Archive for the ‘Metro Politan Cities’ Category
January 2nd, 2012 | 
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Avani Riverside Mall is the crowning glory of Howrah’s changing skyline. Visible from miles away, it beckons all those who are looking to experience the next level of shopping, eating out and entertainment.
It is an architectural wonder spread over a massive 600,000 square feet area, designed to inspire awe and generate admiration. Showing off the most modern facilities as well as a world of amenities, Avani Riverside Mall is as world class as it can get.
Little wonder some of the world’s most desired brands have opened their stores here, and many more are making plans for a grand entry.
Avani Riverside Mall is already being called ‘The mall of many firsts’. To start, it is the first mega mall to be built in Howrah, which speaks volume for Avani Group’s pioneering spirit. And to strengthen this reputation, it has given eastern India its first multi screen PVR, promising a blockbuster movie experience like never before.
But it’s not only the ‘firsts’ that are so attractive about Avani Riverside Mall. For example, Reliance has come with a bang with its CDIT and Timeout stores, along with Reliance Trends. Showcasing everything from consumer durables to books and DVDs. And if one has a taste for slightly unconventional things, the mall is dotted with kiosks offering a variety of avant-garde and fun products exciting and quirky in every sense.
And after a whole day of shopping, one can look forward to a delicious treat that awaits him or her in the biggest food court in the region. Serving everything from Mexican, Italian and Indian to American and Chinese, it’s a mouthwatering feast for everybody.
Posted in Know India, Kolkata, Metro Politan Cities, Photo Gallery India, West Bengal | 
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One of the most prized possessions of the country, the Gateway of India is situated on the waterfront in South Mumbai. Anyone coming to Mumbai from this harbor is greeted by the huge monument, which stands as a testimony to the imperial bygone era of the city. As you pass through the gate from the city side, the first scene that looms into view is that of the waterfront of South Mumbai. A popular harbor, it is used by a large number of people for traveling to the other parts of Bombay, especially the Elephanta Island.
The architecture of the Gateway of India comprises of a huge arch, which is approximately 26 m in height. The entire structure has been made by using yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. It has mainly been constructed as per the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. One can also find the features of the Muslim architectural styles that were very much popular in Gujarat in the 16th century. The top of the monument stands adorned with a central dome, which has a diameter of 15 m. The construction of the Gateway of India led to the displacement of the harbor and it had to be completely realigned. The monument was constructed in the early 20th century, at the astronomical price of 21 lakh rupees. The major burden of the cost was undertaken by the Government of India. However, even the 21 lakh rupees could not prove sufficient and the idea of constructing an approach road from the monument had to be discarded. The construction work of Gateway of India was undertaken by Gammon India Limited, established by J C Gammon.
History
Built in the Indo-saracenic style, the Gateway of India is meant to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Darbar in Delhi in December 1911. The foundation stone was laid on March 31, 1911 and George Wittet’s final design sanctioned in August 1914. Between 1915 and 1919 work proceeded on reclamations at Apollo Pier for the land on which the gateway and the new sea wall would be built. The foundations were completed in 1920.
The Gateway is built from yellow Kharodi basalt and reinforced concrete. The central dome is 48 feet in diameter and 83 feet above ground at its highest point. The whole harbour front was realigned in order to come in line with a planned esplanade which would sweep down to the centre of the town. The cost of the construction was Rs. 21 lakhs, borne mainly by the Government of India. For lack of funds, the approach road was never built, and the Gateway now stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.
Main Attractions
Behind the arch, there are steps leading down to the water. Here, one can get onto one of the bobbing little motor launches, for a short cruise through Mumbai’s splendid natural harbour. One can buy tickets for a short cruise on the motor launches from here.
Near the Gateway of India is Taj Mahal Hotel, one of the most famous and luxurious hotels in India. Close by are the statues of the Maratha leader Shivaji astride his horse and of Swami Vivekananda, that add to the charm of this monument.
Howrah Bridge, located over the Hoogli River in West Bengal, India, is said to be the busiest bridge of the world. It got its name owing to the fact that it connects the city of Howrah to Calcutta. Hawrah Bridge in Kolkata, India, also known by the name ‘Rabindra Setu’, was set up in 1874. It stands on two 270 feet high pillars. Calcutta Howrah Bridge is a cantilever truss bridge that was constructed without using any nuts and bolts. Though, earlier it had a tram route, but presently, it is serving mainly as a Road Bridge. Howrah bridge has got two sister bridges also, namely, Vidyasagar Setu and the Vivekananda Setu that are situated at different points over the hoogly river. This bridge acts as an important symbol of Kolkata.
