the light baggage

Overview: Spread all across the city of Bangalore are the Memorial stones, which range from 500 years to 1500 years old. Much of these have been lost in the midst of rapid urbanisation. A few hero stones are worshipped as it is considered sacred by few people. Memorial Stones can be Veeragallus or Hero Stones, Masti Kallu where sacrifice is depicted, Keelgunte or Self Burial, Sidithale or Self Sacrifices and other religious stories. Most of the stones found in Bangalore are Hero Stones (Veeragallu) or Masti Kallu. On roaming around Bangalore, I discovered stones in Lalbagh, Begur, Kothanur, Mahadevapura, Agara, Iblur, Belandur,Sarakki, Kengeri, Cox Town, Benson Town, Sampangiramanagar, Malleshwaram, Vasantapura, Tataguni. Different stories are etched on stones which gives the public to interpret in their own way, if not mentioned in any inscriptions.        

Overview: In the middle of the 18th century, when home clocks and watches were not so common, there was the practice of having huge clocks on top of iconic buildings or religious places having visibility from all the corners. Clock towers were in fashion all across the globe in the 18th to 20th centuries, and some of them had bells as well, which used to ring at every hour. Bangalore too, has had its share of clock towers, though the city has never been known for its clock towers. The iconic Clock tower once stood at the Russell Market in Shivajinagar, which no longer stands today as it was brought down sometime during the middle of the 20th century. A few standing clock towers can be seen at the City Market, Baldwin Boys school, Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic, Central College, Police training grounds, St John's Church, Corporation office and the newly constructed towers at South End circle and Omkar Hills. Most of these clocks have been provided by HMT.        

Overview: Nidagal fort in Pavagada taluk of Tumkur district is one of the important historical places near Bangalore. The fort was held by the Hemavathi Nolamba kings in the 10th century, and was later occupied by the Nidagal Cholas who ruled from this part. Apart from the fort, there are a few important temples at the foothills in the village of Nidagal, like Ramateertha temple, Someshwara temple, Parshwanatha Jain Basadi and Veerabhadra temple, forming a circular pattern, and built at close proximity to each other. Veerabhadra and Someshwara temples have a few Hero stones and inscriptions within the premises. Food: Not too many options for food here. The nearest city is Sira or Tumkur. How to reach: From Bangalore, take the Tumkur highway and after Sira, turn north east towards Amarapura. Turn right from Amarapura to reach Nidagal. Alternately, Nidagal can be reached via Madakshira and Pavagada. Map: