A sneak peek of the four walks

Four heritage walks planned to explore city on World Heritage DayNot many Benga-lureans would know the history behind the name Ulsoor or Halasuru.One of the oldest areas of the city, Halasuru was spread across 123 acres and was dotted with jackfruit orchards, especially near the lake. Taking the Halasu (jackfruit) + Ooru (village), it came to be known as Halasuru which the British anglicised to Ulsoor.Want to know more such facts about the history of the city? Then mark April 18 on your calendar to explore the roads seeped in history and heritage.On World Heritage Day, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and Archeological Survey of India, Bengaluru circle, will conduct four heritage walks to re-introduce in public consciousness areas that were an integral part of the city’s growth.The walks will be conducted from Gavipuram, Ulsoor, Cubbon Park and Bangalore Fort area; some untold stories, baffling pieces of history, buildings that have lived through the urbanisation and much more, the experts will take you through the bygone era of Bendakalooru.Of the four walks, the Gavipuram one will be conducted in Kannada. All walks will talk about the evolution of the city of Bengaluru, will have stories of the city, its layered history, people and its diverse culture. The walks will start simultaneously at 8 am and end by 10 am. Walkers will be guided by professionals from INTACH and will be for a nominal charge.“In the evening, a photo exhibition and classical music concerts will be held at Bangalore Fort,’’ says Meera Iyer, INTACH co-convener.will cover some of the buildings and other structures in Cubbon Park, including High Court, Victoria Statue, the band stand and the museum. It will also talk about the origins of the Cantonment and the two cities of Bangalore/Bengaluru. Starting point: Victoria Statue.It will cover these two monuments, Tipu’s Armoury, which is the only armoury built by Tipu that is still surviving. Starting point: Tipu Palace.Here was the first British military station set up in 1807. It will cover the 1000-year-old Someshwara temple and the surrounding settlement of Ulsoor. Heritage buildings with features such as courtyards inside homes, wooden columns, mud structures, tiled roof with bamboo and clay ceiling, stone quoins, brick masonry, et al, will be the highlight. The Kempe Gowda tower at Ulsoor lake, one of the four towers built by the city’s founder to demarcate the, has a Chinese bell at the centre. Starting point: Someshwara Temple.This walk will take you through the Gavigangadhareshwara temple, Harihara gudda, and the vicinity, and will talk about the growth of the area, contributions of the Maratha community here and so on. Starting point: Gavigangadhareshwara temple.