BANGALORE SIGHTSEEING

Bangalore's Fort was built by Kempe Gowda and expanded by Tippu Sultan. Within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple. Nearby is The Palace Hyder Ali began and Tippu completed. Resembling the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, this summer palace has been constructed largely of wood and is famous for its carving and paintings.

LAL BAGH

Hyder Ali laid out these famous botanical gardens and his son added horticultural wealth to them by importing trees and plants from several countries. The gardens today have over 1000 species of flora.

CUBBON PARK

The over 300 acre of this wooded and beflowered park were laid out in the heart of the cantonment in 1864. since then fairy fountains, an august bandstand and a wealth of atatury have been added. But the most important aspect of Cubbon Park is its newer buildings that have brought it cultural wealth.

THE BULL TEMPLE

In this temple built by Kempe Gowda the object of veneration is a magnificent Nandi, 15 feet tall and over 20 feet long. In Nov/Dec every year, when the groundnuts have been harvested, a groundnut fair is held near the temple. The first groundnuts are offered by the farmers to the sacred bull.

THE GANGADHARESHWAR TEMPLE (CAVE TEMPLE)

Temple built by Kempe gowda and known for its four monolithic pillars and rare idol of Agni, the God of fire. On Jan. 13/14th every year, the rays of the setting sun enter through the window, pass between the horns of the Nandi and shine on the Shivalingam, in a unique phenomenon.

DARGAH HAZARATH TAWAKKAL MASTAN

This Cottonpet Muslim shrine is associated with the Hindu Karaga festival too. The procession annually visits the Dargah of this Sufi saint, Tawakkal Mastan, and his tomb attracts both Muslim and non-Muslim piligrims.

THE JUMMA MASID

The oldest mosque in the city is an imposing one. Tall ornamented granite pillars adorn the elevated prayer hall.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH

This church is now a minor Basilica. The Virgin Mary's festival is celebrated every September with a procession that attracts people of all faiths.

ULSOOR LAKE

A picturesque lake with the several tree-shaded islands in it, ideal for picnicking. Boating facilities are available and there is a beautiful swimming pool that is part of the recreational complex near the lake.

VIDHANA SOUDHA

This splendid neo-Dravidian granite building that dominates the northern boundary of the cubbon park, is the home of the State Legislature and the Secretariat. The massive sandalwood door of the Cabinet room is a spectacular feature of this imposing building, which becomes beautiful of a holiday evening when it is lit with myriad lights.