Main Info
The magnificent Bangalore Palace is a perfect example of intricate art and beautiful construction and is located in the IT hub of India, Bengaluru in the state of Karnataka. One of the most prominent places to visit during your stay at Bengaluru, this royal palace is truly a spectacle to behold. The construction of this palace was started in the year 1878. The location where this palace is located was owned by the first principal of the famous Central College of Bengaluru. Later, in 1873, this land was purchased by the Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar’s British Guardians. It is spread over 45,000 sq. ft. If you have some idea about the different architectural styles, then you can see this palace having a touch of Scottish Gothic and Tudor architecture. From the inside, this place reflects royalty due to the beautiful carvings and wooden structures.
Not only does this serve as a famous tourist destination, but you can also enjoy many cultural programmes, marriage events, rock shows going on here. The people say that the inspiration to build this palace came from the Windsor Castle of London as Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar was fascinated by the British art, architecture style and palaces. Every section of the palace has its own charm, starting from blue ceramic tiles laid on the ground in the ballroom to many other attractions like the vine-covered walls, the famous painting of Raja Ravi Varma and the stunning Durbar Hall situated on the first floor– are truly remarkable.
This palace also tells you the tale of one of the influential dynasties of South India. There is an arrangement of audio tape so that people can know and understand the architecture, art, culture and the story related to this place and palace without any problem.
More on Bangalore Palace
Bangalore Palace History
The place where now the Majestic Bangalore Palace is situated was once the land of a school principal named Reverend J Garrett of the Central High School, Bengaluru (now known as Central college). This land was bought by the Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar, and later the construction of the palace began in 1874.
The architect John Cameron took the responsibility of landscaping. The first phase of the construction was finished in 1878. After that, other additions and improvements took place over time. The portion outside the famous Darbar hall was built during the reign of Maharaja Jayachamaraja. A lot of attention was paid in order to make this palace look like the famous Windsor Castle of London.
The descendants of the royal family have the right over the Bangalore Palace. The Bangalore Palace was opened for the public in the year 2005 and has been open for the masses ever since.
Bangalore Palace Architecture
The architecture of this palace was influenced by British architecture. One can see a mixture of Scottish, Gothic and Tudor architecture. The palace compound is spread over 454 acres. The decor comprises of cornices, motifs, wooden carvings and beautiful blue ceramic tiles. Many of the goods, used in making this palace were imported from Britain. The colour of the arms on the wall is white and red. You can see a two-headed mythical bird known as Ganda Bherunda with a head of the lion and elephant which symbolizes the power and royalty.
This two-storied palace has some attractive structures such as the turreted walls, ballroom, fortified towers, palace grounds, to name a few. You are welcomed by the Roman arcs at the entrance. Most of the furniture inside the palace is antique, and many of them belong to the Edwardian style, neo-classical with a touch of Victorian hue. The total number of rooms in the Palace is 35 with an open courtyard built by using the dazzling blue ceramic tiles.
Durbar Hall will definitely give you goosebumps with the gigantic elephant’s head placed in it. With the stained glass windows and a shade of yellow on the wall will capture your attention at once. The colour combination has been carefully and smartly chosen to make it look more vibrant.
You come across many impressive and famous paintings belonging to the 19th and 20th century. Most of the artwork was done by one of the famous Indian painters named Raja Ravi Varma. You can also have a glimpse of the changes that the Bengaluru city through the centuries.
Bangalore Palace Ground
The Bangalore Palace ground used to be the place where many singing, dancing and other cultural activities took place, but after a legal battle between the royal family and government, such events stopped. However, many popular celebrities and bands like the Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, the Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Lamb of God, Metallica, the Black Eyed Peas, Roger Waters, Don Moen, Elton John and David Guetta have once rocked this place. But now this palace can’t be used for commercial purposes; however, if you are close to the royal family or have any kind of connection and relation, then you can host an event after seeking permission. The Fun World Amusement Park is there to entertain you in the best way possible.
Bangalore Palace Timings
The visiting time is between 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Bangalore Palace Entry Fee
If you are an Indian, then you need to pay an entry fee of INR 230 whereas, for foreigners, it is INR 460. You can bring your own camera, but you need to pay an extra fee of INR 685 for the camera, INR 285 for the Mobile camera and INR 1,485 for the video camera.
How to Reach Bangalore Palace
The Palace lies in the central zone of the Bengaluru. It is situated near Mount Carmel Institute of Management in Vasanth Nagar. You can reach this place via BMTC bus service. The bus number that you should be looking for are 287, 287C, 287D, 287B, and 287E.
You can also hire a cab service and other private transportation.
