Gulmohars of Krishna Rao Park, Bengaluru

2015 December last week a gathering at Lalbagh was suggested for Republic Day. I'd plans of visiting Bangalore, told my friends that I had good chance of being present. Third week of January my trip to Dharwad-Bangalore confirmed but I wasn't sure if I would make it on Jan 26th. However, with the progress of work at Dharwad confirmed my trip to Bangalore but it would a short stay, few hours at the most. I left Dharwad by 10 PM, reached mom's place by 4-30 AM; messaged Daniel asking him to pick me on the way; slept till -6-45; woke up and got ready by 7-05 and met up Daniel on Richmond Road. On the way I learned that our meetup venue wasn't Lalbagh because of the flower show. Instead we headed towards Basavangudi's Krishna Rao Park commonly known as KR Park.

It was ages since I stepped into this park. Probably my last visit was late 1980s but I would see some changes.. the foot path for morning/evening walkers. Our walk began at the main gate; I was awestruck at the Gulmohar trees' unusually long and winding branches. These trees seem like a different variety than the Gulmohar trees usually found.

tree next to main entrance

Here's another one, this is the King of Gulmohars here.

Couple of laps around the park, few more friends joined in. I was meeting Venugopal (blue) and Bhaskar (red) for the first time after quitting Holy Saint English School. I'd met Dinesh, Subbu and Daniel several times already..

Remains of a tree :( Its trunk and branches must have become too weak.. man's safety is more important.. at least the park authorities could planted a replacement or two right here.

This tree on the left; its base seems like a frog with a human head.

Call this a pregnant tree?

Daniel, Bhaskar and Dinesh walked around briskly, he was particular about keeping up his morning routine. Venu and I were slow, chatting and seeing trees. In the middle of the park is a building which is used for a sports club, it has a table tennis court inside. Close to it a old Mantapa. Someone in our group mentioned that the legendary singer SPB used to practice in that Manatapa.

Few rounds later, Prashant joined in. Shyam was the last one expected to join in; he would leave his apartment as soon as the flag hoisting function was done.

Yellow lobed leaves of a silk-cotton tree.. ready to fall off.

Done with our walks, we all headed towards Gandhi Bazar for breakfast. First we checked out Vidyarti Bhavan but it wasn't open. Prashant suggested Roti Ghar.. in fact it was the most convenient option. As usual, Prashant took control of our morning diets, loaded us heavily with all varieties of South Indian items and fresh Badam Halwa. The breakfast session was lively, our school day crushes and romantic adventures had to be part of our talks. Before the session ended, it was unanimously decided that Bhaskar would have to walk some more rounds K R Park to burn off the extra calories :)

Here's Subbu, Daniel and Dinesh posing with Daniel's Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

 ..and the entire group of the morning.

Shyam, Subbu, Daniel, Prashant, Venu, Dinesh and Bhaskar

This green meetup, like the previous ones at Lalbgh will be part of good memories :)

For my friends who missed our earlier meetups..

• Krishnae Ficus at Lal Bagh, Bengaluru
• Devil's Tree. Lal Bagh, Bengaluru

.........