The City of Pearls

Hyderbad from Golkonda fort,Hyderabad

Establishment of Hyderabad city was an initiative by the King of Golkonda, to decentralize the increasing pressure of crowd from the Golkonda. Charminar has an inscription of the King of Golkonda, praying to god to fill the city of Hyderabad with population. Since then, Hyderabad has expanded a lot with increasing number of populations and went on adding new chapters towards fulfilling the dream of the King.

Charminar,Hyderabad

Surrounding the area of Charminar, array of jewellery shops called Laad Bazar showcase the ethnic heritage of the city in their design and in way of their manufacture. Initially with more than ten thousand shops, the history of Laad Bazaar can be compared with the formation of Hyderabad city. A stroll in the premises of Laad Bazar invokes charismatic impetus to have a close look on ethnic Indian Jewelleries. The sparkling lacquer bangles are a speciality of Laad Bazar along with the wide varieties of Pearl jewelleries.

Shop of Laad Bazar,Hyderabad

My memories of holidaying in Hyderabad remind a unique opportunity of witnessing enliven examples depicting utmost love for the cultural traditions and adorability towards the inheritance of ethnicity in varied manner defying the inclination towards other cultures. Combining the fragmented frames of daily life in Hyderabad, their ethnically designed outfits, cuisines, jewelleries represent vivid pictures of cultural heritage and symbolize adorability in preserving the legacies of ethnicity. Surrounded by the historic landmarks, my visit to the wealthy city of Nizams was like an experience of entering into the age of Nawabs with colourful examples of cultural ethnicity and my invaluable experience of witnessing the spirit of the city in the confluences of rich traditions with modernity, rich history and the promises of better tomorrow, as Hyderabad the “city of Pearls” is truly worth for the title in every respect.

Ethnically dressed women in Hyderabad

Ruins of Splendour

Rabdentse,Pelling,Sikkim

It was around 4.00 pm when the Rabdentse was reached on a drive from Pelling, Sikkim. Our vehicle dropped us at the main gate, from where the site of the royal ruins could be reached only on foot. The slanting beams of Sunrays through the clouds were in a mood for an early pack up, and before it was late, we began our walk through the stone paved way to see the Royal relics of ancient Sikkim, Rabdentse. It was an uphill walk surrounded by trees on both the flanks of the trek route. Sometimes the walk was tiring and frightening too due to dense vegetation around but, it was a safe place and tourist friendly.

View of Kanchenjungha at Rabdentse

Finally, the relics of Rabdentse appeared before us, in an array of roofless stone structures, with majestic view of Kanchenjunga in the backdrop. Replete with tales of history, crumbling ruins of the capital of ancient Sikkim, for over hundred years, were calling us. The cluster of walls in the premises was standing as reminder of a capital, as a symbol of power and like a signature of Royal affluence in the reposed ambience. The assorted walls, that housed the prestigious residence, throne and the Buddhist chorten (chaitya or prayer hall) of the Royal family of Sikkim or Chogyal were bereft of sheen, and destined to eerie silence. But, the breathtaking beauty of gorgeous Kanchenjunga at Sunset was still intact to spellbind us. With a blush on the sky, curtain of darkness were slowly spreading over the decrepit legacy of history where time had gone for a never ending sleep and, through the stone paved way, it was time to retreat.

Royal Chorten,Rabdentse,Pelling,Sikkim

The kingdom of ancient Sikkim, Rabdentse, has been declared a monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

A Gateway to Dooars

The coronation bridge/Sevoke bridge

Sevoke Bridge is a prominent landmark and can also be considered as a gateway to the Hills and Dooars. Just 27-Kms away from Siliguri town it is standing like an invincible warrior that shoulders the route to Dooars, on river Teesta. The famous landmark of this region is also commonly known as Bagh Pool or Tiger Bridge. A memento of British India the symbol of revere was erected on river Teesta to commemorate the occasion of Royal coronation in 1937 in the picturesque landscape of mountains and river. The bridge has been nicely mingled with the surrounding, is not only an engineering marvel that connects two mountains, also a distinct crossroad connecting the Hills and the Dooars with Siliguri. The road from Siliguri town to Sevoke Bridge, pass through a stretch of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary having a fair number of wild animals.

