Bull Temple at Basavanagudi

A temple built in the Dravidian style by Kempe Gowda, founder of Bangalore, it has a monolithic bull, made of gray granite which is 4.5 mts high and 6.5 mts long. The Nandi bull is revered as the 'vahana' (vehicle) of Lord Shiva. The temple was supposedly built to appease a bull that devoured all the groundnuts/peanuts grown in the area. The bull stopped inflicting damage and the thankful farmers held a Groundnut Fair (Kadalekai Parase) near the temple premises which continues even to this day! The monolithic Nandi bull is . One can also visit one of Kempe Gowda's four towers situated near the temple.

Banashankari Temple on Kanakapura Road

The uniqueness of Sri Banashankari Amma Temple is that the deity, Banashankari Amma is worshipped in Rahukala, an inauspicious time according to Hindu belief. The area, Banashankari is named after the goddess. Situated on the busy Kanakapura Road, it is one of the most popular temples of Bangalore. Devotees believe that by worshipping the goddess Banashankari Amma in Rahukala one's hardships and poverty will be removed. Considering the large number of devotees who come to the temple, the Government of Karnataka has taken it into the purview of the Endowment Department. Though the temple is opened to devotees everyday, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays are special days when thousands of devotees throng to the temple from dawn to dusk to offer special Pujas. The goddess is worshipped with deeparaadhane by lighting multiple oil lamps in half cut lemon peels with the pulp removed. The temple was built in 1915 by a devotee, Somanna Shetty who installed a deity of Banashankari Amma brought all the way from Badami in Bijapur district. There are three big cultural ceremonies that are held annually at the temple. The first one on September 13 every year celebrates the birthday of Banashankari Amma. The temple also conducts the Dasara Festival in October and the temple anniversary in Pushya Maasa, which falls either in the end of December or in the first week of January.

Kadu Mallikarjunaswamy Temple at Malleshwaram

Built in one of the oldest areas in Bangalore - Malleswaram, the temple is on a hillock. As the legend goes, the temple belonged to Chatrapati Shivaji's stepbrother Venkoji, who came upon a 'shivalingam' in 1669 and consecrated the temple around it.

Dodda Ganesha Temple at Basavanagudi

The monolithic Ganesha is about 18 ft in height and 16 ft in width. The God is also known as Shakthi Ganapathi or Satya Ganapathi. People from all walks of life come here to seek blessings. What makes this idol more attractive to the devotees is, the different types of decorations that are done during the week. The most famous is the butter coating of the idol. More than 100 kgs of butter is used for this purpose.

Shiva Statue on Airport Road

The Shiva Temple, located on Airport Road, is seated Shiva in the Himalayas, built in the year 1995. Shiva's idol is a great crowd puller due to its grandeur, aesthetic values, scenic beauty and majestic look. During festivals it draws nearly four to five lakhs of devotees in a day. Puja seva (service) is free of cost for everyoneIt boasts of Awesome 65 feet high depiction of Lord Shiva seated in Lotus position. It has the backdrop of Mount Kailash the Lord's heavenly abode and the river Ganga flowing from his matted locks as depicted in the mytholog

Gavi Gangadareshwara Temple

This temple, also located near Basavanagudi, is well known for its remarkable architecture. The Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. Legend has it that the cave temple dates back to the Tretha Yuga. Kempegowda built two of the oldest temples in Bangalore: the Bull temple and the Gavi Gangadareshwara Temple. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is inside a natural cave in Gavipuram. Legend has it that Kempegowda built this temple in gratitude after being released from his five-year imprisonment by Rama Raya. Devotees gather here on Makara Sankaranti day when it is believed that at a particular moment in the evening the sun's rays fall directly on the linga inside the cave, passing between Nandi's horns.

The temple, which roughly covers an area of 300 ft by 200 ft, was renovated during the period of the local chieftain Kempegowda, who is also known as the founder of Bangalore. This dates the temple back to nearly 500 years. The 14-pillared Mantap of the temple has elements of the Vijayanagar style of architecture.

