Bengaluru: Defying years of conventional trends, the annual Republic Day flower show at Lalbagh Botanical Garden bloomed into an unprecedented spectacle, drawing record crowds and registering the highest revenue for a Jan edition. The rare confluence of a long Republic Day weekend, cool and pleasant weather and a visually striking theme turned the show into a runaway success, generating record revenue of over Rs 2.7 crore with a footfall of 8.1 lakh visitors over 12 days.Organised twice a year by the horticulture department — during Independence Day in Aug and Republic Day in Jan — Lalbagh flower show traditionally saw contrasting fortunes. While the Aug edition was for long the department’s biggest revenue earner, aided by favourable weather and the start of the academic year, the Jan show often struggled due to school examinations, study holidays and the financial year-end, which usually kept working professionals and families away.Those assumptions overturned this year. Curated around the theme Tejaswi Vismaya, inspired by noted Kannada writer KP Poornachandra Tejaswi, the R-Day flower show capitalised on the extended holiday weekend and unusually cool climate to attract crowds in unprecedented numbers. This marked a sharp jump from the Jan 2025 flower show, themed on Maharshi Valmiki–Ramayana, which attracted over 4.7 lakh visitors and generated revenue of Rs 2.3 crore. Officials attributed the turnaround to a combination of strategic timing and strong thematic appeal. “Unlike previous themes, Tejaswi Vismaya struck a strong chord with the younger crowd, many of whom are fans of Tejaswi’s writings that are deeply rooted in nature, science and exploration,” said M Jagadeesh, joint director of horticulture (parks and gardens).“Visitors came not only from Bengaluru but from Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga and even coastal districts. We also experimented with stage plays based on Tejaswi’s stories, which drew crowds of 400-500 people every day. Instead of conventional statues, we showcased caricature-style installations, which turned out to be an instant hit,” he added.
