My Travel

**Perfection** · 07-28-2008, 03:39 PM

Laghu Samrat Yantra : It is a small sundial at 27° North (Jaipur's latitude) and calculates Jaipur's local time up to an accuracy of 20 second.

Narivalya Yantra : Inclined at 27°, this sundial represents the two hemispheres and calculate time by following the Solar cycle.

Unnatansha Yantra : Was used to calculate the positions of stars and planets at any time of the day or night.

Samrat Yantra : Jai Singh believed that gigantic instruments would give more accurate results. This 23 m high sundial forecasts the crop prospects for the year.

Rashivalaya Yantra : It has 12 structures, each representing a sign of the zodiac and faces a different constellation.

Jai Prakash Yantra : The two sunken hemispheres map out the heavens. It is believed that, it can measure the accuracy of the other instruments.

Ram Yantra : Vertical columns support an equal number of horizontal slabs in the two identical stone structures that comprise this instrument. Its readings determine the celestial arc from horizon to zenith, as well as the altitude of the sun.

Chakra Yantra : A brass tube passes through the centre of these two circular metal instruments. They can be used to calculate the angles of stars and planets from the equator.

**Perfection** · 07-28-2008, 03:49 PM

Ishwarlat tower is nearby (Rs 5 entry, Rs 5 for camera). Slanted steps leads to the top of the tower. From top one can have nice aerial views of the city. It was built by Iswari Singh in 1749 to commemorate his victory over his step brother Madho Singh I.

Govindevji temple is near City palace. The huge temple with Lord Krishna as the presiding deity attracts huge public during the evening 'aarti'.

**Perfection** · 07-28-2008, 03:54 PM

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** · 07-28-2008, 03:58 PM

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** · 07-28-2008, 04:02 PM

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** · 07-28-2008, 04:04 PM

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** · 02-02-2009, 11:46 AM

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 jewelry 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 jewelry 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** · 03-10-2009, 02:14 AM

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 (light stand) 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.

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**Perfection** · 03-10-2009, 02:21 AM

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.

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**Perfection** · 03-17-2009, 02:58 AM

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.