India

Bangalore

For the travel-bugs I have compiled a list of places around Bangalore that are worth paying visit over the weekends. The places here are ideal for the ones who want to go somewhere but do not have enough time to travel long distances. They require a max of 4-5 hours drive. So, wake up on a Saturday morning and drive out. Anyone who can contribute with some other noteworthy places, please add to the list. i will also try to provide pictures for each of them. If you have any images, do add them.

Vidana Soudha

Built in 1954, Vidana Soudha is a landmark of Bangalore. This enormous building is a massive example of neo-Dravidian architecture, with four domes on its four corners. It houses the Legislative Chamber of Karnataka Government, as well as accommodates many government departments.

Attara Kacheri(High Court) and Surroundings

This two-storied building, built in 1867 under the reign of Tipu Sultan, is painted in red with Corinthian columns in Gothic style architecture. It's located at the entrance to Cubbon Park, and houses the High Court and many lower courts.

Close to the Court is the State Central Library building, which has the "Pompeian red" color and architectural style of stone and fluted pillars, with walls finished in lime plaster. Nearby, the Government Museum houses many exotic collection of coins, sculptures, inscriptions, and old paintings. Adjacent to the Museum is Venkatappa Art Gallery, displaying famous paintings, plaster of Paris works and wooden sculptures of the well known artist Venkatappa, and of other contemporary artists.

Lalbagh Botanical garden

This enchanting garden is set on 240 acres with a rare collection of tropical and sub-tropical trees and plants, and a majestic glasshouse built on the lines of London's Crystal Palace. The garden was made in the 17th century -- started by Hyder Ali, and later completed by his son Tipu Sultan. It derives its name "Lal Bagh" from a collection of red roses that bloom throughout the year there. The glasshouse, which was constructed in the year 1889 to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales, is the jewel of this garden.
Lalbagh takes on a festive look during India's Independence Day and Republic Day, with a captivating show of over 200 varieties of flowers. The show also features an exhibition of hybrid vegetables.

Cubbon Park
Located in the heart of city, set on a 300 acre area, Cubbon Park is a great place to laze around in the lush green paradise. It has a treasure of different species of exotic plants. The park was named after the erstwhile Commissioner of Bangalore, Sir Mark Cubbon. Many ornamental and flowering trees, both exotic and indigenous, can be found in the park. It's a popular place for walkers, joggers, and nature lovers. Bal Bhavan in the park is a great place for the kids to enjoy. An aquarium is also located in Cubbon Park, with many varieties of exotic and ornamental fish.

Bangalore Palace
Built in 1887 by Chamaraja Wodeyar, Bangalore Palace is inspired by England's Windsor Castle. This beautiful palace has Tudor style architecture, with fortified towers, arches, green lawns, and elegant woodcarvings in its interiors.

Tipu sultan's Palace and Fort
Tipu Sultan's Palace and Fort was originally built by Chikkadeva Raya in mud. Later, Hyder Ali started reconstruction in Indo-Islamic architecture. This was completed by his son, Tipu Sultan, in 1791. The Hindu temple seen in the courtyard of the fort is the proof of Tipu Sultan's religious tolerance.

Ulsoor Lake
The beautiful Ulsoor Lake is spread over an area of 125 acres. It was constructed by Kempegowda II. Boating and swimming pool are the great attractions of the lake.

Jawahararlal Nehru Planetarium
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium was founded in 1989, with an aim of spreading awareness among students and the public about astronomy. Two shows are held here daily except on Mondays.

Crazy Waters Amusement Park

This amusement park is located amidst a rocky landscape in Bannerghatta Main Road, and provides thrill, splash and excitement.

Neeladri Amusement Park

This amusement park, 28 kilometers (17 miles) from the city, is a combination of a water park and a theme park. It's set on 30 acres of sprawling landscape, located off Hosur Road, behind Electronic City .

