The Raj Bhavan garden Bengaluru has its own history of over one and a half century. The Commissioner’s Bungalow as it was called earlier came to be called as the ‘Residency Park’ and then as Raj Bhavan. Sir Mark Cubbon when he was commissioner of Mysore resided in this Raj Bhavan building. Cubbon had the taste for gardening and aesthetic values. It is because of special interest taken by Cubbon,  the Lalbagh Botanical Garden Bengaluru received  the title “State Botanical Garden” in 1856.Thereafter, systematic exchange of plants between the Lalbagh and other gardens of Bengal Presidency, Madras Presidency and Bombay Presidency could take place and while introducing plants to Lalbagh Garden Bengaluru, a few species like Eucalyptus citriodora, Araucaria cockii, Caesalpinia coriaria  etc., were also introduced to Raj Bhavan gardens  during the period from 1860 to 1870. Later, many species of trees shrubs climbers and other plants were introduced.

Right from the Residency days, the Raj Bhavan garden received special care and attention. The sylvan and colorful garden is adding beauty to the Raj Bhavan Building. The Residency Garden, at one time had about 3400 potted plants, of these the biggest collection was that of   Crotons followed by those of foliage plants, Ferns and Roses. This shows that pot culture started from the Residency days and it is practice of growing different varieties of foliage ornamental plants, flowering shrubs and flowers etc., in pots is being continued even today.

The Raj Bhavan garden was originally laid out both as a formal and an informal garden. The formal garden is the area right in front of the Raj Bhavan portico. The central walk path flanked by a row of Royal palms and abutted on either side by lush green lawns, Rose gardens and arches covered with creepers. The informal garden is on the periphery of the   garden where it has the fruit trees, such as Mango, Sapota and Coconut and kitchen garden plants. Both the formal and the informal gardens are in harmony with the colonial and classical architecture of the Raj Bhavan building.

The Garden has a well designed landscape, with terraces, parapet walls, and metallic arches covered with flowering creepers which lend a subtle beauty to the grandeur of the building. A Glass House has been added during the year 2000, where the state functions are held here. 

An artificial waterfall which has been created in the left side corner of the main lawn provides not only a strategic cover to the buildings, but also relief to the monotony of the place. The bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi just on the right side of the water cascade facing the main lawn provides a touch of serenity, peace and dignity to the atmosphere.

The presence of birds like Eagles, Crows, Pigeons, wood peckers, Myna, Squirrels and butterflies are adding diversity of fauna to the garden.

The Raj Bhavan Garden has different types of plant wealth, such as Albizia saman (Rain tree), Artocarpus altilis (Bread fruit), Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jack fruit), Averrhoa carambola (Star fruit), Bambusa vulgaris (Yellow bamboo), Bougainvillea, Caesalpinia coriaria (Divi-Divi Tree), Callistemon lanceolatus (Bottle brush), Caryota urens (Fish tail palm), Cassia javanica (Pink Cassia), Citrus maxima (Pomelo), Cocos nucifera (Coconut), Colvillea racemosa (Colville’s glory), Couroupita guianensis (Cannon Ball Tree or Nagalinga pushpa),Cycas revoluta (Sago Cycas), Delonix regia, (Gulmohar), Dalbergia latifolia (Rose wood or Beete Mara), Elaeis guineensis (Oilpalm), Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudraksha), Erythrina crista-galli (Coral plant), Eucalyptus citriodora, Ficus bengalensis (Banyan tree), Ficus benjamina (Benjamina fig), Ficus religiosa (Peepal Tree), Filicium decipiens (Fern tree), Grevillea robusta (Silver oak), Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranada), Lagestroemia indica (Crape myrtle), Lagestroemia speciosa (Pride of India), Mangifera indica (Mango), Manilkara zapota (Sapota), Millingtonia hortensis (Tree Jasmine), Michelia champaca (Sampige) Peltophorum pterocarpum (Copper pod),Pinus roxburghii (chir pine), Plumeria alba, Plumeria rubra, Polyalthia longifolia (Mast-Tree or Ashoka), Pongamia pinnata (Indian-Beech), Pursea Americana (Avacado), Psidium guajava (Guava), Ravenala madagascariensis (Traveller’sPalm), Roystonea regia (Royal palm),  Samania saman (Rain tree), Santalum album (Sandal wood), Spathodia companulata (African Tulip Tree), Sterculia alata, Swietenia mahagoni (Mahagony), Tabebuia  avellanedae,(Pink Trumpet), Tabebuia argentia (Golden bell), Tabebuia donnell-smithii (Yellow Tabebuia), Tabebuia rosea (Rosy Trumpet-tree), Tamarindus indica (Tamarind), Theobroma cacao (Cocoa), etc., and many ornamental and flowering plants are present in the garden.

