Wandering in the Vibrant City... Kolkata... Day 5
Day 5
We had reserved this day to look at the places close to our Inn and on the bright sunny day when we reached the Indian Museum we realized that it was a day when all the museums had the weekly day off… We decided since nothing can be done about it… Let us see whatever is open and chose to walk… The whole set of Indian Museum, Asiatic Society of India, Victoria Memorial, Birla Planetarium and The Eden Gardens were at a walking distance and we had a leisurely stroll… Our first stop was at Birla Planetorium... Birla Planetarium, Kolkata is one of the three Birla Planetariums in India. Popularly known as Taramandal, it is the largest planetarium in Asia and second largest in the world. It is located on Chowringhee Road quite close to the Victoria Memorial.
One of the interesting aspects of the Birla Planetarium is certainly is its architecture. My first glimpse of it had me feel it to be very familiar. I was struck by the striking resemblance to Sanchi Stupa. Later I found out that the style followed in the Birla Planetarium has been adopted from Sanchi Stupa indeed. A splendid dome ornaments the zenith of the Planetarium and shines with white brilliance. The dome accommodates as many as 688 people. The magnificent visuals of the show, Cosmic Collision, showing at present, a popular presentation world-wide, was enchanting... While the show is on, Silence rings loud, a testimony to the mesmerizing effect it has on its audience. Shows are presented in different languages at staggered timings.
Apart from the show it houses an astronomy gallery which is a display of paintings, celestial models. bust of famous astronomers in niches and a gallery where working models and visuals are presented. This is surrounded by a beautiful manicured garden...
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It’s an impressive building of white marble just like the Taj Mahal… It was conceived as the Memorial to the Queen by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India in the Capital of India as a fitting Memorial to the former Empress. By the time it was completed, the Capital had shifted to Delhi and it was found to be constructed in the capital of a state and not the country…
This symmetrical building is surrounded by magnificent landscaped garden that is also laid symmetric.
Below the seated Queen Victoria statue, are the narrative panels ...
The garden is replete with statues of various Viceroys and the personalities who figured in the growth of British Empire in India till that time. The statues around the building include that of King Edward VII, Lord Curzon, Lord Dalhousie Lord Hastings and Robert Clive et all...
Another attraction of the memorial is the Angel of Victory, a black bronze angel placed atop its dome. Fixed to its pedestal with ball bearings, the Angel of Victory with a bugle in her hand rotates as wind blows strongly. Several sculptures in and around the dome enhance the British aura of the place.
Enjoying the pleasant atmosphere with very few people like us around we decided to head back and have a quick bite before we head to Birla Mandir.
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Birla Temple, a beautiful structure that adorns the street is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his Radha. It is an amalgamation of traditional architecture with modern reflections, a blend of vernacular craftsmanship of yore with the engineering genius of the present. Birla Temple like in Delhi is raised from the ground level and stands majestic.... tall and imposing... The approach is by a flight of steps passing through levels. When you reach midway, from the landing, you see the temple structure in its full form .
Towering shikars (domes) covered in intricate stonework and design adorn the main facade of the temple. The exterior of the Birla Mandir complex is of sandstone, while the interior is made of exquisitely ornamented white marble. The temple structure is a pearly white marble marvel. Its walls depict the pictorial presentation of verses of shlokas and scenes from Bhagavad Geeta. The electric lights and the three huge stunning chandeliers adorning the ceiling impart brilliant light radiating through the crystals, enhance the pearly white softness of the marble. The continuous chanting and the soft music adds to its calm and spiritual environment. In addition, the Silver and the Belgian glass artifacts merge with the interior and add to the uniqueness of the shrine.
Although the Principal Deity of the temple is Krishna and Radha, the left side of the shikar (dome) houses Goddess Durga, the Goddess of Power and to the right of the main shrine is Lord Shiva in meditation mode. Other Gods revered here are Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Lord Vishnu in The Dasha (Ten) Avatars.
As it was dusk when we reached the temple, it was simply an enchanting vision. Birla Mandir located at Ballygunge, Kolkata is a sight to behold!
That was Day 5...
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West Bengal is known for its rich culture... Bengalis have always romanced the finer things in life, be it literature or films, music or cuisine... Among other things, Bengalis love and pride in their wide range of delectable mishti... the amazing sweets... which lures you... Whether you have a sweet tooth or not... one look at them, you are enticed and once you put it in your mouth, just like a flower your taste buds bloom slowly and the flavour envelopes... At any wedding or even a sweet shop you are confronted with numerous sweets some familiar and some not... But everyone of these elegant sweet melts your heart, stimulate your taste buds with their delicate sweetness... Mohan bhog, Lobongo latika, Raj bhog, Roshogulla, Chom chom, Bhappa doi, Pati shapta, Chanar jeelapi, Kalo jaam et all... I had the delight of tasting quite a few of them and it was a divine...
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Next day like the homing birds we caught the flight back... and now its time for me to say...
...Thank you all for being with me...
...Tomorrow I am going to post one-shot on a lighter topic...
...Hope to see you all there...
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