Travelers Best

Overview

Bangalore also known as Bengaluru has slowly transformed into a city packed with hotels, shopping complexes, bars and restaurants, making it one of the major tourist attractions in India. What has propelled the growth of Bangalore is its information technology sector. In the past decade Bangalore has become the focal point of IT, which has brought in a number of leading local companies and multinational companies to the city. This in turn has turned the city into a busy place for job hunters. The young workforce in Bangalore has got down to a lot of hard work to ensure the city keeps thriving and as a result, the city’s entertainment and vibrancy has grown.

However, away from the cosmopolitan city, Bangalore is still a charming and old fashioned place with its old buildings, ornate temples and street markets. There is something special for everyone that visits this vibrant and multinational city!

History

Whilst Bangalore has transformed into a modern city, its original roots were simpler. Dating far back into the 12th century, a south Indian King went on a hunting trip and became lost in the forest. There, he encountered a kind lady who gave him shelter and baked beans for the night. The King wanted to show his gratitude and he constructed a town called Benda Kalooru which meant baked beans in the local language. Begaluru became what it is known today as Bangalore. In the 16th century the town was further designed by Kempe Gowda, a local chieftain.

Sightseeing

There are a number of attractions in Bangalore, namely the Bangalore Palace. The Palace was built during the British Raj in 1880, replicating Windsor Castle. The Palace is situated in the north of the city. It is made of granite towers, Gothic battlements and windows and turrets along with splendid paintings and carvings. The Wodeyars of Mysore purchased the Bangalore Palace, and visitors will find some of the family residing there. The Bull Temple is another attraction that is a must see when visiting Bangalore. The temple dates back to the 16th century and holds Nandi the sacred bull made of giant granite. The temple is often used for wedding processions, music processions and prayer gatherings. Visitors can take a tour of the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Lalbagh refers to red garden which is filled with red roses and is situated in the south of the city. Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, his son, laid out the garden in the 18th century. Some of the trees that were planted at the beginning can still be seen. The botanical gardens hold rare tropical plants as well as a glasshouse which is a replica of the Crystal Palace in London.

Things to Do

Shopping in Bangalore is a fun activity, where visitors can shop around for beautiful silk saris, homemade crafts and arts. Bangalore has an abundance of shops filled with handicraft ornaments. The Commercial Street and MG Road hold such specialties like Silk carvings done on rosewood and sandalwood, soapstone sculptures, Lambani tribal jewelry and ample brassware. The local markets sell fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers. Visitors can stroll to the Russell Market in search of fresh products. Bangalore has air conditioned shopping centers selling American and European branded items.

Weather

The climate in Bangalore is very pleasant. April is the warmest month and has a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month in Bangalore and the temperature drops to 20 degrees Celsius. The tourist season is considered to be between June and September.

M.A.H.

In ancient India the seers communicated with nature and the higher spiritual forces, and the teachings that came forth from those communications was known as the Vedas, and the wisdom obtained through these higher states of mental peace was applied to shape the country.

With this in mind Maitreyi, a beautiful village that covers approximately 25 acres, was founded for those who wished to get away from the hectic day to day events of the city, a place where one may pursue a state of mental tranquility and inner happiness.

Located at the foothills of the western parts of Ghats, which contains some of the purest natural environments of the country, the village of Maitreyi was built there after the vision of the seers, and supported by a European group seeking Vedic knowledge.

Maitreyi is an eco friendly village, built near the Aliyar Dam Lake in Tamil Nadu, which is well known for its natural beauty, but even more for its healthy climate. The architecture and layout of Maitreyi itself is styled on the Vedic architectural knowledge, and caution has been taken to preserve the environment surrounding the village as much as possible.

While practicing organic farming, the practice of Vedas Organic farming techniques is a sight for sore eyes, enriching the natural scenery rather than disrupting it. Every activity is geared towards preserving nature instead of exploiting and destroying it.

Maitreyi is the location where tourists go for treatments involving meditation, enlightenment and Ayurvedic treatments, that looks at modern day tension as the cause for poor health. Those who have visited the village and participated in the treatments describe it as uplifting and relaxing.

Maitreyi is a place for relaxation, inner peace and healing, and well known amongst tourists as the place where one can rekindle the connection to our inner self.  Besides healings and meditation, there are lots of cultural happenings, involving traditional dances and musical performances, in celebration of cultural events according to the Vedas calendar. Tourists will experience what the wisdom of Vedas is all about.

In the village, classes are organized for experiencing several cleansing and rejuvenation therapies, while accommodated in beautiful traditional cottages. The experience will be a revelation to many tourists, who shall leave calmer and more balanced than ever before.

Besides the activities in Maitreyi it is also good to explore its surroundings, gaze at mystical waterfalls, and visit the ancient temples. For those that cannot stand to be away from the big city for too long, Coimbatore and Palghat are nearby with a population of 400 million, one will get a good impression of urban India.

Maitreyi is the perfect holiday destination for those who seek to recharge their batteries after a long period of hectic city life. It is a place of mystical peace and tranquility, where inner peace and higher states of being are practiced, taught and cherished, along with beautiful natural scenery, that amazes the eye, and installs awe in all that gaze upon it. Those that visit Maitreyi will leave feeling reborn and ready to take on the world once more!

M.A.H.