The Raj Bhavan gardens  was  upgraded and given face lift during  the year 2018-19  and 2019-20  by developing new lawns, introducing native plants, butterfly attracting plants,  Spice plants, Ground cover plants, Shrubbery plants, Herbal plants, Topiary garden, Bonsai plants, Rose garden, Hedging plants, Exotic plants, Lotus plants, Creeper plants, Bird bath, Seasonal flower, Mini water fall and  Sprinkler system, Rain water infiltration well etc., to make more attractive, enhancing  the esthetic value, beauty  and plant diversity of the garden.

The important ornamental and  flower  plants introduced to Raj Bhavan gardens  from the past eight years  are Acalypha wilkesiana, Acalypha godseffiana, Agloanema varieties,  Annona reticulata ( Ramphal), Anthurium andraeanum ( Anthurium-Painter’s Palette), Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jack  fruit), Asclepias curassavica (Butterfly attracting Plant), Averrhoa carambola (Star fruit), Bambusa ventricosa (Buddas Belly Bamboo), Bignonia megapotamica, Bismarckia nobilis (Silver bismarck palm), Buddleja asiatica, (Butterfly attracting plant), Bunchosia argentea (Peanut butter fruit), Bonsai plants, Burmuda lawn grass, Carmona retusa (The Topiary Plant), Chlorophytum comosum (Spider plant), Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon), Clerodenrum inerme (Vishama dhari), Cestrum nocturnum (Night Queen), Cuphea hyssopifolia (Cuphea), Citrus siensis (Sweet orange), Citrus reticulata (Nagpur orange), Citrus aurentifolia (Kagzi Lime), Citrus limon  (Lemon), Cocos nucifera (Dwarf Coconut), Dracaena varieties, Duranta goldiana, Dypsis lutescens (Areca palm), Ellettaria cardamomum (Cardamom), Canna  indica (Indian shot),  Chamoedorea elagans (Parlour palm),  Codiaeum variegatum (Crotan), Eranthemum varieties,Elaeocarpus grandiflorus (Flowering Rudrakshi), Erythrina cristagali (Coral plant), Ficus carica (Fig), Ficus benjamina  (var.blackeana), Ficus benjamina (Var. Starlite), Golden cypress, Hibiscus varieties, Hypophorbe lagenicaulis (Champion/Bottle Palm), Ipomoea horsfalliae (Morning glory), Ixora coccinea (Jungle Geranium),  Jasmine varieties, Jatropha, Lagerstroemia indica  (Crepe myrtle), Loropetalum chinense, Leucophyllum frutescens, Malphigia punicifolia (Barbados cherry), Mucuna bennetii (Red Jade Vine), Money plant (Golden yellow), Murraya exotica (Kadu karibevu or Kamini), Nerium oleander, Nelumbo nucifera,(Lotus), Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, (Parijata or Night flowering Jasmine), Ophiopogon (Mondo grass), Mexican lawn grass, Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg), Pachystachys lutea ( Golden shrimp or Lollipop flower), Pandanus (Pandanus variegated –Dwarf), Passiflora incarnata (Passion Flower), Petrea volubilis albiflora (white flower) and Petrea volubilis (Blue flower),  Persea americana (Butter fruit or Avacado),  Pentas lanceolata, Philodendron,  Pimento diocia (All spice),   Piper nigrum (Pepper), Plumeria abtusa (Plumeria dwarf),  Portulaca grandiflora(Porulaca or  9 o’Clock flower), Psidium guajava (Guava), Raphis exelsa (Raphis Palm), Rose, Ruellia simplex(Mexican Petunia), Santalum album (Sandal wood), Sansevaria (Snake plant), Spathiphyllum (Peace lilly), Schefflera arboricola,  Spider lily,  Spicy Guava, St.Augustine lawn grass (Shade grass), Syzygium aromaticum,(Clove),Syzygium samarangense (Water apple), Syzigium cumini (Jamun), Tabernaemontana divaricata (Pin wheel flower or Tabernaemontana dwarf plant), Tecoma varieties,Tradescantia spathacea  (Rhoeo discolor), Vallaris glabra Creeper Plant, Wodyetia bifurcata (Foxtail palm), Quisqualis indica, (Rangoon creeper), etc., and other plants are introduced and planted in Raj Bhavan Garden to enrich the plant wealth and bio-diversity  of this garden.

