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LALBAGH BOTANICAL GARDEN
Lalbagh Botanical Garden is considered to be one of the most diverse botanical garden in South Asia. Lalbagh Botanical Garden is located in the southern part of the city, about 4 km from Vidhana Soudha and M.G. Road (GEO 12.97 degree N 77.56 degree E). Lalbagh has four approach gates. The main gate is at the North facing towards Subbaiah circle, the West gate is towards Basavanagudi, the South gate is towards Jayanagar and the East gate is towards the Double Road.

Lalbagh was established during the time of Hyder Ali on the model of Mogul garden at Sira. It was later enlarged by his son Tippu Sultan, who enriched this garden by the addition of varieties of flower plants by procuring seeds and plants from Kabul, Persia, Mauritius and Turkey. Major Waugh, Dr. Wallich, William Munroe, Sir Mark Cubbon, Dr. Cleghorn, William New, A. Blck, John Cameron, Krumbeigal, Rao Bahadur H.C. Javaraya, K. Nanjappa and Dr. M.H. Marigowda, as the Superintendents of the garden, have made noteworthy contributions to the development of Lalbagh.

Lalbagh is currently under the aegis of the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka. The Directorate is housed amidst the splendid environs of the botanical garden. Lalbagh was given the status of a Government Botanical Garden in 1856, and since then, it has been an internationally renowned centre for scientific study of plants and botanical artwork and also conservation of plants. Formal and informal styles dominate the garden in perfect harmony, which is a testimony to the beauty of nature. Today, the garden is a lush green paradise with an area of 240 acres in the heart of the city. Lalbagh remains open daily from 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. throughout the year.

Biannual flower shows are organized every year in January and August on the occasion of the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations respectively.

Plant wealth of Lalbagh
The botanical garden is enriched with numerous native and exotic flora of wide ranging diversity, use and interest. This has been achieved by way of introduction; acclimatization and multiplication of plants obtained from various parts of the world since its inception in 1760. Today, nearly 673 genera and 1,854 species of plants are found in Lalbagh. The collection of the plants has made it a veritable treasure house of plants.

Some of the exotic species introduced from different parts of the world include Agathis sp., Amherstia nobilis, Araucaria sp., Averrhoa bilimbi, Bambusa sp., Bixa orellana, Brownea grandiceps, Castanospermum australe, Cola acuminata, Corypha umbraculifera, Couroupita guianensis, Cupressus sp., Eriobotrya japonica, Magnolia sp., Swietenia mahagoni etc. Indigeneous species such as Artocarpus heterophyllus, Bombax ceiba, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula , Dillenia indica, Ficus sp., Lagerstromia speciosa, Michelia champaca, Mesua ferrea etc., can be seen. In addition, a number of ornamental and economic plant species both of exotic and indigenous origin can be found in Lalbagh.

Locations of Interest
Of the many artistic structures in Lalbagh, the Glass House is the most famous. In the necklace of Bangalore's gardens, Lalbagh is a pendant and in the centre of this pendant is the glass house in the form of a diamond. It was built in 1889 during the administration of Sri John Cameron to commemorate the visit of Prince of Wales. Designed on the lines of the Crystal Palace of England, it was intended for acclimatizing the exotic plant specimens. Today, as the jewel of Lalbagh, it is the centre stage for holding the famous biannual flower shows.

The Bandstand, Lecture Hall, Lalbagh House, Pigeon House, Statue of Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar, the Directorate Building, Lalbagh West Gate Guard Room, the Museum and Cottage which now house some of the department offices, main gate of Lalbagh (Cameron gate), Deer Paddock, Aquarium building, Aviary and Kempegowda Tower are other artistic structures that can be seen in Lalbagh. Lalbagh lake is an important location of interest. The plant wealth, distributed in various sections such as the arboretum, erythrina plot, topiary, rosary, centenary garden, economic garden, fruit garden, floral clock, cypress lawn, aviary shade garden, terrace garden, statue garden, band stand garden, ficus lawn, fern house, rockeries, lotus pond, magnolia lawn, japanese garden, pencil cedar avenue, cacti house, indoor garden, orchid house, and a collection of crotons, bougainvilleas, palms, aquatics, aroids, bamboos, etc., are worth seeing. The tree fossil is another object of interest in Lalbagh.

