Sadhashivnagar

Sadashivanagar is arguably the most elite and expensive neighborhood in Bangalore, India, and is fashionable among politicians, movie stars, and most of the city's millionaires who can afford homes there. As the "Beverly Hills of Bangalore," having an address in Sadashivanagar connotes a high level of prestige, success, and/or fame.

In the 1960's and early 1970's, the gardens of the Bangalore Palace (a summer home of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore, their main home being the palace in Mysore) were being converted into a residential neighborhood, and this was when the first lots in Sadhashivnagar were purchased. Until the 1990's, Sadhashivnagar was known as "Palace Orchards," as it was built in the former royal grounds. Even today, certain homes in the Raj Mahal Vilas Extension (built on the expensive 8th Main Road, 9th Main Road and 10th Main Road in the wing formerly known as Upper Palace Orchards) are situated right opposite what is left of the official palace grounds. Many highly placed government officials, ex-governors, film stars and millionaire businessmen have bought homes in the neighborhood, including former Chief Ministers Virendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, S.M. Krishna, and Dharam Singh, celebrity doctor Dr. Ramana Rao, the Ministers of Finance and Agriculture, millionaire businessman Venkatraman Movva and famous Kannada actor Rajkumar. The neighborhood is also home to a Wodeyar princess.

The quiet, tree-lined main roads are today bordered with the enormous, sprawling designer bungalows of Bangalore's rich (and sometimes famous). As Sadhashivnagar is primarily a small residential area, there is little or no commercial activity. The State Bank of Mysore, The Canara Bank, and the State Bank of India, however, have branches in Sadhashivnagar. The Sadhashivnagar area runs from Mehkri Circle in the north to Bashyam Circle a little way south. A less expensive area once known as Lower Palace Orchards spills over and partially surrounds the Bashyam Circle. Sadhashivnagar borders The Sankey Tank, a midsized lake on the edge of which are several large homes. There are a few small parks in Sadhashivnagar.