A Raj Bhavan Bangalore visit is possible only a few days a year. Since late 2025, Lok Bhavan, the Governor’s residence, has normally been closed to the public. Since 2018, it has opened its gates for short public visits around Independence Day. Here are the latest dates, timings and entry rules, along with what to expect inside and a short history of the building.
| Latest opening: August 2026 Dates: August 16, 17 and 18, 2026 (80th Independence Day) Timings: 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm Entry: No fee announced. Carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar. Next opening: Not yet announced. Dates for August 2027 are expected a few days before Independence Day. We will update this page when they are out. |
When Can You Visit Raj Bhavan in Bangalore?
Lok Bhavan is the official residence of the Governor of Karnataka and is not a regular tourist attraction. There are no daily visiting hours. Instead, the Governor’s office opens designated areas to the public for a few days at a time, usually just after Independence Day on August 15.
The pattern so far: a two-week opening in 2018 and 2019, then three-evening openings in 2025 and 2026. We found no reports of public openings between 2020 and 2024.
Table 1: Raj Bhavan Bangalore Public Openings So Far
| Year | Occasion | Dates | Timings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Independence Day (first public opening) | August 23 to September 6 (originally August 16 to 31) | 4 pm to 7.30 pm | Postponed by a week due to national mourning for Atal Bihari Vajpayee; about 25,000 visitors |
| 2019 | Independence Day | August 17 to 30 | 3.30 pm to 7 pm | Online registration with Aadhaar; entry pass collected at a counter on the day |
| 2025 | 79th Independence Day | August 16 to 18 | 4 pm to 7.30 pm | Designated areas only; ID required |
| 2026 | 80th Independence Day (first opening as Lok Bhavan) | August 16 to 18 | 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm | Designated areas only; government photo ID and security frisking |
| Sources: Governor’s office statements as reported by PTI, Deccan Herald, Udayavani and The News Minute. Future dates are announced by Lok Bhavan, usually a few days before Independence Day. | ||||
Lok Bhavan Visit 2026: Dates and Timings
For the 80th Independence Day, Lok Bhavan was open to the public on August 16, 17 and 18, 2026, from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. The Special Secretary to Governor announced this on August 12–13.
Visitors were allowed only into designated areas along a set route. The announcement mentioned no entry fee and no online booking; what visitors needed was a valid government photo ID at the gate.
Raj Bhavan Bangalore Visit Rules: What to Carry and What’s Not Allowed
Security is tight, as Lok Bhavan is a working government residence. These were the rules for the 2026 opening:
| Item or requirement | Rule (2026 guidelines) |
|---|---|
| Government photo ID (Aadhaar or similar) | Mandatory; shown at the entry point |
| Security screening and frisking | Mandatory for every visitor |
| Private cars and taxis | Not allowed inside the premises |
| Bags and backpacks | Not allowed |
| Food and eatables | Not allowed |
| Pan, gutka, tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol | Not allowed |
| Professional and video cameras | Not allowed |
| Laptops and other electronic devices | Not allowed |
| Sharp or metal objects, matchboxes, lighters, flammables | Not allowed |
| Arms and ammunition | Not allowed |
| Source: Lok Bhavan guidelines issued by the Special Secretary to the Governor, August 2026. Rules can change each year; check the latest announcement before you go. | |
| Before you go The banned list includes “other electronic devices” without naming phones. Some visitors reported that phones were not allowed, so be prepared to leave yours behind. There is no cloakroom mentioned in the guidelines. Leave bags at home or with someone outside. |
How to Reach Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru
Address: Lok Bhavan, Raj Bhavan Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001.
Lok Bhavan is in central Bengaluru, close to Vidhana Soudha and Cubbon Park. Private cars and taxis are not allowed inside, so use public transport or get dropped off nearby. The closest Purple Line metro stations are Vidhana Soudha and Cubbon Park.
What You Will See Inside
Only high-profile visitors, dignitaries and diplomats usually see the inside of the Governor’s residence, which explains the crowds at every public opening. In 2018, about 25,000 people visited over two weeks.
During the 2018 and 2019 openings, guides took visitors in groups of about 30 through the glass house, lounge, banquet hall and ballroom, with a short film on the history of the Governor’s office and music by the police band. Recent openings have been shorter and limited to designated areas along a fixed route, so what you can see varies from year to year.
The grounds are the highlight for many. Around 16 acres of the campus are formal gardens with more than 15,000 plants and trees, including a Rudraksha tree and century-old pines.
Why Raj Bhavan Is Now Called Lok Bhavan
In late 2025, the Union Home Ministry asked states to replace the colonial-era name Raj Bhavan with Lok Bhavan, meaning People’s House. Karnataka was among the first states to make the change, along with West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and others. The building, its role, and its location remain unchanged; only the name has changed. Many people still call it Raj Bhavan, and both names refer to the same place.
History of Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru
Sir Mark Cubbon, then Commissioner of the Mysore territories, built the building between 1840 and 1842, and it was known as the Residency. After Independence, it became the official residence of the head of the state, first the Rajpramukh and later the Governor of Karnataka.
The house was originally a single-storey building. The first floor was added in 1967, built to match the original architecture. Features that stand out include the colonnaded porch, pilastered bay windows, deep mouldings and cornices, and a driveway of almost 200 feet from the gate to the main portico. The ground floor and parts of the first floor have Italian tiles, and the banquet hall still has the wooden floor that served as a dance floor during British rule. The whole campus covers about 18 acres.
The Brahmagiri Presidential Suite inside is reserved for the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister when they visit Bengaluru. See our list of Governors of Karnataka for everyone who has lived here.
Tips for Your Visit
- Watch for the announcement in the second week of August. Dates have been announced only a few days in advance.
- Arrive early. Entry windows have been as short as two hours, and queues form quickly, especially on weekends.
- Travel light: just your ID. Security may turn away anything else.
- Combine the visit with nearby Cubbon Park or Vidhana Soudha. If you have children, see our fun places for kids in Bangalore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public visit Raj Bhavan in Bangalore?
Yes, but only on specific days. Lok Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan) is the Governor’s official residence and is normally closed to the public. In recent years, it has opened for three evenings after Independence Day.
When was Lok Bhavan Bengaluru last open to the public?
Lok Bhavan was open to the public on August 16, 17 and 18, 2026, from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm, to mark the 80th Independence Day.
Is there an entry fee to visit Lok Bhavan in Bangalore?
Entry was free in 2018, and no fee was mentioned for later openings. Check the announcement for the year you plan to visit.
Do I need to book online to visit Raj Bhavan Bangalore?
In 2018 and 2019, visitors registered in advance, mostly online. The 2025 and 2026 announcements did not mention booking; visitors needed a valid government photo ID at the gate. Check the announcement for the year you plan to visit.
What documents do I need to visit Lok Bhavan?
Carry a valid government-issued photo ID such as an Aadhaar card. Security staff verify it at the entry point.
What is not allowed inside Lok Bhavan Bengaluru?
Bags, backpacks, food, tobacco products, alcohol, professional and video cameras, laptops and other electronic devices, sharp or metal objects, lighters and matchboxes are not allowed. Private cars and taxis are not allowed.
Why was Raj Bhavan renamed Lok Bhavan?
In late 2025, the Union Home Ministry asked states to replace the colonial-era term Raj Bhavan with Lok Bhavan, meaning People’s House. Karnataka was among the first states to adopt the new name.
Where is Lok Bhavan in Bangalore?
Lok Bhavan is on Raj Bhavan Road in central Bengaluru (PIN 560001), close to Vidhana Soudha and Cubbon Park.
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