Bangalore

Introduction

Government Building

© AndyGem

Bangalore is one of the biggest cities in India and is located in the state of Karnataka. Bangalore was established in the 16th century by a local ruler, Kempe Gowda. The name Bangalore (or Bengaluru) originated from the Kannada word (language of the state Karnataka) benda kaluru which means "boiled beans", the meal that was offered to the 10th century Hoysala-king when he, hungy as he was, knocked at the door of an old lady.

Today, Bangalore is also called the Sillicon Valley of India because of its sprawling IT business these days. Bangalore is the fifth largest and fastest growing city of India. Before the high-tech boom started (at the end of the eighties) the city was especially known as Garden City because of the green areas and its comfortable climate. With its growing population of young professionals the city breathes a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Although it's not as popular as cities like Delhi or Mumbai, it is in fact India's third most populous city and the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the country..

Neighbourhoods

• Nandi Hills
• Skandagiri
• Sivanasamudram
• Talakkad
• Somnathpur Channakeshava Temple
• Savandurga
• Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
• Kokkare Bellur
• Lepakshi Nandi & Temple
• Shravanabelagola
• Hogenakkal
• Sangam
• Mekedatu
• Chunchi Falls
• Bheemeshwari
• Bannerghatta National Park
• Maidanahalli Blackbuck Sanctuary
• Melkote Temple
• Pandavapura & Kunti Betta
• Shivaganga
• Siddarabetta Caves

Sights and Activities

Nandi Temple

Nandi

© soupatrvlr

The Nandi Temple is located in the neighborhood of Basavanagudi. This temple is exclusively for the worship of the sacred Hindu god Nandi, the bull. This temple was built in 1537 and is home to one of the largest Nandi idols in the world with a height of 4.6 metres (15 feet) and is 6.1 metres long. This temple is not one of the largest in India but is a very nice visit.

Bangalore Palace

The Bangalore Palace located in the heart of the city and was built to look like a smaller version of Windsor Castle in England. Construction started in 1862 and was not completed until 1944. The castle is currently owned by the Mysore royal family. The wide and open grounds of the palace are used to hold public event including large concerts for bands like Iron Maiden, Sting and The Rolling Stone. The interior of the castle has an amazing design and is being renovated.

Other Religious Sights

• International Society for Krishna Consciousness is an interesting temple that mixes modern and ancient styles.
• St Patrick's Church was built in 1844 and is on Residency Road.
• St. Mary's Basilica was built in 1685 and is the only minor basilica in all of India.

Parks and Green Spaces

• Cubbon Park is a popular park in the city and spreads over 250 acres and has nice attractions like a rose garden.
• Hesaraghatta Lake is a nice green space to relax by.
• Lal Bagh is a nice botanical garden located in the city limits. Built in 1760 these gardens are a great place to visit to smell some flowers or just enjoy the grass and trees. The gardens are also home to the Lal Bagh Rock which is over 3,000 million years old.

Other Sights and Activities

• Shopping - There is great shopping to be found in Bangalore, especially on Brigade Road or Forum Mall.
• Vidhana Soudha is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. This large building is built in a Neo-Dravidian style.
• Karnataka High Court is an amazing red building with great columns.
• MG Road also known as South Parade, is a popular shopping and hang out place.
• Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum is a great modern museum that is fun for the whole family.
• Modern Architecture - Bangalore is home to some amazing modern buildings like the class pyramid, which is the headquarters for Infosys.

Around Bangalore

• Bannerghatta National Park is only 22 kilometres south of the city and is 25,000 acres. This park is home to several different animal species, such as white tigers.
• Nandi Hills Fortress is a great place for a hike during the summer.
• Savandurga is home to two nice hills and is 60 kilometres from the city.
• Thottikallu, also known as TK falls, is a nice waterfall.
• Muthyalamaduvu is a nice green space 40 kilometres from the city and home to a 92-metre-high waterfall.
• Shivanasamudra Falls is a nice set of waterfalls. These twin waterfalls are home to the site of the first hydro power station in Asia.

Events and Festivals

• Karaga Festival - The Karaga festival is celebrated in the month of March-April. Karaga is the name given to an earthen pot, which symbolizes Shakti. Devotees place a karaga on their heads and join in the procession taken out at night. The procession comes to an end at the Sampangi tank, where all the pots are immersed in water. It is believed that balancing the pot on the head is like a test through which the strength of a person's character is tested. In the main temple procession, a priest, dressed up as woman, undertakes the same procedure.
• Kadalekaye Parishe (Peanut Festival) - Kadalekaye Parishe, also known as Peanut festival, falls in the month of November. It is held in order to celebrate the first groundnut crop of the year. As a part of the celebrations, the farmers of the city visit the Bull temple to seek blessings of God.
• Makara Sankranthi (Pongal) - The festival of Makara Sankranthi, also known as Pongal, is celebrated in all the states of South India. The festival marks the onset of spring season and with it, the commencement of the harvest season.
• Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as a commemoration of the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. It falls in the month of September and is celebrated throughout the country.
• Dussehra - The festival of Dussehra is celebrated all over the country, including the state of Karnataka. It falls in the month of October-November and marks the victory of good over evil.
• Diwali - Diwali festival is celebrated in the month of October-November. On this day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and seek blessings of prosperity.
• Mahashivratri - Mahashivratri is the festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. It falls in the Hindu month of Magha and is celebrated throughout India. On this day, devotees visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple and offer Panchamrit (mixture of five sacred elements), fruits and sacred leaves to the Shiva Lingam.
• Ugadi - Ugadi festival marks the beginning of the Kannad New Year, along with the advent of spring season. It falls in the second half of March or first half of April and is mainly devoted to Lord Brahma. The day begins with a ritual bath, early in the morning, and comes to an end with prayers that continue late into the night. It is believed that Lord Brahma created the world on this day only. Another popular belief related to Ugadi is that on this day, Lord Vishnu took an incarnation in the form of Matsya.
• Varamahalakshmi - Varamahalakshmi or the Lakshmi Puja is celebrated in the month of August, throughout the state of Karnataka. The Puja dates back to the Vedic age and is mainly performed by the married females. They offer garlands of cash, jewelry and other valuables to the Goddess and pray for the prosperity and happiness of their husband and their family. After the performance of the puja, they offer vermilion (kum-kum) to at least five other married ladies

