Banglore have beautiful lanes lined with Gulmohar trees, swanky malls, stores and restaurant, old bungalows and roads built by the British all co-exist here. Crowded roads and tiny lanes cramped with vehicles and animals, repair work and flyover construction, arrival of VIPs all come together in creating the citys infamous and inevitable traffic limbo. But Bangalore with its adjust maadi attitude takes it all in its stride while settling very nicely into its niche of being a true cosmopolitan city.

How to Reach
Air
Bangalore is linked to Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata , Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Tiruvananthapuram by air. Several international airlines operate flights from Bangalore to the US, UK, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. Bangalore airport is 13 km north of the city centre.

Rail
Bangalore is an important railway station on the Southern Railway network and is well connected to the metros and to major cities in Karnataka. If you are coming in from Chennai, it is advisable to take the day train and get a feel of the beautiful landscape enroute. An AC travel is advisable for those sensitive to heat. For the more adventurous ones, the sleeper compartments offer you an insight into the roots of India - the hawkers with their colourful fare, the rural folk, and potential singing sensations armed with coconut shells and stone instruments who entertain you for a buck or more. The cool air that caresses your face when you near Bangalore is worth the discomfort endured enroute. The air is electric and energizes you immediately. But if you are not into enduring a little discomfort, try the Shatabdi Express. Catch this train at night, sleep and wake up at Bangalore.

Road
Super-luxury to humble state transport buses ply between Bangalore and cities like Mysore (139 km), Chennai (334 km) and even Mumbai (1,033 km). Interstate buses are operated by state as well as private operators.
What to see
With its happening cultural scene, quiet-noisy streets, colourful shopping lanes and great malls, the Garden City beckons all kinds of travellers into its warm bosom, business travellers swear by it, holiday makers love the cool climate and adventure seekers may mark a big X (stop-over) en route to coastal south like God's Own Country Kerala and other locales.

Historical
Fort
Opposite the City Market, the fort was originally built in mud by the founder of Bangalore, Kempe Gowda, in 1537. Extended and fortified by Tipu Sultan, it is noted for the beautifully carved Islamic-style arches on the gateways and a well-preserved Ganapati Temple, a testament of Tipu?s religious tolerance. One of the temple's outer walls carries an exquisite carving of Krishna playing his flute.

Tipu's Palace
Near the fort, this palace bears resemblance to Tipu?s Daria Daulat Palace at Srirangapatna. Known as Rashk-e-jannat, or the Envy of Heaven, it is built largely of wood. What stand out are the five elaborately decorated arches surmounted by minarets, and paintings on the walls and ceilings.

Bangalore Palace
The famous Bangalore Palace was constructed by Mysores Chamaraj Wodeyar. Inspired by the Windsor Castle, this palace was built in the Tudor style in 1887. Located between Jayamahal and Sadashivanagar areas, the palace ground has become a venue for various exhibitions, concerts and cultural programmes. The interiors have breathtaking floral motifs, cornices, mouldings and a painted ceiling.One can visit the palace on weekdays and on Saturdays between 10 am and 6 pm. There is an entry fee of Rs 100 for Indians (children: Rs. 50) and Rs. 200 for foreign tourists (children: Rs. 100).

Vidhana Soudha
The seat of Karnataka's Legislative Assembly, the Vidhana Soudha is 46 m high and is one of Bangalore's best-known landmarks. It houses 22 departments in its 300 rooms. The grand structure, built in 1956, belongs to the Neo Dravidian temple architecture style. It has four domes at all four corners and in the middle is the famous four-headed lion, India?s national symbol. Befitting the powers that it houses, the Cabinet Room has a massive sandalwood door.

Tech Parks
International Tech Park The 69-acre International Tech Park is located in Whitefield, 12 km from Bangalore Airport and 18 km from the city centre. It currently comprises of five buildings,Discoverer,Innovator,Creator,Explorer,andInventor.

