Bangalore on a Shoestring Budget

chillibreeze writer — Krishnan A

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As someone once said, “Anybody driving faster than you is a maniac and anyone going slower is an idiot.” This little statement really applies to Bangalore. The old timers feel the city is losing its charm and growing too fast. Too many people, too many vehicles, too many constructions – too fast. The young and the restless feel they just don’t have enough malls, party like there's no tomorrow, and complain about the 11 ‘o’clock shut-shop rule.

But all are in agreement that Bangalore has something to offer everybody. Contrary to popular belief, a lot of things can be done in Bangalore with a limited budget, if we know the wheres, the whens and the hows.

The foggy city wakes up late, not just because it's cold outside and nobody wants to leave the comfort of a warm blanket but because the city sleeps late. It is still far from being a city that never sleeps, though.

Although Kannada is the official language, we can get around easily with Hindi. One very positive change I have noticed is that, of late, many cops speak English. It does make one feel welcome.

Even before arriving at Bangalore, purchasing a Bangalore guide from at least 3 different publishers will be very handy. The most popular tourist attractions are listed and once you make a list of places that kindle your interest, routing becomes easy. I would recommend the TTK Discover India Series. This lists even the bus routes and the city map is pretty recent.

For the most part, the weather is great for outdoor activities in Bangalore. But it does get chilly at nights and monsoons can be merciless. Therefore, timing of the visit is also important. In summer, for example, there is a Flower show held at Lal Bagh which is very popular and an air show at the Air Force base at Yelahanka. All year long, many rock stars and bands visit Bangalore and all these concerts happen at the Palace Grounds.

For an avid trekker, there are plenty of spots to hike in and around Bangalore. The Western Ghats offers a variety of treks from simple picnic climbs to tough steep hikes. The tropical forests are also home to many unique plants, animals and birds.

Visitors to Bangalore alight at the Majestic, the main bus stand in Bangalore. The city railway station is just opposite to the bus stand. It would be a good idea to get a whole-day bus pass that costs about Rs. 50. Bus conductors actually hawk these at Majestic and if you happen to arrive by train, they are also available in the underpass connecting the railway station and the bus stand. There is a special bus tour of the city called City Safari especially for out-of-towners - an open-top double-decker bus plying between the city’s main tourist attractions. The ticket is valid for the whole day, and we can get in or drop off any of these buses that run about every half hour. This is an easy, hassle-free way to see the city’s hotspots.

A word about the auto-rickshaws: A customer may be the king but the usual rules don’t apply here. He decides where to go and you can join him if you wish. Luckily, prepaid auto counters are available at many places.

While the Oberoi, Leela Palace, the Taj and Le Meridien offer a nice resting place, there are plenty of budget options too. There are hotels near Majestic where we can get a room for about Rs. 200-300 a night. Youth Hostel also has a branch in Bangalore and offers dormitory accommodation for its members. Annual membership costs only Rs. 100. Please visit them on the web at www.YHAIIndia.com to know more.

As a visitor looking to experience the city, factoring in traffic snarls in the tour plan is very important. It will help to do most of the travel in the early hours or in the afternoon, if possible. Traffic congestion is part of any urban life today but in Bangalore it could get really bad in the evenings. This is probably the only time when pedestrians rule and overtake the Audis and Mercs. That’s why, it is best to be on your feet in the evenings.

Walking is one of the best ways to explore a city. It gives you the time to drink in the sights and sounds and leaves a lasting impression long after you leave the place. As we stroll through the thoroughfares of Bangalore, the first thing that will hit you is the diversity of the place. The term cosmopolitan best describes it. Exchange students from many countries, IT honchos, tourists – you'll find them all!

To experience shopping in Bangalore, a walk along the quartet of Brigade - MG - St. Mark’s and Residency Roads is a must. It is a shopper’s feast. Lined with shops without wasting even an inch of space, this is the snazziest shopping place in Bangalore. These roads also house majority of the famous pubs in Bangalore such as Downtown, Styx, Pub World, and Ground Zero. Bangalore does have its fair share of malls. Malls such as The Forum and Bangalore Central hog all the ad space, and they are a great place to pass time and tell your friends back home about. But for serious shopping and great bargains, the places to go to are the Jaya Nagar shopping complex, Avenue Road or the factory outlets at Marathalli. Good value for money and nothing flashy. The by lanes of Cunningham road also have much to offer.

Useful tip: Tickets at the PVR cinemas (at The Forum) cost 50% less on a weekday before 1 pm and they can be booked online.

There are some things that define a city. Bangalore, for the most part, had been defined by the gardens, the pubs and of late, the IT companies. If you happen to visit the Lal Bagh gardens, do visit MTR, a famous eat-out. MTR is one such name which has come to be a part of the definition of the city that is rapidly changing and looking for some roots. Legend has it that Rava idli was invented here at a time when there was an acute shortage of Urad dal (black lentils). Talking about food, while at Bangalore, another must-do is to eat at a Darshini. A Darshini is a name given to any of the self-service restaurants that are there in every nook and corner of Bangalore. These offer good food at very reasonable prices, and prepared in typical Bangalore style. With the growing expat population, there are also a number of high-end restaurants offering exotic cuisines. If budget is a concern, a good thumb rule would be to avoid any restaurant that cannot be pronounced easily.

A last word of caution to all visitors: If you are not careful, you may be recruited by one of the ever-expanding multinational companies. So, go at your own peril.

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—About our writer:

Krishnan says, "An avid trekker and fond of technical aspects of photography and while not clicking or trekking, I get cozy with just about any book and analyze handwriting for the sheer joy of it.

Bangalore on a Shoestring Budget

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