Apart from maintenance and up keep of Raj Bhavan gardens in a befitting manner, the nursery practices for annual flowers, ornamental foliage and flower plants are adopted systematically for multiplication and raising good annual flowers, ornamental foliage and flower plants in pots and containers and are used for arrangement in offices and during special programme and functions conducted in Raj Bhavan. 

The Raj Bhavan is a magnificent building conceived in the best traditions of both the east and the west. The blending of the building with its ambience is so perfect that it is more in the nature of a décor which is relaxing, pleasing and therefore all the more compelling.

                   
      Gardens                         Artefacts                     Interiors

RAJ BHAVAN GARDENS

The Raj Bhavan garden has a history of over one and a half centuries. This garden is what is left of a vast, undulating and imperial garden known in the late 19th and early 20th century as the ‘Residency Park’ measuring around 92 acres. Earlier called ‘the Commissioner’s Bungalow Garden’, the original garden must have been designed and developed during the period of Commissioners Mark Cubbon, Lewin Bowring, John Meade and James Gordon.

This garden is a contemporary of the State Botanical Garden - the Lalbagh. Before 1840, the whole of the ‘High Grounds’ area was more or less arable dry land. There were only a few banyan or fig trees, three of which can still be seen at the Raj Bhavan. The place occupied by the Residency was the highest point in this area.The vast garden of the Commissioner had different botanical species.

Dr. Cleghorn of the Forest Department, Col. Puckle of the Public Works Department and Capt. Cunningham, Secretary of the Commissioner, evinced keen interest in beautifying the garden with graveled footpaths, cisterns, pergolas and rare species of the Cookpine tree.

Right from the days of the Residency the Raj Bhavan has been enriched by gardening in excellent taste. The Residency garden at one time had about 3400 potted plants. Of these, the biggest collection was that of crotons followed by those of foliage plants, ferns and roses. The tradition has not only been followed to this day but has certainly been improved upon.
The garden has a vast diversity of ornamental and other species of flowers and plants. Thus the colonial legacy of tasteful ornamentation and love of nature has continued to this day.

Design and Landscape of the Raj Bhavan Gardens

The Raj Bhavan garden was originally laid out both as a formal and an informal garden. The formal garden is the area just in front of the portico. The central walk path flanked by a row of royal palms and abutted on either side by lush green lawns, rose gardens, and arches covered with creepers is biforked at the fountain.

The informal garden is on the periphery of the garden where the fruit trees such as mango, sapota, banana, papaya, pears, fig and other kitchen garden plants are maintained.

Both the formal and the informal gardens are in harmony with the colonial and classical architecture of the Raj Bhavan building. A replica of Ashoka Pillar in black granite is positioned strategically at the entrance.

The garden has a well designed landscape, with terraces, parapet walls, and metallic arches covered with flowering creepers which lend a subtle beauty to the grandeur of the building. A Glass House has been recently added where the state functions are held now.

An artificial waterfall which has been created in the left corner of the main lawn provides not only a strategic cover to the buildings, but also relief to the monotony of the place with the cascade of water gushing down and meandering like the Shalimar Gardens of the Mughals.

The bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi in ‘Yoga Mudra’ just on the right side of the water cascade facing the main lawn provides a touch of serenity, peace and dignity to the atmosphere.The garden has a number of annuals that blaze the gardens with a riot of colours during the seasons.

Whatever exotic species were introduced into the Botanical Garden (Lalbagh) found their way to the Residency garden as well.

The garden with its beautiful lush green lawns, colorful flower beds, exotic colored roses, scented jasmines and chirping birds not only reflects the taste of the occupant but also affords aesthetic pleasure to visitors. A green house has been established recently.

The erstwhile Residency Park covered a vast area where now the imposing Vidhana Soudha, the Park House, the Sudarshan Guest House, and the Legislators’ Home are located. Over the years, with the construction of these buildings, the spacious Residency Park has shrunk to its present size of 18 acres including the buildings.

Did you know?

• One of the Cookpine trees planted during those days is the oldest tree of the species in this region, and is still growing!
• The Raj Bhavan gardens which measures only 16 acres and 4 guntas initially spread over 92 acres !

ARTEFACTS OF RAJ BHAVAN

The Raj Bhavan is a treasure trove of art and its art collection has a legacy from both the West and the East. Its artefact collection includes some superb works of masters from the West like Herbert Parish and Woover Brankt, as also some traditional works of the Mysore, Tanjore and Bengal Schools done in wash method.

Among the treasures of the Raj Bhavan are a number of copies of Ajanta murals and a good number of beautiful and rare artefacts and metal sculptures which date back to the 19th century. These can be categorized under three main groups, namely, paintings, sculptures and prints numbering about a hundred and thirty.

There are notable etching and litho works displayed in the corridors. Technically and qualitatively they are works of great masters. These prints are important because they shed light on the social and ethnic customs as also the costumes of earlier days. In addition they are very important both historically and geographically. Many of these prints belong to the British East India Company period. Some of these drawings were prepared by European masters and later printed in litho and etching media.

Though many of the works do not carry the names of the artists, they are of high standard and quality. They are therefore preserved in the Raj Bhavan for posterity.

ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS

The Raj Bhavan is spread over an area of about 18 acres overlooking the Vidhana Soudha at the southeast corner, the Legislators Home at the

north-west and the All India Radio Centre towards the north-east. About two and a half acres of the area is occupied by the buildings.

The Residency has a treasure of royal furniture, top class tapestry, specially designed crockery and cutlery, lovely oil paintings with gold gilded frames, hunting trophies, an excellent billiards table, an ornate piano, and above all, a large collection of antiques and books.

The Raj Bhavan Road leads to the main ornamental wrought-iron gate adorned with the emblem in brass and flanked on either side by guard rooms. Two cannons placed on either side of the main gate gives an idea of an imposing structure behind. A nearly two hundred feet long driveway from the gate leads to the main portico of the building facing a well maintained garden and lawns. A floral look at the entrance immediately attracts the visitor.

The classical 19th century bungalows were always of one storey only though their height some time gave the impression of an upper floor. The Residency was also originally a single-storeyed horizontal building constructed in the British Colonial style of architecture which came to be known as the Residency style of architecture.

Two wings were added during the Renaissance period. It was a perfectly composed building with a magnificent iconic colonnade porch, pedimented and pilastered bay windows, deep moldings and cornices, and lime mortar finish in pure white which provided an ideal setting over a huge formal lush garden in the front.

The first floor of the main building was built during 1967 paying due attention to the architectural details of the original building built 125 years earlier. It has been integrated so perfectly that it is difficult to believe that both the floors were not constructed at the same time and that the first floor is an afterthought.

Italian tiles have been used for the flooring both in ground floor and in some areas of the first floor like the dining, kitchen and pantry areas .The remaining area has wooden flooring with wall-to-wall carpeting. To the rear of the main lounge is the Banquet Hall with an equally grand portico facing the Legislators’ Home. It had wooden flooring since it was used as dance floor during the British days. A separate cottage is also maintained to house the staff accompanying the guests .The total built up area of the Raj Bhavan building measures 42,380 square feet. The main building houses the offices and residence of the Governor.