Bangalore, also referred to as Bengaluru, is the capital of the Indian state, Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the “Garden City” for its gardens and parks and was once called a Pensioner’s Paradise.
Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India’s third most populated city and the fifth most populated urban agglomeration. Bangalore is well known as a hub for India’s Information Technology (IT) sector. It stands out for being among the top 10 preferred entrepreneurial locations in the world.
History
The term ‘Bangalore’ is an anglicized version of “Bengalooru,” a Kannada term. The word “Bengalooru” was in turn derived from the phrase ‘bende kaalu ooru’ meaning ‘the town of boiled beans’. The story behind naming the city as the ‘town of boiled beans’ is said to be a hunting expedition by King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty who lost his way in the jungle. Deep inside the jungle, lived an old woman who took pity on the hungry and tired hunter. The old woman was poor and had nothing else to offer but boiled beans. But the king was so pleased with her hospitality that he named the entire city as ‘bele-benda-kalu-ooru’.
Climate Of Bangalore – The Garden City Of India
Located in the Deccan plateau, the weather is a good mixture of the wet and dry. Because of the tropical savanna climate in the garden city, large plantations of the deciduous canopy can be vividly found. The occasional heat waves are cooled down frequently by thunderstorms. This pattern maintains a fair balance and thus encourages the growth of mini-forests and large tree cover in the entire city.
Neralu Tree Festival
The garden city of India has always understood what trees mean to human life and civilisation. Neralu, meaning shade in the Kannada language, was started in 2017 by a group of Bangaloreans with a purpose to preserve the greenery of the city. A first of its kind in India, Neralu chooses a day to celebrate the history, ecology, aesthetics, abandon variety and memories of its trees in this city. On this day people celebrate trees in a variety of ways that include dance, song, and planting of trees.
The First Pink Trumpet Trees In Bengaluru
The first pink trumpet trees in Bengaluru were planted by the British. The colonial rulers originally introduced these trees to Bengaluru just like they had done in other colonies across the world. Bursting into bloom in the early spring season, these trees were known for their wintery feel. The British styled their colonies with pink trumpets to elevate the aesthetic look and feel of streets.
After all, they valued exotic species of trees over the local ones. After the British left India, one of the things they left back in Bengaluru was the pink trumpet trees. SG Neginhal, one of the most renowned horticulturists of the city planted the Tabebuia Rosea as avenue trees in the 1980s. The pink trumpet trees, were thus here to stay, to elevate the beauty of the Garden city and give Bengalureans, A Shillong-like cherry blossom experience.
Where To Find Bengaluru’s Version Of Cherry Blossom Trees?
The pink trumpet trees, or the Tabebuia avellanedae, are originally introduced by Britishers to their colonies to make it a stylised botanical aesthetic and planted these trees in the parts of Bangalore to remind them of their spring back home to quell their homesickness.
To witness Bengaluru’s version of cherry blossom trees, head to the city’s iconic Cubbon Park. You can cycle, take a long stroll and spend a good few hours, basking in the warmth and sitting in the shade of the glorious pink trumpet trees. Silk Board junction, otherwise known for its tiresome traffic, this season is all about the bright pink trees, adorning the paths.