edit Bangalore Travel Guide

History

The earliest records of a place named 'Bengaluru' were found in a 9th century temple in an area that is now known as 'Old Bangalore'. Once the feudal lord Kempe Gowda was hunting in this area, a rabbit turned and attacked his dog. This made a great impression on the lord and he gave the place a title of gandu bhoomi (the place of heroes) and in 1537, with the assistance of the local king, he constructed three districts protected by a walled fort on the site.

During the next three centuries, Bangalore existed very much in the shadow of its neighboring city Mysore, and control of the town changed hands many times. The year 1831 marked a major turning point for the city. Claiming misrule by the king Krishna Raja Wodeyar III, the British took control of the Mysore Kingdom and, possibly influenced by the city's mild climate, moved the administrative capital to Bangalore. New telecommunication systems were laid, rail connections built, fine government buildings constructed and the city's famous parks and gardens established. After independence, Bangalore maintained its position as the Karnataka state capital, and continues to flourish.

For many years, Bangalore was known throughout India as the most green, liberal and forward-thinking city. In recent years, these attributes have propelled Bangalore to the forefront of the high-tech industry boom in India, and it currently ranks as India's most developed city and one of the world's fastest growing urban areas.

The name Bangalore appears to come from an Anglicization of the native name "Bengaluru" - an adaptation of the earlier name in Kannada: Benda Kaale Uru (The Town of Boiled Beans). Apparently this rather humble name was bequeathed to the city by king Vira Ballala. Once while lost in the area, he was offered boiled beans by an old woman, and it was out of gratitude that he named the area after this simple offering.

Facts

Area: 741 sq.km.

Altitude: 914.4 m (3000 ft) above sea level

Geographical Location

• Latitudinal Parallels: 12° 57' N
• Longitudinal Meridians: 77° 37' E

Climate

Unlike other parts of India which are extremely hot in the summer months, Bangalore enjoys a relatively mild climate year round.

• February to May (warmest months)
• June to August (Windy - South-West Monsoon)
• September to November (rainy - North-East Monsoon)
• December to February (coldest months. Often light showers of retreating monsoon in December as well)

Temperature

• Highest maximum of 38 degree Celsius to lowest minimum of 11 degree Celsius

Languages

• Regional Language: Kannada
• Spoken Languages: Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malyalam, English, Hindi,

Population

• Around 58 lakhs [5.8 Million]

By plane

The long-awaited new Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli, 30 km (19 mi) north of downtown Bangalore, finally opened in May 2008. The airport is among India's busiest and most modern, with direct flights to many major European and Asian destinations. Notable international flights are from Frankfurt on Lufthansa, from Singapore on Singapore Airlines, Indian Airlines and Tiger Airways, from Kuala Lumpur (KL) on Malaysian Airlines, from London on British Airways, from Dubai on Emirates and Indian Airlines, from Paris on Air France, Bangkok on Thai Airways, Hong Kong on Dragonair.

By the end of the year 2008, flights with Kingfisher Airlines are expected to connect Bangalore with cities such as Amsterdam, San Francisco, New York, London, Madrid, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Bangkok and Colombo.

Cafe Coffee Day on arrival side of terminal on ground floor serves alcohol. Cafe Coffee Day located between arrival and departure on ground floor is very crowded on departure side (go to arrival side and get faster service if you can convince/manage the CISF guy on duty). More food outlets are located after security on departure side on first floor - each and every outlet is prohibitively expensive. There is a subway outside the terminal before you enter departure or after you exit arrival.

Drinking water is available only at one point on departure side - opposite Gate No. 1 - unless you do not mind splurging Rs 20 for 0.5 litre water. You could buy the same water for Rs 15 from Cafe Coffe Day before check in or after arriving. The airport though started in May 2008 is already a mess in June 2008 as the airport operators seem to lack professional approach. Due to aircraft timing and airport capacity constraints, many international flights arrive and depart in the dead of night. For example, British Airways, Lufthansa, JetStar Asia, Emirates and Air France all schedule their flights to arrive and depart between 1am and 4AM. Fortunately, the airport knows and expects this, so it is in full operation 24 hours a day. You won't have any more trouble changing money or finding a taxi at 4am than you would at 4PM.

