Location: Bangalore lies in the southeast of the South Indian state of Karnataka. It is in the heart of the Mysore Plateau (a region of the larger Precambrian Deccan Plateau) at an average elevation of 920 m (3,018 ft). The majority of the city of Bangalore lies in the Bangalore Urban district of Karnataka and the surrounding rural areas are a part of the Bangalore Rural district.

Languages: Kannada is the official language of the state of Karnataka so you visit any place in Karnataka, Kannada is the primary language. The next widely spoken language in Bangalore is English. Other languages being Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.

Climate:

Summer: March - June (22º C to 37º C)

Monsoon (Rainy Season): July - November (19º C to 28º C)

Winter Season: November – March (9º C to 24º C)

 Best Time Best Time to visit Bangalore: One would visit Bangalore anytime as it experiences pleasant climate all through the year, but the ideal time is during October-February., the winter time is the best one can enjoy the most. The peak season for Bangalore travel starts around October/November to February.

Driving Distances:  

After centuries of the rule of the Western Gangas, Bangalore was captured by the Cholas in 1024 CE which later passed on to the Chalukya-cholas in 1070. In 1116 the Hoysala Empire, overthrew the Cholas and extended its rule over Bangalore. Modern Bangalore was founded by a vassal of the Vijayanagara Empire, Kempe Gowda I, who built a mud-brick fort and a Nandi Temple in the proximity of modern Bangalore in 1537. Yelahanka is one of the oldest towns in Karnataka and it is believed that it has a history of more than 500 years. It is the home town for the ruling king called Kempegowda (under a provision given by Krishnadevaraya) who built Bangalore City. Kempe Gowda referred to the new town as his "gandubhūmi" or "Land of Heroes".

Within Bangalore Fort, the town was divided into smaller divisions – each called a "pete" (IPA: [peːteː]). The town had two main streets – Chikkapete Street, which ran east-west, and Doddapete Street, which ran north-south. Their intersection formed the Doddapete Square — the heart of Bangalore. Kempe Gowda's successor, Kempe Gowda II, built four famous towers that marked Bangalore's boundary. Myth says that the city would befall great calamity if it extended beyond these four towers. During the Vijayanagara rule, Bangalore was also referred to as "Devarāyanagara" and "Kalyānapura" ("Auspicious City").

 After the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, Bangalore's rule changed hands several times. In 1638, a large Bijapur army led by Ranadulla Khan and accompanied by Shahji Bhonsle defeated Kempe Gowda III and Bangalore was given to Shahaji as a jagir. In 1687, the Mughal general Kasim Khan defeated Ekoji I/Venkoji, son of Shahaji, and then sold Bangalore to Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar (1673–1704) of Mysore for 300,000 rupees. After the death of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II in 1759, Hyder Ali, Commander-in-Chief of the Mysore Army, proclaimed himself the de facto ruler of Mysore. The kingdom later passed to Hyder Ali's son Tippu Sultan, known as the Tiger of Mysore. Bangalore was eventually incorporated into the British Indian Empire after Tippu Sultan was defeated and killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799). The British returned administrative control of the Bangalore "pētē" to the Maharaja of Mysore, choosing only to retain the Cantonment under their jurisdiction. The 'Residency' of Mysore State was first established at Mysore in 1799 and later shifted to Bangalore in the year 1804. It was abolished in the year 1843 only to be revived in 1881 at Bangalore and to be closed down permanently in 1947, with Indian independence. The British, found it easier to recruit employees in the Madras Presidency and relocate them to cantonment area during this period. The Kingdom of Mysore relocated its capital from Mysore city to Bangalore in 1831. Two important developments during this period contributed to the rapid growth of the city: the introduction of telegraph connections and a rail connection to Madras in 1864.

