Bangalore is the capital of the Karnataka State is a thriving modern business centre - dubbed the 'Silicon Valley' of India. The name Bangalore means the town of boiled beans. Its history can be traced back to 1536 AD, Kempegowda who built a mud fort here. The mud fort is rebuilt in stone, two centuries later by Haider Ali. His son Tippu Sultan improved it.

P l a c e s   t o   s e e :

CUBBON PARK
Is in the center of Bangalore - it has roads, flowering trees and plains, a water fountain, children's train and a bandstand. The lawns were laid out in 1864 and spread over 300 acres is named after the 19th Century British Representative Lord Cubbon.

LALBAGH
Botanical Gardens is one of the richest and most beautiful gardens. Today it is one of the best botanical gardens in the country spread over 240 acres with over a thousand different varieties of trees and plants. There is a fine exhibition house known as the Glass House built on the lines of the Crystal Palace of London.

FORT
The fort was built in mud by Kempegowde was rebuilt in 1761 by Hader Ali. It has seen been preserved as a place of historical interest.

VIDHANA SOUDHA
At the north-western end of Cubbon Park, this massive, granite, neo-Dravidian style building is one of Bangalore's most imposing building. Built in 1954, it houses the Secretariat and the State Legislature. It is illuminated in the evenings.

BULL TEMPLE
Situated on Bugle Hill at the southern end of Bull Temple Road, this is one of Bangalore's oldest temples. Built by Kempagowda in the Dravidian style in the 16th century- contains a huge granite Nandi.

ULSOOR LAKE
It is at the center of the cantonment area. The beautiful scenery of Ulsoor tank attracts many visitors. There is also boating done here.

NANDI HILLS
Nandi Hill is a summer resort 65kms, north from Bangalore. It is one of the most majestic places in the region. It was a popular summer retreat even in Tipu Sultan's days. Tipu's Drop, a 600m-high cliff face, provides a good view over the surrounding country, it was also a convenient place to dispose of enemies. There are two Chola temples here.

NRITYAGRAM
This dance village is 30km north-west of Bangalore, was established in 1990s to revive Indian classical dance.

WHITEFIELD ASHRAM
About 20kms east of Bangalore is the summer ashram of Sri Satya Sai Baba, where He is usually in residence in March and April and June. His main ashram Puttaparti is in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. There is also a college and hostel. A General Hospital and now on the 14th January 2001 a Super Speciality Hospital was inaugurated.