How about visiting a vintage bridge which has no nuts & bolts in its construction but still standing tall for the last 66 years? Hard to believe? The Bridge in concern – one of the busiest in the world – is located at Howrah in West Bengal. The Howrah bridge, the sixth longest of its type, has been an emblem of the city of Kolkata from its inception. So much so that the world knows Kolkata by its trams, the Victoria Memorial, and of course the Howrah Bridge. Opened to traffic in 1943, the construction of the bridge was started in 1937. The bridge has remained one of the most renowned landmarks of Kolkata. More than 150,000 vehicles and 4,000,000 pedestrians cross over the bridge every day. Technically speaking, Howrah Bridge is a “Cantilever Truss” bridge, constructed entirely by riveting, without nuts or bolts!
Notable features of the Howrah Bridge:
1. 705 meters in length, 97 feet in width, 82 meters in height
2. 26,500 plus mega tonne of high-tensile steel was used
3. Suspension type Balanced Cantilever
4. 325 ft, length of each anchor arm
5. 468 ft, length of each Cantilever arm
6. 564 ft, suspended span
7. Deck width 71 ft, footpath 15 feet on either side
8. No nuts & bolts
9. Total 8 articulation joints, 3 at each of the cantilever arms, and 2 in the suspended portions
10. Carriageway Minimum headroom is 5.8 m
11. River traffic freeboard is 8.8 m
12. Ranks sixth in World’s top 10 longest Cantilever bridges
South African architects Bentel Associates International (BAI), pioneers in commercial architecture, have been making their mark on the Indian architectural landscape for the last few years.The one million square feet (93 000m2) South City Mall on Prince Anwar Shah Road is part of a mixed-use development project across 31 acres in south Kolkata. The development includes four residential towers with 1 600 flats, a 75 000 square feet (7 000m2) art club and 125 000 square feet (11 650m2) dedicated to school and car parking facilities for more than 1 600 cars.
“The planning for the one million square feet (93 000m2) South City Mall is based on symbiosis between large and small retailers to create a micro environment that encourages visitors to shop,” says architect and senior director at BAI Nicolas Kyriacos, who coordinates the development of new business in India for the company and oversees concept, development and design direction.
According to a recent survey conducted by global property consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield, not all mall operators are likely to benefit equally: “Only the ones in favourable locations and having the right format and suitable strategies are likely to remain long-term players,” the survey states. Kyriacos agrees: “Prior to starting work on South City Mall we had already been working in India for a few years. We had observed that the planning of the existing malls in India lacked an understanding of mall culture. Malls were generally designed along high street or strip shopping principles rather than being based on mall design principles. Many of these malls failed to succeed.”
In first-world countries, it is generally accepted that if a retail environment lacks synergy between its diverse elements and experiences it will not be successful. Although location is important, the right expertise in conceptualisation, design, development and management of malls is absolutely necessary to optimise long-term sustainability and profitability.
Mall’s design concept
“South city Mall was an exceptional challenge in that we inherited a structural footprint within which we were asked to create a shopping environment that would be financially viable for the developers whilst also satisfying international standards.” Kyriacos and his team examined the existing structural footprint and recognised that by introducing a large central atrium and creating a double mall, they would be able to create space for many small shops as well as excitement and drama which would enable them to develop a world-class shopping environment.
The second and third floors have been visually integrated by introducing a focal point – an atrium along the entire length of the mall. This has been reinforced by designing the multiplex with the entry on the second floor and its exit from the third floor. The primary reason for doing this was to ensure that the food court, family entertainment component and the young fashion zone would not only contribute to creating excitement but also would become a destination. It offers the shopper uninterrupted visibility of at least 30 per cent of all line shops at a glance. This focal point can even be experienced from the road outside. It has also been designed to accommodate promotions of any type and size.
