My Travel

[Perfection]

Amber palace : The fort palace of Amber was the Kachhawaha citadel until 1727, when their capital was moved to Jaipur. The Amber bus from Badi Chuper goes via Maharaniom ki chhatri (marble tombs for the Queens of Jaipur, camera Rs 10) and Jal Mahal (island palace in Man Sagar lake built in the mid 18th century by Madho Singh I). From the road the palace is 15 min climb or by elephant ride on the cobbled pathway. Rs 20 entry with photography. Kesar Kyari Bagh (a floating garden) is named after the rare saffron flowers once planted in it's star shaped flower beds.

The entrance to the fort is through Suraj Pol ("Sun gate") and it leads to Jaleb chowk courtyard. Steps leads to the royal Shila Devi (Kali) temple in the palace complex. The temple has ornately carved silver door at the entrance, silver oil lamps, grand pillars carved to look like banana trees and a stone deity. Steps further leads to the Diwan-i-Am and the 27 pillared Sattais Katcheri where revenue records were written. A shimmering three storied gateway (Ganesh Pol built in 1640) leads to the Jas Mandir, Jai Mandir and Sheesh Mahal. Jas Mandir (Hall of Private Audience) has latticed windows, a floral ceiling of elegant alabaster relief work and glass inlay. A marble screen allows ladies to enjoy the cool air in purdah. The complex has a Mughal style pleasure garden (Aaram Bagh).

Sheesh Mahal (Palace of mirrors - a single candle lit can light the whole chamber at night due to the reflection of light by tiny mirrors), underground tunnel to Jaigarh fort (one km above on a hill), underground water tank are the main attractions of Amber.

In the centre of the courtyard is a pavilion with 12 pillars called Baradari. The palace zenana (women's quarters) has screens with covered balconies and frescoes on walls.

[Perfection]

Jaigarh fort : The 'victory fort' is 2 km climb over cobbled path from Amber palace. A motorable road also reaches the top of the fort. Rs 25 entry, Rs 50 Camera. The fort gate leads to the cannon foundry - a factory for the production of cannons. It is one of the few surviving cannon foundries in the world. The Bajrang vana cannon (casted in 1691, driven by 32 oxen), cannon moulds, a drilling complex, instruments for the final touch and a furnace for casting. Retrace the path to reach the interior of the fort. The right route leads to Lakshmi Vilas palace and confusing dark and narrow routes of the palace (designed to confuse invaders) and to a garden.

The left route has fort galleries with urns, royal photos and cannons made in Jaigarh. There are two ancient temples nearby. The route further leads to a hotel run by royal cook, handicraft shop - selling 100 g Marine wool rojai and Maharani sari - and to a huge water reservoir. The tank collects water during monsoon through a canal system. A gateway leads to Jaivana cannon - world's largest cannon on wheels. The 250 tonne (including carriage) cannon was fired only once for testing. It uses 100 kg gun powder for fire a 100 kg iron ball. The 50 tonne cannon was casted in Jaigarh foundry in 1726. The fort has good views of distant Jal Mahal.

The Dive Burj is a seven storied tower over which a huge oil lamp was lit on the king's birthday. Of the two flags on the tower, the small one shows the presence of king in Jaipur area.

[Perfection]

Royal Gaitor : The tombs of Jaipur kings can be accessed from Govindevji temple or Maharaniom ki chhatri on the Amber road by rickshaw (Rs 25). The tombs has nice carving in white marble. Camera Rs 10. From here steps leads to the Ganesh temple on the top of the ridge.

The area was chosen by Sawai Jai Singh II as cremation site. Ornate carved pillars support the marble chhatris erected over the platforms where the Maharajas were cremated. The most impressive cenotaph in the complex is of Sawai Jai Singh II in milk white marble. It has 20 marble pillars carved with religious and mythological scenes and is topped by a white marble dome.

[Perfection]

Central museum & Jaipur zoo : From Tripoliya gate near Hawa Mahal, a road leads to Ram Niwas garden and the government Central museum (Albert Hall). The Central museum is worth a visit and is built in white marble. It was built in Indo-saracenic style by Sir Samuel Swinton
Jacob. The museum exhibits include metalware collection, glazed pottery, 9 m long phad (painted cloth scroll), miniature paintings and world's largest Persian garden carpet (dating from 1632).

