Bugle Rock means Kahale Bande in Kannada is an elephantine rock in the Basavanagudi area of South Bengaluru, famously known as ‘Rock Garden of the garden city. situated behind the Dodda Ganapathi temple and adjacent to the Bull temple. It's a different type of park when compared to Cubbon Park or Lalbagh as it is mostly rocky, but with the shade of trees all around. This park is quite large and has a spread of 16 acres and houses a few Hindu temples.
Bugle Rock is an abrupt rise above the ground of peninsular gneiss as the main rock formation and with an assessed age of about 3,000 million years. Bugle Rock Garden is densely covered with trees and a great place for children to spend an evening playing ball. The garden also has a musical fountain. In the days of the monarchy in Bangalore, this rock once served as a watchtower. A bugle call from here alerted the inhabitants of the town during enemy attacks. Bugle Rock garden houses one of the four watchtowers which was constructed during the reign of Kempegowda (during the 15th - 16th century), the founder of Bangalore and hence finds historic importance. It is believed that soldiers used to blow Bugle (musical instrument usually used during wars) as a warning to inform people about any intrusions.
There are a stage and a small theater where many musicians, cultural activists conduct programs here during weekends and on special occasions. Also has photos & wall images of famous Bangalore people, Kannada poets - some to mention are D. V. Gundappa, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar and much more. This is also a Lovers Paradise - you will find many couples around. A nice place to spend time with your loved ones. Many senior citizens visit here during morning and evening in groups for a gathering/walk - also known as Walkers Paradise. This place is surrounded by the park are many Chats & mouth watering Yummy foods centers. Best time to visit this place would be an evening after 05:00 PM.
History of Bugle Rock
Kempegowda II, the chieftain of Bangalore who ascended the throne in 1585 set up four watch towers s limits for Bangalore’s expansion and one among them is on the Bugle Rock. It is said that a sentry would blow the bugle and hold a torch (panju in Kannada) which was visible from other three watch towers; one on the Kempa Bundi tank (now called as Kempegowda Bus Station or Majestic ) on the west, the second near Ulsoor lake in the east and the third tower in today’s Mekhi circle in the north. The intention of blowing bugle was to inform people that everything was safe at the location and also to warn the intruders into the city. If you observe the rocks in the location, you will find hollows, which were once used to light lamps. The vantage point is spread over an area of 16 acres and the rocks here are similar to that of rocks at Lalbagh tower.