Ulsoor; Tel: 2530-2222, 9am-9pm.
ARJUN TOURS & TRAVELS
8, 1st Floor, St Marks Road; Tel: 2221-7054, 9.30am-7pm.
CLIPPER HOLIDAYS
Hamd Buliding, 12/3 Alexander Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond Town; Tel: 4112-3480 10am-6pm
SURABHI TOURS & TRAVEL
13th Main, Palace Road, Vasanthnagar; Tel: 2220-2911, 8am-7pm.
SKYWAY INTERNATIONAL TRAVELS
8, Tourism House, Papanna Street St Marks Road; Tel: 2211-1401, 10am-7pm.
MOVING AROUND IN BANGALORE APP-BASED CABS
This is a popular and convenient mode of transport for those on the move and an easy-to-book taxi service at your fingertips. Just download the app from Google Playstore on your Android and iOS smartphones. Bonuses: No need to look for parking in the city; comparable to autos in fare; some offer option to pay by card or paytm. l UBER: Cabs, autos & share-cabs l OLA: Cabs, autos & share-cabs
AUTOS
Auto-rickshaws are Bangalore’s ubiquitous mode of transport, easy to hail down, with the metre box that declares the fare fairly. Ideal to use for short distances, or even long ones for that matter, or as a transit transport to get to the metro station.
BUSES
Bangalore has a vast network of BMTC buses plying within the city. The best way is to check locally for routes and bus numbers to reach a particular destination. Be prepared for some wait time though.
METRO
The Bangalore metro rail system offers good connectivity and speed, and is especially useful for cross-city commute to avoid road traffic. Regulars can opt for a metro pass that can be loaded with currency and swiped at stations. (See detailed metro route map inside).
HOP-ON HOP-OFF
l Look out for BMTC is operating ‘Bangalore Darshini’ service to facilitate city sightseeing, with 2 AC buses. Bangalore Darshini-1: Starts from Kempegowda Bus Station at 8.45am and covers Tippu Palace, Dodda Basavanna Temple, Gavigangadareshwara Temple, Banashankari Temple, Lalbagh, Vishveshwarayya Museum, Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain, Iskcon, Prasanna Anjaneya Temple, and returns to Kempegowda Bus Station at 8pm. Bangalore Darshini-2: Starts from Kempegowda Bus Station at 8.45am and covers Iskcon, Prasanna Anjaneya Temple, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain, Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Vishveshwarayya Museum, Lalbagh, Banashankari Temple, Dodda Basavanna Temple, Gavigangadareshwara Temple, Tippu Palace, and returns to Kempegowda Bus Station at 7.50pm. Fare: Adult Rs 400, Child Rs 300.
For advance seat reservation, visit www.ksrtc.in or any KSRTC reservation counter. BMTC EZY TRIP Helpline: 1-800-425-1663
MERU CABS
89/1, Raja Icon Bldg, Opp Park Plaza, Outer Ring Road, Marathahalli; Tel: 4422-4422
JANANI TOURS & RESORTS PVT. LTD.
L170/171, 6 Sector, Ring Road, HSR Layout; Tel: 4070-8090, open 24 hours.
TOUR OPERATORS UTTARAKHAND TOURISM
29/2, 2nd Floor, Nanjappa Mansion K.H.Road, Shanthinagar; Tel: 2224-9378, 10.30am-6pm; Sat-10.30am-1pm
COMFORT HOLIDAYS
28A, Michael Palya, Indiranagar 1st Stage; Tel: 2529-5828, 2528-6086, 9.30am-8pm,
COX & KINGS INDIA
Ground floor, 60 Century Apartments, 100 ft Road, Indiranagar Tel: 2520-2033 9.30am-6.30pm,
THOMAS COOK INDIA
70, Vimal Chambers, MG Road; Tel: 4566-9566, 9.30am-6pm,
KSTDC
BMTC Bus Depot, Ground Floor, Yeshwantpur; Tel: 4334-4334. 9am-9pm.
