Allahabad's Khusro Bagh

Originally it was a beautiful garden meant for pleasure built by Jahangir when he lived in Allahabad as a prince.  It became Khusro Bagh when Jahangir’s son Khusro’s tomb was erected in this garden.

 

Constructed in 1622 by Shah Jahan, the tomb stands in the midst of lush garden. The tomb is built from sandstone and has ornate carvings.

Besides the tomb of Khusro, the garden has other tombs too. Shah Begum, Khusro’s mother and Jahangir’s first wife, is also buried inside the mausoleum. Shah Begum is believed to have committed suicide after Khusro rebelled against his father.

 

The third tomb is of Nesa Begum, Khusro’s sister. As per Mughal tradition, Nesa Begum got the tomb constructed for her but was later buried in a different place!

The fourth tomb which is in the middle of the garden is known as Mausoleum of Tombolan.

All the tombs are decorated with fine Mughal frescoes with vaulted apartments. They are examples of exemplary Mughal architecture. The design of the main entrance to the garden, the tomb of Shah Begum and the surrounding gardens are attributed to Aqa Reza Jahangir’s most trusted artist.

 

The tomb of Jahangir’s first wife is built in three layers on a plinth without a main mound. They say that experts from Fatehpur Sikri were consulted for its design. The tomb has inscriptions in Arabic by Jahangir’s favorite calligrapher, Mir Abdullah Mushkin Qalam.

Nesa Begum’s tomb is on an elevated platform and has ornate panels and scalloped arches. The monument has elaborate paintings of stars made in concentric circles. There are floral paintings on the walls of the central room.

 

 

 

Amba Vilas Palace

The biggest palace in Mysore City is called Amba Vilas Palace or more popularly Mysore Palace. This is the most opulent of all surviving palaces and it is located in the city center. The Mysore palace was commissioned in 1897, and its construction was completed in 1912. It is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in Mysore. Although tourists are allowed to visit the palace, they are not allowed to take photographs inside the palace. (Most frustrating!)

 

The history of Mysore Palace spans over 500 years.  But what we see today in Mysore is the modern palace built in 1912. The architectural style of the palace is commonly described as Indo-Saracenic, and blends together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. It is a three-storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 ft five-storied tower. The palace is surrounded by a large garden.

 

The three storied stone building of fine gray granite with deep pink marble domes was designed by Henry Irwin. The facade has seven expansive arches and two smaller ones flanking the central arch, which is supported by tall pillars. Above the central arch is an impressive sculpture of Gajalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, good luck, and abundance with her elephants.

 

It is from this palace the erstwhile rulers, the Wodeyars, ruled the Mysore Kingdom.

 

 

 

Gem of Odisha

It is one of the most beautiful temples in Orissa. Build in 10th century; the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.  Its architecture is more in Kalinga Temple style. The outer walls show figures of ascetics in various positions of meditations. This temple is often referred to as 'gem of Orissa'.

 

Built in the 10th century, this small but very elegant temple has been described as the most exquisitely ornamented temple in Bhubaneswar. It has an eleven meter high tower. The sandstone carvings are the most notable feature of this temple. It is also known for its ornamental gateway, carved dwarves, and intricate motif carvings of a smiling lion, adorned with beaded tassels in its mouth. Every inch of space on the outer surface has been generously decorated.

 

 

The niches are filled with the finely filigreed icons of many gods and goddesses mentioned in the pantheon of Hindu gods.  Some of the figures on the outer walls of the temple suggest their association with both Buddhism and Jainism. They thus testify to the spiritual synthesis and religious harmony that characterized the Orissan culture. There is a general belief in Bhubaneswar that the small Marichi kund (pond) between the Muktesvara Temple and the road will  cure infertility in women.

 

Thirubhuvanam Temple - a great disappointment

Thirubhuvanam is a small town around 6kms from Kumbakonam town. There is a wonderful temple in this town with superb architecture. This temple was built almost 900 years back.

From internet I gathered information that the temple at Thirubhuvanam was built by Kulothunga Chozhan III. It seems this temple is also build on the same lines of Tanjavur Brehadeeshwarar temple. This temple is full of stone inscriptions and statues. So with great expectations I visited this temple with my camera with the hope of taking some good pictures.

I was utterly disappointed when I visited the temple. They do not allow photography inside the temple. Even in the outer praharams photography is not permitted! I can fully understand if photography is prohibited in the sanctum sanctorum! Not allowing photography even outside the sanctum sanctorum is a little too much in my opinion.

