tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86376693148901125262024-03-28T09:57:29.038-07:00An Indian Bureaucrat's DiaryShare the life time experiences of a retired Indian Bureaucrat relating to travel and nature and flip through his collection of photographs.Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-12478069761141377062008-05-16T00:37:00.000-07:002008-05-16T00:37:51.635-07:00Happy Burp: Mistress of Spices - Asafoetida / Hing<a href="http://happyburp.blogspot.com/2006/05/mistress-of-spices-asafoetida-hing.html">Happy Burp: Mistress of Spices - Asafoetida / Hing</a><br /><br />Dear Vaishali<br />I like your blog.<br />I have written about some more spices in my travel blog.<br />Do go through them and post your comments, it any.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.binoygupta.com/">http://www.binoygupta.com/</a><br /><br />And if you like, pl. add a link to my blog.<br />I will also do the same.<br />Binoy GuptaDr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-32782721312770881502008-03-06T23:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:03.530-08:00Kesar (Saffron)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidErzp-or1YxEBG30gCBLmWR-9JM3n8DLM2nYr3zGv_zroIjpQN4ufGwpOJOhcGzmLIAaMLpV8rR8tfjFU1HjfhQNFYtGmcdZZhMhTIc8Tfj0QEiH1lpA0Wlzxd8qplrCrQSMpTC4950I/s1600-h/Travel-India.Spices+of+India.Saffron.Sketch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174678647014942498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidErzp-or1YxEBG30gCBLmWR-9JM3n8DLM2nYr3zGv_zroIjpQN4ufGwpOJOhcGzmLIAaMLpV8rR8tfjFU1HjfhQNFYtGmcdZZhMhTIc8Tfj0QEiH1lpA0Wlzxd8qplrCrQSMpTC4950I/s200/Travel-India.Spices+of+India.Saffron.Sketch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">the World’s Most Expensive Spice</span></strong><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong></strong></span><br />If you visit tourist places in Goa and Kerala, you can visit spice gardens.</div><div>Some plantation owners have improvised their spice gardens into tourist attractions.</div><div></div><div>You can see a variety of plants where different spices come from.</div><div>The guide will answer your questions and clarify your doubts.</div><div>Your host will serve you authentic local meals in virgin surroundings and arrange a traditional dance.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Background</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div>We Indians use a lot of spices in their daily food.</div><div>But most of us do not know where the spices come from.</div><div>Someone suggested that I should write about the spices in my blog.</div><div>So here we go. </div><div></div><div>This one on Kesar (Saffron) is another in a series on Spices of India.</div><div>India produces the world’s best Kesar (Saffron).</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">What is Kesar (Saffron)</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div>Kesar is derived from the <a title="Flower" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower">flower</a> of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), a domesticated species of <a title="Crocus" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus">crocus</a> in the family <a title="Iridaceae" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridaceae">Iridaceae</a>. </div><div>The three stigmas and the style (stalk connecting then to the rest of the plant) are <a title="Food preservation" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_preservation">dried</a> and used as spice.<br />About 1.5 lac (1,50,000) flowers are required to get one kg of Saffron.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Where it comes from</span></strong> </div><div><br />The world’s best Kesar comes from India, from Kashmir to be precise.</div><div>This is the reason, in India, you can see the plants only in Kashmir.</div><div>Some spice gardens do plant Kesar for their visitors.</div><div></div><div>The annual global production of Kesar is about 300 tons.</div><div><a title="Iran" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran">Iran</a> produces more than 81 percent of the world yield.</div><div>Other producers are <a title="Spain" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain">Spain</a>, <a title="Greece" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece">Greece</a>, <a title="Azerbaijan" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan">Azerbaijan</a>, <a title="Morocco" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco">Morocco</a> and <a title="Italy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy">Italy</a>. </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Culinary Uses</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXWRtjKCEUXJEFWaiRElcfvhj1PvG0l0bFSgkZ3Sy1ijTm6EqkUVILCz3jIS_z564e1R-NbVnE0gLE8LEJF2R55YnzrZIZ5OQCry_tx_7iHR2wOSR9YwohF3QFQX5sZjaCT8-6f9wszM/s1600-h/Travel-India.Spices+of+India.Saffron+filaments.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174678385021937410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXWRtjKCEUXJEFWaiRElcfvhj1PvG0l0bFSgkZ3Sy1ijTm6EqkUVILCz3jIS_z564e1R-NbVnE0gLE8LEJF2R55YnzrZIZ5OQCry_tx_7iHR2wOSR9YwohF3QFQX5sZjaCT8-6f9wszM/s200/Travel-India.Spices+of+India.Saffron+filaments.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />Kesar is widely used as a spice for colouring and flavor.</div><div>It imparts a distinctive aroma and a beautiful golden colour. </div><div>It is used in a wide array of recipes all over the world. </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Medicinal Uses</strong></span> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Kesar has several therapeutic properties.</div><div>It is used for stomach ailments and as an antispasmodic.</div><div>It helps digestion and increases appetite. </div><div>It relieves renal colic and reduces stomach aches. </div><div>It is used for flu-like infections, depression and hypatomegaly.</div><div>It regulates women’s menstruation and helps conception. </div><div></div><div>Since antiquity, Kesar is believed to be a general tonic, an excellent sexual stimulant and an aphrodisiac.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Uses as Dye</span></strong></div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>In ancient times, Kesar was a very rare and expensive substance.</div><div>It was used as a dye by the Royalty. </div><div>It was considered a sacred flower in ancient Crete. </div><div>Greek gods and goddesses wore gowns dyed with Saffron, so did Buddhist monks. </div><div>Kesar is also the colour of the Bharatiya Janata Party. </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Domesticated Plant</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjl2O4ZfBo8R01mZAo2KrYjkxCDybUf5VN6bGpOoiv-VKy6I-dfhWDgsgl9vGBiPwi-6pcMkYP7owvhVH9zVpOEau198CFbNBdMvR4vf-bsgdkSMZnNFtjr28ui7wAI-IIhzDKheN32w/s1600-h/Travel-India.Spices+of+India.Saffron.Crocus+Flower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174678479511217938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjl2O4ZfBo8R01mZAo2KrYjkxCDybUf5VN6bGpOoiv-VKy6I-dfhWDgsgl9vGBiPwi-6pcMkYP7owvhVH9zVpOEau198CFbNBdMvR4vf-bsgdkSMZnNFtjr28ui7wAI-IIhzDKheN32w/s200/Travel-India.Spices+of+India.Saffron.Crocus+Flower.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />The entire Kesar comes from the domesticated plant which originated in <a title="Crete" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crete">Crete</a>.</div><div>It is sterile and its purple flowers do not produce viable seeds.</div><div></div><div>The <a title="Corm" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corm">corms</a> (underground bulb-like starch-storing organs) are dug up, broken apart, and replanted in June. </div><div>After a period of <a title="Estivation" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estivation">dormancy</a> during the summer, five to eleven narrow and nearly vertical green leaves - up to 40 cm (16 in) in length - emerge from the ground. </div><div>Purple buds appear in autumn. </div><div>In October, the buds open into brilliant lilac flowers. </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGrD-OeeUTG1FE1iQYsNifbIU7uFnuX9eX-J-_lHrieEOvkr4FRyPLnc9mqM4FGo51YPjViRAElPDpgewZY2AqsDklAhBnI6yUZVpi9Si4c366u7D9z9I671cpu_k6_iV-_MwK6yrobI/s1600-h/Travel-India.Spices+of+India.Saffran+Flower+with+filaments.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174678067194357490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGrD-OeeUTG1FE1iQYsNifbIU7uFnuX9eX-J-_lHrieEOvkr4FRyPLnc9mqM4FGo51YPjViRAElPDpgewZY2AqsDklAhBnI6yUZVpi9Si4c366u7D9z9I671cpu_k6_iV-_MwK6yrobI/s200/Travel-India.Spices+of+India.Saffran+Flower+with+filaments.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Kesar crocuses bloom within a narrow time span of one or two weeks. </div><div>After they flower at dawn, the flowers wilt quickly by the end of the day.A</div><div>nd therefore, they have to be collected fast.<a name="Grades"></a><br /></div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Recommendation</strong></span> </div><div><br />Pampore - 14 km away from Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir - is the place where the world’s best Kesar grows.</div><div>If you go there , you will be greeted by a stone bearing the inscription, “World's Best Saffron Grows Here” . </div><div><br />Unfortunately, the yield of Kesar in Pampore has steadily and gradually decreased by more than a half in about 15 years. </div><div>Something needs to be done.</div><div></div><div>If you are a connoisseur of good and exotic food, try to take Kesar tea (preferably without milk) or Kesar milk.</div><div>Both are good and healthier substitutes of tea and coffee. </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>How to use Kesar </strong></span></div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><div><br /></strong></span>Soak filaments of Kesar for a few minutes in a little warm water (4 strands per cup of finished product). </div><div>Rub well till dark golden color develops. </div><div>Add to tea, or milk, or sweets and bring the concoction to a boil. </div><div>Simmer for 5 minutes.</div><div>Cool in fridge, if necessary.</div><div>Add a few strands of Kesar on the surface for decoration.</div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-74205698068870857172008-03-04T21:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:04.431-08:00Point Calimere<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-BVs4YcRaGpuv7IikgkshVsLNPB1iFd3qQlcQIoSHYMoh1ZCaWpRpSJXZpRFEk3CK2EDdb9OzxXhjqiiFpK4-55DQNqbeJppQ-Bk-d5BLjyE8Q_v2-EZTH211w-jbl3mCLpovJoyiCk/s1600-h/Travel-India.Point+Calimere.Panoramic+View.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173917311030531234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-BVs4YcRaGpuv7IikgkshVsLNPB1iFd3qQlcQIoSHYMoh1ZCaWpRpSJXZpRFEk3CK2EDdb9OzxXhjqiiFpK4-55DQNqbeJppQ-Bk-d5BLjyE8Q_v2-EZTH211w-jbl3mCLpovJoyiCk/s200/Travel-India.Point+Calimere.Panoramic+View.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Unique Wildlife Sanctuary</span></strong><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br />According to the Ramayana, Lord Ram himself stood at this point and carried out reconnaissance of <a title="Ravana" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravana">Ravana</a>’s kingdom in <a title="Sri Lanka" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka">Sri Lanka</a> just 48 kms. away.<br /><br />A stone slab at Ramarpatham (meaning Rama’s feet), the highest point of Point Calimere, bears the foot prints of Ram.<br /><br />Now it is a unique wildlife and bird sanctuary.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Overview<br /></span></strong><br />Situated at the southern end of Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu, the sanctuary may be divided into three divisions:<br />· Point Calimere Forest; <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtpxZbweKmE6eJS6oK-clJMzbUl4Vbok7UUyJ_RrMsTm27lTdkf7p8OH4cf5EHcopXDqx4XOYvLPicMKf4B0Y24DybZuMYWoXgG_MBJ5W_Wqg2Ok50ONE6JLl8YJlgSjBs5_VwEjLIlM/s1600-h/Travel-India.Point+Calimere.Mangrove+Forests+of+Muthupet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173918784204313826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtpxZbweKmE6eJS6oK-clJMzbUl4Vbok7UUyJ_RrMsTm27lTdkf7p8OH4cf5EHcopXDqx4XOYvLPicMKf4B0Y24DybZuMYWoXgG_MBJ5W_Wqg2Ok50ONE6JLl8YJlgSjBs5_VwEjLIlM/s200/Travel-India.Point+Calimere.Mangrove+Forests+of+Muthupet.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />· Great Vedaranyam Swamp, which includes the mangrove forests at Muthupet, and<br />· Talaignayar Reserve Forest.It is a marine - coastal wetland with a wide diversity of habitats , including <a title="East Deccan dry evergreen forests" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Deccan_dry_evergreen_forests">dry evergreen forests</a>, <a title="Mangrove" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove">mangrove</a> forests, and <a title="Wetlands" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetlands">wetlands</a>.<br /><br />The coastal water is the breeding ground, or nursery, for many species of marine fishes.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (PCWBS)<br /></strong></span><br />Point Calimere region was first identified as an area of high conservation importance by late Dr. Salim Ali, the world famous ornithologist, in 1962.<br /><br />The Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, with an area of 24.17 km², was created on <a title="June 13" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_13">June 13</a>, <a title="1967" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967">1967</a> for conservation of Black buck (Indian antelope), an endangered and endemic species of India. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNceJNE7HkBLBecJ1Q8XMz_cc6dOOlAHMGmg5snfqnkuF5jOCi3VP8Kx7DtAcMGfzlQyc-zccyoYosJJpJfjGEfKCSWSJthaWvWLV_40F4fjGVu9Ks4UtoSk02tWMhUrT9jDVRfylBHxo/s1600-h/Travel-India.Pint+Calimere.Blackbuck2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173917646037980338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNceJNE7HkBLBecJ1Q8XMz_cc6dOOlAHMGmg5snfqnkuF5jOCi3VP8Kx7DtAcMGfzlQyc-zccyoYosJJpJfjGEfKCSWSJthaWvWLV_40F4fjGVu9Ks4UtoSk02tWMhUrT9jDVRfylBHxo/s200/Travel-India.Pint+Calimere.Blackbuck2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>In <a title="1988" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988">1988</a>, the Sanctuary was enlarged to include the Great Vedaranyam Swamp and the Talaignayar Reserve Forest, and renamed the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, with a total area of 377 km².