Laid back luxury in Bengaluru

Bengaluru International Airport today is a far cry from the lone conveyor that once faithfully greeted us in its squeaky undertones every time we jetted into the Indian city.

With its name change from Bangalore several years ago, the Indian metropolis, which was once referred to as Asia’s fastest growing city, has also invested heavily in its infrastructure. 

Bengaluru has benefited largely by the influx of capital that is a direct result of the IT boom in the city. Also known as India’s Silicon Valley, the giant glass-like structures dotting the skyline and the lack of potholes lining the roads is proof enough that the city is witnessing a substantial boom period; alas, the same cannot be said about the dwindling ‘garden city’ image that seems forever shrouded in a haze of smog.

Old world charm

Bengaluru is a city seeped in history and cultural heritage. Dating back to 1537 CE when local Chieftain Kempe Gowda laid the foundation of the modern-day structure we see today, the power seat in Bengaluru has witnessed many a dynasty and governments – from the fearless Tiger of Mysore, King Tipu Sultan, to the various medley of Maharajas, who later laid down their arms to the power of the British empire.

Commemorating the fearless fighters of the yore, a must see is the Tipu Palace in Bangalore, which was first constructed by Hyder Ali and completed by his son Tipu in the year 1791. The Tiger referred to it as ‘The Envy of Heaven’, a majestic structure constructed mainly in wood, and embellished with intricately sculpted arches that are shaded by the soothing presence of exquisite minarets.

This sprawling complex is second only to the other famous royal abode the city boasts – the Bangalore Palace. Guarding the heart of the city, this breathtaking Tudor-style structure was built by the Wodeyar Dynasty in 1887 and bears an uncanny resemblance to another, more famous castle in England – complete with Gothic arches, foiled windows, battlements and turrets.

A leisurely stroll around the grounds gives an insight that the Palace also served a dual purpose as a fortified complex that protected the city from perpetrators. While the grounds may have been considerably reduced to make way for the reconstruction of the city, the Bangalore Palace remains a wooden masterpiece.

Famous for its carving and paintings, an exquisite door panel at the entrance leads to equally grand settings inside. The interiors are decorated with breathtaking floral motifs, cornices, moldings and relief paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings; and if that isn’t enough to take pause at the sheer grandeur of it all, then the vast gallery of nearly a thousand historical photos, including those of viceroys, maharajas and other famous personalities inside, will have many an art connoisseur dance with glee. 
 
Garden city

With the intense heat of the afternoon sun making even Dubai pale in comparison, one wonders how Bengaluru manages to sustain its Garden City identity. Placing it down to modern-day technological advances and a drastic drop in temperatures in the evening (20 degrees at least), the fast-growing metro has found place for several award-winning parks and gardens that probably lend a hand in the overall ‘pleasant’ climate of the city.

Taking a break from the exhausting afternoon temperatures, a sight to behold is the famous Cubbon Park. Laid down by the British Lieutenant General Sir Mark Cubbon in 1864, the 250 acres of green land is perfect for a leisurely picnic lunch and a nap under the gentle shade of the trees. Families traveling with young kids also have reason to rejoice because the one place that provides interactive entertainment for the children is the amusement park, dollhouse and kiddy toy train – all conveniently located on the Park grounds.

The other famous city park is the Lalbagh Garden, located in the Southern edge of Bangalore. While Cubbon is a delight for young ones, Lalbagh is an ode to the beauty of nature, which can only be appreciated by a true nature-lover. Laid out in 1760 by Hyder Ali, this 240-acre garden boasts the exquisite Glass House that is home to the world-famous flower show in India. Inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, Lalbagh Gardens is a cool respite from the traffic congestion that plagues the rest of Bangalore.
 
East and West collide

Like any major city amidst a substantial boom, Bengaluru is a place that has adapted many a modern style, yet struggles to maintain its cultural identity.

Globalisation has brought with it the explosion of the mall culture, with shopping complexes like Forum and Bangalore Central being the trendy hot spots for the young teeny-bopping crowd. But even in the face of the glittering glass structures, the famous shopping streets of Commercial, Brigade Road and MG Road stand their ground with their vast array of reasonably priced clothing, shoes and traditional handicrafts.

The fast development of Bengaluru has also attracted multinationals and large Indian corporations, giving way to a young population that thrives on pubs and nightlife. Also fondly referred to as the ‘Pub City of India’, Bengaluru’s 200-odd bars and ever-growing club life has made the metro quite popular among the masses.

Adding a touch of spirituality to this otherwise concrete jungle are historical and religious structures like the futuristic Iskcon Temple, the headquarters for spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living foundation, the Bull Temple dedicated to the sacred Nandi, the 65-foot Lord Shiva statue seated in the famous lotus position, and the cave temple of Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwar. While their individuality may have fallen in the popularity stakes, giving way to more glitz and glamour, some of these heritage sites are true beauties to behold for admirers of art.

Today, the cultural struggle seems to underlay the landscape in a voiceless appeal, but what Bengaluru hasn’t lost out on over the years has been its sense of Indian hospitality. The modern, friendly people are as welcoming as can be, with the slow pace of everyday life allowing them to enjoy life’s little pleasures and make visitors feel at home in an alien country.

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