“Video: Bangalore Palace on wheelchair”
My rating on accessibility: ★☆☆☆☆
As a tourist, Bangalore Palace is usually one of the most recommended places to visit in the city. It is situated in the centre of the city and is the easiest way to get a glimpse of the royal lifestyle. The fact that part of the palace is still home to the royal family adds a little bit of aura to the place. If you look online, you’ll find a lot of information about the palace and its history – so I will not go into that.
Let me cut the chase and first up summarise my experience of visiting the Bangalore Palace as a wheelchair user. In one word, the palace was a FAIL when it comes to accessibility.
Check out my video of the Bangalore Palace:
Most of the displays and the collection of photographs are on the first floor and not accessible. There is a lift which was part of the original structure from many years ago, but it is not functional now. At most, you can access the ground floor which has a ballroom style in Gothic architecture. The entrance also has a couple of steps, but you can enter the palace with the help of guards who can help in lifting the wheelchair.
I have also visited the City Palace in Udaipur on my wheelchair. It is over 400 years old and the efforts made by the palace authorities to make it accessible is commendable. Do check out my video of the palace here.
My request to the Bangalore Palace authorities:
Being a heritage structure, I imagine modifications inside the palace are difficult. At least the ground floor of the Bangalore Palace can be made accessible for people visiting in a wheelchair. They can start with the entrance by making a ramp over the couple of steps. A temporary ramp can be placed up on the threshold of the door to enter the ballroom. I also wish that the lift is repaired and made available for use.
I feel more places are slowly getting on board in terms of accessibility Mrunmaiy. Some are behind the curve. Hopefully your review gives Bangalore Palace food for though. I did enjoy my stay in the Garden City, I must say. So green!
Thanks Ryan. I’m sure accessibility will get better soon. Also, the gardens in the city are accessible. That’s a saving grace.
[…] belongs to the Wadiar Dynasty. Here’s my photo blog of the palace. You can also check out this video when I visited the Bangalore Palace in my […]
[…] and belongs to the Wadiar Dynasty. Here’s my photoblog of the palace. You can also check out this video when I visited the Bangalore Palace in my […]