<br /><br />In November 2002, the sanctuary and some adjacent areas (excluding the reserved forest) were designated a Ramsar Site - a wetland of international of importance.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Animals</strong></span><br /><br />Fourteen species of mammals have been reported in the Sanctuary.<br />The most graceful are the sleek and beautiful black buck.<br />When I visited the Sanctuary, the black bucks did not allow me to come close.<br />They kept a respectable distance.<br />When I advanced towards them, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxwhqpjkRkng2ruvmNU5QBDZR40Skhnnr3xX94sLYFA_GaSwEILyddt5hLD8EJ34E7gFDUr4Cft5tw_MwhS6KWRRGhbe3pXhhD8jH_2rhkz3sJ-QK3FZgaAqgFr7ptO_7fD-a3wt1T3s/s1600-h/Travel-India.Black+Buck.Female.3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173916976023082130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxwhqpjkRkng2ruvmNU5QBDZR40Skhnnr3xX94sLYFA_GaSwEILyddt5hLD8EJ34E7gFDUr4Cft5tw_MwhS6KWRRGhbe3pXhhD8jH_2rhkz3sJ-QK3FZgaAqgFr7ptO_7fD-a3wt1T3s/s200/Travel-India.Black+Buck.Female.3.jpg" border="0" /></a>they retreated.<br /><br />Other large animals are spotted deer, wild boar, jackal, Bonnet macaque, mongoose, monitor lizards, black naped hare, Civet cat and semi wild ponies.<br />There are large colonies of flying foxes in the Point Calimere forest and in the mangrove forest at Muthupet.<br />Dolphins and turtles often come quite close to the shore.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Birds</span></strong><br /><br />The sanctuary has one of the largest water bodies in South India and is rich in both resident and migratory birds.<br />A total of 257 species of birds have been recorded of which 119 are water birds and 138 forest birds.<br />Some of the major water bird species are the greater flamingo, the lesser flamingo, spot - billed pelican, grey pelican, spoonbill sandpiper, Asian dowitcher,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xof9GN1-v0HOLg4YqEzPqKTn2rEZZEDiyXsQ1A-G29HXlNpg7nqXJXGALJRDjbR7e5yH8GHo1E1xZKILoHj9X_KUZahXiTe2UmCxSkVnKz6gbTm3JtCBo1CZDhbMeThomPJUCTrcPm0/s1600-h/Travel-India.Point+Calimere.Flamingoes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173918487851570386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xof9GN1-v0HOLg4YqEzPqKTn2rEZZEDiyXsQ1A-G29HXlNpg7nqXJXGALJRDjbR7e5yH8GHo1E1xZKILoHj9X_KUZahXiTe2UmCxSkVnKz6gbTm3JtCBo1CZDhbMeThomPJUCTrcPm0/s200/Travel-India.Point+Calimere.Flamingoes.jpg" border="0" /></a> white bellied sea eagle, brahminy kite and osprey.<br />The land birds include paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta, Rosy starling, Blyth reed warbler, crested serpent eagle and brown shrike.<br />Since 1959, the <a title="Bombay Natural History Society" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Natural_History_Society">Bombay Natural History Society</a> has been conducting regular bird migration studies in the sanctuary.<br />So far, over 200,000 birds have been captured, studied, ringed and released.<br /><a title="Bombay Natural History Society" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Natural_History_Society">Bombay Natural History Society</a> has set up a new field station in Kodaikadu in 2007.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Flora<br /></span></strong><br />The vegetation of the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is diverse, ranging from dry evergreen forests, mangrove vegetation, salt marsh to grasslands.<br />If you are interested in plants, you can see carnivorous or insectivorous plants, such as, Drosera burmanii and D. indica.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places to see<br /></span></strong><br />You can see the footprints of Lord Rama at Ramar Padam.<br />You can have a beautiful view of the sanctuary and the larger mammals and birds from the watch tower located near the shrine.<br />The historic ruins of a 1000-year old Chola light house were wiped out by the Tsumani of 2004.<br />A modern lighthouse built in 1890 guides the mariners.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation<br /></span></strong><br />Point Calimere is the apex of the <a title="Cauvery River" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauvery_River">Cauvery River</a> delta, and forms a right-angle turn near the coastline.<br />The area is littered by salt pans. They may create ecological problems, but they do attract a large number of birds.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHCecHV9R-4R9TLlvc6N8DOJg9fFBaA6vUYb3pN5vVHbzTuGY4UHS6XyTEqsMCjdlF25wCxkQSp356Se6ov6HEaZe-6Vu2QPiwEbhve0yfKti3zNe7b7gGEXSQxIiuG171T09JIpo3mU/s1600-h/Travel-India.Point+Calimere.Bottlenose+Dolphin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173918311757911234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHCecHV9R-4R9TLlvc6N8DOJg9fFBaA6vUYb3pN5vVHbzTuGY4UHS6XyTEqsMCjdlF25wCxkQSp356Se6ov6HEaZe-6Vu2QPiwEbhve0yfKti3zNe7b7gGEXSQxIiuG171T09JIpo3mU/s200/Travel-India.Point+Calimere.Bottlenose+Dolphin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It’s a wonderful sanctuary.<br />You will see the graceful black bucks, a variety of birds, plants, dolphins, etc.<br />The forests of Point Calimere are one of the last remnants of the dry evergreen forests that were once typical of the East Deccan dry evergreen forests eco-region.<br /><br />You can visit Thanjavur, just 90 km away, the seat of the celebrated Chola kings from the 10th to the early 14th century. The entire South India is open to you beyond that….</div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-90873736749196346762008-03-02T19:45:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:05.682-08:00Pichavaram<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9CHx8XBU_j7vn3GfXfrLgSJC-CS-zPS7Opx-mRq2X5nLPjJfKGuv6HuOVGNM5tKRtyGhiXSuS-V9CwIwPUXvStk8c2z1CIrGnh3MFRHk6knbparoHVrxp9VN0C8waG_zMa6V2pOAwzE/s1600-h/Travel-India.Pichavaram.The+Sign+Board.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173143533670261554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9CHx8XBU_j7vn3GfXfrLgSJC-CS-zPS7Opx-mRq2X5nLPjJfKGuv6HuOVGNM5tKRtyGhiXSuS-V9CwIwPUXvStk8c2z1CIrGnh3MFRHk6knbparoHVrxp9VN0C8waG_zMa6V2pOAwzE/s200/Travel-India.Pichavaram.The+Sign+Board.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Second largest Mangrove forest in the world</strong></span> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br />Almost two and a half decades ago, when I was working in Chennai, I first heard of the Mangrove Forests of Pichavaram - 14 kms. from Chidambaram.<br />I did not really know what Mangrove forests were and what Pichavaram was like.<br />I requested my friends to organize a visit.<br /></div><div></div><div>After my visit, I wrote about Pichavaram in the Swagat (inflight magazine of Indian Airlines) and a number of other magazines.<br />To this extent, I take credit for increasing its popularity.</div><div></div><div>Since then, I have visited Pichavaram several times.<br />My last visit was a few months after the Tsunami of 2004.<br /><br />Pichavaram is a unique success story.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMovOZH0BWWpWIuzg2FWSlnaXdOt_wkswU7Ir8FeN-3Ny5NDhGmCqnKOdwOmuQtb9SS63mvXbatAy23Ki51A6rQNtC5QP79K98AQUsfEOULh9m0x5YlP6WaNOJxaYs4UUwWBSnK6vxq-Y/s1600-h/Travel-India.Inside+Pichavaram+Forest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173142146395824866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMovOZH0BWWpWIuzg2FWSlnaXdOt_wkswU7Ir8FeN-3Ny5NDhGmCqnKOdwOmuQtb9SS63mvXbatAy23Ki51A6rQNtC5QP79K98AQUsfEOULh9m0x5YlP6WaNOJxaYs4UUwWBSnK6vxq-Y/s200/Travel-India.Inside+Pichavaram+Forest.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mangrove Forest<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div></div><div>Pichavaram Mangrove Forest has been created by the backwaters, inter connected by the Vellar and Coleroon river systems.<br /><br />The Mangrove Forest is followed by an extraordinary sand bank which makes a lovely sandy beach.<br />The total area of Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (including 50 small islands) is about 1470 ha.<br /><br />The Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, the second largest in the world, is the healthiest mangrove forest in the world.<br /></div><div></div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Mangrove Trees</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmKMrv0FqZ5NrcxhA6OuQiupP7SoWYBH9NEXYCnXwtNJelg8mtICsoGLoDnKQxUnzLiCxI9iX6by0wO600XkpNLpISaXREC5APVoUXtiV5mVqufA0cxDUSOzXBybUxNCn3cS7GpOZw6I/s1600-h/Travel-India.Pichavaram.Trees+on+Stilts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173143860087776066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmKMrv0FqZ5NrcxhA6OuQiupP7SoWYBH9NEXYCnXwtNJelg8mtICsoGLoDnKQxUnzLiCxI9iX6by0wO600XkpNLpISaXREC5APVoUXtiV5mVqufA0cxDUSOzXBybUxNCn3cS7GpOZw6I/s200/Travel-India.Pichavaram.Trees+on+Stilts.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mangrove trees are unique.<br />Try to visualize trees standing on stilts. And you have a rough likeness of what a mangrove tree looks like.<br /><br /></div><div>The mangrove trees grow in coastal areas of the tropics and sub-tropics, at the edge of waterways; and in estuaries, creeks and channels in the delta regions, where the water ebbs up and down twice every day.<br />The sea water rushes in and out, through the waterways, twice a day, changing the salinity of the water from that of sea water to fresh water.</div><div></div><div></div><div>The trees and other creatures have developed unique systems to survive and thrive in these harsh conditions.<br />The trees have developed unique stilt like roots.<br />The roots have pores through which the trees breathe oxygen when the water level is low and the roots are exposed.<br />The roots have specialized membranes which act like filters allowing only fresh water to enter.<br />If some salt passes through, it accumulates in the leaves, which later drop off to get rid of the salt.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVJDjsOQmzLPM8FmhCXyIYhAENynMy6kwHf2NWQGXqLsiFQJV7KVE2DkV0MEohUCvC6LccuSH-4j_TqljeJ6Bj06LV2RYiJXlQfcjP39hV1Uo1hcO63dOggMAZCBR9ivP9nrRnp7NtIE/s1600-h/Travel-India.Pichavaram.Magrove+Fruit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173142988209414914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVJDjsOQmzLPM8FmhCXyIYhAENynMy6kwHf2NWQGXqLsiFQJV7KVE2DkV0MEohUCvC6LccuSH-4j_TqljeJ6Bj06LV2RYiJXlQfcjP39hV1Uo1hcO63dOggMAZCBR9ivP9nrRnp7NtIE/s200/Travel-India.Pichavaram.Magrove+Fruit.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Seeds could hardly survive in such hostile conditions. </div><div>The mangrove tree has developed a singular solution.<br />The seeds germinate on the tree itself and develop into cigar shaped seedlings.<br />When mature, the seedlings simply fall off the tree, penetrate into the soil and develop roots.<br />This ensures a high survival rate.<br /><br />Soil and other debris accumulate between the roots, actually reclaiming land, and creating a unique eco-system.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Unique Creatures<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div></div><div>The complex root system provides accommodation to a myriad creatures,including <a title="Alga" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alga">algae</a>, <a title="Barnacle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacle">barnacles</a>, <a title="Oyster" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyster">oysters</a>, <a title="Sea sponge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_sponge">sponges</a> and <a title="Bryozoan" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryozoan">bryozoans</a>. </div><div>The mudskipper fish comes out of the water on to the banks for short spells.</div><div>The archer fish can shoot out a jet of water, much like the fireman’s hose, striking down small insects.</div><div>All kinds of crabs and crustaceans live amidst the mud banks. </div><div>The habitat can also host commercially important species of fish and crustacea providing livelihood to the locals. </div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9Ai080XHb5nvR9GNFMZtCE_2zfGO4sHGp-Fo5oxpnNhXdxn_GRrauaJtW8KhU-yVSy5EssRXgl-vEdSdJbq1G3UQYCKFQsjbZv43-96t9m3JVZpA0atj6Ez_ohDr9XVAHBg4FtWqNTI/s1600-h/Travel-India.Pichavaram.On+the+Beautiful+Beach.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173143211547714322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9Ai080XHb5nvR9GNFMZtCE_2zfGO4sHGp-Fo5oxpnNhXdxn_GRrauaJtW8KhU-yVSy5EssRXgl-vEdSdJbq1G3UQYCKFQsjbZv43-96t9m3JVZpA0atj6Ez_ohDr9XVAHBg4FtWqNTI/s200/Travel-India.Pichavaram.On+the+Beautiful+Beach.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Birds<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div></div><div>Pichavaram is the bird lover’s paradise.</div><div>The rich aquatic life attracts all kinds of birds.</div><div>You will find - the local residents, the immigrant residents and the genuine migratory birds that come annually to mate and breed.<br /></div><div></div><div>Over 177 species of birds belonging to 15 orders and 41 families have been recorded in Pichavaram. </div><div>The peak season for birds is from November to January.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Tsunami and after<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div></div><div>The <a title="Tsunami" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami">Tsunami</a> hit the shores of India on <a title="December 26" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_26">December 26</a>, <a title="2004" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004">2004</a> at 08:32 in the morning.<br />At that time, I was having tea with a friend in Chennai.<br />I received a phone call from my friend in another city to enquire if I was all right.<br />Only then I learnt that the Tsunami had hit the eastern shores of India.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Cuddalore, where the Mangrove Forests are located, was heavily affected by the waves. </div><div>572 bodies were recovered and many were missing. </div><div>Several fishing hamlets simply disappeared. </div><div>Silver Beach and the historically important Cuddalore Port were devastated. </div><div>However, Fort St. David survived without damage. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyTJ8ryqaPrxtLWSeTOTQmDQm2UWVLpAFUndl1VQ58Z8_fzAIr-6DEml0mlfdPul2sFAvsAMc_zCAQC-sTXrp5UopssHJXicMxaLIgfsQ0c3Ss7Cw8bdxEkOCJUfm7GErzFWCvHhxZhc/s1600-h/Travel-India.Pichavaram.The+Beautiful+Beach.