SHRAVANABELAGOLA: The replica of thousand pillar Jain Basadi of Moodabidri hogged the limelight at the flower show organised by the Horticulture Department on account of Mahamastakabhisheka here.
A group of 30 artistes led by Jagadish Toragal Matad has made the floral Jain Basadi.
Over 3,000 people are visiting the flower show daily and youths were found taking selfies in front of the attractive floral replicas. The Horticulture Department has spent R50 lakh to develop the flower garden sprawling on two acres.
A pair of elephants, octopus, starfish, dragon and musical instruments like guitar and tabla made of flowers are also attracting people. The artistes also made a statue of Bahubali using apples and millets. Vegetable carving and sand art creating awareness about Swachh Bharat are among the other attractions. Lavanya Tahsildar, the assistant horticulture officer and in-charge of the flower show, said over 4,000 people visit the flower show daily.
Taking exception to collecting R5 as entry fee, Siddanna of Chikkanayakanahalli said the government was spending crores of rupees for various schemes and programmes free of cost and collecting entry fee was not fair. Rame Gowda, a farmer from Kikkeri, opined farmers could participate and display local flowers, if they are informed earlier. A horticulture official said the department has fixed the entry fee to maintain the flower garden.