It is celebrated in November. It is also called Peanut festival as the farmers celebrate the first groundnut crop of the year. The local farmers worship at the Bull temple and seek blessings.

Upcoming Events:

Bangalore Accommodations
No. 116, RK Gardens, (behind Gowri Apts.), New BEL Road, Bangalore- 4
Phone: 91-9845-67-05-76, (91)9845-218-739
Details: Spacious fully furnished rooms. Attached western type toilets/bathrooms. Hot/Cold water. Beds, TV with cable connection, internet connection included in room rate.

Hotel Bangalore Gate
Kempe Gowda Road, Opp Menaka Theatre Bangalore Gate, Bangalore-560009
Phone: 080-2204848

West End Hotel
Racecourse Road Bangalore-560001
Phone: 080-3346673

Vyshali Hotel
5th Crs Nr Geetanjali Theatre Malleswaram Bangalore-560003
Phone: 080-3368507

Vikranth Hotel
Industrial Town 177 4th Mn Rajaji Nagar Bangalore-560044
Phone: 080-3356728

The Central Park
47 Manipal Centre Dickenson Road, Bangalore-560042
Phone: 080-5599798

Taj Residency
41/3 Mahatma Gandhi Road Banglore-560001
Phone: 080-5584444

Sunny Holiday Vlg And Convention Centre
15km Bannerghatta Road Bangalore-560083
Phone: 080-5540855

Bengalooru Habba, the definitive city festival which celebrates Bengalooru will be held from December 3rd to December 10th, 2006.
     
The committee of the Bengalooru Habba, on 15th November announced that this year the Bengalooru Habba would focus on promoting regional talent in a much larger manner than before. This year's Habba promises to be bigger and better with a very distinctive regional Karnataka flavor.

Mahatma Gandhi Road (M.G. Road) in Bangalore, India, was called "South Parade" in British times and renamed post independence. Many Indian cities (including New Delhi and Mumbai) have an M.G. Road, and in general there is no linkage between these various roads (except that in many cases, these happen to be the busiest part of the city).

Along with retail stores and food outlets, M.G. Road is also home to a large number of financial institutions like Canara Bank, ING Vysya, Vijaya Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Citibank, HSBC, Scotia Bank, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered, UTI Bank, Deutsche Bank, etc. On its Trinity circle end are located some of the Bangalore's best hotels like The Oberoi and the Taj Residency. Presently M.G. Road is being improved and prepared for the long-awaited Metro Rail line that connects the eastern part of Bangalore with the west.

The Leela, Bangalore
Situated on Airport Road, it is in close proximity to the Business district and an easy stroll from the KGA golf course. State-of-the-art facilities and its regal ambience combine to provide outstanding service.    
   
The Oberoi, Bangalore
A luxury hotel set amidst tropical gardens, is located in the heart of Bangalore's commercial and shopping centre. The most luxurious hotel in Bangalore, each room has a private balcony that overlooks award winning tropical gardens.
   
The Taj West End, Bangalore
Is Bangalore’s unique 5-star deluxe hotel. Situated near the city centre, the hotel’s 20 acres of landscaped gardens are a fine tribute to Bangalore.
   
Le Meridien, Bangalore
Located in close proximity to the city's shopping and business centres, Le Meridien Bangalore overlooks the golf course.
   
Golden Palms Resort & Spa,Bangalore
is a five star luxury resort located in India's 'Garden City', Bangalore and is only 35 km or a 45 minutes drive from the airport. It offers the traveler hospitality in the highest traditions of India.
   
Hotel Royal Orchid, Bangalore
In close proximity to the Airport and the commercial hub, overlooking the lush green KGA Golf Course; Royal Orchid Park Plaza offers all the amenities to the corporate traveler and leisure traveler.
   
The Chancery Pavilion, Bangalore
Hotel The Chancery Pavilion Bangalore is a 5 star hotel located in the heart of the central business district, just 8 kms from the airport, 5 kms from the railway station.
       
