Bangalore: More than just the IT hub

Introduction

Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka, India. Though the name has been changed to Bengaluru on the 1st of November 2006, people living in Bangalore or even India for that matter still prefer calling it by its original name. Looking back in time, history states that actual settlement in Bangalore only began in the year 1537. It was in this year that Kempe Gowda built a magnificent mud fort within the city and made it or rather called it a province of the Vijayanagara Empire. Soon the Bangalore cantonment was built which aided in the movement of a huge number of immigrants from various parts of India, including Chennai, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and some places in North India. For almost 300 years after that Bangalore was still under the province of Mysore. It was only in the year 1831, that the British took control of the Mysore Kingdom from the then ruler King Krishna Raja Wodeyar the third and moved the administrative capital to Bangalore, mainly influenced by the mild climate the city used to once enjoy owning to the fact it is located on the Deccan Plateau which is over 3000 feet above sea level. Bangalore is also referred to as the Silicon City of India. It was due to the successful establishment of software firms after the liberalization of India’s economy which led to the growth of IT industry. Bangalore accounts for nearly 35% of India’s software exports. Bangalore is at the moment Asia’s fastest growing cosmopolitan city emerging to international highlight. There is no reason to wonder why it is listed as the best places to do business in the world as surveyed by CNN-Time Warner.

Getting There

Bangalore is accessible by Bus, plane, train, and even private vehicles. With the International airport reaching completion by the end of 2008, it will be easier to convey in and out of the city. The government has been investing a lot of time and money in making Bangalore a better place to commute by building many fly over’s, broader roads, and also bringing in the metro project. This is going to be one metro to watch out for. The Bangalore’s main airport is well connected to most of the Indian cities in India and also caters to some international flights. Bangalore has three main railways stations, however it is the main city railway station that connects to almost all the main destinations in India. Bangalore offers a number of bus services to most destinations in South India. It also offers bus services to Mumbai and Goa. One can either use private taxis or auto rickshaws to get around the city. The options of buses are also available but these buses can be very crowded.

Attractions

Bangalore is blessed with a very good climate, with the highest topping 38 degrees Celsius and the lowest being 14 degree Celsius, with very less humidity. It also has many beautiful gardens and parks, natural andman-made lakes, architectural landmarks, hi-fi shopping malls, swanky bars and restaurants, some of the best clubs, and excellent business opportunities for all. Bangalore is an ideal place for one and all with so many things to do and keep you busy with. Music, dance and concerts western and classical, carnivals, dramas, exhibitions, conferences, discos, international plays etc.

Bangalore is also home to many historical landmarks. The Bangalore fort was built by Kempe Gowda. The majestic fort was later renovated by the then ruler Tipu Sultan, inside of which is the old and well preserved Ganapathi temple which is over 400 years old. The fort is famous for its wooden carvings and beautiful paintings on the walls and ceilings. It is open for the public at the cost of a nominal fee, which is defiantly worth it. The Lal Bagh was built by Hyder Ali. This is a beautifully and well planned botanical garden with over a 1000 different species of flora. It is built around a sloped hill on a massive 2400 acre land. It also includes a beautiful lake with boating facilities. The glass house at the Lal Bagh hosts its annual fruit and flower shows every year which is a treat for the senses.

Similarly the Cubbon Park is also another botanical garden built in the year 1864. What makes this park more special is the number of government buildings including the High court, Government museum, The Bangalore Aquarium and the public library. Today the Cubbon Park is a jogger’s park where many people young and old come here for a jog or a walk in the mornings and evenings alike. There are many temples in Bangalore known for its beauty, age, and other mythical beliefs but it is the famous ISKCON temple that takes all the attention. The ISKCON temple is a famous landmark not just in Bangalore but around the world which attracts pilgrims and believers from across the globe. Located on Chord road, this temple is located on a small mountain but can be seen from miles away. Definitely worth a visit for its architectural glory.

Lakes also add to the beauty of Bangalore showing you a divine contrast between the natural beauty and an emerging city. The Ulsoor Lake is one such lake that stands out in the category. A beautiful serene lake with its many islands and shady trees makes it an ideal weekend getaway. It also has boating facilities and a swimming pool to beat the heat especially in the summers. The Vidhan Soudha is a historical landmark, with its splendid Dravidian architecture, the Vidhana Soudha is by far the most important government building in Bangalore. It is home to the state legislature and secretariat. The huge sandal wood door adds value and class to this building. It was recently renovated and an extension of the same building was also built which is also called its twin. The building is open for the public after 3 PM.

The Stay

Most star hotel groups have their respective chain of hotels in Bangalore, such as the Grand Ashok Hotel, Leela Palace Kempinski, Taj West End and Le Meridien. There are a number of good choices available for budget accommodation too, such as Shree Vaishnav Gujarati Samaj and Hotel Vrindavan. Most of the budget hotels are located in the Majestic area of the city. However there are a few mid-range hotels available in and around MG road. One would find a watering hole or a pub in almost every corner of the city. There are pubs and bars in most of the starred hotels in Bangalore, such as the Blue Bar, Geoffrey’s, Dublin and I-Bar. There are pubs in the shopping malls, such as the Firangi Paani in the Forum and Hint in the Central. Apart from that there are numerous pubs in Brigade and MG road, such as Purple Haze, Styx, Spinn, Guzzlers, 13th Floor and many more. Bangalore has number of restaurants and cafes serving all types of cuisines, such as Thai, Korean, Chinese, Punjabi, Bengali, Andhra, Kerala, Tamil, Continental, Italian, Mexican, Persian and many more. It has strings of Udupi restaurants serving authentic south Indian food.

There are many places you can visit in Bangalore. The fantasy parks, botanical gardens, research institutes, Shopping malls, Pubs and Discos, Lakes and historic forts. It sometimes makes you wonder if there ever is an end. Bangalore is no more just a city of pensioners or now that people wonder a city full of software professionals. There is more to the city than just the IT offices. Come and experience the truly cosmopolitan city.