Bangalore officially known as Bengaluru, is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of over ten million, making it amegacity and the third most populous city and fifth most populous urban agglomeration in India. It is located insouthern India on theDeccan Plateau. Its elevation is over 900 m (3,000ft) above sea level, the highest of India's major cities.A succession of South Indian dynasties, the Western Gangas, the Cholas and the Hoysalas, ruled the present region of Bangalore until in 1537 CE,Kempé Gowdā – a feudal ruler under the Vijayanagara Empire – established amud fort considered to be the foundation of modern Bangalore.
The Vidhana Soudha located in Bengaluru, is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. It is an imposing building, constructed in a style sometimes described as Mysore Neo-Dravidian, and incorporates elements of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles. Kengal Hanumanthaiah is credited with the conception and construction of the Vidhana Soudha. The foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru and then chief minister K.C Reddy, on July 13, 1951.
A scenic palace which bears striking resemblance to England’s Windsor Castle, Bangalore Palace is a scenic tourist hotspot with a majestic castle-like structure set amidst lush green environs. The huge palace grounds are used for organizing various types of events and musical shows, most of which include rock concerts. While you are here, don’t miss the immaculately designed interiors of the palace filled with magnificent paintings and stained glass windows.
Situated in the middle of the forests in the valley of the famous Champakadhama hills, the Bannerghatta National Park, a rich natural zoological reserve, works towards conservation of wildlife and promotes responsible wildlife tourism. Located just 22 kilometres south of Bangalore, it takes roughly one and a half hours to get there. It’s one of the few natural parks in the world that preserves wildlife in such close proximity to a city.
The Bull Temple or Dodda Basavana Gudi in Basavanagudi is devoted to Nandi Bull, the vahana or vehicle of Lord Shiva. Built in the 16th century in Dravidian style architecture, the temple is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. The temple has one of the biggest idols of Nandi in granite- measuring about 15 feet in height and 20 feet in length. Legend has it that this temple was built to appease a bull that used to devour and destroy all the groundnuts and peanuts cultivated in this area.