The trishula dhamaruga (a drum attached to a trident), two monolithic pillars called Suryapana and Chandrapana, the towers on the rock outside the temple and a stone wall on the adjoining Harihararaya Gudda were all said to be installed during the Kempegowda period. The most interesting feature of this temple is said to be the two paths inside the cave. It is believed that while one path leads to temple town Shivaganga in Tumkur district, another path leads to Kashi. Apart from the idol of Eshwara with the river Ganga springing from his head, there are also Durga and Parvathi temples inside the cave. If one circumvents these, one can see Sapthamathruke, Sridevi and Bhoodevi idols.

Apart from these idols, there is also the idol of Agnimurthi, which comprises two heads, seven hands and three legs. It is believed that worshipping this deity will cure one of all eye defects. The priest points out that hundreds visit the temple to find an answer to their problems. Mondays see a huge turnout of devotees, he adds. Apart from that, the Shudda Pournami day in February is also a special day at the temple. A car festival is also held during that time.

The temple blends in beautifully with the entire area, which also has a feel of old-world simplicity to it - a little Bangalore away from the fancy and footloose City that we all

know of. The well-lit park that adjoins the temple, with fountains et al, is probably the only “modern” element in the vicinity.

The temple is open from 7.30 am to 12.00 pm and again from 5 pm to 8.30 pm. Dharmaraya Temple

Located in Nagarathpet, this temple has two exceptionally fine images of Lord Krishna and Dharmaraja - hero of the epic 'Mahabharata'. The temple is also well known for the annual Karaga festival. The Karaga festival - a form of Shakti worship, is celebrated during March/April of every year. The Karaga procession starts from the Dharmaraya temple at Nagarthpet at about 2 am.

ISKCON Temple on West of Chord Road

Sri Radha Krishna temple and cultural complex, which is an architectural masterpiece is set on a seven-acre hillock called the 'Hare Krishna Hill'. This is ISKCON's global project to commemorate the birth centennial of its founder Sri Prabhupada. Built in the Neo-Classical style, it combines traditional elements of temple architecture with high-tech utilities. Ornamental arches and illuminated water cascades lead to an elaborately decorated Rajagopuram. There is a unique open air amphitheatre for concerts and festivals.The four temple 'gopurams' are connected by a stunning glazed glass canopy which forms the main 'Hari Naam Kirtan' - a hall of 10,000 square feet. The hall has wonderful ceiling paintings. There are also Vedic museums and exhibit areas, a lecture hall with multiple language translation system and landscaped gardens. The main attraction is ISKCON Vedic Theatre, where a multimedia Vedic film is shown.

Prasanna Veeranjaneya Temple in Mahalaxmi Layout

The uniqueness of the Prasanna Veeranjaneya temple, apart from the 22-foot-high deity of Veeranjaneya, is its peaceful atmosphere. The cool breeze and surrounding greenery, coupled with an aura of mysticism, bring solace to devotees visiting the temple.

Sugreeva Venkateshwara Temple

Located in Balepet area, this temple houses idols of Sugreeva and Venkateshwara. The inner shrine of the temple has an idol of Lord Venkateshwara placed on a pedestal. The Sugreeva idol, which is about six feet in height and appears like Hanuman. The long teeth on either side of the mouth are the only thing which differentiates it from Hanuman.

Kanyakaparameshwari Temple in KumaraPark

Apart from the Goddess which is a popular among the devotees in and around Malleshwaram, the Temple has a fascinating feature - Marble Mandira, murals of holy places and Darpana Mandira (Mirror Mandir) depicting Rishis, Bhagawada Gita and Vasavi history

Venkataramanswamy Temple

Is a small temple with some interesting carvings, built by Chikkadevaraj Wodeyar. There are figures of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva on the walls and an idol of Venkatarama in the sanctorum. After Lord Cornwall's assault, in 1791, the original pillar had to be replaced as it was hit by a cannon ball. Built in typical Dravidian style, this temple has survived through the reign of Chikkadevaraj Wodeyar, Sultan Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan.

