What to do in Bangalore, India: 10 tips!
Bangalore is the 'Silicon Valley' of India, a fast-growing metropolis full of ICT companies, startups and modern high-tech facilities. Bangalore is the country's most westernised city with student-like residents drinking beers in a pub, dancing all night and dreaming of innovative gadgets. However, not everything is about technology in India's third largest city, which now has a population of over 13 million.
Bengaluru, as the city is now officially called, offers of a mix of old and new. This is not surprising when you consider that Bangalore was founded as early as 1537 by the local chief Kempe Gowda. For a while, it was the capital of the kingdom of Mysore and the headquarters of the British government in India. Many sights date back to those periods, from forts and palaces to ornately landscaped parks and gardens. This is also where Bangalore got its nickname The Garden City, before information technology took over.
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There is plenty to see and do if you want to spend a few days in the current capital of Karnataka state. Especially if you also want to enjoy the delicious street food, take trips around the area and join the locals for a picnic by the lake. A morning jog in the park, visit a museum, spend an afternoon shopping and sampling a craft beer: it's all possible in the largest city in southern India. Here are 10 tips on what to do in Bangalore!
Bangalore Palace
One of the city's most famous sights is Bangalore Palace, built in 1878 for the maharaja of Mysore. The royal palace stands out for its enchanting architecture with its various turrets, ornate carvings, decorated ceilings, Victorian furniture and Gothic stained-glass windows. Before its construction, Windsor Castle in London as inspiration. The maharaja became enthusiastic about this castle during his trips to England and wanted the castle to be built in the same style.
You can now wander through the palace's 35 halls, many of which are decorated with paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The walls are also full of pictures and memorabilia of the royal family, which still owns the palace. The green lawns surrounding the palace have long been the setting for concerts and events.
Famous artists such as The Rolling Stones, Metallica, the Backstreet Boys and Guns N' Roses have performed here. Since a dispute with the Bangalore city government over the use of the land, the royal family has put a stop to this. Address: Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka 560052, India.
Lal Bagh Botanical Garden
A green oasis in the high-tech city is the Lal Bagh botanical garden, on the south side of downtown Bangalore. The garden was created back in the 18th century and contains more than a thousand species of plants, flowers, trees and shrubs. Exotic plants growing here include those from countries such as Afghanistan and Iran have been brought in. The biggest attraction is the 19th-century Glass House. This conservatory built after the example of Crystal Palace in London (which burned down in 1936).
The botanical garden is the place to be if you want to escape from all the concrete and city bustle of Bangalore. Join picnicking locals, enjoy a zen moment among the colourful flowers or take a run on the dedicated 5-kilometre-long running track. Extra special are the flower shows held once or twice a year at Lal Bagh. To visit the garden, you have to pay an entrance fee. Address: Mavalli, Bangalore, Karnataka 560004, India. Website: horticulturedir.karnataka.gov.in
ISKCON Temple
For a spiritual experience in Bangalore, visit ISKCON Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples in the world. The 1997 temple is an important shrine of the Hare Krishna movement founded in 1966 during the US war in Vietnam. One of its goals is to make people more spiritually aware and create an atmosphere of world peace. ISKCON is therefore the abbreviation of International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
No expense was spared in building the temple on a hillside in northwest Bangalore. It is an actually a huge cultural complex built with granite, marble and Korean glass. The temple has four towers connected by a glass canopy.
There are six altars dedicated to gods. The most important of these are goddess Radha and god Krishna. Modest dress is required when visiting the temple. You can also go there for spiritual workshops and festivals. Address: Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Rd, Rajajinagar, Bangalore, Karnataka 560010, India. Website: www.iskconbangalore.org
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace gives you an idea about the life of the wealthy residents of Bangalore in the 18th century. This summer palace was built in 1791 for Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), then the ruler of the kingdom of Mysore. The palace is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and mainly made of teak wood. The teak pillars with elegant round arches are striking.
The walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful floral motifs. Surrounding the palace are lush green gardens with fountains. The ground floor is set up as a museum with paintings, ornaments, garments and military objects from Tipu Sultan's time.
You will also see a replica of Tipu's Tiger, a mechanical artwork in the shape of a tiger tearing apart a British soldier. The sultan was also known as the 'tiger of Mysore' due to his hatred of the British. Ironically, the original artwork is now in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The palace can be found in Bangalore's old town. Address: Tippu Sultan Palace Rd, Chamrajpet, Banglore, Karnataka 560018, India.
