If you’re the sort of person who enjoys sightseeing, there’s no way
you should skip a visit to the Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens on your
trip to Bangalore. Commissioned by Hyder AIi in 1760 and
eventually completed by his son, Tipu Sultan, Lal Bagh is a 240
acre garden in the southern part of town. Tipu Sultan added
horticulture wealth to these world-famous botanical gardens by
importing plants and trees from various countries. The Glass
House forms the centre of attraction in the garden, which houses
the subcontinent’s largest collection of rare plants and also trees
that are over 100 years old.
Hyder Ali had intended to create this garden along the lines of the
MughRI Gardens that were gaining popularity during his time. The
park has some rare species of plants brought from Persia,
Afghanistan and France. With a complex and intricate irrigation
system, this garden is aesthetically designed, with lawns,
flowerbeds, lotus pools, fountains and most of the centuries old
trees are labelled for easy identification. The Lal Bagh Rock, one
of the oldest rock formations on earth, dating back to 3000 million
years, is another attraction that draws in the crowds.
Lal Bagh is known for its unique achievement in nurturing the
concept of horticulture and aiding the development of horticulture
and is considered to be one of the best gardens in the East for its
layout, scientific treasure and scenic beauty. The garden, with all
its well- laid paths, tracks, open spaces, shades and an extensive
collection of rare plant species, makes this Garden extremely
attractive to a large number of visitors. –
Yet another attraction is the ‘Janapada Jaatre’, organized by the
Government of Karnataka, on the second and fourth-weekend of
every month, featuring folk dance, music and plays performed by
troupes from all parts of Karnataka.
The Lal Bagh Botanical Garden is open from 6.00 AM- 7.00 PM
daily, throughout the year. For the sake of fitness enthusiasts and
joggers, the Garden entry is free from 6.00 AM to 9.00 AM and
from 6.00 PMto 7.00 PM.