Landscaping of Hindu Religious Places
Traditionally Hindu tepmples were located either on hills or forests or river banks.In
ancient times, the temples were constructed in such locations faraway from human habitations
for providing a calm, peaceful and pleasant environment and also for ensuring a close bond
between man and nature.Hindu temples are generally associated with trees such as Ficus
benghalensis, Ficus Religiosa, Aegle marmelos,Azardirachta indica, Temple tree, Bauhinia spp,
etc, Herbs such as Vinca rosea, Nerium spp etc.The gigantic trees like ficus spp and some
other trees are closely associated with temples since time immemorial.The mixed fragrance, the
flowers and the leaf litter on the ground gives a pleasent experience to a pilgrim or tourist.
But contemperoray gardeners and landscapists fail to appreciate this aspect while
attempting gardening at these places, which have become tourist and mass pilgrimage centers in
modern times.Most contemporary gardeners design symmetric gardening with huge lawns and tiled
floor sorrounding the tree bases.The representation of trees is very poor in comparision to
the lawns and plants.Assymmetry should be the rule while designing landscaping near
these temples.The asymmetric garden should have abundant representation of Tree species such
as Ficus, Neem, Wood apple,Alexandrian laurel, Jack Fruit, Mango atc spread in a random
manner.
The most depressing aspect of modern temples - they do not have space for
gardening at all, leaving such, whereever there is enough space for gardening, care should be
taken not to tile or concrete the entire floor touching the tree bases! scientifically too the
tree base should have enough soil sorrounding it either to water or manure and for
aeration.Apart from these the soil sorrounding or that beneath a tree has its own microclimate
that supports particular flora and fauna.Let only the footpath be tiled while keeping the
floor untiled to the maximum extent possible.
Small patches of herbs like Ocimum, Vinca,
Jasmine can be grown for the daily usage of pilgrims needs for praying to the god.Another
beautiful attraction to the temple garden can be artificially created pool for growing
nelumbium spp which is considered the flower associated with gods.Lawn grass be
selected such that the grass species be tolerant to tree shade,and avoid designing open lawns
with few plants..try to intersperse the lawn with trees randomly planted in between.The
asymmetric style and a large representation of trees is ecologically significant as these
support and house numerous birds and other organisms.Birds like parrots, cuckoos, woodpecker
and occassional monkeys, squirrels all add to a natural feeling and oneness with nature.
