Barcelona : The City of Grand Architectures and Great Football

Barcelona won the 1999 RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architect) Royal Gold Medal for its architecture; the first and the only time that a city a city had been announced winner, but not an individual architecture. It is not a surprise for those who have ever visited Barcelona. Let's check why?

La Sagrada Familia - this giant Basilica was designed by famous architect Antonio Gaudi. The construction of the building started in 1882, unfinished yet - still need another 30 to 80 years to be completed. That means it is very different from others and confirmed that with every single visit I shall see something new. Go and experience a architectural masterpiece of the primitive modern age's mind under its construction!

Las Ramblas is the most famous street not only of Barcelona but also in entire Spain. Here lies many Spanish cum Catalanian style hotels, restaurants and eye catching shops with products from all parts of Spain. Seeing street performers is another added attraction for most of the tourists.

The Magic Fountain of Montijuice is another widely known popular tourist attraction of Barcelona with the extravaganzas of water, light and music at night.

La Pedrera (Quarry) is another masterpiece of Antonio Gaudi with wavy bricks and colourful tiles. Once the building was called CasaMila.

I am telling about the tourist attractions of Barcelona. But speaking truly, Barcelona is mostly famous for Barcelona Football FC than anything else. And no doubt, over half of the tourists who went to Barcelona visit their sacred temple - the Barcelona FC Museum and Camp Nou (the stadium) like me. It is not only the largest football stadium of Europe but also of the entire world.

Oh sorry, I have just forgot about Antonio Gaudi who designed a wonderful park, called Park Guell. The park is amazingly attractive and large with no entry fees except the "Monumental Area". The house where Antonio lived also lies within the park. You can see eye catching structures within the park. Though to the "Monumental Area" you have to give some Euros from your pocket; you actually should not come back without entering. Generally there is always a long entrance queue to visit the area specially to see the dream like views of the beautiful city of Barcelona from ceramic tiles seating.

You are in Barcelona and know that there is Picasso Museum. Do you understand what I want to say? If you are a art lover I know that like Picasso Museum you will definitely not going to miss Miro Museum too at all.

The most picturesque square of the city is Placa Reial, situated just off La Rambla. People take coffee, bites of tasty foods, one mug of beer or otherwise use to visit just for relaxation there. See the square with its fine restaurants, bars and the attractive fountain; and do not forget to make your mind calm with two large distinctive lampposts.

Barcelona Cathedral and the golden sandy beaches also attract a lot of tourists into Barcelona. The beaches offers you both to see vibrant youths and experience healthy Spanish food at a cheap rate. Barceloneta is the most popular beach. On road to the beach one can see 'Monument a Colom'; a memorial to Columbus and picturesque Port Vell de Barcelona (port). Other popular beaches includes Ica'ria Beach, Marbella Beach and Sitges Beach. Sitges need a train journey of approximately 30 minutes from the city. There lies a number of beautiful hotels, unique architectural designs on the beaches. The most unique is the leaning monument, called 'Homenatge la Barceloneta'. Famous W Hotel also looks like a wonderful piece of fine architecture from the beach.

Due to both; wallet and time I could not experience Tibidabo Mountain; a very popular site. 22@district area - the name given to an urban renewal area in formerly industrial area of Poblenoue, The Castle of the Three Dragons - a museum of history, archaeology, biology and natural sciences and Palau Ncional - The National Art Museum of Catalonia are worth mentioning among another tourist attractions of Barcelona.

Barcelona Cathedral is situated in the historic old town of Gothic Quarter along with many buildings dated back even before Roman settlement.

It is good to note that travelers can take full advantage of Barcelona Metro System to reach the major tourist hotspots of the city.

Barcelona is also heaven for food lovers and people take eating very seriously. I think you are not going to experience anything bad with the food of the city. I found Gaspatxo (cold vegetable soup) before main course very interesting and coffee of the city very genuine. Apart from worldwide reputed healthy Spanish cuisine; Catalanian cuisine, the cuisine of the province is popular to a great extent; though not very cheap. It is an ancient Mediterranean style of cooking; mainly characterized by the aromas and herbs of the mountains in and around Barcelona.

So, do you have a average fat wallet? Think about Barcelona .......................


