THE PICTURESQUE BANGALORE PALACE AND WHY IT IS WORTH VISITING AT LEAST ONCE
In the decade I’ve spent in Bangalore, I have visited the picturesque Bangalore Palace (click here for location) around 6 times already. I love taking my visitors there especially if they like palaces, too. A couple of months ago, I went again with a friend who surprisingly did not visit the Palace despite being born and brought up in Bangalore. This time, it was a little different with all the COVID protocols having to be followed. But it was still lovely.
They have done up the enormous front garden and the whole place is mesmerizing; even better than it looked when it was initially built. This Palace is smaller than the Mysore Palace as, they say, it was built for the Mysore Maharaja (Chamarajendra Wadiyar), in 1800s, as he did not have a place to study and train in Bangalore! Royals, I tell you!
Entry ticket is Rs 230/- for Indians and Rs 460 for foreigners (as of the year 2022). You can always check the updated fees here. Except for Mondays, the Palace is open every day from 10 00 hours to 17 00 hours.
After you buy your ticket, you can opt for the audio tour where they will hand over to you a device attached to headphones. In return, one of us had to keep a valid government ID with them. My kids enjoyed the audio tour silently. But half-way there, my son’s device stopped working. They do exchange it but we had to go all the way back to the entry point to do that.
The place is amazing. I love old architecture and the intricate detailing of every wall and ceiling. You can see some of it in the pictures below but a visit, and view with your own eyes, is a must!
The external front gives you aesthetic pleasure. Adorned with greenery and bricks, these walls make a grand background for a great memory. But yes, you can enjoy the huge garden only if the weather permits. The day we visited, it was so hot that we had to escape to the car and turn on the air conditioner immediately.
Did you know Fun World and Snow City are also located on the palace grounds? They have a separate entrance altogether.
Well, after the architectural tour, everyone was hungry. So, we went to have some steaks at Millers 46 (click here for location). Yeah, you can enjoy local food, too, around the area but I needed some steak with mashed potatoes and the works to satisfy my hunger.
Yes, there is more. After lunch, we did not go home, we decided to check if the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium was open (Click here for location). To our luck, it was. Plus, they added an extra session because many people were waiting in line that day. Yay!
Oh, even I was excited! We could read all about the galaxy while we waited in the queue to get into the auditorium. We could check our weight on the various planets of the solar system. When we finally entered, it was amazing. The sky theatre was something I had experienced only when I was a kid. I had been wanting to get my kids here forever. I was glad that my 5.5-year-old son also enjoyed it. He did not want to go home. After the informative and educational session at the planetarium, we finally decided to call it a day!
Have you visited the Palace and the Planetarium with your young kids? If not, you should! They will love it.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge
‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
39 Comments
Sounds lovely! I’ve visited the Mysore Palace but not this one – hopefully someday soon!
I have been to Bangalore multiple times and never missed watching this beautiful palace, though I now visit from the outside but never stop taking a minute to appreciate the beautiful architecture.
Thoroughly enjoyed this lovely virtual tour that you have given us via this post! The Palace is quite picturesque and Is now on my list 👏
I had visited Bangalore Palace and loved it. Its an architectural treat for the eyes, surrounded byb grrenery. Sadly I had not visited the Planetarium there.
I have been to Bangalore so many times. Surprisingly I seem to have missed the Bangalore palace and the Jwahar Lal Nehru planetarium. You make all the places appear so interesting. Next time I visit Bangalore these are going to be on top of my to-do list.
I love to visit such places, Bedabrata!
I visited the Bangalore palace when I was very small. If course I have only few printed pictures and not like in this digital era. Definitely need to visit again.
Wow post them, I would love to see them!
I visited Banglore once but was unable to visit this palace, which I now regret. Bangalore Palace appears to be the pinnacle of architectural and aesthetic splendor. Thank you for taking the time to write this.
Bangalore Palace is a beautiful place to visit. The architectural design is really impressive and regal, it is believed to be modeled along the lines of Windsor Castle. Sandy N Vyjay
Visiting a palace has been a treat, I always look forward too
Wow I love palaces . This one looks lovely from the outside and inside. Will definitely like to visit some day .
