Tourists visiting Bangalore make it a point to visit LalBagh. All the travels and tour operators keep LalBagh in their itinerary. However, I didn’t pay a visit to this picturesque 240 acre (1 sq Km) Botanical Garden until last Saturday. Here’s a brief description of what I saw, observed and felt during my 5 hours at LalBagh.
About the place
The garden houses 1000+ species of flora and was commissioned two-and-half centuries back by Hyder Ali. It houses a lake, several gardens (Japanese, Rose, Bonsai, Topiary), world’s one of the oldest Rock formations (and atop it lies Kempe Gowda Tower), a magnificient Glass House and a Floral Clock among other things. LalBagh remains open daily from 6 am to 7pm (Entry Fee-INR 10). The place is a jogger’s delight.
Location/How to Reach
LalBagh has four gates – of which, vehicles are allowed inside only from the East Gate. Local buses ply between several parts of the city to LalBagh, which is only 4km from Vidhana Soudha.
What to See
Glass House: Inspired by the famous Crystal Palace of London, Glass House is surrounded by Pencil Cedars and Champaka trees.
Lake: Ideal for bird watchers, joggers, and of course, love birds. Spending some time around it may remind you of lakes in Ooty and Kodaikanal.