Bangalore is home to many historic buildings and sites that date back to the times when the wonderful city was governed by different kingdoms. The historical and cultural heritage of those kingdoms are still cherished today - and one such building in the city that’s visited the most is the Bangalore Palace. Enclosed by beautifully manicured gardens and built in a Tudor-style reminiscent of French and English castles, the Bangalore Palace is the most extravagant monument in the city. Whether you’re a first-time visitor looking for some practical information on the palace or you want to dig a bit deeper into the fascinating history of the palace and the city, here’s our travel guide to Bangalore Palace, India.
If you’re planning a vacation to Bangalore soon, consider staying in one of the serviced apartments or themed hotels.
A brief history
The land, where the Bangalore Palace was located originally, belonged to an educationist Rev. J. Garrett. In 1873, British officials who were guiding Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X (the then king of Mysore) bought the land from Garrett, as they were looking to construct an unassuming accommodation for the young king. The construction of the palace started in 1874 and four years later, a Tudor-style architectural marvel emerged. Many improvements and extra features were added to the palace in subsequent years like floral motifs, Victorian-style furniture, elaborate towers, and heavy embellishments - and all this just enhanced its beauty. The aesthetic appeal of the majestic Bangalore Palace is one of the most arresting among the palaces of South India.
What to see at the Bangalore Palace
Spread over an area of 454 acres (183.727 hectares), the Bangalore Palace is a two-level structure, consisting of 35 rooms. Though it is relatively small as compared to other palaces in India, the interior of the palace speaks of luxury and leisure. It is beautified with floral motifs, relief paintings, ornate cornices, and wooden beams.
The royal family of Wadiyar was fond of hunting, and this is evident from the head of an elephant killed by Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar. It is mounted at the palace entrance. There are also elephant head trophies, vases made out of elephant trunks and stools of elephant feet on display in the palace.
Bangalore Palace
Address: Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052
Website: Bangalore Palace
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 10:30am - 5:30pm (closed on Thu)
Price: 3.34 USD (230 INR) for Indians and 6.67 USD (460 INR) for foreigners
On the ground floor
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The coat of arms of the royal family
Chamaraja Wadiyar X, the 23rd Maharaja of the kingdom of Mysore, was gifted a ‘coat of arms’ by the British. In the center of it lies a two-headed mythical bird called Ganda Bherunda, which is perhaps the emblem of the Wadiyar dynasty as well as the state of Karnataka. Another thing to pay attention to, in this coat of arms, is a figure of a mythological animal with the body of a lion and the head of an elephant - it is considered to be a symbol of royalty, power, and strength.
Bangalore District Tour Guide
Ramesh Kumar
Hello, I am Ramesh Kumar, a Bangalorean, born & brought up in this lovely city. I work as a freelance Tour Guide-Tour Leader-Trip Manager to the foreign travelers who visit Southern India as a destination for travel as well as for the corporate executives who come on business meets taking place. Being a knowledgeable Tour Guide, I curate creative itineraries, all tailor made to suit their tastes, likes & interests. I am conversant with the entire stretch of South Indian monuments. I speak good quality English easily assimible by the travelers. My services are sought after by foreign travelers, travel agents, diplomats & those who wish to travel with their special plans of interest for gaining an experience of Learning and Discovery.
The Maharaja’s open courtyard The ground floor of the palace has a colorful open courtyard. At the center of it is a fountain and on the edges of the courtyard are granite benches that are beautifully decorated with blue-colored fluorescent azulejo tiles. Both the fountain and the benches were gifted by Alfonso XII, the King of Spain.
Take a stroll along the corridor on the ground floor and peruse the artifacts and trinkets displayed. The highlight is a horse-shoe shaped wooden weighing chair that was used to weigh the jockeys. The chair has a weighing scale on the left side and a height measuring stand on the right.
The ballroom
Make sure to see the impressive ballroom that was used to hold private parties. The walls of the ballroom are adorned with a coat of arms, while the ceilings have beautiful designs reminiscent of the royal era gone by.
On the first floor
The durbar hall
Adorned with portraits of former rulers, a wooden spiral staircase will lead you to the ornately designed durbar hall on the first floor. The Maharaja used to hold public meetings here. The hall is known for its decor complete with gothic-style stained glass windows, dainty chandeliers, ornamental mirrors, and Victorian and Edwardian-style furniture, while its walls are covered in shades of yellow and gold. There is a partition on one end of the hall which was used by the royal ladies to watch court proceedings. You can stand behind it, as the ladies once did and engage in some people-watching of your own.
