Take time to smell the roses this week. Visit the flower show to admire the spectacular recreation of the Mysore Palace, and marvel at the many beautiful flowers on display.

Independence Day Flower Show in Lalbagh Botanical Garden has begun on Friday, August 8, 2014, and will continue until Sunday, August 17. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the flower show at the gardens. Click on the slideshow to see photos of this year’s show.

The oddly-shaped cockscomb flower with its velvet-like texture. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

The walkway from the West Gate entrance toward the Glass House. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

Visitors snap pictures of the palace. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

The backside of the palace has the number 200 arranged in flowers to mark the 200th anniversary of the flower show. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

Visitors stroll along, looking at the colorful flowers on display in the Glass House. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

A busy bee at work. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

A view of the Mysore Palace in all its glory, as men and elephants guard its entrance. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

You may fall in love with this year

A small crowd gathers in front of a stall to view a vendor

The sun glints off the silver surface of the fountain, making the water shine as visitors in the background walk toward the Glass House. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

A red pineapple—where else in the world can you find that? Pic: Christopher Lopaze

Thankfully, this spider plant does not bite like its namesake. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

The yellow marigold flowers are radiant. Pic: Christopher Lopaze

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Highlights

• The main attraction is the recreation of the Mysore Palace using flowers inside the Glass House. The structure stands 27-feet high, 35-feet long, and 12-feet in width. It is made using 3,20,000 white, red, and yellow roses.
• The Department of Horticulture has set up a tent to showcase the use of renewable energy sources in Bangalore, especially for farming.
• A photo gallery celebrating the achievements of the former director of horticulture G H Krumbiegel. It will be his 150th birth anniversary next year. The improved layout and beauty of the modern day Lalbagh Gardens can be attributed to his groundbreaking work during his tenure as director.
• 416 people participated in the Bonsai, Ikebana, Indian floral art and vegetable carving competitions. Winners have already been chosen. Prizes will be awarded on August 14th.
• On August 9, 10, 15, and 17, adults will be charged Rs 50 as the entry fee. On August 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16, adults will be charged a 40 rupees entry fee. Children will be charged 10 rupees for entry on all days.
• Schoolchildren will be admitted for free on August 13 and 14.
• More than 100 vendors are located in stalls by the West Gate and by the Glass House. Vendors are selling scarves and other clothing items, plants, gardening products for the aspiring gardener, toys, herbal products, books, snacks, purses and bags, and more.
• Various Bangalore nurseries have set up shop around the gardens, past the fountain by the Glass House.
• If you go during the morning or afternoon, dress right to protect you and your family from the heat and glare of the sun.

Parking

• No additions have been made to parking from last year. Once again, there are no parking lots available inside the garden. Be prepared to walk at least half a kilometre from any parking spot to reach Lalbagh.
• BMTC Shanthinagar Bus Station by Double Road
• Those who enter by the West Gate or nearby can find parking at the JC Road BBMP multi-story parking lot.