Bangalore located 1000m above sea level, this bustling capital city of Karnataka, has a perpetual holiday atmosphere. Founded in 1537 by a local chieftain, Kempe Gowda, Bangalore has seen much and imbibed even more. Rapid industrial growth has not taken away Bangalore's old-world charm. and a trip here can be truly delightful. Known as the Garden city and Silicon Valley of India. Bangalore is famous for handicraft in sandalwood and rosewood, ivory, brass, silk sarees or dress(Mysore & chanmundi silk) and scraves available in the emporia in the city.

CITY SIGHTS
Vidhana Soudha
This magnificent building in the neo-Dravidian style and built entirely from Bangalore granite. On weekend evenings and public holidays, the building is floodlit, illuminating the surrounding gardens.

Cubbon Park
This beautiful park, sprawling across 300 acres, was laid out by Lieutenant General Sir Mark Cubbon in 1864. The park is green and dotted with fountains, statues and flowering trees. Close to the park is the Bal Bhavan and the Aquarium.

The Lalbagh
Started by Hyder ali in 1760 and later completed by Tipu Sultan, this 240 acre landscape park is home to some very rare species of plants. The glass house, inspired by the crystal palace in londaon, is the venue for the bi-annual flower shows.

Bull Temple
One of the oldest temples in the city built by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore.

Tipu's Palace
One of his summer retreats built in 1791, this is a two-storeyed ornate wooden structure with pillars, arches and balconies.

Ulsoor Lake
is a perfect getaway dotted with a picturesque island, You can enjoy a boat ride here or swim in the nearby pool.

ISKON Temple
Built at a cost of Rs. 32 crores on a sprawling 7 acre plot, atop the Hare Krishna hill, is a pious blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony.

EXCURSION
Nandi Hill
60 kms north, is a small hill station. It was one of the retreats of the Tiger of Mysore. Tipu's Drop- a 60 m high cliff face-offers a magnificent view.

Puttaparthi
120 kms away from Bangalore. A small village in Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh, Puttaparthi. And the person responsible for it is "Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba" considered as a loving God by millions. Prasanthi Nilayam (Adobe of peace) is an imposing edifice at Puttaparthi built by the devotees in reverence to the living God at his birth place. People seeing peace of mind and solace make a beeline to this village from all over the world.

Mysore

770 m above sea level and 140 kms from Bangalore, this imperial city was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. Also known as the city of palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm that never fails to enchant.

CITY SIGHTS
Mysore Palace
The residence of the Wodeyars, this structure is one of the largest of its kind in India. Built in 1912 in the Indo-Saracenic style, this palace exudes a grandeur that is unmatched.

The Golden Royal Throne, the Durbar Hall, the kalyana Mandap, the Gallery and the Ambavillas are the main attractions here.

Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery: Housed in the Jaganmohan Palace, this gallery has a collection of exquisite paintings dating back to 1875. The collection includes paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, the Russian Svetoslav Roerich and the traditional Mysore gold leaf style of painting.

Straddling the states of Kerala and Karnataka Nagarahole (pronounced Naagra-holay) and Bandipur National Parks cover some of the best-preserved tracts of forests in South India. Together covering more than 1,500 km2of visually vibrant vistas all around, Nagarahole and Bandipur are visitor's delight.

Nagarahole: Nagarahole, pronounced Naagra-holay, is spread over 640 km2 and was the private hunting preserve of the princely state of Mysore. The forests are tropical mixed deciduous and semi-evergreen with scrub and grassy swamplands (haldus). The teak forests of Nagarahole include some of the oldest plantations of the country dating back to 1800s. In 1974 an irrigation dam was built across Kabini river creating a water-body that forms a natural boundary between Nagarahole and Bandipur.

Bandipur: While the jungles of Nagarahole are taller and denser, Bandipur has superb scenery of mountains, gorges and tropical mixed deciduous forest. The forests of Bandipur have been protected for over a hundred years and a small area was declared a sanctuary as long ago as 1898. Today the National Park defends 875 kms of lush countryside at the junction of the Deccan Plateau and the outer spurs of the Western Ghats.

Birds: The Nagarahole-Bandipur region is rich territory for birdwatchers and provides ample opportunity for new discoveries and adding to the current list. The Kabini river, the grasslands and the tropical forests offer unlimited hours of birdwatching, which include ospreys, vultures, falcons, eagles, buzzards, ducks, geese, partridges, fowl, bee-eaters, minivets, thrushes and trogons among others.

Mammals: Southern National Parks are ruled by the "jolly jumbos" but other animals include Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Blacknaped Hare, Indian Porcupine, Pangolin, Giant Squirrel, Large Brown Flying Squirrel, Giant Fruit Bat, Slender Loris, Hanuman Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Leopard and the Tiger. Some other animals are Striped Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Rusty spotted Cat and the Common Otter.

Reptiles: Some of the reptiles found in the area the Marsh Crocodile, Monitor Lizard, Rock Python, Rat Snake, Common Krait, Russel's Viper and Bamboo Pit Viper.