Weather

Bangalore has a tropical climate with warm/hot and humid conditions year round. March to May is definately the hottest time of the year with temperatures averaging around 33 °C during the day and just over 20 °C at night. Between June and February, temperatures are a much more bearable 26-29 °C during the day and between 15 and 18 °C at night. The disadvantage is that between May and November almost all of the annual rain falls, making December and January (like much of India except the Himalayas) the best time for a visit).

Getting There

By Plane

Bengaluru International Airport (BLR) is a large international airport and is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the city. This new airport was opened in May of 2008 and has good connections. Currently the only way to get to the airport on public transport is on Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) which runs twelve bus routes from as many locations in the city to connect to the new airport although the city metro and a high-speed rail are planned to be built and in operation in 2011. This large airport has direct service to almost every airport in India, most major cities around Asia and a few European cities. Lufthansa flies to Frankfurt, British Airways to London, Air France to Paris and other international connections go to Kuala Lumpur, Sharjah, Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, Dubai, Mauritius, Bahrain, Malé, Muscat, Singapore, Jeddah, Riyadh and Colombo.

By Train

Bangalore is an important railway station on the vast and extensive Indian Railway network. It is well connected to all the major cities of India by fast trains, including those to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad. For more details about timings, fare and availability of seats have a look at the Indian Railways official website.

By Bus

Buses travel from Bangalore to loads of cities throughout India and many other smaller places in the region.

Getting Around

By Taxi

Taxis are very convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Toyota Etios, Tata Indica cars or Mahindra Logan cars, which are much safer than auto-rickshaws, and the drivers are polite. If you are alone or going to an unknown destination, you are strongly advised to choose this option, even though the rates will be double that of an auto-rickshaw. Most taxi companies will charge a flat rate of ₹150 from anywhere to anywhere within city limits. Waiting or return trips will be charged extra, as will a lot of heavy luggage.

Unlike many other countries, taxis are not marked with 'TAXI' signs on the top. Instead, the cars are marked with the logo of the fleet operator or taxi company on the sides of the car. Only some companies like "Meru Taxi" are marked with the sign 'Taxi' on them. Some companies have a yellow sign with an identification number (usually an alphabet followed by two digits) on the top. Keep in mind that these taxis cannot be hailed from the street, but have to be called by telephone. When you call, you must give the operator your location, destination, and phone number. The operator will in turn tell you the charge (or will inform you that you must go by the meter) as well as the taxi number. The taxi will come pick you up, and call you when they are close. When you go out on the street, look at the license plate for the number they gave you—it will be the last four digits of the license plate. Alternatively, look for the yellow board atop the car with the taxi's identification number.

The license plate number is usually in the format "KA" followed by 01 to 05, followed by two alphabets, followed by a four digit number. Taxis generally have yellow license plates with black letters.

On weekdays, especially during rush hours, be prepared to book a taxi a couple of hours in advance. Otherwise, the rush-hour traffic jams and high demand for taxis will make it difficult for a taxi to reach you in time. Private taxis are generally more reliable during this time - in many cases, radio cabs will be overbooked, and you might be unfortunate be informed that your booking has been cancelled.

Although it can be hard for non-Indians to grasp at first, the system is actually very effective. If in doubt, ask a member of your hotel staff to help you, and when your taxi comes be sure to tip them ₹35-40 for the assistance.

Some radio taxi services are: Easy Cabs (T:+91 80 4343 4343), Genie Cabs (+91 80 3399 3399, ₹30 more for phone bookings),Mapcabs(T.+91 8880 510 520) ,GetMeCab (T.+91 92666 01520, hours=8AM-9PM), ,Cabbazar(T.7777880880) LimeCabs (T.+91 7795109379, hours=9AM-9PM), Besto Tours (Bangalore Car Rentals) (T.+91 80 3951 2888, hours=5AM-9PM), Mega Cabs (T:+91 80 4747 4747), Meru Cabs (T.+91 80 4422 4422), Ola Cabs (+91 80 3355 3355), SPOT City Taxi (T:+91 80 2551 0000), Star City Taxi (+91 80 2313 3333), Taxi for Sure (TFS, +91 80 6060 1010), Taj Trip Car (T:+91 88 0055 0676).7mcar (Call :080 87138713).Seven Miles Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd (Call :080 87138713), BSR Travels(8550855111).

