In a city as dynamic and demanding as Bengaluru, the need for spaces of quiet refuge and genuine connection demands to be met. Now, across the city, women are opening up their spaces for other women and queer individuals to come and rest with no pressure to socialise or to be productive, the only thing expected is that you come as you are and just be.The aim is to create much-needed safe spaces within the bustling city.‘We need spaces to be away from the pressures of productivity’In Lingarajapuram, artist Indu Antony has turned an empty lot into a public leisure space only for women and named it Namma Katte (our space). “The concept of Namma Katte came from a need to provide women with a space where they can take a break from their overwhelming lives to relax, gossip, and connect. From a young age, girls are often asked, ‘Why are you just sitting? Why aren’t you doing something? I want to break that mindset. Resting is essential for recovery, for a balanced life. It’s about taking moments throughout the day to recharge. I wanted to create a space for women to simply rest and have moments of solitude, away from the pressures of productivity,” Indu says.

‘When we allow ourselves to rest — that’s when the magic happens’A quiet afternoon with her four friends working in various spots at her place sparked an idea for Meghna: a space for women without any agenda. “We called it No Agenda Spaces,” she says. “Here, guests are encouraged to work, read, meditate, or simply be, surrounded by other women engaged in their activities, often in silence – without talking,” says Meghna, who has a background in mental health and neuroscience. She tells us, “I read this quote from Anne Lamott: ‘Someday, you will put the tentacles to bed.’ It stuck with me. Rest isn’t just physical. It’s when the mind is allowed to pause.Some days rest for me is to have a lovely, boring day.”

‘People are looking for safe spaces to feel supported’For people in the city who miss home, Vidhu, a marketing professional — living in Bengaluru for over a decade — has been opening up her space informally for many years to those who need a break or want to feel at home in the city. Recently, inspired by Meghna’s No Agenda Spaces, Vidhu has also conceptualised a space for people seeking a respite. “There’s so much migration to Bengaluru, and opening up spaces to others helps people build connections and find their community,” says Vidhu.Sharing a poignant encounter, she recounts, “A girl once asked, ‘Can I cry in your home?’ It shows how much people, especially those new to the city, are looking for safe spaces to feel supported.”

‘Bengaluru makes this kind of openness possible’Former flatmates Mitali and Mugdha loved their terrace so much that they decided to share it as a hangout space. Their shared hosting evolved into something beyond hangouts. “We call it Open Door Collective; it has become a safe space for people to try new things. A therapist might host their first-ever session here, or an artist might test out a solo play,” said Mugdha, a fundraising specialist and non-monogamy coach.“There’s a certain openness in Bengaluru that I haven’t felt in other cities. Bengaluru is a city of curiosity and creativity, and that makes the communities and spaces like this thrive here,” says Mitali, a marketing professional.

When you move somewhere new, you’re more open to exploring not just the city, but yourself, too. Spaces like these help one connect, network, and grow

Mugdha