Freedom park

Jail converted into a park. Lovely well maintained place if you want a mix of history, oxygen, a place for the kids to run around, some swings for them, a cafe is there too (though i didn't try it). Be careful on the timings. Park open for limited hours only 6:00-9:00 am and then 4:30 to 7:00 pm

Parks in the city

well they are shut mostly. from 9- 4:30 if u want to have a picnic... the only option is lalbagh, too crowded, and sometimes no parking or cubbon where in 15 secs of u opening ur food boxing the mangy dogs will start hounding you.... Possible only if u have a personal lawn or a friend with a farmhouse

bangaloreweekend: NGMA- Not just for art lovers

bangaloreweekend: NGMA- Not just for art lovers: "I stayed at Cunningham road for 5 years and use to pass by this area permanently under construction (2003- 08) and out of curiosity walked..."

Chai Point : Best Tea in Bangalore

Masala chai, classic chai or chai as you like it!! Ah, finally real chai for chai lovers in Bangalore.
An idea conceived by a successful executive who decided to give it all up (corporate bunkum) to start these franchise stores selling Tea and some snacks.
Served in classic ribbed glasses, the same ones you might have had on Indian railway stations, the flavor is similar too…
What goes best with a sweet cup of tea are samosas and savory biscuits, both of which are amply stocked at this outlet. They have plans to go national and already have 2 other outlets in Bangalore city. (I think one is near Jyoti Nivas college)
Place where tea and conversations are lovely.
Directions: Opposite the passport office in Koramangla, near National Games Village.
Remember: it is closed on weekends.

NGMA- Not just for art lovers

I stayed at Cunningham road for 5 years and use to pass by this area permanently under construction (2003- 08) and out of curiosity walked into the premise one day. One lady official poured out her woes about how the senior government officials are delaying the opening of the gallery as they are siphoning off the funds (the usual ‘Incredible India’ story)
An undiscovered gem. Old bungalow (called Manikyavelu Mansion), with its own history and mystery that has been converted into National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) by the government. The property once belonged to the royal family of Mysore.
The place is a must visit for art, nature and space (meaning sans crowds) lovers. I am a firm believer that the packaging adds to the content. The building with its high ceilings, ancient mosaic tiles, and open spaces adds so much to the ‘soaking in’ a work of art. You would surely not get the same experience in an air-conditioned, artificially lit hall.
At the moment NGMA houses approximately 500 exhibits. You need at least half a day to see the entire space. The exhibits have been displayed - classified into broad categories - according to different time periods, art schools and by artists. One can see paintings by Raja Ravi Verma, Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gil, the Tagore brothers and Rabindranath Tagore and a large number of Modern and Contemporary artists.
Besides some timeless piece of art, some of which are spread around the lawns; it has an art reference library, open air theatre, museum-cum-shop which has famous prints for sale on post card and on tea mugs too, a small canteen that serves tea/coffee, some biscuits and hot maggi for a princely sum. NGMA also conducts an art appreciation course at frequent intervals.
Best part: If you are looking for a quite bench in the city, surrounded by majestic trees, some fountains and oodles of old world charm. NGMA is the place.
Directions: NGMA, on Palace road
Keep Bangalore GPO on your right. Pass by the Governor’s house on the left, keep to the left side of the road. From the signal of Basava Bhavan, Basaveshwara Circle, take a U-turn to the right. Pass by the Hanuman temple on Cunningham road (it is a one way) and you will see the NGMA just before the petrol bunk.
Phone: 91-080-2234 2338
Entry fee: Rs 10/- for Indians.
Remember: NGMA is off on Mondays.