When we plan a trip to foreign countries we are sure of two things; one visiting the capital of the country and another is to see at least one Unesco World Heritage Site. One of our unrealistic dreams is to visit all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, what is achievable is our own country's remarkable heritage sites. Having visited only a handful, we have miles to go before ticking down the distinguished list. Consider it as a lazy post, so without much ado the list goes; 1. Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam-1985 2. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam-1985 3. Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya, Bihar-2002 4. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi-1993 5. Qutb Minar and its monuments, Delhi-1993 6. Red Fort Complex, Delhi-2007 7. Churches and Convents of Goa, Goa-1986 8. Champaner Pavagadh Archeological Park, Gujarat-2004 9. Group of Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka-1986 10. Group of Monumetns at Pattadakal, Karnataka-1987 11. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh-1989 12. Rock Sheleters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh-2003 13. Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh-1986 14. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra-1983 15. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra-1983 16. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra-1987 17. Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus), Maharashtra-2004 18. Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa-1984 19. Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan-1985 20. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan-2010 21. Great Living Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu-1987 22. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu-1984 23. Agra Fort, Uttar Prades, 1983 24. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh-1986 25. Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh-1983 26. Mountain Railways of India 27. Nanda Devi and Valley of Floers National Park, Uttarakhand 28. Sundabans National Park, West Bengal 29. Western Ghats 30. Hill Forts of Rajasthan, Rajasthan-2013 31. Rani Ka Vav, Gujarat-2014 32. Great Himalayana National Park, Himachal Pradesh-2014 33. Nalanda, Bihar-2016 34. Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim-2016 35. The Architectural Work Of Le Corbusier, Chandigarh-2016
More than 400 years old Portuguese Church. Elevated exterior and amply decorated interior compels one to marvel at the artisan skills. Except knowing it as one of the union territories we were totally ignorant about Daman. Cousin "G" newly got posted here. It was his idea for us to visit his home clubbing with Diu and Gujarat. After breaking our journey in Kolhapur from Bangalore we reached Daman around 1 o'clock. Daman is at a distance of 533 KM from Kolhapur. The route was; Kolhapur-Karad-Satara-Pune-Thane-Talasari-Bhilad-Vapi-Daman.
Info: Captain Diogo De Melo was heading toward Ormuz when his boat was caught in wild blizzard, so accidentally he anchored in Daman in the year 1523. From then onwars Daman remained a Portuguese colony for more than 400 years until 1961, 14 years after Indian independence. Less popular than its cousin "Goa" where tourists throng, Daman offers a vibrant Portuguese architecture and culture. In the wintry afternoon passing through a various colonial buildings, we reached the Church of Bom Jesus. The church was completed in its present form in 1603 A.D. More than 4 century old church is dedicated to Bom Jesus. During the early days of the Portuguese rule it functioned as a parish church. Beautifully arched brown wooden door goes well with white background. Elevated exterior and amply decorated interior compels us to marvel at the artisan skills of that period. Lofty ceiling, carved and gilded altar embellished with the statues of six saints are mesmerizing. The intricate designs on the main altar, adjacent altars, and pulpit were incredible.
As it is noon we had the entire church for ourselves and the amazing feeling we had can't be described in words. If this is not absolute peace and serenity we don't know what it is.
Yakshagana, a unique theater form found mainly in coastal Karnataka and Malenadu region of Karnataka. It is a blend between dance, music, dialogue, story, resplendent costume, face painting. I always loved Yakshagana. As my dad writes Yakshagana Prasanga (songs and story), I was introduced to it from a very young age, be it Bayalata (open theater) or tent aata (closed theater). It stats at night and ends in the morning. When I was young, definitely it wasn't the Yakshagana that lured us. Down the memory lane: Early dinner at home, carry a mat and blankets, roam around stalls selling Bhel (Churumuri), peanuts, ice candy, sugarcane juice; stuffing everything to hearts content. We used to get pocket money for this special occasion. The program starts around 9.30 or 10. By this time crowd would have gathered. We spread mattress religiously, cover ourselves from blanket in chili winter. Effect of dinner and sumptuous snacks kicks in and we sleep like babies through the humdrum of program. Next morning, get up and go home. We get to bunk next day school because of our all night endeavors. That is how my love started. I slowly started developing genuine interest in this incredible theater form. I even had the opportunity to learn this. Alas! Spending grueling months in practice while my friends whiling away the time seemed like a bad idea then. Then teenage happened followed by college and work. The last Yakshagana I watched was 2 years back on Ganesha Chaturthi festival. Then it wasn't a full fledged dawn to dusk show, rather a small 3 hour show. One will be very well acquainted with it if he/she is from coastal Karnataka (North Canara, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada), Malenadu (Shimoga/Sagar), or part of Kasaragodu. There are 7 types I'm told, but I've watched Tenkutittu and Badagutittu. Yakshagana is being compared with Western tradition of Opera. The music is a combination Karnataka and Hindustani music, though of a different category with musicians playing instruments like Chande, Maddale, harmonium, etc. It doesn't matter if the story is mythology or modern, the characters will make sure the audience will have light moments with their witty, philosophical dialogues, completely staying in the original character. It makes me so proud to be part of this rich, cultural art form (remotely indirect). I'm longing to watch Yakshagana with same good old day settings sans sleep, preferably a mythological one, something like Krishna-Sandhana, Bhasmasura-Mohini, Rukmini Swayamvara, Bhishma Vijaya. PS-My dad's "Shruthi-Panchami" was a blockbuster, running more than 100 days, even in Mumbai. I hope I'l be able to publish all his works in the future. Written By: Pallavi
