BENGALURU TRIP 2025

 MY BENGALURU TRIP 2025

My trip to Bengaluru was a very unique, interesting and a new experience. 

I have to attend a function at Bengaluru.

PLANNING 

It was decided that I  complete the trip in One day. , that is , go in the morning from Chennai and return on the same day.

I searched for the best mode of transport for both legs of the trip.

There was a convenient train at 6-00 am from MGR central station. This would reach by 10-30 am Bengaluru.

So booked Executive Chair car in Shatabti express for going to Bengaluru and return by indigo flight leaving Bengaluru by 6.30 PM. My daughter helped me do the bookings. 

It would take 1 hr to reach the rail station from home which is 30 kms away from the station. So I booked a cab to pick me up at 4.45 am in the previous night itself to avoid any difficulties.

As I have to leave early, I could not sleep properly the previous night. But I used TM meditation to compensate my Sleep. 

JOURNEY TO BENGALURU

I woke up at 3 am. Finished my morning rituals including bath and prayer and was ready by 4 am. 

Cab came exactly at 4-15 am. 

It took only 45 minutes to reach the station. The road trip to station was good and smooth. 

On reaching station I slowly walked to the platform where the train was. 

On the way I had coffee at Madras Coffee. It was a decoction coffee. Tasted good. Slowly walked towards the bogie of EXECUTIVE CHAIR CAR. This was 3 bogie from the End of the rack. 

Though the compartment was set ready for passengers to board, there was no one inside. I hesitated from sometime. Then I decided to enter and sit and take some rest. 

The seats were wide and comfortable. It was 2-2 seats on either side of the aisle. Newspapers English and Tamil were distributed for everyone. 

Slowly one by one passengers started coming.  The bogie was half empty. 

The train departed exactly on the dot at 6-00 am. Once departed we were given welcome drink  coffee and biscuit along with paper napkin. 

This coffee is premixed powder of coffee, sugar and cream . The attendant poured only hot water. 😐

After some time breakfast was served. Less the said about the breakfast better. It was Not at all good. This was followed by hot drink; coffee/ tea as before. 

Then they gave a fruit juice small. 

The train was running at a good speed and noise level very low. The train had only 2 stops. From Central  to Katpadi to Jolarpet to Bengaluru. No stops in between. 

I reached the Bengaluru Central SBC station at 10 30 am. 

As soon I alighted from the train I booked a cab to go to Prestige Monte carlo apartments.  I choose pick up point as Bengaluru central. 

On coming out the driver of the cab called and said he is at a different station. So I cancelled the ride and again booked a cab standing out side the station. 

This time driver called and said he is at the back entrance of the station. 😕

He asked me to wait and said he will come to the front. It took about 45 minutes before I entered the Cab.  

The driver was good. I explained why I am here and need to be at the place as soon as possible. He took only 40 minutes to reach the destination

I was ON TIME to the function. 

I met all the people and the function went well. Had a good lunch served there. 

Was talking to Daughter for some time. 

RETURN JOURNEY 

My flight time was 6.30 pm. I asked my daughter about how to collect the boarding pass. My Grand daughter had told me once that boarding pass can be made in the kiosk after you enter the terminal.

However my daughter made the Web checking the previous day itself and send me the E Boarding pass. 

One of the relative of ANAND had told that there is an app called DIGIYATRA. In this if you register all your AIRLINE boarding passes will come.

The procedure to board is very very simple. 

This is one the new experience for me as I am used to travelling before in the traditonal way; i.e. go the the check in counter, show your ticket and they check the computer and give the boarding pass. 

downloaded the Digiyatra and registered. Then the boarding pass generated came into the app. Made an QR code of the pass and saved in WHATSAPP.

I booked a cab to come at 3.30 pm. It came on time. 

It took me about  1 hr and 15 minutes to reach the Airport. 

The airport was grand to look. Especially for me who has never seen an airport like this IN INDIA.

THE EXPERIENCE AT AIRPORT

The experience at the airport was simply superb.  There is  separate entry passengers from the outside itself. Here you only show your face and you are allowed to pass through. In case of doubt you have to show the QR code on the  scanner. 

Once entered you can straight go to the security. Here also you only show your face and proceed further. 

After the security check procedure you enter lounge which looks awesome. I enjoyed wandering for sometime. 

 There are different types of restaurants besides shops of different kind. There are seats. In each seat there is QR code in the arms rest. You can scan the same and order food. 

While I was sitting there near the gate where I have to board, my son called and asked me to purchase some souvenir from the airport. I again went strolling to the shop and checked for items. I purchased souvenir from there as a remembrance.

I waited for the call to Board. When announced again you have to just enter showing face or QR code. 

The flight was full. It took only 40 minutes to reach Chennai.

AT CHENNAI AIRPORT 

At  Chennai airport, after alighting from the aircraft you are taken by a bus to the terminal. As soon as I reached terminal I booked for a cab. 

The journey to the taxi where it is parked is a journey by itself. 

You have to wall all the way to the exit. There will be a buggy to take you to to AERO BRIDGE where all cabs and cars are parked. This is free though. 

Once there, you have to go the 2nd floor to the parking area. There are not many lifts. You have to search for the left and go to the 2nd floor.

I reached the parking area, located the taxi and started my way back home. There was heavy traffic on the road. It took about an hour to reach  home

OVERALL THE TRIP was GOOD and ENJOYABLE .