Travel agents and hotels can arrange private chauffeur driven cars, and you may also hire cars to drive yourself. While expensive compared to taxis, these are the most trusted, secure, and comfortable ways to travel around the city. Driving in Bangalore can be difficult, because of poor driver discipline, but chauffeur driven services are very reasonable. These can be arranged by travel companies or online from the countries of origin.

By Auto-Rickshaws

Auto-rickshaws (also called "auto") are everywhere at any time of day. They are green-and-yellow or black-and-yellow three wheeled contraptions. They are a fast (but unsafe) way to get around the city - in thick traffic, they are quicker than a taxi or bus.

Auto-rickshaws are supposed to charge fares as per the meter reading, which equals to ₹13 per distance kilometer, a minimum charge of ₹25 for the first 1.8 km or less, and a 50% surcharge after 10PM (called "one and a half"). Heavy luggage costs an additional fee of around ₹10-20. They generally tend to charge on an ad-hoc basis depending on the distance of the destination, the chances of getting another customer from the mentioned locality, and their mood. You should simply refuse to board an auto where the meter is faulty or the driver refuses to use it. Saying "meter please" will usually do the trick.

Tourists should be cautious when approaching auto-rickshaws at night, or during heavy rains. Chances are they will charge exorbitant rates (some drivers may demand 100% surcharge after 10PM or 11PM), but you must refuse to board in such a case. Help could be taken from the local traffic police to avail auto-rickshaws during such circumstances. If you are a visitor and do not know the route to the destination, it is a good idea to bargain and fix the fare before boarding to avoid long, convoluted routes being used by the driver - or check the route by recording a GPS track on your mobile.

Another thing to keep in mind is to be firm but not loud in an argument while travelling in the auto. Some of the less reputable drivers may team up with their friends midway to cause problems. Remember that although Bangaloreans are known for their polite and mild mannered behaviour, auto drivers are normally an exception. Some will think nothing of trying to rip you off. If in doubt, consult a local or your hotel travel desk.

If a rickshaw driver offers to show/drive you to some great places to shop, firmly refuse. A common tactic is to drive you to local shops where you will be pressured to buy Indian crafts that you probably don't want. Know your destination and insist upon it.

Rickshaw drivers are required by law to display their identification on the dashboard or the back of their seats. Refuse to get into a rickshaw that does not display one.

If an auto driver is problematic, their identification number and report to the BBMP Control room which is empowered to withdraw their auto license. This is a very effective technique to deal with them. The BBMP control room number as of December 2009 is ☏ +91 80 22975803.

If you arrive in Bangalore via train, at the main train station there is an office near the taxis/auto-rickshaws which will print-out a pre-paid receipt for your ride. The service costs ₹1, but will save you a potentially large amount of money by giving you an accurate value for your ride. This also allows you to avoid haggling with the driver, and acts as an official price agreement in the event that the driver wants to dispute the price of the ride.

By Public Transport

The Bangalore Metro (Namma Metro) is an efficient cross-city rail service. As of July 2017, there are two lines intersecting at Kempegowda Bus Station Majestic Terminal , with a total of 41 stops. Tickets can be bought at any station. Fares depend on the number of stations to commute. Minimum of ₹10. Card costing ₹50 will save you from queues and around ₹5 for each trip. If you get a smart token (the single journey ticket), remember that it has to be returned at the station you get off at, so take a picture of it before you leave if you want. The existing routes are:

East-West Line/Purple Line: Baiyappanhalli (Old Madras Road)-->Swami Vivekananda Road-->Indiranagar-->Halasuru-->Trinity Circle-->M.G.Road-->Cubbon Park-->Vidhana Soudha-->Central College-->Kempegowda Bus Station (interchange station)-->City Railway Station-->Magadi Road-->Hosahalli-->Vijayanagar-->Attiguppe-->Deepanjalinagar-->Nayandahalli (Mysore Road).
North-South Line/Green Line: Nagasandra (Tumkur Road)-->Dasarahalli-->Jalahalli-->Peenya Industry-->Peenya-->Goraguntepalya-->Yeshvantapur Railway Station (PF-6 entrance)-->Sandal Soap Factory-->Mahalakshmi-->Rajajinagar-->Kuvempu Road-->Srirampura-->Mantri Square Sampige Road-->Kempegowda Bus Station (interchange station)-->Chikpet-->K.R.Market-->National College-->Lalbagh-->South End Circle-->R.V.Road-->Banashankari-->J.P.Nagar-->Yelahachanahalli.

Buses are cheap and usually frequent (though expensive compared to other states). But traveling on them can be very difficult if you don't know the system well. Now, most buses have digital signage alternating between the local language Kannada and English but some buses still display the old printed signs with only the route number in English, with the destination and route information written in Kannada. Of course, even with the digital signage the buses can take a long time to change the displayed language, meaning that it can be easy to miss your bus. This means you will have to know what route number you need before you get on, which you can find from the BMTC website, BMTCRoutes.in website, Desiroutes, entering your starting point and end point on Google maps, or by asking locals.

