Chittranjan Garden

Next door to the place we're staying at in Pune is a sanctuary -- a public park. It's not overly large, but parks are scarce in this city, so it is loved by people and birds alike.

At dusk and dawn, hundreds of crows call as they wake up or come home to roost. Hawks, kingfishers, finches, and birds from the magpie family also share the vast canopy and add their voices to the bird chorus. There is a playground for kids and lots of sitting area for the adults. In the morning you can see men and women -- some in sweats, some in saris -- walking or jogging briskly on the park's maze of pathways.

Giant tropical trees shade the grounds from the intense sun and add some much-needed oxygen into the air. In the middle of the park, you can finally find some quiet space, away from the incessant honking on the road.

We're very thankful for the garden :)