About Bangalore
The balmy climate and the metropolitan culture of this southern Indian city was first home to high technology public sector companies. This ensured that Bangalore was the natural home of high technology research and development in India with almost all the major corporations having a strong presence.
Capital of the Southern state of Karnataka, Bangalore is Asia's fastest
growing cosmopolitan city. It is home to some
of the most high tech industries in India. The I.T industry views Bangalore as the 'byte-basket' of India.
Bangalore is also home to some of India's premier scientific establishments. Blessed with a salubrious climate,
gardens & parks, natural lakes, architectural landmarks, shopping malls, the best restaurants and pubs in this
part of the globe, business opportunities, Bangalore is the ideal gateway to India and beyond. Bangalore offers
something for everyone-music and dance concerts (Western and Indian), dramas, exhibitions, carnivals,
conferences and more.
Go disco-hopping or pub-crawling, shop till your feet give away,relax in the swankiest restaurants or with your favourite movie stars-in the movie hall or simply tee off to glory. Welcome to Bangalore.
Bangalore Factsheet
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Museums and Palaces
The Bangalore Palace & Fort
The Bangalore Fort was built by Kempe Gowda and expanded by Tippu Sultan. Within its walls is the well preserved
16th century Ganapathi Temple. 
The Bangalore Palace was built by a Wodeyar king in 1887
on the 400 acre space. Inspired by the Windsor castle, this palace was built in the
Tudor style, complete with windows, foiled windows, battlements and turrets resembling
the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, this summer palace has been constructed largely of wood and is famous for
its carving and paintings.
In June 2005 Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar decided to open the palace to the public to meet its Rs 20 lakh annual upkeep costs. The special attraction is a gallery of nearly a thousand historical photos, including those of viceroys, maharajas and other famous personalities inside and exquisite carvings and paintings.
Cubbon Park
This wooded and beflowered park was laid out in the heart of the cantonment in 1864.
Since then, fairy fountains, an august bandstand and a wealth of atatury have been added.
But the most important aspect of Cubbon Park is its newer buildings that have added beauty
and cultural wealth. Lush green lawns, shady flowering trees, vibrant flower beds, make
Cubbon park an ideal place for morning joggers and alike.
Government Museum
One of the important buildings, the Government Museum is one of
the oldest in India(1886).
One of the important buildings, the Government Museum is one of
the oldest in India(1886). A special attraction here are the antiquities from Mohenjodaro period.
Situated nearby the museum is Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum named after
the great engineer-statesman .
Next to the VITM is the Visveswaraya Industrial Trade Center, the first of its kind in India. In addition to its trade promotional activities, the Center has two exhibition floors housing a permanent display of all that is manufactured in Karnataka.
Also in the Cubbon Park are the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, which houses the public library, the High Court and the Jawahar Bal Bhavan. The Bhavan, with its toy train, fairgrounds and theatre, is a recreational, hobby and educational centre for children.
Ulsoor lake
A picturesque lake with several tree-shaded islands in it, is an ideal picnic spot.
You can go boating or go for a swim in the nearby swimming pool that is part of the
recreational complex near the lake. You can also go to the nearby Gurdhwar, the largest
Sikh shrine in Bangalore.
Vidhana Soudha
This splendid neo-Dravidian granite building that dominates the northern boundary of the
Cubbon park, is the home of the State Legislature and the Secretariat.
The massive sandalwood door of the Cabinet room is a spectacular feature of this imposing
building. The Vidhana Soudha is bedecked in illuminated glory during special periods and is a
sight worth viewing. The building is open for visitors only after 3 PM.
The Bangalore Race Course
The Bangalore Race Course is one of the finest in India, with racing events almost all year
round (May to June and Nov to Mar). Some of the biggest field stakes in the country can
be witnessed here.
Tipu's Palace
Built in 1791, this beautiful two-storeyed ornate wooden structure with exquisitely carved pillars,
arches and balconies was one of Tipu's favourite summer retreats.
Hesaragatta
Hesaragatta is an interesting picnic spot offering water sports to the adventurous. Boating and
wind-surfing is the major attraction. It also has a dairy & horticulture
farm where you can picnic.
Other attractions are Tipu's Drop, Yoga Nandishvara Temple, a beautiful Chola temple, Dravidian-style Bhoganandishvara temple and Muddenahalli, hometown of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, architect of modern Karnataka at the base of the hill.
In March 2005 the Toursim department decided to make Nandi Hills a popular destination by introducing a 5-star hotel, ropeway and para-sailing facility.
Getting Here
Bangalore is well connected by air, rail and road to all the major cities
such as Delhi, Madras, Bombay, Calcutta and to most other important cities and towns.
There are regular train services from Madras(4 trains per day), Mysore(7 trains per day), Calcutta(weekly twice),
New Delhi(1 service daily). Bangalore Airport is used for both domestic and international flights.
Prepaid Calling Cards
Please visit for details on Airtel Calling card.
These calling cards are available at all Airtel outlets in Bangalore city.
Shopping
Shopping is a delightful experience in Bangalore. You'll find some of the most exquisite silks here.
You can also take home handicrafts in sandalwood and rose wood, available in state-owned emporia and private
stores. For gold and jewellery, you can visit the quaint Jeweller's Street.
Some of the favourite shopping haunts are M.G.Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road and Commercial Street.
Bargain hunters tend to favour K.G.Road, Malleswaram and Shivajinagar.
The main shopping areas of Bangalore are:
- Brigade Road
- Commercial Street
- M.G. Road
- Residency Road
Some of the popular Shopping Centres at Bangalore are:
- M.G. Road: Public Utility Building, Shrungar Shopping Centre, Bombay Store
- J.C. Road: Unity Building
- Residency Road: Pinto Towers and lots of furniture shops
- Brigade Road: Curzon Complex, St.Patricks Complex,Mota Chambers & 5th Avenue.
- Infantry Road: Safia Plaza and Copper Arch
- St. Mark's Road: Sophia's Choice
- Shoppers Stop
- Lifestyle (near Football stadium)
Money Changers
Given below is a list of some moneychangers in Bangalore.
Synergy Forexpress |
Pheroze Framroze & Co. |
Thomas Cook |