Bengaluru, Aug. 31 -- For decades, Bengaluru's Raj Bhavan has stood as a grand, guarded landmark, admired only from a distance. But that's about to change - the historic 19th-century estate will soon be open to the public for the first time through curated guided tours.

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) is preparing to launch walking tours inside the iconic Raj Bhavan, with official approval already granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, The Times of India reported. Officials are currently surveying the premises to identify visitor-friendly areas and finalize the tour route and duration, said Srinath K S, KSTDC's general manager (transport), who is overseeing the initiative, according to the report.

This move...