I have a little routine on Sunday's which is my early morning trip (or pilgrimage!) to Lalbagh, the best and the biggest park in Bangalore. And its just about a 5 min ride from my home!
Now if you have never visited Lalbagh before, let me describe it a little.
Lalbagh is quite a vast expansive park in the heart of Bangalore. With entry gates in all four directions, east, west north and south (and maybe a few more), they all lead to a central 'Greenhouse', a glass/plastic structure. Around it, the park spreads its green wings of trees, flowers and lawns. As you stand there, you can see nothing of the outside of the park but only pristine greenery of beautifully manicured lawns, rose gardens and nurseries, stretching from one end to the other. A very large lake is snuggled in another area of the park. You can walk around the lake on a narrow but well made and lovely walkaway and enjoy the slightly heavy but breezy winds from the beautiful water body. Many birds inhabit the lake and you can easily spot ducks and long-billed birds.
When you walk around the lake, the road leads to one of two exit points of the park, or, you can turn around, and walk right back into the park itself (I would choose the latter!). As you walk around, you would find a Japanese garden, rose garden, bonsai garden and so many others. There is one with its bushes cut into the shapes of animals like rabbits, elephants, camels and horses! All these are spread across the park. There are many free open spaces too. Large lawns where you can just rest under casurina or banyan trees and watch the scurrying squirrels or the cooing birds! In either case, its a most enjoyable and relaxing experience.
There used to be an aquarium (the building still exists), but its not operational anymore (but I have been lucky to see it when it used to be there). There is a large clock dial too, made on a slight incline with many fairy-tale plastic characters surrounding it. Something which kids enjoy a lot! And everywhere you can find wooden benches, as you would most definitely take sometime to absorb the beauty of Lalbagh!
I normally jog around the park on Sunday's, sometimes covering the lake area too. In the company of nature. I rate it as one of my best moments of the week, something that I look forward to every week.
Connecting back to nature gives a sense of quiet and calm, away from the the hum-drum and noisy world!
Or to quote Hardy, "Far from the madding crowd..!"
Have a great weekend!
Lovely post Nikhil. I have v fond memories of Lalbag which I have visited several times since I was in school. My favorite visit was when I came there with my colleagues from college. We slipped away at dawn n had a memorable time walking, sitting on a bench n then eating dosas:) I cannot help but remember one of my favorite poems I taught to my PG students. It goes like this:
ReplyDeleteThere is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.
from Childe Harold, Canto iv, Verse 178
Very lovely memories indeed. Something which lasts for an eternity. Remember the saying, "To hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour", that's how memories are! Loved the lines from the poem. Its just describes nature so beautifully. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteHey Mira, thanks for visiting!
DeleteI have a similar routine that starts from Cubbon Park though, n ends with British Library. Its been 2 years, i need to renew my membership again.Have to add, I loved Rama's poetical share, as well. esp the lines. I love not man the less, but nature more. So me :)
ReplyDeleteI used to love the earlier location of BL! Been a member from many years now..the new place is ok, but never like before, and not the same BL :(
DeleteRama herself is a poet, a literature enthusiast, a language expert..I can vouch for that!