| Traditionally Hindu tepmples were located | | | | enough soil sorrounding it either to water or |
| either on hills or forests or river banks.In | | | | manure and for aeration.Apart from these the |
| ancient times, the temples were constructed | | | | soil sorrounding or that beneath a tree has |
| in such locations faraway from human | | | | its own microclimate that supports particular |
| habitations for providing a calm, peaceful | | | | flora and fauna.Let only the footpath be |
| and pleasant environment and also for | | | | tiled while keeping the floor untiled to the |
| ensuring a close bond between man and | | | | maximum extent possible.Small patches of |
| nature.Hindu temples are generally associated | | | | herbs like Ocimum, Vinca, Jasmine can be |
| with trees such as Ficus benghalensis, Ficus | | | | grown for the daily usage of pilgrims needs |
| Religiosa, Aegle marmelos,Azardirachta | | | | for praying to the god.Another beautiful |
| indica, Temple tree, Bauhinia spp, etc, Herbs | | | | attraction to the temple garden can be |
| such as Vinca rosea, Nerium spp etc.The | | | | artificially created pool for growing |
| gigantic trees like ficus spp and some other | | | | nelumbium spp which is considered the flower |
| trees are closely associated with temples | | | | associated with gods.Lawn grass be selected |
| since time immemorial.The mixed fragrance, | | | | such that the grass species be tolerant to |
| the flowers and the leaf litter on the ground | | | | tree shade,and avoid designing open lawns |
| gives a pleasent experience to a pilgrim or | | | | with few plants..try to intersperse the lawn |
| tourist.But contemperoray gardeners and | | | | with trees randomly planted in between.The |
| landscapists fail to appreciate this aspect | | | | asymmetric style and a large representation |
| while attempting gardening at these places, | | | | of trees is ecologically significant as these |
| which have become tourist and mass pilgrimage | | | | support and house numerous birds and other |
| centers in modern times.Most contemporary | | | | organisms.Birds like parrots, cuckoos, |
| gardeners design symmetric gardening with | | | | woodpecker and occassional monkeys, squirrels |
| huge lawns and tiled floor sorrounding the | | | | all add to a natural feeling and oneness with |
| tree bases.The representation of trees is | | | | nature.Ravikumar Uppaluri hails from Kaikalur |
| very poor in comparision to the lawns and | | | | (Kaikaluru), Krishna District of Andhra |
| plants.Assymmetry should be the rule while | | | | Pradesh State in India.The famous Kolleru |
| designing landscaping near these temples.The | | | | bird sancturay, a fresh water lake that |
| asymmetric garden should have abundant | | | | attracts birds from as far as siberia, is |
| representation of Tree species such as Ficus, | | | | located near Kaikalur. Having spent the |
| Neem, Wood apple,Alexandrian laurel, Jack | | | | childhhod close to such nature rich areas, a |
| Fruit, Mango atc spread in a random | | | | deep interest and love for nature were |
| manner.The most depressing aspect of modern | | | | inculcated right from child hood.Having done |
| temples - they do not have space for | | | | masters in agricultural science, This |
| gardening at all, leaving such, whereever | | | | emotional bonding took a scientific and |
| there is enough space for gardening, care | | | | logical enquiry making scientifically and |
| should be taken not to tile or concrete the | | | | emotionally in sync with the cause of |
| entire floor touching the tree bases! | | | | nature.Visit for knowing about kolleru lake |
| scientifically too the tree base should have | | | | .. |