Jayaprakash Narayan Nagar, better known as JP Nagar, is a prime residential and commercial area in South Bangalore neighbouring Jayanagar, Banashankari, Bannerghatta Road and BTM Layout. The area was created when Ramakrishna Hegde was the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
The locality, which started with residences and bungalows, is now decorated with high rise apartments. The area boomed into a posh locality between the years 1990 and 2000, which was an era of IT technology.
JP Nagar is spread across approximately 1.70 sq. km. and envelopes Sarakki, Jarganhalli and Ninappa Settipalya.
Bannergatta Road lies towards the East, Aurobindo Marg 24th Main towards the West, Marenahalli Road 45th Cross lies towards the North and Sarakki Main Road 9th Cross is towards the South. It also has a lake, Puttenahalli Kere situated adjacent to Phase IV of JP Nagar.
There is Jamia Masjid is a famous Muslim shrine situated on the outskirts of JP Nagar.
JP Nagar Club provides the best of the options to spend some leisure time and recreation. Another club is The Woodrose at Brigade Millenium which also provides sports, health facilities, restaurants, guest rooms, gardens and more. Not only is it a prime residential hub of Bangalore but it is less than an hour's drive from Electronic City, Nice Road, and ITPL with a good approach to all parts of Bangalore. The fastest growing area has dozens of gated community apartments, good schools, shopping malls, banks, hospitals, coffee shops, food courts, super markets, fine dining, good massage parlours, beauty salons, pubs.
As a result the area has seen a big real estate boom in the last few years. All big brands have set up their business here and still more are coming up. It is also home to many prominent singers, actors and artists. Artists who reside in this locality include senior Kannada actor and politician Ambareesh, playwright and actor Girish Karnad, actress, MLC and President of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, Tara, cricketer Javagal Srinath and well-known actor Sudeep to name a few. It also has its share of artistic hubs. Visioned by actor and director Shankar Nag Rangashankara is a celebration of artistic excellence. Ranga Shankara has a world class theatre which showcases theatrical performances from India and abroad. It facilitates programmes to attract audiences for theatre and allow to learn theatre skills. They always have a play through out the year with 300 performances of several Indian and International languages includes children and youth festivals.
The annual Ranga Shankara theatre festival is one of the best celebrations of local and international contemporary theatre. Another attraction is Mini Forest in JP Nagar III Phase. Known as the garden of trees, there is no charge to enter the park and it is open till 10 pm in the night. The forest is quite refreshing and is enveloped with greenery encouraging walkers and joggers. One can also buy fresh vegetables and fruits sold by the vendors who park themselves in push carts outside park in the morning.
There are more than 8 -10 parks for elderly, women and children. 18 kms away form JP Nagar is the Bannerghatta National Park.
One of the largest temples in the city, Anjaneya temple at Ragigudda, is in JP Nagar. Apart from Anjaneya, there is Ganapathi, Durga and the Navagrahas at a lower level. Hanuman is the Maragatha Lingam and idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are also there. There are idols of Karthikeya and Pancha Mukha Anjaneya. Another famous temple is the Tirumala Giri temple in JP Nagar II phase. The area is easily accessible from major destination of the city.
The Airport and City Railway Station lie at a distance of 15 km and 25 km respectively. There are approximately 5 post offices in the region. JP Nagar shelters people of all walks of life.