I understand that the temple is under the care of some trustees. Who are these trustees to take control of this temple and put rules? This temple was after all built by Kulothunga Chozhan. This temple is for the posterity and it is the property of all of us! The irony is my taxi driver told me that they allow film shooting inside the temple! Is it not ridiculous?

These temples should be taken over by Archeological Survey of India immediately. The advantage would be that the temple  will be preserved better and more number of people can visit and take pictures! World needs to see our culture and photography & internet are two important media for this.

If these guys come out with the argument that this temple cannot be taken over by ASI because the temple is being worshiped and daily prayers are on there, then Tanjore Big temple, Dharasuram temple & Gangaikonda chozhapuram are all examples! In all these temples although they are under ASI they are open for worship and daily prayers are being done there!

Few people joining together garner national heritage and claiming ownership over it is not accepted and it should not be allowed by the government! It should be declared as a national property and thrown open to public and allow photography.

National wealth/heritage should be in the hands of government and not with these private guys! Preserving our heritage is the responsibility of the Government!

Ruins of Golkonda

When you travel westward eleven kilometers from the city center of Hyderabad you will be reaching the ruins of Golkonda Forte. This fort originally belonged to the Kakatiyas of Warangal. Subsequently it became the capital of Qutb Shahi kings between 1518 and 1687 AD. Golkonda Forte was fortified by these kings with massive walls having bastions and battlements. In 1687 AD Aurangazeb annexed it to the Moghal Empire and appointed Asaf Jha as the Subedar of the Deccan province. Twnety six years later in 1713 AD Asaf Jah declared independence as Nizam-ul-Mulk and the Nizams held sway over Hyderabad until 1948 AD. This is the short history of this fort.

 

 

 

Today the fort is in ruins and we can see only few structures in intact condition. This fort is on a hill and it has three lines of massive fortification walls. Overtime these walls were broken at various places due to bad maintenance, vagaries of weather and encroachments of modern civilization.

 

 

 

 

Like in any other place of tourist importance when you visit Golkonda the guides will tell you lot of stories some of  which are genuine and some fictitious! I guess the most authentic story would be that of the Light & Sound show. There is a very good Light & Sound show in the evenings with a voice over by Amitabh Bachchan. Both English & Hindi versions are available. This is done wonderfully and definitely worth seeing to know about the history of Golkonda Forte.

 

Most disappointing thing for my daughter and me in Golkonda is that there is NO tea shop around Golkonda which serves Hyderabadi Irani Chai! All the available space is occupied by modern tea joints like Café Coffee Day and others!

Palace after restoration

Popularly called as the city of Nizams, Hyderabad is a city full of history! It became part of Indian Union on 17th September 1948; thirteen months after India became an independent country! This city was ruled by Nizams and the last ruler was Osman Ali Khan who ruled the state of Hyderabad from 1886 to 1967.

Osman Ali Khan was ranked all time world’s sixth richest man. His wealth was $236 billion with a new inflation adjusted figure as per the British Newspaper ‘The Independent’.He died in the year 1967 at the age of 80 leaving behind his empire!

Chowmahalla Palace (Chow means four and Mahal means Palace. Chow-Mahalla means four palaces) was one of the palaces  of Nizam.

 

 

Chowmahalla Palace is renowned for its unique style and elegance. While Nizam Salabhat Jung is credited with initiating  the construction of the palace complex in 1750, it was Nizam Afzar-ud-Dawla Bahadur who ensured that it was completed  between 1857 and 1869.

 

 

This palace was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizam entertained their official guests and royal visitors!  Now this palace is meticulously renovated by the daughter of Nizam and it is now open for public.

 

 

Chowmahalla Palace has undergone massive restoration work after Princess Esra, wife of Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur, Nizam of Hyderabad initiated a project for the royal palaces in August 2000.

 

Chowmahalla Palace, has bagged the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Merit Award for Culture Heritage Conservation. Chowmahalla Palace is the only palace in Andhra Pradesh and in the country which has got this prestigious award. 

Today where is the owner of this palace? Mukarram Jah Bahadur keeps to himself in the south of Turkey. He lives very simple life and doesn't love extravagance! He is living in a two room flat in Antalya, and spends his time reading and exploring Roman ruins.

 Picture of Princess Esra is from Outlook India.com

Birds Birds Birds

I like shooting birds. All you require to get some good pictures of birds are abundant patients and  reasonable zoom lens. 

I have posted some of the birds that I shot over time. Most of them were shot from the balcony of  daughter's house!