The painted and embellished corridors
The corridors on the first floor are decorated with antique vases and mid-19th-century paintings, including some Dutch and Greek pieces. The paintings by famous Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma are particularly noteworthy. There are also some dressing tables and desks used by the royal family, on display in the corridors. Do check out Chinese lacquer and a pearl-laden dining table that once belonged to Sir Mirza Ismail, the Diwan of Mysore.
The palace grounds
Part of exploring the Bangalore Palace includes strolling around the gardens that showcase beautifully manicured hedges and different floral species. The palace grounds have also served as a concert venue and played host to several international artists like Elton John, Enrique, The Black Eyed Peas, Backstreet Boys, Akon, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and more.
Fun World
At the north end of the palace grounds is a Fun World Amusement Park. It has a range of rides and fun activities for the young and the young-at-heart. Thrill-seekers can go on rides like the Loop Roller Coaster, Scream Tower, Skyscraper and the Sky Drop, while those looking for something a little tamer can go for Spanish bullfight, dashing cars, etc. For kids, there are boat rides, a toy train ride, and a carousel. If this much fun (and adventure) isn’t enough, there’s also Snow City (indoor snow-themed amusement park) and a water park within the premises featuring a myriad of exciting rides and entertainment that appeals to kids and grown-ups alike.
Fun World Amusement Park Ticket, India - Klook India
A guided tour of Bangalore Palace (from USD 73.0)
You can take a tour of the palace on your own, but if you’re interested in learning about the history of the palace, opt for this private guided tour. On this trip, you’ll enjoy a detailed tour of the Bangalore Palace, as well as the city’s other forts and palaces, including the Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and Bangalore Fort. The trip also includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, a professional guide and private vehicle transportation.
Bangalore Private Palaces Tour including Tipu Sultan's Palace
Duration: 4 to 6 hours
Tips
- An audio tour is included with admission, in case you wish to explore the palace on your own (it is available in six languages - English, Hindi, French, Italian, German and Kannada)
- Travelers must pay extra if they want to use their cameras - 9.94 USD (685 INR) for Still Camera, 4.14 USD (285 INR) for Mobile Camera and 21.55 USD (1485 INR) for Video Camera
- Food is not allowed inside the palace.
How to reach Bangalore Palace
Bangalore Palace is situated within the palace grounds, near Mount Carmel Institute of Management. It can be easily reached by bus, auto-rickshaw or cab. The BMTC bus lines 287, 287B, 287C, 287D, 287E, 287H, 287J, and 287JA runs daily from the central (Kempegowda) bus terminal and drops visitors close to the Bangalore Palace entrance.
Nearby attractions
1. Peruse the modern Indian art at National Gallery of Modern Art
The National Gallery of Modern Art is one of Bangalore’s most important artistic institutions featuring some of the finest works of art. It houses more than 500 artworks and paintings by well-known artists, including Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Raja Ravi Verma, and Amrita Sher-Gil. It is a haven for art enthusiasts.
National Gallery of Modern Art
Address: 49, GF, Manikyavelu Mansion, Palace Rd, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052
Website: National Gallery of Modern Art
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 6:30pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 0.29 USD (20 INR) for Indians; 7.26 USD (500 INR) for Foreigners
2. Learn about space and science at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
If you’re traveling with kids, do visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium. Kids can learn about space and science here through interactive exhibits, photographs, models, audio and video clips. The most noteworthy attraction of the planetarium is the Sky Theatre that gives visitors a virtual experience of the celestial world.
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
Address: Sri T, Sankey Rd, High Grounds, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Website: Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10:30am - 5:30pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 0.51 USD (35 INR)
3. Appreciate traditional and contemporary art at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath is a visual art institution with 18 galleries. Some of the galleries house a permanent collection of paintings, folk and tribal art, Indian and international art, and sculptures by both Indian and international artists, while the other galleries host temporary exhibitions by renowned artists. Highlights include Gond tribal paintings, folk paintings of Tamil Nadu, paintings of the Himalayas by Russian artists Nicholas Roerich, Karnataka leather puppets and Mysore-style paintings. If you happen to be in the city during January, make sure to attend ‘Chitra Santhe’, a cultural event held here that showcases artworks by up-and-coming artists from across the country.
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath
Address: No.1, Art Complex, Kumarakrupa Rd, Kumara Park East, Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Website: Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5:30pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 0.73 USD (50 INR)
Tour the enchanting Bangalore Palace
Bangalore Palace is one of the most iconic landmarks in Bangalore and also one of the first places in the city that many tourists make a beeline for. The palace not only provides an intriguing insight into the city’s rich past but also offers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you’re planning a visit to the Bangalore Palace, read our guide above.
Do check out Wonderla Amusement Park and Bannerghatta National Park as well to make the most of your vacation.
History
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