MUMBAI: In some religions, a garden with its central elements of water, the scent of fruit trees, and places for rest and reflection, celebrate heaven on earth. Monty Don travels the globe in search for such paradise gardens in “Monty Don’s Paradise Gardens” premiering on 9th July, 8PM on FYI TV18.

It is common to refer to one’s garden as a “piece of heaven” nurtured with care and love combining beauty and peace. But there is one group of gardens, inspired by the Islamic faith, that are made quite specifically as a reflection here on earth of the paradise that awaits in the afterlife. The Koran, the holy book of Islam, tells of these magical places; green spaces filled with flowers and fruit where shade and water provide a safe haven from the harsh climate that dominates the Arab world. For Muslims, these gardens are an earthly vision of the real paradise awaiting believers in heaven.

In this two episode series Monty Don, English presenter and writer and speaker on Horticulture, travels across the Islamic world and beyond in search of Paradise Gardens. In Spain and Morocco he learns the building blocks of these gardens while in Iran he uncovers the secret of their creation. In India and Turkey Monty discovers gardens offering a new type of spirituality and back in the UK he uncovers the influence they have on a Royal garden as well as public spaces.

Don’t forget to tune in with the spiritual, and also to enjoy earthly delights, fruit and fragrance as he takes you on a tour of some of the most beautiful gardens in the world.