Domestic flights are also plentiful. Indian Airlines, now renamed as Indian, connects Bangalore with all parts of the country, as do private competitors Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. Paramount Airways is a startup business-class only airline, with service to Chennai and other southern cities. Kingfisher Red, previously known as Air Deccan is a popular no frills airline that operates to most cities and large towns. Other no-frill airlines that operate from Bangalore include Go Air, Jet lite, and SpiceJet. 

Connectivity to the airport

• Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) operates buses from various points of the city every 15 minutes to the Bangalore International Airport (BIAL). A total of 156 buses ply to and from the airport. 40 of these buses are air-conditioned Volvo buses, called Vayu Vajra. The cost for each trip in these buses ranges between Rs. 20 and maximum Rs 200 depending on the distance. This is the cheapest and an extremely convenient way to get to the airport.
• Taxi services to and from the airport have been designed to suit everyone%u2019s requirements and budget.
• Metro excpects to be completed by 2010 and will have a high spees link to the airport.
• Helicopter services are expected to begin where passengers can get a helicopter service to take them to the airport. Many new apartment complexes in Bangalore are equiped with these helipads, such as Golden Grand Apartments and Brigade Gateway Hotel and Apartments.
• Post-paid taxi facilities:BIAL has selected MERU and EASYCAB to provide basic taxi services. The taxi operators will have basic AC cars, all equipped with tracking devices to ensure safety and transparency. Both operators have professional call centres. Hence, Guests coming to the airport can call the cab call centres and a cab will pick them up and drop them at the airport. For Guests arriving at the airport, there is a dedicated taxi holding area where the Guest can get a cab. The post paid taxi facility will be available on meter charges @ Rs.15/- per km (subject to Govt regulation).
• Pre-paid facilities:Hertz and Akbar Travels will provide pre paid Limousine and car rental facilities. Hertz will launch a fleet of Mercedes - C and E class cars and will expand the fleet depending on the demand and business objectives. Limousine services will be available at the limo service counters at the terminal building arrival and based on special tariffs applicable for BIAL.
• Cars will also be available on self drive basis. There will be three ranges of self drive cars - the compact category (Suzuki Swift), the intermediate range (Ford Fiesta), the standard category (Toyota corolla), Multi Utility Vehicles (Toyota Innova) and Sports Utility Vehicles (Ford Endeavour). These cars will be given to the Guest with a full fuel tank and the car has to be returned with full fuel tank. A flexible pick up and drop off facility in town and at the airport will be offered. The Guest can pick up the car at the airport and then drop it off anywhere in the city or in Hyderabad or Chennai. Similarly, the car can be picked up at any of these cities and dropped off at the airport. Conditions Apply (the Guest has to be over 21 yrs of age and possess a valid Indian license).
• Another option is to arrange with your hotel in Bangalore  to have a driver pick you up at the airport. Some hotels, especially those in the higher price ranges, provide this service for free if you are staying with them. If it's your first time traveling to Bangalore, this is by far the easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel. The driver will be found outside the airport with a card bearing your name, the only difficulty being that about 100 other drivers will also be waiting outside the airport, all vying for your attention. Luckily there is a short fenced walkway that separates the drivers from those leaving the airport, giving you some time and space to find, and if necessary negotiate, your ride into Bangalore. Once you leave the walkway, some drivers may become fairly aggressive, and might try to take your bag without your permission. The best thing to do is to keep track of, and in control of, your belongings. Even the most aggressive taxi driver or tout will leave you alone if you stand firm and make it clear that you do not want their help. Upon arriving at your destination a tip of 20-40 Indian Rupees is plenty.

By train

Bangalore has two major railway terminals. The Bangalore City (IR station code : SBC) railway station is situated in the heart of the city, around the Majestic Bus stand. Most trains, both local and long-distance, arrive and depart from here. The other terminal is Yeswantpur Junction (IR station code : YPR) located on NH-4 (Tumkur Road). A few (mostly long-distance) trains arrive and depart from here.

