Fish Aquarium of Bhopal needs a facelift !

Fish aquarium of Bhopal hosts 66 varieties of fishes including ornamental and fresh water types need am urgent facelift. Though it is a pleasure to see the little fishes and their activities in the small aquariums, but may be this whole aquarium could be made more attractive to visitors. The aquarium in Bhopal come into existence on 31st May, 1977 and is located at the prime location in Bhopal, next to Raj Bhavan in about an acre of land.

This double storey fish house is built in ‘fish like structure’. The upper portion has about 4o different kinds of ornamental fishes like Golden Shark, paradise blue, Rosy Barb, Oranda Gold, Golden Plata, Albino Oscar, Shubenkin Gold, Platty Tetra, Albino Tiger Shark, Golden Gormi, and Black Moor. The lower storey hosts 26 big aquariums for fishes brought from state and national lakes, rivers and ponds. Among the ones which could be seen are Rohu, Katla, Mirgal, , Collet, Ticto, Pencil-Fira and Bam fish.

But the lower portion smells and the individual aquariums are poorly maintained. Two of these aquariums don’t even have any fish in them. Interestingly there is no leaflet available at the aquarium to give more information to the visitors. Neither any personnel of the aquarium knows details on fishes and nor is willing to guide. The standard reply is that ‘please see the information boards installed’ which have very limited information. The hall meant to sell fishes is also lying closed. Such a prime resource at Bhopal could have being one of the ‘attractive places to visit’ is lying hardy used.

Orchha's grandeur in stone !

Orchha is a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh which has had grandeur captured in stone, frozen in time. It is a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection.

One of the Orchha's exquisite palace, and must see there is Jehangir Mahal, (in pix @anil gulati). It was built by Raja Bir Singh Deo as a monumental welcome present for the Mughal emperor Jehangir when he paid a state visit in the 17th century. Entered through an ornate ceremonial gateway, the east-facing facade is encrusted with turquoise tiles. Two stone elephants flank the stairway, holding bells in their trunks to announce the arrival of the Raja. Three storeys of elegant hanging balconies, terraces, apartments and onion domes are piled around a central courtyard. This palace, however, is sort of more airy and lighted since it has countless windows and pierced stone screens looking out over the skyline to the west, and a sea of treetops and ruined temples in the other direction.

Whistling away from camera !

Whistling teals fly away seeing men and the camera at kalisoot dam lake, early morning in Bhopal, capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India (Pix @ : Anil Gulati)

Details on whistling teal - The Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica, also known as Indian Whistling Duck, is a small whistling duck and is also called as the Lesser Whistling Teal.

Habitat: still freshwater lakes, with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds on seeds and other vegetation. It may be seen often perching on trees near water bodies, giving rise to the alternate name Tree Duck.

Taj Mahal in Bhopal ?

Heard of it - Taj Mahal in Bhopal. Yes this gem exists in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal has a Tal Mahal which is a palace built by Begum of Bhopal. Begum Shah Jahan had built this architectural marvel for her own residential purpose in year 1884. The construction of the same was started in year1871 and was completed in year 1884. The board outside the monument by the Director archeology, archives and museum states that about Rupees thirty lakhs were spend then to build this palace. Entry gate of this palace has six floors and is named as ‘Laododar’ gate. It’s this entry gives a motor vehicle or 12 horse motor baghi easy entry to the palace and the space makes it possible to easily turn. The palace has 120 rooms and 8 big halls. It has Sheesh mahal which was decorated with inlay pattern and coloured glasses. The hall of Sheesh mahal is now being renovated by the state archaeology department. In fact one of the official at the site shares when this palace was found and renovation started after more than 150 truckloads of debris was removed to make it possible to start the work.

The hall which has been renovated looks beautiful(in picture). The inlays and colored glasses make the gateways and hall beautiful. The efforts have been done to keep the original gold polish on the pillars. But that is just one hall. It will take many years to refurbish the whole palace but when it happens it will be the one of most important heritage of the city. In the courtyard of Taj Mahal it has Sawan Bhadon pavilion which is similar to ‘Sawan Bado’ of Shalimar Garden in Kashmir, It has many parts intact and effort is being made to give its original look. Arches, decorated, pillars, bastion in this palace made this as a composite amalgamation of islamic and rajput architectural styles, hoping to regain its lost pristine glory.

Contributed by anil gulati

Birds at Shahpura Lake

bhopal birds - Black cormorant at Shahpura Lake in Bhopal

Noah's ark

Noah's ark at Bhopal's upper lake

Untitled paintings at Bharat Bhawan

A painting exhibition titled as Rangdarshini is 'on' at Bharat Bhawan. It displays untitled work by many artists along with some beautiful ceramic works which attracts one's attention....