Artistic Structures in LalBagh

Kempegowda Tower
The origin and history of Lalbagh goes back to 18th century. But there are structures in Lalbagh which date back to 16th century, the oldest among these are some structures of artistic-importance constructed during the last century. The oldest among these is the "KEMPEGOWDA TOWER" It is about four hundred and fifty years old constructed by the celebrated Kempegowda, ruler FO Yalanka Nad and founder of Bangalore city . He constructed four such towers at four cardinal points out side the town. He predicted that the town would extend up to these limits set by him. Now the city has grown far beyond these limits. The original shape of Kempegowda tower was not as it looks now.

Earlier it was plain with four pillars supporting the upper storey where a watchman could sit and watch the surrounding. It also had an ornamental pot like dome. The tower was altered during the tenure of Sir Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Chief Minister of Mysore state during 1952-56. The alteration of the tower was done with an idea of giving better look and to make it visible from another end of double road (K.H. Road) of about a mile distance. Now the tower looks more like a Hindu temple tower as it has motifs and relief figure of Hindu mythology over the tower. The remodelling was done without altering the four supporting pillars and base of the tower. One can have a panoramic view of Lalbagh and enjoy good breeze from gardens of Lalbagh, while standing beneath the tower.

Lalbagh Glass House
The construction of the present Glass House was concaved in the year 1888 by the then superintendent of Lalbagh, J.Cameron. He proposed the construction of Glass House for the sole purpose of holding horticultural show as a conservation. The proposal was placer before the government of Maharaja of Mysore. His Highness Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar who sanctioned the proposal in the year 1889.

The design and architecture of this building was prepared the MacFarlane and company, Glasgow, England and the same was approval. The construction of the magnificient building was also entrusted to M/s MacFarlane and company. The supervision of the construction was entrusted to Mr.Scaldwell who was Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department.

Originally there was a plan to accommodate office room, library and herbarium in one of the wings of the Glass House, later it was decided to have only the exhibition main hall with side wings. The Prince of Wales , his Royal Highness, ,Albert Victor, laid the foundation of the Glass House on 30th November 1889, completed in the year 1890. It was named after him as 'Albert Victor Conservatory'.

The Glass House is in the form of cross' constructed on the model of Crystal Palace of England. It has a main hall measuring 160x80 ft, two wings at right angle to the hall measuring 60x40ft, each and basement with a height of 3 ft. The whole structure is fabricated out of iron and glass. It is a handsome edifice, looks, elegant with terrace gardens in the front and green lawns at either side in the form of crescent shape. A row of champaka trees have been planted around the Glass House excepting the front in the form of crescent shape. At a distance of 60 ft. further a row of monkey puzzle trees (Araucaria bidwilli) was planted. Now these trees are in their prime age providing good shape to the walkers and lend aesthetic look to the surrounding of glass house. At the turn of this century, two rows of pencil cedars (Juniperus procera) were planted on either side of the path leading from one end of the crescent prominade to another within champaka and monkey puzzle rows. Now, these pencil cedars provide profuse shade and cool breeze. The garden in front of the Glass House. At the time this ornamental building was completed, it was considered as the finest building in the new style in the beginning, all the sides (freezes) were fitted with teak lattice work above the basement which were draped with creepers in order to provide shelter to the plants inside and protect them from the scorching sun and the blowing winds.

Around the year 1935, when Rao Bahadur H.C. Javaraya was Superintedant, His Highness Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar, Maharaja of Mysore sanctioned the constructions of rear wing to the east of the main hall of the Glass House. This wing is built purely out of in digenous material from Mysore Iron Works, Bhadravathy.

This Glass House has four entrances on all the four directions, from and rear entrances have prominent roads, terrace gardens with artistic flight of steps, lamp posts, paraphets and trees such as elegant Araucarias, Pride of India, Tecoma argentia, at either side. The gravelled path from main entrance leads up to the toplary garden at a distance with band stand and artistic fountain in the middle. The band stand and oval garden synchronise with the Glass House. The metalled path runs from rear entrance to the circle at the foot of hillock. The metalled road passing through the portico of the main entrance starts from Lalbagh main gate and meets another road linking the remaining three gates of Lalbagh. Thus, the Glass House is linked with all main it a SANCTUM SANCTORUM Lalbagh.

Band Stand
It is circular wooden structure with artistic elevated roof supported by wooden pillars which are fixed to a granite platform. The band stand is located almost in the centre of Lalbagh gardens, and it is surrounded by lush green lawns encircled by paraphet walls. The garden laid out around the band stand is in form of terrace. Panoramic views of GlassHouse towards east and topiary garden towards west can be had from Band stand.