Bookings can be done at either the railway stations or at the Indian Railways booking counters located in major residential areas. Booking can also be done online. Note that if you are booking at Bangalore City and are traveling to Mysore, there is a separate counter for travellers to Mysore. This is to cater for the large amount of travelers between Bangalore and Mysore. If travelling to Mysore on a Sunday afternoon, arrive early as there is usually a long line for buying tickets!

As with all Indian railway travel, bring some patience for delays. Trains are usually on time, but can sometimes be several hours late. A video departure board in the station will tell you what platform your train is on and what time it leaves.

Train travel is usually fairly cheap. For example, a ticket to Chennai, about 360 km (5-6 hrs) away, costs anywhere from Rs 125 for the lowest class to Rs 1105 for the highest class.

For train arrival/departure and PNR status inquiries at various railway stations at Bangalore, call 139.

Note: Travelling from Mumbai to Bangalore by train is not recommended as it takes a very long time (23-24 hours). It is advisable to travel by buses, which are much faster (18-19 hrs).

By car

Driving in India can be very stressful. Use of the horn is mandatory in all situations. Lane splitting is the rule, not the exception. And games of chicken, combined with razor thin passing margins are common. One ride in a taxi will most likely convince you that driving yourself is not worth the risk, so if you do want to arrive by car you'll probably want to hire both a car and a driver. Cost varies, but most car/driver combinations cost Rs 1400 to Rs 1700/day. Depending on where you are coming from, you may be able to negotiate a lower fare if the trip isn't far, and it may be a higher fare if you are traveling far and your driver has to travel back on his own time. Be aware that South India, including Bangalore, can get very hot and humid, even in the winter. Although it costs more, consider requesting an air conditioned car if you aren't used to the heat. An "Air Con" car will also help filter out the air pollution, which is considerable, especially on congested roadways. If you want something even more special, such as a fancy car or SUV, be prepared to pay extra. 

By bus

If you have difficulty in arranging a plane or railway ticket to your next destination, or you prefer a little more adventure, you can go by bus. There are both government and private busses that run services to major nearby cities like Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai etc. Buses can be a normal luxury bus, a Volvo A/C bus or a sleeper bus for night travel. Some bus operators like Karnataka State Road Transport Corpration/ redBus/Raj National Express/KPN Travels/Customer Needz offer online bookings.

All intercity buses arrive and depart from Bangalore bus stand, which is located opposite the city railway station. Officially named after the founder of Bangalore, 'Kempegowda Bus Station' is more commonly known as 'the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus stand' or 'the Majestic Bus Station'. It handles buses that connect Bangalore to all major cities and states in south India. The main bus stand of 'the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) ,' which maintains bus services within the city, is located next to the Kempegowda Bus Station. BMTC has now introduced Air conditioned Volvo buses in order to maintain the status of the IT city.

Unlike other metros, the display boards in the bus show the destination in Kannada. Even the bus numbers are only in Kannada sometime. Occasionally it is also in Roman numerals. If you don't speak Kannada, you will likely need to get some help to get on the rig.

By Car

By Bus

Buses in Bangalore are cheap and usually frequent, but traveling on them can be very difficult if you don't know the system well. Ordinary city buses display only the route number in English, with the destination and route information is written in Kannada. This means you will have to know what route number you need before you get on, which you can find from the BMTC website or by asking locals. Unlike many Western countries, posted route maps of the bus system are rare, although maps are sold at the main bus terminals (Kempegowda Bus Stand and Shivajinagar).

Buses with black display boards run within the city. Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs. There is a Pushpak service with better seating; these buses are tan rather than the usual blue. There are red Volvo buses, called Vajra, that operate on certain routes within the city. They offer a comfortable air-conditioned ride at slightly higher prices than the regular buses (which are not air-conditioned). These are a good way to get around the city. Unlike other buses, the Vajras have illuminated LED display boards on the front and sides which display the destination and route information in English as well as Kannada.

City buses are crowded during rush hours but one can travel with little difficulty during the daytime. Many have a ladies section in the front. Bus service is less frequent after 9:30 - 10:00 pm and becomes rare after 10:30 pm.