Not all bus stops are clearly marked, so it can be a little tricky on your first trip. Groups of people standing around can be a good indicator that the bus will stop there. Also its a good idea to ask the driver or conductor if they stop at the stop you want to go to (a 500 and a 500Q will not go to all the same stops). Just ask the name in a question tone and you will get a response. Conductors (there is one on every bus and they collect fares and issue tickets- they are always in uniform) are also helpful in telling you where/when your stop is if you ask, as are fellow passengers if they frequent the route. Posted route maps of the bus system are rare, although maps are sold at the main bus terminals (Kempegowda Bus Stand and Shivajinagar). BMTC (toll free) ☏ +1-800-425-1663.

Watch out: some bus drivers put their route sign on the bottom right side of the windsheild instead of its place on the sign holder on the top of the windshield.

Buses with black display boards run within the city. Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs. The ordinary city buses are white & blue or green in colour. The newer city buses tend to be blue in colour, and have LED display boards. There are blue Volvo buses, called Vajra, that operate mainly on IT sector routes like Electronic City , ITPL and Outer Ring Road routes, and to tourist places like Bannerghatta National Park and weekend Services to Wonderla. They offer a comfortable air-conditioned ride at higher prices ( 1 1/2 to 2 times the regular bus fare) than the regular buses (which are not air-conditioned). Unlike most other buses, the Vajras have illuminated LED display boards on the front and sides which display the destination and route information in English as well as Kannada.

BMTC also operates Vayu Vajra services to Bangalore International Airport from various destinations across the City. KIAS-9 is the most frequent of the routes, connecting the Airport to Majestic Bus stand.

City buses are crowded during rush hours, which are at least 7-10AM and 5-9PM (M-Sa) but one can travel with little difficulty during the daytime. Bus services usually start by 5 or 6AM and are less frequent 9:30AM-10PM and rare after 10:30PM. Also note that traffic in Bangalore is notorious. A trip across the city can take up to 4 hr, especially in rush hour times. There are no bus lanes, so busses, cabs and cars face the same traffic jams!

Major buses in the city have the seats reserved for ladies in the front, between the front and middle doors. The first seat near the front door is reserved for ladies senior citizens, while the first seat behind the middle door is for the physically challenged, and the seat facing the door is for senior citizens. Generally you can board and exit the bus from either door.

It is always better to buy a daily pass if you plan to travel the whole day on the bus. The daily pass costs ₹70 as of January 2018 and it comes in handy if you need to travel on several buses in a single day. Daily passes are issued by the on-duty bus conductor or at the bus stand. Using this pass you can travel in any bus (other than the Vajra) for the entire day, any number of times. Senior citizens are given 25% concession in all buses on production of valid ID card (e.g., passport). Children aged 4-12 are given 50% concession. No charge for children up to 4 years of age.

By Bike

Most of the sightseeing locations are located within a range of 15 kilometres, so you can consider covering them on bicycle. Bicycle dealers charge Rs 100 for entire day and you have to submit identity proof to hire bicycle.

Eat

Bangalore has a wide variety of food options. Foreigners will want to look for cleanliness in choosing a place to eat. Also don't expect the exterior to be too fancy, observe the cleanliness of the inside and the servers when choosing a place to eat! Eating options include high end restaurants to chains to temples to mom and pop shops and of course street vendors! Restaurants usually label if they serve only vegetarian(veg or pure veg) or both veg and non-veg cuisine. If you haven't been in India long, it is safer to take bottled water. But juices and other drinks are usually ok.

There are also hundreds of young coconut and sugar cane juice stands! A nice refresher as you go around town! Both are good for keeping cool and energized. A coconut goes for ₹25- 30 (some stands may have smaller coconuts for ₹10-15). Sugar cane juice runs ₹10-15 per cup. Bangalore is far from the sea, and as such the quality of seafood can vary. Some of the higher end and popular seafood places manage this well, but foreign travellers may want to tread a bit carefully.

Foreigners might want to only drink bottled water and eat only chutneys that are made with bottled or filtered water. Also, beef is forbidden to be on the menu in Karnataka restaurants.

The 80 ft. Road is the Eat Street of Koramangala. Pizza Hut, Domino's, KFC, Taco Bell, Au Bon Pain are all found here. There are also many non-chains serving local Indian cuisine. Chandni Chowk is a great option if you want the rural Punjabi dhaba experience.

Wisdom Cafe, near the AlienWare showroom is a really cosy place to have some snacks or lunch. So is the Hole in the Wall cafe, on the back street behind Maharaja Hotel. Serves great coffee and English breakfast. So does Cafe Terra, near Wipro park crossing. Adjacent to it is a really popular food join called Little Home. It serves nice North Indian food at a very reasonable price. It's really popular with the young working populace. Naturals Ice cream parlour is a hit with the hip crowd; on weekend nights you may find queues outside.

The great thing about dining out in Bangalore is that delicious food is available from regions all over India. Tantalize your taste buds at these top Bangalore restaurants:

1. Jamavar - The opulent Jamavar has consistently been voted by Forbes as one of the top ten power dining restaurants in the world. Step in to a lavish interior of chandeliers, silk, silver cutlery, and elegant handcrafted wooden furniture. The restaurant offers a culinary voyage spanning the length of India, accompanied by the finest choice in single malts, liqueurs and Cognac. Outdoor seating is also available.