HAMMOCK LEISURE HOLIDAYS
3291, 1st Floor, 12th Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar; Tel: 4202-3333, 9.30am-6pm.
CONTI TRAVELS
66, Gandhi Tower, Richmond Road; Tel: 2221-1632, 9.30am-8pm.
MARCOPOLO TRAVELS & TOURS
2, Janardhan Towers, Residency Road; Tel: 4242-5858, 9.30am-7.30pm.
GLOBAL TRAVEL SERVICES
11, First Floor, Infantry Road; Tel: 2286-8077, 4113-0380, 9.30am-6pm.
SM TRAVELS
17, Om Nivas Building Complex, 5th Main, Opposite-Mothimahal Hotel, Gandhi Nagar, Tel: 2235-6444. 10am-10pm
SOUTHERN TRAVELS
l Hotel Rajkamal Complex, Kumara Park(E) Tel: 2237-5536, 93799-23236 l 3D, Yeshwanthpur Metro Rail Station, Near Govarthan Theater, Tel: 4124-3268, 93799-23236, 9am-9pm.
AIRPORT LOUNGES
ABOVE GROUND LEVEL LOUNGE
GSE Bldg, 2, Kempegowda International Airport, Devanahalli; Tel: 6678-7647. Open 24 hrs. New VIP Lounge designed for passengers to relax and unwind in luxury. With gourmet food, alcoholic beverages, recharging stations, business centre and other thoughtful features.
CHARTERED ACCOUNTS R SINGHVI & ASSOCIATES
No 28, RV Layout, Near BDA Head Office, Opp Corporation Bank, Kumara park Tel: 2346-3462, 2346-3465
GV SUNDER & CO
3/5, 4th Unity Building, JC Road; Tel: 2224-4189
ERNST & YOUNG
24, 6th, 12th & 13th Floor, Canbera Block, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road; Tel: 4027-5000
DELOITTE HASKINS & SELLS
Prestige Trade Tower, Palace Road, High Grounds; Tel: 08066276387.
A B PROS CONSULTING SERVICES
124, 2nd Floor, KHB Colony ,5th Block, Koramangala; Tel: 6570-2376.
HELPLINES
• Police 100 • Fire 101 • Ambulance 108
TAXIS GO PINK
• BMTC: 1800-425-1663 • Traffic Helpline: 1095 • Harassed by Auto Drivers: 2558-8444/555 • HIV/AIDS: 2354-3333/2222 • Animal Welfare: 2341-1181 (SPCA), 2294-7300 (CUPA) • Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum: 2221-1137 • Suicide Prevention & Emotional
Distress: 2549-7777 (9am-5pm, Mon-Sat) • Helpline for women: 1091 • Helpline for children: 1098 • Blood Bank: 94800-44444
LAWYERS / ADVOCATES
KING & PARTRIDGE ADVOCATES
48, Hitananda, Lavelle Road; Tel: 2221-2341.
LAWYERS INC
15/2, 12th Block, Kumara Park West; Tel: 4155-3014.
CONSCIENTIA
248, 8th Main, 11th Cross,Indira Towers, Wilson Garden; Tel: 4131-1607.
DUA ASSOCIATES
130/1, 2nd Floor, Matruashish Building, Ulsoor Road; Tel: 2558-8799
KUMAR ASSOCIATES
22, 4th ‘C’ Cross Industrial Layout, 5th Block, Koramangala; Tel: 2552-6644 A fleet of 10 pink taxis have been deployed recently at KIA (Kempegowda International Airport), in a partnership between KSTDC (Karnataka State Tourism Development) and BIAL (Bengaluru International Airport Limited). These exclusive cabs are driven only by women drivers, and cater only to women passengers, ferrying them to and from the airport. An applause-worthy example of woman empowerment with safety as its agenda.
