STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA
KARNATAKA
Bangalore
Bangalore,
the capital of Karnataka, situated about 1000m above sea level is a cosmopolitan
city. Veera Balla, a lost king was provided with baked beans by an
old lady. In gratitude the king, founded a city and named it Bendakalooru
which means the town of boiled beans. This tradition is still carried on
today.
The present
city, Bangalore was redesigned by a Magadi chieftan, Kempe Gowda (1513-1569)
around 1537. He had constructed four towers in the four directions
to mark the boundary of the city. But present day Bangalore stretches
beyond this boundary.
The place referred to as Benguluru in the Ganga inscription, is now known
as Halebenguluru or Old Bangalore, in Kodigehalli, near Hebbal.
It is known
as the garden city, with a pleasant mild climate. It is one of most
important cities in India with the most prestigious scientific institutions,
industries, electronic, computer companies located here. There are
several fascinating places of interest in and around Bangalore.
Lal
Bagh
The most famous
amongst the many gardens in Bangalore, the botanical gardens of Lal Bagh
stretches over 240 acres in the southern suburbs of Bangalore. It
was laid out by Hyder Ali (who had overthrown the Wodeyars) in the year
1760, and was completed by his son Tippu Sultan.
The place derives
its name from the lovely red roses that bloom here. There are several
well laid out terraced lawns & rare tropical and sub-tropical plants.
There are around 1000 varieties of plants and trees, some of them brought
from other countries such as Persia and European countries. Some
of the trees are centuries old. Lovely lakes, lotus pools and fountains
add to the beauty of the garden.
In the centre
of the garden is a glass house with an intricate crystal in the design
of the Crystal Palace in London, where flower shows are held regularly
in the months of February and August. There is an area of different coloured
plants maintained by HMT in the form of a clock with huge dials, run by
electronic quartz mechanism. |
Cubbon
Park
In this park
full of flowering trees & plants laid in 1864 over 300 acres are a
public library, High Court, Government museum, Visvesvaraya industrial
and technological museum, Jawahar Bal Bhavan & a Tennis stadium.
A toy train runs to delight the children. |
Vidhan
Soudha
is a four-storeyed
granite structure built in 1956 that houses the State Legislature &
Secretariat. Designed on the pattern of the old Mysore palaces, there
is the influence of Hoysala art. The door leading to the Cabinet
room is carved out of pure sandalwood. On weekends, the entire building
is illuminated. |
Tippu's
Palace
This palace,
which was the summer residence of Tippu Sultan is situated on Albert Victory
road. Hyder Ali started the work on the palace & it was finally completed
by Tippu in 1791. This palace built largely out of wood, with elaborate
arches resembles the Daria Daulatbagh in Srirangapatna near Mysore.
The historic
fort situated near Tippu's palace was built originally in mud by Kempe
Gowda in 1537. It was later constructed in stone by Hyder Ali &
Tippu Sultan. Much of the original fort was damaged, but it is still
an imposing structure. There is a temple for Lord Ganesha inside
the fort. On the outer walls of the temple, there are beautiful carvings
depicting various postures of Lord Krishna. |
Bull
Temple
There is a
temple exclusively for Nandi Deva at Basavanagudi, Bangalore. (Basava -
Nandi in Kannadam). The Nandi idol is huge, measuring about 15ft
in height & 20 feet in length. This structure in the Dravidian
style was built by Kempe Gowda. This is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore.
Details
|
Venkatappa
Art Gallery
The art works
by the famous artist S K Venkatappa are on display here. There are
separate sections for his paintings, musical instruments designed by him
& sculptures. |
Visvesvaraya
Museum
In this industrial
museum named after Sri M Visvesvaraya are to be found several technical models.
There are also live demonstrations of engineering applications. |
Government
Museum
In this museum,
set up in the year 1886, located adjacent to the Visvesvaraya museum, there
are sections on archeology, ethnology, geology, numismatics. Art
pieces dating as far back as the Mohenjadaro days are on display here. |
Ulsoor
Lake
This picturesque
lake is located in the cantonment area. Fibre glass boats, motor boats,
sailor boats are available on hire for boating. |
Places
of interest near Bangalore
Bannerghatta
is located
about 21 kms from Bangalore. There is a wild life sanctuary here
(more than 100 sq km), a lion safari. Some of the wild animals to
be seen here are bisons, boars, elephants, tigers, panthers and several
bird varieties. The park also houses a crocodile and snake farm and
a prehistoric animal park.
There is an
ancient temple here - The Champakadharmeswara temple.
Whitefield
is situated
about 25 kms from Bangalore. The Sri Satya Sai Baba Ashram is located
here.
Hessarghatta
is situated
about 30 kms from Bangalore. There is an a huge lake here with sailing
facilities. It is a popular picnic spot. Govt. Horticultural
and Dairy farms and the Indo Danish Dairy project are functional here.
Chamarajasagar
(Tippagondanahalli)
This is a
water reservoir supplying drinking water to parts of Bangalore city.
It is a shady picnic spot.
Nandi
Hills
This summer
health resort is situated about 5000 ft above sea level around 60 kms north
of Bangalore. This was the summer resort of Tippu retreat. Tippu's
Drop is a 2,000 ft high cliff. It is believed that criminals were
thrown down this cliff. There are two 1,000 year old Siva temples,
one at the foot of the temple and one on top of the hill (Yoganandhiswara).
The hill top can be reached by climbing 1,175 steps.
Other places
of interest near Bangalore are the
Kolar gold
fields
Muthyala Maduva
(pearl valley) falls - 44 kms
Shivaganga
water spring - 60 kms
Gangadhara,
Honne Devi temples
Mekedatu -
The Arkavathi river flows through a deep gorge here. Arkavathi joins
Kaveri at Sangam. The Sangameswara temple is located here. |
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