Horse polo posts belonging to medieval era demolished in Bidar

They were on a piece of empty land in the middle of the city on Udgir Road. —Photo: Gopichand T


Deputy Commissioner to look into the issue

Two horse polo posts built by medieval kings, which were a reminder of Bidar’s rich cultural history, have disappeared now. They were on a piece of empty land in the middle of the city on Udgir Road.

Venkatrao Biradar, a former convict-turned farmer who grows sugarcane on the land, has claimed responsibility for demolishing them. “They were not historical monuments. People keep talking about anything that comes to their mind,” he said.

“We brought down those two pillars as snakes were nesting inside,” he told The Hindu . Mr. Biradar had served jail term on charges of killing Vijay Kumar Nagamarapalli over a dispute about the land. The dispute has not been settled yet. The land borders the Indian Air Force signal centre on one side.

They were part of the set of four pillars, put up on two sides out of a large polo field of over 590 yards. The pillars were huge, with a circumference of 16 ft, a height of 7 ft and a girth of 8 ft. The other two pillars are behind the new bus stand. The poles were featured in The Hindu on February 23, 2014. The Archaeological Survey of India or the State Archaeology Department are yet to recognise them as monuments.

In the book ‘Bidar: Its history and monuments’, the late Ghulam Yazdani, former Director of Archaeology with the erstwhile Hyderabad Nizam State, referred to them as Ran Khambh. He says the four pillars are on two ends of a large playing field. But they were called Ran Khambh (war stones) as sport was so important to them that it was likened to war, he says in the book. The book marks them as medieval era structures, but does not clearly say who built them.

Heritage lovers rued the destruction of the monument. “Damage or destruction of monuments, even unrecognised, is sad and unfortunate. It speaks about the need for recognising such structures and protecting them,” said Basavaraj Biradar, writer and historian.

P.C. Jaffer, Deputy Commissioner, said he would look into all issues related to the structures.




" Twitter: #BidarInfo (@BidarInfo) "

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/horse-polo-posts-belonging-to-medieval-era-demolished-in-bidar/article6880669.ece

Lure of an overnight stay at NK

The lawns of the Agastya Tirtha at Badami.— File Photo


Tourism forum draws up itineraries for the region

Travellers looking for options other than popular tourist destinations in the State could follow the road less travelled. Itineraries are being drawn to popularise destinations in north Karnataka by the Karnataka Tourism Forum, a government-recognised private body.

Packaging the circuit around Chitradurga, Hospet, Hampi, Badami, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi and Bidar in about six itineraries, the plan promotes a night’s stay at some of the destinations, with two objectives: one, to target the domestic market as visitors to some of these places consist largely of foreigners, who make a stopover from Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra; the second, to help revive the hotel industry suffering from brief, daytime visits by tourists. Speaking on the sidelines of a ‘North Karnataka Show’ held here on Wednesday, C.B. Ramkumar, president of the forum, said awareness was low on the tourist attractions in north Karnataka. “People from Bengaluru usually look for destinations that are a short drive from the city. Hampi, for example, is about six hours away. We want people to know about the variety available within Karnataka before they move on to explore destinations outside the State only after seeing Mysuru, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru,” he said.

He said the aim is to draw tourists from this year, though people avoid travelling to these parts in the summer. “The monuments, with their archaeological and historic importance, will be used as the USP.”

Existing hotels, including some big names in the hospitality industry, also said they were seeing an upward trend. Rohith. K., director of sales of the two-year-old Hyatt Place Hampi, in Toranagallu, Ballari, said business visitors comprise nearly 50 per cent of the inflow, owing to the mining and steel industries.

“But there is no air-connectivity, and infrastructure around the famous sites is limited. If these things are looked into, there is tremendous potential,” he said.




Focus areas: Chitradurga, Hospet, Hampi, Badami, Bijapur, Kalaburagi, Bidar


Challenges: air connectivity, making day-travellers stay overnight, infrastructure around tourist attractions

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/lure-of-an-overnight-stay-at-nk/article6810085.ece

Urgent need to promote tourism in Bidar

The proposed tourism plaza will provide tourists with details on places to visit, like the Ibrahim Rauza, in Vijayapura.— FILE PHOTO



An initiative to promote tourism in north Karnataka is scheduled to begin in Bengaluru on Wednesday. North Karnataka observers say it is long overdue. North Karnataka has great tourism potential. But promotion efforts by the government and other stake holders have been few and patchy, they say. For example, Bidar that earned a place on the World Monuments Watchlist in 2014, is yet to appear on the bucket list of tourists. The challenges are many — protection of monuments, beautification of the city, ease of travel, good hotels, reliable information about the city and guides. Moves to boost sale of Geographical Indication-tagged Bidri art would add to these efforts.



The mountaintop town that served as the capital of medieval Deccan, has 98 monuments. However, only three national monuments are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and 14 by the State Archaeology Department.



“After 67 years of independence, the State government has posted a tourism development officer to the district. This shows how indifferent it was to our cause all these years,” says B.G. Shetkar, president of the Bidar Chamber of Commerce and Industries.