Jaipur zoo is nearby (Rs 10, animal and a separate bird section). The Museum of Indology, Moti Dungri fort (closed) and Birla mandir (Lakshmi Narayan temple in white marble) are nearby. There is direct bus to Railway station from Ram Niwas garden.

[Perfection]

Tripunithura hill palace Museum (10 km from Kochi city, Kerala) : It is one of the unique archaeological museums in India which is having a gold-silver jewelery gallery. The main attraction is the gold crown presented to the Maharaja by Vasco da Gamma in 1502 AD. The gold crown weighs 1726 g (22 ct) decorated with 24 Ruby, 95 diamonds and 76 Emerald stones. There are ocimon bead (basil) necklace in silver and gold. Hacocarpus beads from Nepal is also there in the royal jewelery collection.

The crown is kept inside a strong room. Police at the entrance will not permit to take mobile phones and cameras with you. One can keep these things at the counter. Entry fee Rs 20. No inside photography in galleries.

[Perfection]

Chettikulangara temple

Chettikulangara is famous for the Kumbha Bharani festival celebrated in the month of Feb-Mar. The main attraction is the Kuthiyottam vazhipadu procession in the morning and the Kettukazcha in the evening. The temple is located 8 km from Kayamkulam near Mavelikkara in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is 50 km from Alappuzha and one hour by bus. The festival was on 2 March 2009. The specialty of the temple are the 1001 vilakku (lightstand) and the hundreds of year old Chembakam tree.

Kuthiyottam

Kuthiyottam is a symbolic representation of human ‘bali’( homicide). Kuthiyottam is a unique vazhipadu (offering) in which devotees spend Rs 2 to 15 lakh (10 lakh = 1 million). The host will feed all visitors who come to home to witness Kuthiyottam. On the eve of the Bharani day a big lunch for the 'kara' will be arranged at home.

Adi Dravida folk dances and songs are essential part of the offering. Kuthiyotta Kalaris’, run by Kuthiyotta Asans (Teachers), train the group to perform the dances and songs. Training starts about one to two months before the season and the man who makes the offering teaches young boys certain religious rites.

On Bharani morning, after the feast and rituals, the boy's body is coiled with silver wires, one end of which is tied around his neck, and an areca nut fixed on the tip of a knife held high over his head. He is taken in procession to the temple with the accompaniment of beating of drums, music, ornamental umbrellas, bhadra theyyam, peacock kavadis, horse dancers, naga dancers etc. Tender coconut water is poured on his body, till they reach the temple. At the end of it, the boy stands at a position facing the Sreekovil (Sanctum Sanctorum) and begins to dance. The ceremony comes to an end with the presentation of prizes to the Gurus (teachers). This dance if performed in pairs is called Iratta Kuthiyottam.



Watch Videos

Video | Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Video 4 | Video 5

[Perfection]

Chettikulangara Kettukazcha (5 pm onwards)

Kettukazhcha construction start from Shivarathri. Residents of the locality (karas) bring floats with huge decorated effigies of chariots, horses, Bhima and Hanuman to the temple premises pulled by hundreds of devotees. All the 14 Kettukazchas (six temple cars known as ‘Kuthiras', five Chariots called 'Therus' and icons of Bhima, Panjali and Hanuman) from the 13 karas will be paraded at the paddy field near the temple around 12 midnight. After Bhagavathi’s Ezhunnellippu to bless the Kettukazhchas and people, Kettukazhchas will be taken back next day morning to the respective Kavus. The dismantled parts of Kettukazhchas are kept at the ‘Kuthirappura’ of each Karas.

Kuthiras have a height of about 70 to 75 ft, and are a union of four parts– Adikkoottu, Kathirakal, Edakkodaram, Prabhada and Melkkoodaram, one above the other respectively. Therus is smaller in comparison to the Kuthiras of Erezha South, Erezha North, Kaitha South, Kaitha North and Pela 'karas'.

The wooden icons of Bhima made by Mattom North and Hanuman brought by Mattom south are probably the largest of its kind in the world. Bhima’s icon is postured as the Pandava enroute to kill Baka on 'Pothu Vandi' (vehicle drawn by buffalos) with food for the Rakshasa King. Mattom south kara also brings the icon of Panjali along with Hanuman.



