Dear Reader
As we grow accustomed to life, we become more conscious of life, place, people and situations. Perhaps, one of the reasons why travel is advised in all cultures is that one learns to welcome life lessons with joy! Travelling, to me, is an endearing joy ride--adventurous, challenging and, what I call, life visions!
In this post, I share one of my very curious learnings. Hope you enjoy this!
My experience of visiting Palaces and Forts is mostly limited to South India. Bangalore today has diversified from being the capital city of Karnataka to a global centre for technology. And the life experiences here are multifaceted--from road rage to quick commuting in Namma Metro, cases of languisitic angst to speaking in different languages with all, known for its multicuisine to idiosyncratic variety of traditional Karnataka meals. A recent addition to this list of unique experiences of being in Bengaluru is the different types of corporate experiences that shape everyone's life. So, travelling is a necessary healing.
A remarkable thing about travelling in India is- visit any city across India and you are never away from two-rather, three places of wonder and admiration--Temples, palaces and forts! Each palace and fort is as uniquely different as any two temples. While palaces impress the visitors with their aesthetics, prosperity and cultural significance, forts are a worthy set of life experiences. What amazes the visitor is the acumen of the kings and queens!
However, what amazes me even today is the strategic placement of palaces/forts in India and how a traditional festival is turned into a political-cultural marker, be it the Dasara procession or the Chandni Chowk at Delhi! Call it smart administration or people-centric, the 'ruler-administrators' were not far from their citizens, and the parade was a display of strength, power and a bridge to ensure the loyalty of the citizens. I am certain that most, if not all, palaces evoke similar responses of emotions of awe, loyalty and patriotism.
Jump cut now to forts. In contrast to the beautifully crafted, artistic, luxurious palaces are the exquisitely located and strategically planned forts.
Recently, I visited this beautiful but somewhat dilapidated palace at Nalakkad, Coorg. "Palace" seems to be an oversized adjective for this place, but its artistic aspects justify it. The lone guide took us for a tour of this palace and pointed to some of its unique architectural features--like the nagamandalas of various designs, the now 'faded' murals on the walls, the 'marriage mantap' at the entrance, the kitchen and of course the 'kattala kone' the dark room, for prisoners and pointing to an escape route known only to the royal family. As I walked around, the imminence and the proximity to danger and threat that the celebrated, revered royalty lives dawned ever more closely.
The palace, built by Chikka Veerarajendra around 1972-1794, is believed to be the getaway palace for the safety of the royals-if and when attacked by enemies. As the guide took us around the palace, he showed us the vantage points to detect the enemies from afar that help the royals either to attack and win or escape to a place of safety. This made me think of how different the realities of the royals are from the safety of their palaces.
And the pattern or architecture of many forts- Golkonda, Srirangapatna, Chitradurga, Manjirabad, Golgumbaz, etc, seems very similar. There's a saying that in forts, walls have ears and eyes! True to this, the guide at Golkonda fort shared this fascinating information that the hall is built in such a way that even a whisper could be heard by the King who is seated at the balcony! Chitradurga fort situated situated in a hilly area, has a small hole as an escape route; the vantage points to spot the enemies from afar are hidden in maze-like beautiful patterns at Manjirabad fort.
The forts mirror the harsh realities of life like a palace does not! Some of these truths are eternal ones built into everyday life, which I find most insightful and appropriate to our everyday life too. Here are some that I could gather:
- Never take the wealth you have earned too seriously; to be alive is more important!
- Don't be judgmental, but keep your eyes and ears open to know what's happening around you. After all, one is never too far away from competition, envy, and professional jealousy 😏
- Enjoy life when you have it, but be prepared to take the stone when life throws it at you! I mean life gives you what it wants; it's in your hands to shape it so that you give your best each time, every time!
- As the saying goes, even your shadow leaves you when it is darkest! So, have your plans--a, b, c, d ready and NO ROOM FOR SELF-PITY.
- It is more important to be wise than to be a celebrity. So save some money/ wealth. Keep it handy, safe and secure. 😄
- Whoever it is, whatever the relationship you share, ancient wisdom says it all--You are your bestest friend and listen to yourself.
- Be 'People Smart'. Choose your people--friends and enemies-- wisely.
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