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BANGALORE
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BANGALORE HOTELS
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BANGALORE SIGHTSEEING
GENERAL
INFO
The capital of Karnataka state is thriving modern business
center, dubbed the 'Silicon Valley' of India, whose gracious
garrison town features are being remodelled in the image of
India's mall-loving middle class. It likes to think it's more in
tune with Mumbai and Manhattan rather than the rest of
Karnataka, and has been scathingly described as a city ' in
search of a soul '. The pace of life, like the intellectual and
political climate, is brisk. hardly a day goes by without some
new controversy boiling over across the front pages of it's also
regarded as one of India's most progressive and liberal cities,
as far as social attitudes go. Tourist brochures call Bangalore
the 'Garden City', but nothing could be further from the truth.
It's attractions are limited, but it does have a congenial
climate and good transport connections, and it's a useful place
to arrange trips to Karnataka's national parks and wildlife
sanctuaries. If you need a break from life on the road, it's
bars and restaurants can provide some much-needed light relief.
While you are sinking a few beers and munching on pizza, you can
contemplate the pros and cons of modern India's confused but
headlong rush into the 21st century.
SIGHTSEEING
 VIDHANA
SOUDHA
A magnificent post independence structure incorporating the
traditional feature of architecture, the Vidhan Soudha is
located in Cubbon Park. This is an imposing granite structure
with a total plinth area of over 5,00,000 sq.ft and houses the
secretariat, the state legislature and several government
offices. The huge carved doors of the cabinet are made of pure
sandalwood.
ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL
Built by French missionary in 1882 AD it is a grand Basillica
with an impressive tower and typically gothic pointed arches.
DURGAGH OF HAZRAT TAWAKKAL MASTAN SHAH
SUHARAWARDI
Situated in the heart of Cottonpet this Muslim saint's shrine
has been associated with the Hindu festival of 'Kangra'. The
famous Kangra procession, while passing through the city, visits
the 'Durgah' of the sufi saint Tawakkal Mastan whose tomb
attracts thousands of both Muslims and non-Muslims.
 CUBBON
PARK
In the heart of the city is the Cubbon Park. This beautiful 300
acre park built by Lieutenant General Sir Mark Cubbon in 1864
has public library and the museum. The Vidhan Soudha and many
Greco-colonial style buildings of the British era like the
Public Library and the High Court are located here.
BULL TEMPLE
At Basavanagudi is one of the oldest temple, typical of the
Dravidian style of architecture. Built by Kempe Gowda, the Nandi,
the sacred bull, carved out of a single boulder, is 6.1 meter
long and 4.6 meter high.
 GOVERNMENT
MUSEUM
Established in 1896, the Government Museum has on display
ancient weapons, stone carvings, pottery, painting and relics of
the 5000-year-old Mohenjo - Daro civilization.
JUMMA MASJID
Oldest Mosque built Mughal Killedar, was damaged by cannon fire
during the Mysore war and renovated in 1836.
THE FORT AND TIPU SULTAN'S PALACE
Built initially in 1537 by Kempe Gowda as a crude mud structure,
it was rebuilt by Hyder Ali in 1761. In this fort hyder Ali had
imprisoned David Baird along with a number of British army
officers. the fort has well preserved Ganapati temple within
it's precincts and the temple on the outer wall carries
exquisite carvings of Sri Krishna playing his flute and inside,
there is a fine statue of Lord Ganesh which still attracts
devotees. Near the fort is Tipu's palace, begum by Hyder Ali and
completed by Tipu Sultan in 1791. It resembles Daria Daulat
Palace of Srirangapatnam.
 TIPU'S
SUMMER PALACE
One of Tipu's summer retreats - was begun by Hyder Ali and
completed by Tipu Sultan. It is an elegant two storey wooden
structure with ornate pillars, balconies, arches and a
well-maintained garden.
VENKATARAMANSWAMY TEMPLE
Temple near Tipu's palace was built by Chikka Deva Raja Wodeyar
nearly 300 years ago, in the typical Dravidian style.
GANGADHARESHWARA CAVE TEMPLE
Built by Kempe Gowda, this temple with four remarkable
monolithic pillars, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It also has a
rare idol of Agni, God of fire.
 ISKCON TEMPLE
The ISKCON Temple was built recently by the International
Society for Krishan Consciousness. As you climb the granite
steps you will encounter three small shrines before the main
temple. The three idols of Lord Krishna in the main shrine are
made of brass.
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