The Serenity Trust- Nature’s abode in Ahmedabad
The Serenity Trust – Library and Botanical Garden
You rise from Earth and you subside in Earth. Earth takes care of our existence till we breathe and then we have to give back all we took from her. Mother Earth takes care of us without thinking of itself a bit and that’s a reason it is called Mother. Here amidst this chaos and hustle-bustle exists one serene place that is hidden and is no less than a gem. Based in Ahmedabad lies a place that is heaven in the true sense. I came across this place and I couldn’t agree less. Lying across massive 10-acre land this is a huge property that praises nature in its true sense. Owned by Mr Firdaus Cambatta and Mrs Yasmin Cambatta this place in Koteshwar are nature’s abode and heaven for phytophiles.
Think of a tree and it exists there. Around nine hundred species of plants and trees will leave you in awe and innumerable species of animals that feel safe from the predators like a human. At the point, you enter you are warned to not ruin the peace of nature by chit-chatting loudly and disturbing the creatures that feel home abode. We are not the king and we simply co-exist along with other creatures who have equal rights on the land we think is ours forever.
There are around 840 species of trees and plants, 120 species of birds that rule the land and can you simply guess, how many species of butterflies? Huge 57 species! That’s amazing. You can even find monitor lizards, turtles, hares, porcupines, hedgehogs, boars, nilgai, reptiles and insects. It is a blessing in disguise for botany students and those who love nature. Also, for nature photographers, this is a place that offers amazing shots! So, if you are a photographer who captures moments of animals and nature, this is the place!
Nature’s Umbrella
We started with our nature educator Mr Narendra Bankola who is also known as a ‘Nature man’. The way he explains the species and the knowledge he shares, one might feel he is one amongst them. Right from water lilies to periwinkles, mickey mouse flower tree to tree that offers perfumes, you name it and you find it. If you are amongst nature, I am sure you need not find anything elsewhere. We too were explained about the species of spider and the type of web it creates. To date, I didn’t know they created any type of net apart from a haveli in some horror movie. I enjoyed the site trust me, because of the knowledge that was pouring in.
There is a herbal garden that spreads and creates amazing tuning with nature. Also, an artificial pond is created that attracts various species of ducks and various other birds. We came across some plants that might have grown in anyone’s garden and we might have uprooted thinking it to be a weed, but it had a medicinal purpose. I was not only amazed but stunned. Every plant and tree are labelled with minute details. You will even come across Nagalinga flower or Shivlinga as it said that has natural Shivalinga in the flower. Nests, honeycombs, webs, and various other natural habitats are so beautifully weaved by each creature.
Covering the entire place in a single shot takes more than three hours if want to have true knowledge of the land. I took at least one thousand pics and still wasn’t satisfied; such was the aura of the place. A library that has books and seeds that you can check on. Peacocks roam with ease and you might be lucky enough to spot the snake. Sound of nature and light that is no less than heaven mixes at this place to create an aura that makes you feel you are not on Earth. Heaven might be this.
What does it offer:
Nature offers you everything but to keep things less complicated, things are organized in a much better way.
There are ample activities that take place. Some of those are:
- Nature trails
- Photo-walks
- Nature art and craft
- Screening of documentary films
- Teachers training programmes
- Over-night camps
This place is beautifully maintained by the Bankola family and you can not admire it less. Also, I was amazed at the compost pits that were created at intervals which meant that tresses of nature go back to nature in the form of manure. Recreation and also rainwater is harvested by creating a slope and the water goes back into the ground with the help of pipes. It was worth admiring. Solar panels that stood proudly speaking about the usage of natural things that were made at the Serenity Trust.
Visit this place and you will be left speechless.
We started our tour at 2 PM and ended at 6 PM but still, I wanted more. You can book your slots by calling them. 10 people are allowed to look at the current situation of Corona. You will be amidst nature so you must take due care yourself. Shoes and full sleeves are compulsory to avoid mosquito bites. You can carry your food and water which you can relish at the given time in the massive cafeteria. Around ten to fifteen thousand people visit yearly to relish the place. Also, school tours are organized wherein knowledge about co-existence, sustainability and nature are given in detail. Documentaries are shown right at the start which makes the tour of the serenity trust more interesting.
And guess what? You can enjoy the best Chula Cha which is prepared by none other than Jasmaben. She is down to Earth and the majestic lady that welcomes visitors like her own family. I relished tea and trust me, the tea I had I never had it elsewhere in my Entire Life. You might end up visiting this place again for her tea too! The amount of herbs she dips in makes you feel more grounded and relaxed. The Serenity Trust Library and Botanical Garden is a place that you must visit to check on the nature that exists amidst a chaotic life.
Right from a flower that looks like Shivlinga, to a flower that is known as a Mickey Mouse flower and the fruit that oozes blood colour, you will find it all here. Aquatic life booms on a different level and butterflies create an atmosphere that cannot be forgotten. If you are a nature lover, it is
Details of the place:
The Serenity Trust
Library and Botanical Garden
Koteshwar
t
Phone No: +91 8866253214
Contact person: Mr. Narendra Bankola
I am also attaching the flyer for more details.
You can check on other such amazing places of Ahmedabad by clicking here
Also, check on my gallery of Instagram to get a glimpse of pictures.
Also, you can get a glimpse of the video here: https://youtu.be/uyWT-ekaV3
Check on their website for more details.
http://theserenitylibrary.com/
This post is a part of #myfriendalexa
40 Comments
Monidipa
I had lived in Ahmedabad for almost 3 years and now I feel like what was I doing, I haven’t visited so many places there. This place I haven’t even heard the name. The place looks serene, and if I ever get a chance to go there again. I’ll visit the places I have missed out.
