One of the very famous Botanical Gardens of India is the Lalbagh Botanical Garden at Bengaluru. This megacity also referred as the Silicon Valley of India is the home to many IT companies like ISRO, Infosys, Wipro and HAL. Also, there are many educational and research institutions. The Lalbagh botonical Garden known as the Red Garden is one of the main tourist attractions in Bengaluru. This beautiful garden was initiated as a private garden by Hyder Ali in the year 1760 in an area of 40 acres, but was completed by his son Tipu Sultan. The garden was designed in Mughal style initially. ‘Hyder Ali’ placed these well-known botanical gardens and Tipu Sultan brought horticulture wealth from different countries to India. He brought variety of trees and plants from various countries. Over the years, this garden has attained India’s first lawn-clock and the subcontinent’s largest collection of rare plants.
At present this garden covers an area of 240 acres in South Bengaluru with four gates for entry and exit. This garden carries a collection of nearly about 673 genera and 1,854 species of plants. Birds like Parakeets, Pond heron, Brahminy Kite, Purple moor hen, Myna and Egerate are seen here. The melodious voice and the colorful feathers of these birds attract the tourists. This beautiful garden opens daily from 6AM to 7 PM and can be accessible through the four gates namely the Eastern Gate, the Western Gate, the Northern Gate, and the Southern Gate which is considered as the main gate of the garden.
The Lalbagh Botanical Garden is a place where people can come and see the different species of flora. Families and school children visit this garden to learn about the agricultural science and enjoy the beauty of nature. To start the day right with some fresh air and greenery, joggers and morning walker are seen early morning in the garden. The Lalbagh garden is inspired by the Mughal architecture and has well-planned irrigation system. Water reaches well to every pond, lake, fountains and flower bed. Each and every plant and tree are labeled for information. The garden has trees that are over 100 year old. Some of the major attractions within the garden are the Lawn Clock, Glass house, the Lalbagh Rock, Kampe Gowda Towers.
Lawn Clock: The Lalbagh garden has the first lawn clock in the country surrounded by the fairytale characters such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The seven meter wide clock uses an electronic oscillator regulated by quartz crystal to keep time. This floral lawn clock was setup in 1983 near the main entrance of Lalbagh.
Glasshouse: In the center of the garden, there is a very famous Glasshouse, which was designed after London’s Crystal Palace by John Cameron in the year 1898. He was then the Superintendent of the garden. Every year on Independence Day and Republic Day, flower shows are organized in this Glasshouse. Each year, the place is decorated with a different theme. Famous architecture from around the world made up of flowers is portrayed very exquisitely for tourists. Lalbagh is a pendent and the glasshouse in the center is thought to be a diamond, in the necklace of Bangalore’s gardens.
Lalbagh Rock: The Lalbagh Rock is one of the other attractions of the Lalbagh Botanical Garden. It is one of the oldest rock formations on earth. It is believed to be about 3000 million years old according to the Geological Survey of India. One of the four cardinal towers built by Kampe Gowda in 1537 can be seen on this hillock. Full view of the Bengaluru city can be seen from this hill top.
Apart from these attractions, there is a nursery, museum which has a wide variety of artefacts, aquarium illustrating underwater life, and the Lalbagh Lake which is also the source of water for most of the plants and trees of the Lalbagh Botanical garden. During summers, the Horticulture Department invites farmers from all across the state of Karnataka, to bring their produce for the Mango Mela. Different varieties of mangoes that are grown by the farmers are presented by them in this Mela. The Government of Karnataka also organizes “Janapada Jaatre” on every second and fourth weekend of the month to promote the folk music, folk dance, and plays performed by artists coming from all over the state.