Kids Zone

BAL BHAVAN

This is a children's Park within the Cubbon Park which is an imaginatively planned amusement park and recreation centre. It is a place where children can enjoy a 1.5 kms ride on a toy train through the park. They can also see the Doll's museum which has an interesting collection of dolls and toys from all over the world. A mini park has swings, horse rides and tree houses. To trigger the enquiring mind there is a 20 million year old tree, a gift from the Geological Survey of India. The Vijayaranga Theatre screens children's films and stages plays. Craft and hobby classes for children are also conducted in Bal Bhavan.

Recently Tata Council for Community Initiatives (TCCI) in association with the Government of Karnataka renovated the Bal Bhavan mapping the 12-acre area, and then breaking it into different activity areas. Architects and designers have come up with signage that looks like foliage, litter bins with dry leaf motifs, and lamp-posts that resemble trees. Beyond the clock tower and the colourful canteen is the lovely grassy amphitheatre that is a visual delight. Then there are open pavilions or activity huts with teracotta roofs, all arranged in a crescent.

And there’s the lovely fort in stone. This is no imposing structure, but a friendly fort you would like to run up and down the steps of, and hide in the turrets. In front is a life-size chessboard, and children can actually take on roles of chess pieces like pawns, and kings and queens. Alongside are similar life-size hopscotch and noughts and crosses in stone.

BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK

Going to a zoo can be a vastly different experience from seeing animals in the wild. Although the Bannerghatta park is not on the scale of Big Zoos or Safari Parks, it does give nature lovers a glimpse of wild animals in their natural habitat. The Bannerghatta National Park was opened in the year 1974. This park is situated in a picturesque surroundings. Situated 25 kms from the heart of the city, its main attractions are bisons, lions, elephants and panthers among other wildlife. It also has a Serpentarium and a crocodile farm. Being a picnic spot it is always teeming with people. It also has a Lion Safari through which one can have real free view of Lions in the forest. The other attractions are the Lion tailed monkeys, the snake park, the museum, the collection of

birds, the cheetah and other wild animals, it has also a very old ancient temple of Champakadharmeswara built by the Hoysalas in the 12th century AD. Very close to the National Park is the Pearly Valley where one can enjoy a refreshing bath. It is also surrounded by pictursque valley.. The park officials organise a Lion Safari for those interested.

The Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) will now be home to 31 lions and lionesses and a sloth bear which were rescued from circuses in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. After travelling the 2,300-km long journey from the nation’s capital, the animals were given a fresh lease of life, away from the pathetic conditions in circuses.The BNP, which started a lion safari park as back as 1979 and a tiger safari park in 1987, has planned to start bear and white tiger safari parks from this year.

Intel recently launched a year-long environmental programme at Bannerghatta Biological Park. The initiative, ‘Intel for a better Bannerghatta’, is in collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature , India (WWF) and the park. The objective is to make the park a litter-free area.

NEELADRI AMUSEMENT PARKIt is the only combination of an amusement park and a water park in the city. It's the place to ease out your tensions and amuse yourselves in a fun-filled atmosphere. Spread over 30 acres of splendid landscape, the park consists of 45 different mind boggling fun rides, a video games arcade, Roman type amphitheatre, restaurants, ice cream parlours and chaat stalls. The water park even provides locker facilities to the visitors.

CRAZY WATERS Located amidst a rocky landscape, this Water Park provides you the right kind of thrill, splash and excitement. Children and Adults can have a rollicking time in the pool, tunneling down the fibre tunnels on imported, colourful floats. The Park also provides swim costumes for rent.

