(BSS) - The Horticulture Center here is a home to a serene lake filled with countless pink lotus blossoms blooming amid its lush green grounds.

Hidden from the public eye, this lotus lake offers a touch of peace and tranquility to anyone seeking a relaxing getaway on the holiday.

Located at Jhautala area, the Horticulture Center spans 65 bighas of land. It is a kingdom of hundreds of flowers and fruit-bearing plants. The center`s primary function is producing and selling saplings from mother plants. Throughout the year, agriculture extension officers and sub-assistant agriculture officers receive training here. In addition to accommodation facilities for the trainees, the center also maintains demonstration plots for good agricultural practices.

Upon passing through the entrance gate of the Horticulture Center, visitors are greeted by two towering palm trees standing as if in welcome. To the left stretches a 200-meter-long lake. The first 100 meters have been planted with red water lilies, which bloom during the monsoon season.

The remaining section of the lake is covered with masses of pink lotus flowers. Large lotus leaves hold shimmering droplets of water that resemble beads of mercury. As the droplets lose balance, they roll into the lake below, creating a vivid image reminiscent of the saying, "Life is like a dewdrop on a lotus leaf." Swarms of bees hum around the flowers. The peaceful and charming pink lotus blossoms can instantly uplift one`s mood. On moonlit nights during the bright lunar phase, the beauty of the lotus flowers becomes even more enchanting.

Because the Horticulture Center serves as a training and sapling production facility, it is a protected area. As a result, visitor traffic remains limited and the lotus lake largely stays hidden from public view. Yet those who discover it often return again and again.

Nowshin Ashrafi Achal, a student of Bangladesh Agricultural University, told BSS that the small lotus lake created within the Horticulture Center is breathtakingly beautiful. She noted that thousands of zinnia flowers lining one side of the lake make the environment exceptionally attractive.

Asmaul Husna, a student of Islamic University, said that whenever she returns to her family home in Natore during campus holidays, visiting the center is a must.

Arman Hossain Akash, a student of Jagannath University, said that summer marigolds enhance the beauty of one side of the lake where water lilies are waiting to bloom. The fragrance of aromatic jasmine near the gate fills the surrounding area. Countless other flowering plants, including Ananta Lata, Madhabi Lata, Aparajita and Alokananda, are also awaiting bloom. According to him, the center is exquisitely beautiful.

The Natore Horticulture Center was established at Jhautala area of the town during 1980s. Its first executive officer was S. M. Kamruzzaman, who later retired as an Additional Secretary. He recalled that the entire 65-bigha site had originally been little more than rice fields. With the support of then Deputy Commissioner Jalal Uddin Ahmed, the lake was excavated. He noted that the lake is particularly suitable for cultivating water lilies and lotus flowers.

Deputy Director of the Horticulture Center Md. Shamim Iqbal told BSS that the center`s vision extends beyond water lilies and lotus flowers. Numerous flowering plants have already been planted and once they all bloom, the grounds will become even more colorful and fragrant. Plans are also underway to construct walkways within the boundary walls. He expressed the hope of transforming the Horticulture Center into a major tourist attraction.