It is always better to buy a daily pass if you plan to travel the whole day on the bus. The daily pass costs Rs 30 and it comes handy if you need to travel on several buses in a single day. Daily passes are issued by the on-duty bus conductor or at the bus stand. Using this pass you can travel in any bus (other than the Vajra) for the entire day, any number of times. It is a very economical option for travel in Bangalore.

There are three major bus stands:

• Kempegowda bus stand ,also known as the Majestic Bus Stand, near Gandhi Nagar is directly opposite the Bangalore City railway station. It is quite neatly organized and is easily navigable. There is an inquiry office near platform number 1 on %u2018Majestic%u2019 where you can ask the bus number and platform for your desired destination. You can find a large map on display, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to. You can of course always ask the conductor or other passengers. Route maps are also sold on the platforms.
• City Market is around 2 km (1.2 mi) to 3 km (1.8 mi) away from Majestic and could daunt newcomers, since it is very disorganized. It is a large dirt parking lot under an overhead highway, and there isn't much order to where buses park.
• Shivajinagar is in the north. This is also neatly organized and there is an enquiry window to find about buses. You can find a large map on display here too, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to. Route maps are also sold on the platforms.

Buses are available to all major localities of the city from these three bus stands.

Other important bus stands are:

• Shantinagar, Central
• Jayanagar, South
• Banashankari, South
• BTM Layout, South East
• Vijaynagar, West
• Malleswaram, North West
• Yeshwantpur, North West
• Domlur, East
• Kadugodi, East
• Hebbal, North
• Shivaji Nagar

By auto-rickshaw

Auto-rickshaw drivers are the nightmare of the city, even if you live here they can be the most difficult group of people to deal with. Auto-rickshaws are supposed to charge fares as per the meter reading, which most often equals to 7 INR x Distance (in kilometers) (Minimum charge of Rs.14 for the first 2 km or less), they generally tend to charge on an ad-hoc basis depending on the distance of the destination or the chances of getting another customer from the mentioned locality. However, a bad business sense and the inexplicable reasons elicited by them for refusing to ferry a customer have earned them enough brick-bats. Tourists should be tactful when approaching an auto-rickshaw during night, or during heavy rains. Chances are they will charge exorbitant rates. Help could be taken from the local traffic police to avail auto-rickshaws during such circumstances.

Auto-rickshaws are everywhere at any time of day. They are yellow three wheeled contraptions that use simple two-stroke engines and belch out pollutants. Nevertheless, they are a fast way to get around the city.

Autos are supposed to charge according to the meter, and you should simply refuse to board one where the meter is faulty or the driver refuses to use it. Saying "meter please" will usually do the trick. If you are desperate to get somewhere, you should at least negotiate the fare before boarding.

Autos add a 50% surcharge after 10PM (called "one and half" and is the legal charge). Some drivers may demand 100% surcharge after 10PM or 11PM but you must refuse to board in such a case. Heavy luggage costs an additional fee of around Rs10 or 20.

Rickshaw drivers are required by law to display their identification on the dashboard or the back of their seats. Refuse to get into a rickshaw that does not.

If a rickshaw driver offers to show/drive you to some great places to shop, firmly refuse. A common tactic is to drive you to local shops where you will be pressured to buy Indian crafts that you probably don't want. Know your destination and insist upon it. Be firm.

The minimum charge as of February 2008, is Rs 14 for the first 2km and Rs 7 for every additional km. A trip from the old airport to Brigade road costs about Rs.55 including (a good) tip.

Finally, although Bangaloreans are known for their polite and mild manners, some auto drivers are an exception. Therefore be careful in dealing with them. Some will think nothing of trying to rip you off. If in doubt consult a local or your hotel travel desk. Don't pay exorbitant prices, you are only ruining it for the locals.

By taxi

The taxis in Bangalore are very convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Maruti Omni Vans or Tata Indica cars, which are much safer than Auto rickshaws, and the drivers are polite. If you are alone or going to an unknown destination, you are strongly advised to choose this option, even though the rates will be double that of an auto. Most taxi companies will charge a flat rate of Rs 150 for a pick-up and drop from anywhere to anywhere within city limits. Waiting or return trips will be charged extra, as will a lot of heavy luggage.

