The road to towering magnificence is bedecked in thorns and adorned with butterflies.
– Yours truly
I really must meet Ms Yours Truly sometime. She seems quite intellectual.
hehe….
Let’s begin with a bit of reminiscing about India.
India is a country that is a mosaic of all cultures. We are are a nation of twenty nine states and no two states are the same in customs, language, cuisine, festivals, culture and even the way of life. When one thinks of this scenario, it is but natural to wonder how we function as a country with so much diversity. I have often heard people talk about what unites India as a country and I would say that it is simply the feeling of being Indian. No matter how much we differ in our cultures, as an Indian, I know that I will feel at home in every state because our hearts beat for the country.
This unity in diversity didn’t simply come overnight. After we attained freedom from British rule, the country was in turmoil and it is because of some rather unsung human effort that the country stands firmly united amidst all the diversity in cultures. The person behind the said effort was a man named Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose work had been silent but he is the reason for uniting the country, not by force but simply by acting on his vision.
In order to remember Sardar Patel and honour his work, India is now home to the world’s tallest statue, named the Statue of Unity, depicting Sardar Patel as a tall leader looking over the country growing under his gaze.
The Statue of Unity is built in a place called Ekta Nagar, literally meaning Land of Unity, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The town is a beautiful place, nestled amidst a range of hills and growing on the banks of the river Narmada so it has been made into a travellers’ haven with its natural wilderness forming a part of many gardens and nature adventure spots and its local friendliness forming interactive tourist spots for families such as zoos, pet centres and trail parks.
In my series, dedicated to the Statue of Unity and Ekta Nagar, Imma take ye lot on a trail, starting with a beautiful cactus garden and finishing at the statue itself.
Let’s hit the trail running.
The state of Gujarat has a scrub-like vegetation due to its proximity to the the arid, desert state of Rajasthan. No desert is complete without its succulents so Ekta Nagar has dedicated one of the most beautiful gardens that I’ve seen to the humble cactus.
This diva is in the spotlight, right at the entrance of the garden. I love the svelte manner of this cactus and also how the smaller cactuses are arranged to give it a vibe of a glam singer and her accompaniment dancers.
Her name is Prickana. Make some noise.
hehe.
The reason why a cactus cannot be hurt by rude humans is that if you call a cactus a nasty prick, it takes the phrase as a compliment.
hehe.
It was nice to see a prickly pear outside of animated movies although, the structure of the succulent does give it a very Disney look.
The cactus garden at Ekta Nagar has two parts, an outdoor garden and a green house. Stepping into the greenhouse felt like stepping into Herbology class in Harry Potter because the collection is magnificent and I love how the whole thing is so well maintained. This picture is a regular cactus at the entrance of the greenhouse.
It is only the beginning to the the fashion parade that begins in 3….2….1….
Drumroll!!!!
Lady in Red,
Killer queen,
The enchantress of the needle prick scene.
hehe….
She strikes a cord in scarlet and yellow.
Beware, her aura is far from mellow.
A single prick is all it takes,
For the best of us to turn to Jell-o.
(please do not impale the blogger)
hehe….
Her sentinels might be ornamental,
Her fuzzy facade, so cosy and gentle.
Keep a distance as your eyes do feast,
Beneath the fuzz, slumbers the beast.
Applause, applause.
hehe.
A cooling green,
The centre of envy,
Her branches are clubs,
A weapon of war.
She needs support,
Do not be fooled
She’s reaching out
To touch the stars.
This cactus reminded me of lettuce….I love lettuce.
Caterpillar Cove,
We would never hurt a fly.
You think we’re cuddly?
We would like to see you try.
Ok, but don’t these fuzzballs look adorable? I mean, look at the big one at the back, it’s got little googly eyes.
If there wasn’t a barrier, I would probably be in the ER because I tried to hug a cactus to get over my emotional turmoil.
hehe….
The Cactus Octopus
Never made a fuss.
She has a moral compass,
She never misses the bus.
Be like the Cactus Octopus,
Anything else is simply sus.
Eyeroll incoming….
hehe.
Pink is always a good idea,
But don’t be fooled by its bling.
The baby eyes are a facade,
Beware of its lethal sting.
This is a Barbie Cactus.
I may look like Mickey Mouse,
Beware while entering my clubhouse,
If you don’t follow my simple rules,
I have my mystery mouskatools.
The disclaimer on this blog applies for each picture.
Cactuses are for ornamental purposes, please do not attack the blogger with a stray opuntia.
hehe.
When you see a leaf on a leaf,
That is where your sanity leaves.
Because a leaf on a leaf was once,
Another leaf on a leaf.
This blogger’s sense of humour has taken its leave.
hehe….
Bryophyllum, ladies and gentlemen, straight out of the botany textbook.
A leaf on a thorn,
Is a fashion statement.
The diva is an artist,
Don’t call her shy.
She may be pink at the tips,
But she’s a monster when she scorns.
This cactus has a very 2D figure. It reminds me of the singing plants in Alice in Wonderland.
I am a succulent,
Don’t call me an urchin,
One prick on my spindles,
Will send you lurchin’.
hehe….
This plant is like a cycas and they look so intimidating. I love how a plant can make so much of an impact while simply photosynthesising.
I think plants have a lot to teach us. Be silent, be stoic and simply let the sunshine in.
And that is a wrap.
Until Next Time,
