Bengaluru’s Lalbagh flower show to honour Chennamma & Rayanna this Independence Day | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: The 218th edition of the annual Lalbagh Independence Day flower show, scheduled from Aug 7 to 17, will pay a floral tribute to Kittur Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna, Karnataka’s iconic freedom fighters. Their stories of resistance against British colonial rule will be recreated through elaborate flower arrangements inside the famed Glass House.The show is expected to draw a record 11 lakh visitors, surpassing the 4.7 lakh footfall seen during the Republic Day edition earlier this year. “The theme this time is the valiant fight led by Chennamma and Rayanna in the 1820s. Their sacrifice and patriotism will be depicted entirely using flowers,” said M Jagadeesh, joint director of horticulture, Lalbagh.Preparation for the event began over three months ago, with the department cultivating more than 6 lakh flowering plants in-house. “We’ve also sent out procurement requests to nurseries across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Nandi Hills, and Ooty to supply special varieties,” Jagadeesh added.Ban on photo sessions?In a significant policy shift, the horticulture department is also contemplating a ban on pre-wedding shoots, baby showers, and commercial video or photo shoots inside Lalbagh. The proposal follows a similar restriction imposed recently at Cubbon Park.“Several commercial shoots disturb the peace of the garden and often damage plant life. We’re considering a blanket ban on such activities during the flower show, and potentially throughout the year,” said a senior Lalbagh horticulture official. “The idea is to protect the biodiversity of the garden and ensure a quality experience for all visitors.”The department is likely to act on the recommendations of an expert panel led by environmentalist AN Yellappa Reddy. The panel has suggested banning activities that may harm flora and fauna or cause overcrowding. “We are committed to maintaining Lalbagh’s ecological balance. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the garden, but not at the cost of its sustainability,” the official said.The Lalbagh flower show is held twice annually — in Jan and Aug — and is one of Bengaluru’s most visited cultural events, attracting tourists and flower enthusiasts from across the country and abroad.