Bangalore,
the capital of Karnataka State is one of India's most charming cities. It is
India's 5th largest city with a rapidly growing industrial portfolio
unequaled by any other city, and a burgeoning automobile population. Also
called the garden city, Bangalore boasts of an amazing number of flowering
trees and parks. Being embraced by lakes, mountains, forests, pastures and
farmlands, this city is ideal for the romantics, the poets, the dreamers
(the day-type), the honeymooners and their likes. It was also called the
Pensioner's Paradise earlier.
However, the relaxing destinations in no way affect the throttling
nightlife, intoxicating bars and the cosmopolitan culture of Bangalore. And
the city would also like to boast some of the best known names in heavy
engineering industries and IT sectors. Nevertheless, a city which is mostly
involved into Cricket is the place to which every budding industrialist
would like to attach the name. You name anything that's Bangalore-related
and it'll instantly catch the eyes of any youth around the world.
Vidhana Soudha : A granite building built in
Neo-Dravidian style that houses both the Secretariat and State Legislature
and several other offices becomes a true piece of eye-catching modern
architecture when lightened up on Sunday evenings.
Visveswaraya's
Industrial & Technological Museum : Some of the fascinating aspects
of a museum that is a must for all science freaks and students include
glowing up unconnected tube-light, visual representation of voice and making
of burglar alarms.
Cubbon Park : The park is a lush, grassy expense fringed
with flower beds, bowers and flowering trees where illuminated fairy
fountains light up in the evening. The park contains various species of
specially imported trees meticulously labeled with their scientific names
and their ages.
There is an aquarium with a multitude of fishes and for kiddies there are
the Jawahar Bal Bhavan which is a children's centre and the City Central, a
children's playground, and a quaint old toy train called the Puttani
Express.
The Old Bangalore contains the Mahatma Gandhi road, known as South Parade
in the days of the British, and close to it, the Ulsoor lake are also worth
a visit.
Shopping
Given below are some of Bangalore's more popular shopping areas:
Commercial Street (garment, hosiery and textile stores, shoes, art
supplies, stationery, novelties, jewelry, travel kits, sports and general
goods), Mahatma Gandhi Road (electronic equipment to books, magazines,
photography supplies, silk saris, antiques, textiles, garments and general
goods), Brigade Road (electronic equipment like TV sets and music systems to
refrigerators, garments, pots and pans, toys, music and shoes), and
Residency Road (steel furniture and handicrafts in metal, clay and wood) are
famous shopping places in Bangalore. The Tamil Nadu handicraft showroom is
at Poom Puhar on Brigade road.
Richard Square, in Russell Market (cutlery, crockery and household items),
Chickpet (silk sarees, silver and gold jewelry and textiles), Arcot
Srinivaschari Street (brass, silver and copperware), B.V.K. Iyengar Road
(wood products, plywood, paper and electrical goods), and Avenue Road
(stationery, stainless steel ware and silver jewelry) are all well admired
shopping destinations.
How to go there
By Air: Although the International Airport is still under
consideration, Air India operates direct flight to/from London, New York,
Chicago, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait. Lufthansa
(German Airlines, from Frankfurt), Malaysian Airlines (from Kuala Lumpur),
and Singapore Airlines (from Singapore) operates direct flights to/from
Bangalore.
By Train: Bangalore has two major stations: Bangalore
City and Bangalore Cantonment. And the city is well connected to most major
cities of India through broad gauge route.
By Bus: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
(KSRTC) operates the buses within the state as well as outside. There are
buses to almost all places within the Karnataka State and also to
neighboring states. Some travel agencies also provide all India Bus Service.