Unlike many other countries, taxis are not marked with 'TAXI' signs on the top. Instead, the cars will be marked with the logo of the fleet operator or taxi company on the sides of the car. Some companies have a yellow sign with a identification number (usually an alphabet followed by two digits) on the top. Keep in mind that these taxis cannot be hailed from the street, but have to be called by telephone. When you call, you must give the operator your location, destination as well as phone number, who will in turn tell you the charge (or will inform you that you must go by the meter) as well as the taxi number. The taxi will come pick you up, and call you when they are close. When you go out on the street, look at the license plate for the number they gave you -- it will be the last four digits of the license plate. Alternatively, look for the yellow board atop the car with the taxi's identification number. The licenceplate number is usually in the format "KA" followed by 01 to 05, followed by two alphabets, followed by a four digit number. Taxis generally have yellow license plates with black letters.

Although it can be hard for non-Indians to grasp at first, the system is actually very effective. If in doubt, ask a member of your hotel staff to help you, and when your taxi comes be sure to tip them Rs. 10 or Rs. 15 for the assistance. Call just Dial 23333333 for info.

By Hired Car

Most taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers will be more than happy to offer you either a daily rate or an hourly rate, and take you around wherever you need to go. Alternately, your hotel or a travel company can arrange a private car.

If you find a good taxi or auto driver, this can be a great way to go for a foreigner. You'll certainly pay a lot more than if you bought individual rides, but you'll always have a driver waiting for you, and he can help with recommending local tourist sites, finding a good restaurant to eat at, and otherwise coping with day-to-day life. This can take a lot of the stress out of traveling.

Rates are generally something like Rs. 50 to 100 per hour for an auto-rickshaw, and Rs 150 to 250 per hour for a taxi. Rates for a private car booked via the hotel will probably be more. Like everything else in India, rates are very fluid.

By Foot

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Crime

Smoking

Although Bangalore is not known as a tourist city, there is still a lot to see. If you only have a limited amount of time in the city, you should consider taking one of these:

• The half-day or full-day city tours offered by KSTDC, the government tourist office, are cheap and cover the city's major attractions with English speaking guides.
• The full-day tour, called Bangalore Rounds, organised by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, is conducted in an air-conditioned bus and covers most important tourist spots in the city. It is advisable to book seats the previous day by dialling 080-12667. The tour costs Rs.250.

Typically, the city tours do NOT include entry fees into the attractions. Bangalore, as with the rest of India, has a habit of charging foreigners a lot more than locals. For example, Tipu Sultan's Palace, which is on the half-day tour, charges Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 100 (or $2 USD) to non-Indians.

Landmarks

• Vidhana Soudha - The legislative House of the State of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state 1951 to 1956. The then Prime Minister Sri Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru laid the foundation on 13th July 1951. It was built at an expenditure of Rs 1.84 crores. Marvel of neo-Dravidian architecture and one of the most imposing building not only in Bangalore but in India. One of the interesting feature of this building in grand stairs in its front. The grand stairs has a flight of forty-five steps 62 m (204 ft) wide 21 m (70 ft) deep giving a direct access to the foyer of first floor leading to an Assembly Chamber. The architecture of the building is based on Dravidian style, comprising richly carved bases and capitals for pillars, deep friezes, kapotha cornices, chaithya arches, heavy pediments domical finials, etc; At the same time, the construction has been on modern designs, making use of the present-day materials like steel, reinforced cement concrete glass, plastic, etc.
• Vikasa Soudha - Is it possible to gild a lily? Well you judge for yourself. This ultra modern construction, adjacent to majestic Vidhana Soudha built in the same classic style, is supposed to come fitted with the latest gizmos to help govern the state. It was inaugurated sometime in February 2005.
• Seshadari Iyer Memorial is a distinctive building constructed of red sand stone in Cubbon Park. It houses a public library and the Bangalore High Court, while the grounds include a children's recreation area with a toy train, fairground and theater.
• Bangalore Palace was constructed by the Maharajahs of Mysore. For many years the building was neglected as a tourist attraction, but is now open to the public. The fee is Rs. 100/200 Indian/Foreigner and 500 to take photos even of the exterior. This includes a guide to point out things like the mounted elephant head, though no mention is made of the numerous nude paintings.
• Tipu Sultan's Palace, which dates from about 1790, is the summer retreat for Tipu sultan. The two story structure is made mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars and arches.

