Once the Wellesley Bridge served the traveling public between Bengaluru
and Mysuru, however, a new and bigger bridge was built across the
Cauvery river in the 1960s. This bridge is now old and cannot handle heavy traffic and hence, a new bridge was constructed. Wild growth, lack of maintenance, strong water currents during monsoon, and water releases from the KRS dam have taken a heavy toll on the historical bridge.
 |
| A view of the new bridge |
This bridge still handles vehicular movement, but only cars and motorbikes of locals are allowed on it while heavy vehicles have been completely banned. The Bridge was completed in 1804 and built under the supervision of Dewan Poornaiah. The construction was taken up after Tipu
Sultan died in 1799 during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
As we go down a flight of steps to see how it has been built, one can see how it stands steady on monolithic stone pillars. Overcoming all the stench and dirt around, we take a close look at the hundreds of stone pillars still standing strong while the corbels, girders, slabs, and lime mortar that have been used has provided all the stability to the structure. A few kids follow me and advise me to look at the bridge from the top instead of going beneath. Smiling at them, I make my way down the monolithic pillars gingerly as it is littered with waste. But taking
a long peek at the hollow view of the structure in the background of the
Cauvery, I forget all these impediments.
 |
| Under the bridge |
Further, to my amazement, I see how large and heavy stones have been used for construction which has protected the bridge during floods.
Also, some of these stones have beautiful carvings interspersed between plain ones. It seems during those days people used to have artworks drawn whenever any public or private buildings were built. The carvings have some specific sketches – looked like circles, parabolas, and whatnot. I really couldn’t make out the subject of the carvings.
 |
| Artwork under the bridge |
I heave a sigh of relief as repairs have been done keeping in mind the historicity. For restoration, the workers have used the same materials
that were used during the construction of the bridge, according to the
state archaeological and museum officials.
As we walk across the bridge from one end to another which is about half
a km long and rising more than 20 feet above the Cauvery, I wonder how
people in those days without modern-day machinery managed to build a
structure that has survived for us to see.
 |
| Under the bridge |
Winding up our visit on a hot day, even as we take a turn and come to one corner, there lies a dusty stone inscription hidden from prying eyes which says the bridge was built as a token of gratitude by Krishnaraja Wodeyar Bahadur for the benefits granted to people.
I thank this King for having thought about the needs of people in the
days of cart travel and were completely cut off from the outside
world....
No comments:
Post a Comment