<p>It is like a carnival, shouted a Greek tourist at the Vidhana Soudha.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She was instantly corrected by a policeman on duty: "No Madam this is Bengaluru Habba, a local festival."</p>.<p class="bodytext">A team of 16 tourists, who are on South India tour under the Incredible India umbrella, were enthused by the crowd and cultural display at the Bengaluru Habba.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They said that they had heard about the Vidhana Soudha as a high-security zone. </p>.<p class="bodytext">But were merrily surprised on seeing the gates of the seat of power being opened for visitors and tourists.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Babis Bizas, a tour operator from Greece, said that he came to Bengaluru 20 years back. He exclaimed that the city has drastically changed since then.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Earlier, I was not allowed to see the Vidhana Soudha from inside the gates. But now it's not just me, but even my other tourist friends have been allowed inside," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He added that the government should do this more often as it will help increase the number of tourists.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Warm and casual</p>.<p class="bodytext">He pointed that life and culture in Bengaluru were more casual and warm when compared to other parts of India.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Here things are more visible and tangible. The architecture, ancient culture, temples and monuments are more open to tourists when compared to other parts of India. However, there is a visible drastic infrastructure change. Some monuments have remained the same, while some have disappeared. While the city is modernising, it should also protect its roots," he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The tourists were delighted to see the Vidhana Soudha from inside. They were seen interacting with security officials, learning their working and history of the building.</p>
<p>It is like a carnival, shouted a Greek tourist at the Vidhana Soudha.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She was instantly corrected by a policeman on duty: "No Madam this is Bengaluru Habba, a local festival."</p>.<p class="bodytext">A team of 16 tourists, who are on South India tour under the Incredible India umbrella, were enthused by the crowd and cultural display at the Bengaluru Habba.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They said that they had heard about the Vidhana Soudha as a high-security zone. </p>.<p class="bodytext">But were merrily surprised on seeing the gates of the seat of power being opened for visitors and tourists.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Babis Bizas, a tour operator from Greece, said that he came to Bengaluru 20 years back. He exclaimed that the city has drastically changed since then.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Earlier, I was not allowed to see the Vidhana Soudha from inside the gates. But now it's not just me, but even my other tourist friends have been allowed inside," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He added that the government should do this more often as it will help increase the number of tourists.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Warm and casual</p>.<p class="bodytext">He pointed that life and culture in Bengaluru were more casual and warm when compared to other parts of India.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Here things are more visible and tangible. The architecture, ancient culture, temples and monuments are more open to tourists when compared to other parts of India. However, there is a visible drastic infrastructure change. Some monuments have remained the same, while some have disappeared. While the city is modernising, it should also protect its roots," he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The tourists were delighted to see the Vidhana Soudha from inside. They were seen interacting with security officials, learning their working and history of the building.</p>