NAMA AIHOLE

Famous as the "Cradle of Indian Architecture", Aihole has over a hundred temples scattered around the village.
The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th Century. The Durga (Fort) Temple is notable for its semi-circular apse, elevated plinth and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. The Hutchimalli Temple out in the village - has a sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra.

The Revalphadi Cave - dedicated to Shiva - is remarkable for its delicate details.

Not to be missed is the Konthi Temple Complex (Kwanthi Gudi), the Uma Maheswari Temple with a beautifully carved Brahma seated on a lotus, the austere Jain Meguti Temple and the two storeyed Buddhist Temple.

Getting here:
Rail: The nearest railway station is Begalkot.
Road: Aihole is connected by road to Pattadakal, Badami, Bangalore

NAMA MYSORE

Cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysore is a majestic, mysterious and mesmersing city. It has inherited all Indian traditions with modernity. Mysore has a number of historical and heritage buildings.The Royal City of Mysore, a beautiful city ideal for people who wish to live a peaceful life. Mysore is a place well renowned for Dasara festival and is a favored tourism destination throughout India.



Mysore Palace
Once the residence of the Wodeyars, this structure is one of the largest of its kind in India. Built in 1912 in the Indo Saracenic style, this place excludes a grandeur that is unmatched. The Golden Royal Elephant Throne, the Durbar Hall, the Kalyana Mantap and the Gallery are the main attractions here. A priceless national treasure and the pride of a kingdom, the Mysore Palace is the seat of the famed Wodeyar .An eclectic synthesis of architectural styles the palace is one of India’s most dramatic national monuments. Today it is a museum housing treasures from across the world reflecting the rich and colorful history of the erstwhile princely state of MysoreThe majestic Durbar Hall with its ornate ceiling and sculpted pillars and the Marriage Pavilion with its chandeliers, cast-iron pillars and Belgian stained glass arranged in peacock designs in the domed ceilings are the main attractions. Make sure you see the magnificent jewel-studded golden throne, the pride of the Wodeyars and the symbol of their sovereignty, displayed here during the Dussehra festival in October.A row of souvenir shops leads to the Residential Museum, which houses musical instruments, Tanjore and Mysore paintings and an array of personal effects belonging to the Maharaja’s family. The palace, illuminated on Sundays and public holidays, presents a spectacle of breathtaking beautyJaganmohan Palace: Converted into an Art Gallery in 1875 exhibits Paintings. Paintings of masters like Raja Ravi Verma of Travancore and the Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich on display.
CHAMUDI HILLS
Perched atop a hill is a 12th century temple of Chamundershwari. About 13 Kms from Mysore by road these is also a 1000 step walking track for all those young at heart to try. The gigantic 4.8 meter tall monolith of Nandi the sacred vehicle of Lord Shiva is a marvel to watch. Also close to the temple stands a gigantic statues of the demon Mahishasura.Situated on the heights of Chamundi Hills, the Temple resides Nandi Bull's Sculpture, the Bull denoting vehicle to Lord Shiva, and is one of the seven bulls in the country. The temple has large silver gates and golden idols. It is considered to be a very religious temple, where the blessings of the goddess help devotees to fulfill their need. Pilgrims are supposed to climb the 100 odd steps to the top, to improve their past 'karmas'The hill gets its name from the Goddess Kali or Chamundi, the consort of Shiva and she is the family deity of the Maharajas of Mysore. The Chamundeswari Temple is a fine quadrangular structure with a high 'gopuram' (tower) and 'dwara' (entrance) which is a visible landmark from many miles. 'Mahishasura' was killed by Goddess 'Chamundi' and hence she was given the name 'Mahishasura Mardhini'. The Goddess is seated on a lion, killing the buffalo-headed demon with her trident..