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173143366166536994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyTJ8ryqaPrxtLWSeTOTQmDQm2UWVLpAFUndl1VQ58Z8_fzAIr-6DEml0mlfdPul2sFAvsAMc_zCAQC-sTXrp5UopssHJXicMxaLIgfsQ0c3Ss7Cw8bdxEkOCJUfm7GErzFWCvHhxZhc/s200/Travel-India.Pichavaram.The+Beautiful+Beach.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />The Income Tax Office in Cuddalore was slightly affected.<br />I immediately made arrangements to ensure that our staff were safe and received immediate help, if needed.<br />The loss of lives was too tragic.<br />But relief started pouring in.My office in Chennai also collected and sent relief material for the local people.</div><div>The management of relief operations in the district was handled by the local authorities and villagers themselves.<br />They did a remarkable job. </div><div><br />The Tsunami proved that mangrove trees act as buffers and prevent damage to the hinterland. </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div></div><div>Mangrove forests are gigantic biological sinks with an unrivalled capacity to absorb and assimilate chemicals and recycle them into nutrients.</div><div>Late M.G. Ramachandran used Pichavaram for his film Idayakani. </div><div>Later, when he became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, he developed the place. </div><div><br />However, till the early 1980s, policy makers and planners throughout the world, considered mangrove wetlands as wasteland.<br />This resulted in over exploitation and conversion of mangrove wetlands for other purposes. </div><div>Only after 1980s, the importance of mangrove forests has been understood and replanting programs have been started all over the world. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5T_oF4GHdhYoxau4FNrQyp4j3GnJbRgx7svi1b_C4WhxTYJ5oIU-v2rtShWLNqPfFdL9IophSRdAeqyygcswlrq_ZR4K5fL74_V8EGm5-IpIO-qt-cQrW6s8xNhKeVSlMU2xYSvP-Ns/s1600-h/Travel-India.Pichavaram.Local+Fishermen+Fishing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173142661791900402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5T_oF4GHdhYoxau4FNrQyp4j3GnJbRgx7svi1b_C4WhxTYJ5oIU-v2rtShWLNqPfFdL9IophSRdAeqyygcswlrq_ZR4K5fL74_V8EGm5-IpIO-qt-cQrW6s8xNhKeVSlMU2xYSvP-Ns/s200/Travel-India.Pichavaram.Local+Fishermen+Fishing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Inspite of this, over half the world’s mangroves have been lost in recent times.<br />But Pichavaram is an exception. </div><div>There has been new mangrove forestation to the extent of almost 90%.</div><div></div><div>Who says we cannot improve our environment.</div><div>We have done it.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Several reports, including a few by some scientists, mention that Pichavaram was declared a Reserve Forest in 1897.</div><div>This cannot be correct. </div><div>I think the correct year is 1987.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>See this unique place and the magnificent beach.</div><div>And you can see also Chidambaram Temple, the temple without a deity, and the Annamalai University, famous for its B.Ed. programs.</div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-49994767154778078402008-03-01T06:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:07.374-08:00Chidambaram<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozJo4KGKoxWs0zE8Fjl99QgkD9-K5UikfzbkW3W4oYH2WFogYLUtziX2N1QImWx7fJM5pmdu9EhR1xdGmMPl0UnfGdOT4hr9N-l1zNQqB0OBKiRNjkq-iYpIJYKTJguX7XCBruYP-35Q/s1600-h/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Temple+and+the+Tank.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172563098904978114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozJo4KGKoxWs0zE8Fjl99QgkD9-K5UikfzbkW3W4oYH2WFogYLUtziX2N1QImWx7fJM5pmdu9EhR1xdGmMPl0UnfGdOT4hr9N-l1zNQqB0OBKiRNjkq-iYpIJYKTJguX7XCBruYP-35Q/s200/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Temple+and+the+Tank.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Unique Temple of the Formless Shiva</span><span style="color:#000099;"> </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div>I have visited Chidambaram several times for three reasons.<br />· To meander through the Mangrove Forests of Pichavaram to the beach beyond.<br />· To visit, attend or give lectures at the Annamalai University.<br />· And to visit the Chidambaram Temple.<br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Meaning of the word Chidambaram</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3cpGOsig2e2FcbRHet3wA4IX1zpdaiOd9tdyir5ltQKvpsljAohDLAX7a639lx717j7nABo-A0OSYNKZPvtYVMOvn_Bq8711ROsZkmNbzEnyJX0TNp50_Oc2KOCvSflC4lE3YFJ4CIE/s1600-h/Travel_India.Chidambaram.A+Beautiful+Panel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172560972896166482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3cpGOsig2e2FcbRHet3wA4IX1zpdaiOd9tdyir5ltQKvpsljAohDLAX7a639lx717j7nABo-A0OSYNKZPvtYVMOvn_Bq8711ROsZkmNbzEnyJX0TNp50_Oc2KOCvSflC4lE3YFJ4CIE/s200/Travel_India.Chidambaram.A+Beautiful+Panel.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The word Chidambaram is derived from the two words ‘Chit’ meaning ‘consciousness’ and ‘ambaram’ meaning ‘sky’ (akaas) and signifies the sky of consciousness, which is the ultimate state one should attempt to attain.According to another version, the word Chidambaram is derived from Chitrambalam which is derived from two words ‘Chit’ and ‘ambalam’ meaning Stage for performing arts.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Deity</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRHb7JNUvFRaUJHb33FFqhpYvCitlhOB83Ay-VYkCIQz6MLJUFSaV7UUYyz2eT_pghCbVTE-u5ccWLVZrE3beDS_w7jDtCW7RL4xyk6IzrD3LgwRVc_cLeffqqje1_YEL20wKWT2PH8Q/s1600-h/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Nataraj.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172562566329033378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRHb7JNUvFRaUJHb33FFqhpYvCitlhOB83Ay-VYkCIQz6MLJUFSaV7UUYyz2eT_pghCbVTE-u5ccWLVZrE3beDS_w7jDtCW7RL4xyk6IzrD3LgwRVc_cLeffqqje1_YEL20wKWT2PH8Q/s200/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Nataraj.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Chidambaram Temple is unique because the main deity which is worshipped there is the Akash Linga or the formless form of Lord Shiva. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of ether (one of the five forms of matter) which has no form.As you can see on the left side of the photograph, there is no deity at all.The wall is covered with leaves of gold foil strung on strings. (Of course, there are a lot of other deities).<br /><br />The <a title="Chidambaram Temple" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chidambaram_Temple">Chidambaram Temple</a> is also dedicated to Lord <a title="Shiva" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva">Shiva</a> in the form of <a title="Nataraja" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja">Nataraja</a> - the Cosmic Dancer.The beautiful image of Nataraja is extremely popular amongst artists.<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><div><br />History<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueiHDPY05qB1bKKquKKGqjbMfzfBBcS32tw7zs__FNYJCJbtoBt-2QwDa4cDQ5scfWfvnAF5i_hC37LGGiF3IhVL4XI1r4YYxlUcwPhS6lol2cIMQYBkj-TrsViX2dDkI3BsQHUMx-Xs/s1600-h/Travel_India.Chidambaram.The+Golden+Roof.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172563292178506450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueiHDPY05qB1bKKquKKGqjbMfzfBBcS32tw7zs__FNYJCJbtoBt-2QwDa4cDQ5scfWfvnAF5i_hC37LGGiF3IhVL4XI1r4YYxlUcwPhS6lol2cIMQYBkj-TrsViX2dDkI3BsQHUMx-Xs/s200/Travel_India.Chidambaram.The+Golden+Roof.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></span></strong>We do not know much about the past of Chidambaram.But worship in this temple has continued uninterrupted since time immemorial.The Temple was definitely in existence in the 6th century A.D.Successive generations of the Chola, the Pallava and the Vijayanagar kings patronised the temple.<br /><br />The Chola King Aditya 1 started guilding a portion of the roof of the temple with gold. </div><div>But the work was completed by his son.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwbyJwqiwqRgMyRUiDAvsgtqBHwrZpitrz6dHjb90YDVd5cMNS8U5lXmTS5zbkg5snCcB3rrxeKo6kethtjYyenS0uhOHBV92iPpz4KAOZxiNMxt5Z_9gm-olok30ZuwHJtsNm_vJhyphenhyphenk/s1600-h/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Inside+the+Temple.jpg"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172562149717205634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwbyJwqiwqRgMyRUiDAvsgtqBHwrZpitrz6dHjb90YDVd5cMNS8U5lXmTS5zbkg5snCcB3rrxeKo6kethtjYyenS0uhOHBV92iPpz4KAOZxiNMxt5Z_9gm-olok30ZuwHJtsNm_vJhyphenhyphenk/s200/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Inside+the+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></a><br /></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mythology</span></strong><br /><br />Long ago, there used to be a Thillai Vanam around Chidambaram. (‘Vanam’ means forest and ‘thillai’ is a species of mangrove trees - botanical name Exocoeria agallocha - which now grows in the Pichavaram mangrove forests nearby.) There are 2nd century A.D. sculptures in the temple depicting the Thillai trees.It appears that the coast was much closer to Chidambaram.</div><div></div><div>A group of ‘<a title="Rishis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishis">rishis</a>’ (saints) lived in the Thillai forests. They believed in magic and believed that even God could be controlled by rituals and ‘mantras’ or magical words.</div><div></div><div>Once, Lord <a title="Siva" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siva">Shiva</a> was strolling through the Thillai forests in the form of ‘Pitchandanar’, a nude mendicant asking for alms.He had extraordinary beauty and radiance.He was followed by his consort. The wives of the rishis were enamoured by the handsome mendicant and his consort. </div><div></div><div>On seeing this, the rishis became angry and sent scores of serpents by performing magical rituals. Lord Shiva lifted the serpents and donned them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck and waist. </div><div>The enraged rishis sent a fierce tiger. Lord Shiva skinned it and tied its skin around his waist like a piece of garment. Still more infuriated, the rishis sent a powerful demon ‘Muyalakan’. Lord Shiva stepped on the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2WhxBiyWosuN8ApRHqelP_mSIfGXTtYoAz0nx0u_2RTpwSB4AwzSRxSY_vzt11EFp2KHVRcaHP3yCRsmigD-RXF2SUDajb7TWR5MZZGqPoV26KbRKyhO0eviAqpfUtR2UlYV_pg5Cgc/s1600-h/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Inside+the+Temple2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172561724515443314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2WhxBiyWosuN8ApRHqelP_mSIfGXTtYoAz0nx0u_2RTpwSB4AwzSRxSY_vzt11EFp2KHVRcaHP3yCRsmigD-RXF2SUDajb7TWR5MZZGqPoV26KbRKyhO0eviAqpfUtR2UlYV_pg5Cgc/s200/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Inside+the+Temple2.jpg" border="0" /></a>demon’s back, immobilized him and performed the Ánanda thaandava (the dance of bliss or happiness).Then he discloses his true form. Only then, the rishis realized that Lord Shiva was beyond magic and rituals and surrendered to him.Govindaraja Shrine</div><div></div><div>The Chidambaram Temple complex also has a shrine of Govindarajaperumal (form of Lord Vishnu) and his consort Pundareegavalli Thaayar (form of Laxmi). It is rare to have shrines of both Shiva and Vishnu in the same temple. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Temple car</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWusmsRbf3ly2WBJRrDnHB_HdGbEeJgSIH9jvYQPC8tJhyphenhyphenaI0-aT262bTzFxc7MkHsAEWkEnqdPIEfbFSTiEKpFNd6Dd5v6laG5m7V98z1mgB4XVoozWiXCEcXkf9h6dCcytBlW_WmdQQ/s1600-h/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Temple+and+the+Tank.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172562897041515186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWusmsRbf3ly2WBJRrDnHB_HdGbEeJgSIH9jvYQPC8tJhyphenhyphenaI0-aT262bTzFxc7MkHsAEWkEnqdPIEfbFSTiEKpFNd6Dd5v6laG5m7V98z1mgB4XVoozWiXCEcXkf9h6dCcytBlW_WmdQQ/s200/Travel_India.Chidambaram.Temple+and+the+Tank.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Chidambaram Temple car is one of the most beautiful of temple cars in Tamil Nadu. This car is used to carry the statue of Lord Nataraja around the town twice a year.<br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Gopurams </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><br /> </div></span></strong><div>The temple has 9 gateways.Four of these have towering ‘gopurams’ or pagodas each with 7 levels in the East, South, West and North. The eastern gopuram has sculptures depicting all the 108 postures (karnams) of <a title="Bharathanatyam" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharathanatyam">Bharat Natyam</a> - an Indian form of dance.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Reaching there</span></strong><br /><br />Chidambaram is 240 km south of <a title="Chennai" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai">Chennai</a> and about an hour’s drive from Pondicherry.There are plenty of trains from Chennai.The road is also very good.<br />The coast is about 11 kms from Chidambaram.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong><br /><br />The temple complex spreading over 40 acres is full of exquisite statues.There is the Shivganga, the traditional tank.Chidambaram is also worshipped as the temple of Nataraj – the Cosmic Dancer.There is an annual dance festival.The top most Indian dancers deem it a privilege and honour to perform here. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY-uM_KnEjajMk8ID06w6N3a-x3AlSlH1XXWsZDTkWjFNlb4MRWvItuGe3apA4WlRYjZR6lph8o6HhYxLvaBnQSTI-E0-CyXouWbTOrA6AEvB_JZotb8nvDbyExzjtDnMuDCVG3Mc2TQ/s1600-h/Travel_India.Chidambaram.A+Statue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172561333673419362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY-uM_KnEjajMk8ID06w6N3a-x3AlSlH1XXWsZDTkWjFNlb4MRWvItuGe3apA4WlRYjZR6lph8o6HhYxLvaBnQSTI-E0-CyXouWbTOrA6AEvB_JZotb8nvDbyExzjtDnMuDCVG3Mc2TQ/s200/Travel_India.Chidambaram.A+Statue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nataraj, the image of the Lord Shiva in the dancing pose has been copied all over the world.<br /><br />All the major temples in Tamil Nadu are administered by the Government. Chidambaram is the sole exception.The huge temple complex looks like an undefeatable fort and has been used as such.<br /><br />You can visit the Annamalai University, which pioneered the concept of distance education in India. You can also visit the Pichavaram Mangrove Forests.