An Indian Travel and Tourism Blog

Hello and Namaste !!!

Welcome onblog and embark on a Discovery of India tour - with a "Southern Perspective". For, there is a golden India beyond Delhi-Agra-Jaipur waiting to be explored. Call it the Southern Splendour or Stately South. The landscape is dotted with monuments of archtectural splendour. And for the rest of India, we will give you important links to help you choose your pick apart from filing some original posts on this blog.

So, seek out "Incredible India" to satiate your senses. An experience to savour the ancient, the medieval and the modern. It will be nothing short of a travel in a time machine that transports you back and forth from the ancient to the modern - be it the sublime architecture of the Asokan stupa at Sanchi belonging to the 3rd century BC or the majestic temples of South India that evolved over a 1000 years ago from the 10th century A.D; the awe inspiring cave temples of Ellora that dates back to 7th century A.D or the more ancient Ajanta cave paintings whose origin is traced to the 1st century BC... The list is mind boggling and this blog will be your one-stop source of information for travel and tourism in India.

As India Khazana evolves it will post information pertaining to places of tourist interest in India with a brief description of the place, location, mode of travel and the best season to visit. But the speciality of this blog will be its exhaustive treatment of Karnataka in the south, and whose capital is Bangalore. Rest assured, no site or blog will give you such tourism-related information pertaining to Karnataka as India Khazana.

Other plans include a detailed treatment of UN World Heritage Sites in India, holiday ideas, popular tourist circuits, comprehensive information on wildlife tourism, and an exhaustive set of links to lead you to important websites (specific to each State) for additional travel and tourism related information.

Also on the anvil, high resolution photographs of monuments in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Assam, Bihar etc. Savour essays on the classic rail journeys of India including on the Chennai-New Delhi Grand Trunk Express, Chennai-Howrah Coromandel Express, Delhi-Agra Taj Express, Darjeeling Himalayan Mountain Railway, Bangalore-Mysore Tipu Express, Bangalore-Chennai Brindavan Express and a lot more.

In short India Khazana is poised to emerge as a treasure trove of information for tourists and armchair travellers alike. So happy surfing....

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India Khazana

Please note: Latest posts will appear last to maintain continuity. So scroll down the page if you are a frequent visitor.

Some official information to begin with......

India has 3667 national monuments as on May 1, 2007 and the list is growing:

The list of Centrally Protected Monuments and sites under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India in different States are as follows:

States and Nos. of Monuments
Andhra Pradesh [137] Arunachal Pradesh [05] Assam [53] Bihar [70] Chhattisgarh [47]
Daman & Diu (U. T.) [12] Goa [21] Gujarat [202] Haryana [90] Himachal Pradesh [40]
Jammu & Kashmir [69] Jharkhand [12] Karnataka [507] Kerala [26] Madhya Pradesh [286]
Maharashtra [286] Manipur [01] Meghalaya [08] Nagaland [04] N.C.T. Delhi [175] Orissa [78] Pondicherry (U.T.) [07] Punjab [31] Rajasthan [162] Sikkim [03] Tamilnadu [413] Tripura [05] Uttar Pradesh [742] Uttaranchal [042] West Bengal [133]

Grand Total = 3667

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India

Mysore Palace

Namaste !!! (That is the traditional Indian manner of greeting) and welcome onblog.

With over 3600 monuments of national importance one may feel lost in the ancient and the medieval world. But India Khazana will take you through the maze of monuments in a series of articles which will be a virtual tour of India. So fasten your belts and hang on to your seats and enjoy the guided tour of India, that is Bharath, that is Hindustan that is Jamboodwipa that is a land of ancient civilization and a melting pot of different religions, cultures, a land of myriad colours and hues that will sweep you off your feet.

