Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bangalore is one of South Asia’s most abundantly diverse Botanical Gardens. Situated in the Southern part of Bangalore, this beautiful garden was specially made by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, in the year 1740. Later, his son Tipu Sultan brought many tropical plants to the garden and was also responsible for completion of the garden.

Spread over 240 acres of land, this garden was made on the lines of the Mughal Gardens. The work on the famous Glass House was initiated by John Cameron, the garden’s superintendent, and its design was derived from London’s Crystal Palace.

The garden has over 1000 species of plants, many trees aging more than 100 years. Many trees and plants were imported from countries round the globe for the garden. Many rare species of plants were also imported from the Kew Gardens in London in the 1870s. Today, the garden has the largest collection of rare plants in the subcontinent. The Glass House is surrounded by pencil cedars and champak trees.

Every year a number of flower shows are organized in the garden. The Karnataka Government also organizes "Janapada Jaatre", in the garden, on the 2nd and 4th weekend of every month. "Janapada Jaatre" means a folk fare, featuring the cultural folklore, the traditional costumes and musical instruments of Karnataka.