Beautiful in Bangalore
35 days …
That’s how long I’ve had to spend apart from Marga since the start of May. Yes, I AM going nuts. It is really frustrating to experience new things without the person with whom you want to share them.
So that might explain why a Theuns Jordaan song is turning into an Indian version in my head.
I’m in Bangalore to attend a meeting for Appointed Actuaries and I had some time on Sunday to see a little of the Garden City of India.
Name change
Bangalore changed its name to Bengaluruu in 2006. Apparently it is a trend that they would like to continue … starting with my name …
When I arrived (for my first time ever) in Bangalore, I felt a bit lost because, while scanning the crowd for my driver, nothing called out to me. On my second pass I noticed an odd-looking name, which had some familiar letters strung together … (and I’m quite proud I noticed it on just my second pass!)
Best place to live in India?
I must admit that after visiting Mumbai and Chennai, I felt that the place we were living in (Hyderabad) was the best place in India to live in. But Bangalore, or Bengaluruu, has shattered that cloud of comfort.
Bangalore is a beautiful green city with an excellent climate, stunning parks and much less construction than most other cities in India. It is not called the Garden City for nothing, with a number of beautiful parks, and in general looking stylishly dressed in green trees and a rich plant life. I’m guessing that because Bangalore was first to start attracting IT companies, this is why they are ahead of other Indian cities with construction.
You might have gathered by now that I’m quite chuffed with the place.
Here is the view from my hotel window:
Bouncing around Bangalore
Bangalore is also a place that is rich in history and culture. I enjoyed seeing the sights:
Bangalore Palace:
Inspired by Windsor Castle. But note that this was actually the second home of the king here. The big place is in Mysore - this is just his summer home!
Lalbagh Botanical Garden:
I spent about 2 hours walking in this park and suspect that I have seen at most half of it. It is beautiful and safe. One of the joys of living in India is to enjoy walking in parks and nature without having your own private army.
Bull Temple:
At first I thought that this might be a temple specifically for politicians (from all over the world). The sign greeting me, saying Big Bull Temple, seemed to confirm this, but actually the temple and statue are dedicated to the bull that was Shiva’s ride. (It makes a Harley look like a sissy toy.)
As with everywhere in India I ended up with an uninvited (but enthusiastic) guide, who I suspect might have told me a few tales that were fitting for the bull temple. However, I did have someone to take a photo of me.
Giant Shiva statue:
This statue is enormous. But this was also the most commercialised religious place I have come accross in India. You walk through a gift store with various items (including stuffed animals - not real ones!) for sale. Even before that you can buy your coconut etc. to make an offering for Lord Shiva.
Then it is a further 1 rupee to store your shoes (which you have to take off at all religious places in India). A further 25 rupees to be able to take pictures and 10 more rupees to enter the yatra (or passage way around the statue). This contains a very interesting hybrid between a holy shrine and a house of horrors, with various religious places being depicted - but with animated mechanics that could scare a child senseless.
Finally you can buy a special coin for 10 rupees to throw into a fountain where you can make a wish. You must first do something seven times though, which I did not really understand. So I handed my coin to a small girl who was with her grandfather and let her make a wish. Thereafter you can still make donations for various things.
There is however a sign right at the entrance that says all profit is going to a charity, so hopefully the funds flow to where they are needed.
Have I mentioned that the statue is enormous? Below the feet of the statue (in the middle) is a tiger’s head - the two ants there are actually two people rubbing the tiger’s head for luck. At least I hope that’s why they were rubbing it …
We’ve also uploaded pictures of Bangalore on our website : www.hyd.co.za.
Schefflers growing on (or in) India
I received a reminder early in the morning that the surname Scheffler is not a natural occuring phenomenon in India. So when I visited the nursery attached to Lalbach Botanical Garden I was stunned (and trying to recall whether I’ve met with Al Cohol ealier in the day). This is what I found (look at number 8):
It seems that we are not the first Schefflers to lay down roots in India.
To be continued
I’m really enjoying my quick stop in Bangalore, but this will not be my last visit. I will defnitely bring Marga to share the beauty with her. (Beauty meets beauty.) I’ve also been hooked now by the state of Karnataka and I’m already starting to play with the idea of a road trip from Hyderabad to Bangalore, Mysore and other jewels in the Karnataka crown.
The adventure continues, but I pray for the swift conclusion to the solo chapter …
Theo Scheffler
February 5th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Hi, I came across your blog while researching the Surname Scheffler. I live in India - Mumbai.
I have being trying to trace my family roots. My Dad was a scheffler although he spelled his surname Sheffler.
Apparently my dad’s family migrated in I do not know which century and exactly where to. My having ill knowledge of my father’s side of the family is a long story…. Anyway with zero background history its hard to trace ones roots. I have a few photographs which I will be posting onto facebook hopefully it may lead me somewhere.
Regards,
Michelle