Hyder Ali laid out this famous botanical garden and his son added horticultural wealth to them by
importing trees and plants from several countries. The garden today houses over 1000 species of flora which include rare and enchanting collection of tropical plants, trees and herbs. The Glass
House, modelled along London's Crystal Palace, is the center of attraction in this 2400 acre park. Bi-annual flower shows attracting participants from all over India is held in the Glass House. In
July, 2003 it was decded that the Department of Horticulture and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) would jointly take up the development of Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens.
With an intricate watering system for irrigation, Lal Bagh is aesthetically designed, with lawns, flower beds, lotus pools and fountains. Most
of the centuries old trees are labelled for easy identification.
During season, the rose garden is beautiful to behold. Apparently, when the young Tipu saw this profusely flowering rose garden he exclaimed, "Lal Bagh!" and that is how Lal Bagh got its
name!
While walking around, do not miss the Lal Bagh Rock, one of the oldest rock formations on earth actually dating back to 3000 million
years!
The Glass House, a later addition to the Garden, now hosts a permanent flower show which is in addition to the extravaganza held every year on Independence Day
and Republic Day.
The Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, as it is called now, is open to public from 9 am to 6 pm for a nominal fee of Rs.2/- for persons above 12 yrs. In addition, for the benefit of early morning
joggers, and fitness freaks, the gates are open from 6 am to 9 am and 6 pm to 7 pm, when entry is free of charge. Entry for school children and the disabled is free.
The structure was completely renovated and inaugurated by SM Krishna on Jan 15, 2004. Renovation details:
Cost Rs 5 crore
Renovation time 3 months
Glass: 60,000 tonnes, 3505 unbreakable panes
1,000 sq mtrs of galvanised steel
The 2.75 sq mts Glass House sandblasted using 75 microns of Zinc Chromide to prevent rusting.
325 gutters constructed along the eduges to drain out water.
Silicon gel 1,577 litres
Foundation stone laid by Diwan of Mysore Sir Mirza Ismail restored
75 lunx of illumination work done and special lighting that saves 40% energy put up inside
New benches made of cast iron with wooden frames constructed
Cubbon Park
This wooded and beflowered park was laid out in the heart of the cantonment in 1864. Since then, fairy fountains, an august bandstand and a wealth of atatury have been added. But the most important aspect of Cubbon Park is its newer buildings that have added beauty and cultural wealth. Lush green
lawns, shady flowering trees, vibrant flower beds, make Cubbon park an ideal place for morning joggers and alike.
On a grassy expanse over a few hundred acres in the centre of Bangalore is Cubbon Park, planned and laid out in 1864 by Sir Richard Sankey, the then Chief
Engineer of Mysore. It is named after Sir Mark Cubbon, Bangalore's longest serving Commissio- ner. Lawns with vibrant flower beds, shady bowers and flowering trees, make this an ideal place
for fitness freaks and the elderly to take their morning jogs or evening walks. The Park has elegant classical buildings like Attara Kacheri (the Karnataka High Court) and the
Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Government Museum, Aquarium, Venkatappa Art Gallery and Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, all of which are well known. Besides these, it also houses Bal Bhavan - an amusement park for children.
Cubbon Park is open to the public at all times, but is closed to traffic from 5 am to 8 am every day.
Cariappa Memorial Park
As a memorial to Field Marshall K.M. Cariappa of Karnataka, the
Cariappa Park was laid out in 1996 in a portion of the parade grounds between M.G. Road and Cubbon Road. Spread over 22 acres, the park has six segments, an entrance plaza and a seven-feet
monolithic monument of Cariappa. There is a huge man-made waterfall and a pond that attracts birds to the park. At the bandstand which is an elevated lawn, six military bands perform every
fortnight. The grassy dunes around the bandstand provide comfortable seating for the public. The garden is maintained by various divisions of the Army.
A play area has been scientifically created in military style to improve physical strength and mental co-ordination of children. There are sand pits, a spiderweb, Tarzan-swing, Burma bridge,
zig-zag tunnels and balance bars.
A walker's track, paved with cobblestones, is 1.8 kms long. About 3000 species of plants and trees both indigenous and imported can be found here. In an effort to be eco-friendly, no chemical
fertilisers or pesticides are used for growth or maintenance of the plants.
Cariappa Memorial Park is open to public on Saturdays between 1 pm and 7 pm, on Sundays between 9 am and 7 pm, and during the rest of the days between 5:30 pm and 8 pm. Eatables, drinks and pets
are not allowed inside.
Bal Bhavan
Bal Bhavan, within the Cubbon Park is an imaginatively planned amusement park and recreation centre for the young. Children will enjoy the 1.5 km long ride on a toy train through the park. They can also visit the Doll's
museum which has an interesting collection of dolls and toys from all over the world.
A mini park has swings, horse rides and tree houses. To trigger the enquiring mind there is a 20 million year old tree,
a gift from the Geological Survey of India. The Vijayaranga Theatre screens children's films and stages plays. Craft and hobby classes for children are also conducted in Bal
Bhavan.
Bannerghatta National Park
Going to a zoo can be a vastly different experience from seeing animals in the wild. Although the Bannerghatta Park is not on the scale of Jim Corbett National Park,
it does give nature lovers a glimpse of wild animals in their natural habitat. Situated 25 km from the heart of the city, its main attractions are bisons, lions, elephants and panthers among
other wildlife. It also has a Serpentarium and a crocodile farm. Being a picnic spot it is always teeming with people. The park officials organise a Lion Safari for those
interested.
Hyder Ali laid out this famous botanical garden and his son added horticultural wealth to them by
importing trees and plants from several countries. The garden today houses over 1000 species of flora which include rare and enchanting collection of tropical plants, trees and herbs. The Glass
House, modelled along London's Crystal Palace, is the center of attraction in this 2400 acre park. Bi-annual flower shows attracting participants from all over India is held in the Glass House. In
July, 2003 it was decded that the Department of Horticulture and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) would jointly take up the development of Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens.
bandstand and a wealth of atatury have been added. But the most important aspect of Cubbon Park is its newer buildings that have added beauty and cultural wealth. Lush green
lawns, shady flowering trees, vibrant flower beds, make Cubbon park an ideal place for morning joggers and alike.
As a memorial to Field Marshall K.M. Cariappa of Karnataka, the
Cariappa Park was laid out in 1996 in a portion of the parade grounds between M.G. Road and Cubbon Road. Spread over 22 acres, the park has six segments, an entrance plaza and a seven-feet
monolithic monument of Cariappa. There is a huge man-made waterfall and a pond that attracts birds to the park. At the bandstand which is an elevated lawn, six military bands perform every
fortnight. The grassy dunes around the bandstand provide comfortable seating for the public. The garden is maintained by various divisions of the Army.
will enjoy the 1.5 km long ride on a toy train through the park. They can also visit the Doll's
museum which has an interesting collection of dolls and toys from all over the world. 
Going to a zoo can be a vastly different experience from seeing animals in the wild. Although the Bannerghatta Park is not on the scale of Jim Corbett National Park,
it does give nature lovers a glimpse of wild animals in their natural habitat. Situated 25 km from the heart of the city, its main attractions are bisons, lions, elephants and panthers among
other wildlife. It also has a Serpentarium and a crocodile farm. Being a picnic spot it is always teeming with people. The park officials organise a Lion Safari for those
interested.