We begin our tour with Mysore that is in the South of India, 139 kms south-west of Bangalore. A one-stop destination to satiate your curiousity- be it the love for temple architecture or a burning desire to savour the beauty of Indian wildlife in their natural splendour. On top of the heap is the Mysore Palace which is unmatched in its opulence. Illuminated at nights with 96,000 bulbs it is a sight to behold (check out for the photographs in this blog) Completed in 1911, the splendid structure is constructed on the foundations of an old palace which was destroyed in a fire in 1897. Henry Irwin, the architect of the Vice Regal lodge at Shimla, designed the structure which is reckoned to be modeled on the Vijayanagar Palace at Chandragiri. The exteriors, including the domes, the turrets, the arches, and the minars, reflect Indo – Saracenic features. The building is 245 feet in length and 156 feet in breadth. The gold – plated dome at the centre is 145 feet above the ground.

The beautiful carvings replete with rosewood and ivory inlay works, lavishly embellished with glittering ornaments and rich colour, present an eye – catching spectacle rarely experienced anywhere else in India. The palace comes alive in all its glory during the Dasara or the Navarathri festival in September – October, culminating with the impressive procession led by caparisoned elephants, that underline the spirit of co-existence of man and nature. With over 3 million visitors annually, it is among the most photographed monuments in India.

St.Philomena's Church in Mysore is ranked among the grandest Church in India. It displays a classical perpendicular Gothic style of architecture with Corinthian capitals, stately arches and multi-moulded columns. The main hall can accomodate more than 800 devout at a time. The twin spires of the imposing Chruch ae 175 feet in height and is a visual delight

Iron Horse

Vintage beauties that billowed smoke and breathed steam have bowed out after serving the country for more than 150 years. While hundreds of these smoking beauties which were in service till late 1980s, have been sold as scrap, a few were lucky to escape the auctioneer's hammer and are preserved in the railway museums as this one at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi while a few such classics are preserved in the Railway Museum, Mysore

The monolithic statue of Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka attracts pious Jain devotees and others alike who pay obeisance to his apostle of non-violence

Halt ! Animals have the right of way here. The location is Bandipur near Mysore, India and is home to over 2000 elephants and scores of tigers. The drive to Bandipur from Mysore will take approximately 90 minutes and rest assured of sighting the big games.

A common sight in south Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala during festivals. Here, caparisoned elephants lead the Dasara (A festival of immense significance in India) procession traditionally celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in Mysore, India.

It is a sight for the Gods to behold and savour the grand anointment or the Mahamastakabhisheka to the statue of Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola. This ancient town is located about 110 kms from Bangalore and 90 kms from Mysore in the south Indian state of Karnataka. The statue of Gomateshwara is peched atop a hillock and is the tallest monolithic statue in the world towering to about 58 feet and clearly belongs to the ancient world and to a different epoch in human history. It was completed in 978 A.D and the grand anointment to this apostle of non-violence is held once in 12 years. The last such spectacle took place in 2006 and the next mega event is scheduled for 2018. So be there to witness this once-in-a-life-time event

The images are enduring. And they have cast a spell on millions who have witnessed the first Grand Anointment to the statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain monk and an apostle of non-violence and peace. The statue is dated around 978 A.D. when the tallest monolithic statue of the ancient world was sculpted atop the Vindhyagiri Hills in Shravanabelagola. The collosal statue towers about 58 feet and the sublime smile of the saint is captivating. The Mahamastakabhisheka or the Grand Anointment takes place once in 12 years and these images are from the 2006 edition of the spectacular event. The trek up the granite hill atop which the statue is situated, is an exercise in endurance and is a "must-see" for tourists.

Grand Anointment

Glimpses of Mysore

More of Mysore for that is where we have commenced our trip. The city is littered with classical structures that reflect an amlagamtion of various styles. From Graeco-Roman to Indo-Saracenic, European Classical to post-Corbusier. With over 200 such buildings adorning the landscape of Mysore, it is truly a "City of Palaces" and a tonga ride (traditional horse-cart which is a Mysore speciality but on the decline now) during weekends (when the city is less crowded) will be a feast for eyes.