The Grand Ashok, Bangalore
Is a 186-room hotel with extensive landscaped gardens, built on a 10.33 acre site on Kumara Krupa High Grounds, located in the heart of the city's main commercial and shopping district.
   
Ista Hotel, Bangalore
Situated conveniently close to the city's business and shopping centres, the hotel offers spectacular views of the Ulsoor lake and the cityscape, breaking the traditional concepts of luxury.
       
E-Inn Hotel , Bangalore
The exteriors and the interiors of the building are inspired by Tudor architecture, and is thus lavishly done up in wood. The nine floor 252 luxury rooms
   
Windsor Manor Sheraton & Towers, Bangalore
Downtown location, close to the prominent business and commercial areas. Near the historic landmark Vidhana Soudha and opposite the Bangalore golf course.10 km from the airport,6 km from the railway station,7 km from the city centre.
 

Bangalore city has an excellent tourism infrastructure, which offers tourists all the facilities and services. The city is well developed and modern that makes it easy for a traveller to explore Bangalore at its own pace. In this beautiful city, five star deluxe hotels provide luxury accommodation facilities to tourists visiting Bangalore. Since the city is an Information Technology hub and many multi national companies have offices in Bangalore, the five star deluxe hotels also receive many business travellers.

Bangalore has many five star deluxe hotels that are fully equipped with all the modern facilities. The five star deluxe hotels in Bangalore are the favorite haunts of the rich and famous, who visit the Garden City either for work or leisure. Top of the line corporate executives also find it convenient to stay in the five star deluxe hotels of Bangalore, as these hotels provided all the business facilities. The five star deluxe hotels provide modern business centers, which are fully equipped with modern facilities like e-mail, fax, computers, Internet, audio-visual aids and projectors.

5 Star hotels in Bangalore

* The Leela Palace
* The Oberoi Hotel
* Taj West End
* Windsor Sheraton

     
4 Star Hotels in Bangalore
    
* St Marks Hotel
* The Capitol
* Gateway Hotel
* Luciya International
* Royal Orchid

3 Star Hotels in Bangalore

* Central Park Hotel
* Harsha Hotel
* Mercure Inn
* Museum Inn Hotel
* Hotel Bangalore International

2 Star Hotels in Bangalore

* Hotel Ramanashree
* Nalapad Residency
* Hotel Geo

See

Although Bangalore is not known as a tourist city, there is still a lot to see. If you only have a limited amount of time in the city, you should consider taking one of the half-day or full-day city tours offered by KSTDC, the government tourist office. They are cheap and cover the city's major attractions with English speaking guides.

KSTDC also offers longer full-day and multi-day trips to places outside of Bangalore. These include pre-arranged transit, hotel, meals, etc.

Typically, the tours (including the city tours) do NOT include entry fees into the attractions. Bangalore, as with the rest of India, has a habit of charging foreigners a lot more than locals. For example, Tipu Sultan's Palace, which is on the half-day tour, charges Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 100 (or $2 USD) to non-Indians.
 Landmarks

    * Vidhana Soudha - The legislative House of the State of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state 1951 to 1956. The then Prime Minister Sri Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru laid the foundation on 13th July 1951. It was built at an expenditure of Rs 1.84 crores. Marvel of neo-Dravidian architecture and one of the most imposing building not only in Bangalore but in India. One of the interesting feature of this building in grand stairs in its front. The grand stairs has a flight of forty-five steps 62 m (204 ft) wide 21 m (70 ft) deep giving a direct access to the foyer of first floor leading to an Assembly Chamber. The architecture of the building is based on Dravidian style, comprising richly carved bases and capitals for pillars, deep friezes, kapotha cornices, chaithya arches, heavy pediments domical finials, etc; At the same time, the construction has been on modern designs, making use of the present-day materials like steel, reinforced cement concrete glass, plastic, etc.
    * Vikasa Soudha - Is it possible to gild a lily? Well you judge for yourself. This ultra modern construction, adjacent to majestic Vidhana Soudha built in the same classic style, is supposed to come fitted with the latest gizmos to help govern the state. It was inaugurated sometime in February 2005.
    * Seshadari Iyer Memorial is a distinctive building constructed of red sand stone in Cubbon Park. It houses a public library and the Bangalore High Court, while the grounds include a children's recreation area with a toy train, fairground and theater.
    * Bangalore Palace was constructed by the Maharajahs of Mysore. For many years the building was neglected as a tourist attraction, but is now open to the public.
    * Tipu Sultan's Palace, which dates from about 1790, is the summer retreat for Tipu sultan. The two story structure is made mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars and arches.

