The Karnataka Bandh which was organized to protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu saw good number of participation, especially from politicians and film chambers. Several organizations, both government and non-government supported the Bandh and remained closed for the day.

People across the state remained in-house due to the Bandh. Anticipating the non-availability of essential products, most of them shopped for milk and other essential items the previous day itself.

Commercial establishments and other business centers had to shut shop today. Hotels and malls in Bangalore remained closed. One of the mall owners anticipated a loss of 10 million rupees.

Educational institutions including university declared holiday on Friday itself. Not even single shops were opened during the Bandh hours. Only medical stores were seen operating. People were seen visiting temples and other religious places.

Private cable TV operators blocked all the channels expect news channels. The Kannada news channels beamed live updates on the happenings during the Bandh. Famous Kannada film personalities who actively participated in Bandh were seen the several Kannada news channels.

The tier 2 city, Mysore also saw a similar situation. However, one of the well known companies, Wipro operated during the Bandh hours. The protesters who came to know about this reached the Wipro office and requested them to send all 700 employees and shutdown.

However, the management which did not oblige had to face the wrath of the protesters. The angry protesters broke the computers, glass tables and window pans. They also threw and broke flower pots which were decorated in the office premises. Finally the office was shut down and all its employees sent home.

After 6 pm shops were seen open and people could shop for essential items. All the TV channels were resumed. For more updates visit Bangalore-Bangalore.com. 

Last week of July 2012, middle aged woman named Sunita with the help of other men tried to steal from a flat in the same apartment she lived. However, a tenant noticed it and informed the local police which led to her arrest along with 4 others. The remaining managed to escape. Within a couple of days, she managed to get bail and was out again.

This was not the only offence. While her stay in Bangalore, several cases was registered against her. Two cases were registered in the Cubbon Park station. Bangalore is not the only place where she has committed the crime. The Mumbai police had a warrant against her issued from a local court in Mumbai. They were here in Bangalore to arrest her for an assault and cheating case.

Sunita was living in an apartment complex near UB city, Bangalore. When the Mumbai police tried to arrest her, she locked herself inside the room which made the Mumbai police to seek the help of local police. The Bangalore police reached the spot, had to break open the door after waiting for nearly 90 minutes. The lady was arrested and was taken to Mumbai. 

Now hospitals in Karnataka, especially in Bangalore, Mysore and Hubli will have integrative medicines. In fact Karnataka will be the first State in India to introduce integrative medicines in mainstream government hospitals.

The speciality is that the expecting moms get an opportunity to deliver a baby while hearing the music of their choice in a labour room. This is going to be a reality in hospitals run under the Medical Education Department of Karnataka.

According to the Medical Education Minister Mr. S A Ramdas, the pilot project will be initiated in Bangalore Medical College and Research Center, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli and a Music therapy center at Vanivilas Hospital in Bangalore and Cheluvamba hospital in Mysore. The government is all set to spend 1.25 cr to start a project.

It is believed worldwide that Yoga and Music Therapy reduces stress during pregnancy. The Music Therapy has been helpful for woman to deliver a baby naturally. 

The State Government is planning to establish a special committee to promote Dasara festivities along with the tourism of the heritage city “Mysore”. The committee will club tourism, heritage, exhibition and nada habba Dasara (THEN). Earlier there was a separate committee for Dasara and Exhibition which functioned separately. Both the committee had separate budgets and functions which did not focus on the overall development of the Mysore city or district. (As stated by Mr. Ramdas)

About 10 crores (approx $ 2 million) was allocated for Dasara and other developmental activities during the festival. The concerned officials are not yet intimated about the new plan. However, they will be informed very soon.

A high power committee meeting will be conducted to decide on the THEN authority. The meeting is scheduled to be conducted on July 30th and authority members will be setup on the same day. 

Impressive Monuments of Orchha 
‘Orchha’ a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh has a distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms in Central India. No doubt, Orchha also sometimes spelt as ‘Orcha’ has a plethora of surprises for both pilgrims and the tourists alike. Orcha has numerous monuments depicting Bundela architecture, serving as a treat to history buffs.

As you enter the town of Orchha, you will come across Shaheed Smarak which is built in memorial of Chandrashekar Azad, a great freedom fighter of India who lived and worked in Orcha during 1926 – 27.

