Bangalore - The garden city of India is always a fascination, especially for the people of the south of the country. The IT hub and the silicon valley of India hosts the majority of the IT professionals who travel To and Fro to their native from here. Made a short trip to Bangalore to attend a marriage over the weekend. Having accustomed to road travel so far, made a train journey this time.
On Saturday (early) morning 6 AM the Shatabdi left the Chennai Central (MGR) Railway Station to Bengaluru Railway Station. First time on this train was a fantastic experience. Like in a flight the service takes place meticulously. Water bottle of 1 liter was given followed by the newspaper – you can choose English or Tamil. Our breakfast was Pongal, vadai and sambar. Food was good though the quantity can be increased. Tea or coffee came next to the breakfast. Air condition was perfect and seats were comfortable for a relaxing journey of 5+ hours. The rest rooms were clean and maintained regularly. We had to wait for sometime just before Jolarpet station and then a stop at the Jolarpet station, rest was a continuous run for the Shatabdi. We reached around 11:30. Had to rush to get down at Bengaluru station as the final destination is Mysuru and many passengers and pantry items were off boarding the train here.
Auto rickshaw waallas outside the railway station were not foo friendly to our pockets. For a Rs.60 ola drive we had to pay Rs.100 to the station auto rickshaw. Ola auto rickshaws were not ready to come.
The guest house provided by the marriage party was cool and calm surrounded by trees. There was an old building and a new annex as well. Just near the Golf course this accommodation by easy from the railway station but quiet faraway from the place of marriage. After a quick check-in we headed straight to commercial street, Bangalore’s very own, affordable clothes market.
Shopping – every one’s favorite time pass. After an hour’s shopping went to the nearby restaurant and had our lunch. Decided to check out Karnataka’s bisibellebath in its capital city but was hugely disappointed. Maybe it dint suit the sambar rice taste buds . Did some more shopping and left from there in another hour or so.
After reaching our guest house we got decked up for the Maappaillai Azhaipu. After a refreshing tea we left the place. Ola auto to the marriage hall costed Rs.150. Located in Rajarajeswari nagar this was a huge hall twinning with another in the same campus and called Meenakshi marriage hall. It was away from the city so we got a glimpse of Bangalore outskirts. Attended the function and had tiffin there – veg rice sevai and chutney. It was a less crowded affair and marriage party was still getting in to the groove.
Returning to the guest house became difficult as auto waallas were not willing to take us to the city at that time of the city. Ola died as mobile network failed at the roaming space. But at the auto rickshaw stand they were kind enough to call fellow auto drivers to check if they were willing to ply to the city. At last one of them agreed. Till that auto rickshaw reached us we were asked to sit in one of their autos. Experiencing their humanity was just touching. We thanked him and got into our auto rickshaw. In few minutes it started pouring. Rains in Bangalore weather was icing on the cake but we dint want our dresses spoilt. Reached guest house by 9 pm and went to sleep.
The next day morning we were greeted with tea. Got ready after having it and took ola again to the marriage hall. Witnessed oonjal function and had breakfast. Idly, chutney and bonda soup was served. Bonda soup is a Karnataka special were small size bondas are served in cups followed by generous pouring of dhal in a soupy consistency. Mild dhal, is not spicy like sambar. This is a must try for all.
By the time the couple got ready for marriage we went to the near by Rajarajeswari temple and had a darshan. It was huge temple complex. Elephant statue stood near the entrance of the temple. After the wedding we went for lunch. It was an elaborate one – 3 sweets of which one was the regional speciality - peni in sweet milk. Rice with sambar, mor kuzhambu, rasam, tamarind rice and puffed rice ball. After the heavy meal took Ola back to the guest house for a siesta and packed to leave.
On reaching the railway entrance and seeing the trains boarding display realized that our shatabdi to Chennai is arriving at the platform near the back gate of the railway station. Climbed the foot over bridge to reached our platform. It was a huge station and foot over bridge had many steps. At each platform there were digital boards to display the coach number which comes up when the train is nearing the station. At each platform battery operated vehicles carry people to the spot near their coach. Place is well maintained. During the waiting time witnessed a long duration train travelling to north India being filled with the kitchen essentials. LPG cylinders, water bottles and sacks of grains were loaded along with the other items. Running IRCTC kitchens that too in a running train involves so much of planning and work.
The return shatabdi started at 5 PM and dropped us at Chennai central railway station at around 10 PM. Though a short one this journey was an eye opener in terms of the train journey.
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