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**Summary:**

The Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, a landmark building housing the Karnataka State Legislature, has launched a guided walking tour. Inspired by tours of Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi, the tour aims to educate the public about the building’s history, architecture (Neo-Dravidian), and the principles behind its creation. The tour includes stops at significant locations like the Legislative Assembly Hall, the banquet hall displaying photos of Mysore kingdom Diwans, and features like the rosewood Speaker’s chair. The initiative, curated with input from heritage specialists and drawing on historical resources like C.M. Ramachandra’s book, has been well-received, with diverse groups from the community participating in the free tour.

**News Article:**

**Bengaluru Opens Doors to History: Guided Tours Launched at Vidhana Soudha**

**Bengaluru, May 25, 2025** – The iconic Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka’s legislative assembly, has officially launched guided walking tours, offering the public unprecedented access to the building’s rich history and architectural significance. Inspired by similar tours at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the initiative aims to connect citizens with the state’s governance and the legacy of those who envisioned and built the landmark structure.

The tour, curated over two months with input from heritage and tourism specialists, features eight key locations within the Vidhana Soudha. Visitors will explore the Legislative Assembly Hall, marvel at the rosewood Speaker’s chair crafted by Shivamogga artisans, and admire the banquet hall adorned with Tanjore-style floral designs and portraits of the Diwans of the Mysore kingdom. The tour also highlights the building’s Neo-Dravidian architectural style and the stories behind its construction, including the vision of former Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah to create “a palace for the people.”

Parliamentary guide J. Gnanashakher shared fascinating details about the Assembly Hall. The structure stands at 125 feet long, 135 feet wide, and 40 feet tall. It can accommodate 600 people to watch the proceedings at once.

The tour’s script draws upon extensive research and resources, including “Rare and Magnificent Monument to Democracy and Popular Supremacy – Vidhana Soudha,” a book by veteran journalist C.M. Ramachandra.

The free tours launched this Sunday and have already proven popular, with diverse groups, including sanitation workers, people with disabilities, construction laborers, and students, participating. Leelavathi, a sanitation worker whose ward is adjacent to the building, expressed her delight at finally seeing the Vidhana Soudha from the inside. The organizers plan to continue the tours, offering a unique opportunity for the public to engage with Karnataka’s history and governance.

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