Must Visit Attractions in Bengaluru

Built more than a couple of decades ago, cherubic angels adorn the door of the Infant Jesus Shrine in Bengaluru. Once inside the house of God, it is easy to slip into a state of tranquil and forget one's troubles at least momentarily. Pray with devotion and your prayers will never be unanswered here. Many devotees from across the country keep visiting this miraculous shrine time and again to seek the blessings of the 'His Divine Infancy'.The mass services here are held in English and local languages too. Novenas and 'Annual Feast Day' celebrations are enjoyed by all. There are regular services and prayer.

One of the oldest temples in Bengaluru, the history of the Sri Someshwara Temple dates back to the reign of the Chola and Hoysala kings in the 12th Century. Built by Kempe Gowda, this temple is dedicated to Lord Someshwara, also known as Lord Shiva. The artistic ascending gopurams (monumental towers) with stone carvings and motifs are influenced by the rustic architecture of the historic Vijayanagara empire. Hardly to miss is the tall stone column of this temple known as the dhwajastambha which is often photographed by awestruck tourists. These columns are erected right in front of most of the Hindu temples. Apart form the main sanctum for the Shivalingam, there are stone idols of other Hindu deities too. The Shivaratri Festival attracts numerous worshipers year after year when devotees travel from all over to worship Lord Shiva and seek his divine blessings.

Known as the 'Garden City' for the pretty gardens found here, Bengaluru is also home to the Lalbagh Gardens. These beautiful and sought-after gardens are a must-visit with their impressive manicured bushes, trees, colorful flowers, and tranquil paths. The 19th-century greenhouse and the Kempegowda Tower attract curious visitors each year. The grand Mughal Gardens inspired the layout and design of the Lalbagh Gardens, and Tipu Sultan contributed to the gardens' completion. Maintained by the Directorate of Horticulture, these gardens have many rare plant species. They also serve as an arresting backdrop to various events held here, like flower shows or educational sessions on environment and botany. Time spent here is time well spent, especially when accompanied by friends and 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.

With its origins dating back to the 16th Century, the historically significant Bull Temple or the 'Dodda Basavana Temple' is one of the most famous temples in Bengaluru. The neighborhood Basavanagudi derives its name from this temple, as Basavanagudi in Kannada means Bull Temple. The monolithic stone idol of Nandi, constructed by Kempe Gowda and regarded as one of the biggest of its kind, lies upon the crest of the Bugle hill in Basavanagudi. The ascending gopuram (monumental tower) was built in the Dravidian style. The sacred Nandi bull is worshiped by several devotees, and the farmers offer their harvest to it each year. These offerings see a festive occasion called the 'Groundnut Festival' or 'Madalena Parishe' or 'Kadalekaye Parishe'. The Bull Temple is a must-visit both for its historical importance and to show devotion to Nandi, the sacred vahana of Lord Shiva.

The city's green lung, Cubbon Park is a botanical wonder, replete with thousands of plants and trees of various species. The park is officially called Sri Chamarajendra Park. However, the name Cubbon Park is the often seen name on most of the signboards here. Within the premises lie the KSLTA, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Government Museum, Jawahar Bal Bhavan and other prominent buildings. The park is home to several statues, including those of Queen Victoria and Sheshadri Iyer. The park serves as a recreational area for joggers as well as those who simply want to enjoy a peaceful stroll in the evening.

The Vidhana Soudha houses the state legislature of Karnataka, its architecture is a vivid amalgam of the old and the new. Envisioned by Shri Kengal Hanumanthaiah, the former Chief Minister of Mysore, the glorious facade of this building is a fusion of Indo-Saracenic and traditional Dravidian styles, ornamented by a gleaming central dome, granite columns and an expansive porch. The stately building also features considerable European influences in its design. With the tricolor fluttering above it, this courtly edifice is fronted by well-manicured lawns, as well as sculptures that command much national significance. Beautifully illuminated each Sunday and on public holidays, the Vidhana Soudha is Bengaluru's pride and one of the nation's largest legislative buildings.

Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Dharmaraja from the famous epic called the Mahabharata, Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple is almost eight centuries old and is believed to have been built by the Gangu Arasus of the bygone era. The colorful gopurams (monumental towers) of the temple make it a much photographed architectural marvel. This temple is very famous throughout the city because of its popular 'Karaga festival', which is celebrated here annually with a lot of religious fervor and enthusiasm. When in Bengaluru, find time to seek blessings at Sri Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in Nagarathpet.

Mahatma Gandhi Road popularly known as the M. G. Road is the lifeline of Bengaluru city and is well connected to all the places within. Many prominent establishments and attractions like the Bible Society of India, Mahatma Gandhi Park, Cariappa Memorial Park and Field Marshal Maneckshaw Parade Grounds, all lie along this busy stretch of road. The M. G. Road bus stop is one of the busiest bus stops around. Named after the 'Father of the nation', there is at least one M. G. Road in most of the towns and cities in India. And Bengaluru is no exception to this popularly proven fact.

Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain is a fun place to spend your evenings in the beautiful city of Bengaluru. The stone bordered wall at the entrance and the well-maintained gardens make it aesthetically appealing while the main attractions of this garden are the 'train engine' and the 'music and light show.' These musical fountains dance to the tunes of the latest songs, which are enhanced with light effects. The shows are conducted from 7p to 7:30p and also from 8p to 8:30p. Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain is located near the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium. Visitors should plan ahead, as the park remains closed on Mondays and on second Tuesdays.

The sprawling Bannerghatta National Park is located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, amid the Anekal mountain range. Founded in 1971, this vast park also comprises a biological reserve. The park is home to a wealth of intriguing educational experiences including visits to the on-site butterfly enclosure, aquarium, snake house, elephant sanctuary and animal rescue center. The activity that attracts the most visitors, however, is the guided tiger and lion safaris that offer a rare opportunity to get an up close look at the big cats. Trekking enthusiasts can also embark upon hiking adventures within the national park. Bannerghatta National Park spans over 26,355 hectares (65,127 acres) and sustains an impressive population of native wildlife such as spotted deer, Indian gazelle, barking deer, slender loris, bonnet macaques and Royal Bengal tigers.

Attara Kacheri as it is popularly known in the local language is the office for the Karnataka High Court and is the official venue for conducting high court activities. Attara Kacheri in English means presiding over eighteen offices, all of which are within its glorious premises. Apart from its authoritative prominence in the legal scene of Karnataka, the structure itself is a beauty to gaze at. With a history dating way back to the 19th Century, this red brick building was built with columns, which suggest its inspiration from the mid-eighteenth century's Neo-Classical style of architecture. Attara Kacheri cannot be missed as it is right opposite the Vidhana Soudha on Rajbhavan Road.