Cubbon Park
Cubbon Park is the city park in the centre of Bangalore, with well-constructed walkways, fountains, lotus ponds, statues, over 6,000 trees and numerous attractions. The park was laid out in 1870 and named after British army officer Lord Cubbon. Surrounding the park are several government buildings, institutions and historical monuments. This is a lovely place to walk, cycle, jog or do some yoga exercises.
On Sundays, many locals from Bangalore come to Cubbon Park to have a picnic with family and friends. Love birds? Then look for herons, kingfishers, magpies, robins, bee-eaters, sparrows and rock doves. Remarkably, many statues still glorify figures from British colonial times. Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, for instance, stand on a pedestal here, as does Lord Cubbon. An attraction is the Government Aquarium, India's second-largest aquarium.
Government Museum
On the southern edge of Cubbon Park is the Government Museum, Bangalore's most prominent museum. Established back in 1865, it is one of India's oldest museums. Here you can see a range of rare archaeological finds, including stone engravings, pottery, paintings, jewellery, coins and inscriptions. There are also exhibitions dedicated to ancient musical instruments, sculpture and natural history.
A masterpiece is the very first inscription in Kannada from 450 AD. This is the original language spoken in the state of Karnataka. There are a total of 18 galleries spread over two floors. Right next to the museum is the Venkatappa Art Gallery, named after Bangalore's most famous artist K. Venkatappa (1886-1965). It houses 600 paintings by him and other renowned Indian artists of the region. Address: Kasturba Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka 560001, India.
Vidhan Soudha
Not to be missed on the northern edge of Cubbon Park is Vidhan Soudha, India's largest government building. This is the seat of Karnataka's state government. Officials have as many as 300 rooms available for this purpose. Construction began in 1952 and was completed in 1956.
This building is considered a marvel of Dravidian architecture, with its granite facade and d seven domes. It is therefore popularly known as the 'Taj Mahal' of South India. At night, it looks extra enchanting when the building is illuminated. A visit to Vidhan Soudha is possible only with prior permission. Address: Ambedkar Bheedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagara, Bangalore, Karnataka 560001, India
KR Market
For an immersion in local life, visit the KR Market in the heart of Bangalore. The Krishna Rajendra Market is Bangalore's largest and oldest market that was established back in 1928. Probably this place was a battlefield back then. When the market was established, it was named after a former ruler of the kingdom of Mysore, so KR for short. Fun fact: at the time, it was the first place in Asia with electricity!
At the numerous stalls and street vendors, you can get really anything, but KR Market is best known as Asia's biggest flower market. As early as 4am, flower vendors from all over the area come here to display their orchids, roses, carnations and other fragrant flowers. This is also the best time for taking selfies and Insta snapshots - though you have to get up early for it! The murals inside make it extra photogenic. The crowds, congestion and frenzy can feel oppressive. However, you can join a guided tour to move around the market.
Nandi Hills
Take a trip to the Nandi Hills if you want to do something active in Bangalore. This is an ancient hill station at an altitude of 1,500 metres, about 60 kilometres north of the city. Members of royal dynasties as well as the colonial British used to go here to seek coolness. Today, the hills are a favourite spot for ordinary Indians to enjoy the sunrise or sunset. You can enjoy mesmerising views of the surroundings or go hiking, cycling or paragliding.
The hills are also dotted with temples and shrines. Atop one of the hills is the Yoga Nandeeshwara temple, said to be more than 1,000 years old. Two dwarpalakas (gatekeepers) guard the temple's doors. Infamous is Tipu's Drop, a 600-metre-high cliff face. Prisoners sentenced to death are said to have been pushed off this in the past. There are also the remains of a palace of ruler Tipu Sultan. Due to crowds, you need a permit to visit the Nandi Hills on weekends since March 2022.
Visvesvaraya Science Museum
As India's techno capital, a science museum is of course not to be missed in Bangalore. Visit the Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum and you will be up to date on the technological revolution of the past century. There are exhibits on subjects like aviation, the human body, space travel, electronics and old-fashioned locomotives.
