TRAVEL & TOURISM: Of Mumtaz, a mahal and a museum!!

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The Hindu / August 28, 2011.

The Mumtaz Mahal museum.

The Mumtaz Mahal museum in the Red Fort is 100 years old, observes R.V. Smith, digging out the facts on how it came about.

It may surprise some to learn that the Mumtaz Mahal museum in the Red Fort is 100 years old. Browsing through a contemporary's “100 years ago” one read a news item dated August 20, 1911, “By desire of Sir Louis Dane, E.C.I.E. Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, a committee has formed under the presidency of the Commissioner of Delhi Division, for the purpose of making a loan collection of objects of historical and archaeological interest for exhibition during the coming cold weather. One of the old buildings in the Fort (the Chhoti Baithak of Mumtaz Mahal), which has for many years been used as a sergeants' mess, is being adapted to receive the collection, and to exhibit it to the best advantage. The combined collection will be on view on the occasion of the garden party which is to be given in the Fort in honour of His Majesty the King Emperor, but it is intended that it shall remain open during the whole of the cold weather. It is hoped that the collection will be the best of its kind ever exhibited in India, and it is sure to attract large numbers of visitors. The objects wanted for the exhibition the item says, should be sent to J.P. Thompson, I.C.S, Divisional and Sessions Judge, Delhi, or to the Hon. Secretary, Gordon Sanderson, Superintendent of Mohamedan and British Monuments, Northen Circle, Agra.

According to Maulvi Zafar Hasan, the building formed part of the imperial seraglio and was used as a prison in 1857. It measures 26.9 meters by 25 meters east to west. However the gilded chhatris have now disappeared but the chajja or parapet, reconstructed in 1911 remains. He goes on to say “the lower portions of the walls and piers are of marble and traces of some of the old painted and glass decoration, with which the building was formerly adorned, exposed”. The date of its construction is given as 1639-48. The Mumtaz Mahal was again renovated a few years ago and now looks as spick and span as a modern building.

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http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2406190.ece?homepage=true

               

TRAVEL & TOURISM: Royal grandeur of Rajasthan!

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August 28, 2011 / By Kirron Kher / DC.

Rajasthan remains the most alluring place on earth for me. The region is simply irresistible during the winter season and that is a good enough reason to pack my bags and head to the land of the royals. Since the last few years, Anupam and I have been enjoying our annual vacation in Rajasthan and I must say, the charm of the place gets better with time.

I have travelled to major parts of the globe but they pale in comparison to my favourite holiday destination. It seems this land has accumulated all the fine things of the world — royalty, history, architecture, culture, cuisine and natural beauty, they all exist there in abundance. And not to forget, the people are so warm and friendly.

The safari tour of Rajasthan is a complete holiday experience in itself. The sheer beauty of the Thar dessert is mesmerising, visiting the havelis in Jaisalmer, travelling through the rugged ranges of the Aravalli and catching a glimpse of the wildlife at Ranthambore National Park usually make holidaying in this part of the country a memorable experience. And the royal flavour is incomplete without enjoying the luxury and beauty of Udaipur. The lake city is definitely one of the best maintained tourist places of India.

Rest at,

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/sunday-chronicle/travel/royal-grandeur-rajasthan-673

          

LISBON, PORTUGAL: In fortified Obidos!

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Janardhan Roye, The Hindu / August 20, 2011.

The little town: A view of Obidos and its countryside.

This historical hill-town by the Lisbon coast offers sunshine on sandy beaches, mountain air and intriguing wine, with a host of activities for the holiday lover.

Little town of Obidos on the Silver Coast

Geraniums hang in cluster over the balconies,

their fuzzy red paws intent

on climbing down, as this

century's only Obidos invasion.

Queen Leonor owned this town

and her forgotten whispers

pry open our dreams.

As I lie in your arms I hear

the irregular clip-clop of footsteps

on the cobbled street. Two sets

of church bells chime the hour.

For brief days we hide

in calmness as though the world

were not beating our arched gates.

(Eleanore Schonmaier, Treading Fast Rivers)

No visit to Portugal is complete without a stop by the wispy little white-washed town of Obidos. Perched high up in the hills, this “fortified city” dates back to Roman times and is located 80 km north of Lisbon by the coast.

Visitors head to this exquisite destination for different reasons — for a holiday in the mild sunshine, blue skies and mountain air, or to step back in time exploring the quaint artistic history and culture of the place. Some to raise, swirl glasses of the region's unique, intriguing wines such as Ginja.

Just 15 minutes away from the hilltop is a haven for honeymooners. A large tidal lagoon resort, where wave-washed white sand beaches beckon, sometimes with moonlight. Yachting enthusiasts, swimmers, sunbathers, windsurfers and whole families revel in the water. Party animals pull up here for weekend parties and musical performances — a time when local musicians and fishermen pull out all the stops for a feast of flavours and sounds — catch of the day and timeless melodies, and rocking hits of the day.

Chocolate fair

Also commonly seen here are people lugging tennis raquets or golf clubs and heading for a massive sporting complex near by — the 600-acre Praia D'el Rey club, open to guests. The large crowds though are generally seasonal, and can be seen ascending the magical maze of cobbled streets for the annual chocolate fair.

