Editors Note: Laid out in 1760 during the reign of Hyder Ali as a private garden, Lal Bagh Botanical Garden was eventually completed by his son, Tipu Sultan. Currently under the aegis of the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka, Lal Bagh is modelled along the lines of the Mughal Gardens that was popular during Hyder Ali's time. The park houses rare species of plants brought all the way from Persia, Afghanistan and France. Lawns, flower beds, lotus pools, fountains and the like dot this aesthetically designed landscape. Centuries-old trees are labelled for easy identification. In addition, it also acquired India's first lawn-clock along with the subcontinent's largest collection of rare plants. One of the main attractions at Lal Bagh is The Glass House which is modelled on London's Crystal Palace (now re-modelled with a different layout). The Lal Bagh Rock, one of the oldest rock formations is another major attraction. It dates back to three thousand million years. The garden has over a thousand species of flora. The Glass House hosts a permanent flower show all year round. Besides this, every year flower shows are held on Independence and Republic Day.