Bangalore or Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka and is known as the garden city and more recently the software capital of India. It is also a famous tourist destination and the 3rd top destination as rated by Lonely Planet in 2011.
It is considered one of the most progressive cities in the country. Fast food joints, yuppie bars, high end lounges, rock concerts and malls being the flavour of the day. The traffic can be overwhelming for visitors as Bangalore infrastructure tries to cope with the IT boom. Bangalore has good connectivity to the rest of the state, and is a good place to base your travel in Karnataka from.
Bangalore is one of the most popular tourist centers of Karnataka. Business and shopping districts like MG Road, Brigade Road, and Commercial Street etc. are very popular with visitors. UB City and the Infosys campus in Electronic City are the new popular attractions. Lal Bagh, Bull Temple, Iskon Temple, Bangalore Palace, St. Mary’s Basilica, Visvesvaraya Museum, Bannarghatta National Park etc. are other places to visit.
Nrityagram is a dance village about 30km from Bangalore. Nandi hills has great views, two notable Chola temples and good hiking.
Bangalore was ruled by the Western Gangas before it came under the Cholas in 1024 and later the Hoysala Empire. Kempe Gowda I founded the modern Bangalore in 1537. The Mughal captured Bangalore in 1687 and sold to Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar of Mysore before Hyder Ali took control of the region. Bangalore came under the British rule in 1799.
Bangalore is well connected by air, rail and road to all major places in India. The Bengaluru International Airport caters to both domestic and international flights while Bangalore also has regular rail connectivity to most major cities in India. Regular bus services are also available from neighboring cities.
There are numerous sightseeing options in Bangalore. Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens is one of the prime attractions of the city. Home to around 1000 different species of plants, it is one of the most famous botanical gardens in India. Bangalore is also dotted with several lakes and parks which add a unique and beautiful dimension to the City's landscape. Nandi Hills and Bannerghatta National Park are two popular tourist attractions.
Shopping areas such as M.G. Road and Brigade road are also among the popular spots.
Tipu Sultan's Palace and Bangalore Palace are among the most famous historical monuments in Bangalore. Bangalore Palace, built in 1887 by Chamaraja Wodeyar, is a major attraction of the city. Tipu Sultan's Palace, which is now converted to a museum, is also a popular attraction. Bangalore is also home to several famous places of worship, most notably the ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple, Bull Temple, St. Mary's Basilica, Infant Jesus Church and Masjid-e-Khadria. The Bull Temple, one of the oldest temples in the city is dedicated to Nandi, the bull and is famous for its monolithic deity carved out of a single granite rock.
I usually just have one cat. It is difficult, but I have my one cat that he'll travel with me if it's appropriate, if I'm not going overseas.