Bangalore's Lalbagh flower show to garner Rs 60 lakh

Guess what's keeping Bangaloreans busy this Independence Day? The Lalbagh flower show, which happens twice a year. CNBC-TV18's Vineetha Athrey joined over 50,000 people from across India who are lining up everyday for this week-long affair with flowers.

When in 1912, the then garden superintendent Kumbigal flagged off the Lalbagh flower show, he couldn't have foreseen its success. Upto six lakh visitors are expected this year to watch a dazzling spread of over 1,000 varieties of flowers. Last year it added Rs 60 lakh to the state horticulture department's coffers - a number that's expected to increase this time. It's really nice. I never thought that something like this can happen anywhere in India. A pleasure coming here- the variety and arrangements is amazing and this time I see a lot of new things. Marigolds, dahlias, king proteas, red hot poker, rare orchids and tulips- the visual feast is just beginning. This year, for the first time ever, 62 types of exotic flowers have been imported from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. The spectacle does not end there- this year's unique attraction is a giant seven feet tall dinosaur, decorated with as many as 50,000 flowers - built at a cost of Rs 6 lakh. This has a body of steel and foam, to which these flowers are pinned. There are also mermaids, elephants and a model of last year's aero show, built at a cost of Rs 12-13 lakh.

The horticulture department has spent Rs 50-55 lakh for this flower show. Busy days are ahead, as preparations will soon begin for the second yearly installment of the show, which traditionally takes place during republic day.