American Restaurants
by ChuckG about Avoid Pizza Hut
One day, there was a National Strike. Everything was closed except a rebel american restaurant called "Pizza Hut". I was so hungry, I had to go and the shame has been with me since. Why would you go to Pizza Hut or KFC when you are so far from the US. Shame on me...
There's also a TGI Friday's
But no Starbucks ! (Great!) They only have pizza
Bangalore my home
by cuppadamoksha
"A little history"
The earliest records of a place named 'Bengalooru' were found in a 9th century temple in an area that is now known as 'Old Bangalore'. Once, while the feudal lord Kempe Gowda was hunting in the area, a rabbit turned and attacked his dog. This made a great impression on the lord and he named the place gandu bhoomi (the place of heroes) and in 1537, with the assistance of the local king, he constructed three districts protected by a walled fort on the site.
During the next three centuries, Bangalore existed very much in the shadow of its neighboring city Mysore, and control of the town changed hands many times. The year 1831 marked a major turning point for the city. Claiming misrule by King Krishna raja Wodeyar III, the British took control of the Mysore Kingdom and, possibly influenced by the city's mild climate, moved the administrative capital to Bangalore. New telecommunication systems were laid, rail connections built, fine government buildings constructed and the city's famous parks and gardens established. After independence, Bangalore maintained its position as Karnataka state capital and continued to flourish.
For many years, Bangalore was known throughout India as the most green, liberal and forward-thinking city. In recent years, these attributes have propelled Bangalore to the forefront of the high-tech industry boom in India, and it currently ranks as India's most developed city and one of the world's fastest growing urban areas.
Some Epitaph's Bangalore has earned over the years ....
Pensioner's Paradise: reminds Bangaloreans of the time when it was a sleepy old city with very little to zero pollution, no competition for its resources, low crime rate, wide roads lined with shady trees and pleasant weather all ideal for a quiet retirement. ( No longer the case unfortunately after the IT boom )
Pub City: With its many pubs and bars, and also with the city being the headquarters of United Breweries, makers of the popular Kingfisher Beer, Bangalore is a drinker's dream.
Garden City: was once the epithet Bangalore proudly showed before rising population and pollution reduced the amount of greenspace and Bangaloreans quietly began referring to their city as the Silicon valley of India.
Gay Capital of India .... Im not much of an expert here .
Area: 365.6 square kilometers
Altitude: 3000 ft. above sea level
Location: Lat: 12 degree 8' N Long: 77 degree 37' E
Climate:
Mar - May (warmest mths) Dec- Jan (coldest mths) Jun- Sept (rainy - S-WMonsoon) Nov- Dec (rainy - N-E Monsoon)
Temperature
maximum of 33 degree C to minimum of 14 degree C
Language:
Kannada, English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil are widely spoken and understood
Population: Around 6.5 million
Things to see when you visit Bangalore
Bannerghatta National Park, 21 km from the city. . YOu can see wild animals like elephant, lion, panther etc.. It has a crocodile farm, a snake show, a pets corner, deer pen and a prehistoric animal park. The park is open everyday from 900hrs to 1700hrs except on Tuesdays. . There is a butterfly park here too worth seeing.
Cubbon Park :Within the park are the Attara Kacheri, the central library, the aquarium, the Jawahar bal bhavan a children's playground, and a quaint old toy train called the Puttani Express which takes you on a ride all around the park is a perfect break for you and the kids.
Check out Tipu's Summer Palace.Tashk-e-Jannat meaning the envy of heaven. Constructed mainly of wood, its intricately sculptured arches and minarets are worth perusing. The walls and ceilings are covered with paintings though faded through the centuries.
Take a meander around Lal Bagh. Spread over 240 acres Lal Bagh has a rare collection of tropical and sub-tropical trees, plants and herbs Tipu Sultan was responsible for enriching the vast collection by importing several specimens from Afghanistan, France and Persia. Jan and Aug are the best time to visit the garden . There are major flower displays in the week preceding Republic day and the week before Independence day. The gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Vidhana Soudha - The legislative House of the State of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state 1951 to 1956. It was built at an expenditure of Rs 1.84 crores. The grand stairs has a flight of forty-five steps 204 feet wide 70 feet deep giving a direct access to the foyer of first floor The architecture is based on Dravidian style, comprising richly carved bases and capitals for pillars, deep friezes, kapotha cornices, chaithya arches, heavy pediments domical finials, etc; At the same time, the construction has made use of the present-day materials like steel, reinforced cement concrete glass, plastic, etc.
Vikasa Soudha - Adjacent to majestic Vidhana Soudha built in the same classic style, supposedely fitted with the latest gizmos to help govern the state. It was inaugurated sometime in February 2005.
The Bangalore Palace a royal palace belonging to the Maharajahs of Mysore, for many years neglected as a tourist attraction is open to the public.
The Bull Temple is a typical Dravidian style temple, and is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area. Since then, local farmers have held an annual festival to express their gratitude.
Another very popular place to visit is the Nandi Hills famous for its temples and fort . Located some 60 km from Bangalore via Devanahalli Tipu's Drop is an attraction here and if you like paragliding, It?s very picturesque a drive out here is well worth it.
"Wildlife in Bangalore City"
My general description of Bangalore is a BIG VILLAGE.This pic is proof of the same.. Everywhere you go in Banglore you are guaranteed to encounter a cow ambling along right in the middle of peak hour traffic.. at times they will decide that the middle of the road is the most comfortable place for them to park themselves and dats exactly what they will do ..PARK THEMSELVES.. its a funny sight especially at 0930 am in the morning when every working person is alrady officially late to work and the reason them being late is our very own GAUMATA