There are only around 100 families engaged in Bidri art left in the city now. “They need logistics and marketing support. Most artisans are illiterate or uneducated. They need training in new designs and in finding remunerative markets, says Abdul Bari, a young Bidri artisan.



“Bidar needs a quality hotel,” says Helen Phillon, historian and founder of India Deccan Foundation. It should be spotlessly clean, serve hygienic food and should have friendly staff who can give information about tourist places around the city, she said.



According to Sanjyant Kumar, a travel enthusiast, the government should promote adventure tourism in the hills around the city, the moat surrounding the fort or the Karez, the underground water supply system built in the 15th century.



P.C. Jaffer, Deputy Commissioner. “The district heritage committee constituted last year is documenting the monuments and other places of tourist interest. We are also working with Wikipedians to increase the number of articles about Bidar on Wikipedia and put up QR codes near monuments,” he said. The Yeshwatnpur –Bidar train will become a daily



from January 20. We are in touch with investors who can start an eco-tourism hotel. We are also trying to put up an exhibition cum sale venue for Bidri art, the DC said.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/urgent-need-to-promote-tourism-in-bidar/article6807047.ece

Colours come to life in Bidar

Visitors looking at the paintings exhibited during the Chitra Kala Jatrein Bidar on Sunday.

Art lovers had a field day in Bidar on Sunday as artists laid out mattresses on the foot paths near Ambedkar Circle and began painting. They also exhibited their creations along the road leading to the City Municipal Council. They were participating in the first ever Chitra Kala Jatre organised by S.M. Pandit College of Fine Arts and Sunrise Association. The event is modelled on the Chitra Sante held in Bangalore.

Artists from the district were joined by those from neighbouring Kalaburagi and Yadgir and other States like Maharashtra and Telangana. Artists presented pencil drawings, portraits, landscapes, monuments, events, nature and wildlife. They were in classical, modern, expressionist and absurd styles. Prerana Ravikumar, a housewife, said she was spoilt for choice. “I was just looking for one painting of Lord Krishna for my living room. There are so many different paintings here that I don’t know which to pick,” she said. Fouzia Ahmed, an artist who had come from Kalaburagi, said she was enthused by the response. “I will come again next year,” said the painter who focuses on monuments. Sandip Patil, who teaches at Natural Fine Arts College, said youngsters were experimenting with themes, styles and images.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/colours-come-to-life-in-bidar/article6650235.ece

The Karez System in Bidar

The Karez System in Bidar

One of the most unique features of Bidar is the historic ‘Karez’ system (also known as Qanat) which is a water harnessing technology that originated in Iran/Persia. The ‘Karez’ system in Naubad village, Bidar is of great historic significance dating back to almost 500 years. The karez technology basically taps into the ground water sources (or natural springs) and transports it through an underground tunnel to the settlement, ending in surface canal and/or pools in the village for various uses like drinking, washing, ablution, watering livestock, and also further used for irrigating fields, orchards and gardens.

Image Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org

History of Kariz

The original Persian term for Karez is Kariz and the rest of the world has yielded many names for this system; like in North Africa it is called “Fugara”, “Falaj” in Arabia. “Qnat Romani” in Jordan and Syria, “Galerias” in Spain “Kettharra” in Morocco, “Kanjering” in China and “Kariz” in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Karez is found in 38 countries worldwide and of course most of these are concentrated in the Middle East region. Persia is known for the earliest known and documented Karez system.
The Muslim dynasties with ruling class descending from Persia or having influential connections with Persian kings may have invited expert engineers from Persia.
The silk route may have been the information highway to transfer the cultural and traditional knowledge.

Introduction of Kariz in India
Karez system was built by Bahmani kings in 15th Century by the Bahmani kings in Bidar, Gulbarg and Bijapur in Karnataka and also in Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh.
Kariz is nothing but the Underground canals, built to underground water streams which are meant to provide drinking water to civilian settlements and garrison inside the Bidar fort.
This system was necessary in a city like Bidar where the soil was rocky and drilling wells to accommodate drinking water was difficult.
It is believed that the Muslim rulers of Bidar, under the expert advice of Persian engineers followed Karez system by laying subterranean canals in the heart of the rock by widening the natural rift.
The Naubad Karez is estimated to have been constructed during the Bahmani Period (1347 – 1518 AD). The Karez was probably directed towards developing infrastructure for a village at Naubad.

Preserving Karez in India
The Naubad Karez has nearly 21 square shaped manholes were cut at suitable points to conserve ground water.
The modern methods of ground water extraction have largely impacted the water availability in Bidar which already receives low rainfall.
The centuries old Kariz system should be rehabilitated and promoted as traditional means of irrigation and drinking water supply.
The educational value of this historic system is highly relevant in the present days of water disputes that are prevailing at local, regional, national and international level.

Why restore Karez?
Ground water has become the most vulnerable water resources because it has few higher qualities compared to surface water as it is protected from the direct pollution and most importantly the seasonal and perineal fluctuations hardly matter and ground water is much more uniformly spread and conserving ground water is cost effective and reliable and is suitable for any kind of land. Hence ground water conservation and recharging has been gaining momentum across world.




