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CITY BUILDERS

M H Marigowda: The Man Who Made Lalbagh Bloom Again

After independence, a horticulturist trained at Harvard took charge of Lalbagh and the state's gardens. He expanded the garden, built a network of horticulture farms and is still called the father of horticulture in Karnataka.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Dr M H Marigowda led Lalbagh and the state horticulture department for more than two decades after independence.
  • He expanded Lalbagh and built a network of horticulture farms and nurseries across Karnataka.
  • He is called the father of horticulture in Karnataka, and August 8, his birthday, is observed as Horticulture Day.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam October 15, 2026 • 3 min read
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A Victorian-style glass house behind beds of marigolds and other bright flowers, with a wooden wheelbarrow of potted orchids and a watering can in front

Lalbagh Botanical Garden, which Dr Marigowda led for more than two decades.

“A garden is not a luxury for a city. It is how a city breathes.”

• The idea behind his life's work

Dr M H Marigowda was the horticulturist who led Lalbagh Botanical Garden and the horticulture department of the Mysore state, later Karnataka, for more than two decades after independence. Trained in horticulture and with a doctorate from Harvard, he expanded Lalbagh, set up horticulture farms and nurseries across the state and encouraged fruit and vegetable cultivation. He is widely known as the father of horticulture in Karnataka, and his birthday, August 8, is observed as Horticulture Day in the state.

Every Bangalorean who has walked in Lalbagh or visited its flower shows has benefited from his work. This profile sticks to the well-established outlines of his career.

Quick Information

A Harvard-trained horticulturist who spent his career making sure Bengaluru stayed a garden city. The flower show crowds are his legacy too.

Name
Dr M H Marigowda
Known as
Father of horticulture in Karnataka
Education
Horticulture training, with a doctorate from Harvard
Role
Superintendent of Lalbagh and director of horticulture, Mysore state and Karnataka
Period
From the early 1950s to the 1970s
Achievements
Expanded Lalbagh, built horticulture farms and nurseries across the state
Horticulture Day
August 8, his birthday, observed in Karnataka
Road
Dr M H Marigowda Road runs past Lalbagh
Lalbagh
A 240 acre botanical garden in south Bengaluru
One memorable fact
The Lalbagh flower shows, held around Republic Day and Independence Day, grew under the department he led

What Did M H Marigowda Do for Lalbagh?

He led Lalbagh for more than two decades, expanding its area and collections, improving its layout and making it the centre of horticultural research and extension in the state. The garden's role as a public institution, with flower shows, nurseries and training, owes a great deal to his leadership.

How Did Marigowda Shape Horticulture in Karnataka?

He built a network of horticulture farms and nurseries across the state and promoted fruit and vegetable cultivation among farmers. Karnataka's later strength in horticulture, from mangoes and grapes to flowers, grew from the systems he helped set up.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

The road running along Lalbagh's western side, Dr M H Marigowda Road, is named after him. Most people who drive it every day have no idea who he was.

Where Can You See Marigowda's Legacy in Bengaluru?

At Lalbagh, first of all, and at its flower shows every January and August. The garden's nurseries and the state horticulture department's offices on the campus continue the work he led.

Why Does M H Marigowda Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

He spent his career making Lalbagh and Bengaluru's gardens flourish. When people call this a garden city, they are describing, in large part, his work.

HOW I PUT THIS TOGETHER

I haven't interviewed M H Marigowda for this piece. It's pieced together from online research: published interviews, news reports, books and official records, cross-checked against each other. If you know M H Marigowda and spot something I've got wrong, tap the WhatsApp icon at the bottom right and tell me, and I'll fix it.

FAQs

Who was M H Marigowda?

Dr M H Marigowda was a horticulturist who led Lalbagh and the horticulture department of Mysore state and Karnataka for more than two decades after independence.

Why is Marigowda called the father of horticulture in Karnataka?

Because he built the state's horticulture system, including farms and nurseries, and expanded Lalbagh as a centre of horticulture.

When is Horticulture Day in Karnataka?

August 8, Dr Marigowda's birthday, is observed as Horticulture Day in Karnataka.

Is there a road named after Marigowda?

Yes. Dr M H Marigowda Road runs along Lalbagh in south Bengaluru.

When are the Lalbagh flower shows?

The flower shows are usually held around Republic Day in January and Independence Day in August.

Contact Details

Where to see his work.

Lalbagh Botanical Garden

A Lalbagh Regular?

If your family has a Lalbagh flower show tradition, or you know more about Dr Marigowda's years at the garden, Click the WhatsApp icon at the bottom right of your screen and tell me. That is also the easiest way to reach The City 24/7 about anything at all, including nominating someone for People of Bangalore.

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Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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