Watch Videos

Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Video 4

[Perfection]

Palluruthy Sree Bhavaneeshwara Temple, Kochi established by the great saint, sage and social reformer of India,
Sree Narayana Guru on 8th March 1916. On 12 March 2009, fifteen caparisoned elephants were ready at the temple premises at 4.30 pm. The elephants were paraded through the ground nearby. Thousands of devotees and elephant enthusiasts took part in the event. Palluruthy is also famous for temples, lotus ponds, banyan trees and maidans. The temple is located at Palluruthy veli near Thoppumpady on the Aroor/Alappuzha road in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.



Watch video

Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Video 4 | Video 5 | Video 6 | Video 7 | Video 8 | Video 9

[Perfection]

Aarattupuzha pooram is a pooram of different temples. The nearby temples pooram with elephant procession comes to Aaratupuzha temple. Around 23 gods and goddesses are taken to the temple premises from neighboring temples. On the pooram day (6th April 2009) around 0630 pm the pooram starts with a colourful display of 15 caparisoned elephants. Around 11 pm Triprayar Thevar will be leading the Pooram accompanied by 11 elephants with Panchavadyam. Pancharimelam of 250 artists with
21 elephants will be followed. A good fireworks display will concludes the day.

At around 5 am on 7 April, kootti-ezhunnullippu begins with the grand display of 71 caparisoned elephants. The elephants are paraded at the nearby paddy field - Ezham kandam. At around 0630 am the Aarat at Mandarakkadav (banks of river Bharatapuzha) begins with the holy bath of Pisharadickal bhagavathy and the other gods and goddesses will perform aarat. During the aarat, the presence of Ganga is believed and mass of devotees will take bath to free them from the sins. The festival comes to an end with a farewell function called upacharam. For the 2010 pooram date visit www.aarattupuzhatemple.com

The temple is located 16 km from Thrissur on the Kodungalloor route and buses can be boarded from Shaktan stand. The bus route goes via the famous Koorkanchery and Peruvanum temples. One has to reach the temple by auto as the main road is 2 km away. The whole route is decorated with lights. A couple of buses operates from the temple to Shaktan stand, Thrissur.

Gods and goddesses of the pooram : Aarattupuzha Shasthav (Lord Shiva), Triprayar Thevar (Lord Vishnu), Oorakathamma thiruvadi (Mahalakshmi), Cherppu bhagavathy, Chathakudam shasthav, Anthikavu bhgavathy, Thottipal bhgavathy, Pishatrickal bhgavathy, Edakunni bhgavathy, Ayyunnil bhagavathy, Thaikattussery bhagavathy, Kaduppassery bhagavathy, Choorakkode bhagavathy, Poonilarkavil bhagavathy, Kattu pisharickal bhagavathy, Chakkamkulangara Shasthav, Kodannur Shashtav, Namkulam
Shasthav, Sreemattil Shasthav, Nettishery Shasthav, Kallely Shasthav, Chittichatthakudam Shasthav, Medakulam Shasthav.

The 1427th pooram in 2009 was insured with Oriental insurance company at Rs 4 crore 60 lakh by Cochin Devasom board. The Shashtav's thidambu was beared by gajaraja Thiruvambadi Shivsunder. Aarattupuzha Shasthav (Lord Shiva) is the teacher of Lord Rama. Gold covered glittering caparison have bubbles of different size and crescents on it. Chamayam items are colourful parasols (kuda, mainly red), Chamaram (will be having silvered handle), alavattom (peacock feather fans) and bells for the elephant's legs and neck. The cloth torches (thiri vetti) used for the elephant procession will be lighted using specially prepared coconut oil to minimise smoke.

The 4 hour long, 250 artists pancharimelam is lead by the maestro Peruvanam Kuttan marar, assisted by Kelath Aravindhshan, Peruvanam Satheesan, Peruvanam Prakashan, Shivan and Shankara Narayanan. The instruments used are kurum kuzhal, elethalam, veekam chenda, maddalam, thimila, kombu, edakka etc.



