Ideally situated within 4km of bustling M.G Road Bangalore’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden has been rightly described as the city’s most stunning garden space since centuries past. As the brainchild of the Emperor of Mysore, Hyder Ali, the garden first served as a private royal enclave devoted to the sovereign and his court. Designed in the Moghul garden style the venue was subsequently expanded and improved by his successor and son Tipu Sultan who imported plant varieties from France, Persia and Afghanistan as well as colonial leaders that improved its aesthetic appeal. Boasting a rich plant collection that includes over 1000 species the 240-acre enclave also enjoys the rare honour of having the largest catalogue of exotic and engendered plant genera in the country as well as being the first site to set up a lawn clock in India.
Home to the oldest rock formation on the planet the Lalbagh Botanical Garden is perhaps best known as the site which contains Lal Bagh Rock, a 3000 million year old geological remnant that has survived the test of time. Other highlights at the venue include its vibrant Rose Garden and Topiary enclave which also boasts rare trees endemic to Britain such as the likes of cretaeva religiosa, clitoria, evodia arullena and arboria. The Bonsai Garden is another popular section of Lalbagh as the locale contains over 1500 bonsai trees, mostly belonging to the Ficus genera.
Renowned as an architectural marvel in its own right the Glass House in Lalbagh is one of the venue’s most visited quarters. Hosting many a biannual flower show within its environs the iconic structure also showcases 350 flower species such as marigolds, celosia, roses, brachycome and geranium.
Other points of interest at the botanical garden include The Bandstand and Pigeon House while the sculpture of Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar is another landmark at the venue. Lalbagh House and the garden’s Deer Paddock are also worth exploring in addition to the Kempegowda Tower, Aquarium building and Aviary. Lalbagh Lake is another favourite spot for visitors as this lakeside enclosure is one of the park’s most scenic quarters.
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