Bangalore Palace: Information, History, Timings, Entry Fee

The majestic Bangalore Palace is an iconic monument that adorns the cityscape of Bangalore and attracts tourists all year round. An embodiment of regal opulence and architectural brilliance, this palace offers you a peep into the grandeur and lifestyle of the Wadiyars, the erstwhile royal family of the Kingdom of Mysore. As one of the prime attractions in the Garden City, this palace definitely deserves to be on your itinerary when you book your hotels in Bangalore for a holiday trip.

Looking for more details about this stunning palace in Bangalore? Read ahead…

Bangalore Palace: History

Bangalore Palace stands on a piece of land originally owned by Reverend J Garrett, who was the principal of Bangalore Central High School. In 1873, the land was purchased at a cost of 40,000 rupees by the British guardians of Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, who was a minor then. The property was purchased to provide a suitable place for the young Maharaja to stay in Bangalore and complete his administrative training.

The construction of the palace started in 1874 and was completed by 1878. John Cameron, who was also the superintendent of Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, carried out the landscaping of the property. Over the years, the palace witnessed several improvements and additions. Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar added the platform for musicians and the twin external staircase outside the Durbar Hall during his reign.

Since 1970, the palace has been at the center of several legal tussles. At present, Bangalore Palace is under the ownership and control of Smt. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, who is the legal heir to Sri Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, a descendant of the Wadiyar royal family. The palace has been opened for public visits since 2005.

Bangalore Palace Architecture

Bangalore Palace is built in the Tudor Revival style of architecture, complete with turrets, battlements, a ballroom, and fortified towers. It is a two-level palace with Roman arches marking the entrance. The sprawling palace covers a floor area of 45000 sq. ft. while the palace grounds spread over 454 acres. Impressive furniture featuring Victorian, neo-classical, and Edwardian elements adorn the palace interiors. Elegant wood carvings, cornices, floral motifs, and relief paintings done on the ceiling further add to the beauty of the interiors. This regal edifice also boasts of stained glass and mirrors imported from England as well as wooden fans that lend the palace an old-world charm.  

There are around 35 rooms in the palace, most of which are bedrooms, and a swimming pool. The open courtyard within the edifice attracts attention due to the fluorescent blue ceramic tiles used in its decor. One of the major highlights of the palace is its elaborately decorated Durbar Hall that has a huge elephant head adorning it. Situated on the first floor, the hall features stained glass windows and has a screen demarcating the area behind which women used to sit and watch the assembly proceedings in the bygone days.  

Bangalore Palace: Today

Thanks to its splendid architecture and grandeur, Bangalore Palace stands as one of the best places to visit in Bangalore. Apart from being a top tourist attraction in the city, the palace is a must-visit place for art lovers as it houses several remarkable paintings belonging to the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Extensive collection of Raja Ravi Varma’s works housed within the palace is another key attraction. You can also see several pictures that chronicle the various generations of the Wadiyar Dynasty.     

The sprawling grounds surrounding the palace, called the Palace Grounds, serve as a popular venue for several musical and cultural events. These grounds have hosted a number of international musicians and bands, such as Backstreet Boys, The Rolling Stones, Enrique Iglesias, Elton John, Deep Purple, Metallica, The Black Eyed Peas, Lamb of God, and many others. Due to a legal tiff with the Government of Karnataka, the palace grounds are no longer available for commercial use.

Things to See in the Bangalore Palace Complex

The palace has several attractions to keep you busy for a long time. The things to see in Bangalore Palace include:

• Palace interiors, including the Durbar Hall and the Ballroom
• The Palace Grounds, sprawling open area
• Fun World, an amusement park situated within the Palace Grounds

Lesser Known Facts about Bangalore Palace

• The palace houses an astounding collection of about 30,000 photographs.
• Iron Maiden’s Eddfest concert held in the Palace Grounds in 2007 is among the largest paid concerts to have ever happened in India. The concert was attended by more than 38,000 people and another 4,000 watching it from beyond the venue boundary without tickets.
• In September 2011, Jay Sean, Flo Rida, and Ludacris performed in the Palace Grounds for the Champions League T20 opening ceremony.
• On 30^th October 2011, the famous American heavy metal band Metallica performed in the Palace Grounds. It was their first concert in India. It also turned out to be the last music concert in these grounds as the state government has stopped giving permission for any more events after that.

Top Attractions Near Bangalore Palace

• National Gallery of Modern Art (1.9 km)
• Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (2 km)
• Mary’s Basilica (2.8 km)
• Vidhana Soudha (2.8 km)
• Sankey Tank (2.8 km)
• Cubbon Park (3.4 km))
• Ulsoor Lake (4 km)
• Commercial Street (4 km)
• Venkatappa Art Gallery (4.6 km)
• Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (4.7 km)
• Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens (7.3 km)
• Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace (7.7 km)

With its architecture and regal grandeur, Bangalore Palace will take you back to those times in history when luxury was a lifestyle. Apart from this palace, there are several other historical places in Bangalore that are worth a visit. Make sure to check out at least some of those attractions on your trip to the Garden City.