Nakshatra Van

Nakshatra Van is a park created by the Jharkhand Forest Department in front of the Jharkhand Raj Bhawan (Governor's Residence) in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, a state of India. A nakshatra (Devanagari: नक्षत्र) or lunar mansion is one of the 27 or 28 divisions of the sky, identified by the prominent star(s) in them, that the Moon passes through during its monthly cycle, as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology. Each Nakshatra is associated with a Zodiac, which is related to celestial bodies and their movements in sky. Hindu Astrologers believe that each constellation of the zodiac is associated with a tree. Those trees are of medicinal, social, aesthetic or economic value.

Nakshatra Van, Ranchi boasts to be a park unique in its own ways. The park can be said to be divided in various sections. The park is centered around a circle, which is a representation of the various Nakshatras on the ground. The circle is divided in arcs precisely according to the angles, these zodiacs subtend on earth. Tree of a particular zodiac has been planted in its corresponding arc. At the center of this circle, there is a musical fountain which has a huge pot in which the water gets collected. The park has beautiful flowers planted all along the pathway, and has sprawling lawns as well. There is a section for Medicinal Plants in the park which has some of the rare medicinal plants. At the center of this section, a sleeping statue of Dhanvantari is placed. There are swings and other amusement toys for kids in the Children section. The architecture and greenery of the park is quite picturesque. There are various sculptures in the park, which has adequate sitting benches for its visitors. The entrance and security of the park is taken care of by the Jharkhand State Forest Development Corporation (JSFDC). The best time for visiting the park is in early evening, preferably around 6:30 PM, when the park has a splendid look under the lights.

History

The foundation stone for the park was laid by Sri L K Advani, Deputy Prime Minister of India in 2002. He planted a plant of Vikankat on that day to mark the starting of plantation in the park. The responsibility of the detailed planning and creation of the park was given to Social Forestry Division, Ranchi. The officers of the forest department visited a Zodiac Park in Bangalore to master the concept. Scientists from Indian Institute of Astro-Physics, Bangalore were also consulted in the planning process.. It took around two years to complete the construction of the various sections of the park. The park was thrown open to public after a colourful programme on the occasion of Van Mahotsav in 2004. The inauguration of the park was done by the Mr. M. Rama Jois, the Governor of Jharkhand and the function was attended by Sri Arjun Munda, Chief Minister Jharkhand, Sri Karia Munda, Union Minister for Coals and Mines; and the Forest Minister of Jharkhand and many other dignitaries.

The administration and management of the park was transferred by Forest Department, Jharkhand to the JSFDC in 2004.

Objective

Nakshatra Van was established with the purpose of creating a green pocket in the heart of the city, where families and children could spend some time relaxing amidst the trees, lawns and flowers. It was envisaged to make the park a unique meeting point of Man, Mythology, Science and Environment. The park provides valuable information about celestial bodies, zodiacs and medicinal plants through various sign-boards, which adds to the knowledge of the visitors.

Important Features

The most important feature of the park is the way trees have been planted in the park. At the center of the park, there is a big circle. The trees have been planted in straight lines in different sectors of this circle. Each sector of the circle represents a particular Zodiac sign. The angles of the sectors and their relative positioning is in accordance with the mythological belief of Hinduism and celestial data provided by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore. The tree planted in a particular sector for a particular Nakshatra is also according to the Hindu belief.

Main Attractions

The Main Attractions of the park are:-

• Central Musical Fountain
• Zodiac Trees planted in a circle
• Flower Garden
• Children Park
• Artificial Water Fall and Bridge
• Sleeping statue of Dhanvantri
• Medicinal Plants Garden
• Medicinal Plants Library
• Boating in Nakshatra Van water tank

Commissioning Crew

Creation of the Nakshatra Van was unique in many ways. It was not about just planting trees, which is the core business of the Forest Department. It was about linking trees to popular belief. It required a great amount of studies about celestial activities, planetary and solar movements and mythological believes, and a very considerate implementation. The people who were involved in the creation of the park can be categorised in the following categories:-

Vision:- Mr. M. Rama Jois, Hon. Governor, Jharkhand

Approval:-
1. Sri Babulal Marandi, Chief Minister, Jharkhand
2. Sri Arjun Munda, Chief Minister, Jharkhand
3. Sri A. K. Singh, IAS, Secretary, Forest and Environment, Jharkhand

Scientific Study and Planning:- Sri A. P. Chaudhary, IFS

Monitoring:-
1. Sri J. L. Srivastava, IFS, PCCF, Jharkhand
2. Sri C. R. Sahay, CCF, Development, Jharkhand
3. Sri B. R. Rallan, IFS, CF, Social Forestry Circle, Ranchi

Execution:-
1. Sri A. P. Chaudhary, IFS, DFO, Social Forestry Division, Ranchi
2. Mr. Prabhakar Jha, ACF, Social Forestry Division, Ranchi
3. Mr. Vishwanath Prasad, ROF, Social Forestry Range, Ranchi
4. Mr. Shekh Subhan Mir, ROF, Social Forestry Range, Khunti
5. Foresters, Forest Guards and other Field Staff

References

• CCF Development, Ranchi discusses establishment of Nakshatra Van