Towers of Kempe Gowda.

While reading an article on water history of Bangalore, I came to know about one not so popular but very significant historical fact that the main crossing on Avenue is the starting point of Bangalore.(Thanks to peepli.org)

Some time around year 1500,Kempegowda-1 decided to build a new town. On instructions from priest at an auspicious time he gave signal to 4 pairs of bullocks to plow the land in 4 different directions. That very point from where the 4 pairs of bullocks started is today's main crossing on Avenue Road.

Some years later Kempegowda-2 son of Kempegowda-1 built 4 towers to clearly mark the cities boundaries.

I knew that there are 4 towers but never made an effort to visit these towers. This piece of important history made me curious & I decided to visit there 4 towers.

4 Towers location.

1.Lalbagh

2.Mekri Circle

3.Ulsoor lake

4.Kemoambudhi lake.

All 4 towers are identical in construction with a gopura & 4 pillars to support. Gopura has two levels where small idols are placed. Each tower has one stone engraved with details like when & who built the towers.

Stone engraved with details, Each tower has one.

Most famous tower is inside Lalbagh on top of an ancient monolith rock & it's the most popular tourist spot. It's maintained very well with proper fencing, pillars & gopurs are painted and much less scribbling on the stones & pillars.

Tower inside Lalbagh.

View of Bangalore from Lalbagh tower.

Second most popular tower is towards north. It's near mekri circle underpass towards left , opposit to palace ground. It's inside a big park built by BBMP, very well maintained. A statue of Kempegowda is also placed on top of a platform.

Tower inside mekri circle park.

Mekri circle tower.

Statute of Kempegowda inside mekri circle park.

Third tower is not so popular & very difficult for public to access as its inside Madaras sappers or  Madras Engineer Group (MEG) Ulsoor. Since it's inside MEG & due to security concerns is not open to public. However it's well maintained, tower has Very good approach and there are proper steps to reach.  Tower is on top of a Rock like Lalbagh & can be seen from Phillips signal.

Tower near Ulsoor.

View of Ulsoor tower from Phillips signal.

Fourth tower is near Kempambudhi kere behind Bandi Mahakali temple (Brindavan nagar/HANUMANTHANAGARA). This tower is also built on big rock & has good approach. Since number of visitors are less or almost nil, the place looks abandoned but tower is well maintained. Surrounding area needs regular cleanup. Like Ulsoor tower, this one has very good direct lake view & could have been the most beautiful spot IF the lake was well maintained or developed.

Kempambudho lake Tower

Approach to kempambudhi lake tower.

All 4 towers are placed next/near to lake.  Lalbagh lake,Sankey tank, Ulsoor lake & Kempambudhi lake. Except mekri circle tower, other towers are placed on a big rock & gives a very good view.