Bangalore, India: a Pensioners Paradise

Bangalore (1)

Bengaluru, most popularly known as Bangalore, is a place worth exploring in India. It was once known as the city as the “Garden City” and “Pensioners Paradise.” It was once the greenest city in India; it had numerous spacious gardens, parks, and, natural landscapes.

However, in recent years things change. From being the greenest city in the country, it became a city of high-tech industry. For gadget lovers this is a “techie’s paradise,” “Silicon Valley of India,” and “IT capital of India.” There are a number of IT (information technology) companies based in the city. Today there are museums and temples within the area that stood the test of time.

OVERVIEW of BANGALORE

GEOGRAPHY

Hesaraghatta Lake (2)

Bangalore could be found at the southern region of India in the state of Karnataka. The city is located on top of Deccan Plateau which is at 900 meters above sea level. It occupies a total of 721 square kilometers.

There are no major rivers in the city. Lakes were constructed in the 16th century to contribute and meet the city’s water requirement.

CLIMATE

According to the Koppen climate classification, Bangalore experiences a tropical savanna climate. The warmest months occur from March to June; while the coolest is from December to January. Rainy season occurs from August to October.

DEMOGRAPHICS

In 2011, Bangalore had a total population of almost 8.5 million people (the third most populated city in the country and 18th in the world). Majority of the population, 79.4%, are Hindus. It is followed by Muslims (13.4%), Christians (5.8%), and Jains (1.1%). Languages spoken in the city are Kannada, Urdu, Indian English, Tamil, Telugu Malayalam, and Hindi.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting In

By plane

KempeGowda International Airport, formerly known as Bengaluru International Airport is the nearest airport in Bangalore. This is approximately 40 kilometers from the central business center of Bangalore and 30 kilometers from Bangalore City Railway Station.

The said airport is one of the busiest and most modern airports in the country. Ten (10) domestic airlines and 21 international airlines operate in the airport and could reach 50 different areas in the world. Some airlines include Air India, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Thai Airways, AirAsia, Dragonair, and many more.

By train

Despite the low cost of travel, the trains in Bangalore are efficient. Just take some patience since travel is slower.

By bus

Another way to reach the city is via bus. Without traffic, buses can travel at a faster rate compared to trains. There are a number of buses (government and privately owned) that travels in and out of the city and connects Bangalore to neighboring towns and major cities. Bangalore bus stands serves as the official terminal for all intercity buses.

Getting Around

By bus

The most common and most affordable way to travel the city is via bus. Bus fares vary in price depending on comfort (air-conditioned vs non air-conditioned and seating).

By auto-rickshaws

A travel to India would not be complete without trying their native ride – auto-rickshaws. It is a three-wheeled vehicle that can comfortably accommodate three persons.

By taxis

Taxis are also available but for a higher cost.

WHAT TO SEE

CUBBON PARK

Cubbon Park (3)

The park originally opened in the year 1870 and had a total land area of 100 acres. In succeeding years, the land area expanded to 300 acres. Within the park are different flora and fauna – natural rock outcrops, trees, bamboos, and flowers.

To allow tourist to explore the park freely, walkways were built to cross the park; making it a perfect jogging area. There are also a number of buildings within the area and at the sides including Central Public Library, Government Museum, the Indira Priyadarshini Children’s Library, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Aquarium, YMCA, Yuvanika — the State Youth Centre, Century Club, Press Club, Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Tennis Pavilion, Cheshire Dyer Memorial Hall, and Ottawa Chatter. Statues in the area are the statue to King Edward and Chamarajendra statue.

Karnataka High Court (4)

Library Cubbon Park (5)

Sheshadri Iyer Statue (6)

BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK

A Bengal tiger in Bannerghatta National Park (7)

Bannerghatta National Park was declared a national park in 1974, three years after its foundation. Inside the park one could find a zoo, petting corner, animal rescue center, butterfly enclosure, an aquarium, a snake house, and a safari. The national park is also used as a trekking site.