Temples

• The Bull Temple, located in Basavanagudi, is a typical Dravidian style temple, and is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area. Since then, local farmers have held an annual festival to express their gratitude.
• The Maha Bodhi Society Temple (see 'learn' section) is a relatively new structure, with the main shrine built as a replica of the historic stupa at Bodh Gaya. The temple grounds are very peaceful, and visitors are welcome to stroll around. In addition, the temple houses an excellent library of books on Buddhism, many of which are in English.
• The ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple, built on a hillock in Rajajinagar atop scenic surroundings, is a perfect blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony. The huge cultural complex was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning, and abounds with shops selling devotional items and souvenirs. The annual Krishna and Balarama Rath Yatra is attended by thousands.
• Gavi Gangadeshwara Cave Temple,located in Gavipuram, was built by Kempe Gowda. This temple with four remarkable monolithic pillars is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple also has a rare idol of Agni god of fire. The annual festival is on Makara Shankranti and thousands of devotees flock to see the suns rays fall on the Shivlinga.
• VenkataramanaSwamy Temple is a fine example of Dravidian architecture. This ancient temple was built by Maharaja Chikka Devaraya Wodeyar and is situated next to the summer palace of Tipu Sultan.
• Dodda Ganapathi - one of the oldest temples in Bangalore, is situated adjacent to the Bull Temple.
• Vasanthapura,in South Bangalore, is a small hillock with an ancient temple dedicated to Sri Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy.
• The Shiva Temple on the Old Airport Road has a massive monolith of Lord Shiva, located in the middle of an artificial pool. There is a cave-like walkthrough behind the statue. It is extremely crowded on the festival of Maha Shivaratri.

Banaswadi Hanuman Temple,constructed in the Dravidian style, attracts a large number of devotees especially on week-ends. It has smaller temples dedicated to Lord Rama, Shiva and Ganapathi within the walled compund.

Parks

• Cubbon Park. A 121 ha (300 acre) green lung in the center of the city. Sitting in the shade of one its many magnificent trees and watching towering bamboo sway in the breeze, it is hard to imagine that you are in the heart of a metropolis of over 6.0 million people and one of the world's most dynamic and fastest growing cities. Avoid the secluded areas. There is also a toy train offering children's rides.
• The Lal Bagh. A meticulously cared for garden located on the southern fringes of the city. Throughout its 97 ha (240 acre), there are lotus ponds, fountains, glass houses and stone formations that date back over 3.0 billion years. Described as the most romantic garden in India, it was laid during the 18th century by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. There is a small entrance fee after 9am. A flower show is held during the week preceeding Indian Independence day (August 15) and Republic day (January 26) in the Glass House. This flower show features exquisite flowers and patterns designed by the experienced gardeners of Lalbagh.
• Bannerghatta National Park is located on the southern fringe of the city. This 100 sq.km national park consists mostly of dense forest and scrub land, and is home to wild animals like bison, leopard, wild boar as well as being an important corridor for elephants migrating between the eastern and western ghats. Other attractions here are a crocodile farm, serpentarium and a newly added butterfly park. In addition, a portion of the park is used as a sanctuary for wild rescued animals.
• Lumbini Gardens. A new attraction in Bangalore. It is located near hebbal flyover and is on the lake front o Nagarvala lake. It has been recently developed with a grant of Rs 10 crore. Major attractions of the park include boat rides, wave pool and children's garden.
• Bugle Rock Park Named so because during the monarchy, a bugle call was sounded from the watch tower to alert soldiers about impending danger. Adjacent to the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi, this park has been recently renovated and is home to the watch tower that marked the southern limits of the city during the times of Kempegowda. The park is relatively small, well maintained and is a favourite location for couples from the nearby educational institutions.
• Wonder La Amusement park. A new attraction in Bangalore. It is India's biggest amusement and water park which belongs to V-Guard firm. This park boasts of several rides(both ground & water). This is one of the best spots to visit in Bangalore, which en dazzles in good quality. It is located in the outskirts of the city off Mysore Road. This Park is very expensive so you should have enough money to enjoy. The entry fee is only Rs 450 per head. If two persons are going to Wonderla bring at least Rs 1000. Overall, very clean bathrooms and the water, excellent rides, trained operators for the rides, well maintained equipment, decent food in restaurants, fun water rides, enjoy the rain dance and fire crackers/lazer lights in evening. Enough rides to keep you busy all the day; however there were no roller costers. *The park does not allow outside food. 