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Public buses

Being close to Lisbon, and located on the main A8 highway, Obidos attracts many day-trippers both independent and organised tour participant in the high summer season. Public buses operate from Lisbon's Campo Grande, costing six Euros per head.

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Full Story at,

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/article2369202.ece

Goa tourist guides, taximen to create awareness about AIDS!

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August 2, 2011 / PTI, Panaji / DC.

In a bid to make tourists visiting Goa aware about the dangers of AIDS, the state government has started training tourist guides as well as taxi drivers, who can establish a direct communication with them.

State-promoted Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) has been holding series of lectures for the tourist guides on AIDS across the state. Director of Tourism in Goa Swapnil Naik said the guides are an important component of the tourism trade as they are directly linked to the tourists.

"This is also a part of safe and honourable tourism code adopted by Union Tourism Ministry across the country," Naik said, adding that making Goa a pleasurable and safe experience is the duty of the government. Naik said the other stakeholders like tourist taxi drivers are also being made aware about AIDS by GSACS through workshops. Goa, which is fighting back its image as a sex-tourism spot reported first case of AIDS in the year 1987. From that time till June 2011, the state reported 13,806 cases of AIDS.

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http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/west/goa-tourist-guides-taximen-create-awareness-about-aids-735

EXOTIC TOURIST SPOTS: The land of leisure: Sri Lanka!

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• July 14, 2011 
• By Vasugi Kailasam / DC.

The first thing that struck me as I exited the Bandarnake International Airport in Colombo were the clean roads and the lack of blaring horns. Another thing that stood out for me was the polite and hospitable nature of the Sri Lankan cab driver who drove me from the airport to the city. I was in Sri Lanka for a week primarily to visit the country of my literary research and to attend an International Film Festival in Kandy. Colombo, which is the capital of the country doesn’t quite embody the paradisical island image of Sri Lanka but the main sites like the shopping streets of Pettah, the excellent national museum in the heart of leafy Viharamahadevi Park and a evening in the scenic Galle Face makes this city a good place to start or end a journey through Sri Lanka.

I personally enjoyed my stay in Kandy than my time in Colombo. The Hill Country capital of Kandy remains the Sinhalese cultural and spiritual center for Sri Lankans. The town houses the ‘Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic’ in which a very important Buddhist relic — a tooth is preserved. This temple was damaged when a bomb was detonated by the LTTE in 1998. The scars have been now repaired but security remains high and there is significant screening for all visitors. While in Kandy, it is a good idea to stroll into one of the many monasteries to get a glimpse of life in a Buddhist monastery.

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TRIVIA

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SOUVENIR STOP

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http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/lifestyle/wanderlust/land-leisure-602

EXOTIC TOURIST SPOTS: Ayodhya in Thailand!

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• July 10, 2011 
• By Chitra Ramaswamy / DC.

We are in Bangkok and are bored of treading upon the beaten track. We wish to do a less visited circuit. Being a history buff, I jump at the idea of a trip to Ayutthaya and soon we head towards Ayutthaya Historical Park, an hour’s drive from the Thai capital.

The Park is ridden with the historical ruins of the once glorious island city and capital of Thailand for 417 years. Away from the humdrum of oft-visited tourist locales, Ayutthaya, a picture of serene splendour, is a welcome change. Veritably one of Asia’s most impressive and majestic ruins, it stands on the abundantly fecund plain of the Menam Chao Phraya, a rare gem and architectural treasure trove.

We are instantly struck by the well-laid out broad roads and the amazing maze of snaking waterways as we enter Ayutthaya. That the Ayutthayan society completely revolved around water is clearly evident to date, as seen in the labyrinth of canals that are linked to each other and to the rivers. Named after Ayodhya, meaning the ‘invincible’ in Sanskrit, Ayutthaya was founded in 1351 by King Ramathibodi I, more commonly known as King U-Thong.

We drive along the Bung Phra Ram, a small lake in the centre of Ayutthaya, flanked on its East and Western sides by several Wats or temples. The first sight that greets us is the trio of colourfully attired elephants with Western tourists perched on their backs, taking a panoramic tour of the sprawl.

We begin our tour by visiting Wat Na Phra Meru, the only Wat that exists in its original form today, having escaped the ruthless Burmese raids. The site from which cannons were once fired at the Royal Palace area, the temple boasts an unusual statue of Buddha in green stone, placed alongside the Golden Buddha idol. Several of the monuments are within walking distance of each other and we take advantage of this proximity to savour the architectural delights at leisure. The weather is favourable and the sky dotted with clouds, making our amble pleasant. There is more colour in the vast array of little shops that line some of the streets leading to the temples, a sight almost always seen outside Indian temples. An impressive landmark in Ayutthaya is the towering chedi of Wat Yai Chaimonghaon that appears to pierce the skies. It was perhaps built in 1351, soon after the founding of Ayutthaya.

Full Story at,

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/sunday-chronicle/travel/ayodhya-thailand-788