TELECOM PROVIDERS
VODAFONE
3rd Floor, A Block, Maruti Infotech Centre, Koramangala Intermediate Ring Road, Amarjoythi Layout; Tel: 98860-98860
AIRTEL
Prestige Technology Park, Jupiter (2A) Block, Sarjapur-Marathhalli Ring Road, Kadabeesanahalli Village, Varthur Hobli; Tel: 98450-12345, 121 from Airtel mobile
BSNL
l 6th Floor, Telephone House, Raj Bhavan Road Tel: 2287-4419, 9.30am-6.30pm l 80 Feet Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar Tel: 2223-1503 l Sanchar Complex, WMS Compound,9th Main, 47th Cross, 5th Block, JayanagarTel: 2691-1773, 2663-9996
SIGHTS, HIGHLIGHTS, LANDMARKS Parks, landmarks, places of religious interest...
With Bengaluru, the sobriquets keep getting added up. From Air Conditioned City to Aviation Capital to Garden City, this small town turned technopolis has added a new word to the
American lexicon: ‘Bangalored’. It means ‘to lose one’s job’ as a result of off shoring work to India.
That’s not all. The city is emerging as a medical tourism hub in India by offering ‘First World Service at Third World Cost’. What’s more, the best and the brightest multinationals are spicing up the retail scene by test-marketing large format stores like Reebok,
Levi’s, Adidas, Esprit and Nautica. It’s become a ‘yuppie heaven’. Now that’s yet another sobriquet for the city. With the Metro Rail opening in phases, things are getting better by the day. Visit the city and be bowled over.
VIDHAN SOUDHA
Dr Ambedkar Veddi Road, North of Cubbon Park Built of granite and porphyry, this is the seat of the Secretariat and the State Legislature. Built in 1956, it has a dome, Rajasthani Jharokhas and Indo- Saracenic pillars. Things to watch out for: the sandalwood door to the Cabinet Room, and the Speaker’s Chair which is made of Mysore rosewood. Established in 1866 and located on Kasturba Road, this is one of the oldest museums in India. Housed in a red stucco Neo-Classical building with Corinthian columns, it has 18 sections with a fine collection of jewellery,
BANGALORE PALACE
Sankey Road
Built in 1880 at a cost of Rs 10 lakh, the Bangalore Palace was modeled on Windsor Castle, complete with fortified towers and Old Airport Road, Lord Shiva in lotus position. It has the backdrop of Mount Kailash, Shiva’s heavenly abode and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks. the Orion Mall, and so on. WTC Bangalore
turreted parapets. It stands amid undulating lawns, partly converted into a formal garden with axial paths.
ATTARA KACHERI
Ambedkar Veedhi, Opp Vidhan Soudha.
Formerly offices of the secretariat, the two-storey structure of stone and brick structure is now home to the Karnataka High Court Built in Greco-Roman style, this bright-red building is spread over 1.95 lakh sq ft of space.
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU PLANETARIUM
High Grounds, T Chowdiah Road Founded in 1989, the sky theatre inside comprises a dome that is fifteen metres in diameter and has a seating capacity of 225.
GOVERNMENT MUSEUM
Kasturba Road, Bangalore GPO miniature paintings, sculpture, artifacts from Mohenjo-Daro and much more.
SHIVA STATUE
Kemp Fort, Old Airport Road
Located behind on this statue is 65 feet tall, depicting
WORLD TRADE CENTER
Rajajinagar Also known as North Star is a 32-floor building. It was constructed by Brigade Enterprises which also consists of the Sheraton hotel, Colombia Asia hospital, There are two shows held every day.
is recognised for international trade and opportunities.
LALBAGH
Laid out by Mysuru ruler Haider Ali in 1740 spread over 240 acres. Its tropical plants were imported by Haider and his son Tipu Sultan from countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Persia, Mauritius, Turkey and Africa. Ogle at the Glass House modeled on London’s Crystal Palace. There is an annual flower show as well. Climb the rock mountain and take a look at Bangalore from the top.
