Bangalore Public Transport

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) has reasonably good public transport system. The main mode of local transport are auto rickshaws and buses. People who can afford can also choose variety of metered taxis. The local travel by train is still in infancy stage with the construction of Metro still in progress.

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) runs bus services for traveling within the city. It has added or replaced its fleet of buses with the introduction of new buses. The service has been upgraded with the introduction of air-conditioned buses.

If one knows time required to travel before hand and are familiar with the routes, then these buses are the best mode of transport. The air-conditioned Volvo or Marcopolo buses are favorite mode of transport for people especially those who travel long distance to reach the office. These buses run on time and people can reach office at the right time.

Daily and monthly passes are available for regular and Volvo services. Different passes are also available for Senior citizens.

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Bangalore, Silicon Valley of India

Bangalore, the capital of the Karnataka state is popularly known as Silicon Valley of India as major IT players have their offices here and this place is the major source of IT man power.

The history of the city dates back to 9th century and since it has been ruled by the rulers of various dynasties till the independence of India. Most prominent among them is Kempe Gowda I, a vassal of the imperial Vijayanagara Empire and he is known as founder of the city.

The city has various historical as well as modern world attractions. The most prominent among them are:

• Lalbagh Gardens
• Cubbon Park
• Tipu Sultan's Palace
• Bangalore Palace
• Vidhana Soudha
• Government Post Office
• Town Hall
• Karnataka High Court
• HAL Heritage Museum
• Bangalore Public Library
• Mayo Hall
• Dakshinamukhy Nandeeshwara Temple
• Bull Temple
• ISCON Hare Krishna Temple
• Gavi Gangadeshwara Cave Temple
• Hebbal Lake
• Sankey Tank

Bangalore is also known by the name Garden City due to various gardens through out the city. There are various flowering trees on either side of the roads in most areas adding color to the city.

There are various lakes through out the city to add value to scenic beauty of the city along with gardens. Below is the glimpse of Sankey Tank.

Bangalore well connected to other city's through road, train, and air. Locally buses operated by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation are an important means of public transport available in the city other than autos and cars.

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Lalbagh Gardens - Bonsai, Bangalore

Inside the Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore (State: Karnataka) the Bonsai Park is spread across 2.5 acres.

The various Bonsai trees are kept on the benches arranged in a particular format making it convenient for public.

There are around 500 bonsai plants aging from 5 to 35 years. Trees such as Jackfruit, Tamarind, Banyan tree etc., here are grown in pots in the miniature form.

The Bonsai Park is entered through the the 40-foot-high pagoda gate. Bonsai Park was opened for public from the first half of the year 2011.

Flowering Tree - African Tulip Tree

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) known as Garden City true to its name as lot of flowering trees on either side of most of the roads. They bloom with flowers of various colors. One such tree is African Tulip Tree also known as Spathodea Campanulata.

The cup shaped deep-orange flowers attract nectar-feeding birds and insects. The flower buds form a ball-shaped cluster and these buds contain water. The outer buds bloom first before the inner ones. The flowers in clusters stand out from the rest of the green foliage around it.

When in full bloom this tree is a grand sight to watch. Most of the year the tree has dark green leaves.

The tree grows as wide as it grows tall producing an immense shade.

Lalbagh Flower Show - January 2011

Every year in the month of January and August, the Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore hosts Flower Show. If in Bangalore around this time one should not miss the event.

In the month of January, it is usually organized for 10 days from January 17th to 26th. The theme for this year is metro transport system. To ease the traffic in city the metro train project is currently in progress.

This year another attraction at the event is one of the original city gate towers. It is beautifully made from colorful roses.

On display were lot of varieties of Anthuriam, Orchids, Celosia and Dianthus among others.

Every day thousands people enjoy the beauty of these flowers on display. It is mostly crowded in the evening on the weekdays. Best time to be in this place is the early afternoon. I had been here on the weekend afternoon. Even though it was crowded I had enough space to take some snaps.

Very minimal entrance fee is charged for the show. No charges for camera.

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Poinsettia

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore the Garden City is a lush green paradise with an area of 240 acres in the heart of the city.

Recently I had been to Lalbagh with guests. As they were the plant lovers they wanted to check out the nursery. Since, it was the December month we could see the Poinsettia the Christmas Flower.

In Mexico, it is also known as the "Flower of Holy Night".

Flowering Tree - Red Bottle Brush

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) known as Garden City true to its name as lot of flowering trees on either side of most of the roads. They bloom with flowers of various colors. One such tree is Bottle Brush tree also known as Callistemon.

The flowers are bright red, and attract nectar-feeding birds and insects. The flower spikes of this tree are made of several individual flowers. The name is apt as can bee seen from the bright red flowers which have the shape of a bottle brush.

The tree grow only as big as 15 feet. They enhance the beauty of any garden. They grow superbly in the regions where the climate is warm, humid, and receive full sunlight. The flowers produces small woody fruit that contain numerous seeds.

