Ornamental Horticulture

Hindu type of gardens

‘Vanams’ in ancient period served the purpose of a garden and was synonymous with garden. Vanams were the natural gardens furnished by the mother earth for the humans and animals to dwell on and inhabit in. Such vanams were put to various uses by the various sections of the society. Vanavasam was part of the life of Vikramaditya, Rama and Pandavas. Great sages resided in vanams to attain spiritual bliss.

Rajavanam

It referred to an area of natural forest exclusively meant for kings to hunt wild animals. More than hunting, it was the time spent in hunting that is relaxing in real sense. Later on four kinds of Rajavanams came into existence as detailed below.
1. Promododyan: Private garden for king and queen exclusively. It was attached to the fort where the queen resided.
2. Udayan: A vanam where the kings passed their leisure time in playing chess, enjoying dance and listening to music.
3. Vriksha vatica: a vanam meant for ministers and courtiers where they made merry with courtesans.
4. Special gardens dedicated to god with water pools studded with lotuses and lilies.