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-83312380122355388132008-02-27T18:15:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:08.524-08:00Dwarka - the Lost Atlantis<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwSSdcsQ6GgVLppoJI5M5qVF1gFoNMzUle1Vh_ZiSpqRtixEtV1OxIhLeqanG7kgTANBo-FSqY4KZYw88J7OYQN92H6Ojimsy311atA9VSKkoE1hwDT7c9Dyqk_RTymvt8mG0yDbOzVI/s1600-h/Dwaraka.Main+Entrance.Swarg+dwar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171639042278041762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwSSdcsQ6GgVLppoJI5M5qVF1gFoNMzUle1Vh_ZiSpqRtixEtV1OxIhLeqanG7kgTANBo-FSqY4KZYw88J7OYQN92H6Ojimsy311atA9VSKkoE1hwDT7c9Dyqk_RTymvt8mG0yDbOzVI/s200/Dwaraka.Main+Entrance.Swarg+dwar.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Atlantis of India</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">The western most of Adi Shankaracharya's Four Dhams</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />Some time ago, my mother wanted me to take her to Dwarka, the last of the Four Dhams of Adi Shankaracharya (we had already visited the other three).</div><div>The fact is she loved to travel. </div><div>I also love to travel. </div><div>And there were many other places to see around Dwarka.</div><div></div><div>So we landed in Dwarka.</div><div>The story of Atlantis flashed through my mind. </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Lost Isle of Atlantis</span></strong> </div><div><br /><a title="Plato" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato">Plato</a> first mentioned ‘Atlantis’ in his dialogues <a title="Timaeus (dialogue)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timaeus_%28dialogue%29">Timaeus</a> and <a title="Critias (dialogue)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critias_%28dialogue%29">Critias</a> writtenin 360 B.C. </div><div>For unknown reasons, Plato never completed <a title="Critias (dialogue)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critias_%28dialogue%29">Critias</a>.<br />According to Plato, “Atlantis, lying “beyond the <a title="Pillars of Heracles" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillars_of_Heracles">pillars of Heracles</a>”, was a <a title="Naval power" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_power">naval power</a> that conquered many parts of <a title="Western Europe" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Europe">Western Europe</a> and <a title="Africa" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa">Africa</a> 9,000 years before the time of <a title="Solon" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solon">Solon</a>, or approximately 9,500 B.C. </div><div>After a failed attempt to invade <a title="Athens" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens">Athens</a>, Atlantis sank into the ocean “in a single day and night of misfortune”.<br /><br />Scientists and researchers agree that there was no such island as Atlantis.<br />Atlantis was a piece of sheer imagination.<br /><br />But the ancient Dwarka has far too many similarities to the imaginary Atlantis.<br />This cannot be pure coincidence.<br />Dwarka is about 4000 years old. Plato wrote about Atlantis only around 360 B.C., that is, much later.<br />I think the only plausible explanation for the striking similarities is that Plato heard about Dwarka and based his imaginary Atlantis on Dwarka.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Dwarka</span></strong><br /><br />The present day Dwarka is a city in <a title="Gujarat" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat">Gujarat</a> state in Western <a title="India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India">India</a>.<br />The name Dwarka has come from the <a title="Sanskrit" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit">Sanskrit</a> word “Dwar” meaning <a title="Door" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Door">door</a>.<br />Once upon a time, if you were coming from the West, Dwarka was the gate way to India.<br />Today, Hindus regard it as a gateway to Heaven.<br /><br />The legendary city of Dwarka was the dwelling place of Lord <a title="Krishna" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna">Krishna</a>.<br />It is believed that due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dwarka submerged under the sea six times; and the modern day Dwarka is the seventh city to be built in the area.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>The Dwarkadhish Temple<br /></strong></span><br />Dwarkadhish (from Dwarka and Dhish) means Lord of Dwarka.<br />The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna.<br />The city is believed to have been built by <a title="Vishwakarma" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishwakarma">Vishwakarma</a>, the celestial architect.<br />And the ancient temple was built by Sambha, the grandson of Lord Krishna.<br /><br />The present temple built around the 16th century has a five storey tower.<br />It is made of limestone and sand.<br />The structure of the temple is quite complicated. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpMdRUtyqJzhbH8alvQNj5ujdf7lGKYPbVJsgnW8m9EmZ5ZjSZ-RLeZCVbXjy5pR_VWPPVy6D8THhzaM9cOW8LwylwKIujFS90Phuhipr1kE2tvyrWYZxYvk1_HFGmgR4r1izg_D8nzo/s1600-h/Dwarka.An+old+Painting+of+the+Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171639188306929842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpMdRUtyqJzhbH8alvQNj5ujdf7lGKYPbVJsgnW8m9EmZ5ZjSZ-RLeZCVbXjy5pR_VWPPVy6D8THhzaM9cOW8LwylwKIujFS90Phuhipr1kE2tvyrWYZxYvk1_HFGmgR4r1izg_D8nzo/s200/Dwarka.An+old+Painting+of+the+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A 24 metres (84 ft.) long, multicolored flag, decorated with the symbols of the sun and moon, is hoisted on the temple tower every day.<br />It majestically flitters in the air welcoming the pilgrims.<br /><br />The temple has two gateways:<br />· Swarg Dwar (Door to Heaven), through which pilgrims enter, and<br />· Moksha Dwar (Door to Salvation), through which the pilgrims exit. From the temple, one can see the sangam (confluence) of Gomati River and the Arabian Sea.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Bet Dwarka<br /></span></strong><br />The Bet Dwarka temple is built like a palace.<br />It is believed that Lord Krishna had ruled from here.<br />An idol similar to the one in Dwarka is kept in Bet Dwarka temple also.<br />Bet Dwarka can be reached by a short boat ride.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Mythology</strong></span><br /><br />Dwarka is mentioned in the <a title="Mahabharata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata">Mahabharata</a>, <a title="Bhagavata Purana" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavata_Purana">Bhagavata Purana</a>, <a title="Skanda Purana" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skanda_Purana">Skanda Purana</a>, <a title="Vishnu Purana" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu_Purana">Vishnu Purana</a> and other ancient scriptures.<br />According to mythology, Lord Krishna killed <a title="Kansa" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansa">Kansa</a> (his maternal uncle) and made Ugrasen (his maternal grandfather) the king of Mathura.<br />Enraged by this, <a title="Jarasandha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarasandha">Jarasandha</a> (King of <a title="Magadha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magadha">Magadha</a>), the father-in-law of Kansa, and his friend Kalayavan, attacked Mathura 17 times.<br /><br />For the safety of his people, <a title="Sri Krishna" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Krishna">Lord Krishna</a> renounced war (hence Krishna is also known by the name Ranchod - meaning one who has left the battle field).<br />He and the Yadavas decided to shift the capital from Mathura to Dwarka.<br />They reclaimed land from the sea on the banks of <a title="Gomati River" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomati_River">Gomati River</a> and built a well planned city organized into six sectors, residential and commercial zones, wide roads, plazas, palaces and many public utilities.Dwarka also had a good and prosperous harbour.<br /><br />After Krishna left for his heavenly abode, the major Yadava heads fought among themselves and killed each other.<br /><a title="Arjuna" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arjuna">Arjuna</a> went to Dwarka to bring Krishna’s grandsons and the Yadava women to <a title="Hastinapur" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastinapur">Hastinapur</a>. After Arjuna left, Dwarka was submerged in the sea.<br /><br />This is how Arjuna has described the event in the <a title="Mahabharata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata">Mahabharata</a>:<br /><em>"The sea, which had been beating against the shores, suddenly broke the boundary that was imposed on it by nature. The sea rushed into the city. It coursed through the streets of the beautiful city. The sea covered up everything in the city. I saw the beautiful buildings becoming submerged one by one. In a matter of a few moments it was all over. The sea had now become as placid as a lake. There was no trace of the city. Dwaraka was just a name; just a memory."</em><br /><br />The incident is described in the Vishnu Purana in much the same manner:<br /><em>"On the same day that Krishna departed from the earth the powerful dark-bodied </em><a title="Kali Yuga" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_Yuga"><em>Kali Age</em></a><em> descended. The oceans rose and submerged the whole of Dwaraka."</em><br /><br />Atlantis was also wiped out like this!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Archeological Evidence</span></strong><br /><br />The search for the mythological Dwarka has been going on since the 1930’s.<br />The Marine Archeology Unit (MAU) of the National Institute of Oceanography, Government of India started the search for Dwarka in the coastal waters of Dwarka in 1983.<br />Underwater explorations between 1983 and 1990 revealed the remains of a well-fortified township.<br />The foundation of boulders on which the city’s walls were erected proved that the land was reclaimed from the sea.<br />The general layout of the submerged city discovered by Marine Archeology Unit matched the description of Dwarka in the ancient texts.<br />Further excavations continued till 1994.<br /><br />Murli Manohar Joshi, then HRD minister claimed that the ruins were 9,500 years old and would lead to a rewriting of world history, crowning a Hindu India as the cradle of civilisation over the claims of Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Indus valley.<br />The old Dwarka does not appear to be that old.<br />Scientists estimate the date to be around 2280 B.C.<br /><br />Scientists have recently discovered a circular wooden structure under the water at a near-shore excavation site off the coast of Jamnagar.<br />They believe this to be a part of the remains of the lost city of ancient Dwarka.<br />The wooden structure is well preserved and surrounded by another structure made of stone blocks.<br />Wood can be more scientifically carbon dated and may help the scientists determine the exact date.<br /><br />No doubt, influenced by the Tsunami of 2004, a group of ocean scientists have suggested that the ancient city of Dwarka could have been destroyed by a tsunami about 3,000 years ago.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">World’s First Underwater Museum<br /></span></strong><br />The Marine Archeology Unit submitted an exciting proposal for setting up an underwater museum at Dwarka.<br />The proposal envisages an acrylic tube on the bottom of the sea through which visitors can view the ruins of the ancient Dwarka.<br />I have seen such tubes even in Bangkok.<br /><br />The Government of Gujarat and their Travel & Tourism Department have been working (sleeping would be a better term) on the proposal for over two decades.<br />This is a unique opportunity to create something unique.<br />It will attract a lot of tourists.<br />The work can be outsourced to an international bidder.<br />This will solve the problem of funding and maintenance.<br />When completed, it will be the world’s first under water museum.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Reaching There</span></strong><br /><br />The nearest airports from Dwarka are:<br />Jamnagar - 121 Kms.<br />Rajkot - 225 Kms.<br />Ahmedabad - 375 Kms.<br />There are a number of daily flights from Mumbai and other cities.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Recommendation</strong></span><br /><br />Visit the real Atlantis, in India itself.<br />You can also visit lions of India in Gir Forests and the Somnath Temple. </div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-9745802167982450822008-02-25T23:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:08.990-08:00Haldi (Turmeric)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfkiy9_moWIzFyrOyYXj3sE5sJmuhmuCXTe3VgK5vSSsJbtrsbuyVZ1UyLha3j1UrFqgBu1mEVFjROSvq_VhmbsiVRaW6oGpQXk_LjMoqmHGY4FaU9BTX3NJSTA6DjDKos63Tm_WinMM/s1600-h/Haldi.+Plant.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170973549980428402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfkiy9_moWIzFyrOyYXj3sE5sJmuhmuCXTe3VgK5vSSsJbtrsbuyVZ1UyLha3j1UrFqgBu1mEVFjROSvq_VhmbsiVRaW6oGpQXk_LjMoqmHGY4FaU9BTX3NJSTA6DjDKos63Tm_WinMM/s200/Haldi.+Plant.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Spices of India</strong></span></div><div> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#000099;">The oldest spice known to us</span><br /></strong></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><br />If you visit tourist places in Goa and Kerala, you can visit spice gardens.Some plantation owners have improvised their spice gardens into tourist attractions.You can see a variety of plants where different spices come from.The guide will answer your questions and clarify your doubts.Your host will serve you authentic local meals in virgin surroundings and arrange a traditional dance.<br /></div><p><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Background<br /></span></strong></p><p>We Indians use a lot of spices in their daily food.But most of us do not know where the spices come from.Someone suggested that I should write about the spices in my blog.So here we go.<br /><br />This one on Haldi (Turmeric) is another in a series on Spices of India.Haldi is the only spice which is produced almost entirely in India.Indians consume 80% and export the remaining 20%.