Thursday 25 February 2010

An afternoon in the sun

Bow Wow friends,
This is Sheeba.
Yesterday I was not well and cried out in pain several times
in the afternoon.
I did not eat any breakfast too
and even refused my favorite cookies.
My mistress gave
(read forced down my throat)
a Paracetamol tablet and a
herbal capsule which did
the trick and I felt much better
and even had a late supper. Miss Holly shared this nice free graphic
She thinks this doggie resembles me
and I agree with her whole hearted.
Thank you kindly Miss Holly.
And now I will let my mistress tell
her story about an outing at the Museum and Park.
___________
January brought cold and foggy weather
forcing us to stay indoors
to escape the biting chill.
But when the sun made a feeble appearance
occasionally , we seized the opportunity
of taking the boys (my nephews)
out to see various places of interest in the city.
One afternoon we went to see the Allahabad Museum and
Alfred Park also called Company Bagh (British Park), now renamed
Chandrashekhar Azad Park after
a freedom fighter .
Namrita outside the Museum.
We were not allowed to take photos inside.
The Allahabad Museum is one of the best kept and well maintained museums in India. The uniqueness of Allahabad Museum is that it has separate galleries dedicated and devoted to natural history exhibits, archaeological findings, art gallery and artifacts donated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The Museum, was inaugurated in the year 1947 by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The Allahabad Museum, proudly exhibits a huge collection of displays that are scattered across a whopping 18 galleries. The beautiful items that are on display include prehistoric and Indus Valley antiquities, textiles, terracotta, stone sculpture, weapons, bronzes, seals, miniature paintings, Buddhist artefacts medieval land grants and much more. The museum also displays the documents and the personal effects of Nehru and the freedom movement.The other picturesque objects that are exhibited in the Allahabad Museum, Uttar Pradesh include beautiful stone images, lintels and intricately carved temple pillars dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD. These objects represent and portray important dynasties, both ancient and medieval. The museum also displays antiques from nearly all the well known and renowned schools of sculptures which include Mathura, Gandhara, Sarnath and Kausambi.All said and done, the most interesting and intriguing part of the display consists of the magnificent terracotta collection of this museum. The coin collection of Allahabad Museum in Allahabad in India is also brilliant. The coin collection includes Kushana and Gupta gold coins.

On top a British cannon


Mishael photographically captured a mongoose on the lawns





A lawn where people practise yoga.
Behind it is the old British Public Library.

This park was built to commemorate the visit of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, to Allahabad. It forms a quiet and refreshing tract of greenery in the heart of the city. It was later renamed in honour of Chandra Shekhar Azad, a freedom fighter who lost his life at this place during the struggle for independence. It contains a white marble canopy which was formerly a memorial to Queen Victoria.


Alfred Park is a must visit tourist destination in the city of Allahabad. Apart from the fact that Alfred Park is the largest park in Allahabad, it has historical significance as well. The park is marked by huge statue of George V and Victoria that were installed in the very center. The Park was the site for official ceremonies at the time of British that were often followed by musical performances of the Police Band. The park became famous during the Indian Freedom Struggle. This was the same place where the famous encounter between the British police and Indian revolutionary took place. Chandra Shekhar Azad had taken the vow that come what may, he will never let himself in to the hands of imperial police. Therefore he took the pseudonym 'Azad' that means 'Free' in Hindi. It happened so that Azad got cornered in the Alfred Park while he was escaping out after an act. A full unit of the then Allahabad Police cordoned the park and cut the escape route. An hour-long exchange of fire followed but when Azad found that he has only one bullet left in his pistol, he preferred to shoot himself than breaking his vow. After independence this park was renamed as Chandra Shekhar Azad Park and a bust statue of Azad has been erected where he died.


My Dad and I used to come here
regularly for our daily morning walks
when my legs were good.
I was once bitten by a feral monkey
while exercising.
I had to get a shot after that
for the sake of precaution.



Namrita and the boys in front of the marble canopy
which housed the statue of
Queen Victoria.

The central bandstand.
The gazebo like canopy over it
has also been removed.

A canine visiter snoozing in the
pleasant winter sun.
The park is spread over several acres and
accomodates the Museum, several speciality gardens,
a scientific research centre, library ,several orchards and groves,
an aviary, small vineyard, plant nurseries,
a ladies club building,a stadium,
tennis courts ,an Indian music school
and a cultural centre.