• Address - Leela Palace Hotel, 23 Airport Road, Kodihalli, Bangalore. Phone: 25211234.
• Opening Hours - 12:00pm to 2:00pm for lunch. 7:00pm to 11:30pm for dinner daily.
• Cost - Around 2,500 rupees ($60) for two people.
• What's Good - The Spiced Lobster Neeruli and delicious south Indian curries.

2. Samarkand - Traditionally dressed waiters at this unique restaurant serve up sumptuous cuisine from the Afghani frontier. Diners make their selection from menu cards in the form of a local newspaper, and can watch the food being cooked in the open kitchen. Eating the traditional way with fingers is recommended to get the best taste from the food here. It gets very busy so reservations are a must!

• Address - G-66 Gem Plaza, Infantry Road, Bangalore. Phone: 41113366.
• Opening Hours - 12:00pm to 3:30pm for lunch. 7:00pm to 11:30pm for dinner daily.
• Cost - Around 800 rupees ($20) for two people
• What's Good - The chicken is sure to be amongst the best you'll ever taste. The kebabs are also not to be missed.

3. Dum Pukht Jolly Nabobs - This restaurant gets its intriguing name "Jolly Nabobs" from the term given to employees of the British East India Company. Diners can expect a recreation of the glory days of the Raj era, with a fusion of north Indian and English cuisine, and distinctly British decor. Food is cooked according to the dum phukt tradition, in containers over a slow fire. It's very tasty!

• Address: ITC Windsor Sheraton & Towers, 25 Sankey Road, Bangalore. Phone: 22269898.
• Opening Hours: 7:00pm to 11:30pm for dinner daily.
• Cost - Around 2,500 rupees ($60) for two people.
• What's Good - The kebabs and biryani (rice).

4. Koshy's Jewel Box and Parade Cafe - Every city has a much loved dining institution that's withstood the test of time to remain a local favorite. Koshy's is Bangalore's. It's a simple place with consistently good food, and has been serving people since before the British left. Head for the newer, air conditioned "Jewel Box" if you're after a fancier menu with a few exclusive options. However, the more laid back non air conditioned section is what attracts the diverse crowd for breakfast, a leisurely Sunday brunch, high tea, or to linger over a beer or vodka.

• Address - 39 St. Marks Road (at the intersection of M.G. Road), Bangalore. Phone: 2221-3793.
• Opening Hours - 9:00am to 11:30pm.
• Cost - $12 for dinner for two.
• What's Good - The breakfasts are very popular.

5. Karavalli - Seafood lovers should make it a point to come to Karavalli, where the specialty is coastal Indian cuisine served on banana leaf. The restaurant is decorated in the style of a traditional local house, with high wooden ceilings and a variety of antique furniture and seafarers maps. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed inside, and outdoor dining is also a treat in the open-air courtyard and garden.

• Address Taj Gateway Hotel, 66 Residency Road, Bangalore. Phone: 25584545.
• Opening Hours - 12:30pm to 3:00pm for lunch. 7:30pm to 11:30pm for dinner daily.
• Cost - Around Rs. 1,200 for two people.
• What's Good - The seafood.

Drink

Bangalore has an active pulsating cosmopolitan nightlife. Bangalore nightlife is very active and exquisite as Bangalore itself. Bangalore is known as the Pub Capital of India. There are many excellent pubs and bars in the city, which are open till early hours in the morning. ‘Nightlife’ is defined as a collective term for popular entertainment that is available from late evening to early hours of the morning. It includes bars, nightclubs, live music, theaters and restaurants. Nightlife is more suitable for young adults.

The nightlife of Bangalore draws major international artists including pop and rock stars.

• Chowdaiah Memorial Hall - Hosts regular classical music performances, and also film, drama and dance.
• Rabindra Kalakshetra - Plays are regularly staged at Rabindra Kalakshetra. It is also a venue for occasional Art Exhibitions.
• Gallerie Zen - Known for high-end art.

Bangalore Nightlife is very trendy. For a great personal experience you have a choice of the following venues:

• The Park Hotel's i-BAR - One of Bangalore's most trendy spots. The ambiance is accentuated by house and trance music to which dancing is encouraged. The profusion of beanbags multiplies the pleasure. A resident DJ also entertains the patrons.
• 13th Floor - Situated inside Ivory Tower hotel. 13th Floor is a rooftop cocktail lounge where one can view the Bangalore skyline.
• Liquor Cafe - Groovy lounge bar catering to a young crowd who comes for acid lounge music.
• Hypnos - Cocktail Lounge famous for its Sheeshas (hookahs) filled with apple, strawberry and other flavors while enjoying Lebanese cuisine.
• Insomnia - Insomnia is a duplex club with an upstairs bar and a dance floor below. There is a resident DJ to entertain the guests.
• Dublin - An Irish pub situated in ITC Windsor Sheraton.