ZOO

Mysore Zoo or Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens as it is popularly known as was established in the year 1892 in Mysore, by the then Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar. Initially known as 'Khasa Bangle' or 'private bungalow', the zoo, one of the biggest of its kind in the country housed different species of birds in about 10 acres. Later, the then British Officer, Karumbeigal shifted the Zoo to Mysore to the premises of Mysore ZooThe Zoohas been further extended to cover the adjacent Karanji Lake. The lake attracts several species of birds and the Zoo has plans to develop the lake into a bird sanctuary. Among the primary activities of the zoo besides breeding rare animals, is to barter animals, and bringing in new animalsThe Flourishing FloraThe zoo houses some rare animals bred in captivity, and exotic species of plants. The Zoological Gardens has various species of ornamental plants and trees from India and abroad. About 85 species of trees and 35 species of ornamental plants are present, which beautifies the landscape of the Zoo and provides the best environment to the captive wild animalsExotic FaunaThe Zoo has to its credit breeding of rare animals and largest mammals in captivity. This unique feature is said to be present only in a few of the reputed zoological gardens in southeast Asia, Mysore being one among them. About two million visitors, from within the country and abroad, visit the famous Mysore Zoo every year. The Mysore Zoo has a record of housing variety of species not only of this country but also from more than 40 countries in the world
Mysore Zoo or Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens as it is popularly known as was established in the year 1892 in Mysore, by the then Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar. Initially known as 'Khasa Bangle' or 'private bungalow', the zoo, one of the biggest of its kind in the country housed different species of birds in about 10 acres. Later, the then British Officer, Karumbeigal shifted the Zoo to Mysore to the premises of Mysore ZooThe Zoohas been further extended to cover the adjacent Karanji Lake. The lake attracts several species of birds and the Zoo has plans to develop the lake into a bird sanctuary. Among the primary activities of the zoo besides breeding rare animals, is to barter animals, and bringing in new animalsThe Flourishing FloraThe zoo houses some rare animals bred in captivity, and exotic species of plants. The Zoological Gardens has various species of ornamental plants and trees from India and abroad. About 85 species of trees and 35 species of ornamental plants are present, which beautifies the landscape of the Zoo and provides the best environment to the captive wild animalsExotic FaunaThe Zoo has to its credit breeding of rare animals and largest mammals in captivity. This unique feature is said to be present only in a few of the reputed zoological gardens in southeast Asia, Mysore being one among them. About two million visitors, from within the country and abroad, visit the famous Mysore Zoo every year. The Mysore Zoo has a record of housing variety of species not only of this country but also from more than 40 countries in the world.

NAMA BIDAR

Bidar was the capital of the Bahmani kings from 1428 till it later passed into the hands of the Barid Shahi dynasty. There are some beautiful specimens of typical Muslim art and architecture here.
Fragments of old colourful mosaics, grand old tombs of the Bahmani and Barid kings and an impressive 15th century fort that still encircles the town give Bidar its days-of-yore charm. It is a quiet place and not on most tourist itineraries.
Bidar is famous for being the place where Bidriware, a form of silver filigree art, originated. Bidriware is silver filigree done in Islamic motifs and set against a dark background of blackened zinc, tin, copper and lead to create the most striking ashtrays, boxes, bangles and such.
Near Bidar is the town of Gulbarga, which was the Bahmani capital before the honour shifted to Bidar. The old fort at Gulbarga still stands, as do some beautiful mausoleums and mosques.Getting there: Bidar is well connected by public road transport to many places in South India including Gulbarga (near Bijapur), Bijapur, Bangalore and Hyderabad (the capital of Andhra Pradesh). There are direct trains to Bidar from places on the main Mumbai - Secunderabad - Chennai route (i.e. Bombay-Hyderabad-Madras). There are no direct trains from Bangalore though.
The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, which is 136 km from Bidar. There are direct buses to Bidar from the Hyderabad airport.
Accommodation: Since Bidar is not on the well-beaten path there are few hotels, and the ones that there are, aren’t anything to write home about. You will find a few budget hotels; some even have rooms with air-conditioning. The prices range between Rs. 100 for a single non air-conditioned room with attached bath to Rs. 500 for a double air-conditioned room with an attached bath.

