With greenery all around, Karnataka is the place for the young as well as the old
AMBLING down the streets of Bangalore, one gets an impression that the city is running short of space to accommodate it inhabitants; humans and automobiles alike.
“Bangalore is bursting at the seams,” came the comment from a bona fide Bangalorian who lamented that the population explosion and increasing traffic have become a blot on the otherwise, beautiful landscape of the city.
Nonetheless, the city, no matter how crowded it has become, still abounds in spellbinding natural beauty, preserved in its sprawling public parks, lakes and sanctuaries. All this and many other attractions in Bangalore — claimed as the Garden City of India — welcomes tourists with open arms.
A walk on its shady tree-lined roads, or casual wandering in markets provides one with a good opportunity to feel out the people and the place. Exhibiting a modern outlook, the capital of the southern province of Karnataka, offers growing opportunities in business and employment, and attracts people from other adjoining smaller cities.
Undoubtedly, what has brought it more into limelight is its latest distinction of becoming the Silicon Valley of India for the rapid strides it has made in the IT business. And the fact that wizkid Sabeer Bhattia, founder of Hotmail and Rahul Dravid, vice captain of Indian cricket team are both Bangalorians, has brought more publicity to the city.
The cosmopolitan city absorbs people from various backgrounds and communities. Particularly, Pakistanis blend quite well with the crowd for more or less same skin colour and physique. A little time spent on roads, makes you realize that besides the physical attributes, people from the two countries have something more in common. They are gifted with an indigenous habit to violate traffic rules and to some degree, the chaotic traffic do make you feel very much at home.
Bangalore made headlines recently when Pakistani children were in town, most recently Noor Fatima, for heart surgeries. Moreover, a Pakistani might not experience a completely alien feeling, once there because of the ongoing efforts to strengthen friendly ties between the two countries. Besides, the common features in the language and culture infuse more confidence while one roams around in streets.
People speak a mixture of Urdu and Hindi which is understandable and communication is no problem. It is only when they prefer to switch to their regional language, Kannara, you either have to rescue the conversation by shifting to English or by looking out for some kind-soul to do interpretation.
While you would be interested in looking at beautifully built temples, with statues of Ganesh, Ram and Sita; homes with boundary walls not more than three feet high; the sight of leaves and lemons hanging in a string outside shops at homes of Hindus to ward off evils, you would not fail to notice some other features of the city. Timers with traffic signals on all busy thoroughfares will definitely catch your attention. You would see drivers, careful about wearing seat belts (they are fined, if they don’t). Besides, watching a large number of women on two wheelers is likely to take you by surprise.
It is discernible that Bangalore is trying to cut the environmental pollution by taking some right steps. Although locals maintain auto-rickshaws remain the major cause of pollution, it is amazing to see how efficiently they have managed to reduce the pollution, by making the auto-rickshaws almost non-smoke emitting and less noisy. The same is for cars that are seen with a sticker on the wind screen which reads ‘non-polluting vehicle.’
Known for its moderate climatic conditions, where once people did not even keep provision for fans, Bangalore offers much sight seeing to tourists. A visit to Lalbagh Botanical Garden, claimed as India’s most beautiful botanical garden can be a good starter. Built by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, one needs at least three to four hours to explore the park that is spread on 240 acres. This park is also famous for its marvellous variety of trees; brought from Persia, France and Afghanistan. There are trees here that were planted by Tipu Sultan himself. The glass house here is a major attraction in the park, which has been designed on the pattern of Crystal Palace, London. It’s annual flower show is something that people look forward to.
Not to be missed is Cubbon Park, the biggest park here. Built on the orders of Lord Cubbon, the then Viceroy of India in 1864, the park is known for its vastness (it is spread on 300 acres). A road goes through the park that leads to the museum, public library, high court, secretariat, Century Club and Press Club. Although, the park does not offer much to look at, it is more valued as a breathing space by locals who can be seen resting in the cool shade of bamboo and other trees planted in abundance there.
Situated in close proximity to the park is Vidhana Soudha, which houses the legislative chambers of the state government. The 300-room building is a famous landmark here. It exhibits a magnificent view of the Indian style of architecture.
Sightseeing in Bangalore would be incomplete if one does not see its spectacular palaces. And here, the most awe-inspiring building is the Bangalore Palace. Situated within the palace grounds in Vasanthnagar, the 110-year old Palace was inspired by Windsor Castle. This is one of Banglore’s major tourist puller.
After exploring the city’s recreational spots, a visit to the shopping areas and eateries is a must. Although public buses provide a nice journey, it would not be a bad idea to take an auto-rickshaw. It is spacious enough to accommodate four people, and their meters aren’t tampered with, as are the ones on our rickshaws. Thus you need not haggle over fare with the driver at the end of journey. A story worth mentioning here is that an Australian couple was so amused by its ride and convenience that they took one back home for private use.
Commercial Street, the busiest shopping areas is a place where you can get everything from cotton handloom suits to superior silk sarees. However, it is advisable you take along some native to handle the bargaining, as shopkeepers are likely to charge you astronomical prices once they discover you are a non-Indian. If you want to lay your hands on cheap stuff, ranging from stainless steel wares to small items with a ‘Made in India’ tag, paying a visit to Chikpet bazaar, though a suffocating place, can make your day.
This and Avenue Street are those shopping areas, you would find more pocket friendly compared to bigger shopping malls where even a 50 per cent discount hardly brings the prices within your reach. For buying handicrafts and gift items, particularly of Sandal wood, go to Cauvery Emporium at Mahatama Gandhi Road. Here, one is likely to fall in love with many items, which would make a perfect gift for friends and relatives back home.
Last but not the least, comes the food outlets. Boiled peanuts and corn, fresh pineapple and bhail purri, sold on push carts at roadsides entice you to explore more of the local culinary delights that are purely vegetarian. Dossa, idle, veras, thalli that are cheaply available everywhere are the staple food of majority.
You can think of heading to some non-vegetarian restaurants, (though they are few), after you have had your fill of different kinds of dossas and idles and your taste buds crave for some meaty stuff.
With greenery all around, Karnataka is the place for the young as well as the old 
