Flower power meets history at Lalbagh’s 218th show

Petal Parade

Bengaluru: The 218th Lalbagh Flower Show on the weekend is blooming with visitors. The latest edition pays a floral tribute to regional freedom fighters Kittur Rani Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna, and Onake Obavva. The show, which runs until August 18, has already drawn massive crowds to the city’s botanical garden.

The highlight of the show is the replica of the Kittur Fort inside the Glass House, which took a team of 40 people over a month to construct, said Mahesh, a florist who worked on the model. The Horticulture Department has used over 36 lakh flowers of 105 varieties to create a visually stunning and educational experience, added M Jagadeesh, Joint Director of Parks and Gardens.

Visitors are soaking in every piece of history on display. It also features models of Lavani dancers and a depiction of Rayanna’s execution, blending art and history together for the first time to give an infotainment experience, said Shashwath Koushik, a visitor.

With over 10 lakh people expected to attend, the organisers are doing everything they can to ensure the event remains clean. Sneha R, from the waste management organisation Saahas, told DH about their role in this effort.

“The organisation engages around 100 volunteers daily to manage waste and raise awareness about littering. We create awareness among the moving crowd who are littering about why they must not litter,” Sneha said, highlighting their focus on high-traffic areas like the Glass House and vendor sites.

Saahas volunteers also actively participate in “plogging,” a practice that not only keeps the grounds clean but also reinforces the message of responsibility to the public. “The people who are eating and throwing will understand that they should not litter,” she added.

Sneha R from the Saahas a waste management organisation.