One of the highlights of my daughter’s Sundays, as she grew up in this city, was a visit to Jawahar Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park. So last Sunday, I thought I would revisit the place. I found it as vibrant as ever!

The crowds, of course, had become much bigger since the early 90’s…but a lot of things were the same..it still said that only adults accompanied by children would be admitted…

And the same helium-filled balloons kept children’s spirits flying high along with them (sometimes, though, the reverse happens….the children’s spirits plummet when the balloons slipped from their grasp and fly off high!)

I had read in the papers that the “Putani Express”, the toy train of Bangalore, had been stopped for repairs, so I was really glad to see it in operation in the park again:

Here’s the Sri Jayachamarendra Hall, where many events are held. Through the summer holidays, JBB holds many courses for the children. My daughter still remembers the wonderful course in magic that she took. She used to cycle to Bal Bhavan and back, a great adventure for a 10-year-old those days!

Some new rides have been introduced, apart from the small Ferris wheel that has always been there. I loved standing and watching people and children enjoying themselves!

I saw one mother consoling a child when she wanted to take one of these horses home with her! I realized that for the children, these merry-go-round horses are probably the steeds that take them into realms of fantasy….

And at this ride, I was glad to see that regular maintenance seemed to be going on….

Here’s the Bal Bhavan bus, with the elegant, distinctive logo (I wonder who designed it?)

A lot of models of animals are on display (though some of them are not in good shape). Having missed seeing the Rhinoceros during my recent visit to Tanzania, I enjoyed seeing it here!

Though I had gained “illegal” admittance (I had no child accompanying me)…I decided that since I was a child at heart for the time that I enjoyed the sight of the happy children with their parents, their laughter and innocence, I did earn my right to admission to Jawahar Bal Bhavan, after all!