Bangalore Palace, Cubbon Park and the UB City – where the old meets the new!

An outing to the iconic Bangalore Palace and Cubbon Park can truly introduce you to the old order of the city, which is otherwise bullied for heavy traffic and pollution woes. This part of Bangalore is lush green, with well-maintained roads and clean streets. It is bustling with people and activity and carries the city’s rich history and culture vibes. It oozes a pleasant sense of peace and calmness that one cannot even imagine living near the tech hubs of the metropolis. The sides of the roads are lined with giant trees that bear the testimony of time and have stood for ages. They provide the much-needed shade from the sultry sun and add pleasing beauty to the landscape. The luscious hues of green interrupted by the colourful pink, purple and orange blossoms of Jacaranda and Tabebuia rosea during the spring add a touch of opulence and grandeur to the scenery.

The Bangalore Palace is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city's heart. It has exquisite Scottish architecture and looks like a Disney movie castle. It takes you back to the time of the maharajas and makes you cherish their rich lives. The palace contains valuable relics of the royal Wadiyar family, who had bought it in 1874. The fine artistry, the exquisite carvings, numerous paintings and photographs from the era bygone, transport you back in time and evoke a sense of pride in the rich Indian history and culture. The picturesque garden across the palace offers a serene view and an idyllic setting to soothe the soul.

At a distance of 4 km from the Bangalore Palace is the verdant Cubbon Park, another important landmark of the city with its rich flora,  fauna and abundant greenery. The park is spread across 300 acres and boasts of diverse collection of trees such as banyan, mango, jackfruit, and silver oaks. It is a perfect place for a family picnic where one can relax and enjoy the abundance of nature.  The long walking path under the cool shade of the trees is perfect for leisurely walks and strolls. The laughter and chatter of the enthusiastic crowd who come to spend their time with their loved ones make the place lively and buzzing with energy.

As the saying goes, the best things in life are free. Being surrounded by nature can truly make you cheerful and appreciate the beauty of the world around you. You feel an innate connection with the surroundings that is comforting and relaxing, and it always makes you return happier and livelier from these natural getaways.

Just about 2.5 km from Cubbon Park is the ultra-luxurious UB City Mall, which reflects the urban chic cosmopolitan lifestyle of modern Bangalore. It offers high-end shopping options with luxurious global brands such as Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Versace, and Canali for a sophisticated retail experience and fine dining restaurants with Japanese, Chinese, and Continental cuisine.

One can only appreciate how dramatically the city has developed while retaining its past cultural essence. It has a vibrant mix of the old and the new, where one stays rooted to the past while adapting to the future. We can only embrace this coexistence and be grateful for witnessing the dynamic transformation.