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The City

Once known as 'The Garden City' of India, the earliest records of a place named ’Bengaluru’ date back to a 9th century temple in an area that is now known as Old Bangalore.

Legends surround Bangalore: while one legend has it that Bengaluru (Town of Boiled Beans) got its name after an old woman served cooked pulses to a lost and hungry Hoysala king, another one has it that a feudal lord was hunting in the area when a rabbit turned and attacked his dog, and as this made a great impression on the lord, he gave the place the title of Gandu Bhoomi (the place of heroes).

Besides the magic atmosphere that old Indian traditions have created around the city, Bangalore is also a metropolitan hub, and constantly changing. Buildings rise up at a fast pace while a new city centre has come into the world, in a clutch of skyscrapers in the area surrounding Cubbon Park.

The city is split into two main districts: ’Urban’ and ’Rural’. Within the city itself, Mahatma Gandhi Road, running from Trinity Circle at one end to Anil Kumble Circle at the other, is the main thoroughfare filled with banks, smart shops and restaurants. The city’s other main hub, Gandhinagar, in the western part of the city, is where you will find the central bus stand and the main railway station. Nicknamed 'Majestic', the area is crowded, busy and and full of shops, cinemas and budget hotels. In the northern part of the town reside the Raj-era buildings, the High Court, and the racecourse. Bangalore Urban district contains the city itself and many of the main sights, and it is further divided into the North, South and also the Anekal districts, comprising more than 600 villages in total.

The Bangalore Rural district comprises 1,000 different villages and it is ideal if you fancy escaping from the chaos of the city life. Outside the city, Savandurga is a famous hilltop with temples dedicated to Gangadeshwara, Hanna Devi and a cave spring called Pattala, that – in a bull-shaped figure – has enchanted tourists for years.

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Do & See

Despite Bangalore's sudden development, the city preserves its charm unaltered, in a plethora of old buildings, temples, colourful markets, and peaceful gardens.

The extraordinary timber-built Tipu Sultan Palace, in the heart of the city, gives a fascinating glimpse into Bangalore's past, and a sense of perspective in this wannabe-modern city projected into the future. A renowned 17th-century temple and the ruins of Bangalore's fort are only a few steps away, creating a hub of historical constructions. Karnataka's State Legislature and Secretariat building, one of India’s greatest buildings, is located northwest of Cubbon Park.

Despite the rush of modern life, Bangalore has a strong religious tradition, so make sure to head to Bugle Hill and the Bull Temple. As a favourite among travellers, this breathtaking 16th-century construction literally dwarfs whoever passes by.

Bangalore is a city to be experienced and explored. The 'Garden City' is famous for its parks, with some of them dating back over 200 years, and the most impressive ones are the botanical gardens of Lal Bagh.

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Dining

Bangalore is a gourmand's paradise, as the local cuisine takes in influences from Andhra, Chettinad, Hyderabadi, Tamil, Mangalorean, and Keralan dishes with a big emphasis on rice, Sambar and Rasam (a lentil-based vegetable stew and spicy soup) dishes.

As a global capital, Bangalore also offers a great variety of international cuisine but the real delight is to fully indulge in its delicious local cuisine, as there is something for everyone.

You should start the day with a plate of unbeatable Masala Dosa, a delicious crepe stuffed with spiced potatoes known as the 'food of the gods', accompanied by some chai tea. Lunch or dinner normally consists of steamed rice, curries, vegetable dishes and pickles, and one or two sweet dishes like poppadoms, buttermilk, curd and ghee. It is tradition to start the meal with a sweet dish and finish it with curd rice, and everything is served on well-rinsed banana leaves.

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Cafés

With the emergence of a cosmopolitan café culture, new venues and fast food outlets popped up in Bangalore, and high tea became a social event not only for the upper class but for everybody. While predictable café chains soon settled, hip hangouts with DJs or live music as well as more traditional settings also rose up in the heart of the city, awaiting you to have a break.

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Bars & Nightlife

The tech-savvy denizens of Bangalore might work hard but they certainly know how to enjoy themselves, and the city has in fact seen a boom in the number of pubs, bars, and clubs.

Thanks to vigilant local authorities who have imposed an 11:30pm curfew, Bangalore’s parties have to power up early, with the only exception of the 24-hour coffee shops. Despite this hindrance, the city offers great nights out as long as you properly plan ahead, with a great majority of clubs and bars located at hotels.

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Shopping

Bangalore is an every shopper's paradise, as the cosmopolitan city features diverse trends and products ranging from pure silk saris over chic dresses to branded gold jewellery.

With exclusive boutiques, modern shopping malls, traditional shopping markets and street-side sellers, shopping in Bangalore is indeed a wonderful experience.

Gaining recognition from the world, with the very first shopping mall in the whole of India, Bangalore soon became a hub for shoppers and it still remains so today.

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