<p>Bengaluru: The Lalbagh Botanical Garden's annual flower show, held ahead of Republic Day, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday.</p>.<p>This year’s show, themed around Adikavi Maharshi Valmiki, will run until January 26.</p>.<p>The event is expected to draw 9.5 to 10 lakh visitors.</p>.<p>Atleast 8,500 adults and 6,510 children visited the flower show on the first day. </p>.<p>On its opening day, Bengalureans from diverse backgrounds gathered to witness a grand floral tribute to Valmiki, the author of the Indian epic Ramayana.</p>.Lokayukta raids BBMP, ARO offices across city .<p>The centrepiece of the flower show is a 15-foot tall model of an anthill (hutta), symbolising Valmiki’s penance, accompanied by a 10-foot tall statue of the Maharshi in a contemplative pose, as he composed the Ramayana.</p>.<p>Behind the anthill are floral statues of notable poets, including Kuvempu, Nagachandra Abhinava Pampa, Kamban, and Tulsidas, who adapted the Ramayana into various Indian languages.</p>.<p>Other attractions include a depiction of Sita and Rama’s vanavasa (forest life) enhanced with natural sounds of chirping birds, which captivated visitors who enthusiastically clicked pictures and selfies.</p>.<p>Floral arrangements of Valmiki’s Nepal house, along with artefacts of Hanuman, Jambavan, the squirrel, and Jatayu, were also on display in the Glass House.</p>.<p>Karthik Babu, a 32-year-old resident of Rajarajeshwari Nagar, attended the show with his wife, Aishwarya.</p>.<p>Recalling his childhood visit to the iconic flower show with his mother, Karthik said, “I’m very happy to be here again, this time with my wife.”</p>.<p>Regular visitor Sunitha Neelkant Ghode, who attends the fair every year, shared her observations: “I decided to come on the first day to avoid weekend crowds. However, I feel the quantity of flowers is less compared to last time.” Her favourite theme remains the Puneeth Rajkumar tribute in August 2022.</p>.<p>Exotic flowers on display include orchids like Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Vanda, Mokara, Cattleya and Oncidium, as well as Calla lilies, bromeliads, and varieties of geraniums.</p>.<p><strong>Plastic regulation</strong></p>.<p>To ensure a litter-free experience, single-use plastic bottles and carry bags are banned on the premises. Ten drinking water units, with eight additional ones installed for the flower show, are available for visitors.</p>.<p><strong>Essay competition</strong></p>.<p>An essay competition on the theme “Adikavi Maharshi Valmiki–Biography and Message” will be held on January 20 at 11 am at the Horticulture Training Centre. The contest is open to high school students from Bengaluru South.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The Lalbagh Botanical Garden's annual flower show, held ahead of Republic Day, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday.</p>.<p>This year’s show, themed around Adikavi Maharshi Valmiki, will run until January 26.</p>.<p>The event is expected to draw 9.5 to 10 lakh visitors.</p>.<p>Atleast 8,500 adults and 6,510 children visited the flower show on the first day. </p>.<p>On its opening day, Bengalureans from diverse backgrounds gathered to witness a grand floral tribute to Valmiki, the author of the Indian epic Ramayana.</p>.Lokayukta raids BBMP, ARO offices across city .<p>The centrepiece of the flower show is a 15-foot tall model of an anthill (hutta), symbolising Valmiki’s penance, accompanied by a 10-foot tall statue of the Maharshi in a contemplative pose, as he composed the Ramayana.</p>.<p>Behind the anthill are floral statues of notable poets, including Kuvempu, Nagachandra Abhinava Pampa, Kamban, and Tulsidas, who adapted the Ramayana into various Indian languages.</p>.<p>Other attractions include a depiction of Sita and Rama’s vanavasa (forest life) enhanced with natural sounds of chirping birds, which captivated visitors who enthusiastically clicked pictures and selfies.</p>.<p>Floral arrangements of Valmiki’s Nepal house, along with artefacts of Hanuman, Jambavan, the squirrel, and Jatayu, were also on display in the Glass House.</p>.<p>Karthik Babu, a 32-year-old resident of Rajarajeshwari Nagar, attended the show with his wife, Aishwarya.</p>.<p>Recalling his childhood visit to the iconic flower show with his mother, Karthik said, “I’m very happy to be here again, this time with my wife.”</p>.<p>Regular visitor Sunitha Neelkant Ghode, who attends the fair every year, shared her observations: “I decided to come on the first day to avoid weekend crowds. However, I feel the quantity of flowers is less compared to last time.” Her favourite theme remains the Puneeth Rajkumar tribute in August 2022.</p>.<p>Exotic flowers on display include orchids like Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Vanda, Mokara, Cattleya and Oncidium, as well as Calla lilies, bromeliads, and varieties of geraniums.</p>.<p><strong>Plastic regulation</strong></p>.<p>To ensure a litter-free experience, single-use plastic bottles and carry bags are banned on the premises. Ten drinking water units, with eight additional ones installed for the flower show, are available for visitors.</p>.<p><strong>Essay competition</strong></p>.<p>An essay competition on the theme “Adikavi Maharshi Valmiki–Biography and Message” will be held on January 20 at 11 am at the Horticulture Training Centre. The contest is open to high school students from Bengaluru South.</p>
