The Leela Palace

The Leela Palace, Kempinski Bangalore

The Leela Palace, Kempinski Bangalore [#23, Airport Road] is the most lavish hotel in Bangalore, located in the Diamond District. Galleria Leela, within Leela palace, is Bangalore's largest shopping mall. www.theleela.com

Shiva Temple

Statue of Lord Shiva

Shiva Temple at Airport Road has the biggest statue of Lord Shiva in Bangalore. The statue is 65 feet high showing Lord Shiva seated in lotus position.

Tangerine

Tangerine [#311, 100ft Road, Indira Nagar] offers a wide selection of veg and non-veg sizzlers. The portions are generous but make sure to leave some room for dessert. Their hot chocolate brownie with vanilla ice-cream is simply amazing.

Ayurvedic massage

Wow! What an amazing experience that was. I never knew what exactly ayurvedic massage was about, but after I experienced it at the Kerala Ayurvedic Health Spa [#794, 9th A Main Road, HAL 1st Stage, Indira Nagar] -- I surely love it! Being massaged by two masseurs at the same time is a fantastic feeling. I had a Sarvakaya Abhyangam (general body massage). All those scented oils (lots of it!), calm chanting music and a room lit by candles have brought relaxation to my mind, body and soul. www.keralavaidyashala.com

Cinema Lido

I went to see American Gangster in Cinema Lido [Lido Mall, M.G. Road]. The cinema theatre looks exactly the same as any theatre in Vancouver, except for one thing -- the back row of recliner seats. They definitely know how to enjoy the movies. "Feel like at home" concept has been brought to another level.

South Indies

South Indies [#840/A, 100ft Road, Indira Nagar] serves delicious food from four neighbouring states in South India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.) My favourite dish is appam with kai kari stew from Kerala.

Little Italy

Little Italy Ristorante [#1135, 100ft Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indira Nagar] is a cousy little Italian restaurant in Indiranagar. It offers vegetarian versions of traditional Italian (pastas and thin crust pizzas) and Mexican dishes. www.littleitaly-india.com

Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Rose garden

Lalbagh Botanical Garden is a 240-acre park founded in 1760 by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. It was named Lalbagh (Red Garden) for its lavish display of red roses.

Mavalli Tiffin Rooms

Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, locally known as M.T.R. [#14, Lal Bagh Road] near Lalbagh Gardens, is the traditional South Indian restaurant known for its mouth-watering tiffins (rava idlis, sambhar vadas, masala dosas etc.) It is one of Bangalore’s hottest South Indian eating destination. It is the place where local families go when they are looking for excellent "no fuss" meals.

Tipu Sultan's Palace

Teak pillars of Tipu Sultan's Palace

Tipu's Palace was completed by Tipu in 1791. It is made of teak wood and it was beautifully decorated with floral motifs on the walls and ceilings. Most of the painted decorations have been destroyed.

Jumma Masjid Bangalore

Jumma Masjid mosque in Bangalore

Impressively massive Jumma Masjid, located near the City Market, is the oldest mosque in the city and is dedicated to the great Indian hero -- Tipu Sultan. The name Jumma Masjid is a reference to the weekly congregation observed on Friday at the mosque.