The 220th Lalbagh Flower Show turns the spotlight on Karnataka’s history this Independence Day weekend with the theme The Glory of the Ganga Empire. The exhibition pays tribute to the Western Ganga dynasty, which ruled parts of present-day Karnataka for nearly six centuries. The centrepiece is a floral recreation of the 1,200-year-old Panchalingeshwara Temple Complex in Begur, alongside depictions of Ganga kings’ Gajasena, a battle scene, Bahubali from Shravanabelagola and replicas of the temples of Talakad.Around six lakh flowers have reportedly been used for the Begur temple recreation alone. For Raghavindra BS, Karnataka Volunteering Management Manager, the flower show is also a way of bringing Bengaluru closer to its history and culture. “Beyond the installations, the event is a way of encouraging people to engage more closely with Lalbagh and the environment,” he says. The show also draws visitors from across Karnataka, with many travelling to Bengaluru specifically for it.Sushmita, a visitor says, “I wait for the flower show in Lalbagh every year. It makes me feel closer to my culture and state. This year’s installation is not just mesmerising but also informative. I got to know so much about our history.”
