History of Cars/Automobile Since 1672

• • Karnataka, Kodagu

Some sources suggest Ferdinand Verbiest, a member of a Jesuit mission in China, may have built the first steam-powered car around 1672. Franois Isaac de Rivaz, a Swiss inventor, designed the first internal combustion engine, which was fuelled by a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, and used it to develop the world’s first vehicle to run on such an engine. The design was not very successful. An automobile powered by an Otto gasoline engine was built in Germany by Karl Benz in 1885 and granted a patent in the following year. Although several other engineers were working on the problem at about the same time, Benz is generally credited with the invention of the modern automobile. Approximately 25 of Benz’s vehicles were built before 1893, when his first four-wheeler was introduced. They were powered with four-stroke engines of his own design.

The first American car with a gasoline internal combustion engine was designed in 1877 by George Selden of Rochester, New York, who applied for a patent on an automobile in 1879. Santler from Fvlalvern is recognized by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain as having made the first petrol-powered car in the country in 1894, followed by Frederick William Lanchester in 1895, but these were both one-offs. The first production vehicles came from the Daimler Motor Company, founded by Harry J. Lawson in 1896, and making their first cars in 1897.

In 1892, Rudolf Diesel got a patent for a “New Rational Combustion Engine”. In 1897, he built the first Diesel Engine. In 1895, Selden was granted a United States patent for a two-stroke automobile engine. Steam, electric, and gasoline-powered autos competed for decades, with gasoline internal combustion engines achieving dominance.

(Source: The Vintage Cars Museum – Coorg, Siddapura, Karnataka)

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FLORA FOUNTAIN – initially called Frere Fountain

• • Maharashtra, Mumbai
FLORA FOUNTAIN – initially called Frere Fountain

The city’s icon, Flora Fountain, is a Grade 1 heritage structure with a three tier fountain built in Portland stone. The fountain was commissioned by the Agro Horticultural Society of Western India for Victoria Gardens (presently Veer Mata Jijabai Bhonsale Udyan Zoo). However, it was shifted to adorn the newly restructured Fort Area. Constructed by the Esplanade Fee Fund for a total cost of Rs. 47,000, it was designed by Norman Shaw and sculpted by James Forsyth, both well reputed professionals in their respective fields in Britain. The fountain was dedicated to the city on November 18, 1869.

The fountain was initially called Frere Fountain but eventually became popular as the Flora Fountain after the Roman Goddess Flora, whose statue stands prominently on top of the Fountain. At its lower level it houses statues of 4 allegorical figures seated in niches, representing the industrial, cereal, plant and edible fruit products of India and, on the higher level, it has 4 celestial fishes.

The restoration of the monument and refurbishment of the surrounding area was carried out from 2017-2019 by the MCGM. The project received the UNESCO ASIA-PACIFIC AWARD for Cultural Heritage Conservation-2019 under the Hon. Mention Category.

(Source: Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai)

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Panki Chatni – A Signature Dish of ‘Swati Snacks’ Since 1963

• • Maharashtra, Mumbai
Panki Chatni – A Signature Dish of ‘Swati Snacks’ Since 1963

The above-shown menu was Swati Snacks (Tardeo) yesterday’s special, but I was in search of signature dishes.

Nitin was our steward. He enhanced our knowledge about a lesser-known Gujarati dish, and that is Panki Chatni.

According to Nitin, Panki Chatni is savory rice thin pancakes steamed in two well-greased banana leaves – a traditional Gujarati breakfast delicacy originated from the word leaf. A light food to have, and easy to digest. The banana leaves impart a special flavor. Panki is taken out from the banana leaves by gently peeling off and is served with coriander chutney.

Fantastic! Please serve – said I, and a Special Cold Filter Coffee too.

The service was quick, and within minutes, Panki Chatni (Rs. 230), as well as Special Cold Filter Coffee (Rs. 230), was served.

Panki was appetizing by its looks and delicious, scrumptious, and flavorful by its taste.

The only complaint – the quantity was less.

Anyway, Special Cold Filter Coffee was different too because of the cinnamon sprinkled on top of it.

Other than these two, we also had Bajri Uttapami (Rs. 265) and Thandai Coconut Ice Cream (Rs. 275).

In totality, the signature dish as well as other served items were excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

A visible kitchen and neat and clean washbasin as well as a toilet – The plus point. Maybe again visit someday.

My reasons for visiting Swati Snacks are Mukesh Ambani, Tim Cook (CEO of Apple Inc.), and Madhuri Dixit Nene.

History of Madan Mohan Ji Temple (Vrindavan)

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:

Madan Mohan Ji temple is one of the unique specimens of the architecture of Vrindavan. According to popular belief, Sanatan Goswami Ji used to go for alms in Mathura along with the nearby villages of Vrindavan. One day, a devotee of Mathura gifted him the idol of Thakur Madan Mohan Ji (one of the names of Lord Shri Krishna), which he put on a high mound near Kalidah.

One day, when the merchant boat of Ramdas Khatri trader (popularly known as Kapuri) carrying trading goods got stuck in the sandy bank of Yamuna after an unsuccessful three days attempt to evacuate, he started searching for the local deity and sought their help. After coming to the shore, he climb on the hill, and the boat was out immediately after Madan Mohan ji’s darshan and prayer. Returning safely, Ramdas Khatri got this Madan Mohan Ji temple built (around Samvat 1590 to 1627). The original idol of Madan Mohan Ji is now in Karauli.

(Source: Display Board at Madan Mohan Ji Temple)

Time Table: Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Bhawan

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:
Time Table: Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Bhawan

Click to learn more about ‘Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Bhawan’.

Early Morning

04:20 – 05:30 Pujya Maharaj Shri Dwara Dainik Satsang

05:30 – 06:30 Mangla Aarti and Vanvihar

06:30 – 08:15 Shri Hit Chaturasi ji Gayan, Shri Hit Radhasudhanidhi Paath

08:15 – 09:15 Shringar Aarti, Bhakt Namavali, Radha Naam Sankirtan

Evening

03:30 – 04:45 Dhoop Aarti and Dainik Vaani Paath

04:45 – 05:00 Sandhya Aarti

05:00 – 05:30 Recording Satsang

  • The entry to the Satsang hall will be closed at 04:15 am and the gates will open to go outside at 06:30 am.
  • According to the above time, if you can sit in the Satsang Hall for 2 hours, then sit in the hall, otherwise sit outside and enjoy the Satsang and Van Vihar.

  • Please switch off your mobile phone before entering Satsang Hall.

  • Please do not enter the Satsang hall with small children.

  • Do not do photography and videography in any way on the premises.

  • Elderly and physically unwell people should sit on a chair or bench if necessary.

Do not contact in any way between 10 am to 3:30 pm and after 6 pm.

Radha Teela – The Place of Raas Leela of Sri Radha-Krishna

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:

Radha Teela – This place, situated on Vrindavan Parikrama Marg, is the place of Raas Leela of Sri Radha–Krishna, known as ‘Radha Teela’. In ancient times, Shri Yamuna ji used to flow near this mound. This mound was covered with beautiful trees and creepers.

According to belief, the trees standing here are in the form of Sri Radha-Krishna and the Gopis. Even today, like Nidhivan and Seva-Kunj here, Sri Radha-Krishna and Gopis perform Raas in the night. That’s why visits here stopped after the evening. This mound was named ‘Radha Teela’ because it is the place of Raas of Sri Priya-Pritam.

(Source: Display Board at Radha Teela)

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