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Ulsoor Lake, Bangalore
Ulsoor Lake is a perfect getaway dotted with a picturesque island. You can enjoy a boat ride here or swim in the nearby Kensington Swimming Pool. The lake is centrally located, over a space of 1.5 sq. km. A place of prominence in the early years of the century, the lake was then known as "Halasur" or "Alasur".
It is located in east Bangalore, and begins roughly near the eastern terminus of MG Road.
It extends over an area of 125 acres and was constructed by Kempe Gowda during the second half of the second century. A tower, similar to the Lalbagh Tower, can be seen beside the lake.
Ulsoor Lake in Bangalore: Photo Credit - SwamiIt is a major tourist attraction with a boat club where you can hire out cruises with stops at some of the tiny islands that dot the lake.
Boating is conducted regularly on all days of the week. Rowing is also held periodically. Ulsoor has a public swimming pool; If you are planning for a swim, get in touch at this address and phone number:
Ulsoor Corporation Swimming Pool
Kensington Rd, Ulsoor, Bangalore - 560008
Phone: +(91)-(80)-25911839
Places to see around Ulsoor Lake
Ulsoor is a stone's throw away from Bangalore's shopping and downtown area of MG Road. On MG Road, you can just stroll around and shop for clothes and antiques or head to the surrounding streets of Brigade Road and Residency Road for some more window shopping and food.
CMH Road and 100 feet road are about 5 minutes away from Halasuru. Intially they were small commercial and residential areas, niow have become crowded shopping and entertainment places. Here you can find upmarket clothing, restaurants, lounge bars, pubs and cafeterias.
There are quite a few temples and places of worship around Ulsoor and the lake area. There is a Sikh Gurudwara close to Ulsoor lake is supposed to be biggest in Bangalore. There is a famous Sai Baba Mandir (temple) in Cambridge Road.
There is also a shopping mall and movie multiplex near the junction of Ulsoor and MG Road. The Lido Shopping Mall has a number of shopping centers in the mall from clothes to electronics to restaurants. There is also a three - screen multiplex called Fame Cinemas. You could catch a movie here after your tour of Ulsoor and MG Road.
Poo Pallakki The most famous temple and historical landmark in Ulsoor is the Someshwara temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva).
This temple also hosts the Poo Palakki or Flower Chariot procession. Here, a number of chariots are lined wih Gods and Godesses and are decked grandly with all kinds of flowers.
People throng to this festival to seek blessings and also to have fun in a carnival-like atmosphere. This festival usually falls in the months between April and May every year.
Where is Ulsoor
Located close to MG Road towards Indira Nagar
How to reach
You can walk or take an Auto from MG Road and surrounding areas. Closest Bus Stops include Ulsoor, MG Road, CMH Road, Ulsoor Road, Ulsoor Lake.
Things to do
After visiting Ulsoor Lake, you can take a stroll through Old Halasur areas comprising the Someshwara temple. Walk through the Ulsoor Market where shoppers sell everything from flowers to clothes to electronics. Many of them have stayed in this area since about 50 years or more.