 Temples

    * The Bull Temple is a typical Dravidian style temple, and is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area. Since then, local farmers have held an annual festival to express their gratitude.
    * The Maha Bodhi Society Temple (see 'learn' section) is a relatively new structure, with the main shrine built as a replica of the historic stupa at Bodh Gaya. The temple grounds are very peaceful, and visitors are welcome to stroll around. In addition, the temple houses an excellent library of books on Buddhism, many of which are in English.
    * The Iskcon Temple, built on a hillock atop scenic surroundings, the Hare Krishna temple is a perfect blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony. The huge cultural complex was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning. The annual Krishna and Balarama Rath Yatra is attended by thousands.
    * Gavi Gangadeshwara Cave Temple, was built by Kempe Gowda. This temple with four remarkable monolithic pillars is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple also has a rare idol of Agni god of fire. The annual festival is on Makara Shankranti and thousands of devotees flock to see the suns rays fall on the Shivlinga.
    * VenkataramanaSwamy Temple is a fine example of Dravidian architecture. This ancient temple was built by Maharaja Chikka Devaraya Wodeyar and is situated next to the summer palace of Tipu Sultan.
    * Dodda Ganapathi - one of the oldest temples in Bangalore.

 Parks

    * Cubbon Park. A 121 ha (300 acre) green lung in the center of the city. Sitting in the shade of one its many magnificent trees and watching towering bamboo sway in the breeze, it is hard to imagine that you in the heart of a metropolis of over 6.0 million people and one of the world's most dynamic and fastest growing cities. There is also a toy train offering children's rides.

    * Lumbini Gardens. A new attraction in Bangalore. It is located near hebbal flyover and is on the lake front of Nagarvala lake. It has been recently developed with a grant of Rs 10 crore. Major attractions of the park include boat rides, wave pool and children's garden.
    * Wonder La Amusement park. A new attraction in Bangalore. It is India's biggest amusement and water part which belongs to V-Guard firm. This park boasts of several rides(both ground & water). This is one of the best spots to visit in Bangalore, which en dazzles in good quality. It is located in the outskirts of the city off Mysore Road.
    * The Lal Bagh. A meticulously cared for garden located on the southern fringes of the city. Throughout its 97 ha (240 acre), there are lotus ponds, fountains, glass houses and stone formations that date back over 3.0 billion years. Described as the most romantic garden in India, it was laid during the 18th century by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. There is a small entrance fee.

 Do

    * Experience the Bangalore pub scene, mostly around MG Road, Brigade Road, and Church Street.
    * Go shopping at Banglore's famous malls and traditional markets, though leave your car as it's almost impossible to find a parking spot over weekends. Some of the more popular malls in Bangalore are 'The Forum,' 'Garuda Mall' and 'Bangalore Central.'
    * Try your hand at go-karting.
    * Attend a wonderful outdoor concert at Palace Grounds.
    * Enjoy the unique shopping experience on Sampige Road at Malleswaram in the traditional south Indian styled shops.
    * Visit the beautiful lakes in Bangalore."ulsoor lake" and "sankey tank" offer an enriching, pleasant experience.

