Yoga sessions, brisk walking, meditation there is a flurry of activity happening in Jamshedpur’s parks, and these spaces are accessible to all, irrespective of class and age.

Citizens are turning to doing yoga and exercising in parks rather than working out in a gym, closed off from nature. “Though a lot of modern gyms have mushroomed in the city but a large section of fitness freaks still prepare to visit parks especially Jubilee Park for brisk walking, yoga and other exercising,” said Raja Singh, a member of Jamshedpur Morning Walkers’ Association.

He said that he has been coming to the park from past more than eight years and a few likeminded people have also formed a group to practice Yoga at the park. They also conduct meditation sessions at the park.  

Spread across 237.75- acre Jubilee Park is modelled after Brindavan Gardens in Mysore and is considered the green heart of the city. Its sprawling space and lush greenery is perfect to engage in a multitude of outdoor activities.

Udey Dhir a regular morning walker says: “I have observed that over the last two years the number of activities at the park has increased. We are a group of people who love to cycle around the park. I feel that the benefits of exercising outdoors outweighs the benefits of running on a treadmill indoors, as it makes for a more holistic experience”.

In a novel way to encourage people to enjoy the beauty of Jubilee Park without spreading pollution and adopt fitness culture an Automated Bicycle Sharing (ABS) System has also been launched.

Joggers' Park on Sonari-Kadma Link Road is also a point where a large number of men and women come for walking in the morning and also in the evening.

“I used to be regular at a local gym. Though I reduce my weight but a zing in my daily routine was missing. I decided to quit the gym and start morning walk. Within few days, I realized that when you relax after brisk walking at Joggers’ Park, you connect with nature.

Exercising outdoors activates different energy channels that help you connect with your inner self. Working on a machine, on the other hand, blocks energy,” said Sonal Jain, a banker.

Sushanta Singha, the young Zumba trainer, has been conducting some of his sessions in parks. “I do a regular group class. My students requested we move classes outside to a nearby park for some classes. Working under open sky has totally a different feeling. ”

Moreover, the footfall in the parks has also increased ever since JUSCO, which looks after civic amenities of the city, converted several dumping land into beautiful parks.  Several parks including recently Kalimati Picnic Spot at Sakchi, New Baridih Park (Baridih) and at Sir Dorabji Tata Park (Northern Town) have inspired people to connect to the nature.