Exploring Lalbagh Botanical Garden: My Go-To Nature Retreat in Bengaluru

If you’ve lived in Bangalore long enough, chances are you’ve either jogged, picnicked, proposed, or sulked (after being rejected) at Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

And if you haven’t been yet, what in the chlorophyll are you waiting for? 🙂

Located in the heart of the city, Lalbagh Botanical Garden is more than just a park.

It’s a historic, botanical wonderland that somehow manages to stay peaceful even when the rest of Bangalore is honking its way into traffic madness.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

It’s history, the must-see spots, how to get there, what to eat nearby, and even where to pose for that perfect Instagram shot.

Whether you’re a botany nerd, a fitness freak, a photographer in pursuit of the golden hour, or just someone who wants a peaceful escape from Bangalore’s ever-present traffic symphony, Lalbagh has something for you.

So, lace up your walking shoes (or just slip on your comfy flip-flops), and let’s explore the garden that’s as old as it is gold.

Quick Information: Lalbagh Botanical Garden

In a rush? No worries. Here’s your “Lalbagh-in-a-minute” cheat sheet.

But if you’ve got a few minutes, read on.

I promise it’s more fun than your last date at Cubbon Park. 😉

Location	Mavalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560004
Timings	6 AM to 7 PM For a walk/jog in the park 6 AM to 9 AM (Morning) 6 PM to 7 PM (Evening)
Entry fee	No entry fee for morning walkers ₹ 20 per person for adults Free for children below 12 years of age ₹ 50 for still camera
Nearest Metro Station	Lalbagh Metro Station (Green Line)
Famous For	Glass House, Flower Shows, Rare plant species
Best Time to Visit	Early morning or during Republic Day & Independence Day Flower Shows

A Walk Through Time: The History of Lalbagh

Let’s rewind a few centuries.

Lalbagh was commissioned in the 1760s by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and later expanded by his son, the legendary Tipu Sultan.

Inspired by Mughal gardens and Persian landscaping, this 240-acre beauty was designed to impress royalty. And trust me, it still does.

Tipu even imported exotic plants from countries as far off as Afghanistan, Persia, and France.

So next time you spot a fancy-looking tree, you’ll know it probably has more stamps in its passport than you do!

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Quick and Interesting Facts

• Lalbagh is spread across 240 acres and houses 2000+ varieties of plants and flowers
• Lalbagh Botanical Garden was built by Hyder Ali in 1760 and further developed by Tipu Sultan, and then by the British
• Lalbagh is currently under the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka
• The foundation of the famous Glass House was laid in the year 1898
• Lalbagh is a popular tourist destination located in South Bangalore
• Address: Lalbagh Road, Wilson Garden, Near BMTC Office, Bengaluru – 560004

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: The History

Lalbagh Botanical Garden was built by Hyder Ali in 1760 and further developed by Tipu Sultan, his son, and the British.

Did you know that Lalbagh Botanical Garden was called Rose or Cypress Garden until 1856?

What started as a 40-acre garden on the lines of the Mughal Gardens grew to a 240-acre park that houses a variety of exotic plants.

Lalbagh was awarded the status of a Government Botanical Garden in 1856 and is currently under the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka.

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Best Time to Visit

Lalbagh is open all through the year from 6 AM to 7 PM. It’s also popular among walkers and joggers in the morning and evening.

The morning walk timings are between 6 AM and 9 AM, while the evening walk timings are between 6 PM and 7 PM.

For morning walkers, there’s no entry fee to the park.

If you’d like to witness the popular Lalbagh flower show, it happens twice a year.

Once in January, around Republic Day, and the other in August, around Independence Day.

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Flower Shows and Fairs

As mentioned above, the flower show, which is conducted twice a year, is a significant attraction in Lalbagh, Bangalore.

It happens on the eve of Independence Day and Republic Day.

Tourists flock in huge numbers to witness the grand flower show that displays all kinds of exotic flowers.

They are displayed in various shapes, such as people, houses, animals, and more.

The Lalbagh Independence Day flower show is a 10-day festival jointly conducted by the Department of Horticulture and the Mysore Horticulture Society.

