Lalbagh Botanical Garden is located in Bangalore and is nationally and internationally renowned centre for botanical artwork, scientific study of plants and also conservation of plants. A haven for all nature lovers, Lal Bagh covers an area 240 acres in the heart of the city and has nearly 1,854 species of plants. It was commissioned by Hyder Ali in 1760 and completed by his son Tipu Sultan. The garden features rare plants of French, Persian and Afghani origin and has attained the status of a Government Botanical Garden.
The Lal Bagh Rock which is over 3000 million years old is found here and is a major tourist attraction. This botanical garden, a delight for photographers, also consists of the famous glass house where an annual flower show is held every year and is also a home to an aquarium and a lake. Tipu Sultan brought in imported trees and plants from countries all over the world and planted them here and today, Lalbagh Botanical Garden has one of the world's largest collection of rare plants. In addition to being rich in foliage, this garden also houses a number of birds such as Myna, Parakeets, Crows, Brahminy Kite, Pond Heron, Common Egret and Purple Moor Hen.
About 750 m long, Church Street in Bangalore is one of the busiest and most beloved streets, named after St. Mark’s Cathedral. It is lined with gift shops, music shops, bookstores, restaurants and cafes, some of them being the oldest in the city, all selling a wide variety of products and tasty treats. There are days when artists set up shop out on the streets and sell their work that includes paintings, photo frames, posters and handmade items. There are arcades for children and adults to play at and tattoo parlours too.
Located 22 km away from Bangalore, the Bannerghatta National Park is a sanctuary for a large variety of flora and fauna. Spread over a massive area of around 104.27 sq. km, this national park was established in the year 1971. The park itself has a number of establishments within its confines, which includes the country's first butterfly park as well.
Other attractions here are ten Reserve Forests of Anekal Range of the Bangalore Forest Division, an aquarium, a zoo, Children's park, Crocodile Farm, Snake Park and Prehistoric Animals' Park. What's more, you can get up close and personal with the wondrous wildlife here by the means of a jungle safari, which is a popular activity to pursue here. The best part about Bannerghatta National Park is the small well-defined zones for animals that almost guarantees that you will spot the animals. People go in caged vehicles (buses/safari).
An epitome of great architecture and beauty, The Majestic Bangalore Palace preserves in it the spice of old regal opulence. Currently the central attraction in Bangalore, the palace was built in the year 1878. ChamarajendraWadiyar's British Guardians bought the original property in 1873 from the principal of Bangalore Central High School, Rev, J Garret, from his funds. The palace is extraordinarily vast and spread across 45,000 square feet. A mixture of Tudor and Scottish Gothic architecture have resulted into the grand palace that we see today. The wooden structure of the palace along with the beautiful carvings both inside and outside showcases the royal culture in different ways.
Apart from being a major tourist destination, the palace is a host to different cultural events, rock shows, and marriages. As per beliefs, King ChamarajendraWadiyar drew his inspiration for building the palace from the Windsor Castle of London. The granite seats decorated with fluorescent blue ceramic tiles on the ground floor, a fairy tale Ballroom, the famous painter Raja Ravi Varma's paintings, vine-covered walls, and the Durbar Hall on the first floor come together to form the prepossessing Bangalore Palace. A visit to the palace gives you a chance to witness the elegant and lavish splendour of one of the most powerful dynasties of South India. An audio tape is available inside the Palace, both in Hindi and English, to help the people having language issues, understand its history better .
Spread over an area of 300 acres, Cubbon Park in the city of Bangalore is a major sightseeing attraction rich in green foliage. It is a green belt region of the city and is an ideal place for nature lovers and those seeking a calm atmosphere. Having been laid down by Lord Cubbon, the park is named so in his honour. It is home to more than 6,000 trees that support a vibrant ecosystem. In addition to being a natural sightseeing destination, some of the major structures of the city such as the AttaraKacheri, Cubbon Park Museum and SheshadriIyer Memorial Park are also situated here. Another famous attraction in the Cubbon Park is The Bangalore Aquarium, which is the second largest aquarium in India.
Located in the Rajajinagar area, Iskcon Temple is a revered shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple, under the guidance of MadhuPanditDasa, was inaugurated in the year 1997 by Shankar Dayal Sharma. Apart from a religious shrine, Iskcon temple is a cultural complex accommodating dedicated deities of Sri SriRadhaKrishnachandra, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri SriNitaiGauranga, Sri SrinivasaGovinda and Sri PrahladaNarasimha.
