Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden - History, Timings & Entry Fee

Park

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Mysore Junction): 5 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour

Place Location: Next To Sukha Vana

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 5 km from Mysore Railway Station, Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden is a famous garden located in Mysore, Karnataka. Next to Sukha Vana, it is one of the popular places to visit as part of the Mysore - Coorg tour packages.

Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden was established in the year 1986 and is a part of the Avadhoota Datta Peetham founded by His Holiness Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji. The name Kishkinda is the name of the kingdom of monkeys from the epic Ramayana. This garden is well-known for its exquisite collection of more than 450 carefully shaped and miniaturized trees. The trees have been collected from various countries around the world, such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, America, the West Indies, and Singapore.

Spread over 4 acres, the garden consists of very valuable trees ranging in age from 1 year to 200 years. Sri Swamiji even uses some of the trees for medicinal purposes. Some of the unique bonsai trees have also been grown using special Music for Meditation and Healing rendered by Sri Swamiji. The beauty of the garden is accentuated by the stream that flows within, as well as the placement of Buddha statues and monkey statues around the area, representative of the zen culture from where the art of Bonsai was evolved.

The garden has been divided into various zones, representing different Indian traditions and beliefs as followed by the Swamiji. The Rashi Vana Group consists of plants that have a connection with the Indian zodiac system. The Raga Vana comprises plants associated with Indian classical music, the Nakshatra Vana Group represents the 27 stars of traditional Indian astrology, and the Panchayatana Vana displays five plant gardens closely linked with the concept of the Mother Goddess while the Saptarishi Vana shows seven plants that are linked to the seven Indian sages.

The garden is indeed a delight to walk through, and one cannot help but appreciate the fine art and effort required to shape a 100-year-old tree within a lovely terracotta pot. Also, it is the venue for bonsai conventions held during December. These 3-day seminars see experts from different parts of the world conducting workshops on bonsai plants.

Timings: 9.30 AM - 12.30 PM & 3.30 PM to 5.30 PM, Closed on Wednesday

Entry: Rs. 25 for Adults & Free for Children