The flower show timings are from 9 AM to 6 PM. You could book the tickets online as well.

The Lalbagh flower show ticket price for adults is Rs. 50 per person on holidays and Rs. 40 per person on weekdays.

For children, the entry fee for the flower show is Rs.10.

In addition to the flower show, Lalbagh Botanical Garden also hosts a folk arts festival, Jaatre, every month.

For mango lovers, a mango mela (fair) is also held during May and June, attracting people from across the state.

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Tips for visiting

• It’s recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes. There’s a lot to walk
• Tickets to the flower show can be bought online
• You’ll find guides at the entrance of the garden. Engage them to learn more
• Littering in the garden is strictly prohibited

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Timings

• Opening Hours: Lalbagh is open 6:00 AM–7:00 PM daily. (Gates usually close by 7:30 PM.)
• Entry Fee: ₹20 per adult (₹10 for children). Camera fee is an extra ₹50. Children under 12 and school students in uniform enter free. Note: Early-morning joggers are free before 9 AM (and again at 6–7 PM).
• Flower Show Tickets: Special Flower Show events (Jan/Aug) require separate tickets. In 2025, adult tickets were about ₹80–100. These are sold online and at the gate. Children’s tickets are very cheap (just ₹10–30). (School kids in uniform get free entry during shows.)
• Best Time to Visit: Weekdays, early morning are ideal to avoid crowds and heat. The garden is stunning in the monsoon and winter seasons (flowers are in bloom!). Avoid midday in summer unless you love the bright sunlight.
• Amenities: Small snack stalls and juice vendors are scattered around (next to the Glass House and the lake). There are restrooms near major gates. I saw gardeners and staff ready to help with directions.

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Entry Fee

• ₹ 20 per person for adults
• For children below 12 years of age, entry is free
• ₹ 50 for a still camera
• N/A for video camera

Note: You’d be required to have prior permission for videography or photography

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Major attractions

In addition to the flower show, which happens twice a year, there are several other attractions at the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.

Here’s what you can find at Lalbagh, Bangalore.

Lalbagh Lake

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden has a natural lake named Lalbagh Lake that is located at the southern end of the garden.

Spread across 40 acres of land and having a depth of 3.5 meters, Lalbagh Lake is a stunning destination. The path around the lake is lined with trees.

The bridge over the lake connects the eastern end of the path to the west.

The lake’s water is calm, and greenery surrounds it, making it an ideal spot for a walk.

The water for the garden is pumped from Lalbagh Lake.

Steps were built to pump water over a weir to the lake, which James Cameron, the then Superintendent of Lalbagh, constructed in 1890.

His goal was to create a lake in Karnataka.

It was the first lake in the state to clean its water using the Khus Grass, Vetiveria zizanioides.

In Cameron’s day, steps were built to the lake, a water weir was also added, and the water was cleaned using Vetiveria zizanioides.

It is the home of numerous migratory and aquatic birds, including Black Pelican, Egret, Great Cormorant, Night Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Oriental Darter, White-breasted Kingfisher, Parakeet, cranes, swans, Little Cormorant, Spot-billed Pelican, Grey Heron, and White Pelican.

Lalbagh Glass House

John Cameron, the superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, designed and built the glasshouse in Lal Bagh to commemorate Prince Albert Victor’s visit to India in 1889.

It was renovated in 2004.

Lalbagh, Bangalore, is renowned for its Glasshouse (also referred to as the Jewel of the Garden City), which is the most magnificent section of the park.

The iconic Glasshouse was modeled on the Crystal Palace of London.

Bonsai Garden

Bonsai Garden spread across 2.5 acres of land and was opened in 2011.

It houses more than 700 bonsai plants across various species.

The bonsai plants range between 5 and 35 years old and are exhibited during the two annual flower shows.

Topiary Garden

If you are looking for a section of the botanical garden specifically meant for children, this is it.

This attractive section of Lalbagh houses plants such as Junipers and Cypresses displayed and maintained on steel structures of animals, such as lions, tigers, elephants, and more.