In an interactive way, you will learn about climate change on our planet, but there is also an area dedicated to dinosaurs. Keep in mind that many Indian school groups may visit. The science museum is right next to the Government Museum, so you can pop in just like that. Address: 5216, Kasturba Rd, Near Chinna Swamy Stadium, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India. Website: www.vismuseum.gov.in
What to do in Bangalore: practical tips
Staying in Bangalore
Bangalore is a huge and expanding metropolis, so where to stay? The historic centre, which dates back to British colonial times, is convenient if you want to be within walking distance of the main attractions. If you're looking for a hotel near Cubbon Park, you're always in the right place in that respect.
Nearby, you'll find several top hotels on and around MG Road(Mahatma Gandhi Road), one of Bangalore's busiest streets. This area is dotted with restaurants, pubs, shops, theatres and offices. St Mark's Road in the city centre also has good hotels. For a quieter stay, you can also stay outside the city centre. With the fairly new metro, Bangalore's various districts are increasingly accessible.
Oberoi Bengaluru Hotel
One of the best hotels on MG Road is the Oberoi Bengaluru Hotel. The luxurious 5-star hotel is built in the shape of a crescent moon around a beautiful garden with century-old rainbow trees. Here, you won't notice much of the hustle and bustle of the street. Dine in this award-winning garden, take a dip in the pool or get pampered in the spa. From the balcony of your hotel room, you can overlook the garden. For dining, you have a choice of three restaurants, including a Thai restaurant in a secluded garden pavilion. ► Book an overnight stay at the Oberoi Bengaluru Hotel from € 148
Taj West End Hotel
For old-world colonial charm, book a room at the Taj West End Hotel, nestled in a lush garden north of Cubbon Park. This legendary hotel in Bangalore began back in 1887 as a ten-room inn. Today, the 5-star hotel has 117 elegantly decorated rooms overlooking the garden. Enjoy Vietnamese food at the award-winning Blue Ginger restaurant or sink away with a cocktail at the Blue Bar. Of course, there is a swimming pool for a refreshing dip. In addition, this atmospheric hotel is home to the second-oldest tree in town and a Victorian-era mailbox still in use. ► Book an overnight stay at the Taj West End Hotel from €148
Eating and drinking in Bangalore
Bangalore is a great place for foodies, with sophisticated gourmet restaurants as well as scrumptious street food. For the latter, head to VV Puram Food Street(Visveswara Puram Food Street), which is known for its huge range of Indian snacks. This street is dotted with eateries serving a variety of street food, from spicy local specialities to dishes from northern India and China.
A popular local dish is sambar, a spicy-sweet vegetable stew based on lentils and cooked with pigeon pea and tamarind broth. You eat it with idli (a steamed cake made of semolina) and dosa (a kind of savoury pancake). It is mostly eaten for breakfast. Try it at Brahmins' Coffee Bar, an iconic spot that has been around since 1965.
Thanks to its many IT specialists, expats, students and Western lifestyle, Bangalore is also known as the pub capital of India. Beer is the drink of choice among many (wealthier) residents and the city even boasts more than 60 microbreweries (even though Hindus are not allowed to drink alcohol by their religion).
For example, step inside Ironhill Bengaluru(www.ironhillindia.com), the largest microbrewery in the world. Prefer wine? You wouldn't have thought so, but 45 kilometres north of Bangalore is the Grover Zampa Vineyard(www.groverzampa.in). The winery offers five varieties of wine, which you can taste straight from the cellar.
Travelling to Bangalore
Bangalore is easy to reach from the Netherlands. KLM flies directly from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to this city several times a week, a 9-hour-and-15-minute flight. German airline Lufthansa has direct flights to Bangalore from Frankfurt (8½ hours). Several Indian airlines fly to Bangalore from all major cities in India.
Flights arrive at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR) (www.bengaluruairport.com). It is a modern airport 36 kilometres north of Bangalore. For transportation from the airport to Bangalore city centre, you can take a bus or a taxi. Cheap is an Airport Bus that takes 2 hours. Timetable information can be found on the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transportation Corporation 's website(mybmtc.karnataka.gov.in). A taxi takes about 35 minutes.
In addition, Bangalore is easily accessible by train if you are on a tour of India. Trains run to the city from all major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Mysore and Chennai. The direct train from the capital Delhi takes almost 40 hours, but you will be travelling across India from north to south. The central station is KSR Bengaluru City Junction. This is the busiest railway station in southern India. For train tickets and timetables, check the Indian Railways website: www.irctc.co.in
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