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Origin of the Name</span></strong><br /><br />The English name for Haldi is Turmeric - often misspelled Tumeric.The scientific name is <a title="Curcuma" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcuma">Curcuma</a> longa.It is also known as Kunyit in some Asian countries.What is Haldi The Haldi plant is a <a title="Rhizomatous" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizomatous">rhizomatous</a> <a title="Herbaceous" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbaceous">herbaceous</a> <a title="Perennial plant" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_plant">perennial plant</a> of the <a title="Ginger" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger">ginger</a> family <a title="Zingiberaceae" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zingiberaceae">Zingiberaceae</a>, native to <a title="Tropical" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical">tropical</a> <a title="South Asia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Asia">South Asia</a>.<br /><br />Haldi <a title="Rhizomes" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizomes">rhizomes</a> (root) is similar in appearance to ginger root. But when it is peeled, it is bright yellow in color. The <a title="Rhizomes" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizomes">rhizomes</a> are boiled for several hours in fresh water and then dried in the sun or in hot ovens at about 60 degrees celsius.Then they are ground into the deep orange-<a title="Yellow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow">yellow</a> powder commonly used as a <a title="Spice" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice">spice</a>.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Cultivation and Harvesting</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfKMpfVJAMcbJ2e-40gxcWtSG-crKrkZHAdqdipDpJx5ynMhl9X5BX1fADdiAVClxhsxWg-ozps6ir0YbXyeY7MwXJK_3tdItt-WEDiOY75YLQAxkN38RB9Lavazxh-9x0TYLNqq7RbM/s1600-h/Haldi.+Plant+Diagram.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170973326642128994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfKMpfVJAMcbJ2e-40gxcWtSG-crKrkZHAdqdipDpJx5ynMhl9X5BX1fADdiAVClxhsxWg-ozps6ir0YbXyeY7MwXJK_3tdItt-WEDiOY75YLQAxkN38RB9Lavazxh-9x0TYLNqq7RbM/s200/Haldi.+Plant+Diagram.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Haldi plant grows in the plains of India in temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees C. with a good annual rainfall of 1500 mm or more per annum.<br />The plants mature between 7 and 9 months. The mature plants are gathered for their rhizomes. Some of the rhizomes are used for re-seeding in the following year.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Culinary Uses<br /></span></strong><br />Haldi has a bitter, peppery flavour with a mustard smell.It is extensively used in Indian cooking, in curries, in rice and vegetable preparations.<br />Traditionally, our grandmothers used to grind dried Haldi roots with mortar and pestle.But now, it is available and mostly used in powdered form.It is often used in place of saffron for its saffron like color. <a name="Medicine"></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Medicinal Uses<br /><br /></span></strong>Haldi is <a title="Antiseptic" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiseptic">antiseptic</a> and anti inflammatory.Haldi paste is the common home remedy for cuts, bruises, burns and inflammation.<br />Haldi has <a title="Antibacterial" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibacterial">antibacterial</a> properties.Its active ingredient <a title="Curcumin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcumin">curcumin</a> has anti-tumoral (anti-cancer) properties.It also helps cure arthritis and psoriasis.Research about its medical properties is going on in different laboratories.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Cosmetics</span> </strong><br /><br />Haldi is also a strong anti allergic. It is used in a large number of cosmetic creams.<br />Haldi paste is applied to bride and groom before marriage in several parts of <a title="India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India">India</a>, <a title="Bangladesh" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh">Bangladesh</a>, and Pakistan.It is believed that Haldi gives a glow to the skin and kills the harmful bacteria on the skin.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Dye </span></strong><br /><br />In spite of its rich colour, Haldi cannot be used as a fabric <a title="Dye" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye">dye</a> because its colour is not very lightfast. It fades on exposure to light. Even then, Indian women use Haldi to dye their saris. This may be because of its medicinal properties.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Gardening<br /></span></strong><br />Haldi is also used to deter ants. We do not know how Haldi repels ants, but it works.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Comments<br /></span></strong><br />Haldi is probably the oldest spice known to us.Its use dates back to the Vedic period, or nearly 4000 years.Haldi is sometimes called ‘Indian saffron’ because of its brilliant yellow color. Indian Haldi is the best in the world.It may give us a cure for cancer, arthritis and psoriasis.<br /></p>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-59469486403258197612008-02-24T18:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:09.883-08:00Jagannath Puri or Puri<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dykUlY1Y-Kpen6D4FQ4wIo7yZE47kovOeqw_WHYCMadmLjLg6u1HdyqWAeGtPxFs9k9fdQsh7NLKwi6rWZVax2I1htUAhYdcYa7iEakGoakgUnT_36Bap50AXe18uAVeVKs78Q0bKbg/s1600-h/Jangannath+Puri.Ratha+Jatra.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170515577617655874" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dykUlY1Y-Kpen6D4FQ4wIo7yZE47kovOeqw_WHYCMadmLjLg6u1HdyqWAeGtPxFs9k9fdQsh7NLKwi6rWZVax2I1htUAhYdcYa7iEakGoakgUnT_36Bap50AXe18uAVeVKs78Q0bKbg/s200/Jangannath+Puri.Ratha+Jatra.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>World Famous Ratha Yatra</strong></span> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Jagannath Puri, or simply Puri, is one of Adi Shankaracharya’s Char Dhams (or Four Places of Pilgrimage) located in the four corners of India.</div><div>The other three are: Badrinath in the North (Himalayas); Dwarka in the West; and Rameshwaram in the South. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Badrinath is located amidst the snowy peaks of the Himalayas.</div><div>The other three are located on the shores of the seas around India.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Jagannath Puri is world famous for its unique Ratha Yatra (Chariot Procession). </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Ratha Yatras, on a smaller scale, are simultaneously organised in several parts of India and even abroad.</div><div>Fairs and melas are organised during the nine day festivities.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>In Kolkata (Calcutta), the fairs attract shops selling plant and pets.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>When I was small, I loved to go to these fairs and purchase a few plants and pets.</div><div>As a result, I have kept such unconventional pets as lizards, scorpions, snakes, python, deer and peacocks. </div><div>And all this was possible only because my parents never objected or protested.</div><div>I don’t remember ever being reprimanded for my pets and plants.</div><div>They heroically suffered the less than normal whimsical fancies of their little son.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Origin of the Word Jagannath</strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>The word Jagannath comes from two Sanskrit words Jagat (meaning <a title="Universe" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe">universe</a>) and Nath (meaning master).</div><div>Jagannath, meaning Master of the Universe, is another name for Lord Krishna.<br />The most famous and oldest Jagannath temple in India is in <a title="Puri" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puri">Puri</a>, <a title="Orissa" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa">Orissa</a>.</div><div>Because of this temple, Puri is also known as Jagannath Puri.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><a name="Traditional_stories"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mythology </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />There are two mythological stories relating to the deity. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Lord Krishna appeared to his great <a title="Devotee" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devotee">devotee</a>, King <a title="Indradyumna (not yet written)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indradyumna&action=editredlink">Indradyumna</a> and ordered him to get his <a title="Murti" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murti">deity</a> carved out of a log he would find washed out on the sea shore. </div><div>King Indradyumna duly recovered the log and found a mysterious old Brahmin carpenter willing to carve the deity. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />The carpenter insisted that under no circumstance, he should be disturbed while he was carving the deity. </div><div></div><div></div><div>The king anxiously waited outside his room.</div><div></div><div></div><div>When all sound stopped, King Indradyumna could not restrain himself any longer.</div><div>He opened the door and entered the room. </div><div>He found the deity half-finished and the carpenter gone.</div><div>King <a title="Indradyumna (not yet written)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indradyumna&action=editredlink">Indradyumna</a> was very upset because the deity had no arms and legs. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSL9YubYIlIj9Z9wPUwSKPUz2NCqnMl8tK6Vdnbw9uDQdeloWor3qzKtNxIBvAulEuFZ-vR9-cgFnK217UuNUYuMiYBIKGGQtQQFoszkoNC0979MGjAH0UzBuJc82_MyfdL8ubDMl3mw/s1600-h/Jagannath+Puri.Lord+Jagannath.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSL9YubYIlIj9Z9wPUwSKPUz2NCqnMl8tK6Vdnbw9uDQdeloWor3qzKtNxIBvAulEuFZ-vR9-cgFnK217UuNUYuMiYBIKGGQtQQFoszkoNC0979MGjAH0UzBuJc82_MyfdL8ubDMl3mw/s1600-h/Jagannath+Puri.Lord+Jagannath.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSL9YubYIlIj9Z9wPUwSKPUz2NCqnMl8tK6Vdnbw9uDQdeloWor3qzKtNxIBvAulEuFZ-vR9-cgFnK217UuNUYuMiYBIKGGQtQQFoszkoNC0979MGjAH0UzBuJc82_MyfdL8ubDMl3mw/s1600-h/Jagannath+Puri.Lord+Jagannath.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSL9YubYIlIj9Z9wPUwSKPUz2NCqnMl8tK6Vdnbw9uDQdeloWor3qzKtNxIBvAulEuFZ-vR9-cgFnK217UuNUYuMiYBIKGGQtQQFoszkoNC0979MGjAH0UzBuJc82_MyfdL8ubDMl3mw/s1600-h/Jagannath+Puri.Lord+Jagannath.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170515465948506162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSL9YubYIlIj9Z9wPUwSKPUz2NCqnMl8tK6Vdnbw9uDQdeloWor3qzKtNxIBvAulEuFZ-vR9-cgFnK217UuNUYuMiYBIKGGQtQQFoszkoNC0979MGjAH0UzBuJc82_MyfdL8ubDMl3mw/s200/Jagannath+Puri.Lord+Jagannath.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSL9YubYIlIj9Z9wPUwSKPUz2NCqnMl8tK6Vdnbw9uDQdeloWor3qzKtNxIBvAulEuFZ-vR9-cgFnK217UuNUYuMiYBIKGGQtQQFoszkoNC0979MGjAH0UzBuJc82_MyfdL8ubDMl3mw/s1600-h/Jagannath+Puri.Lord+Jagannath.jpg"></a> </div>Ultimately, <a title="Narada" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narada">Narada</a> <a title="Muni" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muni">Muni</a> appeared and explained that the carpenter was <a title="Vishvakarma" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishvakarma">Vishvakarma</a>, the heavenly <a title="Architect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architect">sculptor</a> of the Gods; and the form of Lord Krishna, the king saw, was one of the forms of Lord Krishna.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>According to the second story, the <a title="Gopi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopi">gopis</a> (maids) were talking about the pranks of Krishna, and about their love for him. </div><div>The gopis had instructed <a title="Subhadra" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhadra">Subhadra</a> (Krishna’s sister) to keep watch and warn them if Krishna came. </div><div>But after some time, Subhadra became completely engrossed in the conversation.She did not notice Krishna and his brother <a title="Balarama" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balarama">Balaram</a> approaching. </div><div>The two brothers listened to the gopis’ talk.</div><div>Their hairs stood on end, their arms retracted, their eyes grew larger and larger, and they smiled broadly in joy. </div><div>That is why Jagannath, <a title="Balarama" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balarama">Balaram </a>and <a title="Subhadra" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhadra">Subhadra</a> look the way they do.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><a name="The_Temple_of_Lord_Jagannath"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Temple of Lord Jagannath</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ef6frOAjwax8j-gVCVgdDPGP2FHmf2-6TxWhO2UGuCZDroxouteJ_GRDf89ccAgKAgPhsAb1hW0_70Qj5Z3vWIyaNbfQFj4d_PnvPvdl74aNYaVDy-xY4Z8my8VET5AJDUPYGzbp-c0/s1600-h/Jagannath+Puri.Jagannath+Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170515972754647122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ef6frOAjwax8j-gVCVgdDPGP2FHmf2-6TxWhO2UGuCZDroxouteJ_GRDf89ccAgKAgPhsAb1hW0_70Qj5Z3vWIyaNbfQFj4d_PnvPvdl74aNYaVDy-xY4Z8my8VET5AJDUPYGzbp-c0/s200/Jagannath+Puri.Jagannath+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />There is some disagreement amongst experts about the exact period of construction of the present temple.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Construction of the present temple was started in the 12th century A.D. by King Ananta Burman Chodaganga Deva, founder of the Ganga dynasty in Orissa. </div><div>But he could not complete it during his lifetime. </div><div>The construction was completed by his successor Ananga Bhima Deva III. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />The temple is built in the <a title="Kalinga" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalinga">Kalinga</a> style of architecture.</div><div>It consists of a tall shikhara (dome) housing the sanctum sanctorum (garba griha) where the deity is placed. </div><div>A pillar of fossilized wood is used for placing lamps as offering. </div><div>Singhadwara (lion gate), guarded by two guardian deities, <a title="Jaya-Vijaya" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaya-Vijaya">Jaya and Vijaya</a>is, is the main gate to the temple.