WONDER LA

The newest amusement park to entertain Bangaloreans of all age is the Wonder La Amusement Park. Situated on the Bangalore Mysore Road, Wonder La has already been ranked India's biggest amusement park. The reasons for this distinction are many. It incorporates the latest technologies including a number of water rides and latest imported land rides never seen elsewhere in the country. Maverick, Y-Scream, Drop Zone, Insanity and so on are some of the high-thrill rides, where riders can experience a maximum thrill of up to 3 G's. Wonder la also boasts of India's largest Indoor Musical Fountain & Laser Show apart from the Virtual Reality theatre that offers a complete multi-sensorial movie experience. Families can enjoy a number of water-based amusements that include two Wave Pools, two Play Pools, Lazy River and a variety of Water Slides. Wonder la is the only amusement park to provide heated water during winter months.

Wonder La meets the highest levels of Safety & Hygiene standards an amusement park can. The water used throughout the park undergoes multi-level purification processes that include the advanced Reverse Osmosis. Regular maintenance and inbuilt safety features of the various rides ensure safe and enjoyable experience for the riders. Six multi-cuisine restaurants spread across the park offer a veritable spread of tasty and hygienic Veg and Non-veg food.

Other unique amenities available at Wonder La include First Aid Counter, ISD / STD Telephone Booths, Locker Rooms, Baby Changing/Nursing Room, Credit Card Payment facility, parking space for over 1500 cars with restrooms for drivers all manned by efficient and friendly personnel. Park assistants and Life Guards are always at hand, for the help of visitors. For more details Phone : 08113-394441/2/3/5 or visit their website

NAGAVARA LAKE & LUMBINI GARDENS

The newest Water Park that is bringing joy and respite to Bangaloreans from the hot summer is the Lumbini Gardens on the Nagavara Lake.

Lumbini Gardens on the Nagawara lake front near Hebbal is an exclusive boating and leisure complex with a variety of entertainment activities introduced for the first time in Bangalore. The leisure park is set up at a cost of over Rs 10 crore.

Professional lifeguards enable an inexperienced boater to enjoy these rides and also to ensure ones complete safety on waters. One can endeavour different boats and water entertainment here from two seaters to 15 seaters. An array of boats, a floating coffee shop and many more form an attraction. In the next phase one can experience the pleasure of being virtually on a beach at the wave pool.

The park has been designed to cater to all ages, children can look forward to a rotating Carousal or enter in a land of fantasy with the Vortex, a new invention in entertainment.

There is also a water-skiing device for thrill seekers, alongside an exclusive speedboat. There are a variety of activities catering to children who can enjoy swings, spanish bullfights and the like. Food courts and restaurants are also a part of this affair. A Water treatment plant with a capacity to treat 5 lakh litres per day is being installed. A nursery with 20,000 plants of different species is being developed.

AQUARIUM

Located in Cubbon Park, Bangalore's Aquarium is just the place for a fascinateing trip to the underwater world, both for Children and adults. Housed in an octagonal building, it is a fresh water Aquarium, exhibiting a variety of fishes, indigenous as well as exotic. The building also houses the Aquarists Society of Karnataka who are involved in the sale of fish tanks, fish and accessories. Apart from popularising the keeping of ornamental fish in schools and hospitals they also are involved in organising exhibitions, seminars, slide shows, lectures and imparting training to maintain ornamental fish.

It is open from 10 am to 5:15 pm on all days except Mondays and second Tuesday of every month and on general holidays. The entrance fee is Re 1/- for children below 5 years and Rs 2/- for others

PLANETARIUM

Established in 1989 and located near the Raj Bhavan, the Planetarium is a visual delight for children and adults. The sound and light show - "The Sky Theatre Show" about the marvels of the universe, the planets and the solar system, is designed to be informative and entertaining. The theatre can seat up to two hundred and ten persons.Entry is restricted to children below 5 years. Tickets are priced at Rs.10/- for persons below 16 years and at Rs 15/- for persons above 16 years.Daily shows: 3:00 pm in Kannada, 4:30 pm in English. The Planetarium is closed on every Monday and second Tuesday of the month.

