A short while ago, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated a permanent electric lighting system at Vidhana Soudha, the state’s iconic legislative building, in a ceremony held in Bengaluru.

The event, attended by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, and Tourism Minister H.K. Patil, marked a new chapter for the Neo-Dravidian structure, which will now dazzle with colorful lights every Saturday and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm, as well as on national holidays like Independence Day and Kannada Rajyotsava.

Costing approximately Rs 5 crore, the project enhances Vidhana Soudha’s grandeur, a vision championed by Speaker Khader to make the site more accessible and appealing to the public. “We cannot deprive people of this beauty due to security fears,” Khader had said earlier, citing the success of a recent book fair on the premises.

Siddaramaiah echoed this sentiment, urging officials to embody the building’s motto, “Government work is God’s work,” through their service.

The illumination, previously limited to special occasions, now becomes a regular spectacle, blending tradition with modernity. Posts on X hailed the move, noting its boost to Bengaluru’s cultural appeal. Built between 1951 and 1956 under CM K. Hanumanthaiah’s oversight, Vidhana Soudha’s new lighting system promises to cement its status as a must-visit landmark, illuminating its 60-acre expanse for generations to enjoy.