Bangalore Palace - An Exquisite Palace in the Heart of Garden City

 

A wonderful palace built in Tudor style architecture commonly known as Bangalore Palace stands in the centre of Bangalore (Bengaluru) city, which is one of the three famous palaces belonging to the Wodeyar dynasty. The other two are the Mysore Palace and Fern Hill Palace of Ooty. There is the misconception among many people that the palace was constructed by King Chamaraja Wodeyar, whereas the fact is it was built by Rev. Garrett, the first principal of the Central High School which was later bought by the Chamaraja Wodeyar for a sum of 40,000/- rupees in 1873 and renovated later. Initially sprawling on 454 acres of land, the palace has lost much of its gardens and beauty to the development taking place around it.

The palace attracts tourists not only for its assorted collection of rare arts and paraphernalia from the history of India, but also for its amazing wood carvings, paintings, turreted parapets, fortified towers, gothic windows, and much more. The palace grounds serves as a venue for big important events like exhibitions, trade shows, trade fairs and other public events including music concerts music concerts performed by artists who come from all across the globe. One of the most distinctive events that took place here was the great music gig named Eddfest, by Metallica in 2007, which is the biggest paid music event to take place in India to date.

Attractions of Bangalore Palace

The Bangalore palace attracts tourists not only for its outer beauty but also for its sophisticated interiors and great collections of arts. Initially the interiors of the palace were closed to visitors but it has been made open to the public for a fee since June 2012. Some of the things that have caught the attention of visitors are:

·         Two valuable gifts - bench of bright colored tiles and a fountain, from Don Alphonso, the King of Spain. It said to be a creation of the great deco ceramist Seville.

·         An exquisite dining table with mother of pearl inlay and Chinese lacquer work which is believed to belong to Sir Mirza Ismail, a great Diwan of Mysore.

·         Photographs and paintings of famous people connected to the Wodeyar dynasty

·         Large acres of sprawling lawns in heart of busy city wide spreading lawns and beautiful gardens.

·         Intricate and elaborate interiors of wood which is boasts of some excellent carvings, floral motifs, ceilings covered with relief paintings and beautifully decorated cornices/ledges.

·         A large open courtyard  on the ground floor with has granite seats which have been decorated with fluorescent blue ceramic tiles

·         An fabulous ballroom for special events

·         Coat of arms with an emblem of two headed bird, an emblem of Wodeyars. It is believed to be presented by the British to the then ruler Chamraja Wodeyar X

·         A grand dressing mirror with frames made of pure gold

·         A chemically preserved elephant head

·         An ancient refrigerator made of wood

·         Rare collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.

·         The Durbar hall or assembly hall of king, with decorated stained glass windows, yellow colored walls and a sofa set to match the walls.

·         A horse hoof leg shaped weighing chair which was used to weight Jockeys by the Wodeyars who were passionate about horse-racing.

·         Common things used by the dynasty like dressing tables, chairs, lamps, combs, stools made from real elephant and bullocks legs, vase made of elephant trunk, empty perfume bottles and other things which gives clues to the lifestyle of the people of past.

Visiting the Palace

The Bangalore palace is conveniently located, as it is just 30 minutes drive from airport. It is located from just 3-4 km from city railway station, 2 km from Yeshwantpur, and just 1 km from Cantonement Railway Station. Tourists can get there easily by either by bus or auto-rickshaws as it boasts of good connectivity with all places of Bangalore. 

Bangalore has pleasant weather all around the year, so the city can be visited whenever it is convenient for the tourist.

The palace remains open to the tourists from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except on Sundays.

Entry fee

Indian tourists – Rs. 230/-

Foreign tourists – Rs 460/-

Extra payment of Rs. 1485/- for video recording and Rs. 685 for photography will be collected separately.

Things to know about India before visiting

 1.       Shalu I know a little about India, but can you tell us a little more about the demographics of India, i.e. location, population, primary language, size, etc.

India with its capital at New Delhi is located in the south of the Asian continent. It is so big that is dubbed as the Indian subcontinent. In Fact, it’s the seventh largest country in the world. India has borders with 7 countries namely Pakistan, Burma, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal lies in the west and the east respectively. The population of India is 1.2 billion and rising, the second most populous country after China. There are 17 official languages of India and Hindi is the most prominent. English is used extensively. The main religion of India is Hinduism while Islam occupies a major space. Other religions include Sikhism, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism.

2.       Some people think ethics only count when someone else is watching or listening.  How is ethical behavior viewed in India in other words are ethics a big part of decision-making?

Ethics is big in India mainly in personal and family affairs. Children are taught morality and some schools even have “Moral Science” as a subject. We are taught how to talk and respect elders, behave in public, help the needy and so on. In fact, the Indian way of life and behavior revolves around “karma” and attaining “mokhsa” or nirvana in other words free form the recycle of birth. 

