Articles by Poornima Dasharathi

Nandi Betta or Nandi Hills, 60 kilometres from Bangalore, is a favourite and convenient picnic spot for all kinds of Bangaloreans – young or old, with or without families, with girlfriends or grandmothers. ‘Nandi nodade iddavaru handi ginta kade’ (Those who haven’t seen nandi are worse off than a pig) is a popular old village saying. But try to avoid the trip on a public holiday since there are more footfalls here than in your nearest mall. If you do visit on a weekend or a holiday, reach the hills in the early hours. Walking across the fort and in…

Most old time Bangaloreans will vouch that shopping in the noisy, congested lanes of Chickpete and Balepete is a unique experience and more importantly, easy on the wallet. Bangalore Pete (city), built in 1537 AD during Kempegowda reign, is now a thriving wholesale market. Though most people who visit here are retailers, who buy their supplies at wholesale prices, there is also a huge retail shopping populace who regularly visit for the economical prices and the sheer range on offer.It was a long time since I went shopping in this area; so when my aunt requested me to accompany her…

I used to live in South Bangalore until a few years ago. The Gandhibazaar-Jayanagar-VV Puram area has always been a haven for lovers of South Indian snacks. It had been quite sometime since I visited this area and when I met an old friend, we struck upon this idea of rediscovering South Bangalore food. Not the hotels, but the eat-as-you-go type – the Indian version of the street cafes of Europe. Small Cafes and Darshinis Brahmin's Coffee Bar, Basavangudi. Pic: Poornima Dasarathi.The best way to start the day would be with the soft and fluffy idlis soaked in the watery…

There are any number of destinations in and around Bangalore which need to be on your quick list of getaways for sightseeing, heritage visits, walks, trekking and more. Here is a lowdown on some of these popular places with descriptions, directions and much else. Heritage BuildingsBangalore Palace, Vidhana Soudha, Attara Kacheri/Karnataka High Court, Bangalore Fort & Tipu Sultan's Palace. ParksLalbagh Botanical Garden, Cubbon Park, Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Cariappa Memorial Park, Bannerghata Zoological Reserve. MuseumsGovernment Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery, Sheshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, Visveswaraya Museum, Nehru Planetarium. LakesHebbal, Ulsoor, Sankey, Nagavara, Agara. City Tours and WalksCubbon Park (Sri Chamarajendra Park),…

The best way to get acquainted with Bangalore is walk through it. Apart from the state-run tours, you can try the other conducted tours and walks suggested here. However, if you want to avoid going behind the usual backpacking crowd with a well-thumbed lonely planet book, try some of suggested walks given below.1. City SwapsDetails This is a guided bus tour modelled on London's open top double-decker buses. References www.cityswaps.in2. Bangalore WalksDetails The Bangalore Walks group organises walks in the city that aim at understanding the history and culture. Go for a walk on the MG Road and learn more…

Bangalore once had 117 lakes! Though in the recent years the number has dwindled, a few that are left add to the beauty and ecology of the city. Read more about Bangalore's lakes.1. HebbalDetails Adjoining Hebbal flyover, this lake provides vital lung space in an otherwise concrete jungle. Spread over an area of 150 acres, this lake is as old as Bangalore city. It is a natural lake maintained by the Forest department. The lake attracts migratory birds from Himalayan and Central Asian regions and is home to 70 species of water birds and a huge variety of aquatic vegetation.…

Bangalore is indeed a ‘Garden city’ even now; not many can boast of such vast gardens in the heart of the city. Blessed with a pleasant climate and fertile land, Bangalore was also fortunate to have many rulers with a love for parks. Read about Bangalore's famous parks and gardens.1. Lalbagh Botanical GardenDetails Lalbagh was created in 1760 covering an area of 40 acres, as a private garden for the then Mysore Rulers, Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. Today, spread across an area of 240 acres, the lush green garden is famous for diverse and exotic flora collected from all…

Had a hectic week at office? Indulge yourself at Bangalore's spas and resorts.1. Angsana Spa & ResortDetails A perfect way to unwind and relax over the weekend after a hectic week. Angsana Spa & Resort is located on the Doddaballapur road near Rajankunte. This international chain is has an idyllic setting. The spa offers therapeutic massages and hydro therapy to rejuvenate your tired limbs. After a relaxing massage, you can indulge yourself on a sumptuous lunch that offers a diverse cuisine options. A pool, tennis and squash courts, yoga and aerobics, gym and a library are other facilities provided here.…

What can I see in Bangalore in a day? You'll be surprised at the number of places you could visit. Read on.1. Nandi HillsDetails Nandi Hills is a very popular weekend getaway for Bangaloreans because of its pleasant climate and location, just 60 kilometers from Bangalore. From the foot it is 8 kilometers to the top. Also called Nandidurg, this used to be a summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. You can see Tipu's fort here and get shivers down your spine looking down the Tipu's Drop, a steep precipice where Tipu apparently pushed criminals to death. There is also an…

For those with a penchant for museums, Bangalore has a collection of them. Admire the surreal paintings of yesteryear Bangalore or learn the principles of electronics or astronomy. Read on.1. Government Museum and Venkatappa Art GalleryDetails Situated in the verdant Cubbon Park, the Government Museum is one of the oldest museums in the country. Established in 1865, its main attractions are stone age relics from Mohenjodaro period. The museum also houses sculptures from Hoysala, Chola and Kadamba reigns that ruled over the state. Other artefacts are terracotta works from Bengal, water colours of old Bangalore and some fine wood carvings.…