Pune: Undri Couple’s Rooftop Blooms with Exotic Water Lilies and Lotuses
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi and Priyanshu Banerjee
Undri, 29th August 2026: For Rajesh D. Bhavsar, gardening and nurturing plants have long been more than just a hobby. His passion for greenery, trees and cultivation extends from his farm near Bopdev Ghat, where he grows mango trees and other plants, to the rooftop of his residence at Sai Niwas Housing Society, Undri Chowk.
Today, that passion has taken a colourful form through a unique collection of Water Lilies and Lotuses, developed together with his wife, Vrishali R. Bhavsar. While Rajesh’s love for plants inspired the initiative, the couple now jointly cares for and maintains the flourishing aquatic garden.
The rooftop collection gives equal importance to both Water Lilies and Lotuses. The Water Lily collection includes varieties such as Gossip Girl, Daisy, Lavanya, Silent, Smile of Thailand, Chiffon, Mermaid, Ananporn, Kohinson, Yellow Korakat, Tropical Sunset, Likitfar, Twin Birds and Diva.
Their Lotus collection features Yellow Peony, White Peony, Blood Drop, Akhila, Thousand Petals, Laxmi, Shrusti, Kamani, D1 and Purple varieties.
For the Bhavsars, however, the garden is not merely about collecting rare flowers. It represents years of interest in nature and the joy of nurturing life.
Rajesh, who has always been interested in trees and farming, said his love for cultivation encouraged him to explore different varieties of aquatic flowering plants.
«“I have always had a hobby of growing trees and plants. At our farm near Bopdev Ghat, we have mango trees and several other plants. My interest in gardening eventually led me towards Water Lilies and Lotuses. These flowers are fascinating because every variety has its own colour, shape and character. Growing them and watching them bloom gives me immense happiness,” Rajesh D. Bhavsar said.»
Although the initiative began with Rajesh’s personal interest, Vrishali gradually became an important part of the journey.
«“Initially, I didn’t understand why he was so involved in this. But when I started seeing the beautiful Water Lilies and Lotuses bloom, I became interested too. I realised the amount of effort and care involved in growing them. Slowly, I started encouraging him and became a part of this journey,” Vrishali R. Bhavsar said.»
The couple now shares the responsibility of caring for the plants, making the rooftop garden a joint effort rather than simply an individual hobby.
The collection stands out for the equal attention given to Water Lilies and Lotuses. From colourful varieties such as Gossip Girl, Mermaid and Tropical Sunset to distinctive Lotuses including Yellow Peony, Blood Drop and Thousand Petals, the garden reflects the diversity of aquatic flowering plants.
What started with Rajesh Bhavsar’s lifelong fascination for trees and cultivation has now evolved into a shared passion for the couple. Between their farm near Bopdev Ghat and their flower-filled rooftop in Undri, the Bhavsars continue to find new ways to bring nature closer to urban life.