By Jonathan Green

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Best Burgers with Many Others - Beatrix

• Location: M.C. Road, Guwahati Club, Guwahati
• Type : Casual Dining, Full Bar 

Beatrix is a restaurant situated at the heart of the City of Guwahati. It is one among the most popular favorite hangout place for the people of the city and travelers alike. One among the oldest restaurants in Guwahati; had a pretty long journey from a tiny little space with one or two table to a full fledged restaurant of global standard.

As you enter the place you are welcomed by a cute setting, the walls are covered with cartoon wallpapers. Seems like not to forget that once the restaurant was established primarily to attract the students of all batches from neighboring educational establishments. Specially that from B. Barooah College, T.C. Girls High School, Kamrup Academy and Little Flower School; situated at very close distances from it. Occupy any table you will have a wonderful feeling of youthfully vibration but calm atmosphere. They always play some great music!! Not only the restaurant, the campus is maintained very well; having a well preserved Assam Type house of 20th century along with a nice small garden, good enough to walk for if you prefer a big order to be prepared for you.

The menu offers a wide variety of mouth-watering foods. Apart from the BEST BURGERS in GUWAHATI, which is not a lie at all; Beatrix offers both Indian and Chinese cuisine as well as American. Locals generally visit to have King Burger, Beatrix Special Chicken Burger, Beatrix Special Fish Burger, Chicken Hot Dog, Vegetable Cheese Burger, Paneer Chop, Rolls, Fish Cake, Irani Kabab etc. mostly without missing cold coffee or ice cream. And you too can. Rice items, Tandoors, Omelets, Chowmiens are also available with different varieties. I and my friend have tried their combo meal's opportunity. It is a better option to understand the beautiful menu to a great extent. We have come to know from some of their regular visitors that good old taste of the tiny Beatrix of old days still remains same. 

All the products were fresh and the dishes had the desired taste along with hygiene as we observed and experienced. I think the chefs take great care in selecting the best quality ingredients. Probably the Chef Staff always remain in a very pleasant state of mind. The ambiance of the restaurant is too good.

I, and anyone can love the staff and their assistance. What can be good enough that a meal for two costs around thousand buck only! We have been said to try Mughlai Paratha with Chicken Butter Masala too for its great taste. But our bellies were already full.

I had a pleasant dining experience with food of the most exquisite flavors, cute atmosphere and friendly staff. For this reason I highly recommend going to Beatrix and have some bites of their Burgers.

By Madhurjya Saikia

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Hotel Nandan

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• Location - G.S. Road, Paltan Bazar, Guwahati
• Website - www.hotelnandan.com

Hotel Nandan is situated at a preferably fit location for those businessperson and tourists who like busy urban areas. In a place like Guwahati, Nandan tries to offer best deals and facilities for high and medium categories of middle class visitors and even international tourist who want global standard accommodation facility but within a  not too high rates.

Though the hotel is situated at one of the busiest area of the city, it stands like a calm symbol in the middle of the heavy hustle and bustle's scenario. You can feel the calmness even before entering into the hotel or your room. The white color and a wall art with the line - Have Mercy, Save the Rhinoceroses properly matched with the structure.

Having a very reasonable price (and also cheap as a 3 Star Hotel) there are actually has nothing to complain with its basic facilities like lodging, foods, hospitality etc. Nandan is a very old hotel; so why for some of the visitors the rooms may looks smaller when comparing with modern hotels of the city. But the rate fits with the sizes for a star hotel.

If need a good international class accommodation facility at a cheap rate at the heart of the city; Nandan can be a good option for the visitors.

Pros:

• Reasonable Price.
• Having Almost All International Amenities.
• Located at the Heart of the City.

Cons:

• Noise, Dust and Odor Outside the Hotel Campus.

By Chow Bidyut B. Gogoi

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Dimapur Kachari Ruin

Dimapur Kachari Ruins - is one among the oldest surviving archaeological sites of North - East India. It is located within one of the prominent business center of North - East India, Dimapur. The historic site is popularly known as Rajbari Park or simply Rajbari. It is a good place for travelers having interest in history, art, architecture and sculpture, though not a fine place due to the lack of proper preservation and maintenance. It looks like Archaeological Survey of India actually want the ruins to be destroyed totally. Here some duties lies upon the Tourism Department of Nagaland as well as of the Government of Assam to preserve this set of monoliths; as a matter of fact that the Great Kachari Kingdom lied under the geographical area of both of the present states of Assam and Nagaland.

