Bangalore

A popular folklore attributes the name to King Veera Ballala II of the Hoysala Dynasty (12th century). The story goes that while hunting, the king lost his way in the forest. Starving, he stumbled upon a lonely hut where an old village woman kindly fed him a humble meal of boiled beans (Benda Kalu in Kannada). In gratitude, the king named the area Benda-Kalu-Ooru ("Town of Boiled Beans"). While it's a beloved legend, historical inscriptions prove the name Bengaluru existed long before this event.

Bangalore features two spectacular royal palaces: Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: Located near K.R. Market, it is a brilliant example of Indo-Islamic architecture made entirely of elegant teakwood, featuring beautifully carved arches and pillars. Bangalore Palace: Built in 1887 by the Wadiyar Dynasty, this grand structure was inspired by Windsor Castle in England, complete with Tudor-style architecture, fortified towers, and green ivy-covered walls.

​Garden City: The moniker comes from its incredible green spaces, predominantly Lalbagh Botanical Garden (commissioned by Hyder Ali) and Cubbon Park (laid out by the British), alongside its famously pleasant, moderate climate throughout the year. ​Silicon Valley of India: This refers to the city's position as the leading nation-wide exporter of information technology. It houses the headquarters of tech giants like Infosys and Wipro, along with thousands of global tech centers and startups.

The Chokkanathaswamy Temple in Domlur, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is widely considered the oldest surviving temple in the city, dating back to the 10th century during the Chola Dynasty. It features rare Chola architecture and inscriptions in old Tamil. Another incredibly old site is the Halasuru Someshwara Temple.