A Trip Log — driven by hunger. See more of life than you ever will live on your own
Lalbagh: Pride of Bengaluru
A creation that was the answer to the famed Mughal Gardens. So popular that Queen Elizabeth II of England and the UK visited in 1961 and left a memento
Lalbagh (or Red Garden) is one of the biggest tourist attractions of Bengaluru (aka Bangalore), the capital of Karnataka.
Layout of LalbaghGuided map of Lalbagh at the West GateLalbagh Lake near West GateA 200-year-old tree in LalbaghA lot of time and effort goes into maintaining this showpiece of Bengaluru, actually IndiaBand Box
As the name suggests, this place is meant for a band. I don’t know whether a band has ever played here. But, it makes a good background for a photo.
Such is the popularity of Lalbagh that even British monarch Queen Elizabeth II visited the garden during a trip to India in 1961. At that time, Bengaluru was known as Bangalore.
Queen Elizabeth of England and the UK visited Lalbagh in 1961
You might want to take a photograph here.
The Cook Pine or Christmas tree, whose sapling was planted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1961, today. Notice the swagger
If all the walking has made you thirsty and hungry, you can stop for a snack and catch your breath.
In case you need some grub or something to drink, look for the Hopcoms outlet near the Band BoxWhile you are at the Hopcoms outlet, enjoy a snack but watch out for beesNalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, a ruler of the Mysore kingdom, who made a significant contribution to the aesthetics of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. He seems to be looking directly into your eyes. In a pleasant way. For this reason alone, this is, possibly, the best statue in IndiaIt is easy to lose track of time while taking in the views in Lalbagh. So, HMT Watches has thoughtfully put this huge watch near the North GateThe showpiece of Lalbagh: A Glass House built in 1889. It hosts two annual shows in the run-up to Republic Day on January 26 and Independence Day on August 15. Check out the street lights. Very fancy
Lalbagh hosts several shows and exhibitions of flora, fruits and vegetables.
Lotus PondYou have the option of taking a guided tour on a battery-operated vehicleThis kind of entrance is usually seen near Buddhist stupasThis is the older version of a photo booth. Very elegant, don’t you think!
When to go
Early morning: It’s not hot. You can have breakfast at MTR near the north gate or at Lalbagh Grand, which is near the west gate and also close to the Namma Metro rail station.
How to get to Lalbagh
Best option is the Namma Metro rail. Get off at Lalbagh station. The west gate is about 200 metres away.
Lalbagh West Gate
Book an Uber. Mark the destination as either Lalbagh West Gate or Lalbagh North Gate. Alternatively, you can try Lalbagh MTR, which is close to the north gate.
Take an auto.
What if you feel hungry
Head to MTR, which is a landmark by itself. Location: 100 metres walk outside the north gate. Ask the guard at the gate for directions. If you are around for lunch, try their Special Thali.
North Gate of LalbaghHungry? Step outside North Gate of Lalbagh, walk straight for about 100 metres to Mavalli Tiffin Room, better known as MTR, for snacks or lunchMavalli Tiffin Room, better known as MTR, near Lalbagh
Some people just love to travel. We all do this for our satisfaction. Quite often, what we see, don't see, hear, eat, experience becomes a talking point. We connect through our experiences on the road. This is where I connect with you. Welcome to my trip log.
I am a journalist based in Bengaluru. I relish local food and conversations with people in places I visit. Yea... sometimes I guess people do wonder why is this chap clicking pics of his meal! I write some of my travel stories and about the food I try. And I hope all the silly, stupid and embarrassing things I do come of some use to fellow travellers. Thanks for reading.
I would be happy to help if you need tips or guidance in south India. Most foreigners who visit India are drawn by the Taj Mahal, which is one of the wonders of the world, and the forts of Rajasthan in north India. I invite you to look beyond these two places, at south India.
I will be writing about the interesting places in this highly developed part of India, where the people are better educated, enjoy a better standard of living as compared to the rest of India, have built a reliable network of roads and transport services, and can count on state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure.
South India is safer than any other part of India. and the gateway to south India is Bengaluru (aka Bangalore). Where do you want to go in south India? Look for the interesting places. And, I would be happy to guide fellow travellers
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