Fun World

Fun World is a World of Wonders & created specially for everyone in the family especially the kids. Fun World is a 12 acre Disney Land Like Amusement Park, tucked into Palace Grounds, Bangalore. For our littlest visitors, Fun World has rides that are safe & good fun,

VISHVESHVARAYA INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM

This museum is a tribute to the brilliance of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, one of the architects of modern Karnataka. Browse through this building to get an idea of working models of different machines. One of the specialties of the museum is the mobile science exhibition which tours the state the whole year round. It displays an airplane and steam engine in its compound. There is a comprehensive range of exhibits on electronics,motor power and the uses and properties of wood and metal. Inside there are five galleries, each dedicated to a particular aspect of technology.

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM

This is one of the oldest museums in the country and was opened in 1886. It has 18 galleries housing Neolithic finds from the Chandravalli excavations and from the Indus Valley. It also has an exquisite collection of coins, art, textiles, Thanjavur paintings and Vijaynagar, Hoysala sculptures as well as some fine pieces from Halebid and some antique jewelry and geology. The Museum is on Kasturba road along the southern edge of

Cubbon Park. It is terribly maintained but it is worth a visit. (Timings: daily 10 am - 5 pm;except Mon Admission: free)

The State Archeological Museum

Situated in Cubbon Park this is similar to the Attara Kacheri with the same red colour and architectural style. The original block was designed and built by Colonel Sankey, in 1876. Several wings have been added on in

the later years, all of which remarkably conform to the parent style. The original collection in the museum belonged to B. L. Rice of the Mysore Gazetteer. Being one of the oldest museums in the country, it has an exquisite collection of coins, sculptures, old paintings, inscriptions and excavated items. Timings: 10 am to 5 pm . Monday is a holiday. Admission is by tickets. 

 

LAL BAGH

Surrounding one of the towers erected by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore, is the 240 acre landscaped Lal Bagh gardens. Haider Ali, the warrior-king of Mysore, decided to create this garden in 1740 on the lines of the Mughal Gardens that were popular during his time and later improved upon by Tipu Sultan.

It houses a splendid collection of about 1,800 species of tropical, subtropical and medicinal plants brought from Persia, Afghanistan and France. Hyder Ali's son, Tipu Sultan, added to the beauty of the garden by publicising his wish to receive much-sought-after species of plants from visiting dignitaries.

With an intricate watering system for irrigation, Lal Bagh is aesthetically designed, with lawns, flower beds, lotus pools fountains and a floral clock. Most of the centuries old trees are labelled for easy identification. During season, the rose garden is beautiful to see. Apparently, when the young Tipu saw this profusely flowering rose garden he exclaimed, "Lal Bagh!" (Red Garden) and that is how Lal Bagh got its name! 

While walking around, do not miss the Lal Bagh Rock, one of the oldest rock formations on earth actually dating back to 3000 million years! Also worth seeing are the Kempe Gowda Tower and the Glass House which hosts exhibitions from time to time. The Glass House, a later addition to the Garden, now hosts a permanent flower show which is in addition to the extravaganza held every year on Independence Day and Republic Day.

There is an extensive horticultural seedling center as well. The British brought in gardeners from Kew in 1856 and built a military bandstand and a glasshouse, which is based on London's Crystal Palace and hosts flower shows. Hemmed in by champaka trees and pencil cedars, the glass house has played host to several visiting dignitaries like Gandhiji, Rabindranath Tagore and Queen Elizabeth II. Flower exhibitions are held here during Republic and Independence Day. One of Kempa Gowda's original watchtowers rests on the Lal Bagh rock and you can check out the surreal floral clock (gifted by HMT) surrounded by Snow White and the seven dwarfs.

The Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, as it is called now, is open to public from 9 am to 6 pm for a nominal fee of Rs.2/- for persons above 12 yrs. In addition, for the benefit of early morning joggers, and fitness freaks, the gates are open from 6 am to 9 am and 6 pm to 7 pm, when entry is free of charge. Entry for school children and the disabled is free.

Cubbon Park

On a grassy expanse over a few hundred acres in the centre of Bangalore is the Cubbon Park, planned and laid out in 1864 by Sir Richard Sankey, the then Chief Engineer of Mysore. It is named after Sir Mark Cubbon, Bangalore's longest serving Commissioner. Lawns with vibrant flower beds, shady bowers and flowering trees, make this an ideal place for fitness freaks and the elderly to take their morning jogs or evening walks.

The Park has elegant classical buildings like Attara Kacheri (the Karnataka High Court) and the Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Government Museum, Aquarium, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall all of which are well known. Besides these, it also houses Bal Bhavan - an amusement park for children. Cubbon Park is open to the public at all times, but is closed to traffic from 5 am to 8 am every day. In spite of the monstrous pollution in the city, it still remains an Oasis of greenery in the heart of modern Bangalore. Situated close to the High Court is the State Central Library, worth a visit for its rare treasure of books and building has the

"pompeian red" colour and architectural style of stone and fluted pillars, with walls finished in lime plaster. Apart from its rich flora, Cubbon Park houses a number of other institutions of significance like the Cheshire Dyer Memorial Hall, Ottawa Chatter, Century Club and the Press Club

ART GALLERIES & CULTURAL CENTRES

Venkatappa Art Gallery

(Kasturba Road, Bangalore - 560 001 Ph: 22864483)

If you are an art lover, then this is the place you must visit with plenty of time at your disposal to derive maximum satisfaction.

The gallery has about 600 paintings, which are on display throughout the year. The art gallery, which is divided into two halls, has stone sculptures from the Mathura and Khajarao schools of art. The other hall is dedicated to pottery and clay articles belonging to the Indus Valley civilisations. It also exhibits 20th century landscapes and the occasional contemporary art show.On the ground floor, the paintings of K. Venkatappa, born in 1887 to a family of court painters, are on display. His works include a panoramic view of the Ooty Lake, view from Church Hill - Ooty, Nilgiri Mountains, Kodaikanal, Sunrise in Ooty, a painting on Monsoon and various other sketches.

On the first floor, the works of M. F. Hussain, Vasudev, Hanumaiah, Hariram, Rekha Rao, Yusuf Arakkal and N. S. Bendre along with various other artists are on display.On the same floor is a section dedicated to C. P. Rajaram's exquisite wood carvings

This floor is also available for exhibiting work by other artists. The second floor is solely dedicated to K.K Hebbar - the "Hebbar Section". His paintings on the elements are titled Vayu, Jala, Prithivi, Sea Shore, In Space, Nagamandala, Agni, Last Glimpse and Death. It also includes numerous sketches labeled Japan, Bali village, Mother and so on. (Timings: daily except Mon 10 am - 5 pm; Admission: Rs 10)

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat

(Kumara Krupa Road, Bangalore Phone 22261816)

Opened on June 25, 1976 in the heart of Bangalore, Chitra Kala Parishad has a unique collection of traditional paintings, leather puppets and artefacts of Karnataka. It has a graphic studio, sculpture studio and an open-air theatre. Many of the works on display, belong to the students of the Parishat.

The paintings on display here are on different media like Oil on Canvas, Watercolors, Mixed Media, Etching, Lithography and many more. The prices range from Rs 3000/- onwards, and each work of art is categorised individually, displaying the name of the artist, media used, cost and size of the canvas. Some of the paintings are not for sale. There are a number of exhibit halls in the first floor of the Parishat, which include the Roerich and Kejriwal gallery. The paintings of Nicholas Roerich have been placed in two different galleries called Roerich I and II.

The paintings are arranged in an orderly fashion at a convenient height with adequate illumination to bring out the depth in these paintings.

