This tip is for visitors to some of Bengaluru's famous landmarks Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and Cubbon Park. And also non-veg food loving Bengalureans.
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Many state govts. offer highly subsidised meal at govt. canteens. But KA govt. doesn't do that but has a Govt. canteen run by the Fisheries department which offers food at a cheaper rate than outside. It's called Mathsya Darshini. It's located at Cubbon Park.
There...
more... are many items some of which are available seasonally or on certain days of the week only. But the most popular and available daily is the Fish Meals. It consists of a bowl of rice, a big ragi ball, rasam, a cup of buttermilk and 1 big full Fish or 2 good sized pieces.
Any of these you can take extra too (see menu). The ragi ball is pretty big and if the need be you can ask for extra gravy too (free).
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Timing: 12 PM-8PM, all days. But avoid 1 PM-2:00 PM on weekdays as it is the time when Govt. employees from all the surrounding Govt. offices converge here. The queue to buy the token and to take meals is very long. In the evening ragi ball won't be available, I was told.
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The place is spacious with blue sheet covering to give a feel of ocean :) Filter water is available. Lots of seating is there, even table to stand and eat. There is a small fish tank with some ornamental fishes in it; you can sit next to it and admire and eat.
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Govt. run aqua pet shoppe is there in the front to buy ornamental fishes. There is a Govt. fish shop too with variety of fishes, prawns, crabs...
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After seeing Vidhana Soudha, in the opposite is a road that leads to Cubbon Park, if you walk into it and ask for "Govt. Fish Hotel", people will direct you. Or you can walk towards K.R. Circle from Vidhana Soudha and at the circle take left into Cubbon Park, you will get this hotel.
Both ways just few hundred meters from Vidhana Soudha and also Metro station (you can take metro from SBC (Majestic) to Vidhana Soudha).
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After the meal, if you stroll into Cubbon Park, to the immediate left you will find a Govt. Horticulture Dept. Shop on the footpath (under a canopy) selling juices and dry fruits. Grape Juice is best, also there is Mango juice. Both priced at Rs.15 (He may say 20 but you insist that you know the price is 15).
Ask for cold one, chilled among blocks of ice (no extra cost). If you take the bottle home to ferment and drink, then its 20 rs.
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