You could not run out of choices in Bengaluru, there being shopping malls, hotels, educational institutions, book shops, coffee houses and old-magazine-selling-cute-shops; among places to visit there. But, we feel you have to go through nature havens and flora and fauna of the city, once in India. Bengaluru has birding spots, national parks and botanical gardens throughout its contour. You just need to get out, take the plunge; and try the filter coffee and idli of South India! Wildest brings you some tourist spots, which perhaps could rarely be found in travel guide books and well-informed television shows (no pun intended for Fa-Hien, the ancient traveler).
Bannerghatta National Park
Image Source: Flickr Images
A sordid traveler who comes to ‘Bannerghatta National Park gets the sight of a Tiger, Jackal, Hyena, Sloth bears, Crocodiles, Monkeys, Elephants and Deers. The variety of butterflies that the traveler could photograph are Common lime, Blue Mormon and Striped Tiger. The park has to offers three types of safaris: Lion and tiger safari, herbivore safari and bear safari. As the name says, the herbivore Safari has plant-eating animals which could survive on eating plants like Bamboo, Anogeissus & Heteropogon. You (the traveler) could locate water bodies like Deepanker, Chennammanakere, Gowdana Kere, and Seegadikunte. Your thrill of wilderness could already be set and you could explore more (a must place to visit near Bengaluru.) The plants and trees also provide a unique setting to each nature haven and tranquilize your journey. The painting-like Mattubunde hill could just take your breath away. But take care to not play around with the animals as the act is penalized under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The zoo section of the park is a good one day picnic spot. Before you end your tour, you need to go to the dedicated-butterfly park created to sustain local butterfly population, a conservatory, breeding laboratory, museum and a shop. Bannerghatta National Park could give you a chic day, on your daily schedule. The sightseeing experience also revolves around the spiritual and you cannot leave the city without visiting the “Art of Living” International Centre, founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary, a man-made bird sanctuary
Image Source: Google Images
The bird sanctuary is located in a village (in Mandya district) which is named after a bird painted stork or “Kokkare” in the local parlance. It is best to visit the tourist spot between Decembers to March. Spot Billed Pelicans and painted storks are the common birds here. Bellur comes from the name of the famous Indian Jaggery. Other birds like little Cormorant, Black Ibis, Grey Heron, Black crowned Night Heron and Indian Pond Heron are also found here. One recommendation while visiting this nature haven is to drive here as there are not many hotels and restaurants. Do carry your own food too. You need to take the following route: Bengaluru, Bidali, Ramanagar and Channapatna. Before you reach Maddur you need to drive towards Maddur. After going twelve kilometers more inwards, you reach the tourist spot! The birds here live in harmony with the villagers and the villagers adopt the birds. It has also been featured on thebetterindia. You need to plan your trip on a good time in the cycle when: painted storks arrive, build a nest, chicks are born, chicks stand and walk! On your way out you could visit a Chola temple, which the locals could help you out with! Kokkare Bellur is on number two on nature haven and best places to visit near Bengaluru on our list.
Cubbon Park
Image Source: Google Images
Cubbon Park, a lung area in Bengaluru was created when the tourist spot fell under the Mysore administration. It hosts lovely flora, around 6000 plants and trees. Some of the fauna are:- artocarpus, cassia,fistula, ficus, polyalthia araucaria, bamboo, castanospermum austral it robusta, millettia, peltophorum, swietenia mahagoni, tabebuia. Some oriental trees found here are Grevillea robusta, delonix and the gulmohar tree.The park also has some buildings of historical importance attached like: Attara Kacheri, the Indira Priyadarshini Children’s Library, the Venkatappa Art Gallery, the Aquarium and YMCA. If you are a member of YMCA do check out their facilities!!
Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lalbagh Botanical Garden is another legacy-filled tourist spot. Purple Swamp hen, Pond Heron portrait, beauty of purple, Parakeets and Spot Billed Pelican, Paraiyah Kites are some of the birds on the tourist spot. The butterfly list include “Electric” leopard, Indian Cupid and Purple rumped sunbird. It’s is a good one day picnic spot. The garden has plenty of red roses, tropical plants and trees, a decorated flower clock and an imaginary lawn surrounded by Snow White and its seven dwarfs. It also houses the glasshouse, which is inspired by Crystal Palace in London. Lalbagh is not only a tourist spot but also a center of plant study. The garden was built by Hyder Ali and completed by his son Tipu Sultan, the bold Indian warrior. Have a nice day out at Lalbagh!
For botany buffs, see the horticulture department of Lalbagh here.
Nandi Hills
Image Source: Google images
Mountains are calling! It’s time to climb up in the layers of the atmosphere! Nandi Hills, a cloud-surrounded spectacular hill awaits you! Under the rule of the Chola king, it was called Ananda Giri, ‘or the hill of happiness.” The tourist spot could be on your one day picnic spot, leisure activity zone for a traveler. Students, honeymooners and families go to this place. Accommodation is available in Nehru House for tourists. Some other places around Nandi Hills worth a visit are: Amruth Sarovar, Tipu’s Summer Palace and Fort, Gavi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Fort, Horse Way, Palar River Origin, Brahmashrama, Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Tippu Drop, Arkavathi River Origin, Secret Passage, Children’s Playground and Muddena Halli. You could see this video for its charm. The hills are at a distance of 35 km from Bengaluru and at a height of 2400 m. You could go to the hills at any time of the year. Though, during rainy season it becomes quite wet. Go to the hill on early morning around 5:30 am, and leave accordingly from Bengaluru. You could go on a car or a bike. If you are driving, go slow as there are around 40 curves. Also, you could take the bus from “Bangalore Majestic” or “Kempegowda Bus Station (KBS).”Enjoy your weekend Getaway at Nandi hills!
In this blog , Wildnest would also like to introduce you to some birds in the outskirts of the city like: Common Kestrel, Montagu’s Harrier, Eurasian Collared Dove, White throated Kingfisher, thick-billed Flower pecker, Coppersmith Barbet, Oriental White Eye, Jacobin Cuckoo, Jerdon’s leaf birds, yellow-eyed babbler, white-checkered barbet, Asian koel, Shaheen Falcon, Yogi Kestrel, White-cheeked barbet, White-browed Bulbul, Indian Pitta, Thirsty white-rumped Munia, jungle bush quails, black winged kite, southern Coucal, dual bills. Such is the varied birds in Bengaluru.
Hope you have a lovely birding experience in the “City of Gardens.”
