INDIA
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, India has a coastline of 7,517 kilometers (4,700 mi). It is bordered by Pakistan to the west China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
Home to the Indus Valley Civilization and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history. Four major religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism originated here, while Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam arrived in the first millennium CE and shaped the region's diverse culture. Gradually annexed by the British East India Company from the early eighteenth century and colonized by the United Kingdom from the mid-nineteenth century, India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by widespread non-violent resistance.
India is a republic consisting of 28 states and seven union territories with a parliamentary system of democracy. It has the world's twelfth largest economy at market exchange rates and the fourth largest in purchasing power. Economic reforms since 1991 have transformed it into one of the fastest growing economies however, it still suffers from high levels of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and malnutrition. A pluralistic, multilingual, and multiethnic society, India is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats.
BANGALORE
Bangalore is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and fifth-most populous urban agglomeration.
Though historical references to the city predate 900 AD, a modern written history of continuous settlement exists only from 1537, when Kempe Gowda I, who many regard as the architect of modern Bangalore, built a mud-brick fort at the site and established it as a province of the imperial Vijayanagara Empire. During the British Raj, it became a centre of colonial rule in South India. The establishment of the Bangalore Cantonment brought in large numbers of migrants from other parts of the country.
Today, as a large and growing metropolis, Bangalore is home to some of the most well-recognized colleges and research institutions in India. Numerous public sector heavy industries, software companies, aerospace, telecommunications, and defense organizations are located in the city. Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India because of its position as the nation's leading IT exporter. A demographically diverse city, Bangalore is a major economic hub and the fastest growing major metropolis in India.
Climate in Bangalore
Bangalore features a tropical wet and dry climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Due to its high elevation, Bangalore usually enjoys a more moderate climate throughout the year, although occasional heat waves can make things very uncomfortable in the summer. The coolest month is January with an average low temperature of 15.1 °C and the hottest month is April with an average high temperature of 33.6 °C. The highest temperature ever recorded in Bangalore is 38.9 °C and the lowest ever is 7.8 °C (on January 1884). Winter temperatures rarely drop below 12 °C (54 °F), and summer temperatures seldom exceed 36–37 °C (100 °F). Bangalore receives rainfall from both the northeast and the southwest monsoons and the wettest months are September, October and August, in that order.
Transport
The Bangalore International Airport is located in Devanahalli.
Air
Bangalore is served by the newly built Bangalore International Airport (IATA code: BLR) which started operations from 24 May 2008. The city was earlier served by the HAL Airport which was India's fourth busiest airport. It is now the third busiest airport in India in terms of passenger traffic.
Rail
Bangalore comes under the South Western Railway zone of the Indian Railways. Bangalore City Railway station and Yesvantpur Junction connect it to the rest of the country through the Indian Railways. The Rajdhani Express connects the city to New Delhi, the capital of India. Bangalore is also connected by rail to most cities in Karnataka, as well as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Mysore and other major cities in India.
Road
Three-wheeled, black and yellow auto-rickshaws, referred to as autos, are a popular form of transport. They are metered and can accommodate up to three passengers. Taxi service within Bangalore is provided by several operators commonly referred to as Citi taxis which can carry up to four passengers and are usually metered and more expensive than auto-rickshaws. Buses operated by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are also a means of public transport available in the city while commuters can buy tickets on boarding these buses. BMTC also runs air-conditioned Volvo buses on major routes.
BMTC's Volvo buses are a popular mode of commuting within Bangalore.
What to see in Bangalore
Parks
The Lal Bagh Glass House, famous for its flower shows
- Lal Bagh: is a botanical garden, commissioned in the year 1760. The 240 acre park is home to over 1000 species of flora and a Glass House. The park is known for its annual flower show. The garden surrounds one of the towers erected by the founder of Bangalore, Kempe Gowda I. The Lal Bagh Rock, dates back to 3000 million years, is another attraction.
- Cubbon Park: is located in the heart of the city and spreads over 300 acres (1.2 kmsq). The park was created in the year 1884, by Major General Richard Sankey. The park is home to numerous trees and plants that span over 68 genera and 96 species.
Historical monuments
- Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: Built in 1791, this beautiful two-storied ornate wooden structure with exquisitely carved pillars, arches and balconies was one of Tipu's favorite summer retreats. It now houses a museum that contains artifacts relating to the Hyder-Tipu regime.
- Bangalore Palace: (1862) is a palace located in the city of Bangalore, India and is built to look like a smaller replica of the Windsor Castle in England.
- Mayo Hall: It was designed in the memory of Lord Mayo and is as one of the finest designs of British architecture.
Museums and Galleries
- Bangalore Museum
- Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum: The museum was instituted as part of the centenary celebrations of the engineer-statesman Sir M. Visvesvaraya (1861–1962).
- Venkatappa Art Gallery
- HAL Aerospace Museum: The Museum showcases the growth of the Indian aviation industry and HAL for six decades. The Museum is maintained by HAL (one of Asia's largest Aerospace companies). The museum houses displays of various aircraft and helicopters, Aircraft engine models, Flight simulators, a mock Air Traffic Control Tower and exhibit of Indian aviation history.
Places of worship
Bull Temple: One of the biggest Nandi idols in the world.
St Patrick's church: Built in 1844 this is one of the oldest churches in Bangalore and is situated on Residency Road.
Bull Temple: Built by Kempe Gowda I, it is reminiscent of the 16th century Dravidian style architecture. It has a huge granite monolith of Nandi. This landmark is situated at bull temple road, Basavangudi.
Huge Shiva in old Airport Road : Built by owner of Kids Kemp-A retail outlet is a huge Idol of Lord Shiva & Ganesha. It is completely made of plaster of Paris.
ISKCON Temple: (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Built in an ornate architectural style, the Krishna Temple is a blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony. The 7-acre (28,000 m2) temple is situated on west of chord road, Rajajinagar and finest fusion of modern and traditional elements of architecture.
St. Mary's Basilica: It is the oldest church in Bangalore and is the only church in the state that has been elevated to the status of a minor basilica. It is famous for the festivities held during the St. Mary's Feast in the month of September each year, an event that attracts a number of devotees from in and around Bangalore.
Infant Jesus Church: Established in 1979 by Rev. Dr. Lourduswamy, the then Archbishop of Bangalore, the church draws huge crowds on Thursday, the day dedicated to Infant Jesus
