Saddi Dilli’s Buddha Garden ;-)….

If you are a Dilli Walla, I can imagine that naughty grin on your face. And for the benefit of the non Delhiites, Buddha Garden or the Buddha Jayanti Park (BJP) as its creators named it, is situated on the Ridge Road near Dhaula Kuan near South-West Dilli. It was built in the commemoration of 2500th anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha’s attainment of nirvana.

The picturesque garden boasts of paved pathways, lush landscaped lawns, blossoming flowers, streams, sloping terrain and huge trees. One of the major attractions of the Buddha Garden is a sapling of the Bodhi Tree brought from Sri Lanka and planted here.

Many un-initiating ones know, and I am sure that probably none of the frequents here are aware that this sapling holds a great degree of significance for the Buddhist followers as it has been taken from the same Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. In 261 BC, Kunal, the son of Emperor Ashoka, took a sapling from that tree and planted it in Sri Lanka. This sapling is from that Sri Lankan tree only.

Buddha Garden is one of the most frequented picnic spots in the capital city. The park covers a large part of the ridge area of Dilli. Since the area is a little lonely, it is advisable for loners not to come here after dark, since it might only increase their loneliness as young couples who are mischievously trying to hide behind the buses can easily be spotted here at every nook and corner.

Apart from couples, the garden is also very popular among families who can be seen in fairly large numbers enjoying picnics and at times one can spot children from various schools either on official or official day outings. Programs and discussions are also organized in the Buddha Garden by Buddhist sects and organizations. Buddhism discourse classes are also held at the garden on regular basis. These discourses are very popular among the foreigners residing in the city. Children love to come to Buddha Garden because of the huge open space as well as the game facility although pets are not allowed.