 |
| The entry gate to the garden |
The visit to Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Botanic Garden of Kolkata was quite memorable.
That Sunday morning was bright and hot and hubby’s fair complexion had already started
turning pink when we reached the garden by noon.
The entry ticket charges being different for
Indians and the Foreigners, the Assistant at the Ticket Counter stared at hubby
and enquired, “Which country?”
“India’, he replied and paid for the tickets
as well as the charges for the camera.
 |
At the entry gate again, the security guard glanced
at the ticket, gave him one scrutinising look, looked at his big camera and
Ray-Ban shades, moved his eyes over his cap and shot out, “Nationality?”
“Indian”, he again said.
“OK. Please throw the water bottle in the
dust-bin. You can’t take it inside,” were the instructions.
We threw the water bottle in the dust-bin and
entered Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden said to be one of the
largest Botanical Gardens in the world. Spread over 273 acres, it was established
over 225 years ago in the year 1787 by a British Lt Col Robert Kyd. The
original name of the garden was “Company Bagan” after East India Company.
 |
| Lily ponds and lakes dot the garden |
As we started walking, we noticed that there
was a battery operated car also for taking the tourists around. However, being
walk-freaks, we decided to walk in the garden unmindful of the scorching sun
above our heads. The garden was really impressive with all kinds of trees,
bushes, plants, ponds, lilies and what have you. It is stated to be having over
12,000 trees and almost 1500 types of plants. There are a number of Lily Ponds
too which are inter-connected by underground pipes ensuring supply of water
from Hooghly river. “What an idea, Sirji”, I couldn’t help exclaiming.
 |
| So many old and fallen trees around |
As we were walked admiring the natural beauty
of the vegetation around, we did not notice a Sardarji approaching us curiously,
“Excuse me! Excuse me, Sir. Which country are you from?”
Oh my God! What is happening here? Hubby
grinned and said, “India se ji! Tussi kitthon aaye ho?” (From India. Where have you come from?”)
 |
| Lakes designed to receive fresh water |
Sardarji was so happy hearing this, “Oye
Pappe,
main Jalandron. Tussi?” (Hey Bro! I’m
from Jalandhar. And you?)
“Main bi Jalandron” ( I’m also from
Jalandhar), hubby said excitedly and the next moment they were hugging each
other like long lost brothers. How language and cities bind you together, I was
wondering. I, with my dark complexion and black hair, was probably taken as his
Bengali escort and ignored in the entire episode.
 |
| Lovely surroundings |
We continued walking towards the great Banyan
Tree in the hot bright sun with our throats parched but there was no sign of
any drinking water. The thirst was increasing but our enthusiasm was not
waning.
 |
| 250 years old Banyan tree with 3300 prop-roots |
Finally we reached the much-talked about
banyan tree. What a sight, it was. Was it a tree? Or was it jungle incarnate?
With innumerable roots hanging all over the place, we tried to locate the
trunk. But where was the trunk? We went round and round in circles and could
not find it. Later we got to know that it was removed in 1925 when it was eaten
away by the white ants.
A nearby board enlightened us that the tree
was over 250 years old and spread over an area of 1.5 hectares. Having about
3300 prop-roots, it is considered a wonder in plant kingdom and finds a place
in the Guinness Book of World Records. Another board imparted more information
on the Tree. It is of the species Ficus
Benghalensis Linn (Moraceae) having
circumference of 1.08kms with highest branch at 24.5 metre.
 |
| Such a nice slogan! |
Mighty impressed with this wonderful creation
of nature, we were forced to return to the gate with parched lips and dry
throat, yearning for a sip of water but eyes wide-open with the wonder that we
had just seen. Once outside the gate of the garden, we quenched our thirst with
tender coconut water still thinking about what all history of India this tree
must have witnessed..
 |
| Under the prop-roots of the famous banyan tree |
 |
| Dry leaves accumulate under the trees untouched undisturbed. For more TRAVELOGUES, please visit my dedicated blog on travels http://globalhindustani.blogspot.in |
No comments:
Post a Comment