On Monday morning, the campus of Govt Higher Primary School Nallur in Karkala, Udupi district, took on an unusual focus. At the heart of the school, a half‑acre herbal garden became the centre of a special Vana Puja, where plants — not people — were placed at the centre of attention.
The puja was held at the school's ‘Dhanwantari Arogya Vana', turning the space into a celebration of nature and traditional knowledge. Students who had planted and nurtured the saplings moved from plant to plant, performing Arati and ceremonially draping shawls and flowers around them, symbolically honouring nature for sustaining life.
Created during the Covid‑19 pandemic in 2021, the herbal garden now has more than 140 species of medicinal plants. Each plant is tagged with its botanical name, common name and medicinal uses, converting the garden into a living laboratory for students.
Nagesh, former headmaster of the school who was recently transferred as senior headmaster of Karnataka Public School Hosmar, played a key role in developing the project. He told TOI that the programme was organised as part of ‘Habbotsava' with the support of school development and monitoring committee (SDMC). "The idea was to instil respect for medicinal plants and biodiversity among children. Every plant here has grown well. We have even arranged seating spaces inside the garden so students can sit, observe and learn amidst nature," Nagesh said.
The event was organised under the leadership of Satish Shetty, president, Shikshana Premi Shatamanotsava Samithi, with Vedamurthy Nagananda Vasudeva Acharya and RFO Kiran attending as guests. Organisers said the school may be among the few govt schools in the state to maintain such an extensive and well‑preserved herbal garden, featuring trees such as Kadamba, Rudraksha, Nilgiri and Bilvapatra.
Teachers, parents, SDMC members, local representatives, doctors and donors have contributed to the project, making it a community‑driven initiative. The school has also earned recognition for innovative educational practices, including a Parashurama Kuteera — an open learning space beyond classroom walls — a ‘water bell' initiative to encourage hydration, and a symbolic wedding ceremony of an Ashwatha tree and a Neem tree.
About the Author
Deepthi Sanjiv, Deputy Chief of Bureau at TOI, Mangaluru, writes on crime, environment, health, politics, education, civic issues, art & culture and human interest stories.