Though the Kachari Kingdom said to be emerged around 10th century AD, the history of the kingdom was much more ancient; however without a proper and continuous written history. And though the loss of the ancient capital city at Kachamari in Golaghat district of Assam forced the Dimasa Kacharis to manage a new capital; the structure of Dimapur Ruins clearly support a very old antiquity. Quantity of the stones used indicate that Dimapur acted as a important urban center of not only in historical Kachari Kingdom but also of ancient Pragjyotish - Kamarup empire of western portion of south - east Asia. The site displays sign of fine ancient stone art and craft; - although not a grand piece of architecture now.

In 1526 AD and 1536 AD Ahoms occupied Dimapur. Both of the attacks had some destructive effects for the old city of Dimapur. But according to oral tradition Dimapur Ruins Site was still something above ruin before 1960s. At least the ruin was easy to identify as a portion of the Royal Palace of the Dimasa Kachari Kings.



The setting mainly has three types of structures :- "Chessman Type", "Y Type" and "Buffalo Horn Type" according to the historians and archaeologist. All of the pieces scattered around the site tells visitors about the development of art, sculpture and architecture in early Kachari Kingdom.

Though poorly preserved and highly neglected one; tourists should visit the site to get the experience of one of the earliest urban civilization in this region.

FACTS

• With all logical possibilities the site happened to be a portion of a Grand Palace of the Kachari Kings. 
• Though the Kachari Ruins are said to be constructed around 10th centaury AD the materials used, style of art and oral history of the Dimasa Kacharis demand a longer heritage. 
• Some of the historians try to attach the Kachari Ruins as well as Dimapur with a character of Mahabharata; namely Hidimba, actually existed in modern Himachal Pradesh. The fabricated stories for the progress of Indianization supports that the pillars were made for Bhima to play chess. 
• A gruop of scholars; influenced by the books of Hindu Tantric Saiva - Sakti cult thinks that the Chessmen Type structures indicate male organ while Y Type and Buffalo Horn Types stands for female organ. 

HOW TO REACH

• Dimapur has a good network of Airways, Railways and Roadways 

ACCOMODATION

• Dimapur has many comfortable hotels in and around it. 

NEAREST CITIES

• Bokajan - 13 Km 
• Kohima - 74 Km 

By Mrigang Ranjan Loying
Photography By Madhurjya Saikia

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Holy Hajo

Taking the temple of Hayagriva as the most important shrine; the city was full of red, white and blue colored religious, public and private buildings. The sacred city was looked majestic more not only with its buildings but also with planned and clean roads having many artistic fountains. The ponds looked like green carpets with blue spots, otherwise pink carpets with green and blue spots while lotus flowers used to bloom. We are speaking about Hajo; - the Sacred City of Apunarbhava of ancient Assam.

The modern town of Hajo probably cannot offer you such a majestic view. But the town is still regarded as sacred and offer a lot of attractions to be visited and experience the holiness of Hajo.

Hajo is the confluence of three major religious orders of the world - Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam.

The most sacred shrine of Hajo is situated at the temple of Hayagriva Madhava. The ancient temple is situated on a hillock, namely Manikut; constructed in 6th century AD by the kings of Kamrupi Pala Dynasty. Most of the Buddhists of the Himalayas believe the place holy as the Mahaparinirvan (death) seat of Lord Buddha, while the Hindus offer their dedication as a Vishnu temple. Hayagriva Madhava, Dwitiya Madhava, Gadura, Govinda and Basudev are chief of its worshiped deities. The Lamas offer their prayer to its main idol as Namo Guru. But the Hindus worship the presiding deity as Narasimha, the lion head and human body form of Vishnu. Koch King Raghudev summoned the re - construction of the present temple building in the year 1583, with beautiful stone art having the rows of elephants. The shape of the temple is octagonal which is about 30 feet in diameter. The big pond near the temple is known as Madhava Pukhuri, densely populated by tortoises and fishes. Ahom King Pramatta Singha constructed another structure adjacent to the main temple in the year 1750, known as Dol Griha. The campus surroundings has scenic beauty of green fields, forests and hills.

All of the scenery from the tops of the hills in Hajo are praiseworthy. All the sacred spots of Hajo are regarded holy by all religious sects. No exception to the popular Powa Mecca (locally Puwa Mokka), meaning a quarter of Mecca. A prince of Iraq, namely Ghiyasuddin Auliya, who had turned into a preacher came to ancient Kamrup kingdom with a lump of earth of Mecca; enshrined it on the top of Gadurachal hill in 12th century AD. The mosque was built at a later stage It is believed that visitors can earn one powa (one quarter) of blessing and spiritual enlightenment associated with he pilgrimage of Mecca with visiting Powa Mecca. So, basically a person can gain the whole enlightenment by visiting Poa Mecca four times in his lifetime.