NAMA BIJAPUR

Bijapur was once the capital of the Adil Shah dynasty (1489 to 1686) and it's charm lies largely in the architectural legacy from those days.
The Adil Shahs had broken away from the Muslim Bahamanis who had ruled parts of south India, to establish their kingdom in the northwest part of Karnataka.
Bijapur’s most famous monument is the Gol Gumbaz. This gigantic mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah has to its credit the second largest dome in the world after that of St. Peter’s in Vatican City. It also has a whispering gallery where a message carries through 38 meters repeating 11 times. The Nakkar Khana museum, the Asar Mahal (palace) with its lovely frescoes, the Sherza Burj (Lion Gate) with an enormous 55-ton cannon are among the amazing structures around the Gol Gumbaz.
Inhabiting the other end of the town is the Ibrahim Roza, quite at the other end of the stylistic spectrum from the Gol Gumbaz. This graceful monument is the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah and his family. Decorated with delicate stone filigree and other sculptural work, this building is admired for its loveliness rather than imposing grandeur. The Jami Masjid close to it is thought to be the most beautiful mosque in south India. The Citadel in the centre of town though mostly in ruins still has a unique charm.
Getting There: Bijapur is part of what has come to be known as the Karnataka Northern Circuit. If you start your tour of historical Karnataka at Hampi and are travelling northwards thereon, Bijapur should be your third major stop. From Hampi, make your way to Badami - Pattadakal - Aihole, all three of which are only a stone’s throw from each other. And from there go further to arrive at Bijapur. If you are doing the route by road, you can choose from among buses, luxury coaches and cars (hired or otherwise). There are train connections to Bijapur from Sholapur (in Maharashtra), Badami and Hospet, which is the railway station for Hampi.
Accommodation: While there aren’t any 5-star hotels in Bijapur, there are quite a few decent options in the budget and middle levels. Starting from Rs. 100 a night for a single room with attached bath, the prices go as far up as 10 times that amount for air-conditioned double rooms. Between the two there is a range of options in the fairly comfortable hotels of the town. The state-run Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation has two hotels; both are on Station Road. In fact, if you’re landing up at Bijapur without reserved accommodation head for Station Road where you will find many hotels.
Getting Around:There are local buses, horse-drawn tongas and auto-rickshaws to help you get around. If the weather’s right you could think of renting a cycle from one of the stalls in the station area.

NAMA BADAMI

Badami, today a sleepy little town on a red sandstone ridge, was once the capital of the great Chalukyan Empire that controlled most of peninsular India between the 4th and 8th centuries AD.The Chalukyas are credited with some of the best traditions of Dravidian architecture including an experimental blend of older South Indian temple architecture and the nagara style of north India, which passed into the Dravidian temple-building convention.
At this site you can see the finest of the early works in that style. There are ruins of temples and rock cut caves much of the exquisite sculpting has survived the two decades since Badami ceased to be the administrative centre of the kingdom. Badami was the capital from 540 to 757 AD, after which the Chalukyans lost out to the emerging power, the Rashtrakutas.
Badami saw a succession of rulers of which the Chalukyas were only the most important. There is architecture and sculpture here from periods ranging as far back as the 7th century AD Pallava rule to as recently as the 19th century Marathas.
The Station Road is the main road in Badami; the architectural complex lies to the east of it. There are four sets of caves. The oldest, Cave 1, has stunning carvings of Shiva in his Nataraja avatar, dancing the apocalyptic tandava. There are also carvings of the god in the Ardhanarishvara form where he is depicted as half man-half woman, the woman half representing his wife Parvati. Yet another carving is of Harihara, the right half of this figure depicts Shiva - the Destroyer and the left, Vishnu - the Preserver. Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated entirely to Vishnu, whereas Cave 4 is has an image of the Jain tirthankara, Adinath.
Other sites of note are the 5th century Agastyatirtha Tank, the fort and the Bhutanath temples. The local archaeological museum has some fine specimens of carvings from the area including a collection of Lajja-Gauri images. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm every day except Friday.
Getting There:There are buses to Badami from Bijapur, Bangalore, Hubli, Gadag and Ilkal. The trains that arrive at the small Badami station are all II-class passenger trains. There are railway services from Gadag from where you can get a connection to the bigger cities of hospet and Hubli, and from Bijapur, which is on the Mumbai - Secuderabad - Chennai main line.
Accommodation:Most hotels are located on the arterial Station Road. The town has everything from the very basic in tourist accommodation (Rs. 100 single rooms) to the one luxury hotel (prices in the range of Rs 1500 - 2000). Most hotels are in the middle-budget category and these will charge upwards of Rs. 200 for a double-room with attached bath.
Getting Around:Local buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and horse-drawn tongas fulfil the visitor’s ‘getting around’ needs. One can rent bicycles from the many cycle-stalls on Station Road. Buses to nearby Pattadakal and Aihole are frequent. The first is a mere half an hour by bus from Badami while the second takes a two-hour journey. Keep in mind that the last bus back from Aihole leaves around 4:30 pm and the last buses from Pattadakal are at about 6 pm. You could alternatively hire a cab for the trip. It is possible to visit both these historical sites on a one day outing if you leave Badami early enough in the morning.
City Getaways:Two hours by road from Badami, Aihole used to be the regional capital of the Chalukyan kings between the 4th and 6th centuries AD. Anyone who is interested in temple architecture should head for Aihole. From the earliest buildings that are characterised by simplicity of design to later intricate structures like the Meguti Temple, the evolution of the Dravidian style is apparent in the various architectural styles of the Aihole ruins. The earlier styles are well represented in the Gandar, Ladkhan, Hucchapaya and Kontigudi temple complexes, while the Jain Meguti temple and the impressive 7th century Durga Temple are samples from a later date.
Accommodation is available at a local guesthouse but hardly anyone stays over at Aihole.
Pattadakal, half an hour from Badami, is a little village now but it was at one time the second most important city of the Chalukyas and the site of royal ceremonies like coronations. The ruins at Pattadakal date from the 4th century to the 9th. The majority of the work is from the 7th and 8th centuries AD though. Pattadakal is also an important site for the study of the development of temple architecture in South. Don’t miss the ornate Virupaksha Temple, the Mallikarjuna Temple and the Papanath Temple. If you’re in Pattadakal towards the end of January, there’s every chance you’ll catch the annual classical dance festival held here.