Source:http://www.gounesco.com/karez-system-bidar/

Heritage cell for Bidar mooted

The district administration plans to set up a heritage cell in Bidar to follow up heritage conservation works and create awareness about monuments in the district. “A proposal is being sent to the State government to set up a cell that will have conservation archaeologists, engineers and public relations officials,” P.C. Jaffer, Deputy Commissioner, said in Bidar on Thursday.

He was speaking after a meeting with resource persons from the Indian Heritage Cities Network, consultants to the State government on heritage conservation. We will request fund support from the Hyderabad Karnataka Regional Development Board, Dr. Jaffer said.

Implementation

The cell will ensure that the Heritage Resources Management Plan is implemented along with the district master plan in a phased manner. It will also create awareness, among young people, about heritage structures in the district. For example, there are hundreds of houses that are at least two centuries old. These should be protected. We should also use them to push up our tourism potential. Such works will be taken up by the cell, Dr. Jaffer said.

Paromita Desarkar, IHCN resource person, said that the cell could have resource persons from outside in the initial years.

They can train some local resource persons. Once the local capacity building is completed, the cell can run with entirely local talent and infrastructure, she said.

She pointed out that the city had around 100 heritage structures. Of these, some are recognised and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, and the State archaeology department.

However, a lot of them are still not listed by either of the agencies. They need to be conserved and protected, she said. She observed that it was not just important to repair or maintain heritage structures. UNESCO and other agencies have focused on adaptive reuse of heritage structures. If there are heritage houses in a street, it should be used for the heritage walks.

We should also send out the message that the local community benefits by the preservation and maintenance of heritage structures, Ms. Desarkar said.



‘The cell will create awareness about heritage structures in the district’






source:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/heritage-cell-for-bidar-mooted/article6381821.ece

Bidar is in need of immediate attention for preservation

बीदर को संरक्षण की जरूरत- विश्व स्मारक कोषBidar is in need of immediate attention for preservation










मैसूर। विश्व स्मारकों की निगरानी रखने वाली संस्था विश्व स्मारक कोष ने बीदर को भारत के उन तीन ऎतिहासिक स्थलों में शामिल किया है जिन्हें संरक्षण की जरूरत है।

भारतीय विरासत शहर नेटवर्क के कार्यकारी निदेशक के.एस.रायकर ने एक बयान में कहा कि इसकी घोषणा न्यूयार्क में की गई। विश्व स्मारक कोष पिछले 50 सालों से 100 से भी ज्यादा देशों में ऎतिहासिक इमारतों और स्मारकों के संरक्षण का कार्य कर रहा है।

वर्ष 2014 के 41 देशों के 67 स्थलों को निगरानी की जरूरत को विश्व स्मारक निगरानी कोष ने अंकित किया है। उनमें तीन भारतीय स्थल सलीम चिश्ती की दरगाह, फतेहपुर सीकरी, आगरा, जूनामहल-राजस्थान के साथ बीदर-कर्नाटक को भी शामिल किया गया है। राष्ट्रकूट -753-983एडी. साम्राज्य के दौरान बीदर के चारों तरफ ऊंची-ऊंची दीवारे थी और तीन खाइयों का सुरक्षा चक्र था। यह शहर 1422 में दुबारा उस समय बसाया गया जब सुल्तान अहमद शाह ने बीदर को अपनी राजधानी बनाया। उन्होंने यहां पारसी वास्तुकला शैली में महल के अलावा अन्यनिर्माण कराया।

उन्होंने सिचाई के अलावा पानी निकालने की व्यवस्था का भी निर्माण करवाया। आज के समय यह ऎतिहासिक शहर केवल कुछ हिस्सों तक ही सीमित रह गया है। जिसकी वजह इसकी तरफ ध्यान न देना, बढता प्रदुषण और अवैद्य निर्माण है। अगर व्यवस्थित ढंग से इसका संरक्षण किया जाए तो भविष्य में यह स्थानीय लोगों का सहयोग करेगा। निगरानी का मुख्य उद्देश्य इसकी जानकारी को लोगों तक पहुंचाना व इस बहुमूल्य ऎतिहासिक इमारत को संरक्षण प्रदान कर पर्यटन उद्योग को बढ़ावा देना है।

source:http://www.patrika.com/news/bidar-is-in-need-of-immediate-attention-for-preservation/965374

Bidar only South Indian monument to figure in latest World Monuments Fund list

According to the World Monuments Fund, the sites in the list are crying for immediate attention for preservation, protection, and adaptive reuse.

Bidar has three national monuments - Bidar Fort, Ashtur tombs and the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan.


House of Sheikh Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri and Juna Mahal in Rajasthan are also on the list

The historic city of Bidar figures in the 2014 World Monuments Watch list released by the World Monuments Fund (WMF), a New York-based NGO working for the protection of monuments.

WMF president Bonnie Burnham announced the list in New York on October 8, according to P.C. Jaffer, Deputy Commissioner of Bidar. The WMF had received 741 proposals from 166 countries. But the final list contains 67 sites from 41 countries.

The three sites in India to figure in the list are the house of Sheikh Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri, Juna Mahal in Rajasthan and “the historic city of Bidar”. These, according to the list, are sites are in need of immediate attention for preservation, protection, and adaptive reuse.

