The famous 128th Flower Show began at the Government Botanical Garden in Ooty on Monday with grand floral decorations created using nearly seven lakh flowers to attract tourists from across the country and abroad.
The flower show, organised as part of the annual summer festival in the Nilgiris district, will continue till May 28.
This year, the duration of the exhibition has been extended from the usual five days to 11 days.
Around 10 lakh flower seedlings and nearly 50,000 flower pots have been arranged across the Botanical Garden. More than 275 varieties of flower plants and ornamental species, including Geranium, Cyclamen, Balsam, Oriental Lily, Pansy, Marigold and Zinnia, have been cultivated using imported seeds and plants sourced from different countries.
A major attraction of this year’s exhibition is a grand floral replica of Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station created using more than one lakh carnations and other flowers.
The exhibition also features floral models of the Ooty Mountain Railway engine, Shore Temple, the Thiruvarur temple chariot and traditional Tamil cultural themes representing the five landscapes of Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, Neythal and Palai.
The Glass House and Cactus House at the Botanical Garden have been renovated and decorated with rare plant species and flowering plants.
The entire garden has also been illuminated with colourful lights and decorative arrangements for visitors.
Special halls have been set up for cultural and artistic performances during the exhibition period. A local holiday was declared in the Nilgiris district on Monday in view of the flower show celebrations.
Around 200 police personnel have been deployed for security arrangements, while special and circular bus services are being operated for the convenience of tourists visiting the hill station.