Sandy N Vyjay
This seems to be the perfect place to lose oneself in the arms of nature. Makes for a lovely experience, I am sure. The collection of exotic flowers and plants is really amazing. Sandy N Vyjay
Aishwarya Iyengar
This place seems to be very soothing and relaxing. I’ve been yo Ahmedabad once but never been to this place. Will surely gonna visit once.
Jenifer
Really heaven on earth. I love nature & hence this is my kind of place.
You have captured amazing shots. Would love to visit here.
Harshita Nanda
This place seems like such a heaven. I would love to visit it if I ever go to Ahmedabad again
Rakhi Parsai
Wow, this place looks so serene indeed just like its name The Serenity Trust. Loved the nature and the beauty it offers for we city dwellers. I am sure a visit to this place will open our mind and fill it with freshness.
Cindy Dsilva
Bankola family has to be appreciated for such a good maintained place. Some of the parks in India are so badly kept that I dislike going there again. Wish I could also maintain a park like this somewhere in India.
Jhilmil D Saha
I missed this place during my last visit to Ahmedabad. But I am surely going there next time.
Sivaranjini
That is a wonderful post from butterflies to herbal garden is just more than awesome. Pictures add one more feather.
Anonymous
I have been to Ahmedabad thrice. But surprisingly have missed this piece. Must be there in my next visit.
Rahul Prabhakar
Your travel exploits are commendable; your posts always do justice to the place visited. On my next visit to Ahmedabad, even I’d love to visit this nature’s abode to explore nine hundred species of plants and trees. I don’t think there is any other place in our country that has so much flora.
Raksha
Oh my God this is so beautiful. I would love to visit this place. I have been to Ahmedabad before but did not know about this place. I love nature and the places where I can spend a lot of time in the nature. Thanks for this, adding to my list.
Gurjeet Chhabra
I am so mesmerizing with nature beautiful. Flowers ,trees are so beautiful and unique name Mickey mouse flower love to see them. Even my hubby loves plants and find of gardening. Love to visit place.
Tina Basu
As a city girl, I love to visit botanical gardens and places that offer greens and flowers and plants. It’s alway great to visit these places and be close to nature.
Abha Mondal
Sounds like a beautiful place to visit. This place is a real bliss for any nature lover. I would love to have Chula chai whenever we visit this place.
Richa
Wow this place looking really serene and amazing would love to visit someday and compost pits idea is so great 👍 thanks for sharing the details 😊
MeenalSonal Mathur
The place close to nature has so much to essay and when the guide is filled with knowledge then the tour becomes even more rich in experience. Good to know so much through your post.
Amritha Srinath
Wow, this place is absolutely a dream! Me and my mom love plants and often like to go to nature park. I am sharing this post with her. Once the pandemic is over, I will visit this place for sure.
Hansa Kajaria
I think I need to plan a trip to Gujarat and Ahmedabad soon as I see some really wonderful places on your blog. This place too is a beautiful reat for nature lovers.
Ritu Bindra
Another excellent post to help re-discover Gujarat. This place seems to be a nature lover’s delight. Bookmarking the post for the next time I get a chance to visit Ahmedabad. Thanks for sharing.
Anuradha Sowmyanarayanan
Nature at its best. Really “Heaven in the city”
Hansa K. Kajaria
This place is simply wow. would love to visit it.
Gurjeet Chhabra
This place look so beautiful. blessing of nature lies here. I will surely going to visit with kids.
Paresh Godhwani
I live near by airport and visit kotrshwar as I play cricket in that area but have no idea about this place. I will find it and plan a visit with my family.
SWETA
Worth a visit!
Harjeet Kaur
Heaven on earth! Yes…such places of green in the concrete jungle are oxygen bars. I too had just written about the KBR Park in Hyderabad. I hope many people in Ahmedabad read your post and visit it. Most people are unaware of such places.
The Siriusgram
Wow! Thanks for writing about this and I love the photos you posted! Wonderful.
Manali Desai
OMG! this place seems like a haven of nature in the urban jungle
Anonymous
Ahmedabad is not just a heritage city but had so much to offer when it comes to nature. I go every year once but didn’t know so much is store in this city to explore. Thanks for sharing.
Neerja
Ahmedabad places always amaze me. Such a serene, green space in the concrete jungle of the city? I am also based in Ahmedabad, let us meet after the COVID . 🙂
SWETA
That would be great!
Archana Srivastava
I have heard about this heaven place of Ahmedabad with my sis many times but couldn’t able to visit it there. These captures took me to an amazing virtual visit of serene beauty.
Sonali Baidya
Great post.snd thus place looks amazing.
Matheikal
That’s a nice place indeed.
Pratibha
This seems like such a beautiful place to just unwind in the midst of nature.
Aditya
This truly is the heaven on hearth,,,
Tina Sequeira
This seems like a great place to visit. So tempted to visit this place with my family. Thanks for sharing about this place. #MyFriendAlexa #TinasPicks
MeenalSonal
Visiting a place that is close to nature really fills heart with pleasantness, good to see all the images in the post and feel closer to environment.
Ginia
This sounds like a heavenly place. I just returned from Gujarat after a 10 day long work related trip. I wish I had read this post before. Next time I will surely vist this natural heaven.
Leha
Wow, such a detailed review. Looks like a gorgeous place to visit