 Theater

There is a theater hall located in J. P. Nagar, called Rangashankara. 36/2/, 8th Cross, J.P. Nagar, 2nd Phase. Tel: 26592777 or 26494656. Tickets range between Rs. 45 - 100. Usually the evening shows start at 7:30 pm. The theater hall management is very strict about starting time. They will not let you in even one minute after the show has started, so make sure you plan to arrive at least 4-5 minutes earlier. You will not be allowed to bring in any drinks or refreshments. Many local groups perform there, although more often shows are presented by travelling groups touring around India. Quality of the performances varies, but most plays are worth seeing, especially the ones by Indian playwrights and / or directors, as they can show you an "Indian" (or let's say "non-western") perspective. You can visit Rangashankara's website for information on what plays are running. Shows are in various languages, so it is a good idea to double-check whether the play is in English before buying / reserving tickets.

 Movies

Take in a movie at one of the innumerable theaters around the city, splurge at the PVR Gold Class Cinema in Forum Mall or Inox theatre in Garuda Mall. Nani Cinematheque has film series almost every weekend programmed by local film clubs, like Collective Chaos and the Bangalore Film Society. A club membership (around Rs 500/year) is typically required for entrance. The Alliance Francaise and Goethe Institute also host frequent foreign film series and cultural events.

 Spa

The professionals of India's "silicon city" work and play hard, and massages and spa treatments are easily available in Bangalore. Visitors might need a little respite from the roaring traffic and fast-paced lifestyle too. Spas are very much a part of Bangalore's East-meets-West culture, and new ones spring up across the city all the time. Among the best is "The 5th Elelment" Opp Dell office Inner ringroad and SPA.ce on Cunningham Road, run by an ex-pat Brit. It's best to book in advance for this spa's.
 Learn Buddhism

    * The Maha Bodhi Society, 14 Kalidasa Road, Gandhinagar, +91 80 2250684, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), , has a very active temple in Bangalore. There are teachings on the Dharma in English on the first two and last Sundays of every month from 9:30-11:30AM, while on the 3rd Sunday there is a meditation retreat. Anyone is welcome to attend. The temple also has a good library and a beautiful garden - a great place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis outside.

    * Choe Khor Sum Ling (CKSL), Ashwini, No. 24, First Floor, Domlur Layout, Tel: 080 41486497 (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), . Tibetan Buddhist Meditation & Study Center is located in Domlur near Shanti Sagar Hotel on Airport Road. CKSL is a center for the study and practice of Mahayana Buddhism following the lineage and example of Lord Buddha. The Center, whose name means 'The Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma' was founded in 2003 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche under the guidance of HH the XIVth Dalai Lama. The Center offers courses in various Buddhist meditation techniques and teachings on different aspects of tBuddhism. Teachings are offered free to the public and are conducted in English or in Tibetan (with translation in English). In addition to regular teachings every few weeks the Center invites senior Lamas to give talks on important aspects of the Buddhist path. Such talks are also accompanied by instructions and initiations by the Lama into different meditation practices.

 IT Education

    * There are many IT training companies in the city that cater to the needs of the Knowledge hungry. Check what they have to offer and the kind of hands-on training they provide. Avoid companies that put out flyers, as they usually do not provide quality training.

 Science and Stuff

Bangalore is famous for its innumerable educational and research institutes. The India Institute of Science,  , set in sprawling grounds, is the largest and best in India. It does cutting-edge research on almost any topic imaginable. Also, there are other places like JNCASR (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research), the various veternary and agriculture universities, the University of Bangalore, and NCBS (National Centre for Biological Sciences). There is also the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, which conducts two sky-gazing shows daily, and conducts many exhibitions and workshops by / for children. More information can be found at http://www.taralaya.org/.

Other places include the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, DRDO Defence Research and Devlopment Org.), ISRO Satellite Centre, Raman Research Institute, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Centre for Airborne Systems Studies and Analysis, Microwave Tube Research and Development Centre, Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Central Power Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), CSIR Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation (CMMACS), Indian institute of Management - Bangalore (IIM -B), Indian Institute of Information Technology - Bangalore (IIIT-B), Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Science.

In short, Bangalore is the place to go to in India for post-graduation (graduate studies) or higher.

