Bengaluru: The City of Cooked Beans

Bengaluru, the capital of the south-Indian state Karnataka, is known as ‘The City of Cooked Beans.’ More commonly known as Bengaluru or Bangalore, the name of the place is derived from the Kannada word ‘Benda-Kaal-Uru.’ It means ‘the town of boiled beans.’ There is an interesting historical incident behind this name. King Veera Ballala II of the Hoysala Dynasty was so impressed by the hospitality extended by a poor old woman when she served him a plate of boiled beans that he called the place ‘Benda-Kaal-Uru.’

History

The city has served as the centre of power in this region for almost 200 years. The historical legend of the city points to its presence since 1527. It was a mud fort built by Kempe Gowda, who was a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire. Post India’s independence in 1947, it was chosen to be the capital of the State of Mysore. Much later, when Mysore was renamed Karnataka, the city continued to be at the helm of affairs for the state government.

Popular as the IT Capital of India or India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru became the hub of the high-tech industry with the opening of the ICT Park in Whitefield in 1998. Today, it is home to innumerable domestic, international, and multinational companies working in the software, telecom, and technology sectors. For a tourist, however, the stunning weather of the city combined with some iconic landmarks make a visit worthwhile. Botanical Garden, Hesaraghatta Lake, Chamaraja Lake Reservoir, Cubbon Park, and Nandi Hills are some of the must-visit places for a tourist.

Geography

Bangalore is located in the Mysore plateau. It is about 949 metres above sea level. The landscape, however, is marked by a couple of freshwater lakes such as the Hebbal Lake, Yediyur Lake, and certain water tanks such as the Madivala Tank. Some of the parts of the city are hilly, while the prominent parts are all flat. Bangalore has a moderate tropical climate, and the weather remains pleasant throughout the year. January is pretty cold while April and May are the hottest months.

Attractions

1. Wonderla: Situated right on Mysore-Bangalore Road is this amusement park that makes for an ideal hangout spot with friends. However, this place is not recommended for the faint heart. There are some fantastic rides that will give you the thrill of your life. There are special rides for children and families as well. Some of the rides to try include Equinox, Wave Rider, Flash Tower, Insanity, Y-scream, Hurricane, Pirate Ship, crazy cars, Dungeon ride, etc.

2. Bannerghatta National Park: This famed bio-diversified national park is in the suburbs of Bangalore. Covering an area of around 104.27sq km, the park is about 22km from the city centre. One of the unique features of this place is that it was set up as the country’s first butterfly park. The 1971-established park has a children’s park and an aquarium. Also of interest are the snake park, the zoo, the crocodile farm, and the prehistoric animal park. Visitors can also go for a jungle safari in caged buses and jeeps.

3. The joy of late-night food at Sajjan Rao Circle: Love, street food? Try the ultimate delicacies at Sajjan Rao Circle at Shankarapura. Here, there are a plethora of cuisines to try– Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, Schezwan, etc. The best part is that the local food stalls are all open till 2 AM.

4. Madiwala Lake: Located in BTM Layout is Madiwala Lake, where couples love to hang out due to the scenic beauty and the gorgeous rides on paddle boats. What makes it even more exciting and romantic is that it is a perfect spot to watch the sunset. You can catch glimpses of a few exotic bird species here if you are lucky.

5. Cubbon Park: Covered end-to-end with green foliage, the park is a major soothing point for nature lovers, newly-weds, and people looking for a quiet natural place to court their new-found love.

6. Ulsoor Lake: Spread across 50 hectares, it is another exciting place to relax, indulge in your routine workout, catch a glimpse of endemic birds, or engage in boating activities with a loved one, friends, and family.

7. Late-night party hotspots: Bangalore has an incredible party ecosystem. As a millennial, you will find enough hotspots where you can party till late at night. Some popular ones are No Limits Lounge & Club at Brigade Road, Loft 38 at Indiranagar, Whitefield Social at Whitefield, and Windmill Craftwork at Whitefield. There are many more, and you can set on a discovery journey to find the perfect place for party animals.

Pubs and Restaurants in Bangalore

1. Uru Brewpark: An amazing pub JP Nagar, South Bangalore, Uru Brewpark serves Asian, Continental, Italian, and North Indian cuisines along with a range of cool drinks. A meal for two persons is approximately Rs 2,000. The ambience is nice and allows people to have some fun catching up with friends.

2. Biergarten: Located in Koramangala, South Bangalore, this restaurant is known for its unique, relaxing ambience, and an array of cuisines served with grace and aplomb. Enjoy lip-smacking European and continental delicacies. The cost of a meal for two persons is somewhere around Rs 2,400.

3. The Only Place: Located at Museum Road, Bangalore, The Only Place is an amazing restaurant serving a range of continental food. Enjoy its drool-worthy lasagna and chicken, which are the specials at this restaurant. Lively staff and a jolly ambiance shall make your visit to this restaurant memorable.

4. The Humming Tree: A perfect mix of foot-tapping music and soulful food, The Humming Tree is a wonderful restaurant located at Indira Nagar, Bangalore. Enjoy a range of non-vegetarian delicacies while humming to popular songs sung by independent artists and performers.

5. Big Brewsky: Bangalore is famous for its pub-cum-restaurant scene. Visit Big Brewsky with your friends or your soulmate and enjoy freshly drafted beer with mouth-watering finger food and north-Indian delicacies. The whole atmosphere, noise, and unbridled energy at this microbrewery are infectious and sure to leave you feeling on top of the world.

Bangalore is a treasure trove of natural and artificial attractions, and amazing places to stay connected with friends and family. Its pleasant weather combined with a relaxing weekend ambiance makes it a perfect place to explore.