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Do the yuppie citizens of Bangalore with their high-tech links to Silicon Valley know that
the name of their beloved city actually translates to "Boiled Beans?" In the
10th century the Hoysala king Veera Ballala lost his way during a hunt in the forest. As
the light faded, he came across a lone cottage in which lived an old woman. She offered
him shelter and a modest dinner of Benda Kaalu (boiled beans). Later the village that
sprang up around here came to be known as Benda Kaaliru (town of boiled beans) and then it
evolved to Bengaliru or Bangalore. It was the Vijayanagar Chieftain, Kempa Gowada
(1512-1569) who first envisioned Bangalore as a city. He established four towers around
the periphery of his future capital. Though the city of today has extended far beyond
them, the towers can still be seen on the Bellary Road, at Lal Bagh, Ulsoor and Gavi
Gangadhareshwara Temple.
 The Capital of Karnataka and a vibrant
cosmopolitan city, Bangalore is a major industrial and commercial centre noted for its
scientific and research institutes. The capital also of the fast growing Indian software
industry, Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India. Despite its phenomenal
growth, it still remains a gracious city - A "no worry, no hurry town" where one
can set one's own pace. At an altitude of nearly 1000m above sea level, Bangalore's
climate is salubrious and the vegetation, luxuriant. Verdant rain trees, flowering
gulmohur, cassia and jacaranda add grace to the city. Its people, like the climate, are
given to moderation. The buildings merge softly into the green environs to create a most
delightful townscape.
Remarkable retreats
Few cities in India of comparable size are as pleasing to
the eye as Bangalore. Right in the midst of all the bustle of this sprawing metropolis are
fine gardens. Two of the best-known gardens are the Lal Bagh and the Cubbon park - large
parks noted for their lush beauty. The Lalbagh, which was laid out by Hyder Ali in 1740,
is beautifully landscaped, spread over an undulating 240 acres, the park has a variety of
plants and trees from all over the world. Some were imported during the time of Tipu
Sultan, Hyder Ali's son. The Glass-House, a splendid conservatory built at a later period,
is the venue of the annual flower, fruit and vegetable shows.
 The Cubbon Park conceived by the British, covers an area of
300 acres and is exquisitely laid out. The Public Libarary in the Park is known as much
for its collection books as for its Gothic architecture. The Attara
Kacheri, the imposing
red brick High Court building, built in 1864 and the magnificent Vidhana
Soudha, the state
legislature, stand on the fringes of the park.
Cultural inclinations
Bangalore is a lively city with a rich
cultural life. There are festivals of dance and music, theatrical
productions, race meets, scientific conventions, art exhibitions,
seminars and talks throughout the year. The Ravindra Kalakshetra, the
elegant Town Hall, built in a classical Greek style, hosts important
cultural events.
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 The
Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, built imaginatively in the shape of a violin,
pays tribute to Shri T. Chowadaiah- that famous exponent of violin. 35
km from Bangalore, at Hesaraghatta, is Nritya Gram or the "Dance
Village". This is a centre that imparts training to residential
students in seven different dance styles and two martial art forms, from
various parts of India. The architecture and landscaping of the Dance
Village is rustic and is designed to blend in with its surroundings. The
Hesaraghatta Lake, near the village, is an added attraction.
Limpid lakes
Like Bangalore's gardens, its lakes enhance the beauty of
the city. The picturesque Ulsoor Lake is studded with islands on which huge rain trees
spread their branches over the water. The lake can be explored by boat. The other lakes
around Bangalore include the Sankey Tank, a pretty reservoir on the outskirts of the city
with facilities for boating, the Yediyur Tank and the Lal Bagh Lake.
Bannerghatta National Park
 A part of the Bannerghatta forest range that is known for
its elephant population, the park has Lion and Tiger safari parks, a mini zoo with a
variety of reptiles, animals, birds and a Crocodile Farm. Just 21 km from the city, it is
easily accessible by road.
Pieces of history and masterpieces
 Near the Cubbon park on the Kasturba Road are the
government Museum, the Venkatappa Art Gallery and the Visvewaraiah Industrial and
Technological Museum. The government Museum, housed in an interesting building, has
collections of sculpture, inscriptions, paintings, bronzes, coins and excavated
artefacts.
The Government Museum, housed in an interesting building, has collections of
sculputure,
inscriptions, paintings, bronzes, coins and excavated artefacts. The Venkatappa Art
Gallery is devoted to the works of K. Venkatappa, a famous artiste from the court of the
Mysore kings. Named after M. Vishveswaraiah, the architect of modern Karnataka, the
Visveswaraiah Industrial and Technological Museum exhibits developments in Science and
Technology. Remains of the old fort and Tipu's summer palace are located near the City
Market. The palace, an ornately decorated, two-storied wooden structure has elaborate
arches and minarets. A little museum encapsulates the life and times of Tipu Sultan and
his father Hyder Ali.
Delectable Treats
 To sample some of the best vegetarian fare in India,
one must come to Bangalore. The breakfast dishes comprising of soft idlis (steamed cakes),
crisp dosas (fried pancakes), both made from fermented rice, served with coconut chutney
and steaming sambar, are in great demand. Other specialties including the delicious
bisibela bath, piping hot uddina vadas, bondas, upma and sweets like Kesari bath, Mysore
pak and Payasam make a Bangalore breakfast the high point of the day.
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