Sleep

Citizen Lodge, Lady Curzon Rd (near Bowring Hospital, about 1 km from MG Rd). Bare bones motel-style establishment is well located but leaves much to be desired in terms of cleanliness and overall quality. Double non-A/C room costs around from ₹850.
FabHotel 29th Church's Inn (formerly Church Street Inn), #29th Church Street, off M.G. Road, ☏ +91 70424 24242.
Hotel Grand Park, OTC Road, near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic, ☏ +91 80 22374786. ₹900.
Hotel Tap Silver Square, No 185, Deenas, 3rd Fl, Brigade Rd (OPPOSITE McDonald's), ☏ +91 80 2559 5656, ✉ [email protected]. 3rd floor has views with floor-to-ceiling windows. Clean and modern decor, clean rooms, all with A/C, hot shower, free Wi-Fi (which gets switched off midnight to 6AM), fridge and small wall-mounted LCD TV. 2 min walk to MG Rd. and Church St. It sits on top of the Fusion Lounge on the 2nd floor, you get thundering bass until 11:30PM. It might be a good idea to bring ear plugs if you plan to turn in early. It might also be the reason why the prices are cheap for what you get. ₹1,011-1,742, including tax. For an additional ₹50, the hotel can arrange the use of a non-A/C luxury car for a maximum of 4 hr or 40 km per day. ₹1,011-1,742 (approx. US$22-39), including tax.
Kind host, ☏ +91 98 45180207, ✉ [email protected]. Clean rooms, clean attached bathrooms, wifi. Nearby to many restaurants.
Manju Lodge, Near Abhinay Theatre& Menaka Theatre Hospital Road Avenue Road, ☏ +91 80 22200679. ₹600.
Naga Residency, OTC Road, near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic, ☏ +91 80 41220539. ₹500.
Omshakthi palace, OTC Road, near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic., ☏ +91 80 26707927. ₹400.
Railway Retirement Room (inside the Central Railway Station). ₹850.
Red Mount Lodge, OTC Road, near Tavakkal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic, ☏ +91 80 41580000. ₹1,200.
Royal Regency Lodge, S. C. Rd (next to Movieland theater), ☏ +91 80 4113 0202. Clean rooms and convenient to the city’s local transports like the City bus station and the City Railway Station. From ₹1500.
Shree Vaishnav Gujarati Samaj, Gandhinagar (near Sapna cinema, Kempe Gowda Circle). A secure and decent place to stay if you are there for a day or two. A nice canteen with Gujarati food available. In the vicinity there is another good place available for fast food/lunch named "SLV". Costs ₹50.
T.A.P.paradise, Hospital Road Avenue Road; cross near Abhinay Theatre & Menaka Theatre, ☏ +91 80 22280522. ₹700.
U. G. Classic, OTC Road, Near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic. ₹1,200.
UG Deluxe, Majestic, Thulsi Thotta (stop near the small road opposite Upparpet Police station and next to Navaruchi restaurant, then take right and then immediate left on a small lane and at the end of it take right and you will see the lodge on your right). You may want to take an auto instead of walking down if you are going after a rainy day as your shoes will get dirty. A/C rooms - ₹750, Non-A/C rooms - ₹550.
Vardhaman Paradise, Ganesh Lodge Building OTC Road, near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, Majestic., ☏ +91 80 26707552. ₹250.
YMCA, Nrupathunga Rd (Near Cubbon Park), ☏ +91 80 2221 1848. No-frills hotel.
Others around Majestic, If you are free for an hour, you can just go around the Majastic theatre and the Kempe Gowda Bus Station and look for a budget hotel yourself, as there are many on small streets and roads around this place. Or, you can even trust (to some extent) a broker who voluntarily offers help, but be sure you take a good look at the rooms before you pay any money to the lodge and the broker. But there is a wrong notion in the minds of people in and around Majestic that whenever you go in pairs, they tend to look at you with a wrong and suspicious look. If coming with family, especially newly married, avoid the Majestic area.
Art of Living Hostel, Kanakapura Road, ☏ +91 8026080204, ✉ [email protected]. Free food is given three times a day. Accommodation is shared between four people. The campus is undulating in terrain, and a free shuttle service is available between the numerous hostels and meditation centers. Very green campus with winding footpaths. Beware of snakes. (This hostel is two hours away from Bangalore city railway station in peak traffic.) Rs. 400.
9 Marks Inn, 9 St Marks Rd, ☏ +91 80 2211-2889.
Airavatam Serviced Apartment, 330/7, Axis Rd (alight at Axis Books Bus stop), ☏ +91 80 4038 1200. Clean rooms, clean attached bathrooms, wifi. Nearby to many restaurants. From ₹2200.
Ajantha, 22 Mahatma Gandhi Rd, ☏ +91 80 2558 4321, ✉ [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Good simple hotel with vegetarian restaurant. Sgl/dbl from ₹1500/₹1900, Cottage A/C ₹2700.
Alcove Serviced Apartments Bengaluru, G-301, Raheja Residency, 3rd Block, Koramangala, ☏ +91 99 0057-8231, ✉ [email protected]. Check-in: 24/7. Single room, independent 1 or 2 or 3 BHK apartments, air-con bedrooms with double beds and independent bathrooms, cableTV & DVD player. Kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, mixer grinder and gas stove. Fully automatic washing machine, iron and ironing board, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, club house with billiards, table tennis, gym and tennis court.
Basil Hotel, #8, Sampige road, Malleshwaram (Next to Sampige Theatre / close to central railway station and bus stand), ☏ +91 80 4040 2323. Check-in: 24 hr, check-out: 24 hr. Good service. From ₹2,900.
Best Western The Capitol, Raj Bhavan Rd, ☏ +91 80 2228 1234, +91 80 2228 1800.
The Bouvice, 141C, S.T. Bed Layout, 1st Main Kormangala, Sector 4, ☏ +91 80 4152 4429, +91 93 4285 6034, ✉ [email protected]. A beautiful apartment hotel in Kormangala.