Iskcon Temple is known for its activities of engagement involving ardent devotees of Lord Krishna. The temple enrols members for life and arranges programs in their community centres for Krishna consciousness and awareness of the Lord. The temple community also organises songs and recitals admiring and praying to Krishna in public processions. Lectures and prayer services are regularly conducted here as well. In addition, the Iskcon temple community conducts a wide variety of activities directed towards rediscovering spirituality on an individual level as well as creating a spirit of harmony in the community.
Located around 60 kilometres away from Bangalore, Nandi Hills is one such tourist spot that has gradually been discovered by visitors over the years and has now become a well-known weekend getaway.
Featuring beautifully carved arches and majestic pillars with intricately painted walls and ceilings, Nandi Hills is scattered with shrines and monument and is surrounded by mesmerizing views, making this place no less than a hidden paradise. Situated at a height of 4851 feet above sea level, you can see a convoy of weekenders from Bangalore during early hours catching the glimpse of sunrise.
Described by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as 'a temple dedicated to the nation', VidhanaSoudha houses the State Legislature and the Secretariat of Karnataka and is one of the most popular attractions in the lively and colourful city of Bengaluru. It also proudly boasts the title of being the largest state legislative building in the country. With four entrances in all four directions and four floors above the ground level and one below it, we surely don't doubt the title. Popularly known as the 'Taj Mahal of South India', it is counted as one of the most magnificent buildings in the city and is sure to impress the onlooker with its sophisticated poise and glorified grandiose. The entire monument is illuminated on Sundays and public holidays and is a sight for sore eyes.
Then Prime Minister Sri Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru along with then Chief Minister K.C. Reddy laid down the first brick of this establishment on 13 July 1951 and initiated the construction of a monument that symbolizes the legislative sovereignty of the people of the country. Its construction took a good five years and it was finally inaugurated in 1956 to become the largest legislative building in India. The VidhanaSoudha stands 150 feet tall and boasts of an elegant and truly exquisite Neo-Dravidian style of architecture.
Located in the Central Business District of Bangalore, Commercial Street is home to a number of small stores to brand outlets which sell the most delightful variety of products you can find. One of the first shopping areas a newcomer to the city is told about, Commercial Street is a fix for all your shopping needs and weekend entertainment. Needless to say, it is one of the most popular and visited shopping destinations in Bangalore. The lively atmosphere which is always abuzz with activity and the mad, mad rush of the local market make Commercial Street every shopaholic's delight.
The famous KhadiBhandar in dispensary road is a one-stop-shop for metres of fabric in cotton and Tussar silk. At Dupatta House at Narayan Pillai Street here, one can get dupattas in every shade and even get them dyed. Lovers of silver won't be disappointed at several shops in Jewellers Lane, which has an extensive collection of exquisite pieces. You can also get piercings done here for a much more affordable rate with the benefit of hygiene too. In addition to indigenous shops, one will also find an exhaustive collection of showrooms such as Levi's, USPA and the likes.
Located at the juncture of Albert Victor Road and Krishna Rajendra, is the magnificent accommodation of the valiant ruler of Mysore- Tipu Sultan. The palace is located in the Bangalore Fort which is situated in old Bangalore in the south-west Indian state of Karnataka. An exquisite example of Indo- Islamic architecture, the opulent palace was once used as a summer retreat by the king and was often referred to as the 'Abode of Happiness' and 'Rash e Jannat' meaning 'Envy of Heaven'. Amongst one of the most noteworthy creations of the ancient times, the palace boasts of ornamental frescoes, magnificent arches, protruding balconies and brilliant motifs.
One can take a good leisurely stroll across the balconies before entering the palace. One is bound to get a glimpse into the royal lifestyle of Tipu Sultan as they explore the palace.The construction of the fort started during the reign of Hyder Ali and was completed in 1791, during the rule of Tipu Sultan. Among the several unique aspects of the two-storeyed palace are its huge wooden pillars, glorifying brackets and its all- around idyllic and placid setting. After the death of Tipu Sultan, the British used the monument for its Secretariat until about 1868, before moving to AttaraKacheri. Blessed with lush green gardens, flowering shrubs and sparkling fountains, the palace is an attractive tourist site and a slice of solitude in the heart of the city. Lately, a small part of the fort has also been converted into a museum showcasing various events of the life and times of Tipu Sultan. Once tourists enter the fort, they are bound to feel like they have entered a different place and a different era altogether. The palace has a serene vibe that will make one feel at peace the moment they walk in.