Band stand has completed hundred years of its existance in Lalbagh. Its construction was contemplated by Mr. Willliam New, Superintendent of Lalbagh during 1858064, but it is evident from records that it was constructed prior to 1870. Mr Cameron, Superintendent of Lalbagh between 1874-1908, recorded in this report that the Band stand was repaired, the granite platform was added, and the wooden roof improved. He also recorded that flowershows were conducted annually in the Band stand prior to construction of conservatory (glass house) in 1980. It is called band Stand, because military band used to be played in this structure on weekend holidays since its construction. Lateron, this military band gave way to the orchestra as it was becoming more popular. Till 1976, the orchestra used to be arranged in the band Stand on week end holidays.

Even to this day, the Band stand is one of the most handsome of all the structures, barring Glass House in Lalbagh.

Horticultural Lecture Hall
It is a tile roofed tiny building located at one of the shade gardens surrounding the Statue. The building is of unique style, is having a mini verandah in front and a hall inside which is spacious enough to accommodate about fifty persons. Its northern facade is decorated with mortar display of state symbol of erstwhile Mysore Royal Government. It must have roof are scribed to have been manufactured in the same year.

It is called lecture hall, since lectures on horticulture used to be given in this building to the students enrolled for diploma in Horticulture during early early part of this century. It is presumed, the building was constructed for the same purpose. After abolition of the diploma course in Horticulture, lectures on Horticulture were arranged in the building on Sundays. Later on the Government have sanctioned the Mali (Gardeners) training school at Lalbagh as well as at other important places in the state, therby its use as lecture hall became limited. Finally, when building and class rooms were raised at south east end of Lalbagh for a Mali Training School, the lecture hall lost its past glory of having been the Alma Mater for many students. Attempts were made to start a canteen for staff of Lalbagh during early part of present decade. Somehow it was not favoured to be canteen, and remained as centre for garden workers to give their attendance. It stands there as a relic of its grandeur of having ben a lecture hall.

Lalbagh House
It is an elegant cottage with spacious halls, suites, drawing room, kitchen, store room, and handsome portico. It served as dwelling house for the Superintendent of Garden for more than a century. Till recently, Director of Horticulture was privileged to dwell in the cottage. During the year 1988, this magnificent cottage was renovated and as per the Government decision Lalbagh library was shifted to this building. It is named after Dr.M.H.Marigowda, Ex-Director of Horticulture, by the then Chief Minister of Karnataka. Now, it is called "Dr.M.H.Marigowda National Horticultural Library". The library in this building is being used by departmental staff and officers of allied institutions. Interested public may also visit library for study of horticulture.

The origin of the building is tracked back to the early part of last century. In the year 1939. When the garden was managed by the Agri. Hoticultural Society, its Secretary Mr. William Munro reported to head office that heavy expences were caused by constructing seed house and dwelling house for the Superintendent of the Garden. Again it was recorded in subsequent reports of 1856 that an amount of Rs. 200/- was spent fot the cottage. Mr. Cameron in his report of 1890 recorded that the dwelling cottage was extended and improved with floor tiles. All these records give clue that the cottage was constructed in 1839 and periodically extended and improved to the stage that it is now. It has completed its purposeful existence of one and half Century.

Pigeon House
It is a tiny, cylindrical shaped structure, built in the last century. It is a dove cot otherwise called as pigeon house. It has a circular room with a height of about fifteen feet and has artistic holes round the wall towards top. The holes contain enough space in each for a pair of pigeons. It was constructed in the year 1893, when Mr.Cameron was the Superintendent of Lalbagh. It was his innovative idea to give enough freedom to the pigeons kept in the cages earlier, and also to allow them to find their own food. The structure is in the form of turret and it offers accommodation for about hundred pairs of pigeons as there are so many holes in rows one above the other. The space within the structure is sufficient for a watchman to dwell-in. The room is fitted with a door having facilities for locking.

Statue of Chamaraja Wodeyar
The most artistic and elegant structure en Lalbagh is the statue of His Highness Chamaraja Wodeyar, the then Maharaja of Mysore (1881-1894). The statue was originally erected at Curzon Park in Mysore City. After having secured better one for that place, it was decided to shift this statue to Bangalore city. In the year 1908, when Krumbiegal was Superintendent of Lalbagh, the statue was shifted to Bangalore city and installed at one of the better portions of Lalbagh. It is a metallic, equestrian statue, painted with black colour. The statue is installed on marble pedestal of about ten feet height. The pedestal has main dais for setting the main statue and also has four mini dais in four angular directions, on each of them was a mini statuette earlier. Now, they are not there. It is learnt that they have been stolen. The east and west faces of the pedestal have alcoves with inner conclave surface painted with metallic gold colour. In both the alcoves there are medium sized metallic statue painted in the black. Each of these two statuettes give symbolic meaning as one is of a blind folded person holding balance in the hand, other one is of a lady exposing the bossom.

