This month we are featuring one of the
monuments of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and Kondapalli toys of Andhra Pradesh.
BADA
IMAMBARA
Built
like a fort, this huge and elegant building is also called the Asafai
Imambara. This building was built in a famine relief programme in 1784
by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulla.
The structure took six years to be completed. Just as we enter the
building there is a hall almost fifty metres long and 17 metres wide.
The
architecture of this 15 metre high room is very unique and unparalleled.
Here the Nawabs used to hold their ' Darbar ' or their public hearings. It
is said that this hall is the world's largest arched room without any
pillars. The upper part of this building is in the shape of a honey bees comb
and is surrounded by the famous 'Bhul Bhulliya'. This has got numerous
steps and there are 489 door less galleries which are similar in
appearance. People can get lost in these galleries.
The largest of these mazed rooms and galleries has something very special
about it - that
when a paper is torn at one end, it is distinctly heard on the other end. The
Bada Imambara also houses the tomb of Asaf-Ud-Daulla.
KONDAPALLI
Kondapalli
village is the production centre of the famous Kondapalli toys which
are made with a light wood called "Poniki". It is 16
kms. away from Vijayawada. The toys are made in the likeness of
Gods, Goddesses, birds, animals and houses. They are available
in the major temple towns and handicraft centres.
