Upli Burj, Bijapur

Upli Burj constructed in 1584, is an another interesting site in Bijapur (State: Karnataka). General Hyder Khan in the service of ruler Ibrahim II built this watch tower. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

This is a circular tower measuring 80 ft in height. There are 70 steps leading to the top of the tower where there are 2 canons. This tower is also known as Hyder Burj.

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and ABC Wednesday

Flowering Tree - Red Bottle Brush

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) known as Garden City true to its name as lot of flowering trees on either side of most of the roads. They bloom with flowers of various colors. One such tree is Bottle Brush tree also known as Callistemon. (Click on the images for bigger view)

The flowers are bright red, and attract nectar-feeding birds and insects. The flower spikes of this tree are made of several individual flowers. The name is apt as can bee seen from the bright red flowers which have the shape of a bottle brush.

The tree grow only as big as 15 feet. They enhance the beauty of any garden. They grow superbly in the regions where the climate is warm, humid, and receive full sunlight. The flowers produces small woody fruit that contain numerous seeds.

The fine leaves and the bright red inflorescence make this tree one of the beautiful trees that enhances the landscaping of any gardens or parks.

For more visit Ruby Tuesday

Mosaic Monday and Today's Flowers

Taj Bawdi, Bijapur

Taj Bawdi constructed in 1620, is one of the interesting sights in Bijapur (State: Karnataka). Ruler Ibrahim Adil Shah built this well in honor of his queen Taj Sultana. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

It measures 223 sq feet and 52 feet deep. The entrance to the well has a 35 feet span majestic arch and is flanked by two octagonal towers. On the eastern and western sides of the tower there were the rest houses for the tired travelers. Beyond the archway is a small platform and a flights of stairs on either sides of the platform leads one to the water.

This place is not maintained that well, and if not taken care soon will be ruins. The landscape of Bijapur is full of historic monuments. Every inch of a place here has a tale of its own to depict. It is impossible to maintain them, unless the people themselves take the initiative.

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and ABC Wednesday

and Watery Wednesday

Shivappa Nayaka Palace, Shimoga

In Shimoga (State: Karnataka) the fort originally had occupied around 200 acres of land. Of which now only 10 acres of land is occupied by fort area. Even though I could not see any fort walls, I did see a 16th century palace built by ruler Shivappa Nayak of Keladi Dynasty. This beautiful palace is situated on the banks of river Tunga in the old city. (Click on the images for bigger view)

This was much larger structure, of which currently only the Durbar Hall survives the ravages of the war against Bahmani Kings. The Durbar Hall is built with wooden pillars giving an elevation of almost twenty feet from the ground level.

The carved pillars and artificial roofs is made of teak and rosewood. The roof of the palace is covered with Mangalore tiles. The wooden staircase leads up to the first floor. And there is a projected wooden balcony in the central part.

There are beautiful floral carvings on the pillars and arches between the pillars.

The architecture of the palace is Indo-Saracenic where one can see elements of Rajput, Islamic styles. Today, this palace also serves as a museum for Archeological Survey of India (ASI). The palace is maintained by ASI and as of today no charge or ticket for visiting this elegant palace.

Flowers of Cubbon Park, Bangalore

The Cubbon Park or "Sri. Chamarajendra Park" in the heart of the Bangalore (State: Karnataka) city and it occupies around 250 acres of area. (Click on the images for bigger view)

It is home for several variety of flowers.

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Festival of Lights

Deepavali is rightly called "Festival of Lights" as can be seen from the images here. It is celebrated for 5 days and on all nights the sky is lighted by bursting crackers.

The crackers light the sky with various designs and patterns.

These are some of the images on the night of Deepavali sky over Bangalore.

At this time in India the sky is brightly lighted.

Queen Victoria Statue, Bangalore

Cubbon Park in Bangalore (State: Karnataka) is one of the biggest parks in the city. There are several statues installed in this park.

In the year 1906, the Statue of Queen Victoria of Britain is installed in this park.

This statue is located at one end of the park near Mahatama Gandhi Circle.

