Bengaluru's Lost Heritage: Only 27 Tourist Spots Amid Rapid Urbanization

GADAG: Bengaluru, a city with a rich cultural and historical legacy spanning over 500 years, now stands with only 27 tourist spots identified by the Department of Tourism. This significant reduction is attributed to rapid urbanization and the booming real estate sector, which have erased many historical sites.

According to historian Suresh Moona, every street in Bengaluru has a history. Another historian, AD Katti from Bengaluru, points out that the growth in real estate and modernity are the primary reasons behind the city losing many tourist sites. “Bengaluru had hundreds of destinations, and among them, many have disappeared due to urbanization. There are still many heritage walk sites that need to be identified and publicized to attract people,” said Moona.

The state tourism department has identified 1,275 tourist spots across Karnataka to boost tourism. Bengaluru Urban has 27 tourist destinations, while Bengaluru Rural has 25. Mandya leads with the highest number of tourist spots in the state, with 106 destinations, followed by Belagavi (100), Chikkaballapura (95), and Uttar Kannada (85). Yadgir, with only 5 tourist spots, is at the bottom of the list.

According to officials, these places were identified based on their historical significance, fame, and visitor footfall. Tourism experts note that when someone plans a trip to Bengaluru, popular attractions like Vidhana Soudha, Lalbagh, and Cubbon Park are often included. However, many are unaware of the historical temples and sites in South Bengaluru.

The department has instructed officials in all districts to study and identify the main tourist spots based on footfalls and historical importance. Department of Tourism Secretary Mohammad Ibrahim has emphasized that action plans and approximate estimates should be submitted to the department to obtain the necessary permissions and begin development work.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Tourism Minister HK Patil has announced that according to the new State Tourism Policy, 1,275 tourist places have been identified, and development works will be undertaken to give a new shape to tourism in the state. This initiative aims to preserve and promote the rich heritage of Karnataka, including the lesser-known sites in Bengaluru.