BLOOMS BECKON VISITORS AT RAJ BHAWAN

The sprawling Raj Bhawan lawns were a riot of colours as blooms of myriad hues attracted gardening enthusiasts to the annual two-day flower and vegetable show that opened on Saturday .

The stall of Dhantvantari Vatika of the Raj Bhawan that displayed some rare and unique varieties of medicinal plants was the cynosure of all eyes. A magazine ‘Shatayu Ki Or’ published by Raj Bhawan’s Dhanvantari Vatika was also distributed among visitors free of cost.

In charge of the Vatika and expert on ayurveda, Dr Shiv Shankar Tripathi said that the Vatika was established on February 24, 2001. It was inaugurated by the then UP governor Vishnukant Shastri, who planted some saplings of medicinal plants.

The aim of the Vatika is to disseminate knowledge about Ayurvedic medicinal plants among the common people . The plants displayed at the stall included ashvagandha, punarnava, kakmachi, antmool, ghritkumari, bhrahmi, shatavri, shami and haritaki etc. There are about more than 200 varieties of rare ayurvedic plants in the herbal garden. The exhibition will remain open till Sunday. All visitors are required to carry their photo identity proofs to be allowed entry.

ASHOK DUTTA/ HT PHOTOS (Clockwise from top) Lord Ganesha’s idol made of flowers at the vegetable and flower exhibition at Raj Bhawan on Saturday; crocodile made from bitter gourd; girls taking selfie with a doll wearing a dress made of flowers.