Udyan Utsav kicks off at Rashtrapati Nilayam: Explore floral displays, buy eco-friendly products

Hyderabad: One of the first cultural events in the city, the Udyan Utsav promises Hyderabadis a journey into a magical world of well-planned gardens, vibrant floral displays, eco-friendly products, Indigenous plant nurseries, unique GI-tagged exhibits and horticulture stalls till January 13.

Recently, president Droupadi Murmu announced the festival during her winter sojourn in Hyderabad. This is the first time an agri-horticultural show has been organised at the Rashtrapati Nilayam.

Taking inspiration from the annual Amrit Udyan event at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the colourful event will be held at Rashtrapati Nilayam in Bolarum, Secunderabad. It will be open to the public from January 2 to 13 from 10 am to 8 pm and entry is free.

What is the process of visiting Udyan Utsav?

One can book a slot online and scan the QR code to join the festivities or book on the spot at the registration centre at the entrance. There is ample parking space and buggies to take people around.

Learning farming techniques at workshops. Udyan Utsav celebrates the beauty of nature while promoting sustainable horticulture practices and environmental awareness.

It is being organised by the Union Agriculture Ministry with support from the Ministry of Culture. The festival’s focus is on the importance of biodiversity and the role of horticulture in maintaining ecological balance.

It will feature 50 stalls displaying products and innovations related to gardening, organic fertilisers, composting tools, floral crafts and sustainable agriculture.

Daily workshops from 11 am to 1 pm will focus on sustainable gardening and urban farming techniques. Folk and tribal performances are scheduled from 4 pm to 8 pm on weekdays and 12 pm to 8 pm on weekends. Performances include the Shankh Vadan dance of Odisha, Divari dance of Madhya Pradesh and Akhara martial arts displays.

Visitors from across Telangana

The first day of the festival witnessed hundreds of school children and their teachers, farmers from far-off places, visitors from the city, and even tribal communities including the Lambadis in their brightly coloured festive clothes, all making a beeline to witness the event.

Food courts with tasty treats

The food court at the festival had several stalls. The tea and snack run by differently-abled persons received much appreciation. Other stalls served Telangana dishes like Pullihora and Gongura Rice.

Floral displays at every step

Elephants and peacocks made of orchids were among the many attractions. The garden was bursting with colourful displays of petunias, salvias, chrysanthemums, poinsettias, violas and pansies. People lined up at the vertical garden to take pretty selfies.

A chance to tour Rashtrapati Nilayam

Many also took the opportunity to admire the vast 90-acre grounds of the Rashtrapati Nilayam with its exotic trees, herbal and rock gardens and mini waterfalls. There is also a gigantic well with a long slope that bullocks could walk up to; a Persian wheel and orchards of mango, pomegranate, chickoo and custard apple trees. Many took the time to rest on the many benches in the shade of old banyan trees.

Horticultural stalls to take nature home

There were several shops displaying drip irrigation material and farm products, seeds, floral plants and succulents, orchid arrangements, hydroponic herbs and plants, vegetable seedlings, natural dyes, cold pressed oils, organic spices, vegetables and fruit and varieties of groundnuts and millets.

The Udyan Utsav was very well organised, including amenities such as a help desk, a large medical room and a police control room at the entrance. Aruna Vedula, one of the first visitors said, “This was a really great way to spend my day here.”