Paigah Tombs : The lives lost in alleys

Paigah Tombs: The lives lost in alleys 

The history stands still between the creepers of our daily life. The time runs and takes its necessary action  for change whether it's good or bad but the memory stays. I am grateful to visit one of the rarely visited place -" Paigah Tombs", Hyderabad. My love and passion for the Islamic architecture added another feather on the hat by visiting this quiet, peaceful, solitary and pleasing site. 

When I checked about it in the Google before visiting did not think that I will be proven so wrong . As I wanted to make my Sunday little active so traveled to the Paigah Tombs seeing the most trustworthy and all time favourite Google map. While travelling I could not believe that a heritage site which was built over 200 years ago exists in between the over crowded area (Santosh nagar) in Hyderabad. The narrow passages leads mysteriously to the graves of the ancient ancestors. The whole site is so misfit to it's surrounding and that is why it stands out 'Uncommon'.

                         

The site is the best example of the simplicity infused with the intricacy and exquisite explanation of decor.  The diversity echoes in each and every corner of the site. The extensive manner of decoration shows the influence of Greek, Persian, Deccani and Rajasthani styles combined with the Indo Islamic style. The Noticeable thing is the use of 'Jali' which is quite common in Islamic architecture but here the varieties of jali creates the exaggeration of beauty. 

                                           

It was Abdul Fateh Khan Tegh who gave the Paigah nobility. He was given the title of the 'Shams -Ul-Umra' (the Sun among the masses) by the Nizam II. The Paigahs were the most influential and aristocrats among the royal families of Hyderabad Deccan. They were administrators of the Nizams. Their contributions in managing courts, armies, palaces made themselves the 'Right hand man' of the Nizam family. It was since 1797 that two families started inter marrying and strengthened their bond.

The major complex of Paigah Tombs consists 27 major  tombs stunningly executed with the fine inlay work and marble craftsmanship. The geometric design on the tombs are really noticeable and each tomb is unique and executed differently maintaining the Islamic culture.

The different flower motifs as border shows the detailed observation and intricate detailing. Each and every corner of the site explores uniqueness.

 

The open premises leads to the one block to another. while walking in the corridor I was feeling so blessed and was trying my best to penetrate the essence of the heritage inside me. I was trying my best to experience the difference which I felt crossing the tombs. It was an unusual experience to be the spectator, thinker and imaginator at the same time. I was struggling to be consistent while my mind and soul were drenched into the mist of imagination.

The presence of a Mosque inside the tombs premises made it very interesting. It is said that at the noon the whole Mosque's reflection falls in the water. So I tried my best to capture the shot.

As an artist I found this place fascinating and also it encourages us to know more, more about the time, history and the evolution. This place makes a difference of being uncommon into the commons. 

Photographs taken by Saheli basu.

Chowmahalla Palace : Embraces the grace

Chowmahalla Palace

This is the 'ONE' which will help you to have the feeling of royalty and elegance. The Chowmahalla Palace  is under the must visit list in Hyderabad tour. So believing in that I visited the palace and stood amazed by its 'Everything'. 

Now the best twist is the location. You can't assume that a whole and humongous palace is hiding beside a busy, daily road and the playground. As google map is my best friend so the husky voice took me to the exact destination. I stood still when I entered to the gate and felt myself a great discoverer seeing the ancient history with its beauty. After the security check and the successfully declined the guide I started my own discoveries. I always believe that we should travel as per our interest and explore the places the way we want. 

First thing which will take your breathe away that is the architectural style and the elegant colour combination. The word which suits best is the 'Magnificent' . The palace was built over 200 years ago and it is meticulously restored. 

The Nizams,  the beholder of the great tastes stood always the legendary patronage of art, architecture and science. The construction of the palace was initiated by the Nizam Salabhat Jung in 1750 and the Nizam Afzar-ud-Dawla Bahadur who ensured the completion  between the 1857 and 1869. Literary the Chowmahalla means four . It spreads over 45 acres but unfortunately 12 acres remains. 

