Vidhana Soudha
| Vidhana Soudha | |
|---|---|
ವಿಧಾನ ಸೌಧ | |
Vidhana Soudha as seen from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Road | |
| General information | |
| Type | Legislative building |
| Architectural style | Neo-Dravidian |
| Location | Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagara, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001 |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 12°58′47″N 77°35′26″E / 12.9796°N 77.5906°E |
| Construction started | 1951 |
| Completed | 1956 |
| Inaugurated | 1956 |
| Cost | ₹1.8 crore (US$210,000) |
| Owner | Government of Karnataka |
| Height | 46 m (150 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 61 metres (200 ft) wide and the central dome, 18 metres (60 ft) in diameter |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 + 1 basement |
| Floor area | 51,144 m2 (550,505 sq ft)> |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | B.R. Manickam (Chief Architect) Kengal Hanumanthaiah (Visionary and Project Overseer) |
| Main contractor | KPWD |
| Other information | |
| Public transit access | Purple Vidhana Soudha metro metro station |
Vidhana Soudha (also spelled *Vidhāna Saudha*, lit. "Legislative House") is the seat of the Karnataka Legislature in Bengaluru, India. Completed in 1956, it houses the bicameral legislature comprising the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the Karnataka Legislative Council. Regarded as one of the most prominent examples of post-independence civic architecture in India, it stands as a landmark of Karnataka’s political identity, architectural ambition, and cultural heritage.
Designed in the neo-Dravidian style, Vidhana Soudha consciously rejected colonial architectural influences, incorporating elements from classical temple traditions of the Chalukya, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara dynasties. Conceived by Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah as a “Shilpa Kala Kavya” (sculptural epic in stone), its massive granite structure features a central dome, ceremonial staircases, carved pillars, and ornamental woodwork. Inscriptions like “Government Work is God’s Work” and motifs such as the Ashoka Chakra convey ideals of ethical governance and national unity.
Beyond its administrative function, Vidhana Soudha serves as a significant civic and cultural symbol. Its premises feature landscaped gardens and have hosted notable events, including the 1986 SAARC Summit. The building has also been featured in philatelic commemorations and has recently expanded its public engagement through permanent LED lighting installations and guided tours initiated in 2025. Its iconic design has inspired similar government buildings across Karnataka, such as the Vikasa Soudha and the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, cementing its status as a powerful emblem of the state's governance and cultural pride.