Bangalore, The Garden City

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Bangalore is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore has an estimated metropolitan population of 6.5 million (65 lakh), making it Indias third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area. Though historical references to the city predate 900, a written history of continuous settlement exists only from 1537. In that year, Kempe Gowda I, whom many regard as the architect of modern Bangalore, built a mud fort in the city and established it as a province of the Vijayanagara Empire.

During the British Raj, Bangalore developed as a centre for colonial rule in South India. The establishment of the Bangalore Cantonment brought in large numbers of migrants from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and North India for developing and maintaining the infrastructure of the cantonment.

After India gained independence in 1947, Bangalore evolved into a manufacturing hub for public sector heavy industries—particularly aerospace, telecommunications, machine tools, heavy equipment, space and defence. The establishment and success of software service firms in Bangalore after the liberalisation of Indias economy has led to the growth of Indias information technology industry. Bangalore is referred to as the Silicon Valley of India and accounts for 35 percent of Indias software exports. Home to prestigious colleges and research institutions, the city has the second-highest literacy rate among the metropolitan cities in the nation. However, as a large and growing metropolis in the developing world, Bangalore continues to struggle with problems such as air pollution, traffic congestion, and crime.

Infosys Technologies Limited is a information technology services company headquartered in Bangalore, India. Infosys is the second largest IT company in India with 105,453 professionals (including subsidiaries) as of Nov 9, 2009. It has offices in 22 countries and development centers in India, China, Australia, UK, Canada and Japan.

The headquarters of several public sector undertakings such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) are located in Bangalore. In June 1972 the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established under the Department of Space and headquartered in the city.

Bangalore is called the Silicon Valley of India because of the large number of information technology companies located in the city which contributed 33% of India's Rs. 144,214 crore (US$ 30 billion) IT exports in 2006-07. Bangalore's IT industry is divided into three main clusters — Software Technology Parks of India (STPI); International Tech Park, Bangalore (ITPB); and Electronics City. UB City, the headquarters of the United Breweries Group, is a high-end commercial zone. Infosys and Wipro, India's second and third largest software companies are headquartered in Bangalore, as are many of the global SEI-CMM Level 5 Companies.

The growth of IT has presented the city with unique challenges. Ideological clashes sometimes occur between the city's IT moguls, who demand an improvement in the city's infrastructure, and the state government, whose electoral base is primarily the people in rural Karnataka.[50] Bangalore is a hub for biotechnology related industry in India and in the year 2005, around 47% of the 265 biotechnology companies in India were located here; including Biocon, India's largest biotechnology company.

Source: Wikipedia.

