Visitors of all ages began flocking to the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens to witness the Republic Day flower show on its inaugural day on Friday.

Bhaswati Dutta, a native of West Bengal living in Bilekahalli, eagerly awaits the flower show every year. An avid photographer, Dutta lost no opportunity to capture images of blooming flowers and other attractions.

She was enthralled by the replica of Vijayapura’s Gol Gumbaz made of red, white, yellow and pink roses. Marvelling at the flower model, she said: "I have been to flower shows earlier also. Every year, there are unique flower creations. Along with Gol Gumbaz, I really liked the replica of the peacock and butterflies made of flowers."

Around four lakh roses have gone into making the Gol Gumbaz and to ensure their freshness and of those in and around Glass House, the horticulture department has installed 1,300 sprinklers that spray water.

School kids from Vivero International Pre-school, Indiranagar lined up outside Glass House along with their teachers soon after the inauguration. Eliza Joseph, one of the schoolteachers, said they had taken their students for a field trip and the flower show was a coincidence.

The added attractions at the flower show are ‘boat orchids’, a vertical garden made of 35,000 flowers, an exhibition themed on the ‘father of horticulture’ M H Marigowda showcasing his achievements and quotes among others.

Various stalls displaying and selling food products, organic produce, plants and memorabilia are put up.

Cleanliness pledge
After the inauguration, Horticulture Minister S S Mallikarjun appealed to visitors to ensure cleanliness at Lalbagh. In this regard, volunteers from Beautiful Bengaluru, are aiming for a litter-free show at Lalbagh through their ongoing zero-litter pledge campaign and awareness programmes among citizens. Those who want to volunteer, can send a message to 9880355113 on WhatsApp.