A local chieftain, Kempegowda, built a small mud fort in 1537 around land gifted to him by the Vijayanagar emperor. It was rebuilt in stone by Hyder Ali Sultan in the 18th century, but is in ruins today. Out of this origin has grown the well laid out beautiful city of Bangalore, which has in recent years, also become an industrial and commercial centre.

WHAT TO SEE:

The Lal bagh Gardens is well-laid and beautiful. It has one of the largest collection of tropical and sub tropical vegetation, lakes and lotus- filled pond. The Cubbon Park has one of the few statues of Queen Victoria still standing in India today. 4 km to the south of the city is the historic Kempegowda Fort, Hyder Ali’s son and British India’s most fearsome enemy. The bull temple, the temple the Ganesh temple and the Mysore art and craft centre are also worth the visit.

EXCURSION:

DANCE VILLAGE:
Nrityagram is set on a beautiful 10-acre tract just outside the city and dedicated to continue the guru-Shishya tradition in the teaching of classical Indian dances. Concerts are held fortnightly and information is available at tourist centers.

WHITEFIELD:
16 km. from Bangalore city, this is an ashram town of satya Sai Baba, a religious leader with worldwide following. Sai Baba’s main Ashram is a 3 hours drive from Bangalore at Puttaparti in Andhra – Pradesh.

HASSAN:
West of Bangalore on the Mangalore road is Hassan-194 km. away. The town is a convenient base for a visit to temple town of Shravanabelagola, Belur and Halebid. 51 km. south east of Hassan is Shravanabelagola the most important pilgrimage centre for Jains. 17 meter high monolith of Lord Bahubali (Gomateshwara) - the youngest son of first Jain Tirthankar Adinath. Every 12 years, thousands of devotees congregate to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka- a spectular ceremony when the 100 year old statue is bathed with milk, curd, ghee and saffron. Devotees offer gold coins. The next ceremony is slated for 2005.

The temple town of Belur is 38 km. from Hassan. The chennakeshava temple, which took 103 years to complete, is one of the finest examples of Hoyasala architecture. Also worth visiting is the Veernarayana temple. In Halebid, 27 km. North West of Hassan and 17 km. east of Belur, there are the magnificent Hoysalewara and the Kedareswara temples. The walls are covered with carvings of gods, Goddesses, animals, bird and dancing girls.

STANDARD SIGHTSEEINGH TOURS:
Half day sightseeing tours of the ‘Garden City’ visiting the Lal Bagh which has a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of tropical herbs. Also see the Government Buildings and the Maharaja’s palace.

LEPAKSHI:
Full day excursion to Lepakshi, an important place for worship. The place has an irresistible attraction to the tourist because of the finest architecture and paintings found in the temples here. Unlike most of the south Indian temples, the temple does not have a prominent Vimana on the Sanctum. But it has many Vimana like structures on top of the temples, indicating several cell of gods housed in the temples.

SRAVANBELGOLA, BELUR AND HALEBID:
At Sravanbelgola, hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 km. is the statue of Lord Gomteshwara which is bathed with milk and honey once every 12 years. The chenna klasava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of Hoyasala art. Halebid’s 12th century Hoyasalaewara and Kedareswara temples are masterpieces of Hindu art.