NAMA HAMPI

A strange and magical place, Hampi is one of the most beautiful towns in Karnataka. Huge boulders are scattered across the land where ruins of the old Vijayanagar capital stand, poignant reminders of the passage of history.
This windswept little village was once the centre of a vibrant, thriving culture that enriched the entire region with carved temples and rock-cut magnificence.
The brothers Harihara and Bukka established the Vijayanagar Empire in 1336. In an age when the powerful Mughal army of the north was stamping its authority on almost the entire subcontinent, this southern Hindu kingdom proved too difficult to crack. In 1509-29 during the reign of Krishnadevaraya the empire reached the pinnacle of its influence economically, militarily and culturally, the legacy of which abides till date.
In 1565 the end came swiftly. Unable to withstand the combined assault of the neighbouring Muslim kingdoms, Hampi fell at the battle of Talikota. From then it was only a matter of time before the conquering forces made rapid inroads into the rest of the empire. The ruins of Hampi are extremely popular with tourists who flock here to soak in a sense of the past; and in every ‘reliving’, this seemingly dead city lives again.
Hampi Bazaar has almost returned to former glory with the old buildings being functional again. Traders once more ply their wares but now its mostly branded, packaged, with ‘sales tax extra’! This area has a charm of its own and much of it has to do with the fascinating phenomenon of renaissance. Sule Bazaar, just a little way off, is an ancient market that did not regain its life like the main bazaar. Lovely old buildings stand silently and perhaps one day here too it won’t be quiet. The Virupaksha Temple dedicated to an incarnation of Lord Shiva stands at the western end of the market just as it had 600 years ago. The main tower is over 50 meters tall.
The Vittalla Temple at the eastern end of the bazaar is the undisputed best-structure in Hampi. This superbly sculptured temple was begun in 1509 during the reign of the greatest Vijaynagar king, Krishnadevaraya. Now a World Heritage Site, this temple, which was never completed or consecrated, encompasses the best of Vijaynagar temple building. At the entrance is lavishly carved stone chariot with an image of the mythological bird Garuda. The pillars of the hall are musical, if struck they’ll sound a definite musical note. Near Sule Bazaar is another ancient temple called the Achyutaraya Temple. Beautifully sculptured, it too has a strange aura that evokes a sense of the past.
And then there are the ruined remains of the grand palace complex from where at one time royal decrees must have issued forth commanding respect and obedience from the subjects. The Royal Centre is one of the most hauntingly fine structures in Hampi. The Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Astabal (Stables) lie inside the Zenana Enclosure. These were private quarters that held the royal womenfolk away from prying eyes. All the buildings are an exotic mix of Hindu and Islamic styles and the result is high vaulted domes and striking carvings. The Royal Enclosure has an array of temples and houses the old waterworks. Across the Tungabhadra, in Anegondi, is another complex of ruins that has many small temples.
The Archaeological Museum (Kamalapuram) has models of the ground plan of the ancient town and some excavated sculptures. You must visit it for a really complete picture of Hampi, present and past.
Getting There:The nearest railway station is at Hospet. There are trains to Hospet from Bangalore and Hyderabad. You can get to Hampi from Hospet by auto-rickshaw, bus or rented cycle. It is possible to rent a chauffeur driven car in Hospet. It is convenient to get directly to Hampi by road. Goa is 10 hrs away and there are bus services from all over Karnataka to Hampi. Since this is a major tourist destination, any number of car-rentals will be happy to provide you with a car and driver for the trip. You can hire the car and take it around the entire northern circuit of Hampi-Hospet-Badami-Gulbarga-Bidar-Bijapur. It is also possible to hire a car at Hampi.
