The capital city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka, Bengaluru, or Bangalore as it was earlier called is one of India’s most vibrant and modern cities. Spearheading in India all things ‘21st century’, Bengaluru is abuzz with energy, all about enthusiasm and really quite groovy in a tech miracle-big business school-arts and theatre kind of way.
Bangalore enjoys a salubrious climate throughout the year and earned the nickname of 'air-conditioned city' with good reason. In recent years the IT boom has over taken the city and though it has expanded - it hasn't been rapid enough, with the result that the roads are quite congested and traffic jams common. But don't let that deter you as there are pockets of wide roads, tree-lined avenues and lovely parks and gardens that make up the green lungs of the city.
Bangalore has a certain liveliness, a certain vitality that one cannot ignore - so come to the city and let the enthusiasm rub off on you!
How to Reach Bangalore?
By Air : Bengaluru International Airport is the main airport located in Devanahalli which is around 40 kilometers away from the city. There are several daily flights from major Indian cities as well as daily direct flights from Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok and Frankfurt.
By Rail : Bengaluru is well connected to all parts of the country by rail. There are two main stations for Bengaluru.The Bengaluru City railway station located within the city which is served by most local and long-distance rains and the Yeswantpur Junction located on NH-4 (Tumkur Road) which is serviced by a few trains. The Cantonment train station is yet another option particularly if you are headed for the MG Road area.
By Road : Bengaluru is well connected by road and there are both private and State-run bus services to the city from neighbouring states. You can choose from deluxe or ordinary bus services.
Best Time to Visit Bangalore
Bengaluru is blessed with equitable climate all year round.In summer, temperatures range from 36 degrees to 20 degrees minimum and in winters the maximum temperature touches 27 degrees and the minimum it falls to is a pleasant 15 degree. It maybe best to avoid visiting during the monsoon which is between July and September.
October is a very good time to visit as the weather is invigorating and because it heralds the festive season.
Things to do in Bangalore
There are plenty of things to do in this vibrant garden city. Bengaluru features excellent botanical gardens where you can checkout an enormous variety of plants and flowers. Filled with striking water fountains this city boasts museums, a fort and temples. Visit the lovely Ulsoor Lake and spend some peaceful time during a boat ride on the lake.
Shopping is a great experience in Bangalore. Commercial Street or MG road are known places to buy some authentic tribal jewellery, aromatic sandalwood and rosewood carvings, silks, lacquer work etc. The Mysore Saree Udyog is where you should head if buying saris is what you are interested in - silks, chiffons and cottons are all available to suit any budget! If you want to shop for brand names visit the swank new UB Mall that has all the designer stores as well as restaurants serving all types of cuisine.
Try sumptuous South Indian food and enjoy the pubs of Bengaluru in evenings. A visit to nearby dance village NrityBangalorem will be enthralling for travellers with an artistic bent.
Places Near Bangalore
NrityBangalorem and Whitefield Ashram are two interesting places near Bangalore that you can visit on a day trip from here.
NrityBangalorem or ‘dance village’ is around 30 kms from the city. Artistes live, learn and practice in its wonderful environs. Aesthetically impeccable buildings and a unique artistic fervour that seems to permeate the very atmosphere here make NrityBangalorem an enthralling place to visit. Willing learners and interested guests are welcome to spend time on the campus and even stay for as long as they like.
Whitefield Ashram (20 kms) is township built by the spiritual guru Satya Sai Baba. The main Ashram is at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh. Bannerghatta National Park (21 kms) is more like a zoo rather than a game park where you can can see tigers, lions, elephants and leopards in a fenced enclosure.
Hotels in Bangalore – Choice is Yours
There are numerous hotels in Bangalore ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.