India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [309]
Bengaluru
Airlines The airport number is 080/4058-1111. See chapter 3 for details on more airlines, almost all of which service this busy hub.
Area Code The area code for Bangalore is 080.
ATMs Visit the shop-intensive vicinity of M.G. Road.
Bookstores Strand Book Stall is at S113-114 Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road ( 080/2558-0000;www.strandbookstall.com). Higginbothams is at 68 M.G. Rd. ( 080/2558-6574;www.higginbothams.com). Sankar’s Book Stall is at 15/2 Museum Rd. ( 080/2558-6867). The huge Landmark bookstore can be found at Forum Mall in Koramangala ( 080/2206-7640; www.landmarkonthenet.com), far from downtown Bengaluru. Select Bookshop (off Brigade Rd. 080/2558-0770; www.selectbookshop.net) and Blossom Bookstore (Church St. 080/2532-0400;www.blossombookhouse.com) are excellent secondhand shops with extensive collections to browse through.
Car Rentals Gullivers Tours & Travels is at B2-SPL Habitat, no. 138, Gangadhara Chetty Rd. ( 080/2558-0108 or -3213). Another reliable name is Srushti Travels ( 98-4503-2213).
Currency Exchange Exchange cash or get credit card advances from Wall Street Finances (3 House of Lords, St. Mark’s Rd.; 080/2227-8052; Mon–Sat 9:30am–5.30pm) or from Standard Chartered (Raheja Towers, 26 M.G. Rd.; 080/2559-4043; Mon–Fri 10:30am–5pm, Sat 10:30am–1:30pm). Alternatively, you can go to Thomas Cook (55 M.G. Rd.; 080/2558-1337 or 080/2559-4168; Mon–Sat 9:30am–6pm).
Directory Assistance The number 080/2222-2222 operates much like a talking Yellow Pages service, where you get free updated telephone numbers and addresses for various city establishments. Other options are Just Dial 080/2333-3333, or Get It 080/2235-5555.
Drugstores Twenty-four-hour pharmacists include Cash Pharmacy ( 080/2212-6033), Manipal Hospital ( 080/2526-8901), and Mallya Hospital (Vittal Mallya Rd., south of Cubbon Park; 080/2227-7979).
Emergencies Dial 100 for police emergencies.
Hospital Both Manipal Hospital (98 Rustum Bagh, Airport Rd.; 080/2526-8901 or -6447) and St. John’s Medical College and Hospital (Sarjapur Rd.; 080/2553-0724 or -2411) are decent options. For quick ambulance services call 102.
Internet Access Cybercafes abound in this IT-savvy city. The reliable Sify i way is at various locations; call ( 080/2654-6113) to find out the nearest to where you are; www.iway.com). Reliance Webworld on M.G. Road ( 080/3033-6666;www.relianceinfo.com) is another good option with outlets all over the city.
Police Dial 100 for the Emergency Helpline; to register a complaint dial 080/2294-3400, -3399; there is an All Women’s Police Station at Ulsoor 080/2294-2585.
Post Office As always, your best bet for sending mail is through your hotel. The GPO ( 080/2286-6772 or 080/2289-2038; Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10:30am–1pm) is, however, architecturally interesting. It’s located at the intersection of Raj Bhavan and Ambedkar Road. Dozens of courier options are available—try FedEx 080/2529-3210. Other reliable and less expensive options are Professional Couriers or Blue Dart; you will find their outlets all across the city and in practically every market.
Railway For inquiries, dial 139 or 2220-0971.
Taxis Call Gopinath Radio Call Taxi ( 080/2360-5555 or 080/2332-0152; 24 hr.); alternatively Spot City Taxi ( 080/4110-0000).
WHAT TO SEE & DO
Although it was ruled by various dynasties, Bengaluru’s chief historical sights date back to the 18th-century reign of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, “the Lion of Mysore,” who put up the most spirited resistance to British imperialism. But more than anything, the temperate climate of Bengaluru is about experiencing an Indian city that brims with bars, restaurants, clubs, and positive energy—a great place for walking, window-shopping (many of the most design-savvy items found in Mumbai and Delhi originate in this city), lounging in al-fresco