Lalbagh Garden - Bangalore

Lalbagh garden in Bangalore is one of the largest botanical gardens in India housing more than 1500 species of tress and plants.  Most of the trees here are more than hundred years old.  This garden was initially planned and started by Hyder Ali the ruler of Mysore in the year 1760.  His son Tipu Sultan has developed it in 45 acres adding many species of plants brought from different countries.  In due course the green coverage here extended to 240 acres.  The glass house which hosts annual flower show was modeled on London’s Crystal Palace was built in the late 19^th century.  It will be a jolly good picnic spot to spend entire day walking through different specified areas of the garden enjoying the cool breeze and green shades and smiling flowers.

A trolley which carries people around the garden touching showing
specific regions.  It takes about 1/2 hr.  The charge is Rs.100/-
per head now.  The driver asks you to pay Rs.10/- per head for
showing spots of special importance.
The rock behind it is very old - 3,000 million years old.
On top of it is Kempegowda tower.

Pigeon House.  The pigeons which are used as messengers
were housed here!

The Fountain.  Glass house is seen behind it.

Glass house.  Horticultural department of Karnataka hold flower show
every year.

This is more than 350 years old and is supposed to be the oldest tree in
the garden.

This is the tallest tree in the garden - 150 M
It is decorated on Christmas

Police chowk.  On Independence day and Republic day
police play their traditional band here.

This is called Japanese Garden.  The bamboos of Japan
are black unlike Indian which are green.
The water is missing in this stream!

There is a lake in the Garden.  The waters are clear.

The plants are groomed into different shapes 

The first ever Lawn clock.  Maintained by HMT(?)

The typical branching appearing as elephant head.

This is another natural creation giving the appearance
of fetus.

Horticultural department of Karnataka.  The typical branches, the entwining shapes are natures art.

Bangalore Temples

The most common temple visited by tourists in Bangalore may be the ISKCon temple.  This temple has Shri Radha-Krishna, Krishna-Balarama, Nitai Gauranga in the main temple.  Before entering into main temple are the Prahlada Narasimha and Srinivasa Govinda Idols.  All the Idols in the temple are beautifully decorated in silks and flowers.  There is continuous chanting of “Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare, Hare and Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare. The chantings by all the visitors gives spiritual consciousness. The scene on the top of the hill is beautiful.  Temple is maintained clean and neat. 

After darshan, while coming out there are stalls selling various pooja items, Krishna and other Gods’ photos, books on Krishna stories and  Srimadbhagvadgeeta is available in English and different Indian languages.  Eatables are sold.  Meals are also available for a price. The prasadam given is hot.  Better to carry a disposable spoon to eat it.  Photography is allowed outside the temple in the exit route. 

Visiting hours are in the early hours of the day.  Later during day strictly there is no entry from 1PM to 4PM.  If ever somebody reaches the temple during this period they have to wait on the road or go away to visit some other place.

Just about 2Km from this place, in Mahalaxmi puram is Sri Srinivasa Devasthanam and Shri Prasanna Veeranjaneyaswamy temple on a hillock.  The Hanuman temple has huge statue of Hanuman carrying Sanjeevani hill. The garden on the hill top near Hanuman temple is a lively place to rest. Adjacent to it is the Srinivasa Devasthanam.  There is also a six floor building here which has wonderful museum depicting various stories of Krishna and other Gods and sages in each floor.  There is ticketing for darshan.  The lift takes the visitors to the sixth floor.  Viewing the sculptures and pictures in each floor visitors have to come down to the ground floor again using steps.  The visit to the museum will be a memorable experience

The ISKCon temple may be the most commonly visited temple, but the atmosphere at Prasanna Veeranjaneya temple, Srinivasa Devasthanam, and Bull temple is holistic and serene. 

Bull Temple (back side)

Epic Museum at Srinivasa Temple

Gandharvas relieved from the curse

Krishna lifting Govardhanagiri on his little finger

Ardhanaareshwara

Shiridi Saibaba

Vasishta Rishi

Vishwamitra's penance disturbed by Rambha

Kamadheni (appears so realistic!)

Saagara Madhanam and the gifts from it

Shri Venkateshwara Swamy 

Shri Venkateshwara Kalyanam
Lighting was awesome

Garden at Shri Prasanna Veeraanjaneyaswamy