There are frequent bus services to Hospet (30 minutes) and from there on to Badami, Bijapur, Aihole, Gulbarga, and to the south too. You can also rent a car for the trip. There are trains from Hospet to Bangalore, Secunderabad (Andhra Pradesh), and Belur-Halebid. There is also a train to Badami.
Getting Around: The best time to visit is October. This is festival season when the entire country celebrates the victory of Ram over Ravana, good over evil, as told in the epic Ramayana. The weather is cool and a gentle breeze sweeps the countryside.
The ruins of Hampi are fairly spread out so it is wise to rent a cycle for getting around locally. However, be prepared to do some bits on foot because in places the dirt track is not negotiable even on cycle. Auto-rickshaws and taxis are also available but not really conducive to a detailed exploration. Take along sturdy footwear if you are planning to do the ruins on foot.
Accommodation: Most hotels are in Hampi Bazaar. This may not be the quietest area but it is very charming and popular with tourists because of its central location. Accommodation is mid-rung or budget, but what these hotels lack in luxury, they make up for in friendliness and good cheer. Most places are clean and have rooms with attached bathrooms. Do find out about the hot water arrangement though before you check in.
For those who seek complete quiet there is some basic accommodation north of the River Tungabhadra. Alcohol is not permitted in Hampi but you can get a beer just outside town at the bar in Kamalapuram. Food is quite basic at Hampi. Most of the little hotels have restaurants on their roofs. Vegetarian food is easily available and is usually well prepared. Some places also serve standard “western snacks” like sandwiches, cutlets and burgers!
All tourist paraphernalia is available at the Hampi Bazaar from souvenirs to postcards. Handicrafts from Pondicherry’s Aurobindo Ashram can also be picked up here.
Alcohol is not permitted in Hampi but you can get a beer just outside town at the bar in Kamalapuram. Food is quite basic at Hampi. Most of the little hotels have restaurants on their roofs. Vegetarian food is easily available and is usually well prepared. Some places also serve standard "western snacks" like sandwiches, cutlets and burgers!
All tourist paraphernalia is available at the Hampi Bazaar from souvenirs to postcards. Handicrafts from Pondicherry’s Aurobindo Ashram can also be picked up here.

NAMA CHITRADURGA

Located at a Distance of 202 kms. northwest of Bangalore.The district headquarters town, Chitradurga owes its name to "Chitrakaladurga", or "Picteresque Castle". This is a massive fortress on the top of granite hills that rises dramatically from the ground (See picture). Archaeological remains found in the area, trace its history to the 3rd Millennium BC. A rock edict of Emperor Ashoka, near Brahmagiri reveals that Chitradurga was part of the Mauryan Empire during the rule of royal dynasties like the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas and Hoysalas. But it really achieved eminenece, as a feudal state of the Vijayanagar Empire, under the dynastic rule of the Nayakas or "Paleyagars", known for their heroic exploits. The most eminent of the feudatory chieftains, was Madakari Nayaka, who after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire, declared his suzerainty and consolidated his power. This hill fortress buit by the Nayakas during the Viajayanagar era, became their stronghold later. in 1977, the fort was captured by Hyder Ali, along with his son Tipu Sultan. After Tipu Sultan's defeat by the British, the fort came under the rule of the oyal Mysore Family

