The Garden City of Bangalore is home to India’s most botanically wealthy gardens. Lal Bagh is India’s and South Asia’s horticultural centre with maximal diversity in flora. The garden has four entrances and lies four kilometers past Vidhna Soudha and M.G Road.
Lal Bagh Gardens spread across an area of 240 acres and are home to 1,854 plant species belonging to 673 genera. The construction of these gardens began at a private level, commissioned by the ruler of Mysore, Hyder Ali in 1760. The son of Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan expanded Lal Bagh and improved its worth by importing plants from countries like Persia, Mauritius, Turkey and Kabul. Thus, the vast collection of native and exotic species is the basis of scientific study and conservation by Directorate of Horticulture (Govt. of Karnataka). Lal Bagh’s Glass House was built in the style of Crystal Palace of England in 1889 to welcome the ‘Prince of Wales’. This is the centre of flower shows on occasions like Independence and Republic days. Amongst several other noteworthy sites in the garden are: Pigeon house, Lal Bagh Lake, Deer Paddock, Kempe Gowda Tower, Aviary, Lal Bagh House, Band Stand, Lecture Hall, Aquarium Building, Museum and Cottage and an aviary. The garden is open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm and tourists and locals consider Lal Bagh an excellent educational and recreational centre.