 In the 19th century, Bangalore essentially became a Twin city, with the "pētē", whose residents were predominantly Kannadigas, and the "cantonment" created by the British, whose residents were predominantly Tamils. Bangalore was hit by a plague epidemic in 1898 that dramatically reduced its population. New extensions in Malleshwaram and Basavanagudi were developed in the north and south of the pētē. Telephone lines were laid to help co-ordinate anti-plague operations, and a health officer was appointed to the city in 1898. In 1906, Bangalore became the first city in India to have electricity, powered by the hydroelectric plant situated in Shivanasamudra. Bangalore's reputation as the Garden City of India began in 1927 with the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Several projects such as the construction of parks, public buildings and hospitals were instituted to beautify the city. After Indian independence in August 1947, Bangalore remained in the new Mysore State of which the Maharaja of Mysore was the Rajapramukh. Public sector employment and education provided opportunities for Kannadigas from the rest of the state to migrate to the city. Bangalore experienced rapid growth in the decades 1941–51 and 1971–81 , which saw the arrival of many immigrants from northern Karnataka. By 1961, Bangalore had become the sixth largest city in India, with a population of 1,207,000. In the decades that followed, Bangalore's manufacturing base continued to expand with the establishment of private companies such as Motor Industries Company (MICO; a subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH), which set up its manufacturing plant in the city. Bangalore experienced a growth in its real estate market in the 1980s and 1990s, spurred by capital investors from other parts of the country who converted Bangalore's large plots and colonial bungalows into multi-storied apartments. In 1985, Texas Instruments became the first multinational to set up base in Bangalore. Other Information Technology companies followed suit and by the end of the 20th century, Bangalore had firmly established itself as the Silicon Valley of India.

An apocryphal, though popular, anecdote recounts that the 11th-century Hoysala king Veera Ballala II, while on a hunting expedition, lost his way in the forest. Tired and hungry, he came across a poor old woman who served him boiled beans. The grateful king named the place "benda-kaal-uru" (Kannada: ಬೆಂದಕಾಳೂರು) (literally, "town of boiled beans"), which eventually evolved into "Bengalūru".

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangalore#History

By Air:

 Bangalore is easily accessible from all major Indian cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Panaji, Kochi etc by air. Domestic airlines flying to Bangalore include Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Kingfisher Airlines, Spicejet and Air Deccan.

International airlines that fly in directly to Bangalore include Air India, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Air Malaysia, Thai Airways and Jet Star Asia, Lufthansa, Air France etc.

By Road:

 National Highways connect Bangalore to Chennai, Mumbai and other neighbouring cities. The main bus terminal in Bangalore is located opposite the City Railway Station. Officially named after the founder of Bangalore, Kempegowda, the bus terminus in Bangalore is better known as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus stand. Buses from here connect Bangalore to all major cities and states in south India.

By Rail:

Bangalore City Railway station is located across the Kempegowda Bus Station in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It is an important hub of the South Western Railway. The station has 10 platforms and two entrances. Bangalore is well connected to all major Indian cities by rail. The train stations in Bangalore include Bangalore City, Bangalore Cantonment, Yeshwantpur and Bangalore East. The Rajdhani Express and the Karnataka Sampark Kranti provide fast and safe connectivity between Bangalore and the national capital New Delhi.

 You can check the http://www.irctc.co.in for schedules and rates.

Getting Around:

Taxis
Meru Cabs, Easy Cabs and Karnataka Taxi are the official taxi operators at the Bengaluru International Airport. They provide convenient, safe, easily accessible and cost effective travel in a standard air conditioned Sedan to passengers. Airport taxi service can be availed at the airport for travel to Bengaluru city and vice versa.

Hiring Taxi to Bengaluru International Airport
- You may dial the respective call centre numbers and book a taxi. Your details will be stored in the system, enabling a quicker response next time you avail the service.

 They not only provide from airport to Bangalore city but you can opt for a taxi from any place to any area in Bangalore.

 Meru Cabs:

Contact No : All India- 4422 4422 or SMS MERU to 57575.
Website : www.merucabs.com

Meru Cabs won the NASSCOM-CNBC IT User Award 2008 in the Travel Segment in recognition of the pro-active and holistic approach to IT adoption and the seamless alignment of IT with the business strategy of the company.

 Easy Cabs:

Contact No : All India 4343 4343.
Website : www.easycabs.com

 Easy Cabs won CIO 100 Award, the annual award program recognizes organization that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in technology.

 Karnataka Taxi:

Contact No : 080 – 4346 4346 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              080 – 4346 4346      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Website : www.karnatakaholidays.net

 The above mentioned are not the only one’s but you have lot of other taxis like cell cabs.

Bus
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) provides a cheap and efficient bus service in the city. The bus service varies from ordinary BMTC bus to Air-conditioned Volvo buses. This is a profit making transport sector in India.

 The highlight of the BMTC is the daily pass provided at Rs.32/- per day. It can be used for travel in any bus except the air conditioned ones (Volvo buses). Daily pass for Volvo bus are provided at Rs. 75/- which can be used in any Volvo buses. It is valid up to midnight on the day of purchase and available with all conductors.

 On producing ID cards (voter's card, driving license, etc), BMTC provides concession of 25% in fares to senior citizens in all types of buses. This came into effect on 1 September 2008. Children below the age of 12 are given 50% concession.