Visitors take selfies near a floral model of the Kittur fort at the Independence Day flower that began at Lalbagh in Bengaluru on Thursday. The show is on till August 16.
Credit: DH PHOTO/RANJU P
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday inaugurated the 218th Lalbagh Flower Show which is themed after freedom fighters Kittur Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna. Siddaramaiah announced that 110 acres of land will be set aside at the place where Sangolli Rayanna was hanged.
Speaking at the event, Siddaramaiah said, “This is an event to honour Kittur Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna who fought wars against the British. Though Chennamma won the first war, she was captured in the second. People of castes were there in Chennamma’s army.”
The CM said Rayanna, Chennamma’s trusted aide, fought bravely and was sentenced to death in 1831. “We are setting aside 110 acres of land where he was hanged.”
Major attraction
A floral model of Kittur fort, made from orange chrysanthemum and white roses, is the major attraction at the flower show.
The installations of Rayanna and seven women who played significant roles in the freedom struggle such as Onake Obbavva, Rani Abbakka Chowta and Rani Chennabhairadevi have also been installed to educate people.
Speaking to DH, the Joint Director of Horticulture, Dr M Jagadeesh said, “We have used 36 lakh flowers of 105 varieties. This year’s specialty is the winter flowering plants such as petunia and temperamental flowers like fuscia and primula. Fifteen different colors of Chrysanthemum flowers are also being used.” About 20% of the flowers used in the flower show have been imported from 17 countries and the rest have been grown in hill stations and botanical gardens.
A total of 14,317 people, including 4,973 schoolchildren, visited the flower show on Thursday, Jagadish added.
The department is expecting about 9-10 lakh people to attend the show in a span of 12 days. The department took about one-and-a-half months to put in place the arrangements.
QR codes have also been placed in front of floral exhibits for visitors to scan and know more about the particular flower. A mist-cooling system has been installed to keep the flowers fresh throughout. Nursing and first aid stations have been set-up to help the visitors.
The ticket costs Rs 80 per person and children in uniforms are given free entry.