 Work Non-Indians

With a little hard work and persistence finding a job is quite possible in Bangalore. Most of the available positions are in the IT field but not necessarily IT based. Several ex-pats do marketing, quality assurance, accent training and translation among other things. All jobs in India require either a business or employment visa which must be obtained abroad and sponsored by the hiring company. In general, the salary is very high compared to the local Indian wage. Internships in general, pay around Rs.10000-Rs.15000 per month while full-time jobs average between Rs.30000-Rs.50000 per month plus flights and housing. The best resource for jobs is through the expat community. Ask around but a good place to meet people are at the Sunday brunches at the 5 Star hotels or the numerous coffee shops in the MG Road area.

 Buy Handicraft

    * The Cauvery Arts & Crafts Emporium, 45 M G Road, +91 80 2558-1118, is a large store, offering a wide selection of some of Karnataka's best hand made products. The carvings made of Mysore sandalwood are an especially good buy.
    * Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE), M G Road - A government run store promoting traditional Indian hand crafts. The CCIE has major outlets in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai.
    * Royal Arts & Crafts, 21 K.H. Road, +91 80 2248-4797 has a particularly wide selection of silk carpets and paper mache products.
    * Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation, 45 K.S.H.D.C Complex, M.G.Road, +91 80 2558-1118 - specializes in Karnataka handicraft.

 Books

    * The Strand book stall, 1st Floor, Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road, +91 80 2558-0000, . Best known for the latest releases in art, design, architecture and all at good prices.
    * Gangarams, 72 M G Road, +91 80 2558-6743, +91 80 2558-7277. Four floors crammed with books makes this book store one of the largest (as well the most organized) book store in India.
    * Crossword, ACR Towers, Opp. Gateway Hotel, Residency Road, 91-80-25582411 - 16 A hot spot for books of various genres combined with seating areas, spacious racks- music and movie section, children's section and a coffee sho- this proves to be a wonderful hangout to read, browse and shop.
    * Higginbothams, 68 M G Road, +91 80 2558-7359, +91 80 2558-6574 - a good selection of maps, postcards, guides and novels
    * Premier Book Shop, 46/1 Church Street (off M G Road), +91 80 2558-8570. Is a venerable Bangalore institution that has books on every conceivable subject literally stacked from floor to ceiling. Although the store may appear to be utterly chaotic, the owner knows where every piece of his stock lies - just be careful with those elbows, a slight nudge and the whole place will come tumbling down!
    * Landmark, In Forum Mall on Luskar Hosur Road, Koramangala, +91 80 2206-7777 / 78 / 80 - a modern bookshop. A good place to pick up the most recent publications. Various household appliances; CDs and DVDs of music albums, computer and video games (the quality varying from time-to-time) and movies can also be found on the next floor.
    * Blossoms, near Coconut Grove Restaurant, Church Street (parallel to MG Road),+91 80-2559733,+91 80-25320400 - For those rare- hard to get old books, there are 3 full floors of them- all second hand- good condition and at low rates. You definitely won't leave disappointed.
    * Select Bookshop, off Brigade Road Behind Curzon Court Hotel, Brigade Road - Used to be the only old bookstore. Mr Murthy, who runs the bookstore, is one of the most knowledgeable people. His grandfather started the bookstore. He also has a collection of lithographs, stained glass paintings and collectors copies of antique books.
    * Oxford Book Store, At the Leela Galleria (next to Hotel Leela Palace) - Has some of the latest collection of books and magazines but, doesn't offer any discounts. It has a Cha Bar attached offering 69 blends of tea.
    * Tata Book House, At the Indian Institute of Science, Malleswaram - Has a large collection of technical books, on which it offers a flat 20 percent discount. Lots of books in a small place. Also worth visiting just because it is in IISc.
    * Bangalore Book shop,on 17th cross,Margosa Road Malleswaram has a wide range of books on Technical and other books spread over 5000 sq fts.This is one of the best places to buy books in Malleswaram. This is owned by the same people who run Tata Book House, above.
    * Streelekha, This is a great bookstore to explore the feminist literature and activism that is being produced in India, as well as other texts on the research and work of Indian NGOs. The atmosphere is relaxing and inviting. The bookstore is located at 33/1-9, Thyagaraja Layout in Jaibharath Nagar, telephone: 91 80 25492783.
    * Sapna Book House,  This is a large bookstore on 3rd Main road, near Kamat Yatri Nivas, Gandhi Nagar (Walking distance from Majestic Bus stand). They also have branches in three other locations Sadashivnagar, Jayanagar, and Indiranagar. Sapna Book House also provides online book delivery through http://www.sapnaonline.com.
    * Fusion Rental, First time in Bangalore, Company offering a service of online renting of books & movies. Vast collection of both books & movies at one place. Free Pick up & Delivery all over Bangalore. http://www.fusionrental.com
    * The Bookworm, This is a small used book store in one of the by-lanes perpendicular to Brigade Road (near McDonalds). Good bargains on used and new books are available here.
    * Elloor Library, A circulating library that has a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, including new titles. Located at Blue Cross Chambers on Infantry Road, close to Commercial Street. Requires membership which includes a deposit.

