Skywatch Friday ... At the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur

Looks like am going in reverse order! We were there in Jaipur for just another day and that Monday morning we decided to visit The Albert Hall Museum 1st before heading over to the shopping arena.

Hailed an auto near the hotel we stayed at and made our way past the Statue circle. Also known as Central Museum, this monument is located in the Ram Niwas Garden. The auto went all the way around the building and dropped us off near the entrance. There are so many pigeons outside here, and quite a few people feeding them as well. Infact, the garden around seems to be quite popular. We saw throngs of people day or night, some as couples and others with children in tow. We wondered if the people here had nothing to do...

Anyways, I digress, sorry! The Ram Niwas Garden is located outside the city wall, and there is a huge gate that takes you to Hawa Mahal and all other places in this town. It was interesting to learn that the Albert Hall is the oldest museum in Jaipur. It was erected by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II  in 1868 when King Edward the Prince of Wales came to India. Maharaja Ram Singh actually wanted this building to be a "town hall" but his successor  had other plans and converted it into the museum it is today, a building showcasing the art of Jaipur.

Albert hall consist of Indo saracenic type of architecture and is designed same as the Victoria and Albert museum which is located in London. The building and the assortment beholds the beauty of the sight along with the pillars. The courtyards and the arches of the museum are worth seeing. This Albert museum was created in the 19th century

This museum is today home to about 19,000 historic objects, including interesting pieces made from metal, ivory, lacquer, pieces of jewelry,  pottery carved wooden objects, textiles, arms, weapons, clay models , sculptures, tribal costumes,  oil and miniature paintings, ceramics, musical instruments, clocks and so much more...  

Just as we entered the hall, it started to drizzle [that is the most amazing unpredictable thing about Jaipur- the weather].. We must have spent about an hour here, wandering through the floors, feasting on all the lovely pieces. There was an Egyptian mummy case as well in a glass box, and some life size sculptures too. We also noticed the place was filled with pigeons, that had practically made the minarets their home. Near the entrance gates on the road you will find a gazillion of these birds, and people come just to feed them. They are literally all over.  

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Skywatch Friday... Bridge over the Indian Ocean

I have been wanting to visit Rameswaram for as long as i can remember. But it just dint seem to happen. Gramma told me "Rameswaram & Kasi are places you should not annouce your desire to visit, it will not happen"... Hmm, i dint know if this was true or a myth, but i took a vow not to tell anyone of my desire to visit the place. And lo behold, towards 2nd half of the year, a friend called saying she was planning a trip to Rameswaram and if i would wanna come along... :-)

Imagine my surprise and joy!! I immediately said yes, even though she was going with her aunt-uncle, and few other family members. It dint matter, i knew her and they were ok with me coming along. 

Tickets were booked, plans were made and within a month, i was there, in Rameswaram. We had driven down from Madurai in a cab, stayed over at ISCON guest house and spent 2 days finishing off all that she had been advised to do at the temple. From there, we drove back to Madurai, stopping over for a few minutes on the Pamban bridge to soak in its beauty. The railway track runs parallel to the ocean, and we promised each other to do another trip to Rameswaram via rail. From the bridge, the ocean looked turquoise, shimmering against the afternoon sky, crystal clear. There were a few boats bobbing in the water and a small group of buildings afar. 

Within minutes we heard the tinkle of a cycle bell and spotted a vendor selling raw mango with spice powder. What a treat those were, we gobbled them up like hungry kids and kept running from one side of the bridge to the other to see there was any difference. 

Alas, we realised we had to get back on the road as we had a train to catch that night from Madurai. But the bridge, the ocean, the destination remain in my mind fresh, even today.

 

Do you see what we saw??? 

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Skywatch Friday- Aayi Mandapam, Pondicherry

I've lost count of the number of times i have visited this town, back in the days we used to do weekend trips, just drive down, stay with a friend, enjoy the weekend and head back to Chennai to face Monday. The most recent visit was last year- September, around my Birthday. 

I was back in this quaint French town called Pondicherry, 4hours from Chennai and a place that welcomed me with open arms every time i landed here.  Even though it was September, the sun was blazing down with glory, no consideration for us poor souls melting away here. 

Having decided to see more of Pondicherry and gain some insight into the architecture and history, i had signed up for an INTACH walk. Armed with a bottle of water, camera and thirsty soul i was ready, i walked towards the lobby to find Mr Ashok Pande waiting patiently.

 

 

Aayi Mandapam

  Two pillars within the park

We started off with a walk through the narrow lanes, most of which looked alike, with houses neatly stacked beside each other, some sporting name plates dating back to centuries gone by, while others had been restored and put to better use today. Whilst walking i mentioned the park that i kept crossing every time i went to the beach or to Mission street, it was almost like the park had to be met at every outing.  

Ashok said "worry not, we are heading there as we speak" and lo behold, there it was around the corner. It is a Government park, that was once open with no gates and through which cars could drive straight through. Now, there are iron gates that are kept shut, and cars will have to go around the park. As we walked in, i noticed the cobbled pathways and beautiful pillars. These pillars have all been brought in from ruins around the city, they looked right out of one of our temples. 