Tourist Attractions in Bangalore

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	Vidhana Soudha − Built of Granite and Porphyry, this imposing building houses the Secretariat I and the State Legislature of Karnataka. Built in 1956 by Kengal i Hanumanthaiah, the then Chief Minister of Mysore State. This architectural I marvel is built combining Dravidian, Rajasthani, Chola and Karnataka styles of Architecture. It is capped by a 20m (66ft) dome, which is surmounted by the four-headed Ashokan lion, symbol of the Indian State. The building looks even more spectacular on Sunday evenings when it is beautifully illuminated.
	Lalbagh − Regarded as one of the most richly diverse Botanical Gardens in South Asia. Lalbagh was laid out by Haider Ali in 1740. LaJbagh's famous Glass House, modelled on London's Crystal Palace and Conceived as a venue for horticultural shows, is another big attraction apart from the varied flora. Another popular attraction is the surreal Roral Clock, surrounded by Snow White and the Seven dwarfs.
	Cubbon Park − Named after Lord Cubbon who laid this parkin 1864, the Cubbon Park is spread over an area over 300 acres. The park is a lush, grassy expanse fringe with flowerbeds, shady bowers, flowering plants, and embellished with illuminated fountains. Cubbon Park boasts of a variety of trees, some of them rare to India, and some of them imported. In the middle of the park a red painted, Neo-Classical building known as the Sheshadri lyerMemorial Houses a Public Library.
	Nehru Planetarium − Among the tourist attractions in Bangalore, the Jawahartal Nehru Planetarium is a must see. Founded in the year 1989, the planetarium hosts daily shows that give visitors a good view as well as factual knowledge on astronomy. The sky theatre inside with a dome of fifteen meters in diameter has a sitting capacity of 225. The Planetarium gives the opportunity to tourists on vacations in Bangalore to unravel the mysteries of outer space.
	Art Gallery − It is a place of delight for art lovers, having about 600 paintings. This is named after a prestigious court painter Sri K. Venkatappa who born in 1887. The ground floor contains his paintings and the first floor contains works of M.F. Hussain.S.G. Vasudev, Hanumaiah Hariram and other artists.
	Bull Temple − This is typical Dravidian style temple built by Kempe Gowda. This has a monolith bull 4.5m height and 6.5m long. The popular story is that the temple was built to appease the bull which persisted in devouring all the ground nuts in the surrounding fields despite the villager's efforts to keep it at bay. The fascinating bull temple was built and the bull apparently took the hint and stayed away from the groundnuts. The thankful farmers continue to hold a Groundnutfair (Kadalekai Parishe) near the temple premises every yearto show their gratitude.
	Nrityagram − Hesaraghatta, the rural district of Bangalore, is India's only village for classical dance. This dance village designed by Gerard by Da Cunha, who is the winner of the Architect! of the year, conducts tours with the explanation of India's philosophy, culture, lecture and demonstrations in dance. Attraction being the conduct of Vasantha Habba or the festival of spring where leading musicians and dancers from all over the country participate. This brings in the students as well as the connoisseurs and common man in touch with the best musical talents in the country.
	Nandi Hills − Situated 60 km north of Bangalore, Nandi Hill was one of the summer retreats of Tippu Sultan. The 1478m high Nandi hill is the originating point of many rivers. One of the attractions being the Tippu drop which is a 600 m high cliff face, where according to legend, condemned prisoners were pushed to death. This is strewn with walks of Sylvan beauty and is one of the popular health’ resorts today.
	Bangalore Palace − The Palace was built by Chamaraja Wodeyar in Tudor style inspired by the Windsor castle in 1887. This palace gives an impression of England's I architecture in Bangalore. The structure has fortified tower and its interiors I boast of elegant woodcarvings and Tudor style architecture with gothic ' windows, battlements and turrets. This palace, which is large constructed of wood, has breathtaking floral motifs, cornices, moldings relief paintings.
	Ulsoor Lake − Close to the M.G.Road this lake is one of the main attractions for holiday goers in the city. With a radius of about 3-Km, this lake is ideal for rowing around in a boat or to sprawl on the green grass that surrounds it. Holidayers can also relax on the small islands that dot the lake.
	Government Museum − The State Archaeological Museum also known as Government Museum was designed and built by Colonel Sankey in 1876. Being one of the oldest museums in the country it has an exquisite collection of coins, sculptures, old paintings, inscriptions and excavated items the original collection of the museum belongs to B1. Rice of the Mysore Gazetteer.
	Seshadriiyer Memorial − The red building in Cubbon park was to commemorate K. Seshadri Iyer, who was the Dewan of Mysore State. There is a library housed in this building, which was set up 1915 and the statute of Seshadri Iyer in a small rose garden in front of the hall.
	Iskcon − This is one of the most popular and sought after religious destinations in the region. The fantastic temple building, the gorgeous deities of the lord Sri Radha Krishna and the pure spiritual atmosphere make the pilgrimage a lasting memory. This temple attracts people not just from various parts of India, but from abroad too!!
	Vishveswaraiah Museum − This museum is a tribute to the great Sir M. Vishveshwariah, a statesman who worked towards bringing science and technology to the common man. See an unconnected tube light glow, watch your voice as you speak, learn to make pictures, alarms etc. This museum is a wonderland of information about the marvels of science.
	Attara Kacheri − The 'Attara Kacheri1, or 'Eighteen Offices' or departments, is a beautiful 19th century stone structure in intense red. This graceful, two storeyed Building with Corinthian columns, was completed in 1864 and housed the Public Offices from 1868 until 1956, which was later moved to the Vidhana Soudha, and this building became the high court. On the ceiling of its Central Hall is a Portrait of Sir Mark Cubbon, Commissioner of Mysore from 1834 to 1861. Behind the building is an equestrian statue of him by Baron Marochetti.
	Tipu's Fort & Palace − This is a fine example of 18" century Indian Military architecture. This fort constituted the stronghold of Hyder All and later his son Tippu Sultan, witnessing several fierce and bloody battles during their times. Irs sturdy little fort, though much of it was destroyed during the wars with the British. Bangalore has a number of cultural centers near it, which offer to the tourist a number of traditional craft items. Ramanagaram is a silk cocoon - marketing Center. Janapada Loka, near Ramanagaram and Channapattana (60km southeast of Bangalore) are famous craft Centers. Dodda Aalada Mara, a 400 year old Banyan tree lying 28km from the city, is an idyllic place for picnics. Mekedau, 98km south of Bangalore, are other important picnic spots. Bannerghatta national Park, 21 km from the city, is an important place to visit. The craggy rock formation around Bangalore offers advenureseeker. Devarayanadurga (70km), and Ramanagaram (49km) are important spots for adventure. Devarayanadurga is famous for its hill top shrines.

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