Dodda Alada Mara

Dodda Alada Mara is a big banyan tree, located 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Bangalore at Ramohalli. This gigantic tree is assumed to be 400 years old, sprawling over 3 acres.

Wonder La

Wonder La, the amusement park, is located 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Bangalore, on Mysore Road. Incorporating the latest technologies, the park offers several excitements to visitors. Its features also include dry rides and wet rides. This can be an ideal place for spending weekends not only for the kids, but for all age groups.

Muthyalamaduvu

This famous picnic spot, 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Bangalore in Anekal, has an enchanting waterfall and a small temple. It's also known as Pearl Valley. Muthyalu means "pearls" and maduvu means "pond" or "pool" in Kannada, the local language of Karnataka.

Ramanagaram

Located 49 kilometers (30 miles) south west of Bangalore, Ramanagaram is a great place for adventure seekers and rock climbers. Another attraction in Ramanagaram is the silk cocoon marketing center.

Shivaganga

Shivaganga, located 56 kilometers (35 miles) from Bangalore is an interesting hill with four faces and a height of 4,600 feet. It's also known as Dakshin Kashi. The hill looks like a Nandi from the east, Ganesh from the west, a linga from the south, and cobra with its hood spread from the north side. The hill has two famous shrines, dedicated to Lord Gangadeshwara and Goddess Honnadevi, and a fresh water spring called Pathala Ganga.

Savandurga

Situated 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Bangalore, this place is famous for the Savandurga Hill and the temple. Savandurga is formed by two hills known locally as Karigudda (black hill) and Biligudda (white hill). It's believed to be one of the largest monolith hills in the world.

Nandi Hills

Nandi Hills, 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Bangalore, is a beautiful hill fortress. It was one of the popular retreats of Tipu Sultan, known as the Tiger of Mysore. Tipu's Drop, a 600 meter high cliff face, provides a magnificent panoramic view of the beautiful terrain. Nandi Hills is a highly popular getaway destination of Bangaloreans to beat the heat of the sun during the summer. Those who reach the top of the hill by climbing the 1,175 steps are rewarded with a splendid view of the city.

Devarayadurga

Devarayadurga, 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Bangalore, is a hill station in Tumkur. It's a good place for trekking and rock climbing. Apart from Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple built in Dravidian style, Namadha chilume -- a natural spring coming of the surface of the rock -- is also there.

Bannerghatta National Park (22km)
The park is situated in a picturesque surrounding with a variety of fauna, at Anekal Road. The main attractions are bisons, Elephants, Baboons, Panthers, Jackals and Lion taled Monkeys. The park has a snake park and lion and tiger safari.

For more images click here

Open 0900 – 1200, 1400 – 1700, Closed on Tuesday. It covers a 100 sq km, has a lion and tiger ’safari’ in a ‘caged’ car. The park also offers elephant rides.

Channapatna (60km)
Channapatna is a wonder land of wooden toys. Every person in this town is involved in some aspect of making colourful lacquer wooden toys.Channapatna is a small city located 60 km south-west of Bangalore, India on Bangalore-Mysore state highway. The city is famous for its wooden toys and lacquerware. In the native language (kannada), Channapatna is also called as "goMbegaLa ooru" meaning toys town in English. These toys are manufactured in tradational or advanced small scale industries. Manufacturing and twisting of raw silk and Coconut is a major product of Channapatna taluk. The temple of Lord Aprameya Swamy is nearby. Route MAP

Mekedatu (98km)
It is a beautiful picnic spot were river Cauvery offers an unforgettable site. It tumbles down majestically through a deep ravine, on top of which is a chasm around 5meters wide, narrow enough for a goat to leak across. Mekedatu is on Kanakapura Road.

Ramohalli (28km)
A little away from the city is Ramohalli, a picturesque picnic spot, that boasts of a 400-year old sprawling banyan tree, spread over 4 acres. The region around Bangalore is dotted with gigantic rock formations, the two notable ones being Shivaganga (4599 ft. high) and Savandurga. The latter used to be a fortress and the hideout of Kempe Gowda.

