ಬನಗಿರಿಯ ಬನದಲ್ಲಿ

There are about eight BBMP parks within a radius of one kilometer from my

house in Padmanabha Nagar, Bengaluru. I keep visiting all of them now and

then but my favourite park is the “Banagiri BBMP park” located behind what

is popularly known as the ‘Devegowda petrol bunk’ and from whichever direction

I start my walk in the morning, I usually end up at Banagiri.

The parks vary a bit in size and shape but all of them have a similar layout,

and similar facilities. But this Banagiri park is at a height and provides an

unobstructed view for many kilometers on one side, and probably due to the

same reason it is quite breezy. The name ‘banagiri’ means a wooded hillock and

the park is on one of the slopes. ‘Development’ has taken its toll and the entire

hillock is now a ‘Concrete wood,’ but for two patches of green in the form of

two parks. 

The park is on two levels and the lower part is quite a steep slope. Apart from

the usual greenery, this slope contains a clear rocky part which is surrounded

by trees and is an ideal place to exercise, meditate, sing and chant or just sit

quietly if you so desire. At the time when I go there, usually around half past

five in the morning, there is hardly anyone else in the park and certainly none

on the lower level. Depending on my whim for the morning I may usually be

found indulging in one of the above activities there. The place is also inhabited,

apart from a few stray dogs, by a number of birds, bees and squirrels which are

early risers and they can be seen engaged in their day to day activities. I love

the early morning atmosphere there. 

I was sitting there this morning and I felt that the surroundings were

exceptionally appealing today. There was a strong cool breeze, the early

morning sky was blue with scattered white clouds, birds were chirping on

the trees nearby, squirrels were scurrying around in search of I don’t know

what, and I could see the bee buzzing around the flowers closeby. I enjoyed

my time thoroughly. I have said that in a somewhat poetic format,

in kannada, below. 

ಬೆಳಗಾಗುತ್ತಲೆ ಬನಗಿರಿಯ ಉದ್ಯಾನದೆಡೆ ಗಮನ    

ಹಚ್ಚ ಹಸಿರಿನ ವನ, ಮೇಲೆ ನೀಲಿಯ ಗಗನ 

ಹಸಿರುಗಿಡ ಸೊಗಯಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಬಿಳಿಯ ಹೂ ಮೈತುಂಬಿ  

ಮಧುವರಸುತ ಝೇಂಕರಿಸುತಿದೆ ಕರಿ ಬಣ್ಣದ ದುಂಬಿ 

ಮೇಲೆ ನೀಲಾಕಾಶದಲಿ ಬಿಳಿಹತ್ತಿಯ ಮೋಡ 

ಬಿಳಿ ಮೋಡದ ಅಡಿಹಾರುವ ಕರಿ ಹಕ್ಕಿಯ ನೋಡ !  

ಆಹಾರವ ಅರಸುತ್ತಲಿ ಸುಳಿಯುತ್ತದೆ ಅಳಿಲು 

ಎಡೆಬಿಡದೆಯೆ ಹತ್ತಿಳಿಯುತ ಆಲದಾ ಬಿಳಲು 

ಕಂಗೊಳಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಹೊಂಬಿಸಿಲಲಿ ಬನಗಿರಿಯ ಕಿರಿ ಕಾನು 

ತಂಗಾಳಿಯಲಿ ಕುಳಿತಿಲ್ಲಿ ಎನ್ನನೇ ಮರೆವೆ ನಾನು !