Popularly known as the Taj Mahal of south India, Vidhan Saudha is the key element of your Bangalore sightseeing tour. This majestic building serves as the seat of Karnataka Legislature. Covering an area of over 60 acres, Vidhan Saudha is constructed in Neo-Dravidian style.
Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, who was the Chief Minister of Mysore from 1951 to 1956, contributed a lot in the construction of this building. He wanted this imposing edifice to symbolize the legislative sovereignty of the people like the capital in Washington or The House of Commons in London. Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, laid the foundation of this majestic building on July 13, 1951.
The building was completed in the year 1956 with an expenditure of about Rs. 1.84 crores.
The entire building incorporates the elements of Indo-Saracenic, Rajasthani Jharokha and Dravidian styles of architecture. Vidhan Saudha boasts of being the largest Legislative building in India.
The entrance of the building is embellished by the four-headed Lion, the national symbol of India. One can see four domes on the four corners of this granite and porphyry structure. The eastern face, with 40 feet tall 12 granite columns, gives an identity to Vidhan Saudha. The central dome is 60 feet in diameter and is crowned by a likeness of the Indian national emblem.
It took more than five thousand manual laborers, 1500 scammers, masons and wood carvers and 4 years to complete the building.
