The Vidhana Soudha is one of the most splendid architectural creations, India can boast of. Located at the north - west end of Cubbon Park , it is a granite structure built in the neo - Dravidian style of architecture. Conceived and executed by Kengak Hanumanthaiya, the then Chief Minister, it houses both the State Legislature and Secretariat.
Bangalore is also famous for its fine sprawling gardens, the notable amongst them being the Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park.The Lal Bagh , was laid out in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan. Spread over an area of 240 acres, the park contains a variety of plants and trees, a deer park , and one of the largest collections of rare tropical and sub - tropical plants, in the country. The Glass House, a huge conservatory, a later addition, is the venue of the annual flower, vegetable and fruit shows.
The Cubbon Park , laid out in 1864, a brainchild of the British, covers an area of 300 acres. Within its premises are the Public Library , the High Court , the Government Museum and the Visveswaraiah Technological & Industrial Museum . The Attara Kacheri, as the High Court building is known in these parts, was built in 1864. The Government Museum , one of the oldest in India , came into being in 1886, and houses collections of coins, art, relics from the Mohenjodaro and also, some pieces from Halebid and Vijayanagar. Located near the City Market, are the remains of a fort dating back to the days of Hyder Ali, and also, Tipu Sultan's summer palace. The palace, an elaborately decorated structure, has ornate arches and minarets. A museum within, has on display, the life and times of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali.
Bangalore boasts of some of the oldest, and most beautiful temples in the country. Adjoining Tipu's summer palace is the Venkataramanaswamy Temple , a 300 year old temple built by the Wodeyars, which is still in very good condition. South of Bangalore, in Basavangudi, is the Bull Temple , built by Kempe Gowda. The deity is a massive 15 foot Basava or bull, which has been carved from a single boulder. Another impressive temple is the Gavi Gangadhareswara temple , an unusual cave temple. It has been designed in such a manner so that, on the festival of Sankranti, the rays of the sun pass between the horns of a Nandi Bull placed outside the temple, and thereby, illuminate the image of Lord Shiva. Another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the Someshwara Temple , built by Kempe Gowda, in Ulsoor.
The city also has its share of pleasant lakes, the principal amongst them being, the Ulsoor Lake , which also has boating facilities. The other lakes around Bangalore are the Sankey Tank, the Yediyur Tank and the Lal Bagh Lake .
Festival
The Karaga Festival that comes around in March/April, is celebrated with great pomp and show, at the Dharmaraya Temple . The Karaga, an earthen pot that stands for the goddess Shakti, is taken out in a procession at night. The pot is immersed in the Sampangi Tank, which is 20 km from the city.
It is not only the destination that creates magic. It is the getting there that defines how you experience the destination.
Bangalore is a vibrant cosmopolitan city, a major industrial and commercial center of the country. Kempe Gowda founded the city in the early 16th century. Two centuries later, it became an important fortress city under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The ruins of those periods can still be seen on the Bellary Road , at Lal Bagh, Ulsoor and Gavi Gangadhareswar Temple. 