Benefits

Mr. Jaffer said the announcement would benefit the city in many ways. It would attract worldwide attention, leading to increased tourist footfalls. It would also help the government get technical advice and support from institutions specialised in the preservation of monuments.

“It could also help us raise funds from the government or donor agencies for protection and preservation of monuments,” Dr. Jaffer said.

Bidar has three national monuments - Bidar Fort, Ashtur tombs and the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan. The city also has 20 sites recognised by the State Department of Archaeology and Heritage and over 40 unrecognised sites of the medieval periods.


“We will upload the WMF recommendations on the district website. We will also open a Facebook page on Bidar on the WMF watch list and raise awareness about the issue,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

Two interpretations centres would be set up in the Bidar Fort and at Ashtur at a total cost of Rs. 80 lakh. This would provide information to tourists on the architectural and cultural aspects of monuments. In this background, an international seminar on Bidar’s heritage would be organised in January.

According to a release issued by Ms. Burnham, a copy of which was sent to the district administration, the list contains sites that are facing several preservation challenges like climate change, armed violence, neglect by authorities, lack of resources or even increased tourism activity that can damage monuments. An independent panel of international experts on archaeology, culture and preservation had prepared the list, Ms. Burnham said.

Over 150 sites have been preserved and protected by the WMF and its associate organisations in several countries since 1996. Famous sites restored by the WMF personnel include Venice in Italy, Gokarna Mahadev temple in Nepal, and the Citadelle Laferrière in northern Haiti.

The WMF also takes up restoration works on sites referred by Unesco.

source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/bidar-only-south-indian-monument-to-figure-in-latest-world-monuments-fund-list/article5218440.ece

ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಗುರಿಯಾದ ಬರೀದ್ ಶಾಹಿ ಆವರಣ

ಸಂಜೆ ಬಿಸಿಲ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೀದ್ ಶಾಹಿ ಗೋರಿಯ ನೋಟ






ಬೀದರ್: ಅಲ್ಲಲ್ಲಿ ಕಸ, ತ್ಯಾಜ್ಯಗಳು, ಪ್ರಕೃತಿ ಕರೆಗೆ ಸ್ಪಂದಿಸುವ ತಾಣವಾಗಿ ಬದಲಾಗಿರುವ ಸೂಚನೆಯಾಗಿ ಶೌಚದ ವಾಸನೆ, ಪಾದಚಾರಿ ರಸ್ತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಆವರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬೆಳೆದಿರುವ ಕಳೆ, ಕಿತ್ತುಬಂದಿರುವ ಕರೆ, ಆಟದ ಅಂಗಳವಾಗಿಯೂ ಬದಲಾಗಿರುವ ತಾಣ.

ನಗರದ ಹೃದಯ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಬರೀದ್ ಶಾಹಿ ಅವರ ಗೋರಿ (ಟೋಂಬ್) ಇರುವ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಿತ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ದುಃಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಇದು. ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಹೊತ್ತು ವಾಯು ವಿಹಾರಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಬರುವ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರು ಈ ಕಿರಿಕಿರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಸಹಿಸಿ ಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಅನಿವಾರ್ಯವಾಗಿದೆ.

ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯವಸ್ತು ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಸುಪರ್ದಿಗೆ ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಸೇರುತ್ತದೆ. ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಅಭಿಮುಖದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಬರೀದ್ ಶಾಹಿ ಉದ್ಯಾನದ ಉತ್ತಮ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಯಿಂದ ಗಮನಸೆಳೆದರೆ; ಬರೀದ್ ಶಾಹಿ ಗುಂಬಜ್ ಇರುವ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಗುರಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದು ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ ಕೊರತೆ ಇದೆ.

ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇರುವ ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶಕ್ಕೆ ಆಸುಪಾಸಿನ ಗುರುನಗರ, ಗುರುನಾನಕ್ ಬಡಾವಣೆ, ಶಿವನಗರ, ದೇವಿ ಕಾಲೋನಿ, ಆದರ್ಶನಗರ ಭಾಗದ ನಿವಾಸಿಗಳು ವಾಯು ವಿಹಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ.

ಅನೇಕ ವಯಸ್ಕರು, ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ, ಬರೀದ್ ಶಾಹಿ ಆವರಣ­ದಲ್ಲಿ, ಟ್ಯಾಕ್ಸಿ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊಂದಿ ಕೊಂಡಿರುವ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಯುಲು ಶೌಚಾ­ಲಯ ಆಗಿ ಬಳಕೆ ಆಗಲಿದೆ. ವಾಸನೆಯಿಂದಾಗಿ ಓಡಾ­ಡುವುದು ಕಷ್ಟ ಆಗಲಿದೆ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ ಗುರು­ನಗರದ ನಿವಾಸಿ ಶಂಕರರಾವ್ ದೊಡ್ಡಿ.

ಹಗಲಿನ ಹೊತ್ತು ಬಾಹ್ಯ ಪ್ರಪಂಚದ ಸಂಪರ್ಕವೇ ಇಲ್ಲದಂತೆ ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಒಳಗೆ ಹೋದರೆ ಕೆಲವು ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಗಂಭೀರವಾಗಿ ಓದಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿರುವುದು ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ. ಅಷ್ಟಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂತಸ ಪಡುವಂತಿಲ್ಲ.

