CITY SIGHTS

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.

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 Enterprises which also consists of the

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 There are two shows held every day.

Sheraton hotel, Colombia Asia hospital, the Orion Mall, and so on. WTC Bangalore 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.