Places to see in bangalore city

Although Bangalore is not known as a tourist city, there is still a lot to see. If you only have a limited amount of time in the city, you should consider taking one of the half-day or full-day city tours offered by KSTDC, the government tourist office. They are cheap and cover the city's major attractions with English speaking guides.

KSTDC also offers longer full-day and multi-day trips to places outside of Bangalore. These include pre-arranged transit, hotel, meals, etc.

Typically, the tours (including the city tours) do NOT include entry fees into the attractions. Bangalore, as with the rest of India, has a habit of charging foreigners a lot more than locals. For example, Tipu Sultan's Palace, which is on the half-day tour, charges Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 100 (or $2 USD) to non-Indians.

 Landmarks

    * Vidhana Soudha - The legislative House of the State of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state 1951 to 1956. The then Prime Minister Sri Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru laid the foundation on 13th July 1951. It was built at an expenditure of Rs 1.84 crores. Marvel of neo-Dravidian architecture and one of the most imposing building not only in Bangalore but in India. One of the interesting feature of this building in grand stairs in its front. The grand stairs has a flight of forty-five steps 62 m (204 ft) wide 21 m (70 ft) deep giving a direct access to the foyer of first floor leading to an Assembly Chamber. The architecture of the building is based on Dravidian style, comprising richly carved bases and capitals for pillars, deep friezes, kapotha cornices, chaithya arches, heavy pediments domical finials, etc; At the same time, the construction has been on modern designs, making use of the present-day materials like steel, reinforced cement concrete glass, plastic, etc.
    * Vikasa Soudha - Is it possible to gild a lily? Well you judge for yourself. This ultra modern construction, adjacent to majestic Vidhana Soudha built in the same classic style, is supposed to come fitted with the latest gizmos to help govern the state. It was inaugurated sometime in February 2005.
    * Seshadari Iyer Memorial is a distinctive building constructed of red sand stone in Cubbon Park. It houses a public library and the Bangalore High Court, while the grounds include a children's recreation area with a toy train, fairground and theater.
    * Bangalore Palace was constructed by the Maharajahs of Mysore. For many years the building was neglected as a tourist attraction, but is now open to the public.
    * Tipu Sultan's Palace, which dates from about 1790, is the summer retreat for Tipu sultan. The two story structure is made mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars and arches.

