Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Tipu's Garden and the Glass House
Overview
Lalbagh is a 240-acre botanical garden in Bengaluru, India, commissioned by Hyder Ali in 1760 and expanded by his son Tipu Sultan. Its centrepiece is a Glass House modelled on London's Crystal Palace, built in 1889, which hosts biannual flower shows around Republic Day and Independence Day. The garden also holds the Lalbagh Rock, a Peninsular Gneiss outcrop around three billion years old and a national geological monument. It is a favourite early-morning walk. MyTripMyTravel includes it on an escorted green-Bengaluru circuit.
Lalbagh is the green heart of Bengaluru and one of the oldest planned gardens in India, begun as a Mughal-style royal garden by Hyder Ali in 1760 and enlarged by his son Tipu Sultan, who stocked it with plants from across the world.
Its landmarks span three centuries: the elegant Glass House of 1889, modelled on London's Crystal Palace, which fills with the famous Republic Day and Independence Day flower shows; and the Lalbagh Rock, a Peninsular Gneiss outcrop roughly three billion years old, a national geological monument, crowned by one of Kempe Gowda's watchtowers. Around them spread lakes, centuries-old trees, and over a thousand plant species.
MyTripMyTravel visits Lalbagh at its best, early morning, when the city walks its paths, as part of an escorted green-Bengaluru circuit with Cubbon Park and the Vidhana Soudha nearby.
At a glance
Lalbagh Botanical Garden in brief
What to see
Highlights
The Glass House
The 1889 iron-and-glass conservatory, modelled on London's Crystal Palace, and home to the flower shows.
Lalbagh Rock
A roughly three-billion-year-old Peninsular Gneiss outcrop, a national geological monument.
Kempe Gowda Tower
One of the 16th-century watchtowers marking old Bengaluru's boundary, atop the rock.
The flower shows
The spectacular biannual displays staged in the Glass House each January and August.
Century-old trees & lake
Rare and ancient trees, the ornamental lake, and over a thousand plant species.
Visitor information
Our tips
Come early, the garden is at its best and coolest before mid-morning.
Time your Bengaluru dates to a Republic Day or Independence Day flower show if you can.
Seek out the Lalbagh Rock; the three-billion-year-old gneiss is easy to miss.
Good to know
Lalbagh Botanical Garden, your questions
Who built Lalbagh?
It was commissioned by Hyder Ali in 1760 and expanded by his son Tipu Sultan, who added plants from around the world.
What is the Glass House?
An 1889 iron-and-glass conservatory modelled on London's Crystal Palace; it hosts the famous biannual flower shows.
How old is the Lalbagh Rock?
The Peninsular Gneiss outcrop is around three billion years old and is designated a national geological monument.
When are the flower shows?
Twice a year, around Republic Day (January) and Independence Day (August), inside the Glass House.
More in Bengaluru
Visit with us
See Lalbagh Botanical Garden, properly.
A private, chauffeured visit with a licensed expert guide, timed for the best light and the smallest crowds. We fold Lalbagh Botanical Garden into a wider Bengaluru and South India itinerary, built entirely around you.
- Skip the queue where possible, at the right hour
- Licensed local guide who brings the story to life
- Private car and chauffeur, door to door
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