 

Aayi Mandapam from the other side, can you spot the cannon hidden amidst the plants? [bottom left]

The park is circular in shape, and standing proud right in the center was a Monument, an arch, one that was called "Aayi Mandapam". At first glance, it looked like a smaller simpler version of the Champs-Élysées[no no, not been to France, just seen enough movies to identify the landmark monument], but then upon close inspection i learnt that it has been built in the Greco-Roman architecture. The monument was erected during Napoleon III's reign [Emperor of France] . Situated right in front of the Raj Niwas, the residence of the Lieutenant Governor, the park is quite a majestic place.

When i probed further, Ashok narrated the interesting story behind the Aayi mandapam, that goes back to a  a 16th century courtesan called Aayi. Apparently, the then king was passing by her residence, and on seeing the candle flickering, he assumed it was a place of worship and walked in.  Upon realising his mistake, he begged for forgiveness and was ashamed of his action.  The lady, touched by his humbleness and she then brought down the home and in its place brought up a water reservoir.  Back in the days there was severe water scarcity in Pondicherry and it was the water from this reservoir that is said to have quenched the thirst of the Napoleon's men. When Napoleon heard the story, he took the decision to erect a monument as a tribute to Aayi and that is we know today as Aayi Mandapam or the Park Monument... 

Wow, that was quite a story. While i captured a few photographs of the place, i noticed 2 children running around the garden, with their mother screaming at them to come to her. There was another old couple sitting on the park bench, silently, as if words were no longer needed.. The park was brimming with action, and i walked around it towards the other exit looking forward to discovering more such hidden treasures in Pondicherry. 

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Skywatch Friday... Queen's Bath, Hampi

As you drive towards the  Royal Enclosure, a structure will catch your attention, it is the Queen's Bath. From afar it is resembles just another rectangular building, but once you step inside the structure, you will be wow'd .

The entire structure has a small channel running through the length of it which must have once been filled with water.  While on the inside, there are corridors with small windows poening into the center, the main bath area. The windows aare beautifully done up, with intricate craftsmanship on each arch and wall.  The architecture is Indo-Saracenic with Islamic influences over-riding the Hindu style of architecture. 

 Each of the windows are supported with small lotus bud tip brackets. The center bath area opens out to the sky, but today stands barren and in ruins.  There is one entry with steps leading to the bath, an indication that women probably soaked in the bath surrounded by their maids and help waiting at their beck and call. 

The ceiling along the corridor has intricate work depicting the Royal lives, the Gods and animals used in the palaces.

There is a small beautifully maintained garden within the premises, which now is a favorite spot for picnics by tourists.  This structure is now an ASI protected monument!

Psst.. the photographs looks different only cos i've been playing around with the new Picasa settings :)


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Skywatch Friday- Where Mughals rest...

I hopped off the bus and began looking for the entrance gate.. It had been 6yrs since i had visited this place last...Back then i was travelling with college, and it was my visit to this Monument. This time, i was on my own and looking fwd to exploring the place on my own... I was at Humayun's tomb in Delhi... 

This is probably the 1st monumental that showed the world what Mughal imperial architecture was. The tomb was constructed to mark the grave of the Mughal Emperor Babur, Humayun's father, the Ruler who founded the dynasty and one who had requested he be buried in a garden.  

The design is attributed to  the Persian Architects and poets who were associated with the Mughal Courts.  I walked the length of the gardens, along the water fountains in the center towards the South of the Purana Qila to where the main Tomb was located. Like many others, it is also set in the midst of a beautiful garden created in the Mughal char bagh pattern. Around the complex are tall raised walls, it is said that on one side   the River Yamuna flowed by, but now it has been averted...  

I noticed the gardens were divided into four parts by water channels that had paved walkways all through the length.. I overheard a guide tell a couple from Spain that the walkways are called khiyabans. 

The entire monument has been created with red sandstone with white marble engravings and ornementations. Apparently the top of the dome is over 140ft from the ground.  There are numerous high arches and intricately carved windows which add to the beauty of the place.  As i made my way inside Humayun's tomb, i noticed that each of the main chambers has within them eight smaller chambers. When i enquired on the total number of chambers i was told there are nearly 124 vaulted chambers in total.

Humayun's sarcophagus was in the central domed chamber.. His head was pointing south, and the grave was facing the east based on Islamic practices. There were other sarcophagi inside the vaulted chambers, which were added on later- his wives, Princes and so on... There was a Box of writing instruments on top of the grave which indicated it was a male body held within and a slate for the woman. How cool was that! 

I heard a sharp whistle, indicating it was closing time and quickly made a beeline for the gate... I was amazed at how clean and well maintained the Monument and surrounding gardens were... My only regret was not having a digital camera[i had to get the film developed before i could see the images.. sigh]

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Secretariat, or not, Madras

The Tamil Nadu assembly was being held at the Fort St. George complex for the last 53 years.  And then the Government changed and the new Government- the CM decided to create a new space for the assembly, which is this majestic huge building.. Alas, by the time they were done building it, the Government has changed and the CM has decided she will hold assembly only in the older building, at Fort St George and not here.... 

So, they are inviting ideas from people on what to do with this structure!!

Any suggestions?

Took this shot during construction stage, shall update it once i take a recent shot :)