This is a grave/shrine of a Muslim mystic.
It looks rather ghostly in the foggy afternoon haze.
My Dad 's younger brother has an interesting story
about this place.
One night (when he was young)
he was taking a short cut through the park
on his bicycle. It was midnight when he passed
the grave and there was darkness everywhere.
He saw a figure in a white sari
following him rather swiftly.
It was a mysterious woman with flowing long hair.
He knew that it was not a normal thing for a woman
to take a walk in the park at midnight.
He sensed that it was a ghost or an apparition.
He somehow managed to reach the busy street
where the woman disappeared.
By the time he got home he was suffering from fright fever.
He was a young boy then.
(My uncle went to be with the Lord 10 years ago)
There is also a grave of a British army officer in the Park.
And when I came here for walks with my American lady
friend years ago we met
a Hindu man there who was
rather devoted to the grave.
He used to clean and decorate the grave
and lit candles around it.
I found that rather amusing.
Maybe he thought the soldier was a saint!

Outside the gate there were
several snack stalls.

Of course the boys were hungry

and wanted their favorite bhelpuri
and chaat.


The sugarcane man was eager to be
photographed too.
We had a lovely afternnon.
On Feb 20th I visited the Prk
again for the Horticultural Show.
I have another post for that.

15 Fertilize my soul:

Simply Shelley said...

Enjoyed this post Amrita... very much...you always post the most interesting things...glad your Sheba is feeling better....my Duke has a bad earache right now...your garden is beautiful...like the pictures of you as well....thanks for sharing...blessings to you....

Crown of Beauty said...

Happy to know that your dog is recovering.

These are beautiful pictures...showing British influence in your place.

It doesn't look crowded at all.

I would love to taste one of those treats being sold by the vendors!

Thank you always for taking time to post the pictures and the historical background of places and events in your country.

Love
Lidj

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
You have a country and a culture to be proud of.
When my countrymen worked with stone axes, yours had a highly developed culture and art.
Thank you for showing us around and share from your abundance.

Freedom sure came at a high price for India, but thanks to the brave and firm not-violent men it went well.
We have so much to learn from them.
Imagine what a hatred it must have been against the English, after all those years.
Well, it went well, and we shall pray for peace for India and for the Christians in particular.

I'm glad Sheeba is feeling better. Herb are healing for animals as well as for men.
All the best from Felisol

madison said...

Looks like you all had a great time. To bad you couldn't take pics of the inside, I bet it's spectacular.
Unfortunately, Goga has to stay away from the snack stalls when he's over there.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Dear Sheeba!

I hope woo are khontinuing to feel better!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Mom says thanks fur great post too!

Holly, the Old Western Gal said...

My dearest Sheeba, this is Gracie speaking, Holly's oldest doggie. I hope you stay well. I too have not had a good day, but in my case, it is sheer age. Try to get some treats out of your owner. That's what I do when I haven't been feeling well. Give Amrita the "sad eyes" look and see if she will hand over a cookie.


___________

Hi Amrita! I loved the tour of the museum grounds and parks and the street vendors, too. The thought of the feral monkey bite has me alarmed! I think it would have given me PTSD where monkeys are concerned...you and Nam look so much alike I must always give a second look...

John Cowart said...

Hi Amrita,

You certainly take those boys on adventurous outings.

Re: the magazine article you asked about--I can't remember which magazine that first appeared in, but the piece was callend "Move Over, Paul Revere". Here is a link:

http://www.cowart.info/Family%20Life/Paul%20Revere/Paul%20Revere.htm

Becky Wolfe said...

Hello & thank you for the wonderful post of photos & insight into your wonderful culture and country. Sorry for being away from blogland for so long. I have recently returned to blogging & have been trying to find all my old favourite blogs that I loved to read in the past. Yours was definitely one of them so I'm glad that I stopped by on such a photo filled informative post :) Blessings to you!

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Hello Amrita,
So happy to hear from you.I am doing better...thank you.
I'm glad your doggie is doing well also.We sure adore out pets.
This wa a beautiful post and I don't know where to begin.What wonderful looking boys.
I jsu loved all of the pictures to showed us.The muesum is just breathtaking.All that history.I would love to be there with you all to enjoy it.
You take care and don't let any monkey's bite you...LOL
May God bless you and your lovely family,
XXOO Marie Antionette

Marie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Annie K said...

Thank you for the photo journey! I especially like the picture of Namrita with the boys who are sitting on the canon!

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Hi Amrita:)Great to see all the beauty, like to seeyou to, I would love to have some of your sun, greetings JoAnn

Gerry said...

A very comprehensive report of your visit to the museum. And the photos were very enlightening, too. I really enjoy looking into life in India through your blog. Enjoy the poetic form, and your roses. Good job! The boys look as though they were enjoying themselves along with your sister and you.

the mother of this lot said...

It looks like a great day out Amrita!

Julie said...

I am glad Sheeba is feeling better and you knew what to do to help her. Loved all the photos and the history behind the museum. I learn so much visiting your blog.