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.
Built in the year 1970, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is a very famous cricket stadium in India that has stood testament to the Indian team's grit and winning spirit. A number of historic matches have been played here. The grounds have even hosted fixtures of the 'Cricket World Cup,' namely the 1987 Reliance World Cup and the 1996 Wills World Cup. It is one of the country's larger stadiums and covers vast grounds within its premises. To facilitate entry and also to manage the crowd better, there are separate gates for the 'Invitees,' 'Executives' or the 'Members.' Various stands called the 'Pavilion End' and the 'BEML End' can be reached through these gates. This stadium is located near Cubbon Park, which is located just across the road. The cricket matches played here are still fresh in the minds of the people of a cricket crazy nation.
Ranga Shakara is a landmark that will be remembered for long in the theater history of Bengaluru. This dream of the late Kannada actor Shankar Nag, it was realized by Arundhati Nag(his wife), who spearheaded the movement for the theater to be accessible to both patrons and troupes alike. At Ranga Shankara they follow the thought of one play a day and therefore there is some action happening every day. They also have an annual theater festival that takes places every year around October. Besides this, they also provide venue space for many other cultural activities happening in the city.
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.
This sprawling property situated in Bengaluru is the global headquarters of the Art of Living foundation. It hosts regular meditation and spiritual retreats for millions of visitors every year. Such events aside, the facility also has an Ayurveda Hospital and a Panchakarma Center within its premises. The facade of Vishalakshi Mantap, which is the meditation hall, is truly impressive, made of multiple tiers arranged in the form of stairs, with a dome crowning the whole ensemble. The area also features verdant lawns, with the major focus being on offering a sense of tranquility to the visitors.
Bengaluru's Madras Sappers Museum has been a city landmark since the year 1979 and was formally opened by Lieutenant General and Sappers' Colonel Commandant P.R. Puri. The museum traces the chronology of one of Indian Army's oldest cadres of Corps of Engineers. Various exhibits at the museum portray the regiment's past, accomplishments and other key events. Medals, cadre uniforms and other memorabilia are also on display here.
Set like a jewel on the crown that is Karnataka, the sheer magnificence of its natural beauty and modern developments sets Bengaluru apart from its other counterparts. Once ruled by South Indian dynasties, Bengaluru belonged to the noble Wodeyars before the colonial era. Today, Bengaluru prides itself on its distinct South Indian heritage, yet continues to shine in its progressive garb. Also known as the Garden City of India, Bengaluru has long since shed its traditional image, and has flourished into a cosmopolitan wonderland, inviting people from all walks of life to be a part of its dynamic imagery. It has a vibrant bar and nightclub scene, an increase that is directly proportional to its burgeoning scene of start-ups, influx of young working professionals, and a booming IT industry. Then again, a few parts of Bengaluru lie respectfully untouched by time, and one may either find it in the landscaped gardens of Lalbagh, in an old-time dosa-wielding MTR restaurant, or in the undeniable splendor of the Vidhana Soudha.
Belonging to the UB Group, UB City is probably one of the biggest landmarks of Bengaluru in present times. This sprawling and urbanized property consist of offices, residential spaces, service apartments and a mall. The towers are namely UB Tower, Concorde, Canberra and Comet. Parking is taken care of completely as there are different levels of parking available to accommodate the heavy car traffic, a problem that the city knows all too well. The property also has been built keeping the green nature of the city in mind, and the architects have done a commendable job with the landscaped gardens that provide much respite to tired eyes. UB City is one of the most expensive spaces in the city, given its prime location but once you enter it, the world seems beautiful and fresh again.
Located just near the gate of U B City, Sri Gayatri & Prasanna Ganapathy Temple is a holy spot for a quick darshan as the regular office goer passes it en route from Kasturba road. Actually located on the pavement, the temple's entrance is on the main road and the deity can be viewed from the street across. It has the statue of Prasanna Ganapathy (the avatar of Ganapathy) and Sri Gayatri who is considered to be another form of Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Parvati (Lord Ganesha's mother).
Located at Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, the multipurpose Shree Kanteerva Sports Complex is the most widely used one in Bengaluru. This Shree Kanteerva Sports Complex which mostly serves as a venue for football matches has many state-of-the-art facilities that make games here a delight for playing teams and visitors. There are indoor and outdoor basketball courts and a track for athletes. There is also provision for outdoor rock climbing with regular classes for the same in the mornings. Health conscious denizens of the city flock here for jogging and morning walks. The Karnataka State Athletics Association has its presence at the Kanteerva indoor and outdoor stadium. A number of national and international matches have been played here making the stadiums an integral part of Bengaluru's sporting history.