Till lately, most guests to the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka legislature in Bengaluru, merely noticed an edifice staring down imperiously at them with the burden of the years it has witnessed since Independence. Since June 1, nonetheless, the constructing and its premises have been opened to guests by means of weekend guided excursions overseen by the State Tourism Growth Company.
Friends on the tour can anticipate to see and find out about numerous elements of the Vidhana Soudha, a few of which aren’t widespread data or simply seen from the skin. The tour begins close to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi situated between the Vidhana Soudha and the Vikasa Soudha close by. Shifting on from right here, one will get to see the inspiration stone of the constructing, laid down by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.
The tour begins close to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi situated between the Vidhana Soudha and the Vikasa Soudha close by. (Categorical Picture)
Whereas continuing, guides make clear the second chief minister of Mysore State, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, and his deep connection to the historical past of the constructing which was additionally influenced by outstanding figures comparable to Sir M Visvesvaraya and German botanist G H Krumbiegel. One other fascinating facet all through many elements of the constructing are cement reliefs – outstanding on many ceiling sections – that depict pure motifs comparable to lotuses and pineapples, indicating purity and hospitality, to call a number of.
The construction of the Vidhana Soudha is basically composed of granite from quarries at Magadi, as senior journalist Ravindra Reshme said in a 2023 lecture. Curiously, he additionally identified that the inspiration stone-laying by Nehru appears to have been the one formal inauguration of the constructing.
Simply inside the lobby, not removed from the banquet corridor (seen by means of locked doorways), is an in depth mannequin of the Vidhana Soudha, carved in sandalwood. (Categorical Picture)
Simply inside the lobby, not removed from the banquet corridor (seen by means of locked doorways), is an in depth mannequin of the Vidhana Soudha, carved in sandalwood. Initially meant to be despatched to Parliament, it by no means made the journey. Different sights inside the constructing itself are exceptional from an architectural perspective – such because the unsupported central dome of the constructing, which itself incorporates six smaller flooring.
Guests may also briefly check out the Meeting Corridor from a viewing gallery above, with the seats of varied MLAs and the Speaker clearly seen. This is likely one of the highlights of the tour. For safety causes, guests should go away cameras and cellphones with a guard outdoors till they end viewing this part.
The construction of the Vidhana Soudha is basically composed of granite from quarries at Magadi, as senior journalist Ravindra Reshme said in a 2023 lecture. (Categorical Picture)
Whereas strolling previous the “corridors of energy” within the constructing and the workplaces of varied main politicians, one may also catch some exceptional sights, comparable to a view into the Vikasa Soudha which reveals one of many largest murals in Karnataka, or a peepal tree that overlooks a small temple that was there earlier than the Vidhana Soudha was constructed. Shifting across the exterior of the constructing, guests may also get a transparent take a look at numerous architectural influences in several elements of the construction, which the tour guides elaborate upon, alongside details relating to a number of political figures of the state that one can see represented in statues across the gardens.
Story continues beneath this advert
The excursions are carried out each Sunday and on the second and fourth Saturday of the month in English and Kannada. Tickets, priced at Rs 50 every, might be booked through https://kstdc.co/actions/.