The garden city.

It was way back in 1537 Kempe Gowda-1 designed the city as it exists today.

The best place in the city especially for nature lovers like me is Cubbon Park, a sprawling 300 acre natural garden which attracts joggers in droves.

After a typically hectic day I love to drive down to Lal Bagh, another 240 acre sculpted garden and breathe in the clean, fresh air which is a blessing since the city is rather getting polluted with dust raised from automobiles. On weekends, people flock to the shopping centres of Central Bangalore, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Brigade Road and Commercial Street. Cauvery, The Government Handicraft Store, is a treasure house of beautiful hand made items and I think one can never go empty handed out of the store. Name anything from Household linen to DVDs, the stores have it all.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

There are private taxis too for those who do not mind spending more.

'City taxi'is another convenient mode of transportation where you can call and arrange for pick up.They are mostly reliable.

City buses should be avoided except for those who know the local language.

There are self-service counters for those in a hurry, apart from the AC and non AC segments.

The first time I went to the temple I expected the LINGAM- which is how the Hindu God Shiva, the destroyer of all evils is depicted commonly in most parts of India. But what I saw here was a huge statue of Shiva in yoga posture, the biggest in the world. The sight is indeed mesmerising.

The temple was built by the Melwanis, the owners of Kids Kemp on MG Road and Kemp Fort on Airport Road which are departmental stores catering to the elite of Bangalore. The Melwanis are philanthropists who run various charitable institutions.

There is a little pond in front of the idol. People chant 'OM NAMA SHIVAYA' 7 times, think of a wish and throw a coin into the pond. The wish will come true! There is also a box where one can drop a letter to God!!

Oh well, it's the faith that matters. Try it with utmost faith and see whether your wishes are granted.