</div><div>A memorial column, brought here by the Raja of Khurda from the Sun Temple of <a title="Konarak" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konarak">Konarak</a>, known as Aruna Stambha, faces the main gate. </div><div></div><div></div><div>The three deities - Jagannath, Balabhadra (Balaram) and Subhadra are worshipped inside the temple.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.</div><div>Even Indira Gandhi was not allowed to enter the temple.</div><div>More recently, a Thai princess was not allowed to enter the temple. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />But once a year, during the rainy season, usually in June or July, the deities are brought out in one of the most clourful processions any where in the world.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a name="The_festival"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Ratha Yatra</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div>This festival is known as <a title="Ratha Yatra" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratha_Yatra">Ratha Yatra</a> (Chariot Procession). </div><div>The three deities - <a title="Jagannath" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath">Jagannath</a>, Balabhadra and <a title="Subhadra" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhadra">Subhadra</a> are taken out on three separate richly decorated chariots, resembling temple structures, through the streets of Puri so that everyone can see them. </div><div></div><div></div><div>The largest chariot is that of Jagannath - 45 feet high and 35 feet square.</div><div>It is supported on 16 wheels with a diameter of 7 feet.</div><div>New chariots are built every year. </div><div></div><div></div><div>The Rathas (Chariots) are pulled by the millions of pilgrims who come to attend the festivities. </div><div>It is considered a privilege to pull the Ratha.</div><div>The <a title="King of Puri (not yet written)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_of_Puri&action=editredlink">King of Puri</a> takes part in the procession. </div><div>He sweeps the path in front of Jagannath’s chariot.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Ratha Yatra commemorates Lord Krishna’s return to his home in <a title="Vrindavan" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrindavan">Vrindavan</a> after killing Kansa.<br />Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra (Balaram) and Subhadra are taken to their aunt’s temple (Gundicha Mandir) - a distance of 2 km from the temple.<br />The deity remain on their chariots for the night. </div><div>In the morning, they are installed in the Gundicha Mandir.</div><div>They remain there for seven days. </div><div>On the ninth day, they are placed back on their chariots and return to their temple.</div><div>By this time, most of the pilgrims would have gone back. </div><div>Labourers have to be hired to pull the Rathas. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><a name="Etymology"></a><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>What to see</strong></span> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Puri is an important town of Orissa.</div><div>It is famous for the Jagannath temple.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Its sprawling wide beaches, fishing farms and the superb resorts make Puri a major holiday destination of Eastern India. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div>Visit the exotic sea beaches. </div><div>Swim in the sea. </div><div>Watch the fishermen catch their fish.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Puri belongs to the Golden Triangle Circuit of Orissa covering Bhubaneswar, Konarak and Gopalpur-on-Sea. </div><div>You can visit these places as well.<br />Incidentally, the English word ‘<a title="Juggernaut" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juggernaut">juggernaut</a>’ owes its origin to these huge <a title="Chariot" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot">chariots</a>.</div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-55996753700349211632008-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:10.097-08:00Hing (asafetida)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt2dCDo6fYN1weLANT1Dyztb1vcOjSPrGh5snwxLNPtZnIGWermmAzAg19J-_dmLFLpUlN0uiVhXx3X92MfYDjlKUfBO4V9L0ZSs8KPEUdoGXW-l3x0Xpt3tq-3FuzBlktgImruT2icg/s1600-h/Hing.Compounded+Hing+Packets.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169220245545953298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt2dCDo6fYN1weLANT1Dyztb1vcOjSPrGh5snwxLNPtZnIGWermmAzAg19J-_dmLFLpUlN0uiVhXx3X92MfYDjlKUfBO4V9L0ZSs8KPEUdoGXW-l3x0Xpt3tq-3FuzBlktgImruT2icg/s200/Hing.Compounded+Hing+Packets.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Spices of India</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If you visit tourist places in Goa and Kerala, you can visit spice gardens.<br /><br /><br />Some plantation owners have improvised their spice gardens into tourist attractions.<br />You can see a variety of plants where different spices come from.<br />The guide will answer your questions and clarify your doubts.<br />Your host will serve you authentic local meals in virgin surroundings and arrange a traditional dance.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Background</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br />Indians use a lot of spices in their daily food.<br />But most do not know where the spices come from.<br /><br /><br />While writing this blog, I had a visitor.<br />She asked me what I was doing.<br />I told her I was working on an article on ‘Hing’.<br />She said it was used for cooking and how I could write an article on cooking.<br />I asked her what was Hing.<br />She said it was a stone.<br />I told her I was writing the article for misinformed persons like her.<br /><br /><br />Actually, someone suggested that I should write about the spices in my blog.<br />So here we go.<br />This is the first of a series…..on Hing or Asafoetida.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Origin of the Name</span></strong><br /><br /><br />The English and scientific name for Hing is Asafoetida.<br />This name is derived from the Persian ‘aza’ (for resin), and the Latin ‘foetidus’ (for stinking).<br /><br /><br />Its pungent odour has earned it a lot of bad names.<br />It has been equated with Devil’s Dung or Shit.<br />It is called Teufelsdreck (literally meaning Devil’s Dung) in German.<br />In <a title="French language" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language">French</a>, it is Merde du Diable (Devil’s Shit).<br />In <a title="Swedish language" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_language">Swedish</a>, it is Dyvelsträck,<br />In <a title="Dutch language" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_language">Dutch</a>, Duivelsdrek.<br />In <a title="Afrikaans" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikaans">Afrikaans</a>, Duiwelsdrek.<br />In <a title="Finnish language" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_language">Finnish</a>, Pirunpaska or Pirunpihka.<br />In <a title="Turkish language" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_language">Turkish</a>, it is known as Şeytantersi, Şeytan bökösu or Şeytanotu (the Devil's Herb).<br /><br /><br />In North India, it is called Hing or Heeng.<br />The following list gives its name in different languages of India:<br />Hindi: Hing<br />Bengali: Hing<br />Gujarati: Hing<br />Kannada: Hinger<br />Kashmiri: Yang, Sap<br />Malayalam: Kaayam<br />Marathi: Hing<br />Oriya: Hengu<br />Punjabi: Hing<br />Sanskrit: Badhika, Agudagandhu<br />Tamil: Perungayam<br />Telugu: Inguva, Ingumo Urdu: Hing<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">What is Hing</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkfSZoz4_U5cQUnGUPImHyHhdZV3sF4YAc70kkjp96pyodh43YZYPG7n0GJ37apMpy53qtW5Kys4BNPWnBQ7I4M4kM2rWMigj1bQXL2UOJePusx8C4bJLTaLbhVt9BkUxZ26CItN3KaU/s1600-h/Hing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169219790279419906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkfSZoz4_U5cQUnGUPImHyHhdZV3sF4YAc70kkjp96pyodh43YZYPG7n0GJ37apMpy53qtW5Kys4BNPWnBQ7I4M4kM2rWMigj1bQXL2UOJePusx8C4bJLTaLbhVt9BkUxZ26CItN3KaU/s200/Hing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkfSZoz4_U5cQUnGUPImHyHhdZV3sF4YAc70kkjp96pyodh43YZYPG7n0GJ37apMpy53qtW5Kys4BNPWnBQ7I4M4kM2rWMigj1bQXL2UOJePusx8C4bJLTaLbhVt9BkUxZ26CItN3KaU/s1600-h/Hing.jpg"></a><br /><br />Asafoetida is a species of <a title="Ferula" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferula">Ferula</a> plant which is native to <a title="Iran" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran">Iran</a>.<br />Hing is the <a title="Resin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin">resin</a> like <a title="Natural gum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gum">gum</a> which comes from the dried <a title="Sap" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sap">sap</a> extracted from the lower stem and roots of the plant.<br />The resin is grayish-white when fresh, but dries to a dark amber color. The resin is difficult to grate.<br /><br />It is traditionally ground between stones or in mechanical grinders.<br /><br />It is rarely used in its pure form.<br />What is generally used is compounded or 'bandhani' asafetida - a powder containing 30% asafetida resin, <a title="Rice" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice">rice</a> <a title="Flour" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flour">flour</a> (or some other form of starch) and <a title="Gum arabic" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gum_arabic">gum arabic</a>.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Cultivation and Harvest</span></strong><br /><br /><br />The plant is grown in Iran (the country of its origin), Afghanistan and in Kashmir in India.<br />It is a <a title="Herbaceous" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbaceous">herbaceous</a> <a title="Perennial plant" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_plant">perennial plant</a> of the carrot family and grows to a height of 3.6 metres.<br />The plant has stout, hollow, somewhat succulent stems, 5 - 8 cms. in diameter at the base of the plant.<br />The leaves are 30 - 40 cms. long, tripinnate or even more finely divided, with a stout basal sheath clasping the stem.<br />The <a title="Flower" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower">flowers</a> are yellow, produced in large compound <a title="Umbel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbel">umbels</a>.<br /><br /><br />The resin can be extracted after the plant is about four years old.<br />The older the plant, the more resin it produces.<br />The time to start harvesting the resin from the succulent stem and the root is just before flowering, in the months of March / April.<br /><br /><br />An incision is made in the upper part of the root / lower part of the stem and the exuding gum / latex is collected.<br />Several incisions can be made in the root / stem till there is no more oozing of gum.<br />This process can continue up to three months.<br />A single plant can yield up to 1 kilogram of resin.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Medicinal Uses</span></strong><br /><br /><br />Hing helps digestion and reduces flatulence.<br />A pinch of Hing gulped down with buttermilk or lukewarm water gives immediate relief from gas.<br />It is therefore added in dals and vegetables to redce flatulence.<br />Taken in excess, it can cause loose motions.<br /><br /><br />It helps in <a title="Asthma" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthma">asthma</a> and <a title="Bronchitis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchitis">bronchitis</a>.<br />A concoction of Hing in alcohol applied to a child’s neck can cure colds.<br />The same concoction applied on a child’s stomach is believed to help digestion.<br />Hing taken with butter milk enhances and improves the voice.<br />It is also a strong preservative.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Culinary uses</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br />The odor of Hing is so strong that it must be stored in airtight containers, otherwise its aroma will penetrate and contaminate the aroma of all other spices stored nearby.<br />Its odour and flavor become much milder and more pleasant on heating in oil or <a title="Ghee" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghee">ghee</a> and acquire those of sautéed <a title="Onion" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion">onion</a> and <a title="Garlic" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic">garlic</a>.<br />For this reason, vegetarian Hindus and <a title="Jainism" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism">Jains</a>, who do not eat onions and garlic use Hing.<br /><br /><br />Hing is added to lentil (dal) and vegetable preparations.<br />It is also used in food as a condiment and in pickles, relishes/chutneys and papads.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Comments</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br /><br />I am sure Hing must be an integral part of your food.<br />This article will tell you more about this spice.<br /><br /><br />Gone are the days when Kabuliwalas used to bring Hing from Afganisthan and other places.<br />Now Indian manufacturers import the resin, make it into the compounded form also known as ‘bandhani hing’ and export it.<br /><br /><br />The wonderful thing about Hing is that a pinch is sufficient for a food preparation for four persons.Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-58111463963604755022008-02-17T20:32:00.000-08:002008-02-17T20:33:23.518-08:00Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-25226491598130910072008-02-17T20:15:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:11.189-08:00Kaziranga National Park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOJBrthJ2cHGREb4MsM46k1HDhOc4JYKGdsyo7W5brNw31KSuWI7tPN_abXX93epBxRq8ZZlUYASSK-pQLUEaZ_rXfwab0EzpBfSw_zdBV73fJkHQ_OauSpVilXs9sZ1RMV3nyDvHhIA/s1600-h/Kaziranga.+A+One+horned+rhino+in+Mumbai+zoo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167969044263217122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOJBrthJ2cHGREb4MsM46k1HDhOc4JYKGdsyo7W5brNw31KSuWI7tPN_abXX93epBxRq8ZZlUYASSK-pQLUEaZ_rXfwab0EzpBfSw_zdBV73fJkHQ_OauSpVilXs9sZ1RMV3nyDvHhIA/s200/Kaziranga.