Bengaluru's Vidhana Soudha will open for public guided tours starting June 1. Tours will be available on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays monthly. Visitors can explore historic halls and offices with guided commentary. 

Bengaluru: The Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka’s iconic seat of power, will be open to the public for guided tours starting June 1. Tours will be conducted on Sundays and on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. This initiative is a joint effort by the Department of Tourism, Vidhana Sabha Secretariat, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, and Vidhana Soudha Security. Launched on Sunday, the "Vidhana Soudha Guided Tour" programme aims to transform the historic administrative building into a major tourist attraction.

The program was inaugurated at the Vidhana Soudha's banquet hall by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, Assembly Speaker UT Khader, and Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti. Visitors will be able to explore the assembly and council halls, the Chief Minister's office, and other areas. Guides will be available to provide information about the historical building.

Visitors can register for the tour through the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) website. Registration requires an Aadhaar card, passport, or other official identification. The fee is ₹50 for those above 16, while entry is free for children under 15. The tours will officially begin on June 1, running from 8 am to 5 pm. Tickets can be booked in advance at https://kstdc.co/activities.

What will the Vidhana Soudha tour be like? 

Ten batches of 30 people will be allowed each day. Each tour will last 1.5 hours and cover a distance of 1.5 km. The tour will begin at Gate No. 3 of Vikasa Soudha. Visitors must arrive 20 minutes early for security checks and bring valid government-issued ID.

The tour will include:

  • The foundation stone
  • Statues of prominent figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dr BR Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Basavanna, and Kempegowda
  • Corridors on all floors
  • The Chief Minister's office, Speaker's office, Chairman's office, ministers' offices, cabinet meeting room, assembly hall, and council hall

Photography will be permitted only in designated areas. Initially, 10 guides will be available to provide information in Kannada and English about the building's history, architecture, and legislative sessions.

Inspiring future leaders

Tourism Minister HK Patil emphasised that the tour should not be viewed as mere entertainment. He hopes it will inspire young visitors to aspire to leadership roles. The presence of statues of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar is intended to instill patriotism and a spirit of public service.

Speaker UT Khader highlighted the significance of opening the "temple of democracy" to the public. He described it as an educational and constitutional awareness initiative that brings the government closer to the people.

Chairman Basavaraj Horatti shared anecdotes about past objections to public access to the Vidhana Soudha. He expressed confidence that the programme would help develop future political leaders.