Karnataka Vidhana Soudha guided tour: Tickets, timings, key features
Tourism department granted conditional approval to conduct a guided tour on public holidays, from 8 am to 6 pm; here are some key features of the tour
The Karnataka government has decided to allow tourists to explore the interiors of Vidhana Soudha, the iconic heritage structure and centre of power in the state, through paid guided tours. The move aims to showcase the building’s legacy, history, and architectural brilliance.
The tourism department has been granted conditional approval to conduct a guided tour on public holidays, from 8 am to 6 pm, says a government directive.
An official notification detailing the tour structure and pricing is expected soon from the department. While the decision to allow guided tours in the “Temple of Democracy” has been widely welcomed, the announcement of an entry fee has sparked some discontent among the public.
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Decorative lighting on cards
Vidhana Soudha is one of Bengaluru’s top tourist attractions, and in recent times, both domestic and international tourists have shown a keen interest in visiting it. Until now, visitors could only view the majestic building from the outside and take photographs.
To enrich the tourist experience by highlighting the building’s cultural, historical, and political significance, and to attract more visitors—similar to tours conducted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House in Delhi—the tourism department had proposed to the government that a guided tour be introduced at Vidhana Soudha.
The government has approved this proposal and issued orders to implement it. The proposal also highlights the installation of permanent decorative lighting to enhance the building’s beauty.
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Key features of the guided tour
- Visitors will be allowed inside the building in groups of 30.
- Each group will be monitored by officials appointed by the tourism department.
- Tickets have to be booked online. A mobile app for that will be launched soon.
- Entry fees will be affordable.
- The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Security Division) will supervise security arrangements.
- Tourists must strictly follow the route map prepared for the tour.
- Tourist details and headcounts must be submitted in advance to the Additional Secretary to the Government and to the Security Division of Vidhana Soudha.
When will the tours begin?
The government is planning to roll out the guided tours by mid-2025. Work on essential infrastructure has already begun, and an official announcement is expected soon.
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A proud symbol of Karnataka
The construction of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of both Houses of the Karnataka legislature, began under the leadership of former chief minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah. The foundation stone was laid by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on July 13, 1951.
The construction, which began in 1952, took four years to complete, with over 5,000 workers involved. The building’s architecture is often described as a blend of Mysore Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic, and Dravidian styles.
(This article originally appeared in The Federal Karnataka)