Hesaraghatta (25km)
Hesaraghatta has an artificial lake, a dairy and a horticulture farm. Baoting & windsurfing are the other attractions. Also here is the famous ‘Nrityagrama’ where young dancers are trained al disciplines of traditional dance.

Shivaganga(56kms)
An interesting hill with four faces, rising to a height of 4599ft looks like a Nandi from the East, Ganesh from the West, A Linga from the South and Cobra with it hood spread from the North side. It is accessible by road.

Shivanasamudram
The picturesque waterfalls, the Ganganchukki and the Bharachukki, cascade down 90 meters. These falls are the source of Asia’s first Hydro Electric Power Statin called “Shimsa”. The falls are in full splendour during July-August. The falls are 140 KMs from the Bangalore. Pictures

Hogenekkal Falls (140km)
These are also known as the ’smoking rocks’ because of the mist. At the bottom of the 90ft water falls, one can ride in a coracle.

Devarayanadurga (60 kms)
This is a hill station of Tumkur road perched at a height of 3940 feet. A few kilometers from foot of the hills is a natural spring called “Namada Chilume”. On the Bangalore /Mumbai national Highway near Dobbospet (50km) take a right turn and proceed to devarayanadurga.

Kolar Gold Fields
98 Km east of the city and south of Kolar town. Prior permission is required to visit the field. Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Banglore can arrange the permission. Visitors are Permitted only on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from October to February. Children below 10 years are not permitted. It is world’s deepest gold mine. It is 2,400 meter below the surface and oldest in the country.

Srirangapatna
15 kms from Mysore is the old capital of Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatna. Its fort bears witness to the Tiger of Mysore’s last battle against the British. His mausoleum, the Gumbaz, which sports ivory inlaid doors and the famous tiger-striped emblem is also nearby. Near Srirangapatna is the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.

Somnathpur
40 kms away from Mysore is the Somnathpur Temple, a star-shaped structure built in 1260 A.D, an outstanding example of Hoysala architecture.

Ramanagaram
49 kms from Bangalore city, Ramanagaram is famous for its rock formations, a great attraction for rock climbers. Ramanagaram is also an important silk cocoon market.

Hassan
194 kms from Bangalore is Hassan, from where one can go to Belur, Halebid and Shravanabelagola. Shravanabelagola is a famous Jain pilgrimage with a 17m high monolith of lord Bahubali standing tall.

Mysore

Mysore Palace - Unmathched Grandeur
Mysore Palace is among the best and biggest palaces that are built in India. Situated in Mysore city, the palace has become the most known structure of not only Mysore, but of Karnataka. The palace is also called Amba Vilas, was not build how it looks today. It was completely build of wood but it was burnt down in the year 1897. A new palace was constructed at the same spot which was completed in the year 1912. The palace is also famous for the numerous artifacts that are kept on display in the museum inside the palace. On all Sundays and national holidays, especially during Dussehra, Mysore Palace is lit up with around 1 lakh bulbs at night. And it is at this time most visitors visit the palace. The sight of the illuminated Mysore Palace will leave an indelible impression on your mind. Dussehra is celebrated with huge fervor and main attraction is the procession that starts from the Mysore Palace accompanied by embellished elephants, musical bands and unimaginable crowd of colorful people.