3.       What is the biggest ethical challenge in the Indian workplace?

India is one of the most corrupt counties in the world. In fact, it’s so bad in some places; you have to bribe the officer-in-charge in order to get some work done. I remember paying a bribe to get my marriage certificate. The biggest challenge in the Indian workplace is eliminating bribery, corruption and shear laziness.

4.       Favoritism at work is one of my most searched queries; does the Indian workplace deal with favoritism at work and what issues are most prevalent in the Indian workplace?

Favoritism and nepotism is rife in Indian workplace. We don’t deal with it, we live with it. It will take another 50 years to get rid of this practice. Bribery is one of the major issues we have to deal with. Although more and more people are being punished for taking bribes and things are getting more transparent but we are a long way away from a bribe-free society. Employees arriving late especially in government establishments is another issue but some administrators are cracking down on this.

5.       You wrote a post about bhang sales (marijuana), is it an ethical issue for the Indian government to support bhang sales?

I don’t think it’s an ethical issue but a cultural one. Consumption of Bhang or marijuana is somewhat ingrained in Indian society. The government of India facilitates the sale of bhang especially during some festivals and some places so that tourists and occasional bhang users do not fall in the trap of drug dealers.

Introduction to India: Culture and Traditions of India: India Guide Book

6.       What are the main uses of bhang by the people of India?

It’s used in “bhang lassi” or bhang milkshake during the Hindu festival of Holi. I am not aware if there are any medical uses of bhang but I have read and heard that it’s used for depression and cancer.

7.       Bootlegged cd’s, movies, and video games are illegal and viewed by most Americans as unethical.  How does India deal with bootleggers and is bootlegging a major problem?

Bootlegging is a big problem in India. Bollywood is the biggest film industry in the world and large numbers of the sales of CD’s and DVD’s are pirated. Unfortunately, it’s sold openly in many places and it’s not considered as unethical by the sellers and most buyers are perhaps not aware of it. There are periodic raids on illegal workshops and the police are trying to crack the bootleggers.

8.       Most Americans have heard about the unethical treatment against women in India; I even wrote an article addressing how women have resorted to using “women only trains”, in your opinion what needs to be done for women rights in your country?

India is highly male dominated society. Women is often subjected to abuse, ill treatment and dowry system is rife. Unfortunately, female infanticide still prevails. Although laws protect women and majority of the time, law is on the side of women but more is still required. Women need to be given reservations in government jobs which will uplift the status of women and will make them financially independent. But to be honest, I think it’s getting better, we’re not the Middle East. Indian women are getting better at fighting for their rights.

9.       You left a comment on my article “Should your house stay inspection ready for a surprise visitor?”, You stated it is very common for people to come by for a visits at any time.  Is surprise visiting anyone at any time acceptable by most Indians?

Visitors in particular relatives often turn up without warning. You just have to play along and allow them to stay in your house as long as they want (sometimes for months or years). Most Indians are not surprised to see visitors at their doorsteps without being warned of their arrival.

10.   Thank you Shalu for your honest candor and being the first international blogger to be part of this series.  I know from reading your blog (Travel guide to India) you are a proud Indian citizen.  Is there anything you would want people to know about India?

Here some facts you might have not known about India;

India is one of the few countries that launch satellites. It was India where zero, the number system, algebra, trigonometry, decimal system, and calculus were invented. Chess and “snakes and ladders “were invented. India has the most number of offices in the world.

India For Kids: Amazing Facts About India

Sexiest beaches in the world

When you think about the sexiest beaches in the world, what thoughts come into your mind? You might imagine a tropical paradise with clear aqua blue water and white sandy beaches. Others may envision palm trees and beautiful scenery in every direction. Well, the sexiest beaches can certainly exist in any geographical location in the world. They come in all shapes and sizes too. If you are a traveler and romantic then you might wish to visit the following sexiest beaches in the world in the near future.

White Beach in Boracay, Philippines

Boracay is an island that is known for having the most gorgeous beaches in the Philippines. White Beach is certainly the most attractive one and it is featured in many advertisements for Boracay. The entire island is roughly 5 miles in length, so you could walk across the sands of White Beach in just a few hours and enjoy all the beauty that it has to offer. This beauty includes the classic clear blue water and white sandy beaches that was discussed. There are also lots of water sports and other beach activities available too.

Coral Islands of Maldives

Most people have never heard of Maldives before, but it is a tropical nation which consists of over one-thousand coral islands. It lies in the Indian Ocean about 200 miles south of the subcontinent and country of India. As for beaches, you could really take your pick because they are all gorgeous on these islands. There are many private beaches on these islands too, so you could arrange the perfect romantic getaway where you and your partner could have a beach all to yourself. Meanwhile, you will get all the luxurious accommodations of a five-star resort that you can imagine.

