Planetarium

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 At Exide Junction,

In yet another traffic snarl –

I am lulled to sleep,

The white Planetarium

The last sight before my eyelids droop

 

But what is it I see?

A magnificent stupa

Ornate gateways of sandstone

And I, draped in jewels

Ride a mammoth beast

 

Saffron clad bhikshus

Stare at me,

But I the mighty king

Despite my fortunes,

Have no need for charity

 

‘Babu, Babu’

My sleep disturbed

I stare at a beggar asking for alms

Ahead, I can see the traffic start to move

‘Babu, didn’t eat, some rupees?’

 

I stare at familiar eyes

It was never about the alms, was it?

And I, who always 

Despised handouts

Decide to reach for my wallet

 

The last of my crisp notes

I still have a week to run

But I give them all away

Much to his surprise;

And only then, the bus starts to move…


30th April, 2026

 

Popularly known as ‘taramandal’, the Biral Planetarium, inaugurated in 1963 by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru ranks among the top 5 largest planetariums of the world, while being the largest of its kind in India. Its circular white hemispherical architecture has been inspired by the famous Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh


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