Flowering Tree - Bauhinia Variegata

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) known as Garden City true to its name as lot of flowering trees on either side of most of the roads. They bloom with flowers of various colors. One such tree is Bauhinia Variegata popularly known as "Orchid Tree" (Click on the images for bigger view)

It is an ornamental tree grown in subtropical and tropical climates from southern China west to India. The flowers are conspicuous, bright pink or white, 8-12 cm diameter. These scented flowers have only five petals.

It is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 10-12 m tall. The leaves of the tree are broad and split in the middle.

During the season the tree is full of flowers and with green leaves and pink flowers they look lovely.

For more visit Mellow Yellow Monday

Lalbagh Flower Show - Orchids

At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on August 2010 there were exclusive collection of Orchids on display. The colors were amazing. (Click on the image for bigger picture)

There were more than 25 variety of Orchids on display. The color combination and designs on each of them were beautiful.

There were stalls selling the Orchids plants outside the flower show. The price ranged from Rupees 600 to 1200 depending on the variety.

Nadi Narasimha Temple, Dodda Mallur

This small temple is located right on the banks of a river Kanva. If one gets out of the temple from one of its entrance they can get down into river. The deity of the temple is Lord Narasimha. As it is on the edge of river (nadi) the name of the temple is "Nadi Narasimh". But we had been here in peak summer and river had dried up. (Click on images for bigger view)

The temple is belied to be 1000 years old, but it might have been renovated some 300 years back. The brick wall seen above is not part of the temple. It is an enclosure build around the temple to provide shade.

The towers of the temples have beautiful sculptures and they have been painted. If on one side of the temple there is river, on the other three sides are sugarcane field, vegetable field and coconut garden.

How to Reach: It is located at a distance of 70 kms from Bangalore on State Highway 17 en-route to Mysore. There is a diversion to the right, 2 kms after Channapatna. After passing through a railway Crossing on this road, a mud road will lead to the temple.

Methar Mahal, Bijapur

Methar Mahal constructed in 1620, this is one of the interesting sights in Bijapur (State: Karnataka). Even though by name it is called "Mahal" this is not a place. This is a turret with the Mehtar mosque behind it. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

This is a two-storeyed structure with an exquisite entrance. The roof has two delicate minarets standing straight and tall.

This ornamental gateway is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It is embellished by a profusion of carvings in the form of brackets supporting the balconies and stone trellis work in Hindu Style.

Lalbagh Flower Show August 2010, Bangalore

Every year in the month of January and August, the Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore hosts Flower Show. If in Bangalore around this time one should not miss the event. (Click on the image for bigger picture)

In the month of August, it is usually organized for 10 days from August 6th to 15th. The theme for this year is to show respect to all the martyrs and freedom fighters of our country.

This year the main attraction is the monument India Gate, beautifully made from more than 250,000 roses, a fitting tribute to the Indian soldiers.

On display were around 260 varieties of Anthuriam, Orchids, Celosia and Dianthus among others.

Every day thousands people enjoy the beauty of these flowers on display. It is mostly crowded in the evening on the weekdays. Best time to be in this place is the early afternoon. I had been here on the weekend afternoon. Even though it was crowded I had enough space to take some snaps.

Very minimal entrance fee is charged for the show. No charges for camera.

Aircraft at Minsk Square, Bangalore

The aircraft, Ajeet, is a single-seater interceptor with a secondary ground-attack role. It was used by Air Force from 1975 to 1991. Ajeet was later shifted to Minsk Square, where it was stationed for nearly 20 years. (Click on the image for bigger image)

But owing to the construction of Metro train route this has been shifted out of this place to HAL Heritage Museum. The image above no longer is the common sight at this place.

Ibrahim Roza, Bijapur

This is located on the western outskirts of the Bijapur (State: Karnataka) city. Built sometime in 16th century, it is one of the most brilliant designs of Islamic architecture. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

Here there are two buildings on a common platform, surrounded by beautiful gardens on three sides. These buildings have perfect domes at the top with crescent moons, with symmetrical minarets at the four corners as can be seen from the images above. The huge doorways leads one into cool high-ceiling chambers. Between the two buildings is the place for water pool with fountains.

The building on the left is the tomb of ruler of Bijapur, Ibrahim Adil Shah II and his family. One can see inside this the tombs of he king, his queen, his daughter, two sons and his mother. It has minarets that rise to a height of 24 meters and are considered the inspiration for the minarets of the Taj Mahal.

