Starting next month, if you visit Bengaluru, you will have a rare chance to go inside one of the city's most iconic buildings—Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka's government. The State government has approved a proposal from the Tourism Department to start guided tours of the historic structure, giving visitors a glimpse into the inner workings of the government and the building's fascinating architecture.
According to tourism officials, this kind of tour is quite popular in places like Delhi (where people can tour the Rashtrapati Bhavan) and in several countries abroad, where visitors can see government buildings up close and learn about their history.
The tours are being carefully planned. Small group tours will be conducted—30 people at a time—to ensure security and avoid overcrowding.
These will take place in multiple time slots between 8 am and 6 pm, so you won’t have to worry about the crowds. Each tour will last about an hour and include stops at important rooms, historical elements, archives, and areas that showcase the functioning of the Karnataka government.
You’ll need to carry a valid government ID—like an Aadhaar card or voter ID—to enter, as tour guides will submit a list of visitors to security officials on the day of the tour for safety reasons.
While some people are asking why we must pay to visit a public government building—after all, in many countries, such tours are free. But officials haven’t confirmed the exact pricing yet or whether a fee will be levied at all or not.
Authorities are ironing out details like the entry gate and ticket pricing, but the aim seems to make it smooth, informative, and secure for everyone.
Also, don’t miss the beautiful new lighting system at Vidhana Soudha, recently inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The lights come on during weekends and special occasions, making the building a beautiful sight after dark.
(With inputs from multiple reports)