BENGALURU, 20 JAN

Over the past three days, the 215th Republic Day Flower Show at Lalbagh Botanical Garden has captivated Bengalureans with the delightful fragrances and vibrant hues of flowers.

The focus of the 11-day flower show organised by Horticulture Department is 12th-century social reformer and poet Basavanna, whose vachanas conveyed messages against gender and social discrimination as well as superstitions. He had set up Anubhava Mantapa in Bidar which was a parliament of philosophers, saints, poets and thinkers with no restriction on gender, social background or caste.

An exquisite floral replica of Basavanna's Anubhava Mantapa steals the spotlight, standing tall at 8 feet and spanning 7 feet in width. Crafted from 1.5 lakhs of roses and 2 lakhs of Sevanthi flowers, this masterpiece symbolises Basavanna's relentless efforts for social change and equality. The surrounding area features a breathtaking array of geraniums, zinnia, dianthus, chrysanthemum, torenia, kalanchoe, and impatiens, with 20,000 flower pots enhancing the ambience. To maintain the freshness of the flowers, sprinklers and coolers have been strategically placed.

“The mantapa teaches people to embrace his ideology against gender, social discrimination, superstitions and rituals,” Suresh Kanekar, State General Secretary of State Buddhist Society in Bidar, told Salar News. “I am here for the first time, having completed a 547km journey to be part of this flower show.”

This year's flower show boasts an impressive display of 32 lakhs of flowers across 70 varieties, including 13.5 lakh cut flowers and 9 lakh potted flowering plants. Indo-American Hybrid Seeds, which can be grown in all seasons and all kinds of soil, were put up for sale by Puttaraju from Raja Rajeshwari Nagar. He has been participating in this flower show since 1965, held biannually during Republic Day and Independence Day. In addition to hybrid seeds, Puttaraju offers nursery flower pots containing orchids, leather leaves, gazania, marigolds, and snapdragon. A standout is the Calla Lily, imported from New Zealand, requiring shade and moisture for optimal growth.

Free relaxation and meditation with yogic transmission by Heartfulness Meditation Centre was a treat for visitors to the flower show. “The purpose of providing free meditation is to enhance people's concentration power in this natural setting, addressing their spirituality and mental health amid stress-related problems they face,” Vasantha Kumari, a certified trainer at the centre and a retired professor of psychology, told Salar News. “More than 1,000 people have approached us so far, drawn by the calming effect of the fragrance of flowers during meditation.”

Addressing environmental consciousness, the city-based Saahas organization, participating for the second consecutive year, raises awareness about waste management. With 40 members engaged in a cleanliness drive under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, they use paper bags to separate wet and dry garbage on the premises, urging visitors to contribute to maintaining the show's splendour.

Complementing Saahas’ efforts, a stall set up by the Horticulture Department encourages visitors not to waste anything. The stall showcases products made from waste materials, such as dried banana peels turned into a powder for hair growth and grass used for making baskets and other items. Through infotainments and product displays, the department promotes the waste management principle of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

The third day of the flower show, which will run till 28 January, saw a footfall of 30,000 people. School students wearing uniforms and having an ID card were allowed free entry, while adults and children paid entry fees of Rs 80 and Rs 30, respectively, through four designated gates. Online tickets were also available on the department website until 28 January.