What is the story behind the name of Bengaluru's neighbourhoods?

September 03, 2026

Ever wonder why there are neighborhoods in Bengaluru named Basavanagudi, Malleshwaram, Ulsoor or Chickpet? These names aren't picked at random! Many of them have stories of temples, villages, markets, people and the evolution of the city over the years.

Some of the neighborhood names and the story behind them:

🐂Basavanagudi

Basavanagudi gets its name from the famous Bull Temple. Kannada for "basava" is bull and "gudi" is temple. It was a planned suburb of Bengaluru in the late 19th Century and still has quite a bit of the old world charm.

🌿Malleshwaram

It is an area named after a temple. The Kadu Malleshwara Temple is the source of the name Malleshwaram. Situated in the late 19th century, the neighborhood retains its historic character throughout its tree-lined streets and traditional homes.

🌳Ulsoor

This is a Jackfruit Orchard. Ulsoor or Halasuru as it is referred to traditionally is believed to be the association with the jackfruit orchards. In Kannada jackfruit is called "Halasu" and the village or place is called "ooru". Eventually, Halasuru was shortened to “Ulsoor” in common parlance.

🛍️ Chickpet — The Small Town

Chickpet is derived from the Kannada term “Chikka” which means small and “Pete” which means town. It became an important trading area, today it is renowned for its textiles, silk and traditional shopping.

🏡Jayanagar

It is believed that Jayanagar is derived from Kannada terms "Jaya" (victory) and "Nagar" (city). The name is also said to be a reference to Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, although there seems to be no documentary evidence for this.

🏙️ More Than Just Names

The interesting aspect of Bengaluru is that the neighborhoods are almost pages from a history book. Names are derived from temples, landscapes, markets, people, and from old villages.

So next time when you're passing through Bengaluru, don't just gaze at the roads and buildings.

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