National Gallery of Modern Art
Housed in a century-old mansion, the former vacation home of the raja of Mysuru, this world-class art museum showcases an impressive permanent collection (and exhibitions). The Old Wing exhibits works from pre-Independence, including paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and Abanindranath Tagore.
Connected by a pedestrian bridge, the sleek New Wing focuses on contemporary post-Independence works by artists including Sudhir Patwardhan and Vivan Sundaram. Guided walks (11.30am Wednesday, 3pm Saturday) are a great way to learn about the museum's highlights.
Bangalore Palace
Established in 1878 by Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar, the Bangalore Palace is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. Wander past pristine Gothic-style stained glass windows, Victorian-style furniture, ornate carvings, turreted parapets and fortified towers, then step onto the serene verdant lawns. The palace also houses paintings from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, plus family pictures and other memorabilia. Additionally, it also serves as the venue for various cultural shows and concerts, so keep your eyes peeled for cool events.
Tipu Sultan's Palace and Fort
Situated inside the Bangalore Fort area, Tipu Sultan's Palace was originally built by Chikkadeva Raya using mud. Later, Hyder Ali started reconstruction in Indo-Islamic architecture. This was completed by his son, Tipu Sultan, in 1791.
The Hindu temple seen in the courtyard of the fort is the proof of Tipu Sultan's religious tolerance. The palace is open daily from 8.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. Combine visiting it with nearby Krishna Rajendra Market.
Cubbon Park
This park is a major sightseeing attraction, with 300 acres of green foliage. Having been laid down by Lord Cubbon, it is an ideal place for nature lovers seeking a calm atmosphere. It features a bandstand that hosts concerts. The Bangalore Aquarium is also situated in this park, and is a must visit area in Bengaluru, being the second largest aquarium in India.
ISKON Temple
It is said to be one of the largest ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temples in the world, which makes it worthy of a visit. The temple has four gopurams (towers), each connected to the other by a glazed-glass canopy.
The main shrine, called Rajagopuram, is known for its beautifully decorated idols of Sri Radha-Krishna; plus the ceilings are adorned with magnificent paintings that depict Lord Krishna’s pastimes. Prayers and recitals along with spiritual workshops are held regularly, and visitors are welcome to attend. There is also an ISKCON Vedic theatre, exhibit areas, a Vedic museum, an open-air amphitheatre and beautifully landscaped gardens within the premises.