Bengaluru:
Avenue Road may be known as the city’s wholesale trading and business hub but it’s more than that. Not all would know that the thoroughfare is probably as old as Bengaluru. Come Sunday, a group of 25 enthusiasts will take a stroll down the iconic road to discover its history.
Organized by the Bengaluru chapter of Intach, the Parichay walk aims to familiarize citizens with historical monuments and heritage sites along the road, that have survived the depredations of time. Rice Memorial Church, Rangaswamy temple, Maramma temple and the old post office are some of the structures that dot the road, which has been the city’s lifeline since its birth over 500 years ago.
The monuments are lost in the hustle and bustle of the area. “Parichay will highlight the importance of the heritage sites, when were they built and by whom, and how they should be preserved for posterity as well as for tourists,” C Aravind, chapter coordinator, told TOI.
The organizers have conducted 60-65 such walks in areas like Gavipuram, Fraser Town and Shivajinagar. “We want to make locals proud of their area and take an active interest in protecting it,” said Aravind.
Endorsing Aravind’s view, SK Aruni, deputy director, Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR), said Avenue Road is perhaps as old as the city itself. “The aim of the walk is to explain how the city originated and trace its history through Avenue Road. Though citizens today may pass by a number of monuments, they are hardly aware of their importance,” he said.
What: Avenue Road Parichay. When: Sunday. Where: From State Bank of Mysore, K G Road, to Tipu Palace in Chamarajpet covering the Fort. The walk will begin early morning and may take around 3 hours to cover the distance of nearly 2 km.
One road, many names
SK Aruni, who will lead the guided tour giving the participants a peek into the monuments’ history, said Avenue Road is a modern name for the thoroughfare. “I think it was called Chandra Beedi or Surya Beedi or even Dodda Beedi, because of its vastness. It must have been renamed Avenue Road later as it was lined with massive trees on either side,” said Aruni. The road was also called Raja Beedi as it served as a main entrance to the city and important personalities came to Bengaluru via the road, he added.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru / by GS Kumar / February 12th, 2015