Landscaping of Hindu Religious Places

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