Colours of Mysore, India

India is not all heat and dust... As the discerning will find out at the Devaraja Market in Mysore there is also the aroma of fresh flowers traded in heaps, the colours of various spices, fruits and vegetables all sold under one roof. Will bet my last pie on it, what is sold here is any day superior to what is sold in the supermarkets at double the rate. Never mind the big brands trying to usurp the farmers of their selling space, Devaraja with is century old pedigree sells products that are farm fresh. Unfortunately, there is also a seamier side to Devaraja Market and all is not well. There is a systematic effort to raize this market and pave the way for the upstarts with all their illgotten money. Perhaps the best time to photograph and document the colours, smell and sound of the Devaraja Market is now....

Mysore... at a glance

Located south West of Bangalore, the city of Mysore retains its old world charm, has a laid back character and is touristy, so to speak. We will not dwell on it more but in a nut shell this is what you can do in Mysore.

learn Yoga

experience the efficacy of Ayurveda

pamper your senses with visits to exotic places like Bandipur and Nagarahole for tigers and elephants

delve into Buddhism at Bylakuppe and savour the Tibetan Buddhist culture with its exotic golden temple as the backdrop

get acquainted with a slice of history at Srirangapatana which is 16 kms from Mysore and was the scene of many a battle with the British and the “Tiger of Mysore” – Tipu Sultan [Scroll down for an exclusive section on Srirangapatana]
river rafting in the Cauvery

savour the brilliance of royal paintings in the Palace

get a glimpse of Raja Ravi Varma originals at the Jaganmohan Palace art gallery or watch carefully (through microscope off course) for scriptures engraved on a piece of rice

climb Chamundi Hills and view the monolithic statue of Nandi

visit Krishnaraja Sagar and enjoy the beauty of the gushing waters through the crest gates (during monsoon between June and October) or drive to the Hosa Kannambadi village and see a massive temple belonging to the 13th-14th century A.D which has been restored (the temple was submerged during the construction of the KRS dam in 1920s. The submerged temple which lay in ruins, was dismantled, all the stones transported to a new site in 2002-03 and has been assembled – stone by stone – to recreate the brilliance of the original temple) THIS IS A MUST SEE

treat your senses to the captivating beauty of the caparisoned elephants during Dasara (September/Ocobter)

watch the handicraft artisans dexterously chiseling, engraving and producing works of art

take a tonga ride and get a glimpse of the architectural beauty of the city’s public buildings

eat out at Lalitha Mahal Palace

visit the Oriental Research Institute and savour the architectural splendour of the building and immerse yourself in the manuscripts that has preserved the wisdom of a bygone era

make a trip to Somanathpur to appreciate the temple architecture of the 13th century A.D

appreciate the majesticity of St.Philomena’s cathedral

visit the ruins of the ancient town of Talakad

drive to Gommatagiri to get a glimpse of the enchanting statue of Gomateshwara belonging to the 13th century

visit the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion at Manasagangotri (Mysore University campus) which has the State’s only folklore museum

buy incense sticks or agarbatthies as it is called in the local parlance

taste Mysore Paak, a local delicacy, Mysooru Masala Dosa and uppittu drowned with coffee

pick up a wood inlay work of art at Cauvery Emporium
walk around Devaraja Market to get a feel of the smell and sound of Mysore

watch out for the smoking beauties preserved in the Railway Museum

Mysore Heritage Buildings

Incorporating the best of East and the West, the city has an array of heritage structures reflecting various architectural styles that draw the attention of the tourists. Prominent among these influences are Indo-Sarcenic, Greco-Roman, traditional Hoysala and the Classical European styles.

