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The Karaga Festival  Bangalore's lively Karaga festival is celebrated in
March/ April at the Dharmaryaya Temple. The Karaga, an earthen pot that symbolizes the
Goddess Shakti, is taken out in procession at night. A member of the Thigala community
carries the pot decorated with flowers on the head. He has a sword in one hand and a staff
in another. Among the colourful crowd are devotees known as Veerakumars who alos brandish
swords. They go to the Sampangi Tank 20 km away, where the pot is immersed.
In Praise of God
 Despite rapid urbanisation the people of Bangalore still
retain their traditions and values - its temples continue to be centres of religious and
social activity. The Venkataramanaswamy Temple adjoining Tipu's Summer Palace and close to
his fort, was built by the Wodeyars. Nearly 300 years old, it is still well maintained.
The Bull Temple in Basavangudi in the south of Bangalore - another old shrine was built by
Kempa Gowda. The deity is an enromous 15 ft. Basava (bull) carved from a single boulder.
Not very far away, is the Gavi Gangadhareshwara shrine, an unusual cave temple. It is so
ingeniously designed that on the festival of Sankranti, the rays of the sun pass between
the horns of a Nandi Bull outside the temple, to illuminate the images of Lord Shiva. The
beautiful Someshwara Temple in Ulsoor also built by Kempa Gowda is dedicated to Lord
Shiva.
Reminders of a memorable holiday
 After a visit to Bangalore, one not only carries back
memories of the city but also its feeling and fragrance. Yes the famous sandalwood with
its mellow scent, carved by skilled artisans is enough to bring back memories of a great
holiday. You can also take home fabulous silk saris and fabrics, jewellery, rosewood,
lacquerware, wooden toys, inlaid wood. The main shopping areas are around M.G. Road,
Brigade road and Commercial Street - lively city centres where many of its famous pubs and
restaruants are also to be found.
The City market and Russel Market with thier abundance of
fresh vegetables, fruits and fllowers are worth a visit too.
Shopping
 Bangalore's shopping malls are dazzling and brimming with
bargains. The best buys here are the elegant silk sarees, including the world-famous
Mysore Silk sarees, incense sticks, carvings in sandalwood and ivory as well as
handicrafts and toys.
Reminders of a memorable holiday
 After a visit to
Bangalore, one not only carries back
memories of the city but also its feeling and fragrance. Yes the famous sandalwood with
its mellow scent, carved by skilled artisans is enough to bring back memories of a great
holiday. You can also take home fabulous silk saris and fabrics,
jewellery, rosewood, lacquerware, wooden toys, inlaid wood. The main shopping areas are around
M.G. Road,
Brigade road and Commercial Street - lively city centres where many of its famous pubs and
restaruants are also to be found.
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Best Season
Throughout the year one can visit Bangalore. October to
March is especially pleasant.
How to get there
- Indian Airlines connects Bangalore with daily flights to
Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai, Cochin, Madurai, Coimbatore, etc. The nearest
international airport is Chennai.
- Bangalore and Chennai are extremely well linked by
innumerable buses, and at least two trains Brindavan Express every day in the morning. (
Dep 07.15 - charge Rs. 120/-) Shathapdi Express except Tuesday on all other days (Dep
06.00 - fare Rs.530/-) Lalbagh Express (Dep 16.15 - fare Rs.120/-
Bangalore is a major rail junction and is connected with a
large number of cities all over India. There are three stations, Bangalore Cantonment,
Bangalore East and Bangalore. The highways around Bangalore are busy and well maintained.
The city has a very efficient system of inter-state and suburban transport.
Accommodation
Hotel Oberoi 5 star
37-39, M.G. Road,
Bangalore, Ph: 558-5858
Hotel Gandhi Nagar
27,6th cross
Gandhi Nagar
Ph: 2265511, 2263623/24/25
Hotel Central Park
47, Dikenson Road
Manipal Centre, Bangalore-42
Ph: 5584242
Interesting sights around Bangalore
Nandi HillsThe delightful resort at Nandi
Hills, situated 60 km away from Bangalore, is located at a height of 1478m above the seal
level with a panoramic view of the surroundings, it is a popular picnic spot and a nature
lover's haunt. Once the hideout and summer retreat of the 'Tiger of Mysore', Tipu Sultan,
it's a pleasant spot with its fort, lawns and two beautiful, 100 year old temples.
Ramohalli
A delightfully rural spot where a huge Banyan tree has a
canopy spreading over four acres. The tree is about 400 years old and is believed to be
the place where the sage Muneshwara performed his penance.
Hesaraghatta Lake
 This man-made lake is 29 km from the city. Turn right, off
the Bangalore -Bombay Highway at the 10th km stone. Also to be found in the vicinity of
the lake are the Indo-Danish Dairy Project, Government Horticultural and Dairy Farms and
the "Nritya Gram" - the dance village.
Gigantic Rock Formations
These are characteristic features of the region around
Bangalore. Two famous rock formations are known as Shivaganga and
Savanadurga. The
Shivaganga hill towers majestically to a height of 4599 ft. and presents different aspects
from different directions. It is on the left side of the Bangalore - Bombay Highway at the
50th km stone. Savandurga is another huge rock structure 58 km from Bangalore near
Magadi.
It used to be a fortress and was once the hide out of Kempe Gowda.
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