NAMA HASSAN

Location : In the state of Karnataka in the southern part of India.Major Tourist Attractions : Halebid, Belur, ShravanabelagolaBest Buys : MementoesNearby Tourist Destinations : Bangalore, Mysore, Udupi.About HassanSituated at a distance of 194 kms from Bangalore, Hassan is tranquil little town in the south India state of Karnataka. This quiet picturesque town is an ideal base to visit Shravanabelagola, Belur and Halebid. Hassan in Karnataka is the oldest town of Hoysala Empire of 11th to 13th century AD in India. Hassan has recently become a tourist destination for its unique style of architecture. Tourists stay at this small town to visit the nearby travel destinations of Belur and Halebid famous for their antique temples. Tourist Attractions in Hassan HalebidAbout 27 kms north-west of Hassan and 17 kms east of Belur, the temples of Halebid are the silent witness to the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka. The 12th century Hoysaleswara Temple is impressive for its awesome sculptural profusion. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. This splendid temple - guarded by a Nandi Bull - was never completed, despite 86 years of hard labour. The Jain basadis located nearby are equally rich in sculptural detail. Belur Situated about 38 km from Hassan, Belur is a picturesque town at a distance of 187 km from the capital Bangalore. The Channekeshava Temple at Belur is the only one of the three major Hoysala sites still in use. Construction of this temple commenced in AD 1116 to commemorate the Hoysala's victory over the Cholas at Talakad. ShravanabelagolaAt a distance of 51 kms southeast of Hassan, Shravanabelagola is one of the most sacred Jain pilgrimage centers in Karnataka. Here is the 17 m high monolith of Lord Bahubali - the world's tallest monolithic statue. Thousands of devotees gather here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka - a spectacular ceremony held once in 12 years, when the 1000 -year- old statue is anointed with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. Getting ThereAir : Hassan does not have an airport. The nearest airport is Bangalore, from where one can take flights to major destinations in India like Delhi, Calcutta, and Mumbai. One can also take connecting flights to destinations abroad from Bangalore. Rail : Hassan is connected to Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore by regular trains. The railway station is around 2 km east of town. Road : Hassan is linked with Belur, Halebid, Shravanbelgola, Bangalore and Mysore by road. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.AccommodationWe are here to offer you the best accommodation facilities, you would expect. The accommodation offered ranges from the luxury to budget categories, which are ideally designed for your satisfaction, while you travel Hassan. The city has many beautiful rest houses and good hotels to provide accommodation to the tourist.

NAMA BANGLORE

A fast growing metropolis, the garden city of Bangalore is the capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Situated at about 1000 meters above sea level, it is known for its salubrious climate where temperatures remain moderate through out the year. The maximum temperature in July is around 320C and the minimum around 220C. It is connected by air, rail and road to all major cities of the country and has direct international connections to many cities worldwide.
The clean and spacious city of Bangalore has many imposing structures full of historic and modern architecture. The majestic Vidhana Soudha, a magnificent post-independence structure housing the State legislature and Secretariat, stands in the center of the city with its attractive dome and galleries. It is sheer delight to see the illuminated Soudha during nights on Sundays and Holidays.
The city has several institutions of Learning and Research. Many of them such as the Indian Institute of Science, Raman Research Institute, National Institute of Mental health and Neuro-Sciences, National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore University have worldwide acclaim. The high-tech industries such as Aerospace, Electronics, Computers and now fast spreading software have made Bangalore their home due to easy access to a vast pool of scientists and engineers in the city. In the area of art and culture too, the city boasts of a rich heritage and tradition and has several schools of classical music and dance.
The city abounds in picturesque parks and gardens and other scenic spots. The extensive stretch of green land of Cubbon Park and the enchanting botanical gardens with Glass-House of Lal-Bagh, both situated right in the middle of the metropolis, lend all the charming grandeur to the city. About 20 Km from the city is situated the Bannerghatta National Park. It is a dry decidious forest which has abundant variety of trees like Neem, Sandal,Tamarind,Jalari. This park is inhabited by the Asian Elephants, leopards,Sloth Bears,Chital, Sambar,Monitor Lizards,Pangolin,Vipers, Cobras,Macaques,Porcupines,Mongoose, etc and lot of bird species are also to be found in this park. Moreover the best time to visit the park is between September and October.

Bangalore boasts of some of the oldest, and most beautiful temples in the country. The Venkataramanaswamy Temple is a 300 year old temple. Another impressive temple is the Gavi Gangadhareswara temple, an unusual cave temple. It has been designed in such a manner so that the rays of the sun pass between the horns of a Nandi Bull placed outside the temple, and thereby, illuminate the image of Lord Shiva.