The fine leaves and the bright red inflorescence make this tree one of the beautiful trees that enhances the landscaping of any gardens or parks.

Flowers of Cubbon Park, Bangalore

The Cubbon Park or "Sri. Chamarajendra Park" in the heart of the Bangalore (State: Karnataka) city and it occupies around 250 acres of area.

It is home for several variety of flowers.

Festival of Lights

Deepavali is rightly called "Festival of Lights" as can be seen from the images here. It is celebrated for 5 days and on all nights the sky is lighted by bursting crackers.

The crackers light the sky with various designs and patterns.

These are some of the images on the night of Deepavali sky over Bangalore.

At this time in India the sky is brightly lighted.

Queen Victoria Statue, Bangalore

Cubbon Park in Bangalore (State: Karnataka) is one of the biggest parks in the city. There are several statues installed in this park.

In the year 1906, the Statue of Queen Victoria of Britain is installed in this park.

This statue is located at one end of the park near Mahatama Gandhi Circle.

Flowering Tree - Bauhinia Variegata

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) known as Garden City true to its name as lot of flowering trees on either side of most of the roads. They bloom with flowers of various colors. One such tree is Bauhinia Variegata popularly known as "Orchid Tree"

It is an ornamental tree grown in subtropical and tropical climates from southern China west to India. The flowers are conspicuous, bright pink or white, 8-12 cm diameter. These scented flowers have only five petals.

It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10-12 m tall. The leaves of the tree are broad and split in the middle.

During the season the tree is full of flowers and with green leaves and pink flowers they look lovely.

Lalbagh Flower Show August 2010, Bangalore

Every year in the month of January and August, the Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore hosts Flower Show. If in Bangalore around this time one should not miss the event.

In the month of August, it is usually organized for 10 days from August 6th to 15th. The theme for this year is to show respect to all the martyrs and freedom fighters of our country.

This year the main attraction is the monument India Gate, beautifully made from more than 250,000 roses, a fitting tribute to the Indian soldiers.

On display were around 260 varieties of Anthuriam, Orchids, Celosia and Dianthus among others.

Every day thousands people enjoy the beauty of these flowers on display. It is mostly crowded in the evening on the weekdays. Best time to be in this place is the early afternoon. I had been here on the weekend afternoon. Even though it was crowded I had enough space to take some snaps.

Very minimal entrance fee is charged for the show. No charges for camera.

Aircraft at Minsk Square, Bangalore

The aircraft, Ajeet, is a single-seater interceptor with a secondary ground-attack role. It was used by Air Force from 1975 to 1991. Ajeet was later shifted to Minsk Square, Bangalore where it was stationed for nearly 20 years.

But owing to the construction of Metro train route this has been shifted out of this place to HAL Heritage Museum. The image above no longer is the common sight at this place.

Lalbagh Gardens, Bangalore

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore the Garden City is a lush green paradise with an area of 240 acres in the heart of the city.

It was started by King Hyder Ali, the ruler of old Mysore in 1760. It was further developed by his son Tipu Sultan and subsequently by the British and Indian doyens of horticulture. In 1856, it was given the status of a Government Botanical Garden. From then onwards, it has been an internationally renowned center for scientific study of plants and botanical artwork and also conservation of plants.

Lalbagh is home for tees, shtubs, plants from all over the world. The rarest variety of trees can be seen here. The main attractions here are:

• Floral Clock
• Tree Fossil
• Glass House
• Directorate Building
• Guard Room
• Lake
• Band Stand
• Pigeon House
• Bonsai Park
• Cacti Park
• Topiary Garden
• Bombax Tree
• Kempegowda Tower
• Pigeon Colony
• Lecture Hall
• Trees and Flowers
• Nursery
  

Flowering Trees - Indian Cork Tree

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) is slowly changing from the Garden City to concrete jungle. However, some of the trees that helped it to earned its name, still adorned the streets of Bangalore. One such tree that can be seen around is Indian Cork Tree or popularly known in local language as "Aakash Mallige". In other words it is known as "Jasmine in the Sky"

This tree grows tall and straight, with the branches covered with whitish flowers. Though the flowers of this tree are not like any other bright ornamental, they have a very nice fragrance.

The trumpet-shaped flowers are white and borne in clusters. They form a carpet on the ground during the flowering season.

The bark of the tree has deep fissures and is used as cork, hence the name. This tree can be still seen in Bangalore a lot on either sides of the road.

Flowering Trees - Jacaranda

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) is slowly changing from the Garden City to concrete jungle. However, some of the trees that helped it to earned its name, still adorne the streets of Bangalore. The beauty of these flowering trees is appreciated and cherished. It is pleasure to move on the streets of Bangalore with all the trees around you.

One such tree is beautiful Jacaranda flower tree. Mostly the tree bears flowers when the tree is leafless.

The flowers are purple colored and tubular. These flowers hang from the tree for a long time before falling off.