 Temples

    * The Bull Temple is a typical Dravidian style temple, and is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area. Since then, local farmers have held an annual festival to express their gratitude.
    * The Maha Bodhi Society Temple (see 'learn' section) is a relatively new structure, with the main shrine built as a replica of the historic stupa at Bodh Gaya. The temple grounds are very peaceful, and visitors are welcome to stroll around. In addition, the temple houses an excellent library of books on Buddhism, many of which are in English.
    * The Iskcon Temple, built on a hillock atop scenic surroundings, the Hare Krishna temple is a perfect blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony. The huge cultural complex was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning. The annual Krishna and Balarama Rath Yatra is attended by thousands.
    * Gavi Gangadeshwara Cave Temple, was built by Kempe Gowda. This temple with four remarkable monolithic pillars is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple also has a rare idol of Agni god of fire. The annual festival is on Makara Shankranti and thousands of devotees flock to see the suns rays fall on the Shivlinga.
    * VenkataramanaSwamy Temple is a fine example of Dravidian architecture. This ancient temple was built by Maharaja Chikka Devaraya Wodeyar and is situated next to the summer palace of Tipu Sultan.
    * Dodda Ganapathi - one of the oldest temples in Bangalore.

 Parks

    * Cubbon Park. A 121 ha (300 acre) green lung in the center of the city. Sitting in the shade of one its many magnificent trees and watching towering bamboo sway in the breeze, it is hard to imagine that you in the heart of a metropolis of over 6.0 million people and one of the world's most dynamic and fastest growing cities. There is also a toy train offering children's rides.
    * Lumbini Gardens. A new attraction in Bangalore. It is located near hebbal flyover and is on the lake front of Nagarvala lake. It has been recently developed with a grant of Rs 10 crore. Major attractions of the park include boat rides, wave pool and children's garden.
    * Wonder La Amusement park. A new attraction in Bangalore. It is India's biggest amusement and water part which belongs to V-Guard firm. This park boasts of several rides(both ground & water). This is one of the best spots to visit in Bangalore, which en dazzles in good quality. It is located in the outskirts of the city off Mysore Road.
    * The Lal Bagh. A meticulously cared for garden located on the southern fringes of the city. Throughout its 97 ha (240 acre), there are lotus ponds, fountains, glass houses and stone formations that date back over 3.0 billion years. Described as the most romantic garden in India, it was laid during the 18th century by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. There is a small entrance fee.

By bus

Buses in Bangalore are cheap and usually frequent, but traveling on them can be very difficult if you don't know the system well. Local city buses display only the route number in English, with the destination and route information is written in Kannada. This means you will have to know what route number you need before you get on, which you can find from the BMTC website or by asking locals. Unlike many Western countries, posted route maps of the bus system are rare, although maps are sold at the main bus terminal (Majestic Bus Stand).
Bangalore Bus Route, directions, distance information

City buses will be crowded during rush hours but one can travel with little difficulty during day time. Bus service is less frequent after 9:30 - 10:00 pm and becomes rare after 10:30 pm.

It is always better to buy a daily pass if you plan to travel the whole day on the bus. The daily pass costs Rs 30 and it comes handy if you need to travel on several buses in a single day. Daily passes are issued by the on-duty bus conductor or at the bus stand, mostly till 1 pm in the afternoon. Using this pass you can travel in any bus (other than A/C Volvo) for the entire day, any number of times. It is a very economical option for travel in Bangalore.

There are three major bus stands:

    * Majestic Bus Stand also known as the Kempegowda bus stand near Gandhi Nagar is close to the railway station and is quite neatly organized and is easily navigable. There is an inquiry office near platform number 1 on ‘Majestic’ where you can ask the bus number and platform for your desired destination. You can find a large map on display, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to. You can of course always ask the conductor or other passengers. Route maps are also sold on the platforms.
    * City Market is around 2 km (1.2 mi) to 3 km (1.8 mi) away from Majestic and could daunt newcomers, since it is very disorganized. It is a large dirt parking lot under an overhead highway, and there isn't much order to where buses park.
    * Shivajinagar is in the north. This is also neatly organized and there is an enquiry window to find about buses.

From all of these three bus stands, buses are available for all major regions of city.

Other important bus stands are

    * BTS, Important junction of major routes near Lalbag
    * Jayanagar, South
    * Banashankari, South West
    * BTM, South East
    * Vijaynagar, West
    * Malleswaram, North West
    * Yeshwantpur, Far North West
    * Domlur, East
    * Rajajinagar, North

Buses with black display boards run within the city. Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs. There is a ‘Pushpak’ service with better seating; these buses are tan rather than the usual blue. Recently A/C Volvo buses have also been introduced for select routes.