“This design allows us to concentrate and maximise the FSI (floor space index) of the development on one side of the site thus allowing us to introduce a multilevel car park on the other side. This will afford shoppers the convenience of parking and entering the five-level shopping mall at each level,” adds Kyriacos. Another innovative aspect of the design is that South City Mall functions as a ‘race track’ for shoppers with the anchors positioned along the ‘track’ in a way that draws the shoppers past the smaller retailers.
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Soaring peaks, breathtaking valleys. Lush flora. Cool, crisp mountain air. This is Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra’s most popular hill station, and once the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj. |
| Mahabaleshwar means ‘God of Great Power’ in Sanskrit. Indeed, the place is great and bountiful, rewarding the visitor with a mix of old-world charm, natural beauty and modernity. |
| A tour of Mahabaleshwar town and the surrounding countryside would take at least a couple of days as there is much to see and experience. The town bazaar is called Malcolm Peth after the then British Governor of Bombay, Sir John Malcolm. It lies at the heart of Mahableshwar with its hotels, shops, restaurants, outlying bungalows, government offices, and jostling crowds. |
| Mahabaleshwar has proper, motorable roads to every point worth visiting. So one could tour the place by car, jeep, or even horseback. There are many buildings and sites that take one back to the days of the Raj. There’s Mount Malcolm, the one-time residence of Governor Malcolm; Moraji Castle, where Mahatma Gandhi lived during 1945; and the Mahabaleshwar Club. |
| As short drive from town is the beautiful Venna Lake, where one can go boating, fishing, and pony riding. Or indulge oneself at the entertainment center with its numerous food and game stalls. Near the lake, further down the road on the way to neighbouring Panchgani, are the great strawberry fields. |
| Mahabaleshwar is known for its numerous sightseeing points, each providing a unique perspective of the majestic hill range. En route to Babington Point is Dhom dam, which is a good place to take a break. Or one could visit Old Mahabaleshwar and the famous Panchganga Mandir, which is said to contain the springs of five rivers: Koyna, Venna, Savitri, Gayatri and the sacred Krishna River. There’s also the Mahabaleshwar Mandir, revered for its Swayambhu Lingam |
| Mahableshwar is a great holiday destination throughout the year, except for the monsoon months. During the late-June to mid-September period, torrential rains virtually shutdown this hill station, so travel is not advised at this time. |
SIGHTS
| Mount Malcolm |
| Built in 1829, this was one of the famous buildings of its time. |
| Holy Cross Church |
| The stained glass windows of this old Roman Catholic Church still retain their beauty. |
| Mahabaleshwar Club |
| Built in 1881, the Mahabaleshwar Club offers a peaceful retreat for those wanting to get away from it all. The Club offers many recreational facilities, including a badminton court and a mini golf course. Facilities are available to everyone at a very low fee. For those who prefer the quiet outdoors, there is a jogging track encircling the premises, edged with beautiful rose bushes. The Club also offers a clear view of Venna Lake below. Every year, Christmas is celebrated here with much fervour and pomp by the club members. |
| Pratapgad Fort |
| About 24 km. away from Mahabaleshwar lies Pratapgad, the pride of the Maratha Empire. Built in 1656, it is a maze of ponds, chambers and long dark walkways, some of which lead to trap doors that open to a 100 meter fall! It was here that Afzal Khan, the mighty general of Bijapur, met his untimely death at the hands of Shivaji. Since Pratapgad lies slightly off the road to Mahabaleshwar, a visit to this historic monument is recommended in all travel itineraries |
| Mahabaleshwar has many points offering great views of flat-topped ghats, dense forests and lush green valleys. Lodwick Point, towering almost 1,240 meters above sea level, is one of the most visited Points and holds a monument in memory of General Lodwick Arthur’s Seat is well liked too for its great view of the Jor Valley. About a kilometer away lies Tiger’s Spring, and if you venture further down you’ll come to a ledge named The window – a point that’s famous for its mesmerizing view. |
| There are many locations offering pleasant views of the plains below: Wilson Point, Carnac Point, Helen’s Point, Elphinstone Point, Babington Point, Bombay Point, Falkland Point, and Kate Point are all well known |
| There are pleasant waterfalls also worth visiting, such as Chinaman’s Falls, Dhobi Falls and Lingmala Falls, the latter being the most impressive, cascading amost 600 ft from a cliff! |
