Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Lalbagh Botanical Garden is a 240-acre public garden on Lalbagh Road in Mavalli, South Bengaluru, in the Indian state of Karnataka. Begun around 1760 under Hyder Ali and expanded by his son Tipu Sultan and later by British-era superintendents, it holds more than 1,800 plant species, including old rain trees, palms, cacti and a large collection of tropical and temperate specimens. Visitors walk shaded avenues, a lotus pond, a lake with birdlife, a rose and bonsai section, and a topiary lawn. The centrepiece is the cast-iron glasshouse of 1889, modelled on London's Crystal Palace, which hosts the twice-yearly flower shows. The garden also sits on one of the oldest exposed rock formations in the world, a Peninsular gneiss outcrop crowned by a Kempe Gowda-era watchtower; the short climb rewards visitors with a view across the garden towards the city skyline. Most visitors spend two to three hours, though photographers and walkers often stay longer. The best light falls in the first hour after the 6:00AM opening, when joggers, walking clubs and birdwatchers share the paths and the air is cool. Weekday mornings are the quietest. Weekends, public holidays and the flower shows around Republic Day in January and Independence Day in August draw very large crowds, and entry prices rise during the shows. Good photo angles include the glasshouse from the lawn side, the reflections on the lake, and the rock outcrop at sunset. Entry is by a small ticket at the gates, with a lower rate for children. The West Gate is a short walk from Lalbagh metro station on the Green Line, and other gates open to Jayanagar and South End Circle. Food stalls near the gates sell snacks, and the historic Mavalli Tiffin Room and other Basavanagudi restaurants are within a short ride for a post-visit meal. Paths are mostly level but include gravel and some gentle slopes.