And then there are the Chitrakala Parishat Collections, a permanent exhibition of the paintings collected by the Parishat over a period of time.

The Chitrakala Parishat is open to the public on all days between 10 am and 5 pm. However, the Parishat's personal collections, including the Roerich and Kejriwal Galleries are closed daily between 2 pm and 3 pm.

A recently concluded exhibition called "Exposition 2000" had a collection of works created by the students of fine arts, which included Posters, Cards, Calendars, Photographs and many more which came under the category of "Applied Art". The idea behind this was to apply art to all possible fields and use it as a medium of communication.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

(Race Course Road, Bangalore Ph: 2265746/2267303)

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan which has centres all over India, is an organisation for education in the fields of culture and literature. Seminars, discussions and literary forums are held regularly on various subjects. The Bhavan also has an extensive library of both fiction and non-fiction. Classes are held in Indian painting, Indian music, Indian dance, the Bhagawad Gita, the Upanishads, Yoga, Sanskrit and the Brahmashastras. Bhavan which is situated on the Race Course Road is open

Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5.30 pm and from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm on Saturdays.

Chowdaiah Memorial Hall Sankey Road.

This is a hall built in the shape of a violin, in the memory of the violin maestro T. Chowdaiah. With modern acoustics including floodlights and spotlights, speakers and amplifiers, it is a popular venue for plays and dance recitals as well as the occasional fashion show. It is a multipurpose airconditioned hall which has a seating capacity of over 2500 people. It is the venue for most of the cultural events held in Bangalore.

Craft Council of Karnataka 37, 17th cross, Malleshwaram.

The council focuses on organising exhibitions, workshops and lectures on handicrafts and Indian handlooms.

Puttana Chetty Town Hall

Built in the European-Classical style, this structure was built in honour of K Puttanna Chetty. It has a fairly large auditorium. The Hall is booked almost through out the year with meetings, plays, magic shows, dance and other performances. This Town Hall was opened in 1935 and can accomodate an auidience of 900 people. Town Hall is also an important landmark of Bangalore

Ravindra Kalakshetra

Situated next ot the Town Hall on the JC Road, this is another huge auditorium where plays, drama and dance competitions are frequently held. Built during the centenary year of Rabindranath Tagore, this is a fine theatre for dance and drama and can accomodate and audience of about 1500 people.

Opposite to the Kalakshetra is the ADA Ranga Mandira which is a new addition for the cultural loving people of Bangalore.

Indian Institute of World Culture

It is situated at B P Wadia Road in Basavanagudi.. It has a well equipped library with a variety of books & manuscripts. It conducts summer courses for children.

The British Council Library 29, St Marks Road.

A good library with a collection of more than 4000 books. The library also has a section that features educatinal audio and videotapes. Open from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm every day except on Sundays and Mondays. The annual subscription fee is Rs 500.

Max Muller Bhavan , CMH Road Indiranagar

Founded in 1960, with an aim to bind India and Germany culturally through information and education. The bhavan offers short term and long term German courses and also conducts seminars, exhibitions and workshops. A wing of the Indo-German Cultural Society of India, Max Muller Bhavan works at bridging the cultural gap between India and Germany. There is a library, and occasional film screenings.

Alliance Francaise 16, G M T Road.Vasanthnagar, Bangalore-560052

The French Embassy's culture shop. It holds exhibitions, cultural activities and film shows at regular intervals. The Alliance Francaise also boasts of an art gallery, video library, dance studio, cafeteria and an Asterix Club that will delight children.

