At the
Tanglin Gate meeting point we were received by our walk co-ordinator, Sri
Ramanathan.
The
Silver gate at the entrance with a leaf motif is very eye catching. The
Singapore Botanic Garden is the only botanic garden in the world that opens
from 5 am to midnight every single day of the year, and does not charge an
admission fee. It is a heavenly symphony of Lakes, Ginger Garden, Orchid
Garden, Evolution Garden, Tropical rain forest and many more attractions.
The Walk
started with Sri Ramanathan and Sri Ramachandran guiding us in very
invigorating warm up exercises. Our walk then moved from mere physical activity
into a spiritual plane with a gratitude towards that Impersonal Brahman’s love
who has weaved Himself into such divine
beauty, with just a splash of Green in various forms to form the Elixir of our
Life, making us forget that “HE IS THE SEER AND THE SEEN”!
We
enjoyed watching many groups of people doing a variety of exercises, like our ancient
seers who also preferred such sylvan surrounding to compose many Vedic
scriptures. It was a mixed feeling to see the 80-year-old Talipot Palm (Corypha
umbraculifera) that has reached the end of its life. This species of plant has
been programmed by nature to live for approximately 30 to 80 years without
producing any flowers. Upon reaching the brink of its end, the plant, after
conserving much food and energy over its lifespan, has begun to produce immense
floral candelabra of an estimated 24 million flowers in tiny clusters. The end
is just the beginning for this Talipot Palm!
At the
Host’s residence we had a wonderful experience in the beautiful music rendered
by dear Patralekha in their very pleasant home, with a delicious gastronomical
spread.
Our wholehearted
thanks to Sri Dipayan, Patralekha and Antara.
- Jayalakshmi
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