So after the small history Let me tell you the arrangement of the architectural spaces. Once you enter you will find the beautiful fountain inside a rectangular pool. The palace stood behind the pool.

There are two courtyards , southern and northern. The southern courtyard is the oldest complex in the premises. It is under restoration. It includes the four big palaces -Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal. In these Aftab Mahal is the grandest in appearance. It is two stored building with elegant marble and wood work. It shows the influence of European facades of Corinthian pillars.  The Northern courtyard is fully restored and opened for visitors. It opens a long corridor with number of rooms which indicates the administrative wing. 

The noticeable feature is the architectural planning of the palace. The whole place is divided included the open green premises meticulously. Walking around it , the ambiance will take to the age of it, you can feel the royalty and the glorious history. The contradiction of the history and the contemporary will definitely  create a tension, passion and solitary feeling which can not be shaded off easily. 

                                           

The amazing vintage car collection is the next which can't be missed. These are the another signature tastes of the royalty. The collection includes Rolls Royce, Ford Tourer, Wolseley and many more. 

                       

The description of the glorious history will remain incomplete if I don't mention the elaborate ammunition collection of the Nizam's. The humongous collection included never ended variety of weapons across the dynasties. The walls are fully occupied up to the ceiling with the collection and indeed the aura of display gives the final touch to make it more vibrant.

                       

Hope these will give you the nitty- gritty about the palace. Time to wind up of this chapter and there are more lined up. So visit Hyderabad, eat drink and cherish the flavour of the Nizams in your heart.

Serene Chikmaglour

The coffee lovers…… take a sip, relax and breathe the smell of coffee by visiting the small hill station named ‘Chikmaglour’ . It literary mean the ‘small Mangalore’. I am not going to make you bore by preaching the information about it rather than giving the essence of it which I felt and cherished in my heart. 

So… as per the India map and trusted google map advisers you can reach to chikmaglour through any of your comfy mode of vehicle . As per my observation it’s best to drive . The place stands very simple, common until you unveil the adventures . Chikmaglour located in the foothills of the Mulayangiri range. Staying in the coffee estate will flavour up your trip more. There are many easily accessible home stays which can be booked by trip advisers very easily. I stayed in the ‘Estate view’ home stay which is 35 acres and fully occupied by coffee trees, beautiful stream walk and many unknown gorgeous flowering plants. The beauty of the surroundings will take you far from your daily life chaos and will allow you to breathe, breathe and breathe.  Roll your eyes  and be witness to the unmodified, raw, rooted ,untouched nature. 

There are places to visit but by upgrading the taste, visit the places which will bring some adventure, laughter, relaxation, fantasy and romanticism in life .  So start your day by visiting Mulayangiri Hills. This is the highest peak in Karnataka. The height is 6,276 ft. The peak gets its name by a small temple at the summit. This is a must visit because you will be amazed to see the beauty of the surrounding mountains and greenery. The cold breeze and the bright sunshine will make your heart warm and make your mind calm and ignited both. Your heart will be hungry for more and the spark will turn into the fire to  complete the summit. Once you reach the top the experience will be exclusively your experience. The realization of the beauty will open a new door to you with many explanations. 

Next destination is the Jhari water falls to sprinkle some chill water on your warm, ignited heart and mind. This water fall is near Attigundi near Chikmaglour. Jhari falls situated on the way to Baba budangiri from chikmaglour. It is surrounded by the dense forest and the coffee plantations. The touch of the cold, freezing water is perfect to wash off your daily life’s tension. Spend some time there and regain energy to trek back all the way up. 

Next day another water fall is awaiting to be visited ,that is Hebbe fall. It is little far approx 66 km from Chikmaglour. This water fall is situated inside the Bhadra wildlife Sanctuary. It cascades down from 550 ft in two stages to from big and small falls. A pool is formed by the waterfall where you can splash water and go back to your childhood and perform some madness. make yourself free and nature will take care the rest. Experience the wild and sublime beauty of the nature. 

Except all these places there are many small tourists spots to visit but if you want a remote, adventures gateway do not skip these three major places. Visit and make it your own cup of coffee.