Chikkagadiyaara a place to peek into city's heart

Gift for Dasara

Naada Habba Dasara this year will get an added attraction in the heart of the city. You can not only admire the aesthetics that date back to erstwhile Wadiyars, but also lounge savouring the visual treat.

Chikkagadiyaara aka Dufferin Clock also known as ‘small clock tower’ on Sayyaji Rao road has assumed a new look. Called ‘Point of Paradise’ for its enhanced beauty, it awaits a formal opening ceremony.

The clock tower having four clocks in Roman numerals in all the four directions was dedicated by the then maharaja of Mysore Chamarajendra Wadiyar X in 1886, in the memory of the visit of then Viceroy and Governor General Lord Dufferin. Since then, it remains a landmark site in the heart of the city.

Corporator M J Ravikumar who represents ward 35 in Mysore City Corporation (MCC), where the tower is situated told Deccan Herald ‘a trip to Paris sprouted the idea of developing the surroundings of the tower on the same lines’.

Earlier, the tower was the only attraction. Now, the area around  the tower spread across nearly an acre has worn a look that makes it distinct from other places of public gathering in the city.

Most importantly, though there are places of tourist attractions like Ambavilas Palace and Jagan Mohan Palace in the immediate vicinity, there wasn’t a place where either the tourists or public could peek into the heart of the city.

To enable visitors, 14 stone benches made of famous Satagalli granites have been put up. Besides, 10 lamp posts with LED bulbs to light the area, 10 heritage pots and nine fountains (eight around the clock tower and one in the middle).

A small podium with granite flooring has also been constructed to make it a perfect platform for different programmes.

The whole of area around the tower is one feet above the ground level. The road on either sides will be asphalted for the benefit of vehicular users.

Though it remains to be opened formally, already it has become a meeting point for many especially foreigners. They are besotted with the beauty of the place.

Said Ravikumar:”The project cost earlier estimated at Rs 46 lakh was enhanced to Rs 61 lakh as the clock tower was refurbished in sync with the new attractions. It would be dedicated in a fortnight.”