Bangalore

The central area of the Bangalore city is studded with beautifully laid out parks and gardens, wide tree-lined avenues, imposing buildings and lively bazaars. Situated 1000 metres above sea level and with a very pleasant climate it's the city to which people from all over India and from abroad have gone to look for work, business opportunities and higher education. As you might expect from a city of this nature the pace of life, like the intellectual and political climate, is brisk and hardly a day goes by without some new controversy boiling over across the front pages of its daily newspapers or into the streets.

Vidhana Soudha: This is Bangalore's — and indeed one of India's — most spectacular buildings. Built of granite in the neo-Dravidian style of architecture and located at the northern end of Cubbon Park it houses both the Secretariat and the State Legislature.The cabinet room is famous for its massive door made of pure sandal-wood. The building is floodlit on Sunday evenings and on public holidays. Visitors are allowed only after 5.30 pm and prior permission must be obtained to view the interior.

Cubbon Park: One of the main 'lungs' of the city, this beautiful shady park full of flowering trees covers an area of 120 hectares and was laid out in 1864. In it are to be found the red Gothic building which houses the Public Library, the High Court, the Government Museum and the Technological and Industrial Museum.

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens: Again, a beautiful and popular located in the southern suburbs of bangalore. It covers an area of 96 hectares and was laid out in the 18th centu Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan.

The Fort: Located on Krishnarajendra Rd clos the City Market this was original mud-brick structure built in 1537 Kempegowda. It was later rebuilistone in the 18th century by Hyder All and Tipu Sultan but much of it was destroyed during the wars with the British and you would be missing little if you left it out of your itinerary. It is supposed to be open daily from 8 am but this isn't always the case.

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: Situated on Albert Victor Rd near the junction with Krishnarajendra Rd this palace was begun by Tipu Sultan's father, Hyder Ali, and completed by Tipu in 1791. It resembles the Daria Daulat Bagh at Srirangapatna near Mysore City but has been sadly neglected and is falling into disrepair. You may well find the temple next to it of far greater interest. The palace is open daily from 6 am to 6 pm. Admission is free.

The Bull Temple: Situated on Bugle Hill at the end of Bull Temple Rd, this is one of Bangalore's oldest temples. Built by Kempegowda in the Dravidian style, it contains a huge monolith of Nandi similar to the one on Chamundi Hill at Mysore. Non-Hindus are allowed to enter and the priests are friendly. You will be offered jasmine flowers and expected to leave a small donation.