Impressive Empress

But the Empress endeavoured to remain evergreen, what with her battalion of trees firmly rooted. Although the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India was named her caretaker, her beautiful complexion lacked the early glow.

Not only was the lotus pond infested with moss, but the Empress8217; clients were disheartening. Vagabonds and antisocial elements patronised her, thus keeping family crowds at bay. Obviously, the empress sneered. This manifested in her careless and neglected disposition.

Then came the silver lining. Her caretakers awakened from their slumber on her 164th anniversary, to reincarnate her. You guessed it. We are talking about the Empress Garden, closeted in the vicinity of the eastern flank of the Race Course, on the Prince of Wales Drive, with the Mutha Right Bank Canal running beside it.

If you are an ardent lover of greenery, this is the place for you. The moment you are in the vicinity you start breathing clean air. The different species of trees which include bamboo thickets, banyan trees, kanak, chafa and bahunia attract various birds, will immensely please you. You could while away hours under the shade. The kattas under many trees provide seating facility. The garden now has restricted visiting hours. The entry is free. Families can picnic in the premises.

Park your vehicle at the entrance and pass by the unassuming restaurant that generally blares out Vividh Bharati programmes. Once you enter the gate keep walking through the man-made pathways and stop wherever it is picturesque. The gurgling stream that runs through the heart of the Empress Garden, is a thrilling sight. This bubbly stream has the blessing of the canopy of a huge banyan tree, and that makes it very picturesque. The lotus pond in the vicinity has a new look. The concrete band stand that used to play live music during the British regime, has been converted into the plant nursery of the Society. No predictable pattern marks the physique of this garden and that8217;s what makes it unique.

It was indeed a bonanza for the much-neglected Empress, when she underwent a facial transformation, which finally cost the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India, about one and a half crore rupees.

Hectic activity in the Empress Garden, included construction of concrete borders for flower beds, a landscaped garden, beautifying the lotus pond, which is in existence since 1887 and building an attractive children8217;s playground. At the helm of this renovation was the leading landscape architect of the country, Kishore Pradhan. The area, just after the entrance gate, was converted into flower beds, for ornamental plants and for holding exhibition of flower shows.The lotus pond, over a 100 years old and in a state of sheer neglect went in for repairs.

A few years ago, indications of the changing complexion of the Empress Garden, the erstwhile pride of Pune, was evident when the fencing of its dilapidated boundaries and tight security, were put into full gear. A big board at the entrance gate, restricting entry to visitors only for three hours each in the morning and evening, was the first step towards the blockade of unwanted elements. Till recently, for several years now, the garden had become the haunt for gamblers and unscrupulous elements who just 8220;hung around8221; in the premises. This led to a sense of insecurity and prevented families from enjoying the salubrious surroundings of this garden, which has sprawling age- old trees.

The 19th century English architecture, which is now the office of the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India, blends harmoniously with the salubrious surroundings of the garden. Every bend gives you a glimpse of Mother Nature8217;s splendour. A stroll in this garden will rejuvenate your tired nerves. And after you have bathed in the lush green ambience, you will undoubtedly exclaim 8211; Oh! the Empress has regained her glory!