OTHER ART GALLERIES OF INTEREST

Art House

416, Ist Cross, ISEC Main Road, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru-72. www.arthousebengaluru.com

E-Mail: kp_arthouse@yahoo.co.in

Abstract Art Gallery

#8, Next to Svisti, Cunningham Rd., Bangalore-560052

Ph: - 51235444

Bangalore Art Gallery

544, CMH Road, Ist Stage, Above Food World,

Indiranagar, Bangalore-560038

Bangalore Art Studio

Gravure & Flexo 1-PCRd, Balepet Cross, Bangalore

Ph: 22873068

Crimson

28, Ist Floor Safina Plaza, Infantry Road, Bangalore- 560 001

Ph; :25592251

Coral Art Gallery

2926, 14th Cross, K.R. Road

Banashankri 2nd Stage

Bangalore - 560 070

Tel:2676 5920

Fax:4169 2995

Corridors of Colour

47, The Central Park Hotel, Dickenson Road, Bangalore,

Ph: 25584242

Drishti Art Gallery

SG 14, Manipal Center, Dickenson Road,

Bangalore-560042

Ph: 25092062

Earthern Symphony

299, 6th Main, Defence Colony, Indira Nagar,

Bangalore

Ph: 25281101

Ethos Art and Design Studio

296-B, 9th 'A' Main, 38th Cross, Jayanagar 5th Block,

Bangalore

Ph: 26630706

Gallery Sumukha

24/10, 7th Main Road, Wilson Garden, Bangalore

Ph: 91-80-2286782

Gallery G

Maini Sadan, 38 Lavelle Road 7th Cross,

Bangalore-560001

Ph: 22219275

Gallery Lavelle

497,CMH Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore- 560 038

Ph: 22236677

Gallerie Mantram

CFD, 5th Floor, Sona Towers,71, Millers Road, Bangalore

Galleryske

'The Presidency', # 82, St. Marks Road, Bangalore

Tel:4112 0873, 6595 1972

Fax:2223 8312

Gallerie Zen

1919, 1st Floor, 30th Cross, 14th Main, Banashankari 2nd Stage, Bangalore-70

Ph: 26710412

Hatworks Boulevard

32, Cunningham Road, Bangalore-560 052

Ph:22250174

Husain Saunkalana

32 ST Bed, 4th Blk 80ft Rd, Koramangala, Bangalore

Ph: 25533043/1210

Java City Studio

24/1, Lavelle Road, Bangalore

Phone: 2221 5779.

MITHILAsmita Art Gallery,

Opp. Brigade Millenium, Puttanahalli Main Road,

J P Nagar 7th Phase, Bangalore- 78

Store timings: 3PM- 9 PM weekdays 11 AM- 9 PM SAT & SUN

Monday holiday

www.mithilasmita.com

Max Mueller Art Gallery

716, Indiranagar, CMH Road, Bengaluru, 560038

Phone: 2520 5305

Mahua Art Gallery

151, Rajmahal vilas Stage -2 1st Block (Dollar's Colony)

2nd Main Road Bangalore - 560 094

Ph: 23517288 / 98

Magnitude Gallery

No. 140/13, 27th cross

3rd Block, Jayanagar

Bangalore - 560 011

Tel:+(91)- 99001 17201

Masters Gallery of Fine Arts

1209, 100 Ft. Road

Indiranagar, HAL II Stage

Bangalore - 560 038

Tel:2520 3535

Fax:2520 3838

Norman Guido

34, M.E.G. Officers Colony

Banaswadi Road

Bangalore - 560 033

Tel: 2547 8319

Renaissance Gallerie

104, Westiminster Cunningham Road, Bangalore

Right Lines Art Gallery

#270, 1st floor, 1st Main, Defence Colony,

Indiranagar, Bangalore-560 038.

Ph:25272827

Sasha

2041, 17 Mn, I Crs, HAL 2 Stg,

Indiranagar-Bangalore

Srishti

777/B, 100 Ft Rd, HAL II Stg, Indira Nagar, Bangalore

Thalanki International

PB #7569, #77 Paris Corner, Hospital Rd

Ballepet Cross

Bangalore

Time & Space Art Gallery

Lavelle Rd, Bangalore

Phone: 2299 6563.

Westminister Art Gallery

# 25, Windsor Manor Sheraton,Sankey Road, Bangalore,

Phone: 2226 9898.