PLACES TO SEE
Vikasa Soudha
Ambedkar Veedhi, Next
to Vidhana Soudha
The Vidhana Soudha has
recently cloned itself and
its more modernist
version sits to the south
of the original. The
'Vikasa Soudha' was
added as an extension as
recently as 2005. This
southern block houses
more offices of the
secretariat and is fitted
with the latest amenities,
while the structure of the
building stays true to the
original. The Vikasa
Soudha is built in the
same Neo-Dravidian style
as its predecessor.
Although it is not quite in
the same majestic league
as the Vidhana Soudha,
this twin-building does
add double the drama to
the landscape.
Vidhana Soudha
Ambedkar Veedhi
The Vidhana
Soudha's onion-
shaped dome rises
majestically over the
rest of Bangalore's
skyline. Housing the
offices of the State Legislature and the
Government Secretariat, the Vidhana Soudha
is also something of an architectural
landmark. This neo-Dravidian edifice, built in
1956, is a fusion of four distinctive
architectural prototypes – Dravidian,
Rajasthani, Chola and Indo-Saracenic. The
gleaming structure created with locally-
quarried granite was built during the regime
of Kengal Hanumanthaiah, chief minister of
the former Mysore State. As you wander
around the imposing Vidhana Soudha and
take in its larger than life dimensions – the
towering domes, massive pillars, Rajasthani-
style 'jharokhas' or balconies, archways and
the grand stairway – do pay attention to the
minutiae as well. The ornately carved frieze
panels, pillars and doors are peppered with
geometrical designs and floral motifs,
reminiscent of the Hoysala sculptures in
Halebid and Belur. As you take your gaze
right to the top, you can also spy the
national emblem of the Sarnath lion
crowning the dome. While the Vidhana
Soudha's exteriors are open to the public,
access to the inside of the building is
restricted. Go here on Sunday evenings when
a lit-up Vidhana Soudha makes for an
elegant visual spectacle.
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whats around?
Attara Kacheri
Vidhana Veedhi, Cubbon
Park
Just across the road from
the Vidhana Soudha, sits
a dramatic, bright red
structure which houses
Karnataka's State High
Court. This 19 th century
brick and stone building
originally housed the
public offices of the
British colonial
government in B angalore.
In fact, 'Attara Kacheri'
literally translates to
'eighteen offices', the
number of departments
that worked out of here.
Built in the Graeco-
Roman style with graceful
Corinthian columns and
dark-green wrought iron
grillwork, the
construction of this two-
storied, terracotta-hued
building was supervised
by Commissioner Lewing
Bowring, and was
completed in 1868. An
annexe was added on in
1995, which faithfully
followed the original style
of architecture. Watch
out for the statue of Lord
Cubbon astride his horse
at the front of the
Kacheri. Do stop by at the
Sheshadri Memorial Hall
in the vicinity. Housing
the City Central Library,
this flame-red heritage
building is similar to the
Attara Kacheri in its
architectural sensibilities.
Bangalore Palace
Palace Road, Tel: 2331
5789
This Tudor-style castle
sprawls across 400 acres
of the Palace Grounds
and offers an interesting
peek into the life of royal
Wodeyars, the dynasty
that ruled Mysore from
1399 to 1947. The
Bangalore Palace draws
inspiration from the
Windsor Castle in
England and lavishly
replicates it, from
looming fortified towers
and turreted parapets to
Gothic windows and
sweeping arches. The
embellishments in the
form of floral motifs,
fluorescent ceramic tiles,
wooden carvings and
painted ceilings are
highly ornate. The palace
is steeped in luxury as
seen in the elaborately
done-up Durbar Hall, the
lacquered furniture inlaid
with mother-of-pearl and
the rare Greek and Dutch
paintings that hang on
the walls. The origins of
the palace go back to
1884 when it was bought
by the Maharaja of
Mysore, Chamaraja
Wodeyar. Today, the
palace is owned by the
current descendant of the
royal Wodeyar clan,
Srikanta Datta
Narasimharaja Wodeyar,
who is also credited with
renovating it. Don't skip
the palace's public gallery
which displays royal
family portraits and
historic photographs. The
picturesque palace
grounds are also a
popular venue for
cultural shows and
private parties.