With more than 200 such buildings listed as heritage structures, tourists with a penchant to appreciate architecture can take time off to appreciate these buildings in all their glory. As they are dispersed in different parts of the city, a Tonga Ride is best suited for this exploration of Mysore’s architectural glory. A list of a few buildings that are worth a second look have been listed below:

Palace (offcourse) best viewed from the Jayamartanda Gate opposite the exhibition grounds; Public offices adjacent the Palace, Chamaraja Circle adjacent to the Palace. Clock Tower, Town Hall, Devaraja Market, Chamarajendra Technical Institute, Ayurvedic College building, K.R.Hospital, Divisional Railway office, Hotel Metropole, Maharani’s College, Yuvaraja’s College , Mysore City Corporation, D.Banumaiah’s College building, Sanskrit College to name a few.The cluster of these buildings are aligned along the Sayyaji Rao Road and the Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Road and forms a grid and can be covered in reasonable amount of time.

The second cluster of buildings of significance include the Gordon House (office of the Deputy Commissioner), Crawford Hall (seat of the University of Mysore), Oriental Research Institute (this is where a copy of the Arthashastra or a treatise of political science authored by Chanakya or Kautilya of the 3rd century BC fame, was discovered and threw light on the economic history and political philosophy of ancient India), Maharaja’s College and Court buildings.


In addition, Mysore has seven palaces including the main Palace also called the Amba Vilas.
Cheluvamba Mansion which is unrivalled in its regal splendor and presently houses the Central Food Technological Research Institute

Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion which is in the University campus and houses Karnataka’s first folklore museum

Jaganmohan Palace which is an art gallery

Lalitha Mahal Palace which is a heritage hotel ensconced near the Chamundi Hills

Karanji Mansion which houses the Postal Training Institute

Rajendra Vilas Palace which is atop the Chamundi Hills and is undergoing renovation

A few other heritage structures include the Jaladarshini group of buildings opposite the Kalamandira, Yelwal Residency which is on the outskirts of Mysore and was completed in 1806, Wellington Mansion adjacent to the inter-City bus stand and which houses the National Museum of Mankind

Hardwicke Church, St.Philomena’ Cathedral, Chamundi Guest House, Government Guest House are a few others in the list of nearly 200 such structures of importance that have embellished Mysore.

Bandipur

Nestled in the Western Ghats about 80 kms from Mysore and 220 kms from Bangalore, Bandipur is a prestigious Project Tiger National Park located on the highway to Ooty in the Nilgiri Hills. This is a prime tiger and elephant habitat that supports over 300 species of birds and a variety of animals including the Gaur or the Indian Bison, Spotted Deers, Leopards, Hyena, Dholes or the Indian Wild Dogs, Sambar, Sloth bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, Four horned Antelope and scores of other animals. Spread over 874 sq.kms, Bandipur is contagious with Nagarahole National Park, Wynad and Mudumalai National Parks to form the single largest continous stretch of forest cover that is spread over an area of more than 2400 sq kms. Between February and May, hundreds of elephants converge near the Kabini backwaters as waterholes in the jungles dry up and the backwaters of the Kabini Reservoir is the only source to quench the thirst of the animals. The Kabini backwaters plays host to the largest congregation of elephants in Asia in summer. As prime elephant habitat these jungles support nearly 2000 wild elephants while there are nearly 140 tigers in Bandipur-Nagarahole forests. This is one of the few wildlife habitat where all the major carnivores found in India- tigers, leopards and Dholes - are present in large numbers and have a high density. These jungles compare well with the spectacular Kanha in Madhya Pradesh and Kaziranga in Assam.

Srirangapatana

Sequestered 16 kms to the north of Mysore is the riverine island of Srirangapatana. An ancient town that is dotted with more monuments of national importance than Mysore. This was the capital of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom which was first ruled by the Royal Family of Wadiyars who were unseated by military genius Hyder Ali

The glory and fame of Srirangapatana reached its zenith under Hyder Ali and his son and successor Tipu Sultan who tormented the British empire till the latter fell in the 4th Anglo-Mysore war on May 4, 1799 and the Fort town was captured and razed by the marauding British Army.

