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C TYBENGALURU

Quick FactsSTD Code: 080

Helpful Websites

www.lonelyplanet.com/india/bengaluru-bangalore

www.karnatakatourism.org

For a local eating experience, head to

Harrar Street or Food Street, where many hole-in-the wall eateries serve street food staples like bhaji, dosas, curries, chaat, bhel puri and many interesting dishes. They start from 5pm.

I spices oF south india are a popular pick; © getty images/ navya ponnuru

The hub of India’s booming IT industry, cosmopolitan Bengaluru is blessed with a benevolent climate, a handful of interesting sights and a progressive dining, drinking and shopping scene. This city scores high with travellers who are willing to explore the remnants of its Hindu, Mughal and colonial ties.

I Brigade road is lined with shops; © gettyimages/ peter adams

TRANSPORTGETTING THERE• Air: Kempegowda International Airport operates both

international and domestic flights. It is in Hebbal, about 40km from MG Road.

• Train: Bengaluru’s City train station is the main train hub with connections to rest of the country. Cantonment train station is a good spot to disembark if you’re going to MG Road.

local TRaNspoRT• Auto: They charge `20 for the first two kilometres and then

1̀1 for every kilometer after that. After 10pm, 50% is added onto the metered rate.

• Bus: Bengaluru has a thorough local bus network, operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation.

• Metro: Namma Metro connects few parts of the city like MG Road to Baiyappanahalli and Mantri Square Sampige Road to Peenya Industry. Smart cards are available for `50.

• Taxi: There are various radio taxis you can pre-book. The charges vary from 1̀0 to 25 a kilometre.

coNNEcTIvITyInternet cafes are plentiful in Bengaluru, as is wi-fi in hotels.

TOP EXPERIENCES Lalbagh Botanical Gardens

Spread over 96 acres of landscaped terrain, the expansive Lalbagh gardens were laid out in 1760 by Hyder Ali. You can take a guided tour in a ten-seater eco-friendly buggy ( 1̀00 per person), and learn about the century-old trees and collections of plants from around the world.

Bangalore Palace The private residence of the Wodeyars, erstwhile maharajas of the state, Bengaluru Palace preserves a slice of bygone royal splendour for you to see. Aged retainers show you around the building, designed to resemble Windsor Castle, and you can marvel at the lavish interiors and galleries featuring hunting trophies and family photos. A horse carriage

ride around the palace grounds in an old buggy is also available.

Rangoli Metro Art Centre (Bangalore Boulevard) In May 2013, the much-awaited, restored boulevard of MG Road which had been disfigured by the metro construction, was opened. Now there is a much better version of the older hang-out spot: a two tiered pathway with a gallery, shops, children’s play area and artisan’s hub. Afternoon is the best time to visit.

Tipu Sultan’s Palace The elegant palace is notable for its teak pillars and ornamental frescoes. Incongruous with the development all around it, the palace sits like an oasis in between modern buildings. Though not as beautiful

I glasshouse at lalBagh gardens; © gettyimages/ www.victoriawlaka.com;

as Tipu’s summer palace in Srirangapatnam, it’s an interesting monument, and worth an outing.

Bull Temple & Dodda Ganesha Temple Built by Kempegowda in the 16th-century Dravidian style, the Bull Temple contains a huge granite monolith of Nandi and is one of Bengaluru’s most atmospheric temples. Nearby is the Dodda Ganesha Temple, with an equally enormous Ganesh idol. The temples are about a kilometre from Tipu Sultan’s Palace.

National Gallery of Modern Art The venue of this gallery is a 100-year-old restored heritage building, dotted with gigantic trees, fountains and gardens. It hosts exhibitions by eminent artists, workshops, film screenings, talks and

events centred on music, theatre and dance.

Pub hopping Better known as the ‘Beer Capital of India’ MG Road is lined with many pubs and breweries within a radius of less than a kilometer. So just take your pick and try some freshky brewed beer.

Vidhana Soudha Housing the state legislature of Karnataka, this building dating back to 1954, has Dravidian architecture. Go here just to see how grand and imposing this building looks.

ISKCON Temple The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple is a massive complex lavishly decorated in a mix of ultra-contemporary and traditional styles. It accommodates hundreds of

visitors and devotees each day. Meticulously run, the complex has ten temples and an eatery.

AROUND BANgAlORe Coorg I 187 km This place

has earned itself the rightful title of ‘adventure capital of Karnataka’. Located on the eastern edge of the Western Ghats, it has a diverse topography, with mountains, coffee plantations, thick forests, paddy fields and rivers.

Mysore I 150km Steeped in culture and tradition, Mysore is a heritage-rich experience. Savour its art and architecture or simply ride up to the Chamundeshwari Temple for some great views. Keep the kids busy for many an hour at the Mysore Zoo, and drive out to Srirangapatna for some Tipu Sultan lore. Visit the

I the stunning mysore palace; © gettyimages/ sudiproyphotography

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary if you are into birding.

Banerghatta National Park I 22 km The canter safari takes you through a smallsection of this sprawling park and if you are lucky, you can spot the bison, bears and deer. The tigers don’t roam around freely and are usually caged.Banerghatta National Park is home to a zoo and a butterfly park as well.

Nandi Hills I 57 km Nandi Hills is popular for its scenic views complemented by hot tea and noodles. There are a few attractions here like Tipu Drop and the Veer Bhadra Swamy Temple. At the foothills, lies the thousands of years old Shiva temple, Bhoganandeeswara. Sit by the Kalyani River and admire its 9th-century architecture.