JP PARK
Junction of Jalahalli and Mathikere The Jayaprakash Narayan Park boasts of 20,000 varieties of plant species, 60,000 flowering plants and shrubs and 5,000 medicinal herbs. It also include a 4.5-km jogging track, bamboo garden, women’s playground with dedicated shuttle and tennikoit court, football court, 1,000-seater amphitheatre and so on. The big lake there attracts migratory birds. Timings: 5am-8.30am & 5pm-8.30pm.
BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK
Located 22 km from Bangalore, it is a sanctuary for wildlife, bears, reptiles, elephants and deer. Chief attractions include the lion and tiger safari, herbivore safari and the butterfly park. The Bannerghatta Nature Camp offers a package and a guided nature walk. It is closed on Tuesdays.
ISKCON TEMPLE
Hare Krishna Hills, West of Chord Road, Rajajinagar The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is one of the most sought after destinations in India. The white temple building has gorgeous deities of Lord Radha Krishna.
BAHAI BHAVAN
82, Coles Road The centre hosts regular ‘firesides’ or discussions among small groups on the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith along with prayer meetings and study groups.
BULL TEMPLE
Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi This is a typical Dravidian-style temple built by Kempe Gowda I. It is has a monolith bull that is 4.5m tall and 6.5m long. It was apparently built to appease a vagrant bull which persisted in devouring all the groundnuts in the surrounding fields. Once this temple was built, the bull stayed away from the groundnuts. A Groundnut Fair (Kadalekayi Parishe) near the temple premises is held every year.
TAWAKKAL MASTAN DARGAH
Cottonpet, Near Majestic
Dedicated to the Sufi Saint Hazrat Tawakkal Mastan Shah, it is characterised by coloured floor tiles, tinted glass lamps, a green-and-white façade and ornate minarets.
GURUDWARA
Ulsoor Sri Guru Singh Sabha that faces the picturesque Ulsoor Lake is a white architectural delight that revels in pristine marble floors. Built in 1946, it is the main Sikh centre of worship in the city. Timings: 4am-9.30pm.
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
Cubbon Road. This red-and-white Scottish-styled Gothic church was built in 1867. High windows, tall doors and circular ventilators are the highlights of this pretty edifice.
ST MARY’S BASILICA
Shivajinagar
Best known for the eight-day St Mary’s Feast every September, this church started in as a small chapel 1818. Rev LF Kleiner transformed the small chapel into a church in 1874. Boasts of stately arches vaulting towards the ceiling, rich Corinthian capitals of moulded bunches of grapes and artistic stained-glass windows from Paris.
JAMIA MASJID
NR Road
One of the biggest mosques in town, it can accommodate over 10,000 people at a time. Made of pure white marble from Rajasthan, it was built in 1940 and is in the middle of City Market.
BIG BANYAN TREE
Village of Ramohalli, near Kengeri, 60Km west of Bangalore The Doda Alada Mara literally translated to Big Banyan Tree, is a giant tree covering 3 acres (12,000sqm) and is one of the largest of its kind. It is said to be at least 400 years old. Buses can be taken from Majestic Bangalore to Kengeri, and Kengeri to Doda Alada Mara.
BRINDAVAN
Whitefield, Kadugodi This is the Bangalore home of spiritual master Sathya Sai Baba. Spread over 50 acres, it is surrounded by Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and the Sri Sathya Sai Hospital.
BANGALORE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE (BIEC)
Tumkur Road
A multi-purpose facility spread over 34 acres, is a common ground for industry exhibitions, conferences, product demonstrations and training programme.
MATA AMRITHANANDAMAYI MATH
136, Ullal Cross Road, 2nd Stage Jnana Bharathi Like her ashrams across the world, this one is run by Amma’s disciples and regularly holds spiritual discourses and classes. It manages the Bramasthanam Temple, an engineering college, Amrita Vidyalayam, Amrita Krupa, a charitable clinic that offers free medical check-ups.
CUBBON PARK
Near the Vidhan Soudha is this 334-acre park laid out in 1864 by Richard Sankey, the Chief Engineer of Mysore, and named in honour of the then Chief Commissioner of Mysore, Sir Mark Cubbon. It is dotted with statues, giant bamboos, flowerbeds, natural rock formations.
