SAFDARJUNG TOMB

Since long I heard a lot about a Heritage Site at the interaction of Aurobindo Marg and Safdarjung Road. The absolute picture came to my mind that it might be an isolated place for Lovebirds. But, my perception changed when I decided to visit that heritage place on Sunday with my hubby. Though the time was just approaching for sunset so I hurriedly entered to that historical monument.I stood silent for a moment to had a sight of the place. Perhaps it was a place for aspirants photographer who was roaming along with their camera. They all experimented to catch the view through their lens. I was also no exception from that.
Yes, the grand mausoleum of Abdul Mansur Mirza Muhammad Muqim Ali Khan better known as Safdarjung stood at the center of the garden.Due to his great statesmanship quality which brought him into a very top position during the rule of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah who gave him the title of Safdarjung.He appointed as the chief minister of Hindustan and later took the main position in Delhi court.His sudden rise in central administrative field pushed him to create a rivalry group around him.Court politics overtook him and he returned to Oudh and died in 1755 in Sultanpur near Faizabad.His able son Nawab Shujaud Daula took permission from Mughal ruler to build a tomb for his father.
A Grand Mausoleum was designed by Abyssinian. It was built in 1754 by his son  Shujaud Daula.Red and yellow colored sandstone were used.It was told that slabs from the tomb of Abdul Rahim khankhana were used in the construction of this tomb of Safdarjung.It was the last monumental tomb garden of the Mughals.
Now, it is maintained by ASI of the Indian government. No doubt a beautiful place to see the architectural style of Mughals. Lush green lawns are manicuring very neatly around the areas which attract the visitors to spare few moments with their loved ones.

Raghurajpur, the heritage village of India

It was the time of spring when season awaited for blooming of flowers around us. Too suitable climate to visit a place of our choice.  I decided to move towards Raghurajpur just 14 km distance from puri. After crossing the Chandanpur our vehicle turned towards a narrow muddy road. I enchanted with the sight scenery of village life. Barely half an hour later we stopped at the entrance of the so-called heritage village. Hoarding of village name distinctly displayed so that no tourist could get any confusion. The moment I came into contact with local people to inquire about the address of Guru Maguni Das residence, immediately few shopkeepers invited us to have a look at their crafts.I moved to the village which has only two streets with 120 houses.Each house is decorated with beautiful hand painted by traditional paintings of Odisha. The craftsmen were continuously focussed on their paintings on Pattachitra. I just went along with a local young chap who took charge to give us a guide for roaming in the village.our visit to so many houses made us quite thrilling to see their talents of paintings. They usually used organic colors for their paintings.What I saw was full of surprise and stunning.All of them are mastercrafts on Tussar paintings, Palm Leaf engravings, Paper mache, Toys, and masks. .Interactions with them provided very effectively to know about the principles of their artwork.we moved at a house where three to four boys aged between 7 to 13 years were sleeping on the benches. We chatted with the owner of that house. Its the center of Gotipua Odissi Nrutya Parishad.It was founded by Padmashree Award winner Guru Maguni Dash.As per the plea from our side they arranged to perform Gotipua Dance along with a rythemic flow of Mridala and Harmonium.For a moment we spellbound after seeing the body movement and presentation of the young kids.Its the same village where famous Odisha dancers Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra made his name very distinctive in the field of Gotipua dance as well as Odishi dance internationally.  The style and design of Pattachitra attracted me in such a depth that I forgot myself for a moment and I involved myself to capture the best in my camera. The free flow of simple village life along with their exceptional artistic talent creates a place of distinct from others. So, ASI has declared  Raghurajpur as a Heritage  Crafts Village. My long awaited wish fulfilled after going through that beautiful village of Odisha. A place of great interest for every tourist.

Athara Nala (Eighteen passages)

On my last visit to Odisha on the month of February 2017, I planned to go to Puri for the darshan of Lord Jagganath. Though I always make a point to visit there for the sensible attachment with the culture of odisha. Just before the entrance of Puri, we have to cross a bridge that always a matter of attraction for me. I requested my driver to wait just at the side of the road near the bridge so that I could take a snap .I counted the arches type of passages that was 18 in total number. I astonished to see the architectural style of Odisha. Indeed, It was a medieval odishan architecture made by  Bhanudeb of the Ganga Dynasty in the 13th century on the river Muthiya. Almost all tourist who visit Puri they all enjoy the beauty of this Bridge known as Atharnala or  Bridge of 18th passages. Its a wonderful adjoining linkage with Puri. Besides a tourist attraction, Atharanala is a bridge of religious sentiment for the people of Odisha.