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The city of Bengaluru lures you into its fold with its vibrant cosmopolitan culture, ever pleasant weather, spacious gardens, tree lined avenues, a profusion of flowering trees, lakes and parks. The magnificent historical monuments in the city stand testimony to its remarkable culture and heritage. Bengaluru, popularly known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, is also a popular science, industrial and educational centre. Even though it is one of India’s fastest growing cities, there has been a significant effort from the side of the administration and individuals to take stock of the past and properly archive and maintain relics and heritage buildings. The city is home to a wide range of museums and art centres, each of them opening up a different world to experience.
This splendid museum, dedicated to the memory of Bharat Ratna awardee M. Visvesvaraya, the architect of modern Karnataka, houses various technical inventions and offers you a glimpse into the history of technological development in the country. A major attraction here is a 1:1 scale replica of the Wright Brothers’ Flyer, the World’s first piloted aircraft, and a ‘Flyer Simulator’ that offers a delightful experience to visitors. At the Dinosaur Corner, one can also witness the movement and sound of a life-sized animated Spinosaurus.
Reputed to be one of the oldest museums in the country, the Government Museum is a remarkable treasure trove of archaeological items such as stone carvings, pottery, paintings, coins and inscriptions. A prominent attraction in this museum is the first ever recorded Kannada inscription – the Halmidi inscription (450 AD) and Atakur inscription (949 AD) slabs.
Located adjacent to the Government Museum, Venkatappa Art Gallery is home to the magnificent paintings and art materials of the renowned artist Venkatappa, as well as those of others.
HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum was established by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The museum displays a varied collection of aircraft models, fighter planes and helicopters. The museum also houses a reference library, aircraft simulators, a mock air traffic control tower and an aeromodelling club.
The NIMHANS heritage museum tells us the story of the rise of National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) from a 19th century mental asylum to a leading nationwide establishment, in a 7-zone interactive centre.
Here’s the ideal place for star gazers and astronomy buffs. Gaze at the night sky studded with innumerable stars, and watch “The Sky Theatre Show” which takes you through the amazing phenomena in the universe, planets and the solar system.
Located close to the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park was inaugurated in 1995 and is the first computerized fountain park in India. The spectacle of streams of water getting into the groove, and swaying, spinning and dancing to the music is truly a sight to behold. The fountain is flanked by lush green gardens and hosts two light and sound shows on a daily basis.
Home to paintings by artists such as Nicholas Roerich, Svetoslav Roerich, Srikanta Shastry Kukke, H K Kejriwal and Krishna Reddy among others, Chithrakala Parishath is a must visit for every art lover. One of the leading fine arts institutions in the country, the Chitrakala Parishath hosts numerous activities including performances, folk theatre, photography exhibitions, puppet shows and musical recitals. It also houses five art galleries which are hired out to artists who wish to showcase their work. The Chitrakala Vidyalaya, a college of fine arts offering courses in painting, sculpture, graphic art, applied art, etc is also situated in the same campus.