| Another tourist attraction is the Sangam, or the confluence of the five rivers that flow over the Deccan Plateau. There are many old temples too, which become the focus of attention during the festive season. |
| Welcome to the city that never sleeps! Pulsating, Alive, On the Move, Vibrant, Fun — this is Mumbai or as it is still frequently referred to — Bombay. The most modern city in India, it captures the spirit of the changing pace set by liberalization and modernisation. |
| Once a cluster of seven islands, Mumbai was presented to King Charles II in 1661 as part of the dowry when he married Princess Catherine de Braganza of Portugal. |
| Over the years, as colonialism gave way to independence, Mumbai has transformed itself into an entity with thriving markets, business houses and many different communities reflecting a cosmopolitan and trendy atmosphere rarely seen elsewhere. On the surface, it represents the ever-changing face of today’s India — the old coupled with the dynamic new, and yet at its very core, the heart of the city is steeped in Indian customs and values. |
| It is the capital of Maharashtra state, and its official language is Marathi although English and Hindi are widely spoken and understood. The fast-paced life has given rise to hordes of “fast-food outlets” on almost every road, offering lip-smacking choices of Mumbai’s very own pau bhaji, bhel puri and kababs. There is no dearth, though, of multi-culinary delicacies dished out in posh restaurants by expert chefs. Mumbai is a shopper’s delight with bargain buys, exclusive boutiques, ethnic markets and mini bazaars. This busy city is also the hub of a thriving cultural life, with a constant stream of performances in music, dance and drama. The seat of the Hindi film industry, known locally as Bollywood, it produces the largest number of films in the world. Mumbai caters to the adventurous and the romantic through its sporting activities, nightclubs, pubs, theatres, beaches and restaurants. Old and new, rich and poor, classical and modern — its all here for you to savour and enjoy! |
| Ajanta and Ellora are the pride of Maharashtra. The rock-cut caves of both these sites are world famous and illustrate the degree of skill and artistry that Indian craftsmen had achieved several hundred years ago. Ajanta dates from 100 B.C. while Ellora is younger by some 600 years. The village of Ajanta is in the Sahyadri hills, about 99 kms. From Aurangabad; a few miles away in a mammoth horseshoe-formed rock, are 30 caves overlooking a gorge, `each forming a room in the hill and some with inner rooms. Al these have been carved out of solid rock with little more than a hammer and chisel and the faith and inspiration of Buddhism. Here, for the Buddhist monks, the artisans excavated Chaityas (chapels) for prayer and Viharas (monasteries) where they lived and taught. Many of the caves have the most exquisite detailed carvings on the walls, pillars and entrances as well as magnificent wall paintings. These caves were discovered early in the 19th century quite by chance by a party of British Officers on manoeuvres. Today the paintings and sculptures on Buddha’s life, belonging to the more mellow and ritualistic Mahayana Buddhism period, are world famous. Copies of them were shown in the Crystal Palace exhibition in London in 1866. These were destroyed in a fire there. Further copies were published soon afterwards and four volumes of reproductions were brought out in 1933 by Ghulam Yazdani, the Director of Archaeology of the then Hyderabad State. Ajanta has formed an epicentre of interest for those who appreciate and are eager to know more about Indian history and art. It is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been listed in the World Heritage list of monuments.The 30 caves of Ajanta were created over a span of some 600 years. 
In their range of time and treatments they provide a panorama of life in ancient India and are a source of all kinds of information… hair styles, ornaments, textiles, musical instruments, details of architecture, customs etc. It was from this collection of classical Indian art that a particular style was formed that traveled with Buddhism to many parts of the world. Similar paintings can be seen in Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, Bamiyan in Afghanistan, temples and shrines in Tibet, Nepal, China and Japan. |
Entertainment in Mumbai
Mumbai is regarded as the New York of India. It is also known as the city that never sleeps. People of Mumbai enjoy their evenings after working hard throughout the day. The late night parties thrown by the business elites, jam packed pubs and discotheques tell us about the young atmosphere of the city.
The renowned Chowpatty and Juhu beaches of Mumbai are the most hot and happening evening hang out places. These beaches are the soul of this beautiful city. At the beaches you can enjoy horse rides, cool breeze and snacks stalls offering a variety of mouthwatering eatables. These beaches are perfect for family enjoyment.