Chairman's Club & Resort, No. 14/1, Kodigehalli Main Road, Sahakar Nagar, Hebbal (near Twin Tower) (22 km from the airport), ☏ +91 80-40703703, ✉ [email protected]. Check-out: 24 Hours. Best for Airport transit passengers. It has AC and Suites rooms. It has a lounge bar (Lock N' Load), indoor swimming pool, Badminton court, garden restaurant, indoor AC restaurant free Wi-fi and a fitness center. Rooms & Suites, ₹2,500-7,000++.
Chalet Hospitality, A-08, Diamond District, Airport Rd, ☏ +91 99 0197-6955, ✉ [email protected]. Luxury serviced apartments.
D-Habitat Hotel Apartments, ☏ +91 80 4150 1950. Koramangala Deluxe rooms, suites, studio, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Ideal for short-term and extended stay. Sgl/dbl ₹2500/₹3000.
Fantasy Golf Resort (opp ITC-0 mins away from Bengaluru Airport), ☏ +91 99 7209-2701.
Fortune Park JP Celestial, Race Course Rd (1.5 km from railway station and easy access to airport.), ☏ +91 80 4044-1234.
Hotel Bangalore Gate ([email protected]), 9 and 12, Gajanana Towers, K G Rd (opp. Maneka Theatre, 500 m away from Majestic & Bengaluru City Railway station; Metro Purple Sir M. Visveshwaraya), ☏ +91 99 4533 3999, ✉ [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Executive, superior and premium rooms. All rooms are A/C with complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi. 24 hours room service, 2 restaurants, ample car parking. ₹3,600-4,800.
Hotel Komfort Terraces, No 301, 3rd floor, Bluemoon Complex M G. Road, ☏ +91 80 4009 7000. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. ₹2381.
Hotel Presidency, No. 22 Sadahalli Gate, Devanahalli Taluk, ☏ +91 80 2846-7175, ✉ [email protected]. 24/7 reception.
Hotel St. Marks, St. Marks Rd.
Hotel Vrindavan, off MG Rd and very near to MG. Rd/Brigade Rd junction. Nice hotel with great south Indian food.
Hotel Woodlands, No 5, Rajaram Mohan Roy Rd (near Richmond Circle), ☏ +91 80 2222 5111. Mid-range hotel, very clean, great views of the city, delicious free South Indian breakfast buffet for ₹3,400 per night for an A/C double (two single beds pushed together). Nice location for exploring the city. Long walk to M.G. Road, Garuda Mall, and Commercial Street.
Live Inn Bangalore Serviced apartments, Team Royal, 1st Main, 6th Block, Venkatareddy layout, 80ft Rd, Koramangala (Near Oasis Lifestyle Mall Koramangala), ☏ +91 98 8034 9785, ✉ [email protected]. One, two and three bedroom apartments with Wi-Fi, direct telephone services, laundry, A/C, fully equipped kitchen and hot breakfast is served in your room Sgl/dbl ₹2000/₹2500.
Maple Suites (Serviced Apartments), #142 & 143, Dollar Layout. 4th Main, BTM II Stage (Off Bannerghatta Road opp to Mantri Elite.), ☏ +91 80 4282 2428. Check-in: 12 noon, check-out: 12 noon. Long and short term stay. ₹1,999.
Olde Bangalore, Tarabanahalli (near Bangalore airport), ☏ +91 99004 28729, ✉ [email protected]. Resort and hotel, events, receptions, multi-cuisine food,corporate event facilities, conferences.
Prakruthi Club & Resort, Plot no. 12A, Hegganahalli village, Kundana Hobli, Devanahalli Taluk (11 km from the airport), ☏ +91 80 2849 4002, ✉ [email protected]. Accommodation for couples, family, or corporate bookings. Conference hall that can seat 120 people and meeting facilities. Coffee shop. Lounge bar, wifi. Cottages and roms, ₹2,500-₹9,000++.
Silicon Hearth (formerly Silicon Suites), 174, Nagvarapalya, Rahat Bagh, Behind Big Bazaar (off Old Madras Rd, near Indiranagar), ☏ +91 99860 53292, ✉ [email protected].
Stopovers Serviced Apartments (Stopovers), Diamond District, Old Airport Rd (Close to old airport road), ☏ +91 98 4513 9800. Check-in: 24 hr, check-out: 24 hr. Contemporary apartments. ₹4,500.
Transit Living Serviced Apartments (serviced apartments in bangalore), #7/8. 2nd floor, Shoukath Building,SJP Road, Bangalore-2 (Diamond District, old airport road, Koramangala, Mysore Road, Indirangar, and at Hosur Road), ☏ +91 900 800 6487, ✉ [email protected]. Single room, one, two, three bedroom and studio apartments with wireless Internet Wi-Fi, direct telephone services, laundry, A/C, fully equipped kitchen and complimentary breakfast. From ₹1500.
Villa Camelot, #94/95, 4th Cross, ECC Rd, Prithvi Layout, Whitefield, ☏ +91 80 3272 3965, ✉ [email protected]. Bed and breakfast run by a North Indian couple in the back lanes of ITPL. Cozy atmosphere. From ₹1,500.
Howard Johnson Bangalore Hebbal, 132, Thanisandra Main Road, Nagawara Junction (near Manyata Embassy Business Park), ☏ +91 8046 4670 00, ✉ [email protected].
Chancery Pavilion, Residency Rd. Nice business hotel, good service and food About $200.
Lalit Ashok Hotel, Kumara Krupa High Grounds, ☏ +91 80 22 2404 2211 9, ✉ [email protected].
Hotel Royal Orchid, Adjoining KGA Golf Course, Airport Rd, ☏ +91 80 2520 5566, ✉ [email protected]. Sometimes referred to as the "Royal Orchid Park Plaza". Not to be confused with Royal Orchid Central.
ITC Gardenia, Residency Rd, ☏ +91 80 2211 9898, ✉ [email protected].
ITC Windsor, Sankey Rd, ☏ +91 80 22269898, ✉ [email protected].
The Leela Palace Bengaluru, Airport Rd, ☏ +91 80 2521 1234, ✉ [email protected].
Oberoi Hotel, 37-39 MG Rd, ☏ +91 80 2558 5858.
Park Hotel, 14/7 MG Rd (Metro Purple: Trinity), ☏ +91 80 2559 4666, ✉ [email protected].
The Paul, 139/28, Domlur Layout (off Intermediate Ring Rd), ☏ +91 80 4047 7777.
Streling Mac Hotel, 134, HAL Rd (near Manipal Hospital), ☏ +91 80 42494949.
The Gateway Hotel, Bengaluru, 66, Residency Road, ☏ +91 8066604545, ✉ [email protected]. The Gateway Hotel Bengaluru is among the top hotels in the city and has won the National Tourism Award for three years in a row.
Taj West End, Race Course Road, ☏ +91 80 5660-5660, ✉ [email protected]. Nestled amidst 20 acres of flora and defined by its illustrious heritage and colonial charm. Started by the Bronsons as a 10-room inn in 1887, it now has 117 magnificent rooms and suites.
Taj MG Road, 41/3 MG Road1, ☏ +91 80 6660 4444, ✉ [email protected]. A 5-star hotel.

