From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 7: The famous Flower Show at the world-renowned Lalbagh Botanical Garden, which will be the flower show number 202 since its establishment in the year 1912, was inaugurated by Rani Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Wife of Maharaja Late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, and Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, to mark the country’s Independence Day in Bengaluru on Friday.

The 10-day flower show, which is expected to attract over 5 lakh visitors, will be featuring as many as 800 aesthetic exhibits.

The main attraction for this year’s flower show, which marks the 68th Independence Day of India, is the replica of the Bangalore Palace that has been created using 2 lakh Dutch roses, apart from the floral image replicas of the five Maharajas of Mysuru.

The five Mysore Maharajas have been done up in flowers with boards installed that speak of their contributions.

A sand sculpture of Late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, who is remembered as the people’s President, has been displayed at Lawn Area.

A photo gallery, "Raja Darshana" would bring in rare collections from the Royal family’s album of memories. The show would also display information on Lalbagh’s 2,200 native species of fruit and flower-bearing trees displayed at the Glass House.

Pramoda Devi and Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who went round the exhibits in Glass House and in the entire Lalbagh Botanical Garden, underscored the importance of preserving and protecting the environment and also urged the authorities and public to ensure that all efforts were made to restore the glory and beauty Bengaluru as a Garden City.

Karnataka’s Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee presided over the function and released a photo book on Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Rajeev Chawla, Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Horticulture and Sericulture, as the Chief Guest released a brochure on Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

Important Attractions

One of the attractions of this year’s Independence Day flower show is the replica of the beautiful Bengaluru palace in flowers measuring 45 feet in length, 35 feet in height and 20 feet width.

Among the exhibits on display at the Glass House specially erected floral statues of Chamaraja Wadiyar, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar and Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar and the significant contributions made by these rulers for the growth and development of the erstwhile princely State of Mysuru.

The flower show provides the visitors a rare opportunity to behold several plants and trees in different designs and attractive forms. Several distinct trees, plants and nuts are being hung on the stands specially arranged in the Glass House. These specimens have details of their common name, scientific name, family, origin and other related information, which the visitors can note.

Hawaiian Hibiscus, Dwarf Asiatic Lily, Ultra Miniature Button Rose, Attractive Miniature Poinsettia Flowers, 45-year old Stag Horn Fern, Fragrant Thai Jasmine, Deep Blue Octanthus, Light Red Loropetalum, Calibrachoa, Hanging Heliconia are some of the flowers that are on display at this year’s show. In addition, there is the foliage topiary to offer an exquisite feast for the eyes of the visitors.

Flowers from Fern Hill Garden of Ooty, which is under the jurisdiction of the Horticulture Departmen the State Government of Karnataka, is another attractive feature of show. Flowers such as Cyclamen, Tuberous rooted begonia, Statice, Fuschia, Hydrangea, Clarkia, Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia), Asiatic/Alstromeria Lily, Carnation, Azalea, Liliya, Limonia, Lisianthus and Chrysanthemum as also many exotic varieties and temperate climate vegetables such as Red Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Sprouting Broccoli, Leek, Ooty Radish and son on are on display at the show.

In addition to attractive and huge floral themes, a wide range of pots with flowers grown in tropical, subtropical and temperate climate are also on display. Important flowers among these include Orchids, Anthurium, Rose, Poinsettias, Pentas carnea, Gerbera, Carnations, Helichrysum, Fussia, Tuberous rooted begonia, Begonia, Impatiens, Geraniums, Hydrangeas and other varieties of rare flowers.

The Mysore Horticulture Society, Lalbagh, Bengaluru, which is organising the Independence Day Flower Show and also for the Republic Day every year with the State Horticultural Department, was established in the year 1912 by late G H Krumbiegel, the then Superintendent of Lalbagh Gardens, involving the elites of Bangaluru City and Horticulture enthusiasts of the erstwhile State.

The Society now has 4,500 life members, who are basically involved in Horticultural activities. The Society’s administration rests with an elected body called the Governing Council which has 22 directors. The Director of Horticulture will be the chairman in ex-officio capacity.

Origin of Lalbagh Garden

The Department of Horticulture and Mysore Horticulture Society jointly conducts two Horticultural shows every year. Earlier, the shows were called “Summer Show” and “Winter Show”. However, since 1951, these shows are being synchronized with Republic Day and Independence Day.

Lalbagh was originally started as a 40-acre private garden of Mysore ruler Hyder Ali. In the year 1760, it was further developed by his son Tipu Sultan.

The garden was expanded exponentially by British and Indian horticulturists to include the present 240 acres and was declared a government Botanical Garden in 1856. It now houses some of the world's rarest plant species. The flower show was started about 102 years ago by the elite of Bengaluru and horticulture enthusiasts who were part of the Mysore Horticulture Society.

Lalbagh Independence Day 2015 Flower Show, Bengaluru: August 7 to 16, 2015; 8:30 am to 6:30 pm

Entrance Fee

Normal Days: Aug 7, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14, 2015
Adults - Rs 40 
Children - Rs 10

Holidays: Aug 8, 9, 15, 16, 2015
Adults - Rs 50 
Children - Rs 10

Tickets can also be booked online on http://www.lalbaghflowershow.in