This section of Lalbagh is called 'Statue Garden' having an oval layout. Throughout the year there will be blooms in this garden as different flowering trees are planted all along the periphery of oval garden.

Directorate Building
It is a magnanimous structure with artistic feature on effective architectural style. The main entrance hall is quite spacious, and it has artistic wide windows and doors. The entire hall is covered with a high pyramidal roof of zinc sheets below and tiles above. The hall is well ventilated with two windows to front and four windows to back. The roof if surmounted by a dome. The dome allows luxuriant sunlight into hall. On either side of the main hall, there is another hall which is also quite spacious and well ventilated. Each of the adjoining halls has a room adjacent to it and also has door towards front side and to the room. Thus, the whole structure has three halls and two rooms.

The main entrance hall is divided into two portions by wooden (screen) partion. The front portion. The front portion houses reception section and the back portion is used as mini meeting hall. The halls at either sides are being used as office chambers by, Directorate staff. The corner room to the right of the building is used as office chamber by the Director of Horticulture and the room to the left of the building is used as office chamber by joint Director of Administration.

The history of this structure goes back to the early decades of the present century. This building was constructed in 1920 when Mr. Krumbeigal was the Director of Horticulture. Mr. Krumbiegal proposed to the government for construction of the building with intention to start Horticultural institute (college) in it. He planned to make accommodation in the building for Library, Bureau of Economic Botany, Herbarium, Museums of Natural History, Laboratory and Lecture (class) room. The proposal of Mr. Krumbeigal was partly approved by Government to the extent of the building as it stands today.

This building is in same shape as it was when constructed except the roof. Originally, the roof was wholly glass. In the year 1927, the roof was removed and re-roofed with zinc sheets below and tiles above. This alteration was done to provide office accommodation for the consulting architect in addition to his original duties as Director of Horticulture. Later, the building accommodated both his oofices. Hence, the building may befittingly called as brain child of Mr. Krumbeigal. Even to this day there is no other brick building in lalbagh comparable to it in artistic features, architectural style, ornamentation, accommodation and more so in strength. The vast frontage with a elevated lawn in the centre and greenery at all sides lend beauty and serenity to the building. From a distance, the view is panoramic and grand.

Lalbagh West Gate Guard Room
It is an artistic, tiny structure of granite with high ornamentation and architectural styles. It is in shape of lantern with glass windows and ventilators at all the directions. It is situated between the two iron gates opening towards the Basavanagudi extension to the western side of Lalbagh. Hence, the gate is called the Basavanagudi gate or Lalbagh west gate. During night times when the electric bulb in the lodge is lit the whole structure appears like lantern from a distance and its lantern effect is visible from all the directions. It is a guard room mainly meant for a watch-man, who could sit inside and watch the surroundings vigilantly, as he could peep in all the directions through the glass windows.

Perhaps, many of the present generation people do not know that this structure is a transplant. Earlier, it stood at the entrance of Dewan P.N.Krishnamurthy's Bungalow (Present Post & Telegraph building lies behind international Hotel by the side of the Race Course road). Way back in 1940's, when the area around the P.N.Krishnamurthy's Bungalow changed hands, and a part of it was acquired by government the compound wall and the guard room at the main entrance was ordered to be dismantled. Fortunately, the then Dewan Sir Mirza lsmail and then Director of Horticulture Sri H.C. Javaraya went round the area to inspect the dismantling work. Sri Javaraya was attracted by the ornamental granite guard room and it struck to his mind an idea to save this beautiful structure. He spontaneously requested Sir. Mirza lsmail permitted Javaraya to do so not knowing the idea behind it. Javaraya did not give any clue about the transfer of the structure to Llalbagh. He silently engaged skilled workers for dismantiling the structure, before dismantling, each stone of it was numbered from top to bottom. These numbered stones of the structure were carefully removed and transferred to the Lalbagh. For erecting the guard room at Lalbagh, a suitable location at the western side was selected. The stones of the Gate Lodge were refabricated at the selected site which is very close to the Basavanagudi extension. It took about two months for erecting the lodge, at a cost of Rs.5,250/-. The surrounding area was beautified with lawns newly laid out. After completion of the whole process of transplanting and beautification, Sri Javaraya invited Dewan Sir Mirza lsmail to see the marvelous feat. Sir Mirza was overjoyed and appreciated Javaraya for his efforts and skill in conserving the beautiful structure, which was at the verge of demolition. But for the zeal and strenuous work of Javaraya, this beautiful and lovely 'masterpiece' would have been out of sight of people of Bangalore as well as that of many visitors to Lalbagh.

