Bangalore (Bengaluru) Map:
Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) is the capital of Karnataka. Noted for being the third most populous city in India, Bengaluru recorded an approximate population of 8,604,988 in 2012.
The city is also familiar with the name Silicon Valley of India, chiefly because it is the leading IT hub across the nation. Today, it stands amongst the top ten favored entrepreneurial sites in the world. The city is blessed with striking gardens, parks, as well as natural lakes. Besides, the city is also home to various pubs that are popular among tourists and the locals.
Geography
The city is located in the heart of the Mysore Plateau (a portion of the Deccan Plateau), in the southeast area of the state. The Bengaluru district is bordered by Chikkaballapur and Kolar to the north-east, Tamil Nadu and Mysore to the south, Ramanagaram and Mandya to the southeast, and Tumkur to the north-west. Located 914.4 meters above sea level, the city has a pleasant climate consistently all through the year.
How to reach (transport)
- By Air: Bangalore International Airport is located at a distance of 40 kilometers from Majestic, the central point of the city. Upon reaching, you can hire a pre-paid cab and reach your desired destination. Regular flights from the domestic airport connect the city to the major regions of India.
- By Rail: Bangalore Cantonment, Bangalore Majestic, and Yeshwanthpur are the three chief stations in Bengaluru. Bangalore Majestic connects the city to the major cities of India.
- By Road: KSRTC buses connect the various cities in Karnataka to Bengaluru. Besides, you can also avail various super deluxe buses from Bengaluru to Cochin, Hyderabad, Mysore, Goa, Mumbai, Chennai, and Trivandrum.
When to visit
The best time to plan your trip to Bengaluru would be from the months of September to February. Winters last from November to February and are believed to be the coolest season when the temperature can drop below 10°C. This is the best time to explore the various tourist attractions in Bengaluru. Summers last from the month of March to May and during this point, the city enjoys a mild warm climate.
Culture (Fairs and Festivals) and Traditions
The city is blessed with a multi-cultural spirit; people with different religions celebrate various festivities with joy and enthusiasm. Some of the important festivals include :
- Karaga Festival: Celebrated in the month of March and April, the Karaga festival is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Bengaluru. Karaga is the term given to earthen pots, symbolizing Shakti. Devotees place an earthen pot on their heads and participate in a procession, which ends at the Sampangni tank, where they immerse the pots in the water.
- Kadalekaye Parishe (The Peanut Festival): Honoring the first groundnut crop harvest in the year, this festival is celebrated in the month of November. The day begins with farmers visiting the Bull temple and seeking the blessings of the Almighty.
- Makara Sankranthi (Pongal): Celebrated across South India in January, this festival marks the beginning of spring.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrated in the month of September, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth anniversary of Ganesha.
- Ugadi: Celebrated in March or April, Ugadi marks the onset of the Kannada New Year. Dedicated to Lord Brahma, people start their day by taking a ritual bath and the day ends with holy prayers.
Points of interest (places to visit)
Bengaluru is home to various tourist attractions. Some of the major attractions include :
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- Bangalore Palace: Constructed by Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1887, the palace carves a niche for its Tudor architecture. Besides, the Gothic windows and fortified towers of this palace are worth viewing.
- HAL Aerospace Museum: Located 11 km from the city, it is the first aerospace museum in India. The museum is home to equipment for navigation and communication and many model aircraft.
- Tipu Sultan’s Palace: Though the construction of the palace was initiated by Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan completed the construction of the same in 1791. Formerly one of the summer retirements of Tipu Sultan, today the palace has been transformed into a museum.
- Lal Bagh: One of the popular botanical gardens of India, Lal Bagh is home to approximately 1,000 species of rare herbs and plants. Sprawled across 2,400 acres, the garden is well secured with stone walls. Visitors can visit this park anytime between 6 am in the morning to 7 pm in the evening.
- Bannerghatta National Park: Located 22 km from Bengaluru, this national park is famous for its picturesque natural beauty. Besides, the park is also home to Indian tigers, lions, and crocodiles.
Accommodation
Tourists prefer visiting Bengaluru all through the year, chiefly because of its pleasant climate. To make your vacation all the more pleasurable, ensure choosing a super stay option. Those who do not mind spending on their vacation can opt for luxury hotels like Hotel Royal Orchid, The Taj Gateway Hotel Residency Road, Matthan Hotel, and Vivanta by Taj. Those on a lesser budget can go in for budget hotels like The Infantry Hotel, The Chancery, and Barons Inn.