A day in Bengaluru: Flower markets, Andhra bhojanam and Farmlore, a produce-driven restaurant set on a 33-acre farm at the edge of India’s Silicon Valley

Bengaluru, the bustling capital of India's southern Karnataka state and third most populous city, is often referred to as the country's "Silicon Valley" due to the presence of major IT companies like Infosys, Wipro, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Upon arrival at Kempegowda International Airport, which operates solely on renewable energy, a visitor is immediately introduced to the city's notorious traffic and lively sounds of honking vehicles, reminiscent of the famous racing driver Ayrton Senna's quote about losing focus on the track.

As traffic slowed, the city's sprawling landscape revealed a mix of high-rise buildings and remnants of its colonial past, with colonial architecture sitting alongside modern structures. However, the true essence of Bengaluru lies in its rich history, which dates back to 1537 when it was founded by Kempe Gowda I, a governor under the Vijayanagara Empire.

One prominent feature of the city is the K.R. Market, one of Asia's largest flower markets in the old city, which has been a thriving trade center since 1928. Meanwhile, a short distance away, the Farmlore restaurant situated on a 33-acre farm on the outskirts of Bengaluru offers visitors an authentic Andhra Pradesh-style meal known as Andhra bhojanam.