Flower show gets off to a colourful start at Lalbagh

Musical instruments and historical monuments came alive in floral form at the 66th edition of Republic Day flower show which began at Lalbagh Bot­anical Gardens on Saturday.

People from different walks of life came in droves to get a glimpse of Red Fort and India Gate, moulded in flowers. Floral arrangements of various patterns at the Glass House too huge crowds.


Raghavendra N, a resident of Gandhi Bazaar and a regular visitor to the Republic Day and Independence Day flower shows for the past 15 years, was delighted at the floral creations on display. “Every year, the organisers come with a different theme. This time, Red Fort made from red roses and white marigolds is a major attraction,” he said. Raghavendra said that the show also gives him an opportunity to capture the floral beauty on camera and add to his photo album of flower shows.


T Asangla from Nagaland who had come with her mother, said that the flower show was one of her best experiences during her stay in the city. " I wonder how they created Red Fort and other marvellous structures so beautifully," she said. Musical instruments such as tabla, piano, guitar, etc created from various flowers also attracted the crowd. An exhibition titled ‘Advanced Technology for Successful Horticulture' has also been put up at the flow show informing the visitors of modern harvesting techniques, farm mechanisation among others. Stalls selling saplings and seedlings, orchids and flower pots made brisk business.  


Horticulture Minister Shamanuru Shivashankarappa and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy inaugurated the event, organised by Horticulture Department and Mysore Horticulture Society.


Kodandaramaiah, Vice President, Mysore Horticulture Society, said that around 80,000 people visited the show on the first day. He said that the number was expected to go up in the coming days. “We have spent Rs 1.20 crore for the show,” he said. Online booking facility has been introduced for the first time from this year. The entry fee is Rs 40 for adults (on all days), Rs 50 on general and public holidays and Rs 10 for children on all days. There will be no entry fee for children for half a day on January 24 and 26.