The attractive landscape from  Sevoke bridge

The beauty of Coronation Bridge is its simplicity in design; the cantilevered structure on the Teesta River has added more beauty to the landscape without obstructing the view. It is also a popular picnic spot in the vicinity of scenic landscape and a holiday destination to stretch out in the eternal beauty of nature or to fathom out the gushing flow of Teesta under its deep blue colour. A place to admire the seizing blue colour of Teesta at Sunset, that look differently new in different seasons.

View of the landscape from Sevoke Bridge

Surrounded by the protective care of nature it was estimated that the bridge would serve for a life span of hundred years, even at the edge of century, still relentless towards its duties. The huge bridge that enhances the grandeur of the landscape in its presence and as a reminder of British rule in India is worthy to be titled “Gateway of Dooars” as a mark of our concern towards our Historic landmarks.

In the kingdom of happiness

Delo,Kalimpong

The hilltop looked like a crown, over the Graham`s home, Kalimpong. Yogesh pointed his finger to the top and said-that is Delo, our next destination. In a very short time through the uphill gradient of pine lined lane and after six kilometres drive, we reached Delo. Yogesh dropped us at the entry gate and on the other side; nature received us with her unique gravitation.

in the premises of nature,Delo,Kalimpong

Entered in the premises of Delo and consequently we were surrounded by the discriminating beauty of the place, nicely blending the scenic beauty with display of colours. Soothing breeze, in a crystal clear weather accompanied us as we proceeded towards the entirety of a refreshingly fabulous landscape.

Delo in a clear weather

Delo had a wonderful collection of attractive flowers of varied colours. As we were reaching to the top, in every turn the garden surprised us with her munificent display of colours. Leaning on the lap of nature, Delo is a place to laze around under the gentle warmth of Sun, amidst the virgin landscape or staying in wide exposure of nature, an ideal place to discover endless portrayal of different moods of drifting clouds on the canvas of green mountains or a place to capture the changing moods of reposed nature. The bountiful of fabulous beauty of nature surrounded Delo like a garden of heaven, the silhouette of river Teesta flowing with azure were an added beauty to the frame, where we rejoiced in witnessing the mountains, meeting with fluvial flow under sweet warmth of the Sun.

Kanchenjunga

In the colours of dazzling flowers I still freshly recollect my memorable holiday in Kalimpong where I replenished my energy with the perpetual fresh fragrances of nature. Kalimpong is a place to me in the close proximity of nature just doorstep away, where drifting clouds portray many moods on the mountains, where glimpse of glamorous Kanchenjunga brighten the morning and a place to genuflect before the generosity of nature.

The Eternal Sun

Rabindranath Tagore

Shantiniketan Express left from Howrah Railway Station. I felt like flying in ecstasy for uniting with much awaited holiday and besieged by ineffable delight for the eternal personality through whose expressions I witness a golden tryst with my incipient age. He is Rabindranath Tagore or the Sun with his galore of gleams, we are indebted daily.
                                             “Let my name be known
                                              That I am a man of yours.”

The Bauls

It was my trip to Shantiniketan and travelling through the landscape of wide spread golden fields with busy farmers harvesting their yield made the journey unforgettable indeed. A splash of refreshing wind, swept away the last memory of my hackneyed routine. The folk songs of the “Bauls” were a bonus in the train till we reached at Bolpur Station.

Gitanjali museum opposite to the Bolpur railway Station

My Shantiniketan tour began with the museum “Gitanjali” situated exactly opposite to the Bolpur Railway Station. I was like experiencing the life portrayal of Rabindranath Tagore in their interminable collection and decent display of rare photos, furniture of the great poet or his family, rail coach on which Rabindranath Tagore once travelled. It was a rare opportunity to ensemble the gallery that framed many colours and numerous shades of life of the great litterateur.
Now for the pivotal attraction, we headed for Shantiniketan or the abode of peace where we went through series of houses, garden, artworks, and finally it was the museum of the god of literature. I felt the hefty waves with roaring sound were rising in my heart and sometime was feeling like standing at the shore of an ocean that colour our emotions, enrich our existence, rejuvenate our soul and a constant source of inspiration in our daily life. It was indeed the most valuable experience for my entire life time, revisiting my affection towards him. I bent down to shower my deepest respect for the great man, through whose eyes we began dreaming.

                             Where words come out from the depth of truth;
                      Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
                                      Where the clear stream of reason
                      has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Prayer hall at Shantiniketan