Watch video

Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Video 4 | Video 5 | Video 6 | Video 7

[yothar]

Mysore - The Royal city famous for silk and sandalwood. Wodeyars ruled Mysore state from 1399 until the independence of India in 1947.

The main tourist attractions in the city are Mysore Palace, St Philomena's church, Sri JayaChamarajendra Art Gallery, Clock tower, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological garden, Chamundi hills & Nandi statue (13 km), the Lalitha Mahal palace, Rail museum, Srirangapatna and the Brindavan gardens.

St Philomena's church : Presently St Joseph's cathedral, St Philomena's church Mysore, is one of the highest Gothic churches (55 m) in India. It is 3 km from the city. The cross shaped church was designed by Dally, a French similar to Germany's Cologne cathedral. It has high vaulted ceiling. The church can accommodate 800 people and having French stained glass windows depicting scenes from the birth of Christ, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection and the Ascension of Christ.

The church has an underground chamber below the main marble altar having a sleeping posture statue of St. Philomena from France, as well as a relic of the saint obtained from Peter Pisani, Apostolic Delegate of the East Indies in 1926. The relic is preserved at the centre of a beautiful shield. There is also a statue of Christ which lies beyond the altar.

Annual feast is on 11 August. No inside photography. There is daily Masses in English, Kannada and Tamil. The church is open from 5 am to 6.30 pm.


Video 1 Video 2

Saint Philomena is a saint and martyr of the Roman Catholic Church. She is said to have been a young Greek princess martyred in the 4th century. The remains of a teenage girl no older than 14 were discovered on May 24, 1802 in the Catacombs of Saint Priscilla at the Via Salaria in Rome.

Mysore Palace will be lighted from 7 to 8 pm on Sundays. The palace was commissioned in 1897, and its construction was completed in 1912. It was designed by Henry Irwin, a British architect. The palace has majestic stained glass Royal wedding hall, Silver doors and cannons. Palace is a three storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 ft five-storied tower. The palace is surrounded by a large garden.

Palace is the venue for the famous Mysore Dasara festival, during which leading artists perform on a stage set up in the palace grounds. On the tenth day of the festival Vijaya Dashami, a parade with caparisoned elephants and other floats originate from the palace grounds. It is celebrated in September / October.

The festival celebrates and commemorates the victory of the great goddess Durga (Chamundeshwari), after she slew the demon, Mahishasura, and thereby, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil according to Hindu mythology. Palace is illuminated with more than 10,000 lights during the Dasara festival.

Ambavilasa or Diwan e Khas : This was used by the king for private audience and is one of the most spectacular rooms. Entry to this opulent hall is through an elegantly carved rosewood doorway inlaid with ivory that opens into a shrine to Ganesha. The central nave of the hall has ornately gilded columns, stained glass ceilings, decorative steel grills, and chandeliers with fine floral motifs, mirrored in the pietra dura mosaic floor embellished with semi-precious stones.

Gombe Thotti (Doll’s Pavilion) : Entry to the palace is through the Gombe Thotti or the Doll’s Pavilion, a gallery of
traditional dolls from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The pavilion also houses a fine collection of Indian and European sculpture and ceremonial objects like a wooden elephant howdah (frame to carry passengers) decorated with 84 kilograms of gold.

Kalyana Mantapa : The Kalyana Mantapa or marriage hall is a grand octagonal-shaped pavilion with a multi-hued
stained glass ceiling with peacock motifs arranged in geometrical patterns. The entire structure was wrought in Glasgow, Scotland. The floor of the Mantapa continues the peacock theme with a peacock mosaic, designed with tiles from England. Oil paintings, illustrating the royal procession and Dasara celebrations of bygone years, make the walls more splendid.

The palace complex includes twelve Hindu temples. The oldest of these was built in the 14th century, while the most recent was built in 1953. Main temples are Someshvara Temple, dedicated to God Lord Shiva and Lakshmiramana Temple, dedicated to God Lord Vishnu.

The palace armoury collection is of different types of arms used by the members of the royal family, which includes lances, cutlasses, pistols, etc.

Entry is from 10 am to 5 pm with a fee of Rs 20 (Rs 200 for foreigners). No photography inside the Palace. Maharaja's residential museum is in the same compund. Entry Rs 20 with no photography.

Video 1 Video 2 Video 3