Haad Rin Beach on Ko Phangan Island in Thailand

Aside from the white powdery sand and aqua blue water, Haad Rin Beach hosts all-night parties which attract thousands of people from around the world every month. Whether you want to go for a romantic getaway or a wild party at an exotic location, this beach has all the essentials. You’ll find dancers, fire eaters, several beachside bars, techno music and so much more. Older couples might feel out of place here because this beach certainly attracts a lot of younger adults. But if you are in the mood for a thrilling beachside experience underneath the stars and moon, then schedule your trip to Haad Rin Beach.

Grand Case on Saint Martin Island

There are several islands in the Caribbean, but Saint Martin island has it all. You’ll find a variety of European cultural elements to experience, such as the food, buildings, people, and history. In the small coastal town of Grand Case, there are gourmet bistros established all along the beach. This used to be a fishing village until it was transformed into a culinary lover’s dream. You can relax in front of the turquoise waters while eating some of the best French food that you ever tasted.

Red Beach in the Greek Island of Santorini

Red Beach is located on the Greek island of Santorini. Greece may have a lot of beautiful beaches, but Red Beach stands out because of its geographical features. For one thing, it is shaped just like a crescent moon which is certainly exotic and unusual for a beach. There used to be a lot of volcanic activity that took place on this island back in ancient times. This helped form a lot of the redness that you see on the beachside cliffs. The Agean Sea in front of the beach has clear aqua blue waters and is in close proximity to clubs. Red Beach does like to attract topless bathers, so you might get lucky and see a few.

Bhojpuri Language

The Bhojpuri language has produced excellent singers but unfortunately the music makers have done no justice to the Bhojpuri music industry. Let’s take the music from the yesterdays when Mohammad Rafi and Mannda Dey used to sing classical Bhojpuri music for Bhojpuri and Hindi film industry that was considered as folk songs. But nowadays, Bhojpuri music is considered as vulgar and very people wish to associate with it. However in recent days, there has been a sort of revival of the Bhojpuri music industry. For instanc, the popularity of Bhojpuri Nirgun and devotional songs has been on the rise thanks to the likes of singers such as Kalpana Patowary and not to mention the most famous of all Bhojpuri stars Sharda Sinha. Sharda Sinha can be considered as the true and only worthy torchbearer of a rich legacy of Bhojpuri vocals. Who can forget her excellent Chhaat puja songs like this one?

Here are some other great Bhojpuri singers including some from the Hindi music industry: 

Sharda Sinha, Manoj Tiwari, Pawan Singh, Prem Sagar, Chhotu Chaliya, Anand Mohan Pandey, Bharat Sharma Vyas, Prem Sagar, Radhe Shyam Rasiya, Rashmi Agarwal, Pawan Singh, Guddu Rangila, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhonsle, Malini Awasthi, Ramayaga Rama, Poonam Singh, Vipul Nayak, Sonu Nigam and many more.

About Bhojpuri Language

Though India is categorized as a country, in reality it is a continent in itself. It is country with so many religions, traditions, food, cultures and languages that no place will look similar to one another. The appearance of the country keeps changing at a distance of few miles. The people start speaking all together a new dialect once you cross a boundary of a region. For a language to stand out in this milieu and create a niche of its own is no easy task, but Bhojpuri which is not even a official language of India has achieved this impossible task. Some of the great politicians, freedom fighters, leaders, actors and other famous personalities have lent their own style to this language. Apart from the national official language Hindi, Bhojpuri is one of the most widely spoken and understood local language of India.

Bhojpuri – a dialect of Hindi

Due to cultural reasons, the language is considered to be a dialect of the language Hindi. Many lovers of the language are working to give it a separate status as it will face the danger of extinction if it is not recognized and promoted in the present era where local languages are taking a back seat. The advent of internet and globalization has brought English language to the forefront and pushed other languages behind. Without proper promotion and encouragement, the language which is loved by many people may die out soon. It has already been forgotten in the country of Pakistan, where the Mujahirs spoke the dialect earlier. Today they speak only Urdu. The same fate has been seen in the countries of Guyana and Trinidad, where people are forgetting the language and not many people are able to even recognize it anymore. The activists who are working for the official status of this language hope to see that it will be included in the 8^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Only some of the languages out of 1,652 different dialects spoken in India are known outside their own region. Bhojpuri spoken by nearly 33,099,497 according to the 2001 census is one of those languages that have been recognized, used and loved all over the country. It is estimated that nearly 200 million Indians speak the language which even if not spoken, is recognized by many more people of India, especially those who speak Hindi. The people of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand speak Bhojpuri besides it usage in countries like Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Bhojpuri language is one of the important languages of the Bihar state besides Angika, Magadhi, Maithili and Bajjika. Though it has spread to other parts of the world, the roots of the language still lay in the state of Bihar. The schools of Bihar teach the language as a compulsory subject to students up to intermediate level, though the students have a choice to study at higher levels.