Kedereswar Devalaya, another tourist hotspot of Hajo is situated atop Madanachal hill. The metal bowl covered huge Sivalinga of the temple is popularly known as Swayambhu (self originated) Linga. The temple of the devalaya was constructed by Ahom king Rajeswar Singh in 1753.

The Ganesh Temple of Hajo is also known as Deva Bhawan because according to the tradition once it was the meting point of all deities. Made out from a giant natural elephant shaped rock in 1744 under the supervision of Ahom officials in Lower Assam. It is the gateway to Kamaleswar temple; a prominent Siva temple. Joy Durga temple was situated near these temples, constructed by Ahom king Lakshminath Singh in 1774.

Hajo includes an important Vaishnavite Satra too, namely Dhoporguri. The satra was established by Madhabdev in 1587 to expand vaishnavism in Assam. The original three rooms satra had many new construction throughout the centuries.

The relaxed Hajo become heavily vibrated specially during the festival of Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. The Bhogali Bihu of Hajo at Madhava temple has an unique reputation for its traditional Bulbuli Sorair Jhuz (Bulbuli Bird's Fight). The amazing traditional sport is participated by two groups of Hajo locality - Bharalitola and Sonaritola. The preparation begins before two months from the event. Apart from this festival people of all religions prepare and gather together to observe Dol (the Assamese festival of color) at Dol Griha; which was specially established for that purpose, - and Urs at Powa Mecca.

Boat Race (Naokhel) is a very popular form of sports and entertainment among the locals. The locals has great interest in it and the National Dragon Boat Racing Championship at Pit - Kati Beel is used to be observe every year.

River Puthimari provide tourists great natural view and easy access for fishing and angling in Hajo.

FACTS

• Probably Hajo acted as the Capital City of Kamarupa Kingdom during its last period (13th Centaury AD).
• A 16th centaury Tantric work Yogini Tantra, also called Hajo Bishnupuskar is believed to be written in Hajo.
• Hajo is also known as Manikutgram in the Darrang Rajbanshavali (The Royal Chronicle of Darrang).
• Hajo was the capital city of the eastern portion of divided Koch Kingdom in 16th century. This portion of Koch Kingdom was known as Koch Hajo; ruled by Raghudev; nephew of Great Koch King Naranarayan and son of his brother, one of the  Greatest General of Assam Chilarai.
• Due to the political alliance of Kochbeher (western Koch kingdom) with the Mughals; Koch Hajo soon become a satellite cum protected kingdom of Ahom Emperors as a part of the united ethnic groups of the region.

By Jishnu Dolakakhoria
Photography by Dr. Neel Konwar

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Hotel Little Palace

• Location : AT Road, Dibrugarh, Assam - 786001
• Website : www.hotellp.com

The palace is really little as a hotel but a lovely and affordable for all to stay building in a big city like Dibrugarh. One of the best positive side of the hotel is that it is situated on the very bank of mighty Brahmaputra and Dibrugarh Town Railway Station located at a little distance.

Visitors should choose upper floor rooms for amazing view of the mighty river. The rooms near the road are a little bit noisy; specially before good night time. Presence of Brahmaputra gives little Palace a relaxing and within the nature feeling. Visitors also can choose the embankment for a fresh morning walk. The little hotel hardly has any opportunity for campus development but a lot regarding interior and room improvement. Some of the rooms has excess use of mirror.

The service is good though room service need some care. Little Palace has a very friendly and polite staff. Having a nice bar the hotel serve great food. Their complimentary Breakfast Buffet is admired by most of the guests. Most of the locals, mainly families visit the hotel's restaurant because of their good food as well as service.

The hotel is fit for all types of tourists and visitors, at a location to access not only the entire important city attractions but also for short trips to any important tourist locations of the nearby districts of Tinisukia and Sivasagar.

Above all the hotel provide comfortable accommodation facility with no need to go outside for food service at a very reasonable rate. However guests should always inspect the rooms as the rooms are mostly different from each to other. And be intelligent before ordering your meal.

By Pradyut Pawan Gogoi

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