A leopard in Bannerghatta National Park (8)

A Bengali white tiger (9)

FREEDOM PARK

Entrance to Freedom Park (10)

In November 2008, the former Central Jail was converted to the Freedom Park. Inside one could see statues of people known as Freedom Fighters.

Sculptures of Freedom Fighters at the Freedom Park (11)

THOTTIKALLU FALLS

Thottikallu Falls or TK Falls or SwarnaMukhi Water Falls

Thottikallu Falls is often referred to as TK Falls or SwarnaMukhi Water Falls. It is a well-known trekking and mountain hiking place. There is also a temple in the area.

The Muneeshwara Swamy shrine near TK Falls

ULSOOR LAKE

Ulsoor Lake (12)

Another natural landscape that should not be missed is Ulsoor Lake – one of the biggest lakes in town. The lake measures at least 50 hectares and includes several islands.

BANGALORE PALACE

Bangalore Palace (13)

Bangalore Palace was built in 1862 and was headed by Rev. Garrett. The palace had a total floor area of 4200 square meters and grounds measuring 454 acres.

British officials bought the palace in 1873 and the palace undergone renovation. The palace was inspired by Tudor architecture; fortified towers, battlements, and turrets were added.

Tourists are allowed to enter the palace for a fee. Palace rooms are currently used to display clothes of the royal family. The ballrooms could be rented for private functions.

The outside palace grounds were used for performances such as Aerosmith, Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, Elton John, The Rolling Stones and many many more.

HALASURU SOMESHWARA TEMPLE

Halasuru Someshwara Temple (14)

Halasuru Someshwara Temple was built in honor of the Hindu god Someshwara. The temple dates back to the Chola period, making it the oldest temple in the city.

SRI RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE

ISKCON Temple at Bangalore (15)

Sri Radha Krishna Temple is one of the largest ISKCON temples in the world. Construction and inauguration was finished in 1997 and officiated by Shankar Dayal Sharma.

BAGMANE TECH PARK

Bagmane Tech Park

Bangalore is the IT capital of India. It is only natural to see international IT companies here. At Bagmane Tech Park, a software technological park, one could find the companies Informatica, Cypress Semiconductor, Motorola, Yahoo!, Lenovo, HSBC, and so on.

References:
“Bangalore.” Travel Guide. Web. 8 Feb. 2015. <http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangalore>.
“Bangalore.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 8 Feb. 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangalore>.
“Bengaluru (Bangalore) Tourism and Vacations: Best of Bengaluru (Bangalore).” , India. Web. 8 Feb. 2015. <http://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Tourism-g297628-Bengaluru_Bangalore_Karnataka-Vacations.html>.

Images:
1. Karim, Muhammad Mahdi. Bangalore City as viewed from a vantage near the Corporation Circle. 2011. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
2. Nikkul. Hesaraghatta Lake. June 2007. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
3. Binu, Augustus. Cubbon Park. October 2013. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
4. Karim,Muhammad Mahdi. Karnataka High Court. April 2010. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
5. Binu, Augustus. Library Cubbon Park. February 2013. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
6. Binu, Augustus. Sheshadri Iyer Statue. January 2013. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
7. Karim, Muhammad Mahdi. A Bengal tiger in Bannerghatta National Park. May 2010. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
8. Karim, Muhammad Mahdi. A leopard in Bannerghatta National Park. May 2010. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
9. Karim, Muhammad Mahdi. A Bengali white tiger in Bannerghatta National Park. May 2010. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
10. Diham. Entrance to Freedom Park. September 2009. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
11. Diham. Sculptures of Freed Fighters at the Freedom Park. September 2009. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
12. Ramesh NG. Ulsoor Lake. March 2014. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
13. SMit224. Bangalore Palace. November 2009. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
14. Dineshkannambadi. Halasuru Someshwara Temple. June 2012. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.
15. Svpdasa. ISKON Bangalore Temple. April 2007. Commons.wikimedia.org. Photograph. February 8, 2015.

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