 By auto-rickshaw

Auto-rickshaw drivers are the nightmare of the city. Auto-rickshaws are supposed to charge fares as per the meter reading, which most often equals to 7 INR x Distance (in Kms.), they generally tend to charge on an ad-hoc basis depending on the distance of the destination or the chances of getting another customer from the mentioned locality. However, a bad business sense and the inexplicable reasons elicited by them for refusing to ferry a customer have earned them enough brick-bats. Tourists should be tactful when approaching an auto-rickshaw during night, or during heavy rains. Chances are they will charge exorbitant rates. Help could be taken from the local traffic police to avail atuo-rickshaws during such circumstances.

Auto-rickshaws are everywhere at any time of day. They are yellow three wheeled contraptions that use simple two-stroke engines and belch out pollutants. Nevertheless, they are a fast way to get around the city.

Autos are supposed to charge according to the meter, and you should simply refuse to board one where the meter is faulty or the driver refuses to use it. Saying "meter please" will usually do the trick. If you are desperate to get somewhere, you should at least negotiate the fare before boarding.

Autos add a 50% surcharge after 10 pm (called "one and half"). Some drivers may demand 100% surcharge after 10PM or 11PM but you must refuse to board in such a case. Heavy luggage costs an additional fee of around Rs10 or 20.

Rickshaw drivers are required by law to display their identification on the dashboard or the back of their seats. Refuse to get into a rickshaw that does not.

If a rickshaw driver offers to show/drive you to some great places to shop, firmly refuse. A common tactic is to drive you to local shops where you will be pressured to buy Indian crafts that you probably don't want. Know your destination and insist upon it. Be firm.

The minimum charge as of June 2007, is Rs 14 for the first 2km and Rs 7 for every additional km. A trip from the Airport to Brigade road costs about 50rs including (a good) tip.

Finally, although Bangaloreans are known for their polite and mild manners, some auto drivers are an exception. Therefore be careful in dealing with them.

 By taxi

The taxis in Bangalore are very convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Maruti Omni Vans or Tata Indica cars, which are much safer than Auto rickshaws, and the drivers are polite. If you are alone or going to an unknown destination, you are strongly advised to choose this option, even though the rates will be double that of an auto. The rates are Rs. 35 for 4 km (2.5 mi)(minimum) and Rs 9 for every extra kilometer.

Unlike many other countries, taxis are not marked with 'TAXI' signs on the top. In fact, you must call for a taxi, as it is nearly impossible to hail one unless you are at a major point like the airport. When you call, you should negotiate a fare (or agree on using the meter) and get the taxi's 'number'. The taxi will come pick you up, and call you when they are close. When you go out on the street, look at the license plate for the number they gave you -- it will be the last four digits of the license plate. This is usually in the format "KA" followed by 01 to 05 or 50+, followed by "M" and then another alphabet, followed by a four digit number. Taxis generally have yellow license plates with black letters.

Although it can be hard for non-Indians to grasp at first, the system is actually very effective. If in doubt, ask a member of your hotel staff to help you, and when your taxi comes be sure to tip them Rs. 10 or Rs. 15 for the assistance.

 By private car

Most taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers will be more than happy to offer you either a daily rate or an hourly rate, and take you around wherever you need to go. Alternately, your hotel or a travel company can arrange a private car.

If you find a good taxi or auto driver, this can be a great way to go for a foreigner. You'll certainly pay a lot more than if you bought individual rides, but you'll always have a driver waiting for you, and he can help with recommending local tourist sites, finding a good restaurant to eat at, and otherwise coping with day-to-day life. This can take a lot of the stress out of traveling.

Rates are generally something like Rs. 50 to 100 per hour for an auto-rickshaw, and Rs 150 to 250 per hour for a taxi. Rates for a private car booked via the hotel will probably be more. Like everything else in India, rates are very fluid.