Another of Bangalore's firsts, and a must see for young and old alike, is the Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain. Located bang opposite the Nehru Planetarium, just past the Raj Bhavan in the L.R.D.E. area on the way to the Golf Grounds or Chitrakala Parishat or some of the star hotels, the musical fountain is the biggest that India. can boast of.

A creation of B N A Technology Consulting Ltd, Hong Kong, the musical fountain was inaugurated in 1995 with work starting on it in 1997. It is the first computerized fountain in India that has been running continuously for over four years without any trouble. Fitted with 1000 nozzles, it has 15 formations and 27 combinations of fountains on a bed area of 30 meters by 10 meters. Spread over 17 hectares of land, the park is maintained by the Department of Horticulture and includes a play area for children. At the entrance to the park is a railway engine placed in honour of the then Central Railway Minister, C K Jaffer Sharief, who presented the musical fountain.

The sound and light show together with the synchronized rhythmic dancing of the fountains is truly a visual delight, together symbolizing unity in diversity. The show begins with an introduction in Kannada and a slide show on the people of Karnataka and their cultural heritage. The beginning and concluding part of the show has patriotic songs like the 'Vandematharam' and 'Saare Jehan se Achcha' being aired while simultaneously screening the tourist spots of Karnataka and that of India These are interspersed with songs in Kannada like 'Sirigannadam Galge' and 'Jogada siri Belakinalli' together with some Hindi film songs, like Raj Kapoor's 'Awaara Hoon' and Amithabh Bachchan's 'Sona Sona', followed by thankful expressions to the Indian Railways for their generous donation. Saturdays and Sundays play a different tune altogether with Alisha Chinoy's 'Made in India'.

With a seating capacity of about 700 to 1000 people, an average of about 500 people visit on Saturdays and Sundays. Summer (April and May), sees the maximum number of visitors. The laser show, an additional feature, adds glamour to the musical fountain.

Show Timings:
I Show - 7:00pm to 7:30pm II show - 8:00pm to 8:30pm All Mondays and second Tuesdays of the month are Holidays.

Videography is strictly prohibited but Photography is freely allowed

Tariff:
Adults - Rs10/-
Children between 6 and 12 - Rs5/-.

Parking facilities:
Bicycle - Rs1/-
Two wheelers - Rs2/-
Cars - Rs5/-
Matadors / Vans - Rs10/-
Mini Bus - Rs15/-
Bus - Rs25/-

Address:
Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain
T. Chowdaiah Road, Opposite Planetarium
Bangalore

For more details contact:
The Deputy Director
Horticultural Dept, Cubbon Park, Bangalore
Phone: 2286 4125

Text & Photographs by Ravindra Nayak C.H

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