An ideal blend of traditional Indian culture and western culture, Bangalore greets you with its open arms. The base of education, technology and culture, it truly represents a perfect urban city of India. The numerous blossoming gardens of Bangalore city have given it the sobriquet - ‘The City of Gardens’. The capital city of Karnataka is known for its economic advancement, vibrant culture and the historical architecture. The seventh largest city in India has emerged as the biggest software and Information Technology hub in India giving it the appellation of ‘The Silicon Valley of India’. Bangalore also has some buildings and structures that are one of the architectural marvels in India.
The building of Vidhan Soudha or the State Secretariat, built in 1954, is the centre of attraction in this city. The structure epitomises a fine amalgamation of traditional Dravidian and modern architecture. Cubbon Park near Vidhan Soudha has a number of neo-classical styled government buildings. The Government Museum of Bangalore (one of India's oldest museums) and the Visvesvaraya Technological and Industrial Museum are the important museums within the city.
The Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, a venue for national and international flower shows; the 18th-century Tipu Sultan's Fort and Palace; the 16th-century, Dravidian-styled temple dedicated to Nandi the Bull; the Venkataramanaswamy Temple; the Gavi Gangadhareswara cave temple and the Someshwara Temple are other important temples in the city. The Ulsoor Lake is another picturesque spot popular as a picnic spot. Many yoga centres within the city offer you the complete rejuvenation of body, mind and soul.
Venkatappa Art Gallery has an exclusive collection of about 600 paintings and scenic displays. The Bangalore Palace, built in 1887, in the Tudor style is located in the middle of the city. The Aquarium in Bangalore is the second largest in the country with a wide variety of aquatic life. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is also a must visit. The Shiva Statue is 65 feet high and depicts Lord Shiva in the Padmasan or Lotus position. Nandi Hill, 60 kms from Bangalore is a popular summer retreat. The Big Banyan Tree near Bangalore is again a natural miracle, which is spread in more than 3 acres of land. The Banerghatta National Park is a paradise for bird watchers with over 1000 species of birds in it. Near the Bangalore City, this national park has some ancient temple ruins too.
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