Flowery message of peace attracts thousands to Bangalore's Lalbagh

Bangalore's famous garden Lalbagh is packed with visitors these days, all jostling for a walk through a flower show on the theme of world peace.

Organised jointly by the Horticulture Department and Mysore Horticultural Society to mark Republic Day, the flower show in the lush green botanical garden spread over 240 acres in the heart of the city is attracting hundreds of visitors.

The show opened Jan 17 and ends on Republic Day Monday.

Over 20,000 have already paid Rs.30 a head and visited the show, an annual feature as part of Republic Day celebrations.

'We're expecting another 50,000-70,000 visitors in the coming five days. We're sure thousands will throng Lalbagh to enjoy the beautiful display of flowers, especially on Republic Day, as it's a holiday,' Horticulture Department Director G.K. Vasanth Kumar told IANS.

World peace was chosen as the theme of this year's show as the country was mourning the terror attacks in Mumbai and several other parts of the country last year, Kumar said.

'Flowers have healing power. The entire country is reeling under fear of terror. No one is safe today. In order to bring cheer and bonhomie among the Bangaloreans we have decided to make the flower show a special treat for all.'

The theme is depicted by a special floral edifice in the shape of a globe with two doves atop. Around 100,000 roses have been used for the floral arrangement inside the famed Glass House at Lalbagh.

In all, 350 varieties of flowers are on display at the colourful carnival. Around 100 stalls at the show sell gardening gadgets, manures, pots, seed varieties, saplings, plants, herbal products, and books on plants, to name a few.

Along with common flower varieties like roses, marigolds, cockscomb and geranium, the show also displays a number of exotic flowers, including brachycome and colosia.

Like in previous years, this year's show also features an exhibition of hybrid vegetables, including exotic vegetables that are now becoming increasingly popular in India - broccoli, zuchini and Chinese cabbage.

The flowers have been arranged in styles typical of various countries - Indian, Dutch, Thai, Belgian, Indonesian, and the famous Japanese Ikebana. Miniature Bonsai plants are also on display.

Deputy Director of Horticulture M. Jagadeesh said security had been beefed up in and around Lalbagh to avoid any untoward incident.

'In the light of terrorist threats, security this year has been beefed up with metal detectors, surveillance cameras, additional police personnel and mirror detectors. These measures have been taken in the interest of the public. Parking restrictions have also been implemented and buses have been denied entry into the garden,' said Jagadeesh.

'It's really beautiful, as if I am surrounded by a sea of flowers. I am planning to buy a few varieties. I am hugely enjoying it along with my children,' said Sudeshna Chakraborty, a housewife who visited the flower festival Wednesday morning, along with her two sons.