A valley of peace indeed

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.”-Gautama Buddha. Few things will make one realise the depth of such words, like a walk through the flowery corridors of a zen garden.

And one does not have to travel to other oriental parts of the word to soak in such experiences.

For, a zen garden or a Japanese rock garden has been created in Karnataka to make one experience the artistry of the stylised landscape.

Soothing experience

Nestled in the interiors of Nagarabhavi, a quiet locality in Bangalore, Buddha Shanti Kanive (The Peace Valley of Buddha), is meant to serve as a park for residents of the locality.

About five years ago, the land was just a mass of wild rocks and valleys that was wasting away. It was then that the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) decided to hand over the beautification of the land to ‘park artists,’ who are responsible for what the garden now looks like.

Situated on a slightly elevated land, the roof of the entrance resembles very much that of a pagoda. It is a park built on the likes of a Japanese rock garden, by trying to replicate all details.

The replication has been achieved well, with close attention being given to many of the detailed architectural and aesthetic aspects of the design of the park. Brightly covered bougainvillea flowers and the dulcet of birds welcome visitors, while stone-carved lions seem to be sentinel to the garden.

A large statue of Buddha sitting in a meditative posture overlooks the cobbled paths that lead to a pond and a bandstand.

That the park has staggered elevated resting spots for visitors to sit down and relax itself adds to the allure of the park.

A path meant for walking and laid in stone runs along the circumference of the path, while various sculptures like replicas of the Ashoka Pillar dot the garden. Scenes from the life of Buddha can be seen carved on numerous rocks.

A small exit at one end of the path forms the entrance to a Chamundeshwari Temple.

The park also consists of a separate walking track for the elderly, right next to a children’s play area. A shallow water pool has been designed right at the top of the park, with a scene from mythology, of Prince Siddhartha, saving an injured swan beautifully depicted.

As though to remind strollers to be optimistic, quotes of Mahatma Gandhi, Pampa, Basavanna and Buddha have been displayed at various places across the park.

Small rotundas with stone stools have been dispersed throughout the park to serve as relaxation spots for visitors.

“This is the only park in the vicinity. I come here to walk because it makes me feel good. Many films have also been shot here. The footfall generally increases over the weekend,” says Puttaswamy Gowda, a senior citizen, who is a regular to the park

You can also find many visitors that come to this place for the first time, curious to know all about the park.

The idea of the park was conceptualised by Nisarga, an artist, while the beautification was done by Chaitrapriya.

As much as a novel attempt it is by the BBMP, the park could definitely use an upgrade in its maintenance. For there is littering and garbage in many places, despite displayed warnings

Many people can be seen eating on the premises, brazenly flouting the norms of the park.

A little more care will certainly draw more visitors to the park, making it more appealing to them.