Vidhana Soudha
Ambedkar Bheedhi, Sampani Rama Nagara, Bengaluru, Karnataka
The Vidhana Soudha houses the legislature of the state of Karnataka and is the biggest legislative building in India. This imposing building is made of granite in a neo-Dravidian style with a few Indo-Saracenic architectural elements thrown in, such as its golden dome.
Situated on around 60 acres (24.3 hectares), the Vidhana Soudha is one of Bengaluru’s most recognizable structures. The construction of the Vidhana Soudha started in 1951 and completed in 1956, just after India’s independence. Just south of the Vidhana Soudha is its replica, the Vikasa Soudha. This building was opened in 2005 to house additional legislative and ministerial offices of the Karnataka government. Many city sightseeing tours stop by both.
- Vidhana Soudha is a must-visit for architecture fans.
- Most tours only stop outside, as visitors need to get special passes to enter.
- Those visiting independently can apply for passes at gate 1 or 3 of the building.
The Vidhana Soudha is situated in the heart of Bangalore, on the northwestern side of CUbbon Park. The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar station of the Bangalore Metro stops right in front of the building and connects to the Bangalore Railway Station on the Violet Line; the journey takes about 20 minutes.
Vidhana Soudha is a year-round attraction, though visiting hours are limited to a few hours in the afternoon and require getting passes. As such, most people just admire the building from the outside. If you can, try to plan your visit for a Sunday evening or a public holiday, when the building is lit up for a few hours around sunset.
Right next to the Vidhana Soudha is Cubbon Park, one of Bangalore's most important attractions. It's worth stopping by just to stroll and take in the plants, trees, and birds that call the park home or if you want to visit the Government Museum, with its exceptional collection of archaeological finds from across South India.
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