+A+One+horned+rhino+in+Mumbai+zoo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Home of the Indian, or Great </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">One horned, </span></strong><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Rhinoceros </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">(Rhinoceros unicornis) </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div>It was midsummer time. </div><div>The grass was sparse.</div><div>We were travelling in a jeep because all the elephants were already booked.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We sighted the first Rhinoceros. </div><div>It was a magnificent male.</div><div>He looked more like an armoured tank, or a fossil age left over, rather than a living mammal of the present era.</div><div>He looked up at us and smiled (but honestly speaking, I am not too sure), as we passed him and continued munching grass.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We were inside the fabulous Kaziranga National Park - a <a title="National park of India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_park_of_India">national park</a> in <a title="Assam" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam">Assam</a>, <a title="India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India">India</a>. </div><div>Kaziranga National Park has two-thirds of the world’s <a title="Indian Rhinoceros" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rhinoceros">One horned Rhinoceros</a>.</div><div>It’s also a <a title="World Heritage Site" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site">World Heritage Site</a>. </div><div>It has also been recognised as an <a title="Important Bird Area" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Important_Bird_Area">Important Bird Area</a> by the <a title="Birdlife International" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdlife_International">Birdlife International</a> for conservation of avifaunal species. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4bIGAbBDmnJhaM7tTe_PEFX530vhiQKF9rGrkhYP41A0qf1MI4XgRpVKoO_H_5TF1foHNQC_PvIMC4zstoZuTm8aQ-QuStf09TlLcNM5BqEdegnBqFMrqKvNhr-EZAbBcZc6UfLOC-c/s1600-h/Kaziranga.Portrait+of+Lady+Curzon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167964336979060658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4bIGAbBDmnJhaM7tTe_PEFX530vhiQKF9rGrkhYP41A0qf1MI4XgRpVKoO_H_5TF1foHNQC_PvIMC4zstoZuTm8aQ-QuStf09TlLcNM5BqEdegnBqFMrqKvNhr-EZAbBcZc6UfLOC-c/s200/Kaziranga.Portrait+of+Lady+Curzon.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Lady Curzon and the Rhinoceros</strong></span> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>And then I suddenly remembered the beautiful Lady Curzon.</div><div>You may wonder how Lady Curzon can possibly be associated with Rhinoceros. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />She is the fairy God Mother of the rhinoceros of Kaziranga. </div><div>In fact, she is the fairy God Mother of Kaziranga National Park itself.</div><div></div><div></div><div>In 1904, Lady <a title="Mary Curzon, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Curzon%2C_Baroness_Curzon_of_Kedleston">Mary Victoria </a>Curzon, wife of <a title="George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Curzon%2C_1st_Marquess_Curzon_of_Kedleston">Lord Curzon</a>, then <a title="Governor-General of India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor-General_of_India">Viceroy of India</a>, heard about the rhinoceros in Kaziranga from her British tea planter friends in Assam. </div><div>She visited the area.</div><div>But all she could see were some foot prints of the three toed animals.</div><div>She persuaded <a title="George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Curzon%2C_1st_Marquess_Curzon_of_Kedleston">Lord Curzon</a> to do something to protect them.<br /><br /><br />On <a title="June 1" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_1">June 1</a>, <a title="1905" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1905">1905</a>, the Government issued a preliminary notification announcing its intention to declare certain areas of Kaziranga a reserved forest.<br />On January 3, 1908, the Government declared 232 sq. kms. (90 sq. miles) a reserved forest, and officially closed it for shooting. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Over the next three years, the area was extended by 152 sq. kms. (59 sq. miles) upto the banks of the <a title="Brahmaputra River" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmaputra_River">Brahmaputra River</a>. </div><div>On January 28, 1913, the area of the reserved forest was expanded by another 13,506 acres. </div><div>In 1916, it was converted into a game sanctuary - The Kaziranga Game Sanctuary. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />In 1950, P.D. Stracey, senior conservator of forests, changed the term ‘Game Sanctuary’ to ‘Wildlife Sanctuary’ because the word ‘game’ connotes animals for hunting. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />On February 11, 1974, the Government of India declared the 430 sq. kms. (166 sq. miles) Wildlife Sanctuary a National Park, and changed its name to Kaziranga National Park. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Kaziranga National Park celebrated its centenary in June 2005. </div><div>The Government invited some of the descendants of Curzon on the occasion.</div><div>A fitting tribute to Lady Curzon!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Different Species of Rhinos</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />There are five species of Rhinoceros in the world.<br />Two of these are native to <a title="Africa" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa">Africa</a> and three to southern <a title="Asia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia">Asia</a>. </div><div></div><div></div><div>All the three species found in Asia - <a title="Javan Rhinoceros" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javan_Rhinoceros">Javan</a>, <a title="Sumatran Rhinoceros" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumatran_Rhinoceros">Sumatran</a> and the Indian, or Great <a title="Black Rhinoceros" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rhinoceros">One horned Rhinoceros</a> are critically endangered. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The rhinoceros family is characterised by its large size (one of the few remaining <a title="Megafauna" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megafauna">megafauna</a> alive today).</div><div>All the species reach one <a title="Ton" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ton">ton</a> or more in weight.</div><div>They are <a title="Herbivore" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbivore">herbivorous</a>.</div><div>They have protective skin, 1.5 - 5 cm thick, formed from layers of <a title="Collagen" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen">collagen</a> positioned in a <a title="Lattice" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lattice">lattice</a> structure.</div><div>The skin has been used to cover shields.</div><div>But they have relatively small brains. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7A4FRjPgeyJRPGqP5XuoW47DhU_qU03rV4DGs3BIlfLTCFefUTxSofhfUm9fjbCY1-7QW78pv_MNjOw6siKL_IfZVmNt_LYmVKxPHbUtM9eoafmL7g_5OVVleKpXzQgHg4kBJ2pfTmI/s1600-h/Kaziranga.Close+up+of+ona+One+horned+rhino.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167965372066179010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7A4FRjPgeyJRPGqP5XuoW47DhU_qU03rV4DGs3BIlfLTCFefUTxSofhfUm9fjbCY1-7QW78pv_MNjOw6siKL_IfZVmNt_LYmVKxPHbUtM9eoafmL7g_5OVVleKpXzQgHg4kBJ2pfTmI/s200/Kaziranga.Close+up+of+ona+One+horned+rhino.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />Rhinoceros also have acute sense of hearing and smell, but poor eyesight. </div><div>Most live to about 60 years or more.</div><div>They appear to be slow. </div><div>But they can charge at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour (the speed of a race horse). </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />The two African species and the <a title="Sumatran Rhinoceros" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumatran_Rhinoceros">Sumatran species </a>have two horns, while the Indian and <a title="Javan Rhinoceros" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javan_Rhinoceros">Javan species </a>have a single horn. </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwXN377thS-roi5vwuSZNjWtKjpmIxx59vCb19BKGUwdkiTjhKKvqCDUyX8YVWTfid7iyvZ3GlOnK5C5egxN6pUlNPXRTq2yMAr2kwltXTeVOilmgBHnzXpbIoykcsr7Gbzs2dXZuvtg/s1600-h/Kaziranga.Painting+of+Rhino+Hunt+by+Emperor+Babur.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167969327731058674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwXN377thS-roi5vwuSZNjWtKjpmIxx59vCb19BKGUwdkiTjhKKvqCDUyX8YVWTfid7iyvZ3GlOnK5C5egxN6pUlNPXRTq2yMAr2kwltXTeVOilmgBHnzXpbIoykcsr7Gbzs2dXZuvtg/s200/Kaziranga.Painting+of+Rhino+Hunt+by+Emperor+Babur.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Indian Rhinoceros</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>A few centuries ago, the Indian, or Great <a title="Black Rhinoceros" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rhinoceros">One horned, Rhinoceros</a> were found across the north Indian plains in the wetlands of Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. </div><div>The Mughal Emperors even hunted them.</div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Today, they are found only in small areas of the north eastern state of Assam and in neighbouring Nepal. </div><div>In Assam, their habitat is limited to two national parks - Kaziranga and Manas.</div><div>They are considered endangered, with less than 2500 individuals remaining in the wild.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVzRBE16xMLOqtov9dscedJB1oa8ySScVH_8d_7uPc42NcW6Mp8gpD9wlE2gSh15Hz1IIuTqiLYAP2lP7NrutkiMRj7cWpPGIcq_j9N0yqB-vWOUPOOfm2cQ33o5CWMYzfg3HS9teRR8/s1600-h/Kaziranga.Rhino's+Horn.jpg"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167968451557730258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVzRBE16xMLOqtov9dscedJB1oa8ySScVH_8d_7uPc42NcW6Mp8gpD9wlE2gSh15Hz1IIuTqiLYAP2lP7NrutkiMRj7cWpPGIcq_j9N0yqB-vWOUPOOfm2cQ33o5CWMYzfg3HS9teRR8/s200/Kaziranga.Rhino's+Horn.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></a></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Horn - is it an aphrodiasac ? </span></strong></div><div><br /><br />The rhino’s horn is considered to be an aphrodiasac.</div><div>The price of a rhino horn in India is anything between Rs. 4 to 7 lakhs.</div><div>In the International market, the value is at least three times this amount.</div><div>This leads to poaching.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>But from the medical point of view, the horns of a rhinoceros are made of <a title="Keratin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratin">keratin</a>, the same type of protein that makes <a title="Hair" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair">hair</a> and <a title="Nail (anatomy)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_%28anatomy%29">fingernails</a>, and have no medicinal or aphrodiasic value.<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Other animals</strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>Kaziranga has the highest density of <a title="Bengal tiger" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengal_tiger">tigers</a> among <a title="Protected area" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_area">protected areas</a> in the world and was declared a <a title="Tiger Reserve" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Reserve">Tiger Reserve</a> in 2006. </div><div>Kaziranga also has large breeding populations of <a title="Asian Elephant" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Elephant">elephants</a>, <a title="Asiatic Water Buffalo" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic_Water_Buffalo">water buffalo</a> and <a title="Swamp deer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_deer">swamp deer</a>. </div><div></div><div></div><div>There are plenty of other animals, like Indian bison, swamp deer, sambhar, hog deer, sloth bear, leopard, pig, leopard cat, jungle cat, hog badger, capped langur, gibbon, jackal and porcupine. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />There are plenty of snakes including the python, king cobra, and a variety of lizards. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>It is a bird watcher’s paradise with birds like the pelican, duck, geese, hornbill, ibis, cormorant, egret, heron, black necked stork, lesser adjutants, ring-tailed fishing eagles, etc. </div><br /><br /><div>There are fresh water dolphins in the rivers around. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Vegetation</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Kaziranga has vast expanses of tall <a title="Elephant grass" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_grass">elephant grass</a>, <a title="Marshland" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshland">marshland</a> and dense <a title="Tropical moist broadleaf forests" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_moist_broadleaf_forests">tropical forests</a> crisscrossed by four major rivers, including the <a title="Brahmaputra River" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmaputra_River">Brahmaputra</a>, and numerous <a title="Beel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beel">small bodies</a> of shallow water.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Reaching there</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />The nearest airports are Guwahati 239 kms. and Jorhat 97 kms. </div><div>From these places, you can travel by car, taxi or public transport.<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Success at Kaziranga and the dangers</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Kaziranga is considered the flag bearer of all the wildlife conservation efforts across the globe.</div><div>But there are a number of dangers.</div><div>Poaching is the biggest threat.</div><div>At least 27 rhinos were killed in 2007. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Floods caused by over flowing of the Brahmaputra River during the rainy season have often proved disastrous. </div><div><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Government is trying to relocate more rhinoceros and elephants to <a title="Manas National Park" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manas_National_Park">Manas National Park</a>.</div><div></div><div>You can visit the rhinoceros any time during the year except during the rainy season.