Why it’s the perfect time to discover India’s most underrated city
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The region is where Rishi Sunak married local girl Akshata Murty. Home to more than a billion people and almost as many temples, beaches, markets, monuments and national parks, there’s always something new to discover in India. For many, the obvious place to start is the Golden Triangle, a route encompassing popular sites in the northern states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh – the ancient forts of Jaipur, the chaotic streets of Delhi, and the enduringly romantic Taj Mahal.
![[Statue of Lord Shiva sitting in penance stance at Amba Bhavani Temple, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Asia]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/24/11/24095016-11695196-8363-4827-8b48-22cdbee9b313.jpg)
But India’s southern states are now luring travellers who also want to experience the region’s more cosmopolitan charms, and no city offers that more than Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, formerly known by its colonial name Bangalore. Today, it’s the hub of the nation’s booming tech and start-up sector leading many to dub it ‘India’s Silicon Valley’. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll discover a richly layered metropolis full of soul and ancient traditions.
![[Yogis in Cubbon Park, one of the many green spaces in Bengaluru (Alamy/PA)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/24/11/24094345-59c71b9c-d76e-4aa8-b956-28394ee63b9a.jpg)
Why go now?. India has never been more popular. Global travel network Virtuoso named it as one of the destinations on the rise for 2025. While Mumbai and Delhi may get all the attention, it’s now time for India’s India’s fifth-largest settlement to shine. Virgin Atlantic recently announced new direct flights from London Heathrow, making it easier than ever to start exploring the Garden City, as it is known due to its many parks and open spaces.
![[A vendor in Krishnarajendra Market]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/24/11/24094511-c96c7834-7be1-43e2-8091-60f00a791e76.jpg)
What to do?. While there are no major bucket-list sites, Bengaluru can definitely compete when it comes to culture. Spend a morning exploring the vibrant and head-spinning Krishnarajendra market, where stalls sell everything from spices and flowers to copperware and fresh produce.
![[The Leela Palace Bangalore]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/24/11/24094600-6600acd1-8036-40a9-8447-68c8ec10b8d7.jpg)
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