Eternal India Encyclopedia

ETERNAL INDIA encyclopedia

A GREAT DESTINATION

fort containing the Ranjeen Mahal, Chini Mahal and Turkish Mahal palaces. The impressive Khaja Mahmud Gawan Madrasa and the tombs of the Bahmani and Barid kings are also worth seeing. Gulbarga's old fort has a number of interesting buildings inside. The Jami Masjid, inside the fort, is reported to have been built by a Moorish architect during the late 14th or 15th century in imitation of the great mosque in Cordova, Spain.

Trichur : Situated 74 km north of Ernakulam, Trichur has a mu- seum and a zoo with a notable collection of snakes. In April-May of each year the Pooram festival is one of the biggest in the south with fireworks and colourful processions, including brightly deco- rated elephants. Well known for Vadakunathan temple. Guruvayoor : 32 km further, is an important pilgrim centre with its famous Krishna Temple. Kottayam : There is regular ferry service (more than 10 boats a day) through the lagoons from Alleppey to Kottayam. This was a centre for the Syrian Christians of Kerala and there are several of their churches, including Cheria Palli and Valliapalli. Today Kottayam is also a centre for Indian rubber production, and a good base for visits to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary : This 800 square km wildlife sanctu- ary in the Thekkady district on the border of Tamil Nadu is one of the most important in India. It was the earliest sanctuary to be set up in India in 1934 as the Neeliampetty Sanctuary by the Gov- ernment of Travancore. It was named Periyar after the Periyar Lake Reserve was added to it. In it one can see elephants, bison, antelope, sambar, wildboar, monkeys and , if lucky, those elusive tigers. Alleppey : ( Pop 175,000) The snakeboat race for the Nehru Cup is held on the second Saturday of August. On this day scores of long, low-slung dugouts with high decorated stems and upto 100 rowers compete for the cup watched by thousands of spectators on the banks. It is a spectacular event. Varkala : Padmanabhapuram Palace : Although actually in Tamil Nadu, this fine palace is easily visited from Trivandrum. Kovalam : Just south of Trivandrum is one of India's best beaches. It consists of a number of small palm-fringed bays separated by rocky headlands. Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Padmanahhaswami temple : This temple, with huge pylon-like gopurams, heavily deco- rated and gilded finials, is dedicated to Vishnu. Three hundred and sixty-eight carved granite pillars mark the corridors. Padmanabhapuram Palace : 53 km on the way to Kanyakumari or Cape Comorin - the Land's end. It is rich with unique murals, and exquisite carvings in bronze and stone. Ponmudi : Or the "golden peak", is a one and a half hours drive lined with fruit and mango trees. Suchindram : The site of an excellent temple on the way to Kan- yakumari it is 87km from it. Quilon : Built on the edge of the Ashtamudi lake, it is the gateway to the famed backwaters of Kerala. The 70km trip (8 1/2 hour) by the backwaters from Quilon to Alleppey is something no tourist should miss. The Thevali Palace on the sea is yet another attrac- tion.

KERALA

Kerala, the land of coconuts, is a narrow, fertile coastal strip bordered by the Western Ghats on the south-west coast of India. Long before the Portuguese arrived in Kerala in 1500, it had been carrying on a flourishing spice trade with the Chinese and Arabs. The Jews are supposed to have arrived in Kerala in 587 B. C. The present day state of Kerala was created in 1956 from Tra- vancore, Cochin and Malabar, which was formerly part of Madras State. In 1957 Kerala became the first place in the world to freely elect a Communist government. Kerala offers one of the best beaches in India at Kovalam and a unique wildlife sanctuary at Periyar. Cochin (Kochi) & Ernakulam : One of India's most beautiful and interesting cities. A natural harbour surrounded by palm groves, inland lakes and backwater. Cochin has one of the world's oldest (1568) Jewish synagogues. Fort Cochin : St. Francis Church. This is the oldest church (1503) constructed by Europeans on Indian soil. Vasco da Gama, first European to reach India by sailing around Africa, died in Cochin in 1524 and was buried here for 14 years, before his body was taken to Lisbon. His tombstone still stands. The church was built by Portuguese Franciscan friars who accompanied the expedition led by Pedro Alvarez Cabral. The original structure was wood but it was rebuilt in stone about the middle of the 16th century. The earliest Portuguese inscription found in the church dates back to 1562. Also in Fort Cochin is the Cathedral of Santa Cruz. Mattancherry Palace : The palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Cochin Raja, Veera Kerala Varma (1537- 61) , as a gesture of goodwill. It was substantially renovated by the Dutch after 1663, hence its other name, the 'Dutch' Palace. The double storied quadrangular building surrounds a central courtyard containing a Hindu temple. The Central Hall on the 1st floor was the Coronation Hall of the Rajas of Cochin; on display are dresses, turbans and palanquins belonging to these rulers. There are murals in the bed-chambers and other rooms, depict- ing scenes from the Ramayana and Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara and Durga. The Jewish Synagogue : Built in 1568, this is the oldest syna- gogue in the Commonwealth. Cochin Museum : It contains collections of 19th century oil paint- ings, old coins, sculptures and Moghul paintings as well as exhib- its from the Cochin royal family. Gundu Island : The smallest Is. in Cochin harbour is close to Vypeen Is. There is a coir factory here, the only building on the island where attractive doormats are made out of coconut fibre.

MADHYA PRADESH

Bhopal: Is the capital of Madhya Pradesh, India's largest state. Founded by King Bhuj in the 11th century. Bhopal is derived from