Namaskara. I’m Raksha Nagaraj, the founder of Bengaluru Prayana. Though my professional background is in product management, my real passion lies in travel, storytelling, and building communities through shared experiences.

Raksha Prasad

As a solo traveller, I’ve explored over 55 countries across all seven continents, immersing myself in local cultures and documenting my journeys through my travel platform, Solopassport. I’m also a certified Rescue Scuba diver and Level 1 free diver, drawn to adventure and new perspectives.

While I enjoy writing about global travel, Bengaluru has always been home. Born and raised here, I’ve lived across multiple neighbourhoods, including Malleshwaram, Rajajinagar, Sadashivnagar, and Indiranagar. This city holds a deep personal significance for me, and I believe its stories deserve to be told with care and curiosity.

Why I Started Bengaluru Prayana

When I moved back to India from Australia in 2021, I realised there were few active community spaces in Bengaluru where people could connect and explore the city together. Many locals still pointed to Nandi Hills or Skandagiri as the only places worth visiting, overlooking the cultural richness right here in our neighbourhoods.

This gap inspired me to create Bengaluru Prayana, beginning with community-led walks in November 2022. Since then, we’ve hosted over 70 walks, bringing together more than 150 people, many of whom started as strangers and are now close friends.

In January 2023, I launched this website to offer a more structured way of sharing Bengaluru’s heritage, culture, and lifestyle. It also serves as a growing archive of places, people, and stories that deserve more attention.

Why I Write About Bengaluru

Malleshwaram (About me)

Bengaluru is my hometown. I have lived in and travelled to many cities around the world, but none have the same personal connection. The city’s rich history and evolving identity are worth celebrating—and preserving. Through Bengaluru Prayana, I aim to help locals and visitors explore the hidden corners of our city, understand its past, and experience its present with intention.

About Bengaluru Prayana

Bengaluru Prayana is a community-driven platform focused on urban explorations, guided heritage walks, self-guided trails, and local storytelling.

We are not licensed historians or certified tour guides. What we offer stems from in-depth, independent research, personal exploration, and a passion for Bengaluru’s local character. Our walks focus on:

  • Lesser-known landmarks
  • Architecture, local markets, and public art
  • Historical figures and forgotten stories
Cubbon Park Heritage Walk - Bengaluru
Picture from one of the walks

We also produce self-guided PDF trail kits and plan to expand into audio guides in the future.

Our mission is to reclaim Bengaluru’s cultural narrative, beyond IT parks and nightlife, to highlight its rich diversity, historical layers, and vibrant everyday life.

Why Spend Time on Bengaluru Prayana?

Here’s what you can expect:

For Walk Participants

  • Practical Travel Tips – From navigating metro lines to local eateries, we share helpful advice to make your time enjoyable.
  • Explore Hidden Gems – Go beyond tourist sites with curated walks through local markets, heritage streets, and neighbourhoods.
  • Engaging Stories – Learn about Bengaluru’s past and present through accessible, well-researched narratives.
  • Community and Connection – Meet like-minded people who share an interest in cities, stories, and slow exploration.
Malleshwaram Street Art
Malleshwaram Street Art

For Website Readers

  1. Local Expertise – Get firsthand knowledge from someone who’s lived here her whole life and is passionate about sharing.
  2. Diverse Content – Read stories about places, people, architecture, wildlife, and events in the city.
  3. Comprehensive Resource Hub – Access trails, self-guided walk PDFs, and blog posts that help you explore Bengaluru in your own way.
  4. Support Local – Learn about small businesses, local artisans, and community events that deserve your attention.

Meet Your Hosts

Raksha Nagaraj

Raksha is the founder of Bengaluru Prayana and a fourth-generation Bangalorean. A native of the city, she’s a globe-trotter who has visited over 55 countries. She also runs Solopassport, where she documents her solo female travel experiences. She splits her time between Bengaluru and Sydney, always chasing stories and building connections.

Suyash Kumar

Suyash is a self-proclaimed lover of Bengaluru, a history buff, and an amateur storyteller. He has always found history to be a way of connecting with a place. Bengaluritage is Suyash’s hobby project to share the obscure and lesser-known historical stories of Bengaluru with the broader community, allowing them to develop a deeper connection with the city, potentially.

Varun Khanna

Varun Khanna is a student of Indian Military History with a special research interest in Bangalore Military History. He is also a Collector and Researcher of the postal history of Indian Forces during the Second World War and before.

Shyam Kodavarthi

Shyam is a solo traveller and explorer with a deep passion for history and heritage. He has been conducting heritage walks across Bangalore for several years now, many of which have been featured in Times of India group publications. His walks are known for their engaging anecdotes and lesser-known stories rather than just dates and timelines. Shyam believes that every corner of Bangalore holds a story, and he enjoys uncovering them one walk at a time.

Divya Chandrashekar

Divya is a multi-talented native of Bengaluru with a background in engineering. She’s also a blogger, bird watcher, photographer, and snail-mail enthusiast. She brings a thoughtful eye to Bengaluru’s natural beauty, architecture, and daily rhythms, contributing depth and balance to the walks she co-hosts.

At Bengaluru Prayana, our goal is simple: to help people see Bengaluru with new eyes. Whether you’re new to the city or have lived here your whole life, there’s always something to learn, appreciate, or rediscover.

Thank you for being here. Join us on this journey, on foot or online, and let’s explore Bengaluru together, one walk at a time.

Important Links

Bengaluru Travel Resources

Bengaluru Travel Resources
Don’t have the time to read the complete post? Here are some useful links for your bookings:
Cheap Flight Bookings? Use Skyscanner
Good stay and accommodation? Use Agoda or Stay22
Hostels? Use HostelWorld
Comprehensive Travel Insurance? Use SafetyWing
Tours and Activity Bookings? Use Viator, GetYourGuide or TripAdvisor

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