Udyan is artistically laid out parks in ancient Hindu religion and are mentioned even in Vedas. Udyanas could be natural or artificial. They were generally created by rulers or rich merchants for their amusement, or located in and around temples. Udyanas were grassy lands with groves of trees and flowering plants, both artificially cultivated and naturally grown, on the bank of lakes.
References to udyanas are found in Rig Veda. The picturesque udyanas in the Lanka of Ravana are known from the epic Ramayana. The Nandanvan of Indra, the Caitraratha udyana of Kubera, and the Upavana of Kaikeyi are described in poems with epic grandeur. Udyana is also mentioned in Atharva Veda.
The tradition of udyana layout goes back to 2000 BCE. Sanskrit literature is rich with descriptions of pushpavatikas and udyanas. It was considered an important duty of the Indian kings to create reserved udyanas for the sake of hunting.
Udyanas were raised in or around temples as well. The lakes inside royal households facilitated gentle water sports.