The Cubbon Park, a large green space in the middle of Bangalore, is a perennial favourite. The park’s history dates back to colonial times, and now it has hundreds of plant varieties, thousands of beautiful and blooming trees, and various pathways lined with trees and colourful flower beds.
The park complex includes not only exciting rides and activities but also many historical landmarks, majestic buildings, museums, and sculptures of notable persons. The park is located in Bangalore’s central business area, lying in close proximity to the city’s key landmarks.
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See also: Parks in Bangalore
History and architecture
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The park’s documented history dates back to colonial times. It was originally named Meade’s park after Sir John Meade, the Acting Commissioner of Mysore State, who oversaw its construction. In 1870, Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Hieram Sankey, then the Chief Engineer of Mysore State, thought of and created what is now the park. At a later date, it was renamed Cubbon Park in honour of Sir Mark Cubbon, a prominent British administrator in the area.
The magnificent buildings of Cubbon Park, with their Greco-Roman, classical, and neoclassical architecture, are photogenically appealing and reminiscent of a bygone period. These structures, hidden within the rows of trees, are among the park’s most prized discoveries. Students from the Bengaluru School of Architecture and other organisations provide historical walking tours of the city’s most recognisable structures, sometimes with an expert’s running commentary on the structures’ backstories and design influences.
Flora
Cubbon Park is home to a wide variety of flora, including several native plant species. It’s a haven for botanists and other nature lovers because of the abundance of unique flora to see and study. A total of 68 plant families and 96 different species may be found at Cubbon Park in Bangalore. The park’s main draw is the Grevillea robusta (Silver Oak), the first Australian oak to be transplanted to Bangalore.
Cubbon Park attractions
- The park’s prominent structures and monuments- These landmarks have been there since the park’s inception. Alluding to India’s colonial heritage, these structures are models of European architecture. Iyer Hall in Cubbon Park is the biggest public library in the state and is especially well-known for its collection of Braille books. An additional highlight of the park is the Venkatappa Art Gallery, where visitors may spend an intellectually stimulating day learning about and appreciating the works of some of India’s best artists.
- The aquarium at Cubbon Park is among the biggest in India and is home to several species of rare and unusual fish. On the first level, there are 14 floor-to-ceiling tanks housing freshwater and marine species of varying types, and on the second level, around 69 tanks housing a wide variety of cultivable fishes and aquatic vegetation.
- Putani Express, or the Toy Train, is a hit with the little ones. The park’s circle is traversed by train lines that wind through the park’s lush vegetation, along its waterfront, and past the park’s grand historic structures.
- Cubbon Park is famous for its wide variety of plants and trees, including native and foreign species of blooming and decorative plants. Around 6,000 plants and trees of diverse sorts may be found in the park.
- The amusement park Jawahar Bal Bhavan is a popular destination for families with kids. Go on board the brightly coloured toy railway locomotive, take a boat out on the lake, give horseback riding a try, and let the kids play on the swings.
Things to look out for
- The Vishweshwaraiah Industrial and Technological Museum is a paradise for science nerds, with nine different exhibition rooms to explore (including the Engine Hall, Fun Science Hall, How Things Work, and Space Gallery).
- The park is named for Sir Mark Cubbon, and its expansive greenery is sprinkled with monuments of many notable people’s statues. Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar, Victoria, K. Sheshadri Iyer, and Edward VII monuments are also noteworthy.
- Those who are interested in health and fitness are the park’s primary patrons. Many devotees begin their Sundays with 45 minutes of yoga, then a 5 km run. Manish Pole, the owner of Total Yoga Studios, is hosting a free, public event from 8 AM to 9:30 AM every day of the week as part of the Total Yoga 21-Day challenge, and anybody is welcome to attend.
- Cubbon Park is a photographer’s paradise thanks to its abundance of picturesque landscapes, vibrant flower beds, manicured lawns and avenues, historic colonial buildings, and other points of interest.
- Attara Kacheri is an impressive Gothic building from the 19th century that was constructed entirely of red stone. The Karnataka High Court is now situated here.
- At the park, you’ll find the Indira Priyadarshini Children’s Library, which is a must-see for young readers and has a sizable selection of books for kids of all ages.
- The Venkatappa Art Gallery is one of the best museums in Bangalore, and it is conveniently located just next to the Government Museum.
- The Band Stand is an octagonal cast-iron building that was constructed around the turn of the twentieth century. It was originally a popular venue for plays, cultural events, musical concerts, and other forms of live entertainment.
Best time to visit
The park is most enjoyable between September through February, which spans the autumn and early winter seasons. No precipitation is expected throughout this time, and the weather will stay moderate and windy. Birdwatchers will have a better chance of seeing migrating species and other birds near the water’s edge in Cubbon Park during this period.
The months of March through May are the hottest in Bangalore. Flowers of all colours will adorn the park for the coming of spring. Even in the warmest months, average highs seldom exceed 35 degrees Celsius, thus the weather is always comfortable. Throughout June and September, you may expect anything from light to heavy rain. This time of year, the park is especially lovely for couples.
Details
Address
Kasturba Rd, Behind High Court of Karnataka, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagara, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Entry fee
Entry to Cubbon Park is free.
Timings
6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed on Mondays and second Tuesdays of every month.
Strictly for morning walkers: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Time Required:
1 – 2 hours
Cubbon Park Parking
If you want to drive to this place, there is plenty of parking at the four major parking lots near the park, such as on the Queens Roadside, from Bal Bhavan to the high court complex.
Cubbon Park Bangalore Phone no.
080 2286 4125
How to get there?
From anywhere in Bengaluru city, you can take the Bengaluru Metro (BMRCL), a bus, or a taxi to get to Cubbon Park.
By bus: The Majestic bus stop is 3 km away. You can easily get to the park by taking a KSRTC bus, which goes all over the city.
By air: Bengaluru airport is 35 km away. You can take a taxi or bus from there to the park.
By metro: If you want to use the Bangalore Metro, you can get off at the Cubbon Park Metro Station, which is about 100 metres from the park.
Cubbon Park is in the middle of the city and can be reached from M.G. Road, Kasturba Road, Hudson Circle, and Ambedkar Veedhi. The State Central Library is very close to the park.
Places of interest near Cubbon Park
- Mark’s Cathedral (400 m by walk)
- Garuda Mall (2 km)
- The National Gallery of Contemporary Art (2 km)
- Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technology Museum (450 m by walk)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (2 km)
- Mahatma Gandhi Park (240 m by walk)
- Vidhan Soudha (290 m by walk)
- Turf Club in Bangalore (2 km)
- Commercial Street is 2 km from G Road (2 km)
FAQs
When should people go to Cubbon Park?
September to February is the best time to go to Cubbon Park. During these months, the weather is just right for walking around the park and meeting the animals that live there.
When was Cubbon Park built?
Cubbon Park has been around for more than 100 years. It was set up in 1870 by Sri John Meade, who was the Commissioner of Mysore at the time. Major General Richard Sankey, who was Chief Engineer of the State at the time, came up with the park's large landscape.
Can we bring food to Cubbon Park with us?
Yes, often, people come here to have a picnic or spend time together sitting in the meadow, playing, or eating.
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