Lalbagh Rock

Lalbagh Rock is one of the most popular attractions in the garden.

It’s one of the oldest rock formations in the world and is said to be over 3000 million years old.

On this hillock, you’ll find Kempe Gowda’s watchtower.

Kempe Gowda’s Watchtower

The watchtower was one of the four famous towers built by Kempe Gowda in 1597.

Back then, it marked the outermost boundaries of the city.

The artistically built watchtower stands atop the Lalbagh Rock and offers a panoramic view of Bangalore’s skyline.

Flower Clock

The Flower Clock is one of the first to capture your attention inside Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore.

It was set up in 1983 by the HMT watch factory and functions on an electronic quartz mechanism.

The Flower Clock is about 23 ft (7 m) in diameter and is beautifully decorated with flowers.

It’s also surrounded by statues of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Lalbagh Gates

There are four entrance gates to Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore.

The gates are the North Gate, South Gate, East Gate, and West Gate.

• The North Gate is towards Subbaiah Circle.
• The South Gate, also referred to as the main gate, is towards Lalbagh Road.
• The East Gate is towards the double road.
• And the West Gate is towards Basavangudi, near Siddapur Circle.

Stalls

You’ll also notice several stalls inside Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.

These stalls sell horticulture products, such as seeds, flowers, plants, gardening equipment, and more.

There are stalls selling Vetiver (khus) handicraft products as well.

Want to binge on some natural fruit juices and some sweets and savories?

No worries! You have several stalls selling just that.

Chamarajendra Wodeyar Statue

At the Lalbagh Botanical Garden entrance, you’ll also find a statue of the former Mysore Maharaja, Chamarajendra Wodeyar.

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: How to reach Lalbagh, Bangalore

Lalbagh is well-connected with the rest of the city.

Be it via bus, cab, or autorickshaw, reaching Lalbagh should be straightforward.

You can use any one of the following modes of transportation to reach Lalbagh.

By Bus: There are regular BMTC buses that you can make use of. Some buses from Majestic to Lalbagh are 25, 43, 215, 340, and 343.

By Autorickshaw/Cab: Autos and cabs can be booked using your favorite apps, such as Uber, Ola, or Rapido (specifically for autorickshaws).

By Metro: The closest metro station is ‘Lalbagh Botanical Garden.’ The station is on the green line and is the cheapest (and most comfortable) means to reach the park.

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Map

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Tips for Visitors

• Arrive early: The park is serene in the morning and less crowded. By 10 AM, it starts filling up. Sunlight and birdsong make the early hours special.
• Comfortable gear: Wear good walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen – Lalbagh is huge and partly exposed. I always carry water and an umbrella for shade or light rain.
• Best spots for photos: Don’t miss the Glass House (front and inside), the Bonsai collection, the Floral Clock, and lake views (especially at sunrise or sunset). Also, try the Band Stand and rock outcrops for unique shots. I found the stone pathways around the lotus pond very photogenic.
• Family-friendly: Kids love the Topiary Garden (shrub lions and elephants) and watching free-roaming peacocks. There’s an open green space perfect for picnics. An informal “kids’ corner” has swings near the south side.
• Respect the garden: Stick to paths and lawns – Lalbagh is meticulously maintained. Don’t pluck flowers or feed the wildlife. Use the dustbins and carry back any wrappers.
• Check events: Before visiting, see if a flower show or festival is on – it can change the crowd and entry routine. Often, the city tourism website and news portals update the Lalbagh Flower Show dates and ticket info.
• Carry change: The ticket counter and parking booth give exact change, so have small notes handy to save time.

FAQs About Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Lalbagh Botanical Garden: A place worth exploring

Lalbagh Botanical Garden isn’t just a green patch in Bangalore.

It’s a living, breathing history book wrapped in flowers and shaded by ancient trees.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a morning walker, a botany student, or just someone looking to escape the city’s chaos, Lalbagh has something magical for everyone.

So put on those walking shoes, grab your camera (and maybe a picnic mat), and go experience the green heart of Bangalore.

And who knows, maybe I’ll see you there, waving from behind a giant hibiscus. 🌸🙂

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Until next time,

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