ಸುತ್ತಾ ಕಣ್ಣಾಡಿದರೆ, ಕೆಲವರು ಇನ್ನೂ ಗಂಭೀರವಾಗಿ ಜೂಜು ಆಟದಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿರು­ತ್ತಾರೆ; ಹುಡುಗರ ಗುಂಪೊಂದು ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯ ವಸ್ತುಗಳ ಇಲಾಖೆ ಸುಪರ್ದಿಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಸಂಕೀರ್ಣದ ಗೋಡೆಯನ್ನೇ ವಿಕೆಟ್ ಆಗಿಸಿ ಕ್ರಿಕೆಟ್ ಆಡುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮವಾಗಿ ಗಮನಿ­ಸಿದರೆ ಕೆಲ ಜೋಡಿಗಳು ಕಾಣಿಸಬಹುದು. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಯು ವಿಹಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗಮಿಸುವ ಶಿವನಗರ ನಿವಾಸಿ ರಾಜಶೇಖರ್ ಪಾಟೀಲ ಅವರು, ಈ ಸ್ಥಳದ ಮಹತ್ವ ಗಮನಿಸಿ­ಯಾದರೂ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಗೆ ಒತ್ತು ನೀಡಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಂಥದೇ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಮುಂದುವರಿದರೆ ಜನರು ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ವಾಯುವಿಹಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುವುದನ್ನು ಕಡಿಮೆ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ ದೊಡ್ಡಿ ಅವರು.

ಈ ಹಿಂದೆ ಹರ್ಷಗುಪ್ತಾ ಅವರ ಅವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶವನ್ನು ಸರಂಕ್ಷಿಸಿ, ಹೊಸ ರೂಪ ನೀಡುವ ಯತ್ನ ನಡೆದಿತ್ತು. ಈಗ ಆ ಕುರಿತ ಚಿಂತನೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ವಿಷಾದಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ಕನಿಷ್ಠ ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಹಿತಕರ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು ನಡೆಯದಂತೆ ತಡೆಯಲು ಕಾವ­ಲು­ಗಾರರನ್ನು ನೇಮಿಸುವ ಚಿಂತನೆ­ಯಾದರೂ ನಡೆಯಬೇಕಿದೆ.
ಜೊತೆಗೆ, ಪಾದ­ಚಾರಿ ರಸ್ತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸುಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಡಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ.

ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯವಸ್ತುಗಳ ಇಲಾಖೆಗೆ ಸೇರಿದರೂ ಈ ಭಾಗದ ರಕ್ಷಣೆ, ಸುಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಡುವತ್ತ ನಗರ­ಸಭೆ, ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಡಳಿತವು ಗಮನಹರಿಸಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂಬುದು ನಾಗರಿಕರ ಆಗ್ರಹವಾಗಿದೆ..

ಬರೀದ್ ಶಾಹಿ ಗೋರಿ ಇರುವ ಆವರಣದ ಒಳಗೆ ಅಲ್ಲಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡು ಬರುವ ಚಿತ್ರ ಇದು

source:http://www.prajavani.net/article/%E0%B2%A8%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%B2%E0%B2%95%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%B7%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%AF%E0%B2%95%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%95%E0%B3%86-%E0%B2%97%E0%B3%81%E0%B2%B0%E0%B2%BF%E0%B2%AF%E0%B2%BE%E0%B2%A6-%E0%B2%AC%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%80%E0%B2%A6%E0%B3%8D-%E0%B2%B6%E0%B2%BE%E0%B2%B9%E0%B2%BF-%E0%B2%86%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%B0%E0%B2%A3

Bidar to get two heritage walks passing through Muslim localities

The State government is developing two heritage walk routes in Bidar city in a bid to boost tourism.

Two roads lined by historical monuments and buildings have been identified inside the old city.

The first one connects Fateh Darwaza to Osman Gunj. It passes through the Chaubara, Naubat Khana, Government Pre-University College for Girls and the Chand Shah Kaman. The second route will be between the Mangalpet Darwaza, to Shah Gunj Darwaza. It will pass through Abul Faiz Khankha, Shah Khanuj Khankha, Azam Gunj, Chaubara, Madrassa of Mahmud Gawan, Teli Galli, Usman Gunj, Ram Mandir and Kunja Nasheen Bunglow.

Each of these routes is around one kilometre long. The streets will be repaired and cobbles stones will be fitted on the footpaths.

