History
Cubbon Park in Bangalore is one of the largest, and certainly the most popular lung space in the city, covering a sprawling 300 acres, and blessed with a plethora of plants, numbering almost 6000, with 68 genera and 96 species present, along with historical monuments and statues of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, Major General and Sir Mark Cubbon, besides others. The park is a regular haunt for nature-lovers, historians and fitness enthusiasts who can be seen spending countless hours in its precincts.
The park was conceived by Richard Sankey, the erstwhile chief engineer of Mysore. Its establishment however, is credited to Sri John Meade, then acting Commissioner of Mysore, who established it in 1870. Initially called the Meade’s Park, it was later renamed Cubbon Park, followed by Sri Chamarajendra Park soon after Krishnaraja Wodeyar’s 25th year of rule in Mysore state. But it’s the name Cubbon Park that eventually found resonance with the public.
Cubbon Park offers its visitors other attractions as well, besides the lush greenery it is renowned for. The Band Stand is an octagonal structure made of cast iron that once regularly saw several music concerts. Also of note is the Aquarium, which is one of the largest in India, famous for its variety of both exotic and indigenous fishes, including the Hocks stick, Pearl Coushmi, and Moon Tail The aquarium opens from Friday to Wednesday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. For foodies, there is the fish canteen run by the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC), widely acknowledged by locals as one of the best seafood eateries in the city. Children, not to be left behind can enjoy the Jawahar Bal Bhawan, an amusement park covering over 11.35 acres. Of note is The Puttani Express, or the toy train ride, as is the show at the Sri Jayachamedra Hall. Bal Bhawan is open on all days of the week except Thursdays, from 10:00am to 5:00 pm.
For anyone planning to visit Bangalore, the Cubbon park is a must see.
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