By evening, there were clouds of them across the city and every street was literally flooded with butterflies. But for all the migration in millions, the people of Mysore were indifferent. They came, they saw and left unaffected by this one-time phenomenon.

As for the butterflies, they seemed headed for Butterfly Park at Karanjikere. The tiny island, exclusively built to shelter these beautiful creatures, is now witness to a riot of colour. With special plants and herbs watered by a lake nearby, the park has proved to be an ideal stop-over.

Park officials say the butterflies like the Common Tiger, Blue Tiger and Common Crow werebreaking out of their cocoons and that explained the stream of butterflies. The Chamarajendra Zoo deputy director attributes this phenomenon to the park providing an ideal ``natural habitat'' for the butterflies to breed.

Explaining how the park is a perfect habitat, the official says most butterflies are guided by ``common sense'' to a ``familiar bush'' which forms a part of its life-cycle. The Indian Birthwant Calico flower is planted to attract the Common Rose Butterfly, lime and orange plants for the Lime Butterfly and custard apple for the Blue Bottle Tailed Jay Butterfly. At the park on Thursday, the Red Admiral ruled the roost while the Common Blue Tiger kept a low profile.