The kingdom was made over to the Wadiyars once again who shifted the capital from Srirangapatana to Mysore. The fall of Srirangapatana led to its decline in importance and saw the rise of Mysore in stature. But Srirangapatana retains its quaint charm and is one of the most important tourist destinations that cannot be given the miss.


Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The town derives its name from the presiding deity of a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has a splendid and a massive idol in the form of Sri Ranganatha. The temple, located on the banks of the Cauvery river and adjoining the railway line, is one the biggest of its kind in Karnataka and is well-maintained. Art historians aver that the temple may have existed in an earlier form since the time of the Ganga dynasty around the 9th century A.D. The temple tower is visible from a distance and is a picture of great proportion and elegance.

Tipu Sultan

While the origin of this town is shrouded in the mist of time and is associated with Gautama of mythological fame, it rose into prominence under military genius Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan who established a kingdom that was vast and spread across a large area in South India. In the words of historian Vincent Smith “… Tipu Sultan kept the south in continual alarm and was regarded, until the day of his death, as the most formidable power with which the East India company had to deal…. His name dominates the writings of the time…”


A little bit of history here makes for fascinating reading. Tipu is generally regarded as a visionary who established contact with the French and tried to forge an Indo-French alliance to evict the British out of India. He was responsible for popularizing Sericulture in Mysore region and had experts from China to guide him in sugarcane cultivation. His fame in history rests to a great degree for brining about innovations in military and is universally acknowledged as the forerunner of modern missile technology. Tipu Sultan’s army had a rocket brigade and modern scientists recognize that considerable advances in rocket science made at Srirangapatana and were fired en masse at the enemy troop which ran helter-skelter. Relics of these missiles have been retrieved and preserved in the Woolwhich Artillery Museum, London.

[Sidenotes: After Tipu's death, the surviving members of his family were captured and dispersed and a few who claim to be his descendants live in penury in Calcutta. But a lady of exquisite beauty - Noor-Un-nisa Inayat Khan - and who was the daughter of the great grandson of Tipu Sultan, Hazrat Inayat Khan, evokes tremendous curiousity.She was born in pre-Lenin Russia and her mother was an American. She studied at Sorbonne, Paris, wrote poetry and was a humanist. She enlisted for services during World War II and as a Special Operations Executive for British, was the first lady SOE sent on a mission to the German-occupied France and worked as a radio operator. On September 11, 1944 Noor-un-nisa Inayat Khan, who was only 30 years of age, along with three other special officers, were executed by the Nazi soldiers at the Dachau concentration camp. She is reckoned to be the only Indian to have died in a Nazi concentration camp and was posthumously awarded George Cross, the highest British Gallantry Award, which has been awarded to only a few women so far. But there has been a renewed interest in Noor Un nisa Inayat Khan and a book "Spy Princess" has been released in the West. Unfortunately, modern India, squabbling over Tipu's secular credentials, has not heard of her nor is there an attempt to study this intriguing personality]

Dariya Daulat Bagh was the summer palace of Tipu Sultan. Relatively modest in appearance, it has murals rendered by contemporary artists who depicted various battle field scenes recollecting the events from their memory. It was damaged during the siege of Srirangapatana and Arthur Wellesely had it restored and was redone at the instance of Lord Dalhousie in later years. Dariya Daulat Bagh was completed during the reign of Tipu Sultan in 1784 and the structure reflects Indo-Sarcenic architectural style and was the favourite resort of Tipu Sultan. Today it is a museum exhibiting coins, sketches of Tipu Sultan's sons, battle field scenes, arms and daggers, portrait paintings of various nobles, royal robes of Tipu apart from a 3-D painting of warrior Tipu, which, like the Monalisa, seem to meet your eye when viewed from any corner of the room.

Kabutar Khana or Pigeon Cote

Pigeon Mail Service.... The Pigeon Cote or Kabutar Khana at Dariya Daulat Bagh. Pigeons in large numbers were trained and maintained here and were a reliable medium for cross-country communications.

A few canons are exhibited in the sprawling lawns of the Dariya Daulat Bagh