Bannerghatta National Park, National park in Bengaluru Rural district, India
Bannerghatta National Park is a protected area about 22 kilometers (14 miles) south of Bangalore that includes forested zones, open grasslands, and rocky slopes. The three main sections house elephants, leopards, bears, and many bird species that gather near water sources and beneath the trees.
The area served as hunting grounds for the Maharajas of Mysore until the 1970s and was officially declared a national park in 1974. Later additions included a zoological section and a butterfly center to support conservation education and species protection.
The name combines the Kannada word for hill with a historic village designation and local residents still pronounce it in the original form. Along the paths through the reserve, visitors encounter shepherds with their flocks who have grazed animals here for generations.
Cooler months from October to February bring animals to open areas and water holes more often, making observation easier. Sturdy footwear is helpful as some trails cross loose rock and uneven ground.
One of India's largest butterfly enclosures lets over a hundred species fly freely through gardens planted with flowers that attract their caterpillars and adults. Some butterflies complete their entire life cycle inside, so visitors may see eggs, pupae, and newly emerged specimens at the same time.
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