The Dodda Ganapathi Temple is easily one of the most unusual and eye-catching temples in the city. The legend goes that Kempegowda I, who founded the city of Bengaluru, was on a stroll when he found a rock that had an etching of Ganesha on it. At his behest, an idol was carved out of a single stone and it is this that is now enshrined within the Dodda Ganapathi Temple. Devotees believe that the miraculous idol grew to its monumental size all on its own from the humble sculpture commissioned by the king. On the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi , a week-long festival venerating Lord Ganesha, the idol is dressed in a variety of ways on each day, the most impressive being Benne Alankara which involves slathering the monolith with a staggering 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of butter. A richly ornamented gopuram marks the entrance of the temple, watching over the scene from a towering height.
The Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum was an initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, and was set up in 1960 as an independent entity supported by the National Council for Science Museums. The museum is named after Sir Visvesvaraya, the great engineer who has to his credit the KRS dam and Mysore University to name a few. The museum focuses mainly on science and has exhibits that trace the history of engines, biotechnological revolution, dinosaur exhibits, and science for children. It has shows like the fascinating Taramandal Show which is popular and has a separate entry fee. There is also a small store within the premises that sells scientific toys for children. The museum is a fun place to stop at with the family.
Perched majestically atop the Hare Krishna Hill, the ISKCON temple is one of the most prominent attractions of the city. The famous temple, which features ascending gopurams (monumental towers), is dedicated to Lord Krishna and imparts teachings written in the Bhagavad Gita. In the evenings, the entire enclave is illuminated by lamps. Besides this, there are also boarding facilities for devotees at a nominal rate. The in-house restaurant called Annakuta serves the prasad or the food offerings made to the Lord. Festivals are celebrated here on a grand scale, especially Janamashtami and Deepavali, during which people flock here in large numbers. ISKCON also holds many programs such as youth programs, weekend yoga retreats, and Gita quiz competitions. They also undertake food programs such as Akshay Patra, where food is made and sent to underprivileged schools in urban and rural Bengaluru.
Synonymous with creativity, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP) is a College of Fine Arts which is renowned for many good reasons. The artists taught and trained here, are not only talented but also very skillful with their fingers. The beautiful campus is nestled amidst lush greenery which perhaps gives birth to all of these wonderful creations. They offer a variety of courses in fine arts like Art History, Visual Arts, Painting, Graphics, Applied Arts, Sculpture and more. Apart from a well-equipped library, KCP also has all the learning aids like the latest audio and visual equipment. There are many unique exhibitions held in the KCP galleries, which are both temporary and permanent, and ranging from fine art to contemporary. Both local and national artists feature their artistic creations here. Popular and famous art events like 'Chitra Sante' are participated in by many at the national level too. Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath is located near the Lalit Ashok Hotel in Kumara Krupa Highgrounds.
Indigo Live Music Bar is an entertainment venue and bar regularly hosting various live music events. Besides the great musical performances, the venue also plays host to fashion shows and comedy nights. The lively, convivial space is split into two levels with the lower level covered in graffiti and the upper level providing great views of the city’s skyline. Frequented by the young, Indigo Live Music Bar is a great destination for those looking for a hip new hangout or those who simply want to have a fun evening out while in the city.
The first thing that you notice about this hall is the unique shape of the building's exterior. Chowdiah Memorial Hall (CMH) is shaped in the form of a violin, as it was built after the renowned violinist Mr. T. Chowdiah. The surrounding areas are spic and span with well-pruned gardens and mowed lawns. With plush interiors and modern installations in the sound system, the hall accommodates a little more than one thousand people in the audience. Famous not only for its architecture but also, for the diverse cultural events that it hosts, this stage has seen numerous musical concerts, recitals, plays, spiritual sessions and classical performances. The venue is often rented for weddings, local events, and other celebrations. Situated behind it, is the serene Sankey Tank, which is a lot more than just a water reservoir.
Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara located in Ulsoor is also colloquially known as the Ulsoor Gurudwara. A majority of the Sikh population that works and stays here frequents this place especially on Sundays. The committee that runs the gurudwara also runs a school and other charitable services. Sunday is the day when free food called langar is distributed to everyone at the gurudwara. The Guru Granth Sahib or the Sikh holy book resides within the the holy enclave. Prayers are offered twice a day and prasad made out of flour and ghee is distributed to whoever comes to pray. There are kerchiefs outside the main entrance for men to cover their heads, while women are also expected to keep their heads covered as per the tenets of Sikh religion. A visit here is recommended to those who are enamored by the mysteries of Eastern Religions.
Located near the Public Utility Building, Mayo Hall is a beautiful structure on the popular Mahatma Gandhi Road in Bengaluru city. The red and white facade of the building presents an eye-catching sight to all passersby and curious first-timers in the city. The ancient wooden stairs lead you to the first floor, which still has the aura of days gone by. The hall on this floor has a wooden flooring and pristine white columns bordering it. Mayo Hall is soon going to see the opening of Kempe Gowda Museum within its premises. Most of the relevant historical objects related to Kempe Gowda will be on display here, as he was a prominent figure in shaping the history of Bengaluru.
Standing roughly at the center of the sprawling Lalbagh Gardens, the Glass House is a magnificent iron and glass structure built in 1889. The gleaming edifice built on the lines of the Crystal Palace in London was originally meant for growing exotic plants and features regal architecture. Today, it is one of the foremost attractions within the Lalbagh gardens and is the primary venue for the bi-annual flower shows that take place here. Evening times bring about a visual treat as the Glass House, illuminated aesthetically, glows in the fading twilight lending an ethereal beauty to the setting.
Pettah walk in Nagarathpet is a tour which takes you on a spiritual and religious journey. Many beautiful temples and religious spots are visited and people can know more about the history and the culture. The tour also takes the tourists to a historic wrestling area and silk weaver shops where visitors can learn more about the process of making sarees.
The 17th century built Kaadu Malleswara Temple is the genesis of Malleswaram in north-west Bengaluru. Kaadu in Kannada means forest, which is exactly what surrounded these temples centuries back. There are a number of smaller temples surrounding the main temple which enshrines the holy sanctum of Lord Shiva. Sri Gangammadevi Temple, Nandi Kalyani Temple and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple are a few to mention. The entire complex is purified with the homas and pujas, which are rituals performed by Hindu worshipers. There are some very important homas organized too wherein, the pandits are called from across the country to recite from the sacred texts. In one of the temples, there is a Nandi from which the Cauvery river's water flows miraculously and incessantly. Recently renovated, the new main gopuram (monumental tower) amidst the old forest makes it a must visit in Malleswaram. Kaadu Malleswara Temple attracts more devotees especially during the occasion of Mahashivratri.