Electric lamp posts will be redesigned to look like medieval kerosene lit lamps. Owners of old houses with classic architectural styles will be requested not to change the front elevation or demolish them. Landscaping will be taken up along the route. Local painters will create paintings of monuments on walls of old buildings. “The walks will not only attract tourists, but help the Bidar resident understand the city’s history,” P.C. Jaffer, Deputy Commissioner, said.

source:http://karnatakamuslims.com/portal/bidar-to-get-two-heritage-walks-in-muslim-localities/

To Kamthana they flock

Kamthana in Bidar district is one of the most inspiring places for a number of Jain ascetics and devotees. The annual three-day car festival held here from February 15 to 17 attracts hordes of devotees from neighbouring states, reports Srinivas Sirnoorkar
Jainism was the most vibrant religion in the ancient and medieval period of the Hyderabad Karnataka region’s history. This is evident from a plethora of Jain monuments, historical and heritage sites, artefacts, nishidhis (memorial stones), basadis and inscriptions found extensively in several parts of the region, particularly in Gulbarga and Bidar districts. One such unique Jain centre is the Jain Mandir of Parshavanth Tirthankara at Kamthana in Bidar district.Situated at Kamthana village, 10 km south of the district headquarters of Bidar, it has a number of unique attributes. Like the Jain holy places of Shravanabelagola and Koppal, Kamthana was one of the most sought-after centres by Jain munis and shravaks who would choose this site to seek salvation through the practice of sallekhana, fasting unto death with traditional vows. 

The place also reveals the influence of the Jain traditions prevalent in North India, evident from the presence of the ‘Srivatsa’ mark on the chest of the Parshvanath. ‘Srivatsa’ is a diamond-shaped mark on the chest of the Parshvanath usually found on sculptures in North India but not in South India. The mark is symbolic of the greatness of the soul, much like the diamond, known for its qualities of firmness, brightness and purity.

Carved in black mixed blue soft granite, the 115-cm tall and 55-cm wide monolith Parshvanath idol mesmerises not just because of its beautiful form but also because of its inner beauty. Qualities like self restraint, serenity, calmness, compassion, detachment, renunciation, austerity, meditation, all can be found and experienced in the sculpture. 

The prabhamandala or radiance can be found at the back of the head of Parshvanath sitting in the paryankasana pose and sheltered under a seven-hooded serpent. Needless to say, Kamthana has remained one of the most inspiring places for a number of Jain ascetics for self realisation and salvation. 

Many of them would come here to undertake sallekhana. A number of nishidhis, stone memorials recording the act of sallekhana, can also be found in and around Kamthana. 

Anonymous sculptor

Though the sculptor who made  such a marvellous piece of stone poetry remains anonymous, the inscription in Kannada found at the bottom of the sculpture states that it has been installed by Rechisetty of Sri Mollasangha tradition. This is the 18th Jain inscription found in Bidar district, according to history professor Appanna Hanje who has written a research article on the Kamthana Jain shrine. According to another amateur research scholar, D N Akki, the original meaning of Kamthana is ‘a place of forgiveness’, which is one of the greatest tenets of Jainism.

Made  during the reign of the Kalyani Chalukyas in the 11th-12th century, due to fear of aggressors, the sculpture was installed at a safer place in the cellar of the temple. However, it was rediscovered by Acharya Shruta Sagar Muni in 1987 and the idol was brought out from the cellar and installed on a higher platform in the temple.

Though the temple has been renovated, the sculpture of Parshvanath Tirthankara has remained unaltered ever since its installation about 900 years ago.

Bidar Jain Milan Secretary Vijaykumar Jain maintains that Kamthana is one of the most inspirational Jain centres where three-day annual Rathyatra Mahotsava is held from February 15 to 17, attracting devotees from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states. The temple committee wants to restore the glory of the temple through a number of religious and cultural activities.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/309823/to-kamthana-they-flock.html

The private Helipads are coming up in Bidar.

With former minister G Janardhana Reddy languishing in jail, his trusted lieutenant B Sriramulu, who is heading the BSR party, has hit upon a novel idea for campaigning in eight districts where he and the Reddys have a clout.

Sriramulu is in the process of setting up eight helipads in North Karnataka to ensure that Reddy completes his poll campaign in quick time in case the former minister is not granted bail.

The private helipads are coming up in Bidar, Gulbarga, Koppala, Bagalkote, Raichur, Belgaum, Chitradurga and Haveri. The land for the helipad is being sponsored by party members and the plot size varies from half an acre to one acre. Each helipad costs more thanRs.25,000 for development.

"We are hoping that our leader (Reddy) will be out of jail by the time elections are declared. We will seek the court's permission for Reddy to campaign if he doesn't get bail. We are preparing for all alternatives," S Betageri, chairman, campaigning committee, BSR Party said.

Janardhana Reddy was known for using luxury SUVs and MUVs during the poll season. However, this time choppers will be used as the two leaders have decided to heli-hop across the state in their race against time. Reddy, facing trial in the illegal mining scam, is getting no relief from courts despite repeated pleas.

Reddy's counsel will seek at least four days' permission for Reddy to campaign and heli-hopping will allow him to reach out to as many voters as possible, even in remote areas where the party has its vote bank, according to Betageri.

While Reddy's counsel recently moved court in Andhra Pradesh, seeking the release of his chopper, Rukmini - a Bell 407 - which was seized by the CBI after his arrest, the BSR party is planning to use it during election campaigning.

To ensure their plans don't go awry, they will also rent a six-seater helicopter for six months for poll-related use, Betageri said.

Reddy, known for his lavish lifestyle, would earlier commute between cities by chopper, even heli-hopping between Bellary and Bangalore for breakfast. But this time, it is not a luxury, it has become a necessity.

