Malleswaram/Malleshwaram 5.62

Malleswaram (mull-ae-sh-war-rum) or Malleshwara (mull-ae-sh-wara), located in the north-west of Bangalore, derives its name from the famous Kaadu Malleswara temple. Originally a village named Mallapura, Malleswaram was developed as a suburb during the great plague of 1898. Sri Venkatranga Iyengar, is credited with the founding of Malleshwaram. Malleswaram, together with Basavangudi, represents one of the oldest residential localities of Bangalore, and was planned by the then Dewan of Mysore Kingdom, Sir Sheshadri Aiyar. 291 acres were acquired for Malleshwaram. It was promoted as a ‘model hygienic suburb’ well spaced and so well drained that ‘a deluge of six inches would not leave a vestige of standing water in any of the house sites’. (A guide to Bangalore and Mysore Directory, 1905 quoted Janaki Nair, 2005)

Malleswaram is home to predominantly Kannada speaking orthodox Hindu population. You can find many Hindu temples, which were built more than centuries ago. Kadu Malleshwara temple dates back to 17th Century, which was constructed in Dravidian architecture and built during King Venkojirao Bhonsle's rule. The Kannika Parameshwari Temple on 8th cross was built by the Arya Vysya community. New vehicles queue up for pooja on every Friday at Circle Maramma Temple in 18th cross. The 3000 year old famous Nandeshwara temple at 17th Cross, one can see water fall onto an idol of Shiva through the mouth of Nandi.You can find atleast a temple in most of the street's in malleswaram.

The neighborhood of Malleswaram hosts people from all stratas of the society including Nobel laureates Dr.C.V. Raman, world champion Prakash Padukone, and writers, scholars, musicians like Sri.Veena Doraiswamy Iyengar, Venkatappa,Krishnawamy, G.P.Rajaratnam and T.A.S. Mani, prominent playback singer Vasundra Das and educationists Sri.M.P.L.Shastry etc

You can find many Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi,folk and modern dance schools here. Classical Carnatic, Hindustani and light music schools are also aplenty.

Malleswaram Railway Station, This railway station is a great place and the setting is such that it looks as if it has been lifted directly from Malgudi Days of R.K.Narayan. He was so impressed with Malleswaram and Basavanagudi that "Malgudi" was derived from these two names.

Malleswaram is well connected by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transportation Corporation buses (BMTC) with the downtown and other localities in Bangalore.Direct bus services are provided by BMTC to Bangalore Intl Airport/VijayNagar/RajajiNagar from the little bus terminus at 18th cross,Margosa Road.Sampige Road and Margosa road are the two main roads running through the heart of Malleswaram.The roads are flanked by a number of trees on the either sides, which provide good greenery and cool atmosphere.Newly renovated bus stop at 11th Cross could probably be the longest bus stop in bangalore.The proposed plan to construct metro rail via Malleswaram is good news, but it wouldnt remove the traffic woes of road users.

Its a pretty calm, beautiful and safe place to live compared to other parts of bangalore. you just need to hop a few meters to taste ur fav dish or buy anything that delights you.