Electronic City
Located on the NH 7 about 23 km from the city centre is the heart of the India?s IT industry. It is famous for its eminent clientele that includes market leaders in the field of electronics and information technology. You can stroll out side, entry to some offices needs special permission from the concerned authorities.

Gardens and Parks
Cubbon Park
Cubbon Park is one of the largest and most green areas in Bangalore. An ideal place to unwind during the weekend or a weekday evening, it has a lot in store for kids. There is a beautiful bamboo grove and a play area with some rides and eateries. There is an imposing red Gothic structure within this park called the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, which houses the public library. Walking distance from here are the High Court, Government Museum, Technology Museum, aquarium and the Jawaharlal Bal Bhavan.

Lalbagh
Started by Hyder Ali in 1760 and completed by Tipu Sultan, this 240-acre landscaped park is home to some very rare species of plants. The Glass House, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, is the venue for the bi-annual flower show. Lalbagh is about 4 km from the Vidhana Soudha in the beautiful residential layout of Jayanagar. Entry to the park is free between 6 am and 9 am and 6 pm to 7 pm.

Gandhi Bhavan
The Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, which is housed in the Gandhi Bhavan, seeks to propagate the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The building has a picture gallery depicting Gandhi?s life beginning with his childhood to the very last day. Copies of letters written by him to various personalities can also be viewed here.Timings are 10.30 am-5 pm (lunch break: 1.30 pm- 3 pm). Closed on Sundays and other holidays.

Attara Kacheri
This elegant two-storeyed building is directly opposite the Vidhana Soudha, and houses the High Court. Within walking distance from here are the Public Library, the Government Museum, the Vishwesharaya Industrial and Technological Museum and the Venkatappa Art Gallery.

Religious Places
ISKCON Temple
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple is a glass colonnade decorated ornately. There are five shrines, a theatre showing films on the Hare Krishna movement, and lush gardens. Make sure that you do not miss a trip here. The temple boasts of a golden chandelier shaped like an inverted lotus, the world's tallest gold-plated dwajastambha (flag post) and the biggest gold-plated kalash shikara at a height of 28 ft. The temple is open to devotees from 7 am-1 pm and again 4.30 pm-8.30 pm.

Bull Temple
Located in Basavangudi, the Bull Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva's vahana (vehicle), Nandi the bull. Here you can find a huge monolithic statue of the sitting bull. The statue is 4.5 m tall and 6 m long and has been in this place long before the present temple was built. Behind the imposing Nandi Bull, is a tiny lingam shrine. The underground Sri-Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is equally fascinating. On Makara Sankranti day (14 January) they say that a ray of light passes between the horns of the Nandi Bull outside the temple and lights the idol that is kept here. There is a huge rush during this day.

Shiva Temple
Located on Airport Road, the Shiva Temple has a 65-ft tall idol of Lord Shiva, seated in Lotus position against the backdrop of Mount Kailash. When lit at night, the statue makes for a spectacular view. Photography and videos are not permitted inside the temple. One can listen to the melodious bhajans and receive food for the soul.

Sai Baba Ashram
This ashram was founded by the spiritual guru Sri Satya Sai Baba, revered by many across the world and considered to be the reincarnation of the Shirdi Sai Baba. Brindavan, as it is called, lies 16 km from Bangalore. Any public transportation will take you there, though autorickshaws tend to charge extra.

The bhajan sessions at the ashram are a huge hit. Do try to make it to the ashram between 9 am and 10 am and participate in these delightful sessions which soothe the strained mind. Devotees queue up to seek Baba?s blessings when he is in Bangalore. The line-up begins outside the ashram gate and once tokens have been distributed, they are directed towards the Darshan Hall. The queue on the footpath outside the ashram wall usually begins around 6.15 a.m. There are two cloak rooms where you can leave your belongings, along with your cell phones and footwear. The afternoon darshan and bhajans commence between 4 pm and 5 pm. The after-darshan hours see many devotees staying back and meditating. Sundays witness an all-day bhajan session in the Darshan Hall. The bookstore, supermarket, canteen and tiffin stalls are all open post-darshan.