B engaluru is considered a city of air-conditioned malls, upmarket eateries and one that lacks a beach or river front for a public spaces. In these times of perpetual cash crunch, have you ever wondered if there are places and experiences in Bengaluru, that do not burn a hole in your pocket?Are you among those tired of heading out to the same sanitised, crowded malls to meet friends or watch a movie? Have you ever hoped for a place that will offer great experiences and rank low on the cost factor. Metroplus offers a selection of places and quintessential Bengaluru experiences.
Cubbon park and Lalbagh
Businessman-turned-author Aroon Raman says, “Bengaluru is not only about mall hopping. One of my best memories of the city is the walks conducted by biologist Vijay in Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. I enjoyed them tremendously. You learn a lot about the hidden history of these public spaces. For instance, I discovered that Ronald Ross, a pioneer in the field of malaria research worked in Cubbon park. We discovered that while Cubbon Park, with its statues and colonial buildings, is the symbol of Bengaluru's British history, Lalbagh offers a glimpse of the city under Hyder Ali. The best part of the Lalbagh walk is the superb South Indian breakfast that is included in the package. I love the coffee and a special grape juice. I am yet to taste anything similar to it.” IT engineer Prashant Kumar says, “Malls are filled to the brim with people, noisy and very sanitised. It feels very impersonal. That is not the case with a walk in Cubbon park. You feel like you have been transported into the wild, miles away from the city. I am happy that despite the wholesale changes the city has seen in the past few decades, this green cover has not changed much.”
Church street
It may be full of high-end restaurants, top brand stores and cafés.
However, it also houses the India Coffee house, where you can sip on strong decoction coffee, with a helping of cutlets and runny omelettes, all for under Rs. 100.
Architect Vineet Krishnan says, “Every weekend, I head to Church Street. I start by picking up magazines from the Variety Book Stall, spend a couple of hours picking up second hand books from Goobe's and Blossoms Bookstores and end the trip with a cup of coffee from India Coffee house, with a portion of maggi with vegetables from the small store in the same complex. I also head to the Tibetan Plaza to feast on hot thupkas and momos.”
Nandi Hills
Bengaluru’s version of a hill station, Nandi Hills, with its early morning fog, fantastic views is located just an hour from the city and offers superb experiences with minimal costs. PR professional Tinu Cherian says, “Nandi Hills is the best place to head out early in the morning. You get to skip the morning rush, it is not very crowded and the ride refreshes you. I used to go to Nandi Hills very often. As the city becomes more crowded and turns into a concrete jungle, it offers a charm of its own. However, it has become very crowded lately. Early morning visits are no longer allowed.”
He adds, “When I first came to Bengaluru, nearly 15 years ago, there were plenty of places that one could go to and have a good time, without bothering about the cost. That has changed now and malls are hangout zones.
Neighbourhood walks and fete trips
Mansoor Ali, a history buff who conducts historical walks across the city says, “There is a lot that can be done in Bengaluru for less than Rs. 500. You can head out to a food walk in Basavanagudi, Malleswaram or the Pettah area, to get some good food and a fresh historical perspective on these areas. If you are a foodie, a trip to the Avarekai Parishe in VV Puram is also bound to be a fun activity. For those who want to explore the city, I would suggest taking a Volvo bus pass and loiter around, and get a glimpse of everything from the British relics in Cubbon Park to the majestic Vidhana Soudha, the crowded marketplaces of Shivajinagar” and City Market.”
Storytelling sessions and theatre
There is no match to watching a live performance. Bengaluru is a hub of performances. A play ticket costs Rs. 300 at the most, and a storytelling session is affordable and entertaining as well. Entrepreneur and storyteller Aparna Athreya” agrees: “Experiencing a storytelling session is like teleporting” yourself to a world that appeals to all your senses. You are immersed in sights, sounds and feelings that nourish your body, mind and soul. Listening to a story is priceless, if you ask me!”
A walk down Rangoli Metro Art M.G.Road
Yes, there is no escaping traffic noise, but when you are surrounded by art, then you don’t really mind. Head to MG Road metro station, there are exhibitions of paintings and photographs on display. You might even get a glimpse of an open-air music or theatre performance. Grab a bite and a cup of coffee while you take in the sights and sounds of MG Road Boulevard.