The other building on the platform is the mosque.

Hampi World Heritage Site

Hampi, the Forgotten Empire (for more) once was the flourishing capital city of the Vijaynagar Empire in the 14th Century. The city spread across the rocky terrain of 26 sq.km had plenty of palaces, temples which exhibited its rich culture and wealth in its hay days.

For the same reason it was ransacked by Muslim Sultans. Today it is a site of splendid ruins of palaces, temples and gateways of the broken city, that silently narrate the story of once glorious past and the final senseless destruction. (Click on the image for bigger view)

In the above image rocky nature of the place and various temples can be seen.

Above is the carvings on the pillars of one of the many temples in the place.

On 5th December 1986, Hampi was inscribed on the World Heritage List for it represents a unique artistic creation. One can spend 2 to 3 days to cover each corners of this place.

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and ABC Wednesday

Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur

Built in 1659, the Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur (State: Karnataka). (Click on the images for bigger picture)

This is a massive structure with a square chamber measuring nearly 50 m on each side and is covered by a huge dome 43.3 m in diameter and attains the height of 27.4 m from a circular platform. There are four octagonal towers one in each corner of the chamber. Each tower consists of seven storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome. If I remember correctly there are 150 steps to climb. In the center of the chamber are the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah II and his relations.

Apart from his sheer size another most interesting aspect of the enclosed place is acoustics. At the top inside the dome it is a whispering gallery where even the smallest sound is heard across the other side of the Gumbaz. At the periphery of the dome is a circular balcony where any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed around 7 times. Anything whispered from one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly on the diagonally opposite side.

This Dome is the second largest one in the world which is unsupported by any pillars.

Lalbagh Gardens, Bangalore

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore the Garden City is a lush green paradise with an area of 240 acres in the heart of the city.

It was started by King Hyder Ali, the ruler of old Mysore in 1760. It was further developed by his son Tipu Sultan and subsequently by the British and Indian doyens of horticulture. In 1856, it was given the status of a Government Botanical Garden. From then onwards, it has been an internationally renowned center for scientific study of plants and botanical artwork and also conservation of plants.

Lalbagh is home for tees, shtubs, plants from all over the world. The rarest variety of trees can be seen here. The main attractions here are:

• Floral Clock
• Tree Fossil
• Glass House
• Directorate Building
• Guard Room
• Lake
• Band Stand
• Pigeon House
• Bonsai Garden
• Topiary Garden
• Bombax Tree
• Kempegowda Tower
• Pigeon Colony
• Lecture Hall
• Trees and Flowers

For more visit Mosaic Monday

Flowering Trees - Indian Cork Tree

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) is slowly changing from the Garden City to concrete jungle. However, some of the trees that helped it to earned its name, still adorned the streets of Bangalore. One such tree that can be seen around is Indian Cork Tree or popularly known in local language as "Aakash Mallige". In other words it is known as "Jasmine in the Sky" (Click on the images for bigger view)

This tree grows tall and straight, with the branches covered with whitish flowers. Though the flowers of this tree are not like any other bright ornamental, they have a very nice fragrance.

The trumpet-shaped flowers are white and borne in clusters. They form a carpet on the ground during the flowering season.

The bark of the tree has deep fissures and is used as cork, hence the name. This tree can be still seen in Bangalore a lot on either sides of the road.

Bijapur, City of Victory

Bijapur (State: Karnatka) is located at a distance of 530 km northwest of Bangalore. This city was established in the 10th - 11th centuries by the Chalukya Dynasty. It was then referred as Vijayapura (City of victory). (Click on the images for bigger view)

From the 13th century onwards this city was ruled by Mughal, Bahamani rulers. The city landscape is covered with great monuments of historical importance built during the Adil Shahi dynasty. It had a citadel of 6km stretch around the city. Within the citadel are the remains of both Hindu temples and old mosques. Outside the walls are the remains of a vast city, now for the most part in ruins.

The places of interest both old and new here are:

• Gol Gumbaz
• Jumma Masjid
• Ibrahim Roza
• Mehtar Mahal
• Uppali Buruj
• Bara Kaman
• Malik-E-Maidan
• Taj Bawdi
• Sidharameshwar Temple