FIRE TEMPLE
15, Queens Road, Bangalore GPO Built in 1926, the fire temple is so called because of the presence of the sacred fire that represents the infinite light of Ahura Mazda. The actual name of the temple is Baidhanmai and Cawasji Dadhabhai Dar-E-Meher, situated on Queens Road. Major festivals include Jamshedji Nowroz in March and Pateri in August. The temple is open to Parsis only. Timings: 9am-7pm,
JUMMA MASJID
11, Jumma Masjid Road This brick and mortar building is the oldest mosque in the city. Built during the time of Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan when Bengaluru was part of his territory, it had to be renovated in 1836. It boasts of jali-work, gleaming granite pillars and ornate stucco floral motifs.
RAMAKRISHNA MUTT
Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi Set up in 1909 by a disciple of Swami Ramakrishnananda, this became a prominent hub of spiritualists. The mutt organises daily bhajans, religious discourses and publishes religious books.
GAVI GANGADHARESHWARA TEMPLE
Gavipuram-Guttahalli, Behind Ramakrishna Math Going back 500 years, this cave temple was renovated by King Kempegowda in late 19th century dedicated to Lord Shiva. Observe the mantapa supported by 14 pillars, and Shiva’s trident and drum in carved granite.
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
C V Raman Avenue Built in 1913, Indian Institute of Science is a two-storeyed grey granite building capped with a Mangalore-tiled sloping roof. The tower has three levels, each bearing niches, balustrade railings and striking cupolas with molded arches flanking the tower on either side.
MAHABODHI SOCIETY
14, Kalidasa Road, Gandhinagar
The Mahabodhi Society has a stupa, a monastery and a Bodhi tree. Set up in 1956, it aims to put his teachings into practice through spiritual, social and educational activities. It is also a resource centre for the detailed study of Buddhism.
THE ART OF LIVING
21st km, Kanakapura Road, Udayapura Tel: 2843- 2273/74 The Art of Living Ashram is the home of Sudarshan Kriya, Sri Sri Ravishankar’s internationallyrenowned breathing technique. Spread over 24 acres, it boasts of lush green hills and a spacious lake Residential courses to enhance mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health are conducted here.
TIPU’S SUMMER PALACE Albert Victor Road, City Market
Near City Market is this dilapidated palace built in 1790. Made largely out of wood with embellished balconies, pillars and arches, this two-storeyed structure is a replica of the Dariya Daulat Bagh in Srirangapatna.
HAL HERITAGE CENTRE AND AEROSPACE MUSEUM
HAL Set up in 2001, this is India’s first aerospace museum. The museum is home to various aircraft and helicopters, aircraft engine models, flight simulators, a mock air traffic control tower and an exhibit of Indian aviation history. It is closed on Mondays. Entry fee per person: Rs 25 + Rs10 for cameras. Timings: Tues-Sat, 9am-5pm.
BANGALORE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
Domlur
Bangalore International Centre (BIC) started in November 2005 is a premier non-profit organisation that is a hub of cultural and intellectual activities in Bangalore. The BIC platform fosters intellectual activity, cultural enterprise and innovation.
BANGALORE CLUB
Field Marshal KM Cariappa Road
GANDHI BHAVAN
Kumarakrupa Road, Seshadripuram The Gandhi Smarak Nidhi inside it seeks to propagate the life and teachings of Gandhiji. Photostat copies of letters written by him to various personalities of his days can be seen. Closed on Sundays and general holidays. This building reminds you of the American White House and was previously used by British officers as a recreational club since 1847. Today, it is the oldest club in the city. It boasts of Cuddapah slabs, Burma teak beams, Tuscan pillars, a large porch and a curved gable.
FREEDOM PARK
Gandhi Nagar Formerly Central Jail, Freedom Park was inaugurated by veteran politician LK Advani, who coincidentally was imprisoned here. The premises are a tribute to India’s freedom fighters. Timings: 5am-8am & 5pm-8pm.