There are many theories and stories behind Bangalore's nickname Garden City. One of the standing ones is because of Cubbon Park, built in the year 1870 by Lieutenant-General Richard Sankey (yes the one who also built Sankey Tank). It was first called Meade's Park after Sir John Meade, the acting commissioner of Mysore, before being renamed Cubbon Park in honour of Sir Mark Cubbon, the longest-serving commissioner, before finally being renamed Sri Chamarajendra Park to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar's rule in Mysore. But everyone still calls it Cubbon Park.
Located in the heart of the city, Cubbon Park is reportedly spread over 300 acres and it's one of the biggest lung spaces in Bangalore, with the other being the equally iconic Lal Bagh. The park has hosted (and continues to) generations of Bangaloreans for picnics dates and runs to strolls. With over 7,000 trees, neatly manicured lawns, benches, and pathways, you'll find the park always filled with people all through the week. Oh and speaking of trees, Cubbon Park is one of these places you need to visit during the "Cherry Blossom" season. There are plenty of Pink Tabibuea Rosea trees in the park that are often mistaken for Sakura blossoms during the summers.
Activities At Cubbon Park
Apart from going running, or grabbing a spot on the grass to try some yoga (there are quite a few groups that do it), you can also make a picnic out of your visit here. Just take a basket of sandwiches, juice (no alcohol allowed), a good book (hello Cubbon Reads) and of course, a frisbee and you’re all set.
But beyond all that, there's a lot more you can do at Cubbon Park. For starters, come weekends if you are a pet parent, you can go to the Sunday Dog Park with your doggo and have a baller time.
The Sir Seshadri Iyer Memorial Library or the State Central Library is nothing short of iconic and is home to over 3 lakh books. It's one of the biggest libraries in the state and the building's iconic red brick exteriors are a site to behold. You can visit it between 8:30 AM and 7:30 PM.
The library is fronted by the popular rose garden that is both a photo op and a popular jogging path. While entry to Karnataka High Court or what used to be the Attara Kacheri is restricted for pedestrians, it's an impressive structure to marvel at. The Venkatappa Art Gallery, YMCA, Press Club, and tennis ground are all located inside the park layout.
The statues of King Chamaraja Wodeyar IV, Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and Sir Mark Cubbon are also major photo ops and points of interest.
Perhaps the most fun places in the whole park are the Namma Bengaluru Aquarium and the Jawahar Bal Bhavan, the latter known for its iconic toy train that many Bangaloreans have ridden as kids.
If nothing else, just sit back and enjoy the views here. With over 7,000 trees, it's no surprise that Cubbon Park is home to several birds, like parakeets, eagles and herons, and spotted owlets, bulbuls and magpies.