It is more than a year since Reddy is languishing in the jail. The BJP has severed ties with the Reddys after they were named in mining scam. Subsequently, the Reddys launched their political outfit, which is headed by Sriramulu.


Read more at:http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/g-janardhana-reddy-b-sriramulu-helipads-karnataka-polls/1/241672.html

Picnic spot of Barid Shahi kings discovered in Bidar

A team of conservation experts have discovered a picnic spot of Barid Shahi kings from the 16th century on the outskirts of Bidar.

‘Bagh-e-Hamam’ (garden bath) as residents of Aliabad villagers call it, comprises some buildings, a bath, and a small pond, where the waters from an underground stream are emptied. A team of officials, including consultants from the Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation, who were tracing the ‘Karez’ system of subaltern water canals in Naubad, discovered the garden a few days ago. The garden is now part of the Aliabad forest area, and is hidden among tall trees. The garden at the foot of a cliff does not have an approach road, and one has to climb a mound to spot it.

“This was a picnic spot developed by Ali Barid, the first Sultan of the Barid Shahi dynasty,” said B.R. Konda, historian. The king used to visit the place along with his personal staff and relax for some days.

“That is why the village is named after the king, he said. Such structures are as important as the Bidar fort and need to be conserved, he said.

‘The spring of Aliabad’ that culminates at the Bagh-e-Hamam has been described in the book Bidar: Its History and Monuments by Ghulam Yazdani, the former head of archaeology in the Nizam government of Hyderabad. The spring is fed by a karez from Naubad, which runs underground through the cliff.

Karez

While the Bagh-e-Hamam was built in the 16th century by Barid Shahi kings, Karez system was built by the Behmani kings in the 15th century. Underground canals, built to connect underground water streams, were meant to provide drinking water to civilian settlements and the garrison inside the Bidar fort. This was necessary in a city where the soil was rocky and drilling wells was difficult.

Mr. Yazdani said the Karez system was the first step to developing a village as the kings thought it necessary to put in place a drinking water supply system before expanding its reach.

“The Muslim kings of Bidar, under the expert advice of Persian engineers, followed the karez system, and laid out subterranean canals in the heart of the rock by widening the natural rift,” according to the book. For air and light, engineers constructed square manholes at suitable points.

“This is the real treasure of Bidar,” said Govindan Kutty, who heads the team of Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation consultants.




“The Naubad Karez has 21 such manholes. We are tracing them using global positioning system and other technological tools. We will also suggest to the government, methods of conserving these structures,” Mr. Yazdani said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/picnic-spot-of-barid-shahi-kings-discovered-in-bidar/article4208180.ece

Bidar Utsav will be held this year: Valyapure

The State government has decided to celebrate Bidar Utsav this year, Sunil Valyapure, district in-charge, said here on Thursday.

A preparatory meeting of officials planned here on November 9 would discuss issues related to the event, he said. A final format of the artists, events and funding for the celebrations would emerge after discussions with leaders and NGOs, he told presspersons.

Aimed at promoting tourism, the Bidar Utsav was started in 2006. The State government, however, cancelled the utsav at the last minute in April.

“The State government will fill all vacant posts in the district in the next few months. We will take up the appointment of senior officials such as the Assistant Commissioner, tahsildar, doctors and teachers in the district on priority,” Mr. Valyapure said.

Directed

The Minister directed NEKRTC officials to start operating tourist buses in Bidar and surrounding areas.

The State was also releasing funds to upgrade several projects, such as the teaching hospital at the Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Ring Road construction and construction of bridges over the Manjra in Bhalki taluk, he said.

A proposal to provide drinking water from Bandori Nala to Kohinoor and the surrounding villages in Basavakalyan taluk had been sent to the State government. We plan to spend Rs. 15 crore on this, Mr. Valyapure said-

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• Bidar Utsav was started in 2006
• All vacant posts will be filled in the next few months, says Valyapure

source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/bidar-utsav-will-be-held-this-year-valyapure/article4056947.ece

ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ತಾಣ ರಕ್ಷಿಸಲು ಕ್ರಿಯಾ ಯೋಜನೆ: ಡಿಸಿ

ನಗರದ ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ತಾಣಗಳನ್ನು ಮೂಲ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಿಸುವ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ರಿಯಾ ಯೋಜನೆ ರೂಪಿಸಲು ಎಲ್ಲ ನೆರವು ಒದಗಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಹೆಚ್ಚುವರಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಧಿಕಾರಿ ನೂರ್‌ ಮನ್ಸೂರ್‌ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಅವರು ಬುಧವಾರ ಇಂಡಿಯನ್‌ ಹೆರಿಟೇಜ್‌ ಸಿಟೀಸ್‌ ನೆಟ್‌ವರ್ಕ್‌ (ಐಎಚ್‌ಸಿಎನ್‌) ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯ ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಧಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಧಿಕಾರಿ ಕಚೇರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಸಿದ ಸಮಾಲೋಚನೆ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ, ನಗರದ ಪರಂಪರೆ ತಾಣಗಳ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಕುರಿತು ಚರ್ಚೆ ನಡೆಸಿದರು. ನಗರದ ಪರಂಪರೆ ಕುರಿತು ಲಭ್ಯ ಇರುವ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಮಾಹಿತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕಲೆ ಹಾಕಲು ಎಲ್ಲಾ ರೀತಿಯ ನೆರವು ಒದಗಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಐಎಚ್‌ಸಿಎನ್‌ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯ ಸದಸ್ಯ ಗೋವಿಂದನ್‌ ಕುಟ್ಟಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ, ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಬೇರೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ನಗರಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಲಿಸಿದರೆ ಬೀದರ ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪರಂಪರೆ ತಾಣಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ನಗರದ ಒಳಗೆ ಹಲವಾರು ಪರಂಪರೆ ತಾಣಗಳು ಇದ್ದು, ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಕಟ್ಟಡಗಳು, ಸ್ಮಾರಕಗಳು, ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆ, ಮನೆಗಳು, ಕಮಾನುಗಳು, ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಅಪಾರ ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ಮೌಲ್ಯ ಹೊಂದಿದೆ ಎಂದರು.

ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯ ವತಿಯಿಂದ ಬೀದರ ನಗರದ ಪರಂಪರೆ ತಾಣಗಳನ್ನು ಸಂರಕ್ಷಿಸಲು ಮತ್ತು ಆ ಮೂಲಕ ಜನರ ಜೀವನ ಮಟ್ಟವನ್ನು ಉತ್ತಮಪಡಿಸಲು ಸಹಕಾರ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದರು.

ಪರಂಪರೆ ತಾಣಗಳನ್ನು ಮೂಲ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಳಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ ನಗರದ ಪ್ರವಾಸೋದ್ಯಮ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಯಾಗಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿದೆ. ಪರಂಪರೆ ತಾಣಗಳ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಯನ್ನು ಗಮನದಲ್ಲಿರಿಸಿ ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೈಗೆತ್ತಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ. ಕಟ್ಟಡಗಳ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ, ಒಳಚರಂಡಿ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ನಗರದ ಮಾಸ್ಟರ್‌ ಪ್ಲಾನ್‌ ರಚಿಸುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ನಗರದ ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ಮೌಲ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಗಮನದಲ್ಲಿರಿಸಬೇಕು. ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಈ ಕುರಿತು ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ನಡೆಸಿ ವರದಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಐಎಚ್‌ಸಿಎನ್‌ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯ ಡಿ. ಪರುಮಿತಾ, ಎಎಸ್‌ಐ ಅಧಿಧಿಕಾರಿ ಆನಂದತೀರ್ಥ, ನಗರಸಭೆಯ ಇಂಜಿನಿಯರ್‌ ಮೊಯಿಸ್‌ ಹುಸೇನ್‌, ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ನಗರಾಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಶಾಖೆಯ ರಿಯಾಜ್‌, ಗಣಿ ಮತ್ತು ಭೂವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಅಧಿಧಿಕಾರಿ ಬಸಂತ್‌ ಮತ್ತಿತರ ಅಧಿಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಜರಿದ್ದರು.





source: http://kannada.yahoo.com/%E0%B2%AA-%E0%B2%B0-%E0%B2%AA%E0%B2%B0-%E0%B2%95-%E0%B2%A4-103709198.html;_ylt=AgLFGjyyPs2SzQLEWZmF_Wjupe5_;_ylu=X3oDMTRiZzlubXVwBG1pdANCaWRhciBNb2R1bGUgU3RvcnlsaXN0BHBrZwNmOTZkZGU1NS01NTg5LTNlMWMtOThkNS03YWNjMmRkZjBlZTgEcG9zAzgEc2VjA01lZGlhU3RvcnlMaXN0TFBUZW1wBHZlcgNhOGFiYWJjMC1lZGQ3LTExZTEtYmJiYi04NTdkYTc3MzIwZGE-;_ylg=X3oDMTJldmZlNjBlBGludGwDaW4EbGFuZwNrbi1pbgRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lfOCynOCyv.CysuCzjeCysuCzhuCyl.Cys.CzgQRwdANzZWN0aW9ucw--;_ylv=3

Bidar Tourism Gift Items..

Hello Bidarites..

To promote Bidar tourism, we (Team THRIJAL Services ) have started few exciting things and few of them are T-shirts and  Cofee Mugs.

I) T-shirts
There mainly two types of t-shirts
   a) Round Neck.
    Below are the two customsed   prints available on T-shirts.

•  Bidar Fort, Bidar
•  Solaha Khamba Masjib, Bidar

    b) Poloneck / Color t-shirts:

       In these there is only one Bidar Fort Print T-shirts available

II) Coffee Mugs

Mainly there are Three Customised printings on the Coffee mugs available.

•  Bidar Fort, Bidar
•  Md. Gawan Madarasa (Md gawan Unuversity), Bidar
•  Royal tombs (Chokandi) , Astoor.

If any Bidarites interested to buy then mail us at : krb2383@gmail.com or thrijalservices@gmail.com

Watch pictures at :https://picasaweb.google.com/103018939383768372603/BidarTourismGiftItems

WATCH OUT: More interesting things yet to come:)

Thanks

Team Thrijal  and Team Bidarinfo.