India is a place of ancient culture, belief and rich traditional values. At the same time, it has managed to emerge as a country that has imbibed modern technology and achieving feats at par with the developed nations the world over. There are several cities in the country that has impressed international and domestic tourists alike with its high-rise buildings, high-tech and modern amenities. In case, you are eager to visit an Indian city that has combination of traditional and modern aspects, then Bangalore or Bengaluru as it is known today is perhaps the best city to visit that provides both the worlds. The pleasant climatic conditions here are sure to compel tourists to have a great stay. There are indeed numerous places to be visited during the trip to Bangalore that should not be missed and is to form part of the itinerary.
Top places to visit in Bangalore
- Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens: Spread over 240 acres, this garden is among the beautiful and mesmerizing botanical gardens in the country established by Hyder Ali and modified later by Tipu Sultan. It has eye catching architecture. It is open 6am – 7pm on all 7 days and takes just about 1.5 hours to check it out. Glass House within the garden is inspired by London Crystal Palace. It boasts of having 1800+ species of trees, herbs and plants. Lawn clock installed in this garden is considered to be the very first of its type in the country. You can explore the garden, avail horticulture training courses and check out biannual flower shows held in January & August.
- Tipu Sultan Fort: This fort is located in the crowded market area and stands for artistic talent of those times. It was in 1537 that Kempegowda had constructed it using mud bricks. Later, Hyder Ali had extended and modified it and used granite stones. In 1791, Tipu Sultan completed the construction and used it as summer retreat. It is a 2 storied structure having carved arches, balconies and pillars. This fort is styled in Islamic architecture and inside there is also a Ganesha temple, a Hindu God. It shows the kind of religious tolerance the ruler had. You tour the museum, and check out the art gallery, housing historical carvings, photos and paintings. There is also a market nearby where you can indulge in shopping. It is open from 8:30am – 5:30pm.
- Bangalore Palace: It was in 1884 that Chamaraja Wodeyar had constructed this palace, being inspired by Windsor Castle in England. This palace has Tudor styled construction with Gothic windows, turrets and woodcarvings, stands at the city center and built on 430 acre land with beautiful gardens. Presently, it is being used for conducting concerts and exhibitions. You can avail the palace tour, check out ground events like concerts, festivals, etc. or visit the amusement park. It is open 10am – 5pm on all days and takes just about 1.5 hours.
- Cubbon Park: This is a sprawling land of 300 acres and was constructed by Mysore’s Chief Engineer Richard Sankey. The huge lawns and park is well maintained and provides beautiful walk-way and is also popularly known as a paradise especially among walkers. You can find statues belonging to famous personalities. As lights turn on during the evenings, the entire place gets transformed. You can relax here, enjoy the aquarium, toy train ride, take long walks or check out the museum. Open on all 7 days, it does not have any entry fee.
- Nandi Hills: Located just at about 60km distance from Bangalore, this hill station has a height of 1478m., of solid monolithic granite mass and offers mesmerizing view. It is from this hill that Rivers Arkavathi and Palar originate. It has derived its name after the popular Nandi Temple, built on its top. It has pleasant climate. Few tourist attractions are Tipu’s Summer Fort & Palace, Amruth Sarovar, Horse Way, Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple, origins of Palar and Tipu Drop. You can enjoy motorbike rides, cycling, trekking or simply check out the viewpoints.
- Government Museum: This museum was constructed in 1886 and houses rare collection, belonging to different periods. There are 18 galleries exhibiting Neolithic finds of different civilizations, antique jewelry, old paintings and sculptures. Do check out Venkatappa Art Gallery and explore the garden. Except Friday, it is open throughout the week from 9:30am – 5pm and takes about 2.5 hours to explore the entire place.
- Mary’s Basilica: It is the oldest church in Bengaluru and in September is conducted St. Mary’s Feast, for which it is popular. It was during the 17th century that it got its first foundation and then rebuilt in 1875. It is the 6th Indian church to be elevated to minor basilica and has a long history. There are two St. Mary statues, with an equally interesting legend behind its inception. The stained windows, beautiful pillars and architecture do make the church a grand one. You can attend the mass and St. Mary’s Feast. It is open from 6am – 9pm on all days.
- National Gallery (Modern Art): This is definitely the place to be for all history and art lovers as it exhibits over 500 paintings. Few famous artists having their displays here are Raja Ravi Verma, Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy and Amrita Shergill. You can check out the exhibitions, auditorium shows, visit the museum and also buy prints of paintings. It is open from 10am – 5pm on all days.
- Vidhana Soudha: It is an architectural marvel comprising of Dravidian and Indo-Saracenic architecture and is also among the visible landmarks of the place. In 1951, its foundations had been laid by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and got completed in 1956. It is also the country’s largest legislative building. It is open from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can even get a view of the premises from outside. Prior permission will be necessary to gain entry. You can also check out Bengaluru’s High Court.
To make your trip all the more relaxing and memorable, do book the best resort in Bangalore.
