When to Visit
The best thing about Bangalore is that you’ll find a pleasant and comfortable climate throughout the whole year. However, most foreign tourists prefer the winter season for site seeing. October to February is the peak tourist season of the city.
Major Attractions
The Bangalore Palace
Located in the heart of the main city, it is one of the main attractions of India. Even though it may sound odd, the castle was actually built by a school principal named Rev. J. Garrett, the first principal of Bangalore’s ‘Central High School. The construction work of the palace began in 1862 and renovation continued till 1944. The king of ‘Mysore’, Chamarajendra Wadiva X, bought the ownership of the palace in 1873. The place is still resided by the modern Mysore royal family. Many people tend to think it is a replica of Windsor Castle, which is absolutely wrong. But, the ‘Tudor’ style architecture along with the gothic design will certainly remind you of the great British castle. The place will capture all your attention while entering with its beautiful garden and elegant design of the exterior fortified towers. The interior of the enchanted castle truly complements the beauty of the exterior with its delicate wooded carvings, ornate walls, and ceilings as well as elegant furniture. The 19th-century wall paintings increase the beauty of the castle by many folds. The palace is now regularly used for marriage ceremonies, sports events, and even rock concerts. Some of the most influential musicians have performed in the palace’s yard starting from Bryan Adams to Metallica. An automated audio tour guide will aid you to get a better perspective of the whole place. But, having your own private tour guide is even better.
Vidhana Soudha
It is a majestic building that houses the Legislative Assembly of the state. Although it is not open to tourists, the mere view of the exterior will satisfy your eyes. You can take photographs of the great monument from the outside. The construction work of the building started in 1952 and it took 5000 laborers to complete the structure in 4 years. Kengal Hanumanthaia, the then Chief Minister of Mysore state was the first to come up with the idea of India’s largest secretariat. The most interesting fact about the structure is; the entire monument is built by using Bangalore granite stone. The floral motifs and beautiful stone carvings depict the Dravidian style of architecture. The 66 feet tall modern architectural wonder stands out as the symbol of India as a great nation. There are eight floors in the building housing 360 rooms and 15 conference halls. The Vidhana Soudha looks like a modern version of ancient castles.
ISKCON Temple
There are actually two ISKCON temples (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in Bangalore. The one you must visit is the Sri Radha Krishna Temple. Located at the Hare Krishna hill, the structure is built following supreme architectural design. The temple combines spiritual and modern ideas with great delicacy. Devotees and tourists from all around the world come here to pay respect to the Hindu Gods and Goddesses. To dazzle the eyes of its visitors, the temple has a gold-plated pillar at the entrance, which is locally known as the Dhvaja-Stambha. The followers chant the name of Lord Krishna to gain purification of soul and mind. At the main exit, you’ll see many small shops selling religious artifacts. If you are not careful the vendors may ask for an unreasonable price for one of these. Your tour guide can help you in this regard. If you walk a few steps further, you’ll find an animation theater, displaying little Krishna short movies. During Darshan hours (special visiting time), a delicious food known as ‘Prashad’, is distributed among the visitors. With free entry and experiencing spiritual satisfaction on the cards, the ISKCON temple is a great place to visit.
Wonderla Amusement Park
Only one sentence is enough to narrate the popularity of this place. Since its opening in 2005, 13 million people have visited this sensational place. Due to its international standards, it is the highest-rated amusement park in India. Characterized by thrilling rides and water slides, the park offers a great experience for tourists. The gorgeous clock tower on its premise will easily catch your eye. On holidays, the whole place gets full to the brim. You’ll get the tickets at a very reasonable cost. When you are tired of exploring architectural splendors, it is a great place to recharge yourself.
Other Places of Interest
- Lal Bagh
- Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace
- Ulsoor
- Bannerghatta National Park
- Cubbon Park
- Bangalore Fort
- National Gallery of Modern Arts
Overall, the Bangalore trip will instill a memory that you’ll cherish forever. The people of the town, its architectural gems, delicious foods, and dazzling shopping malls can entice any fun-loving tourist. Some of the best hotels in the country are located in Bangalore. So, you won’t have to worry about accommodation. With an experienced tour guide travelling with you everywhere, you’ll enjoy a fruitful and informative trip, that’s for sure. So, pack your bags and get ready for an experience of a lifetime.
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