Homes in Dharan Sub-metro beautified with flowers

By Nisha Rai,Dharan, Mar. 15: Most houses in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City are adorned with blooming flowers, enhancing the beauty of the city.

Known as the beautiful city of the east, Dharan has gained further charm with the flower gardens in every household. The front yards of homes are filled with colourful flowers, making Dharan recognised as the ‘city of flowers.’

Although kitchen gardens are uncommon in Dharan, flower gardens are found in abundance. There are hardly any house without flowers or plants. From squatter settlements to neighbourhoods of retired soldiers, flower planting is a common sight. In some places, the land used for flower gardens exceeds the land occupied by houses, further enhancing the city’s beauty.

Krishna Kumari Limbu, who has been residing in Dharan-10 since 1989, has beautiful garden in front of her house with blooming flowers such as Lalupate, Begonia, and Petunia. Her garden boasts of a variety of flowers, decorating not only the entrance but also the interior of her home and even the rooftop. She mentioned that she developed a love for flowers after seeing them frequently while living with her husband in the military. 

She recalled that the then Dharan Municipality used to organise flower garden competitions in the past. “In 2005, when Dharan Municipality held a garden competition, I won the first place,” she said.

Similarly, Elina Rai, a local of Dharan-12, is also passionate about flowers and has decorated her house and surroundings with a variety of blooms. 

She has adorned not just her yard but also the interiors of her house. She said that flowers bring peace and joy to the mind, which is why she has been planting them since childhood. According to her, looking at flowers fosters positive thinking and provides a sense of relaxation.

Many locals of Dharan have a keen interest in gardening and plant various types of flowers to beautify their homes. Roses, marigolds, jasmines, and orchids are among the most commonly seen flowers in the gardens.

Although Dharan was once known as the city of retired soldiers, many have now migrated abroad. However, the culture of maintaining flower gardens, which they established, still remains, keeping the city as beautiful as ever. Locals of Dharan leave ample space in front of their house for gardening and plant flowers as part of their lifestyle.

Since the election of Mayor Harka Raj Rai, the trend of planting flowers in Dharan has grown even more. Flower-planting campaigns have been launched along roadsides and riverbanks. 

Through his voluntary labour campaign, flowers and plants, including marigolds, have been planted on riverbanks, hillsides, and along major roads such as the Dharan-Tarahara and Dharan-Bhedetar road sections, attracting domestic tourists.

Additionally, with the investment of the sub-metropolitan office, flower pots have been placed on the iron railings along the main road from Bhanu Chowk to Chhata Chowk. This initiative has further enhanced the beauty of Dharan. The cleanliness, greenery, and widespread home gardens have made Dharan an attractive destination for tourists.

Some individuals, who initially took up flower planting as a hobby, have now turned it into a profitable business. 

Yumenhang Rai, a young local of Dharan-20, has been fond of flowers since childhood and started collecting and planting them. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he established Everest Nursery and has been operating it commercially ever since.