Visiting Bangalore

Visiting Bangalore

Bangalore is famous for its fine extensive gardens, Lal Bagh, was laid out in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan. Covering 240 acres, the park contains a variety of plants and trees, a deer park, and one of the largest collections of rare tropical and sub-tropical plants, in the country. The Glass House, a huge conservatory is the venue of the annual flower, vegetable and fruit shows.

Cubbon Park, laid out in 1864 covers an area of 300 acres. Within its grounds are the Public Library, the High Court, the Government Museum and the Visveswaraiah Technological & Industrial Museum. The Attara Kacheri, as the High Court building is known in these parts, was built in 1864. The Government Museum, one of the oldest in India, was built in 1886, and houses collections of coins, art, and relics. Located near the City Market, are the remains of a fort dating back to the days of Hyder Ali, and Tipu Sultan's summer palace. The palace, an elaborately decorated structure, has ornate arches and minarets.

Bangalore boasts of some of the oldest, and most beautiful temples in the country. Adjoining Tipu's summer palace is the Venkataramanaswamy Temple, a 300 year old temple which is still in very good condition. South of Bangalore, in Basavangudi, is the Bull Temple, built by Kempe Gowda. The idol is a massive Basava or bull, which has been carved from a single boulder. Another notable temple is the Gavi Gangadhareswara temple, an unusual cave temple. It has been designed in such a manner so that, on the festival of Sankranti, the rays of the sun pass between the horns of a Nandi Bull placed outside the temple, and thereby, light up the image of Lord Shiva. Another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the Someshwara Temple, built by Kempe Gowda, in Ulsoor.