Bhojpuri Literature

Unlike many languages of India which were influenced by foreign invasions, Bhojpuri is an independent language which was in use since ancient times. The rich and famous Bhojpuri literature holds testimony to this. Kabir with his touching soulful nirgun poetry brought the language to be noticed by everyone, though there had been the Siddha and Naths who had written poetry in the language earlier. The rich literature of Bhojpuri language has been enriched further with works by Rahul, Sankrityayan, Vivek Rai, Bhikhari Thakur, Teg Ali Teg, Ramdatta Shukla, Ram Garib Chaube and many more. Deviksaracarita, Badmasdarpan, Jangal me Mangal and Nagari Vilap. The folk literature of Bhojpuri language is so famous that are enjoyed by non-speakers of the language too. Among the folklores the Kijari songs and dramas of Bidesia are very popular.

Though Bhojpuri is a language of Bihar state, it has no connection with Maithili, which is another language of the state and little similarity to Magahi. It is much closer to Hindi, Braj bhakha and Awadhi languages. Though today Bhojpuri has made a mark of its own, earlier it was considered a part of Hindi language by the government.

Besides literature, Bhojpuri language has left its impression on films and television too. It is only language of Bihar that makes full length films. The language has had great impression on Bollywood too. There are many characters in the Bollywood movies that speak the dialect and are characterized in a certain way. One of the most popular characters is a simpleton with heart of gold who is stunned to corrupt ways of the city. It has nearly half a century of movie making which has seen some historical cinema being made in the language. Mahua and Hamar TV are two of the very popular TV channels of the language which are viewed by people who love the language. 

Somalia - The Horn of Africa

 

We often hear about Somalia for the wrong reasons. The nation of Somalia is always in the news for some reason or the other; most of the time it is for the misdoings of the rebels or militia against its own people. Often we get breaking news across news channels about the latest developments on Somalia such as Somali pirates hijacking an oil tanker or an international merchant ship. However, Somalia also called Horn of Africa, has an ancient past that is never mentioned. It seems that even the people of Somalia too have forgotten its own past during the terrible civil war.

Culture of Somalia

Culture of any country develops based on the accumulations left over by every group survived in the nation. Culture of Somalia is also an accumulation of neighbouring countries like Ethiopia, India, Persia and Yemen. A culture is a group entity formed by several distinct entities like language, families, clans, religion, music, food and literature. All of these together influence the culture of a nation. Every one of these entity might have been formed from any of Somalia’s neighbour. Every neighbour has influenced the culture of Somalia by contributing to one of these entities.

Religion in Somalia

The major religion in Somalia is Islam. Among the Islamic religion, several denominations and traditions are being followed like the Sunni, Sufism and Shia. It was as early as the medieval age when the Muslims came first came to Somalia. It was when Muhammad the Prophet sought refuge in Somalia; the Islamic community was established in the Horn of Africa. However, initially there were only a few people following the religion, later there were many people following Islam. Several Mosques were built across the country and hence the initiation of a great religion started.

Language of Somalia

Language is one important factor influencing the culture of people. People of Somalia speak the Somali language, which has a close relationship to that of the Afar and Oromo languages. Both of them are related to both Africa and Asia, because, Somalia has its boundary in the Indian Ocean through which it had many traders from Asia too. Therefore, Somali is a mixture of both African languages and Asian Languages. After a lot of changes and dialects, Somali was finally divided into three types;

1) The standard dialect, which is followed only by the northern regions of Somalia.

2) Change of dialect on the coastal region led to the development termed as “Benaadir”.

3) Third change of dialect in the southern region led to the development of “Maay”.

Each of these dialects interact with each other easily, the dialects are representative of the region to which they belong. Interestingly, Somali music and songs were very popular throughout the region which has been banned by the rebels this year. 

Families and Clans

Several social units and clans are involved in the politics of Somalia. Some of them are Isaaq, Dir, and Darod. Other clans also include Hawiye and Rahanweyn. People wear formal dresses like jeans and t-shirts. Somalia men wear turban on their heads. After Muslim invasion, Somalia people closely followed the Arab culture and wore the “Jellabiya”.

Such a strong culture rooted in a great nation has shown its power in the ethics and moral of people. It’s a shame to see a country rich in heritage decline into oblivion.