Palace always has so much to narrate and must say it is well maintained. Planetarium is a beautiful place to be, our trip to this place is pending for so long.
I love visiting palaces/mahals. Their architecture has always fascinated me. This palace looks so beautiful! would definitely visit it when I visit Bangalore. The photos are amazing!
I had been to Banglore to attend a wedding and couldn’t do any touristy stuff there. But my husband and I have plans to take our kids again there. I loved the greenery and the roads a lot in Banglore.
I visited Bangalore a few years ago but sadly I missed going to this palace. Will surely visit this place the next time I am in town. Loved the regal interiors and architecture.
I have been to Bangalore so many times on official visits but never got around to explore the city. Bangalore Palace seems like an epitome of architecture and beauty. There is so much to explore and soak in this majestic palace… thanks for taking us on the virtual tour. The steak and mashed potatoes look absolute yummmmm!
Staying in Bangalore and not visiting banglore place is not possible. I too have been with my kids and loved the audio tour. Planetarium is one thing my kids have been many time from school.. Really worth it.
Wow-what a mesmerizing beauty and architecture of Bangalore palace. I have never been there, but I noted the place on my bucket list.
The photo of the palace front. It looks straight out of movies. The entire blog is a text book example of day well spent. I’m really glad to see your kids taking interest in the rich culture and history of this country as well. I have been to Bangalore only once and reading about this palace for the first time.
This one looks like a must-visit, Cindy. Love the front garden pic, it is breathtaking. The back story is also quite amusing. But then, these are royals.
Love these images and the details about the palace. I’ve been to Bangalore many times and yet to visit it- but this makes me want to add it to my planner for next time
I have never visited the palace but will surely try to next time I am there. Reading about the planetarium reminded me of the time when kids were younger. They used to love it.
Lol, I have been in Blr for 16 years and haven’t gone there even once… infact I didn’t know we could go there as tourists 🙈. Looks like we have to plan a tour. Thanks Cindy for the recommendation.
I’m in!!
I’ve been to Bangalore so many times but I did not visit the palace. I didn’t even know they had tours, I would have definitely gone! Next visit I shall make it a point to see this beautiful place. The planetarium sounds ideal to take a child to. My grandsons will love to visit. I remember going to planetariums as a child and they were thrilling to my young mind!
I have never been to Bangalore. But know due to friends. I have visited the palace in ND studio N Ramoji Rao. I love the Palace, architecture, everything.
Trust me I have done my Post graduation from Bangalore but still wonder how I missed visiting this place. On my next visit will surely visit here to witness the beauty of the palace.
Beautiful suggestion Cindy, I plan to take my lil 1 there whenever chance, and seriously I cant get over the no room to study and train 🤣 I wonder did he manage to get his masters after getting the room
Read about him, maybe you will know. Haha!
Bangalore is beautiful and I have been there for work many times. My niece too is going there for 2 weeks for work from her company. Your post has given me a great idea of what places I’ll ask her to visit.
I have a fascination for ancient architecture. This palace is wonderfully preserved and is such a beauty! I would be visiting it often too if I was in Bangalore.
I visited the palace in the year 2018 and what a treat it is. Especially the verdant lawns. But that reason for its construction takes the cake!
Seriously! I was amused about that, too!
I love palaces. They are such a wonderful nugget of our history. it is always interesting to visit and learn about the palace and its people. This one looks lovely from the outside and inside – i am sure it has many an interesting tale to tell.
I had never been to banglore but heard a lot about this city. picturesque Bangalore Palace sounds like an amazing place with impressive infrastructure. would love to visit this palace with my family, when come India next time. thanks dear for sharing all details.
I have been to Bangalore so many times but have never been to the Palace or planetarium. Had taken the kids to Bannerghatta though. I miss the growing years of my kids. Enjoy every second you have with them, Cindy. They will soon fly the nest.
True, Harjeet! Let me know next time you are here, will take you there myself, if you’re interested! :))
I have never been to Bangalore but heard and read that it has many good spots to visit. Picturesque Bangalore Palace seems one such perfect spot. That last picture from the front is beautiful. I love to visit such places.When I was in 12th grade, I have been to a Planetarium in Kolkata and those memories are still there.