Excursion to the Mughal Gardens, class 2.

The Mughal Gardens are a picturesque set of gardens in the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex. While a strong Islamic influence is visible in the Mughal style canals, terraces and fountains of these gardens, there is a distinct English presence too, emanating to the time it served as the residence of the Viceroy.

These gardens are spread over 13 acres and are divided into three sections, namely, the rectangular, long and circular gardens, also known as Pearl Garden, Butterfly Garden and Circular Garden. Each garden contains a variety of flowers, many of which are rare and now even extinct. Some common species include marigold, sweet william, viscaria, rose and bougainvillea. It is believed that the garden houses more than 25 varieties of roses, 13 types of marigolds and 60 types of bougainvillea! All these contribute to the spectacle that is the garden.

The Mughal Gardens are open to the public only during February and March when the flowers are in bloom. This, this year's excursion for the children of class 2 was arranged on 18th February, 2016. The children were enthralled to see such a vast variety of flowers together! They walked carefully along the flower beds appreciating the brilliant hues, and the striking formed blossoms, particularly those of the rose plants. The symmetrically placed pots were also a visual delight. They young visitor quickly related the different shapes and patterns in the arrangement with those they had learnt in their Math class. Another place of interest to the children was the herbal garden. As they wandered around the section they were pointed out the different species. Their faces lit up when they were shown the tulsi since they had studied about it in detail in their EVS class and several of them animatedly announced that here was a medicinal plant! It was amusing to hear them refer to herbs such as fenugreek, mint and coriander as leafy vegetables. Many of them even bent down to take a whiff of he distinctive aromas of each of these herbs. The musical fountains were another attraction for the children. They gazed fascinatedly as the water sprung in rhythm with the soft melody playing behind. It was altogether a very refreshing Spring morning in the lap of the seasonal abundance, as it were, for the children and in turn for us, their teachers. Ms. Priyanka Malhotra.