Suffused in green, ITC’s hotel is eco-inclined. With uniquely themed rooms, a helipad, pool, spa and six dining options, this makes for a great stay option. Cubbon Pavilion, the multicuisine fine dining restaurant is open 24 hours.

vIlla poTTIpaTI %23360777; www.neemranahotels.com; 142 8th cross, 4th Main, Malleswaram; rooms from 4̀000

This heritage building was once the garden home of an expat Andhra family. Needless to say, it’s flooded with memories in the form of numerous artefacts scattered within its rooms. Dollops of quaintness are added by features such as antique four-poster beds and arched

doorways, while the overall ambience gains from a garden full of ageless trees, seasonal blossoms and a pool.

vIlla caMEloT %32723965; www.villa-camelot.com; 94/95, 4th cross, Ecc Road, prithvi layout, Whitefield; rooms from `3000 Expect an unforgettable time with hosts Raghu and Yamini, as you share stories over delicious food, enjoy their hospitality, the open spaces of this B&B and the couple’s love for movies, music and Bengaluru. With Indian themes, all the rooms are aesthetically pleasant. The ‘Mogra’ set of rooms on the ground floor is suitable for large families.

casa coTTaGE %22990337; www.casacottage.com; 2 clapham Road, rooms from from `3600 A peaceful retreat, Casa Cottage’s legacy of over 95 years is intact in its vintage look, period furniture and soothing ambience. Opt for the more spacious rooms on the first floor, which have great private sit-outs overlooking a grassy patch. The cafe by the garden serves only breakfast.

I rooms overlooking green trees at casa cottage © casa cottage

ACCOMMODATIONTaj WEsT ENd %66605660; www.tajhotels.com; Race course Road; rooms from `11,600 The West End saga flashbacks to 1887, when it was incepted by a British family as a 10-room hostel for passing army officers. Since then, nostalgia has been a permanent resident at this lovely property which – spread over 20 acres of tropical gardens – has evolved as a definitive icon of Indian luxury hospitality.

ITc GaRdENIa %40580444; www.itchotels.in; No. 1, Residency Road; rooms from `12,000

EATINGKaRavallI %66604545; The Gateway Hotel; 66 Residency Road The Arabian Sea is some 500km away, but you’ll have to come only as far as this superb spot to savour South India’s finest coastal cuisines. It’s designed like a seaside villa, and the decor is a stylish mash of thatched roofs and vintage woodwork. The juicy Lobster Balchao is an eternal favourite, as are the fiery Mangalorean fishy delights. And there’s the divine Bebinca with vanilla ice-cream for dessert.

suNNy’s %41329366; 34 vittal Mallya Road Cheese and olive oil conspire to work up some mouth-watering Mediterranean flavours at this popular restaurant specialising in Italian food. Its wide range of pastas, pizzas, salads and desserts are a hit with Bengaluru’s expat community.

QuEEN’s REsTauRaNT church streetThis reputed joint serves some quick and tasty Indian morsels such as a range of vegetable and dal preparations, to go with fluffy and hot chapattis. The interiors are rustic, with painted motifs adorning earthy walls.

MavallI TIffIN RooMs lalbagh RoadA legendary name in South Indian comfort food, this super-popular eatery, commonly called MTR, has had Bengaluru eating out of its hands since 1924. Head up to the dining room upstairs, queue for a table, and then admire the dated images of southern beauties etched on smoky glass as waiters bring you savoury local fare, capped by frothing filter coffee served in silverware. It’s a definitive Bengaluru experience; don’t leave town without trying it.

KosHy’s %22213793; st. Marks Road Get consumed by the intellectual buzz at this hang-out for authors, artistes and actors (Jawaharlal Nehru and the Queen of England have also eaten here). Uniformed waiters flit around busily with steel trays, balancing favourites like appam and stew, mutton cutlets, baked beans, and caramel custard.

I street Food is a Bengaluru staple; ©getty images/ guiZiou Franck

SHOPPINGuB cITy www.ubcitybangalore.in; No. 24, vittal Mallaya Road Whether it is browsing through famous brands or indulging in the culinary delights at the city’s top restaurants, UB City is hard to miss. A central floor fountain, amphitheatre and a shopping arcade adds to the festive feel of the place.

cauvERy aRTs & cRafTs EMpoRIuM %25581118; www.cauverycrafts.com; 49 MG RoadIt has a wide range of prices in products like silver jewellery, inlay work, clothes, toys, bags, brass and sandalwood curios, elaborate furniture and shawls.

cHIcKpET aNd avENuE Road Get anything under the sun in this 400-year-old market, right from antiques to crafts. Our picks include the famous Balaji Antiques and some popular sari shops. To get embellished silks and cottons, step into the 90-year-old Rukmini Hall or the even older Shankari Mahalakshmi Hall.

ACTIVITIESBaNGaloRE WalKs %9845523660; www.bangalorewalks.com Choose between a traditional walk, medieval walk, garden walk or Victorian walk to get under Bengaluru’s skin. Held on Saturdays and Sundays (7am–10am), the walks are all about knowing and loving Bengaluru in a way that many locals have forgotten.

I cycling is a popular activity in & around the city; © art oF Bicycle trips

aRT of BIcyclE TRIps%9538973506; www.artofbicycletrips.com See Bengaluru’s countryside and destinations like Nandi Hills and Nrityagram at close quarters with Art of Bicycle Trips. If you are in the city for long, you can also contact ‘atcag’ (www.atcag.in), a bicycle sharing system, which will issue you a smartcard; pick your bike from any of the nine docking stations in the city and leave it at another as per your convenience.

RaNGa sHaNKaRa %26592777; www.rangashankara.org; 36/2 8th cross, jp Nagar This is a great place to catch a play. All kinds of interesting theatre (in a variety of languages and spanning various genres) and dance are held at this cultural centre.