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Destination News |
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Karnataka to
promote golf
tourism |
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The state of
Karnataka has
unveiled plans
to develop its
golf tourism
sector, The
Hindu reports.
The Karnataka
tourism
department will
now offer
incentives to
those investing
in development
of golf courses
in the state,
with the
long-term goal
of luring more
overseas golfers
and host
international
tournaments. The
projects will
also create new
jobs in the
state, the
department
added.
According to a
recent order,
Karnataka will
offer subsidies
to companies
deciding to set
up golf courses,
with a focus on
destinations
such as
Bengaluru and
Mysuru, where
courses could be
linked to
international
conference
facilities.
Currently, most
of the golf
courses in the
State are
concentrated in
Bengaluru,
Mysuru, Hubballi,
Coorg,
Chikamagalur and
Mangaluru. |
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The Rajbari,
Bawali, Nr.
Kolkata, West
Bengal |
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When the current
owner first
spied the
Rajbari in the
small village of
Bawali, just
south of Kolkata,
he was
immediately
smitten and
vowed to bring
it back from the
beautifully
elegant but
sadly crumbling
ruin that it had
become. Replete
with collapsing
ceilings, trees
growing through
it, and the
outside
encroaching
inwards from all
corners, it was
a monumental
task but one
that he has
miraculously
achieved and
with stunning
results. The
Rajbari Bawali
is a building
unto itself,
highly unusual
and one that
deserves to take
back its
rightful place
in history.
This glorious
neo-classical
palace sits by a
lake surrounded
by farmland.
Replete with
decorative
Italian
architectural
motifs, breezy
balconies and
graceful
colonnades, it
was formerly the
resplendent
headquarters of
a petty kingdom
ruled by the
Mondal family.
Abandoned after
independence due
to the family
falling into
hard times, it
fell into decay
but has recently
been
painstakingly
and thoughtfully
restored by the
new owner who
was determined
to let the
building speak
for itself and
to let it be
seen in all its
original glory –
what he calls
‘inspired
heritage’. He
has succeed
brilliantly in
keeping the
essence of the
original
building intact,
through
ingenious
restoration work
which retains
the crumbling
lime-rendered
walls and
underlying rusty
red bricks.
The lofty,
unpolished
bedrooms boast
an eclectic mix
of traditional
antique and
rustic, chunky
furniture
contrasted with
giant, flat
screen TVs and
all things
modern. There
are 30 rooms and
suites all
around the
building and in
various wings
and they
immediately
transport you to
another time and
another place.
Some are pale
and ‘feminine’
with pretty
French style,
distressed
furniture;
others are
darker and more
‘masculine’ with
heavy, old
antique
furniture. The
bathrooms have
been done very
well and boast
large power
showers. The
palace’s public
areas are
equally diverse
and remarkable
and vary in
furnishings from
deep leather
‘club like’
seating to
delicate Chinese
items, to
angular,
contemporary
pieces – it
sounds strange
but, when thrown
together, it
works and makes
for an
interesting
‘journey’
through the
palace.
Outside is all
turrets and
columns, ornate
courtyards, and
balconies
overlooking the
lake, fields and
fascinating
temples unique
to this region.
When lit up at
night it is
truly
spectacular and
enjoying a drink
on the lawns
listening to
local musicians
playing folk
songs is very
special. The spa
provides a
lovely sanctuary
for a few
pampering
moments on
return from a
gentle wander
through the
village and
fields,
observing daily
life going on;
or a visit to
the beguiling
Bon Bibi temples
that are unique
to this area.
A stay here
offers a window
to the past,
revealing a
little of this
grand building’s
extraordinarily
illustrious and
extravagant
history; and a
glimpse of a
world few get to
see. Hugely
relaxing,
restorative and
peaceful after a
hectic journey! |
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