It was a little cloudy and windy “ Perfect Bangalore Weather” on this Sunday and me and my friend felt a quest to go somewhere. But where to go? We were not interested for the shopping malls. Lalbag was already covered and Nandi Hills too far. So?
Why….Bangalore Palace. In Google search the building looks mighty and its also within the city! Crossing the Cubbon Park metro we saw a sign board for GEMS Business school and next was the palace ground.
Built in eighteen seventy eight by the Wadiyars, this palace looks like the Windsor Castle of London. Open to the visitors from ten - five thirty pm, it has an entry fee – two hundred and forty rupees for the Indian visitors. You need to pay separately if you wish to carry a camera. Now, there is this audio guide(looks like a mobile handset) included in the ticket amount. There are about fourteen spots elaborated in the audio guide.
A tusker-head welcomes you once you enter. Taxidermy? Probably yes. Climbing up the round staircase we then visited the first floor. One elegant drawing room, replica of some famous paintings such as Cleopatra’s marriage, women being kidnapped in British India etc, one or two portrait of Wadiyar Kings, stuffed legs of a tusker etc., were there to see. Rooms/ places of importance were listed and you can just press that digit in your audio-guide handset and know the importance of that object/place. The outside of the palace looks awesome with all its grandeur and perfect for those ‘ profile picture’ clicks!
Overall, it was a nice experience, though I felt a bit costly considering what all you can see. There are not much things to see as heritage! There is a hall outside the palace which is rented for hosting functions or parties.