Bangalore:
How often do we see lights jumping and dancing in glee? Different colours keeping beat to the music is a soothing sight to sore eyes that deal with traffic and pollution day after day in the city.
The occasion was a trial run of a musical fountain installed in JP Park, located at Jalahalli and Mathikere Junction in Bangalore.
The musical fountain is constructed by the Bangalore Development Authority and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike with the agencies giving Rs 3 crore and Rs 1 crore respectively to the project.
The fountain measures 45*12 sq mt and the water rises up to 18 metres in the air in synchronisation with the music that is controlled by the computer. It is programmed to produce 126 variations in the fountain.
"A similar type of fountain is not found anywhere in the state. It can however be found in Singapore," claims a technician assigned to manage the fountain.
The park is spread over 85 acres and consists of several green belts and green landscapes with emphasis on bio-diversity.
Proving it with numbers, the officials explain that the park hosts more than 20,000 types of plant species, more than 60,000 types of flowering plants and shrubs, and over 5,000 medicinal plants.
The various sections are given names such as Navagrahavana, Rishivana, Nakshatravana, Talevana among others. The design of the park accommodates needs such as space for cultural activities.
This includes a 1,000- seat capacity amphitheatre. "The idea is that this space will see events such as Janapada geete, dances and theatre performances," say officials.
A 4.5 km jogging track lined with bamboos among other trees, a playground dedicated for women and children, concrete animals placed around the ground, a large swimming pool and parking facility for 200 cars and 400 bikes are among other facilities built in the park.
"We even have a wheel-chair for the use of physically challenged people. If the demand arises, we will get more in the future," says Ramakrishna Raju, president of J P Park Welfare Association.
The swimming pool is currently being tested for public use.
It will be open for public for a fee but only after the inauguration ceremony of the fountain at J P Park, he adds.
Mayor Shardamma, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner M K Shankaralinge Gowda, Deputy Mayor S Harish, Ruling party leader B R Nanjundappa and Chairman of Standing Committee for Major Works J H Ramachandra inspected the trial run and announced that the musical fountain was likely to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda.
When questioned about the likely date of inauguration, officials said that it was likely to be during December end or by the first week of January.