Lalbagh Museum
It is an elegant structure with artistic features, situated at north-east corner of Lalbagh rock. This structure was once a museum building. It is 'cottage like' building and has main hall with corresponding parallel antechambers at each side. Two spacious rooms at either side have projected windows, antechambers and separate passages. The building is symetrical in form, design and shape and has elevated tile roof, which affords enough light and ventilation. Perhaps, the hall with high walls was used to exhibit botanical specimens. The building faces west and from west and form its entrance a straight road of a kilometer length runs up to the Directorate building. This road encircles the building, and making it carefree with lawns at either side of the road in the front.

Lalbagh Cottage
It is an artistic, tile roofed, spacious, handsome structure. The elevated verandah has wooden lattice screen at either end with a span of about eight feet adds beauty and grace to the building. The interiors are well ventilated with wide open projected windows, which have both wooden slit panels as well as glass panels. The building has a rectangular shaped innercourt yard. Originally built in the year 1893 for the Curator of the Lalbagh gardens, it is situated at north-east corner of Lalbagh. It has two office chambers in the front portion. A main passage between these office rooms leads to the inner court yard and compartments. At present some offices such as statistical unit, and record section, are housed in the building.

Lalbagh Main Entrance Gates (Cameron Gate)
The main entrance is situated at northern side of Lalbagh near the western wall.

The main entrance was designed in the year 1891, when Mr.Cameron was Superintendent of Lalbagh. The gates were erected in the same year. For some years, the entrance was called Cameron gate.

The main entrance consists of three gates side by side and railings at either side running about fifty feet length terminating at the gate lodges and further after the gate lodges the railings run up to a point about 20 feet beyond gate lodges. These lengthy railings are erected with an idea to present a glimpse of Lalbagh to the by passers in the road. The whole structure is made out of wrought iron, manufactured at the famous MacFarlane and Company, Glasgow, London. The gates are very elegant, artistic, and are quite strong. The gates as well as railings have spikes at top which endanger men or animals trying to jump over into Lalbagh. The entire structure is in crescent shape with vast frontage. All the gates are hinged to strong, chiseled granite columns. The main gate is mainly meant for entry of vehicles and the other two gates at either side are for exit of vehicles.

The main entrance of Lalbagh is very important and significant. All the dignitaries enter the lalbagh gardens through the main entrance. The entrance has a permanent welcome banner at a little hight over the main gate. An hymn given to Lalbagh by national poet, K.V.Puttappa, is superscribed on the banner. It reads "This garden is the abode of God". As the letters are artistically fabricated out of glass neon bulb, at night times the hymn of the poet strikes the eyes of every visitor.

Deer Paddock
It consists of vast ground enclosed by iron mesh. The deers of Lalbagh could walk, jump and gallop in their area as there is no menace of other animals or human beings. At north west corner of this ground, there is a simple, tile roofed, elevated, free standing structure, which offers shelter to the deers during sunny hours and rainy season.

Aquarium building
It is situated in the shade garden located between statue garden and terrace garden. It is a circular building and has four entrances, one in each direction. There is a running gallery round the building at its exterior walls and also in its interior walls. The exterior gallery housed aviary earlier. Now the aviary is closed down. Aquarium is housed in interior galleries. The Aquarium is being maintained by the Department of Fisheries.

LALBAGH FLOWER SHOW 2008
In 2008 to facilitate our flower loving, net savvy Bangaloreans, horticulture department has introduced online ticketing system which may be bought at www.lalbagh.org

For Independence day in 2008 the theme was Hampi, once the glory of Vijayanagar Empire. This year visitors will get to experience the Heritage of Hampi at the Garden City through the blossoms. The world famous stone chariot resurrected in flowers will showcase the history of Hampi and landscapes are made showing the Tungabhadra river.Our musical instruments in the form of Veena, tabla and violin etc are arranged in more than 500 species of flowers. Flowers are the most important part of puja/worship depicts the traditional "Kalasha" and an Ugra Narasimha Statue. Our horticulturists from the Lalbagh HOPCOMS have made a Rainbow using the vibrant colours. Hundreds of orchids, zinnia, nastardium, crysantamums, daisies, marigold, cacti, fuchsia, jasmine, geranium single roses, dahlias, etc species of flowers are to be viewed. Not to mention the floating vegetable gardens are recreated at the Lalbagh Lake, resembling the Dal Lake, Kashmir.