Floral re-creation of Valmiki’s ashram to be among major attractions at flower show

A 10-foot-tall model of Valmiki on a six-foot pedestal in the pose he assumed while composing the Ramayana, crafted by an artist named Mahadeva, will be displayed in front of the Hutta

A 14 feet wide, 15 feet high Valmika/hutta (anthill) floral model will be the centrepiece of this year’s Republic Day Flower show on the theme “Adikavi Maharshi Valmiki” in Lalbagh Botanical Garden, which will be inaugurated on January 16 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. A total of 3 lakh Dutch roses, 800 kilograms of pinch roses and 600 kilograms of Hyderabad sevanthi (chrysanthemum) will be used for the model over two intervals.

“The word Hutta in Kannada translates to Valmika in Sanskrit, and Valmiki’s very name signifies ‘one who emerged from an anthill’. The Hutta symbolises unwavering determination, deep concentration, penance and ultimately great achievement,” said the officials of the Horticulture Department speaking about the model.

The model will be displayed in the centre of the Glass House in Lalbagh. While its pedestal itself will be 10 feet long, it will also have a circumference of 38 feet. Around it, a circular wave pattern will be created on a 10-foot slope using pipes and meshes. The model was constructed by 60 skilled workers across five days. Crafted by an artist named Mahadeva is a 10-foot tall model of Valmiki on a six-foot pedestal in the pose he assumed while composing Ramayana would be displayed in front of the Hutta.

Another major attraction will be the floral re-creation of Maharshi Valmiki’s ashram and the scenario that led to the creation of Ramayana. The replica of this ashram will be 14 feet in width and 24 feet in height and was constructed by 13 workers over five days. “The floral elements will include 1 lakh red and yellow roses and 1.75 lakh Calcutta and general Sevanti flowers in white, purple, yellow, and chocolate hues, for a total of 2.75 lakh flowers used at one time—replenished twice, amounting to 5.5 lakh flowers in all,” the officials said. 

Apart from these models, the show will include 3D artwork of Panchavati from the Ramayana, Hanuma—Jambavanta—Squirrel artefacts, 10 flower pyramids (using over 15,000 flower pots), a paludarium around the Glass House, and an exhibition of Palm scripts from the Ramayana. 

Ticket prices increased 

While around 9.5 to 10 lakh people are expected to visit the Flower Show between January 16 to January 27, the Horticulture Department has increased the cost of tickets this year. While the price per ticket was ₹70 on weekdays and ₹80 on weekends during the previous Independence Day flower show, for this show, it will be ₹80 on weekdays and ₹100 on weekends. The price of children’s tickets will remain ₹30 on all days. 

Visitors can also buy their tickets online at https://hasiru.karnataka.gov.in/flowershow/login.aspx and can get direct entry to the show upon producing a hard copy or soft copy of the online ticket.  

Published - January 15, 2025 09:19 pm IST