A bit more

If you have got the travel bug, don't resist, give in! You couldn't have chosen a better place than Karnataka. Karunadu - the elevated land, blessed with beautiful locales is a delightful place with an amalgamation of various rich cultures, crafts, heritage centers et al., It has an enviable posterity and presents much to be discovered. Travel on…

Bangalore, located 1000 Mts. above sea level, this city was formed by Kempegowda. This city also is a gateway to Southern India. People on their way to Ooty, Kodaikanal, Madras, Kanyakumari, Mangalore etc., for that matter even Karnataka, stop here as it acts as a center point to all the other places and is well connected to other major cities. Today it has almost become the fifth metro of India and is fastest growing city in Asia. Its known as The Garden City of India & The Neon City. Bangalore is really a cool place to be in if you want to relax as well as enjoy your life. Details given here make a perfect guide for tourists and enrich the knowledge of local people about the city and state.

AUTORICKSHAWS: The only reasonable way to get around. Mostly available, accommodating and honest. The odd opportunist is to be expected. Plenty of autos in Central Bangalore. Getting one in a residential area late at night is difficult. Do not pay over the meter unless you want to tip. (See section on ‘Tipping’). After 10 pm, autos generally charge 100% over the meter. They may charge extra to go to remote areas.

If invited for dinner, do not hesitate to ask your host to drop you back or arrange a ride. Bangaloreans usually go out of their way. If a taxi is too expensive, hire an auto for the round trip - fix price in advance and tell the auto driver clearly what time you will expect to return. Restaurants will help you get an auto.

RADIO TAXIS: The city’s new service. Call 5510000, 3320152, 3487192, 3327589

PRIVATE TAXIS: Check under ‘Car Rentals’.

BUSES: Avoidable (except for residents).

TIPPING: This is indicative advice: In restaurants and hotels, tips are pooled and shared by all working staff. Be generous - most service people run their lives on tips more than salaries. When in doubt, 10% will do nicely. Remember we are not a rich city and anything of gratuity is appreciated.

Fancy RESTAURANTS: 10%; Not so fancy restaurants & pubs- 10% (max: Rs. 100/-); Cafes - Rs. 10/-. AUTORICKSHAWS: All small change (plus Rs. 2/- if the driver was nice). HOTEL STAFF: Depends on how happy you are.

DRIVERS: Rs. 20/- for lunch and dinner each, plus a gratuity depending on how you much you liked the driving. ATTENDANTS: Rs. 2/-.

Tip more if you can afford it. (It won’t go unrewarded.)

BARGAINING: When buying in bulk, ask for a discount - shopkeepers do oblige. Otherwise, fixed price is (sadly) the convention.

RETURNS/EXCHANGES: Bangalore shops are very understanding. But remember to keep your purchase bills safe.

PHONES: Carry a lot of Re. 1/- coins for pay phones. Or look for the "ISD/STD" signs. Pay per computer printout. The GPO (posts) and CTO (phones) on Cubbon Rd. are efficient and open from 1000 - 1900 Mon - Sat and till 1330 on Sun.

DRESS: Informal. Skimpily dressed women (no matter how normal by western standards) will be stared at. Wear jeans or skirts and you won’t feel uncomfortable. Suits for business meetings.

ETIQUETTE: Bangaloreans are informal. But in some homes you must take off your shoes before entering. A pile of shoes at the front door is a good indication. No footwear in most places of worship.

INVITATIONS: It is fashionable to be late in Bangalore. If you are invited at 8pm, it’s expected that you won’t arrive until 9pm. Wine (extremely expensive) is not commonly drunk. Mixed drinks are popular. People generally drink until dinner is served (often not till midnight.) Good idea to grab a bite before you go. Dinner also signals the end of the party. So, it isn’t impolite to eat and run.

EATING OUT: Bars close at 11pm (last orders 10:30 pm). Some restaurants stay open till midnight. Eating out after pub closing is best in a 24-hour coffeeshop in the bigger hotels.

HEALTH: Drink mineral water or aerated drinks. (Or beer.) Toilet paper may not always be available. Carry a roll.

BEGGARS: Instead of giving them money, give them edibles, like cookies or bananas.

CRIME: Bangalore is relatively safe. The police confirm that organised crime is minuscule. Still, be careful. Don’t flash wads of notes. If in doubt, check routes in advance. Leave valuables/ passports in the hotel safe ... or with someone safe.

About Bangalore

Bangalore is booming, and a look at some of its nicknames says why: "India's Silicon Valley", "Fashion Capital of India", "The Pub City of India", and on. Home to well over 6 million people, and a base for 10,000 industries, Bangalore is India's fifth largest city and the fastest growing city in Asia.

The capital of the state of Karnataka, Bangalore is situated halfway betwen the coasts in southern India. The city was founded in the 16th century, and witnessed great southern dynasties like the Kadambas, the Hoysalas and Vijayanagar emperors. Legend has it that the name Bangalore comes from "boiled beans" (Benda Kaluru), which were served by a humble old lady to a hungry ruler in the 10th century.

Surprisingly, despite some adverse environmental impact of industrial development in Bangalore, another of its nicknames is "The Garden City". That's thanks to many local parks, along with pink cassias, golden acacias, and jacarandas which bloom throughout the city.

Many international visitors come to Bangalore for its excellent schools and universities, such as the Indian Institute of Science. While enjoying the warm weather year-around, tourists can also use the city as a central base for day trips to other Karnataka attractions. And Bangalore doesn't only produce fine silk and software. "The Fruit Market of the South" is great for grapes, mangoes and guavas.

Last but not the least, Bangalore is even gaining the status of the "Floriculture Capital" due to the present blossoming of flower exports from the city. Because of its rich stone resources, Bangalore is also known as the "Stone City", for its granite deposits.