Bengaluru: The Lalbagh flower show, a centrepiece of Bengaluru’s Republic Day celebrations, will be held from Jan 16 to 26. This year’s theme is dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki, the sage who authored the epic, Ramayana.
Organised by the department of horticulture, the event will use elaborate floral installations to depict key moments from Valmiki’s life and stories of the Ramayana.
“In previous editions of the show, we focused on figures like Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Basavanna and BR Ambedkar. This time, the govt suggested we celebrate Valmiki, and we are excited to honour him in such a unique way,” said a senior horticulture official.
The displays will include floral representations of Valmiki meditating inside an anthill (hutta), his hermitage, believed to be in present-day Nepal, and the birth of Lava and Kusha.
Preparations for the show are already in progress, with construction of structures and decorations set to begin at Lalbagh’s Glass House on Jan 10. “We are working to ensure everything is ready for the Jan 16 inauguration. The Glass House decorations will showcase Valmiki’s contributions to literature and spirituality,” said M Jagadish, joint director of the department of horticulture.