One of Orchha’s premier sightseeing spots is the famed Ram Raja Temple, situated in the heart of the town. A unique shrine complex with soaring spires and palatial art, the shrine honours Lord Rama as the king along with the idols of Sita and Lakshmana. This is the only temple where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king. The entrance of the main shrine is adorned with silver carvings of Lord Ganesha and the Sun God. The courtyard has the palace of Dinman Hardaul, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama, as well as a tiny temple dedicated to Hardaul.

The Orcha Fort is another famous destination which has spectacular palaces – the Raja Mahal, Raja Praveen Mahal and Jehangir Mahal built on an open quadrangle. The palaces of Bundelkhand stand out from the others for having fortress-like walls. The doorway of Raja Mahal displays fine stuccowork and stone carvings. The interiors of the palace come alive with vibrant, colourful murals that are based on religious themes. The part of the palace is now been transformed into a ‘Heritage Interpretation Centre’.

One should not miss the Bundela Art Gallery which showcases the images of Garuda dating back to 14th century. There are images of Durga, the horse Ashwamedha and Lord Ganesha of the 17th century in the gallery. The sculpture gallery Jehangir Mahal contains the inscriptions of the Sati pillars of Orchha. The palace was built to mark the victory of ‘Emperor Jehangir.’

Also interesting is the prominent cenotaphs of Orchha on the river banks. The cenotaph of Jaswant Singh, who ruled the town from 1675 AD to 1684 AD is of prominent importance. The sanctum sanctorum, encompassed with the rectangular passage with arched doors, decorated shikars and the inverted lotus on the top of the domes are common features of Bundela architecture.

Another greatest attractions is the Chaturbhuj Temple, which is situated right opposite to the Raja Mahal. Dedicated to the four-armed deity, Chaturbhuj (literally means four armed), the temple has plenty of light and space inside, a feature unusual for Hindu temple.

The Chaturbhuj temple, constructed between the years 1558 and 1573 by Raja Madhukar, the Chaturbhuj Temple is a bold concept and as enormous as any European cathedral.

Do not miss the Lakshmi Temple, Built on an elevated and rectangular foundation; the shrine had been the brainchild of Raja Veer Singh Deo in 1622 AD. The shrine comprises a brick structure in the form of a fortress and its interiors are richly adorned with paintings with depicts scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The shrine is one of the best examples of exquisite murals preserved till date.

 

Travel to Bangalore to explore the heritage buildings, famous lakes, numerous gardens, the information technology parks, the palace, the technology museums, legendary hotels and many more.

Bangalore is today officially known as ‘Bengaluru’, lies in the southeast of the south Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka, also well known as the ‘Garden City’ due to its numerous well maintained parks and botanical gardens in an around the city.

The city does have many other names like the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, rightly called because of the existence of large number of IT companies within the Bangalore city. You will be surprised to known that Bangalore is also known as the ‘Pub City’; no doubt it has the highest number of Pubs when compared to other cities in India.

Bangalore was once considered as a ‘Pensioners Paradise’ but you will be surprised to know that the Bangalore has the largest number of office goers when compared with other cities in India. If you are planning to settle down here in Bangalore after retirement, then time to consider Mysore which is 140 kms from Bangalore.  

First time visitors to Bangalore may find it confusing to navigate around the city. Not to worry, it just takes a couple of days to know the routs. Today Bangalore is all about high-tech buildings, slow moving traffics and various types of pollution when you are well within the city limits.

No doubt, it is very easy to spot heritage buildings in Bangalore. The Vidhana Soudha, the largest legislature-cum-office building built entirely of Bangalore Granite is one of the primary tourist attractions in Bangalore. Just opposite to Vidhana Soudha, have a look at the ‘Attara Kacheri’ building which now houses the High Court. This building was constructed in 1868 at a cost of Rs. 4.5 lakhs.

Bangalore, the ‘Garden City’, is famous for the botanical gardens and parks. The ‘Lal Bagh Botaical Garden’ laid by Haider Ali during 1760 is spread across 240 acres at the heart of the Bangalore city is a marvel. The ‘Cubbon Park’ laid by Sir John Meade during 1870 is also a major contributor to the Bangalore’s ‘Garden City’ tag.