CUBBON PARK AND ITS MUSEUMS
Large 120-hectare park to visit, not far from the Vidhana Soudha, with government buildings, gardens and museums
This huge 120 hectare park, whose official name is Sri Chamarajendra Park, was designed by Lieutenant General Sir Mark Cubbon in 1864. Located near the Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park has some neoclassical style government buildings, such as the Supreme Court. In addition to gardens perfect for a picnic or a walk, you will find some museums.
Government Museum: open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Entrance fee: 20 Rs. It houses a vast and varied collection of objects dating back 5,000 years, to the prehistoric era. The 18 galleries spread over 2 floors allow to embrace geology, numismatics, natural history, arts and religion. You will see there in particular beautiful sculptures of hoysala style, Mughal miniatures and weapons.
Venkatappa Art Gallery : same opening hours and same ticket as for the Government Museum. The construction of this gallery was decided by the government of Mysore in 1966, to house the collection of the most famous artist of Karnataka, K. Venkatappa. Born into a family of court painters, he died in 1965, leaving behind a large collection of watercolors and other works. The building was also intended to allow young artists to practice their art and exhibit. Since then, the gallery has been enriched with works by other artists such as KK Hebbar and the sculptor Rajaram.
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum : open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance fee : 50 Rs. It is the equivalent of our science and industry museum, but in a more dusty version. It will nevertheless delight curious children thanks to its interactive displays.
Aquarium : open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5.30 pm. Entrance fee : 20 Rs. This big concrete octagon inaugurated in 1983 shelters numerous species of fishes on 3 floors. On the first level, large fishes; on the second level, medium-sized varieties; on the last level, small fishes, often very colorful.
Jawahar Bal Bhavan : open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance fee : 10 Rs. It is not a museum but a playground for the little ones. The principle is the same as in the Jardin d'Acclimatation in Paris. You pay an entrance fee to the park and then you have to pay some rupees for the attractions such as the little train, the merry-go-round... The facilities are aging and only suitable for children under 6 years old.