Learn

• Bangalore University

Keep Connected

Internet

There's good coverage over most of India for Internet cafes. However, following the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and some other cities, all internet cafes have been instructed by the authorities to maintain a register and note down the identification details of all persons using internet. Sify iWay is a reliable and cheap cafe with over 1,600 cafes over India. iWay also allows you to open a pre-paid account that you can use all over India. Whenever you have Internet access probably the best and cheapest way to call family and friends at home is software that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet such as Skype.

Wifi hotspots in India are, for most part, limited. The major airports and stations do offer paid wifi at around RS.60-100 an hour. Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai are the only cities with decent wifi coverage. At Mumbai airport, you get to use WiFi internet free, for an hour or so.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The country code for India is 91. To dial outside the country from India, prefix the country code with 00.

The general emergency number is 100 (emergency response police & fire), while for ambulance you should dial 102 or 112, though some regions have 108 for this emergency. 108 is used in in the Indian states of Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Goa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha,Assam, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. 108 can be called for medical, crime, fire, or any other emergency from any phone.

Local phone numbers can be anywhere from 5-8 digits long. But when the area code is included, all landline phone numbers in India are 10 digits long. Cellphone numbers usually start with '9', '8', or '7'. Toll-free numbers start with 1-800.

If staying longterm it is probably wise to think about investing in a mobile phone. You'll possibly need to provide a photocopy of your passport and itinerary, so come prepared. Make sure you arrange it upon arrival in a big city, as it can sometimes be difficult to organise with language barriers and such in more regional areas. You can buy a cheap nokia for about RS.1,200 with a pre-paid plan. Airtel is a good carrier to think about as they have great coverage, and constant offers for cheaper calling. To recharge, most shop vendors with phone carrier signs can do it via their own phone. You give them your mobile number, they put it in their phone and you'll both get messages as to whether or not the recharge has been successful. Also, if possible, buy the phone in the state where you do the most travelling as the charges are higher in the states where you did not originally buy the phone.

Over the entire country there are plenty of public phones, even in the middle of the countryside. Although most of the time these phones are not very well maintained and have horrible connections. Therefore remember when using one of these public phones one must be extremely patient.
For international calls from payphones, you'll have to visit a reputable internet cafe with a phone-booth. Mobile phones are usually a better and cheaper option.

Post

India Post is the national postal service of India, and on their website you find details about prices to send postcards, letters and parcels, both domestically and internationally. For most postcards to send internationally, it is better to visit the post office before writing on the card as you may need quite a few stamps. Parcels must be taken to a tailor, he will then sew it up in white linen. Make sure he seals it with red wax, otherwise the post office may refuse to send it or try to get you to pay them to do it. Sewing up a parcel should only cost RS.50 to 200. In general, post offices are open from 10:00am to 1:00pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm in most bigger towns and cities, though there are regional variations and some might keep longer hours or be open during (part of) the weekend as well. Ask around.

If you want to send bigger packages/parcels, it might be better, faster and sometimes even cheaper, to contact a private company like DHL, TNT or UPS.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website
• Virtual Bangalore
• Bangalore at Karnataka tourism website