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Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
Guided walks to help you discoverhidden wonders of Bengaluru's Cubbon Park
Bengaluru: Come Sunday, visitors can discover the verdant Cubbon Park with a fresh perspective with the launch of Cubbon Walks. The new series of guided nature walks, launched Wednesday, is similar to the one conducted in Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. During the 90-minute guided walks, to be held every Saturday and Sunday from 7:30am to 9am, visitors will be taken around the park uncovering the hidden biodiversity and ecological stories tucked behind the more familiar colonial structures and statues that dot the green landscape. The walks, a joint initiative of the horticulture department, The Naturalist School (TNS) and Bangalore Walks, invite people of all ages to experience the park as a living museum of nature. Led by trained guides, the walks aim to reveal unknown details even regular visitors might have overlooked in Sri Chamarajendra Park, as the green space is officially known. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Tickets are priced at Rs 200 for adults and Rs 50 for those aged 10–17 years, while children below 10 years can join for free accompanied by an adult. Participants will walk through scenic paths while learning about heritage trees, native and exotic plant species introduced during the British era, rare birds, and curious insects. With stories rooted in history and ecology, the walks promise a deeper appreciation of the park's layered natural heritage that has evolved with the changing times. Deputy director of horticulture (Cubbon Park) Kusuma G said, "We have taken up the initiative to let people understand the uniqueness and importance of Cubbon Park and to protect the park at the same time. The more people understand the history, the more they protect this green space." Naturalist School founder Priya Venkatesh said: "Cubbon Walks offers a chance to discover hidden gems and fascinating stories and offers a chance to connect with nature. " Arun Pai, founder of Bangalore Walks, explained, "The walk has something for everyone... If you're curious and want to discover something remarkable in the heart of Bengaluru, you must join the walk." Ashish Patel, from TNS said, "It's not just about knowing facts—once people get to know the stories behind the trees, the ants, or even the termites in the park, their perspectives change. You may forget the exact details, but you walk away with a deeper connection. Whenever there is an attempt to replace greenery with concrete, people are more likely to stand up and say, 'Let's not do this'." Visitors can join the walks by booking online at or by emailing horticulturecubbon@
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Writer's Corner: Roopa Pai on ‘Becoming Bangalore…', a tribute to her hometown, captured in print
Many books explore the history, culture, or overlooked facets of Bengaluru. But in terms of its breadth, eclectic range of knowledge, and accessibility, Roopa Pai's Becoming Bangalore: Stories That Shaped A Hometown is a standout. Spanning 75 different articles, the book, launched this January, offers glimpses into almost every chapter of Bengaluru's history – from the Vidhana Soudha and the humble vegetable locally known as 'chow chow' to the city's lesser-known connection to Chhatrapati Shivaji. Each section comes with a personalised introduction by the writer—and contributions from readers who share their memories and musings. Speaking to The Indian Express, Pai says that the foundation of the book began in 2021 with a fortnightly column on the city written for the Hindustan Times. Pai, the founder of Bangalore Walks, which conducts guided walks, says, 'For a long time, I had been sending people links on WhatsApp to read the column. I realised it was something that people enjoyed reading as it came in small, concentrated bites.' Prompted by readers who expressed interest in reading all the columns in one place, the idea of a book began to take shape, says Pai, who pitched the idea to publishing group Hachette India, which usually partners with her on books for children. It was not an easy task, says Pai. 'You start thinking, it is already written, so how long could it take? But I ended up writing 25,000 words more than the columns themselves in little bites, which had to be punchy and intriguing enough for people to want to read,' she explains. Another concern was on how to format the book. The subjects did not lend themselves well to classification by topic, and the columns were not restricted to a particular time or space. After a great deal of back and forth, Pai had a brainwave. 'What defines Bangalore is its flowering seasons – which flowers are in bloom in which season,' she says. The key dates in each column were then chosen to connect to a specific flowering season, like the gulmohar flowering from March to May. An intense editing process followed, and 75 columns were chosen. 'Online, it is impossible to tell how many people have viewed it, which ones went viral. When people not on the mailing list say they have read the column that someone sent to them, you know that it has gone beyond the usual reach. But now (with the book) I find that a lot of young people have enjoyed it…a lot of people who have said they want to read this out to their dad or mom, as they would enjoy it. It has brought up a lot of nostalgia for people from the city, and a lot of wonder from people who are outside,' says Pai. 'People are always trying to find out what it is about Bangalore that draws them…it is difficult to pin down the magic. That is why everyone says the weather; otherwise, they don't know what to say. The weather is just the backdrop. But would you go and live in another city with great weather if it did not have everything else?' she asks.