Theater

There is a theater hall located in J. P. Nagar, called Rangashankara. 36/2/, 8th Cross, J.P. Nagar, 2nd Phase. Tel: 26592777 or 26494656. Tickets range between Rs. 45 %u2013 100. Usually the evening shows start at 7:30 pm. The theater hall management is very strict about starting time. They will not let you in even one minute after the show has started, so make sure you plan to arrive at least 4-5 minutes earlier. You will not be allowed to bring in any drinks or refreshments. Many local groups perform there, although more often shows are presented by travelling groups touring around India. Quality of the performances varies, but most plays are worth seeing, especially the ones by Indian playwrights and / or directors, as they can show you an "Indian" (or let's say "non-western") perspective.  Shows are in various languages, so it is a good idea to double-check whether the play is in English before buying / reserving (%u201Cblocking%u201D) tickets.

Movies

Take in a movie at one of the innumerable theaters around the city, splurge at the PVR Gold Class Cinema in Forum Mall or Inox theatre in Garuda Mall. Nani Cinematheque has film series almost every weekend programmed by local film clubs, like Collective Chaos and the Bangalore Film Society. A club membership (around Rs 500/year) is typically required for entrance. The Alliance Francaise and Goethe Institute also host frequent foreign film series and cultural events.

Spa

The professionals of India's "silicon city" work and play hard, and massages and spa treatments are easily available in Bangalore. Visitors might need a little respite from the roaring traffic and fast-paced lifestyle too. Spas are very much a part of Bangalore's East-meets-West culture, and new ones spring up across the city all the time. Among the best day spas is "The 5th Element" Thai spa near Dell office on Inner ringroad [080-41268111] and SPA.ce on Cunningham Road, run by an ex-pat Brit. The Fifth Element Spa is the only spa where all the practitioners are authentic Thai.They specialise in Thai massages,relaxation massages ,exotic scrubs and wraps.It's best to book in advance for these spas.Perfect getaways without checking into a resort or driving a long distance out of the city.

Other Things to Do

• Experience the Bangalore pub scene, mostly around MG Road, Brigade Road, and Church Street.
• Go shopping at Banglore's famous malls and traditional markets, though leave your car as it's almost impossible to find a parking spot over weekends. Some of the more popular malls in Bangalore are 'The Forum', 'Garuda Mall' and 'Bangalore Central'. The city's largest vegetable and fruit market is located in the heart of the city called "KR Market". A smaller but more lively one can be found in Gandhi Bazaar Road, Gandhibazaar.
• Try your hand at go-karting.
• Attend a wonderful outdoor concert at Palace Grounds.
• Enjoy the unique shopping experience on Sampige Road at Malleswaram in the traditional south Indian styled shops.
• Visit the beautiful lakes in Bangalore."ulsoor lake" and "sankey tank" offer an enriching, pleasant experience.

Scenic spots

Below are listed some lovely locations to visit, outside the city. All of these are within a two hours' drive from the city.

