My plan B creating a paradise on earth

2. “Agar Firdaus bar rōy-e zamin ast, hamin ast,hamin ast, hamin ast.”
(If there is paradise on earth, it is this, it is this.)
The Mughal Emperor created beautiful Persian gardens and the
poet Amir Khushru called it A paradise on Earth.
His words are inscribed at the black pavilion of the Emperor's
Shalimar Bagh, Kashmir.
What made the Mughal emperor create so many gardens? What is
it about gardens that creates pleasure and poetry? Relaxation and
repose? Why does it evoke curiosity and wonder? Why the desire
to acquire the exotic and marvel how so small a seed gives a gift of
the exotic flower?
My plan B is to create again a garden that can be called a Paradise on
Earth. For me, gardens are mixed up with science, conservation, history,
art and poetry.

3. Gardens and the cultivation of plants have been around for thousands of years dating to around 3000 years ago in
ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The Romans were also keen gardeners and they were also aware of the medicinal
properties of plants. Monks soon identified the medicinal properties of plants and used flowers as a celebration of
God. This is also a practice in Hindu temples and shrines.

4. Garden design, and the Islamic garden tradition, began with creating the Paradise garden in Ancient Persia. It evolved over
the centuries.

5. The Italian Renaissance garden was a new style of garden which emerged in the late 15th century at villas in Rome and
Florence, inspired by classical ideals of order and beauty, and intended for the pleasure of the view , for contemplation, and
for the enjoyment of the sights, sounds and scents.

6. Buddhism is the world religion with the strongest connection to gardens. It originated in the foothills of the Himalayas
(c600 BC. Buddha spoke to his followers in the Deer Park of Isipatana (Sarnath) and groves of trees became an important
aspect of Buddhist sacred space. Gardening is the personification of Buddhism in action.

7. With the increase in maritime trade, ever more plants were being brought back to Europe as trophies from distant lands,
and these were triumphantly displayed in the public botanical gardens.

8. The cacao tree is native to the Americas. It may have originated in the foothills of the Andes in the Amazon and Orinoco
basins of South America, current day Colombia and Venezuela, where today, examples of wild cacao still can be found.
It was first cultivated by the Olmecs at least 1500 BC in Mexico

9. In Asia the asymmetrical traditions of planting design in Chinese gardens Japanese gardens originated in the Jin Dynasty
(265–420) of China. The Japanese rock garden, in the west often referred to as Zen garden, is a special kind of rock garden
which contains few plants

10. The African Savannah- the circle of life.

11. Gnomes bring good luck and prosperity and are centuries old. it’s time to a pause a bit and enter the magical world of the
little people.. The woodland fairies and gnomes transformed fairy gardens into a place of enchantment, mystery, and
discovery.

12. In Frank Lloyd Wright’s Autobiography, he includes a list of the “Fellowship Assets” that he outlined for architecture.
a) An eye to see nature,
b) A heart to feel nature
c) Courage to follow nature
d) The sense of proportion (humor)

13. My favourite gardens are pictures mellowed with time . I didn’t know then that gardens around
the world will inspire me so my photos are just that- a capture of a moment.

24. Inspired by some of my favourite gardens around the world I made 20 small gardens in clearings in the
forest in Greenwoods - a heritage house in Mahabaleshwar- a hill station near Mumbai. Do take time to
enjoy a virtual visit.
1. Introduction - The Musical Gardens of Greenwoods - http://youtu.be/nwOS68PHyO4
2. The Garden of the Vedas - http://youtu.be/s_4zl0CwmVw
3. The Tree house of Dreams- Squirrel House - http://youtu.be/s3qsJRrzliY
4. Saint Nicholas-and Santa Claus - http://youtu.be/M2zUtD4MJP8
5. The Garden of Amazing Grace- The Altar of the world - http://youtu.be/HmBRRfSE_4k
6. The Garden of the Buddha Blessings-An Open Temple - http://youtu.be/1EpWr1O5vUo
7. The Garden of the Desert –the Colours of Rajasthan - http://youtu.be/nBBFqffQruo
8. The African Freedom Garden- a Tribute to Nelson Mandela - http://youtu.be/b1bb50sGxFM
9. The Garden of Creation- the Deer garden - http://youtu.be/D6TH-rRFifY
10. The Garden of Promise- The Wishing Well - http://youtu.be/DUqq-BaiuqY
11. The Garden of Legends.- Arriba! The Cocoa Garden - http://youtu.be/PelwwvAyyPE
12. The Garden of Free Spirits- the Bird Garden - http://youtu.be/pxbuB3AXn-k
13. The Garden of Children- Lapland garden - http://youtu.be/_ZAr-VA-sns
14. Romeo and Juliet Garden - http://youtu.be/y4C54-XWDVU
15. The Garden of Eternity- the Water Wheel - http://youtu.be/x3fsIbyn6QE
16. The Fairy Garden- The Enchanted Woods Conservatory - http://youtu.be/c9XsoJGEfIY
17. The Garden of Butterflies - http://youtu.be/uPpSj-xUHfY
18. The Gulshan-e Ishq- Rose Garden - http://youtu.be/IfrZApjqnbU
19. The Maratha Horse Garden - Horse Garden - http://youtu.be/7q41atChyYk
20. The Musical Gardens of Greenwoods -Night Garden - http://youtu.be/udJ5JC83wCc