Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Raj Bhavan Road , Tel : 2226 6084 , Web : taralaya . org The planetarium came up in 1992 , and is a major draw for kids and space buffs . On display are permanent galleries on outer space – exhibit halls display photographs of stars , galaxies and astronomical phenomena . However , it is the sky theatre that is the piece de resistance – a host of shows explaining the mysteries of the universe are screened here . A state of the art projector beams a life-like view of the entire night sky across the planetarium ' s 15-metre dome . The theatre can seat 225 people at one go and there are two daily shows to choose from . Stargazing sessions for amateur astronomers and educational lectures for students are also organised . Check the daily schedule of programmes before you head here – there are no shows on Mondays and second Tuesdays .
Government Museum Kasturba Road , Tel : 2286 4483 , Open from 10am to 5pm , Closed on Mondays and public holidays Right next door to the science museum is the bright red edifice of the Government Museum . Built in 1876 by Colonel Sankey , this relatively unknown museum features an assorted clutch of archaeological finds , some even dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation . Spread over two exhibition floors and eighteen galleries , the museum covers the domains of geology , numismatics , sculpture and art . Motley exhibits from various periods in history are on display , from Hoysala sculptures , Chola bronzes and Rajasthani miniature paintings to ivory carvings , Vijayanagara relics to prehistoric artefacts from the Neolithic period . The
museum showcases south Indian heritage prominently with ancient jewellery and textile exhibits . The upper galleries of the museum are art-heavy . The collection of rare paintings in the Mysore and Tanjore traditions deserve special mention .
Venkatappa Art Gallery
Kasturba Road , Tel : 2286 4483 , Closed on Mondays and public holidays Art lovers must add this on their itineraries . This government-owned gallery boasts an eclectic blend of old and new art . Venkatappa , after whom the gallery takes its name ,
was the court painter of the Wodeyars – the ground floor of the gallery th is dedicated to this 19 century painter ' s works , which are lyrical and trippy . But things get modernist as we move to other rooms . Here we th encounter the art of 20 century masters like MF Hussain , SG Vasudev , Yusuf Arakkal and KK Hebbar . While these form the permanent displays at the gallery , there are also a host of contemporary art shows that go up on view regularly at Venkatappa .
HAL Heritage Centre & Aerospace Museum HAL , Airport-Varthur Road , Tel : 2522 8341 , Open from 9m to 5pm , Closed on Monday This unusual museum showcases Indian aviation history . Set up by the city-based Hindustan Aeronautics , this sole aero museum in the country offers a glimpse into the history of flight . A variety of aviationthemed displays come together , from aircraft / fighter plane models and a mock control room to old photographs and trivia . The aircraft simulators are a must-try for flying enthusiasts . There is a store attached to the museum which offers interesting airplanerelated merchandise . Do take a walk around the museum ' s lawns where life-sized airplane and helicopter models are displayed .
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath Art Complex , Kumara Krupa Road , Vasanthanagar , Tel :
2226 1816 The Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath , a . k . a . CKP , is one of the city ' s oldest and best-known art complexes . This premier institute of art and design is also a vibrant gallery space hosting art shows and craft fairs , while also housing a permanent gallery . Established up in 1960 , the institute has over the years built an eclectic collection of contemporary and traditional art that is displayed across five permanent galleries . The Svetoslav Roerich gallery is the most prominent of these . The Bangalorebased Russian painter donated many of his own art works and some others from his collection to CKP . Works of other prominent Indian artists are also on display . Performance art shows as well as street and puppet theatre are staples at the open-air theatre oncampus . Travelling handicraft fairs stop by on a regular basis at the Parishath .
Bull Temple Bugle Hill , Bull Temple Road , Basavanagudi , Open from 7am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm
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