Bangalore Rural District

• Art Of Living Ashram is at a distance of 21 km (13 mi) from the city centre on Kanakpura road (NH-209). It is the ashram of Sri Sri Ravishankar. On regular day satsang is at 7 PM and on sundays its at 4 pm. The ashram is full of greenery and the soothing ambience provides a great place to relax.
• Nrityagram is located in Hessaraghatta, 28 km (17 mi) from the city centre. This unique experimental village is dedicated to gurukula tradition of dance, music, choreography and painting.
• Hesaraghatta Lake is 29 km (18 mi) from the city centre. It is a delightful artificial lake spread over 405 ha (1,000 acre) and provides facilities for sailing. A livestock breeding and poultry center have been established as a part od a Indo-Danish project.
• Muthyala Maduvu , 44 km (27 mi) from Bangalore, is a picnic spot having an enchanting waterfall and a small temple.
• Ghati Subramanya, 52 km (32 mi) from Bangalore, is a famous pilgrimage center and houses a Lord Subramanya Temple. Also located nearby are the rock formations of Makalidurga, which are excellent for trekking.
• Shivaganga , 56 km (35 mi) from Bangalore, is a good trekking site.
• Halenijagal is located around 60 km (37 mi) from Bangalore on NH-4 amidst several other exotic hills and valleys.
• Chunchi Falls - are beautiful waterfalls located 85 km (53 mi) from Bangalore. The water from a nearby dam flows down this ravine, and the area is very rocky so one needs to be careful. There are also reports of crocodiles inhabiting the area, though this has not been substantiated. The water from Chunchi flows down to meet Cauvery river at Sangam, a distance of about 15 km.

Chikkaballapur District

• Chamrajsagar Reservoir, 35 km (22 mi) from Bangalore, is an excellent picnic spot near the river Arakavati.
• Devanahalli, located 40 km (25 mi) from the city centre, is close to the airport. It is the birthplace of Tipu Sultan and has a massive fort and some beautiful temples.
• Nandi Hills, 60 km (37 mi) from Bangalore, is a beautiful hill station. Apart from being a scenic area it also houses two 10th century Chola temples with Vijayanagara style mantapas. The temples are in excellent condition. One temple is after the entrance to the fortifications half way up the hill and the other at the top. The location is famous for Kannada film shootings.

Ramanagaram District

• Magadi, 46 km (29 mi) from Bangalore, is the birthplace of Kempe Gowda. The place has the remnants of a fort and four temples of unspoilt charm.
• Ramanagara, the district headquarters, is 49 km (30 mi) from Bangalore, on the Bangalore-Mysore highway. The place is a treat for rock climbers.One of the famous hills is the Sri Revanna Sideshwara (SRS) hills. The forests around this place are now proposed as a wildlife sanctuary to not only protect the wildlife of the scrub jungle but also to protect the massive prehistoric rocks and boulders that are present all around. The Bollywood film Sholay was shot among the rocks of Ramanagara.
• Janapada Loka is 53 km (33 mi) from Bangalore, on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, and is spread over 6 ha (15 acre). The center was established for the preservation and promotion of local folk culture and traditions. An art gallery, open air theatre and museum are also located here.
• Kanva Reservoir, 69 km (43 mi) from Bangalore, is an excellent picnic spot and has facilities for fishing.
• Savandurga, 60 km (37 mi) from Bangalore, is famous hilltop pilgrim center has temples dedicated to Gangadeshwara, Hanna Devi and a cave spring called Pattala. When viewed from a distance, the outline of the hill looks like the figure of a bull (Nandi) on the east, Lord Ganesha from the west, A cobra from the north and a Shiva linga from the south.
• Mekedatu, meaning 'Goat's Leap',is 98 km (61 mi) from Bangalore. Here, the river Kaveri flows through a spectacular rock chasm, wide enough for only a goat to leap across. This gives Mekedatu its name. It is a very popular picnic spot.
• Sangama is 103 km (64 mi) from Bangalore. Here the river Arakavati joins the Kaveri inside the Chilandavadi forest. The Kaveri has several whirlpools in the stretch between Mekedatu and Sangama and it is not advisable to swim in the river at either of these places.

Each of these places are like a paradise in rural setting including ancient temples as well as scenic picnic spot for the tourists.