History
Mysore was the seat of Wodeyar Dynasty from 14th century till Independence of India. A palace was built in Mysore by the Wodeyars as their residence. The Palace was destined for destructive future. Many times during the course of time, it got destroyed and then rebuilt by Wodeyars. The first blow came when the palace got struck by lightning in the year 1638 and was partly destroyed. Mysore Palace was repaired and expanded. However in 1793, the complete structure was torn down and a new palace was built on the spot in 1803. For years, the palace stood its ground. However, during the wedding celebrations of Princess Jayalakshmi in the year 1897, it caught fire and was reduced to ruins. It was ordered that a new palace be built at the same place. And for the reason, Henry Irwin, a famous British architect was deputed. He amalgamated many architectural styles to build a palace as grand and as luxurious, which India had never possessed. The construction of the Palace was completed in the year 1912.
Architecture
The architecture of the palace is different and unique from all. Mysore Palace is a three storied building. It is 245 feet in length and 136 feet in width. The eye catching attributes on the exteriors of the palace are the marble dome and a 145 feet tower. Mysore Palace incorporates Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic styles of architecture. They are commonly described as Indo-saracenic. The main structure of Mysore Palace is surrounded by many well-maintained gardens. The entire complex of the palace is huge and also has numerous temples. Even the temples have their own story to narrate. You will find temples as old as of 14th century and also temples that have been built quite recently. Someshvara Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lakshmiramana Temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu are the most important ones.

What you had seen outside was just a small introduction of many more splendid things that you are about to witness on the inside. The entrance into the palace is through one of the most interesting rooms of the palace, 'Gombe Thotti' or 'Doll's pavilion'. It is a gallery which displays traditional dolls and many European and Indian sculptures belonging to nineteenth century. The main attraction is a wooden elephant, which is decorated with 84 kg gold. The most lavish and extravagant rooms inside the palace are the 'Ambavilasa' or 'Diwan e khas' and 'Kalyana Mantapa'. Ambavilasa was the hall for private meetings. It is entered through a rosewood door that is full of exaggerated carvings that leads to a Lord Ganesha Shrine. The walls have exceptional oil paintings depicting the Dussehra celebrations in the city.

Mysore Palace is open to public from 6 AM to 9 AM and then again reopens at 3.30 PM till 6.30 PM. It is open on all days. The best time to visit Mysore Palace is during Navaratri celebrations during which the palace is illuminated on all days.
St. Philomena's church is a church built in the honour of St. Philomena in the Diocese of Mysore, India. It was constructed in 1936 using a Neo Gothic style and its architecture was inspired by the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
Dancing Fountains.. Brindavan Gardens, Mysore
"Located in the Krishnaraja Sagar dam site , the Brindavan Gardens is at a distance of 24 Km. from the famous cultural heritage centre of Karnataka the city of Mysore, and 143 Km. from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka."

"The Musical and dancing fountain, is the main attraction of the visitors. The water, coloured light and music are harmonized in the fountain to create a water ballet controlled by an aquatic organ operated through a controller."

Traveling
By air:
The nearby airport is the Bangalore international airport (which is 140 km from here).
By train:
Mysore is well connected by railways from all the parts of the country. Traveling by train is the easiest way to reach the palace.
By bus:
Bus services are available every 5 minutes from Bangalore. Luxury and normal buses are also available, which costs about 300 Rs.

Shimoga Jog Falls – Best Tourist Attraction of Karnataka

Flowing from a height of 829 feet, Jog falls in Shimoga district of Karnataka is the highest plunge waterfall in India. It provides a resplendent view to an incessant flurry of tourists. During monsoon, its magic must be seen to be believed. There can be a debate over the technically highest fall in the country but the fact that Jog falls drops untiered, without being interrupted by rocks and boulders, make it arguably the highest and the very best fall in India.
The Falls beaks into four different streams as river Sharavathi deviates into four separate tracks. Each is named after their demeanor; the king, the queen, the roarer and the rocket. The naming bit can be attributed to the indigenous folks.
Undoubtedly the best falls in Asia in terms of scenic brilliance, it also provides great utilitarian value. It enables the Mahatma Gandhi hydro-electric project which bestows electricity to most of Karnataka. Fast moving water running through turbines can be an awesome view for the tourists.
Jog falls is mundane before the onset of monsoon so we suggest you to make a visit between August and December. Moreover, forget about the government’s statements and just go by what the locals perceive of the fall. It might give a better account of its grandeur and make your experience richer. Click For vedio