<br />It’s a thrilling experience to watch from close range the armoured tank like creatures who have the strength to attack and overturn a vehicle. </div><div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-38030028664594797002008-02-16T21:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:12.598-08:00Bandhavgarh National Park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqROcAZkzKI3JKL72zaDe0Mm86aCbJDYWyNHuhN-uBF7TB1ddYOLJ7mJ6U0rqd04UinuFTruSqCKQg6jFb5pTYMEUW_3vIRjBmWqYvAMKY9jm4f2qEQWdQ-wXLne9V65a9vOiQAShMwg8/s1600-h/Bandhavgarh.+White+Tiger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167582059119912834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqROcAZkzKI3JKL72zaDe0Mm86aCbJDYWyNHuhN-uBF7TB1ddYOLJ7mJ6U0rqd04UinuFTruSqCKQg6jFb5pTYMEUW_3vIRjBmWqYvAMKY9jm4f2qEQWdQ-wXLne9V65a9vOiQAShMwg8/s200/Bandhavgarh.+White+Tiger.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Land of the White Tiger</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><div>Have you ever wondered where white tigers come from?<br /><br /><br />Almost all of them, the world over, owe their origin to the forests around Bandhavgarh.<br />And they are the progeny of a single male white tiger - Mohan who was captured there in 1951.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Bandhavgarh Forests and National Park<br /></span></strong><br /><br />The forests around Bandhavgarh (in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh in central India) were the Shikargah, or private game preserve, of the Maharajahs of Rewa. </div><div>Only the Maharajahs and their guests could hunt there. </div><div>Poachers were severely punished. </div><div></div><div><br />The forests contained unbelievably large number of animals. </div><div>Just to visualize the enormity - it was considered auspicious for a Maharajah to shoot at least 109 Tigers.<br />His Highness Maharajah Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 tigers by 1914.<br /><br /><br />After independence and abolition of the Maharaja’s rule, there was too much uncontrolled poaching in the forest.<br />In 1968, the Maharaja of Rewa handed over the forest to the Government of India for creation of the Bhandavgarh National Park.<br />In 1968, Bandhavgarh was declared a National Park.<br />Originally, it had an area of only 105.40 sq. kms. with 25 tigers.<br />In, 1986, the area was increased to 437 sq. kms.<br />Bandhavgarh was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1993. </div><div></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRrh0474GVpvPy4ufa-RC0O0TL8w0tT44OQPMMg5HGIimfSbnxFtGPByCEO7ao23Bd4UThg33O6i-S8-8TvouxrCUTS84xh-bZH0acjBZBHSY4VTkngoXjTfJ5F6zu5IKu4m4a_2-HiQ/s1600-h/Bandhavgarh.+White+Tigers+Drinking+Water.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167583953200490386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRrh0474GVpvPy4ufa-RC0O0TL8w0tT44OQPMMg5HGIimfSbnxFtGPByCEO7ao23Bd4UThg33O6i-S8-8TvouxrCUTS84xh-bZH0acjBZBHSY4VTkngoXjTfJ5F6zu5IKu4m4a_2-HiQ/s200/Bandhavgarh.+White+Tigers+Drinking+Water.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">White tigers</span></strong><br /><br /><br />White tigers have been found in the old state of Rewa (and other parts of India) from time to time.</div><div>These white tigers are not albinos. </div><div>They are ordinary <a title="Tiger" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger">tiger</a>s (Panthera tigris) with a <a title="Genetics" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetics">genetic</a> condition that eliminates most of the pigment in the normally orange fur - although the tigers still retain the dark stripes.<br />Compared to the normal orange tigers, white tigers are larger in size, both at birth and when they become adults.<br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Mohan</strong> </span></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Mohan is the father of the progeny of white tigers of Rewa.<br />(Another breed of white tigers has originated in Orissa.<br />A few other white tigers have been born in some other places of India.)<br /><br /><br />Mohan was captured as a cub in 1951 by Maharaja Shri Martand Singh of Rewa, whose hunting party found a tigress in <a title="Bandhavgarh National Park" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandhavgarh_National_Park">Bandhavgarh</a> with four 9 month old cubs, one of which was white. </div><div>They shot all the tigers, except the white cub. </div><div></div><div></div><div>After shooting a white tiger in 1948, Maharaja Martand Singh had resolved to capture a live one, as his father had done in 1915, at the next opportunity. </div><div>The previous Maharaja had kept the white tiger, an unusually large male, in captivity from 1915 to 1920. </div><div>After its death in 1920, the Maharaja had it mounted and presented it to <a title="George V of the United Kingdom" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_V_of_the_United_Kingdom">King George V</a>. </div><div>The mounted white tiger is now on display in the <a title="British Museum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Museum">British Museum</a>.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxm5CY0CeMvHpyHqVy89PYLGY1EU63M5uExVN_jjSPjP5QZr_I-I4jcPYPbhu3fR3HNY7ofW1P10O9hFytIoFDdkoAgtpkQZNGMM23rlH2TCt28L2v7gsCAKVY5FfqJ-kAipWWYIh_3U/s1600-h/Bandhavgarh.White+Tiger+at+Miani+Zoo.jjpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167584288207939490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxm5CY0CeMvHpyHqVy89PYLGY1EU63M5uExVN_jjSPjP5QZr_I-I4jcPYPbhu3fR3HNY7ofW1P10O9hFytIoFDdkoAgtpkQZNGMM23rlH2TCt28L2v7gsCAKVY5FfqJ-kAipWWYIh_3U/s200/Bandhavgarh.White+Tiger+at+Miani+Zoo.jjpg.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />Maharaja Martand Singh named the white cub Mohan (meaning enchanter), one of the many names of the Hindu God <a title="Krishna" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna">Krishna</a>.<br />Successive selective breeding produced a progeny of white tigers.White tigers are considered a celebrity and <a title="Prime Minister of India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_India">Prime Minister</a>s have often christened them.<br />Mohan is dead. </div><div>His stuffed body is on display in the palace of the Maharajah of Rewa. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Animals in the Sanctuary</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Bandhavgarh National Park is like a bowl surrounded by the Vindhya Mountains. </div><div>A series of ridges run through it. </div><div>Its plains have a number of grass and reed covered wetlands where you can see plenty of resident and migratory birds. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXx86LE4joe0cSWxJbxluxl4gwrw24AKcBqrtTuqBUcFc8Cg0XPfg6duTK-rl1CCCa-m4Xyg_NZXD4Eh0jWbXFdYst39up06qG3HaB3F-JqhPTqpDiXydsNYByJnRMA-06IPNXCQviG4/s1600-h/Bandavgarh.Close+up+of+a+Normal+Tiger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167581500774164322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXx86LE4joe0cSWxJbxluxl4gwrw24AKcBqrtTuqBUcFc8Cg0XPfg6duTK-rl1CCCa-m4Xyg_NZXD4Eh0jWbXFdYst39up06qG3HaB3F-JqhPTqpDiXydsNYByJnRMA-06IPNXCQviG4/s200/Bandavgarh.Close+up+of+a+Normal+Tiger.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />The Park has 32 picturesque, wooded hills, where you can see plenty of animals.</div><div>The principal animal is the majestic tiger. </div><div>The chances of sighting one are quite good because the density of the tiger population here is the highest in India. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGeknOoRxn0ixb1ZUTNQNhRtw7AFPTUVgEr1AFHrfwqa5YGKNJ_cx41u8ulgyicX5U_QB2usj3htse4S6VWd7oBcTNw5EouyMaSv9vYLt7F6EfgdOIy1TXEpG4AxVMgCAb7HImY9DIPc/s1600-h/Bandhavgarh.+A+family+of+Blackbucks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167581741292332914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGeknOoRxn0ixb1ZUTNQNhRtw7AFPTUVgEr1AFHrfwqa5YGKNJ_cx41u8ulgyicX5U_QB2usj3htse4S6VWd7oBcTNw5EouyMaSv9vYLt7F6EfgdOIy1TXEpG4AxVMgCAb7HImY9DIPc/s200/Bandhavgarh.+A+family+of+Blackbucks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There are more than 25 species of other animals, including leopard, gaur, sambar, chausingha, nilgai, chinkara, spotted deer, sloth bear, wild pig, striped hyena, jackal, fox, dhole, ratel, small Indian civet, jungle cat, palm squirrel, grey mongoose, lesser bandicoot rat, langurs and rhesus macaque. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Jungle Safaris</span></strong> </span></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><br /></span><br />There are two ways of travelling inside the park - in a motor vehicle or on elephant back. Although most of the animals are accustomed to both - while inside the forest, speak softly and do not make rapid, jerky, movements. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFvBuo1ROh_OtkEypWkDvAeI-YzPyKKP_otsLcCRocigOsXUddtL9EyTb0u4PW_QPKK0p3APDJVQbPxxzff2pIjeH929Af4w3ZvNAu09SbgsSVP4UQHDP9dGTuXCo7t3r7QWEDLYveTA/s1600-h/Bandavgarh.A+Normal+Tiger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167581273140897618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFvBuo1ROh_OtkEypWkDvAeI-YzPyKKP_otsLcCRocigOsXUddtL9EyTb0u4PW_QPKK0p3APDJVQbPxxzff2pIjeH929Af4w3ZvNAu09SbgsSVP4UQHDP9dGTuXCo7t3r7QWEDLYveTA/s200/Bandavgarh.A+Normal+Tiger.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Jeep safaris should be taken either in the morning from dawn to about 10 am or from about 4 pm till dusk, because the animals are most active during these periods. </div><div>A forest Department guide will always accompany you to direct you towards wildlife. </div><div><br />Elephants belonging to the Forest Department take visitors every morning for tiger tracking.If a tiger is sighted, the elephant will take you directly to the tiger. </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Birds and Reptiles</strong></span> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />There are more than 250 species of birds including little grebe, egret, lesser adjutant, sarus crane, black ibis, lesser whistling teal, white-eyed buzzard, black kite, crested serpent eagle, black vulture, Egyptian vulture, common peafowl, red jungle fowl, dove, parakeet, kingfishers and Indian roller. </div><div><br />There are a variety of snakes - cobra, krait, viper, rat snake and python, There are also a number of species of lizards and turtles. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Vegetation</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />The vegetation consists of Sal forests and Bamboo. </div><div>Stretches of grasslands stretch to the north. </div><div>Mixed forests are found in the higher slopes of the hills. </div><div>There are patches of wet lands, too. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places to see</span></strong><br /></div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Bandhavgarh Fort</strong></span> </div><div></div><div><br />The historic Bandhavgarh Fort commands a bird’s eye view of the entire National Park.<br />There are no authentic records to show when it was built. </div><div>There are references to it in ancient texts, like the Siva Puran. </div><div></div><div><br />The Fort is believed to be over 2000 years old.</div><div>Various dynasties have ruled from the fort. </div><div>For example, the <a title="Mauryan" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauryan">Mauryans</a> ruled from <a title="3rd century BC" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_century_BC">3rd century B.C</a>., <a title="Vakataka" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vakataka">Vakataka</a> rulers from <a title="3rd century" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_century">3rd</a> to <a title="5th century" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_century">5th century</a>, the <a title="Sengar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sengar&action=edit">Sengars</a> from 5th century and the <a title="Kalachuri" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalachuri">Kalachuris</a> from the <a title="10th century" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_century">10th century</a>. </div><div>In the <a title="13th century" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_century">13th century</a>, the <a title="Baghel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghel">Baghels</a> took over, ruling from Bandhavgarh until 1617, when Maharaja Vikramditya Singh moved his capital to Rewa. T</div><div>he last inhabitants of the Fort left it in1935. </div><div><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Caves</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />There are 39 caves in the Bandhavgarh Fort and in the surrounding hillocks in a radius of about 5 kms. </div><div>The oldest cave dates back to about <a title="1st century" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_century">1st century</a>. </div><div>Several caves carry <a title="Inscription" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inscription">inscriptions</a> in <a title="Brahmi script" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmi_script">Brahmi script</a>. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Badi Gufa, the largest cave, has a broad entrance, nine small rooms and several pillars. </div><div>It has been dated back to the <a title="10th century" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_century">10th century</a>. </div><div>The cave appears to be primitive, lacking the usual elaborate statues and carvings seen in other <a title="Buddhist" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist">Buddhist</a> caves of the period. </div><div>Its purpose remains a mystery. </div><div></div><div><br />You could also visit Khajurao, Agra and Varanasi.<br /></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Fact File</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Air</span></strong> </div><div></div><div><br />The nearest airport is Jabalpur 164 kms. </div><div>Another convenient airport is Khajurao 230 kms. </div><div>From both these places, you can go by car or public transport. </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Railway Stations</span></strong> </div><div><br /><br />The nearest railway station is:<br />Umaria - 32 kms.</div><div>Other stations are:<br /><a href="http://www.travelmasti.com/domestic/mp/jabalpur.htm">Jabalpur </a>- 164 kms.<br />Katni - 102 kms.<br />Satna - 120 kms. </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Road </span></strong></div><div><br /><br />Khajuraho (via Satna) 230 kms.<br />Varanasi (via Rewa) 340 kms.<br />Katni 75 kms.<br />Rewa 115 kms.<br />Umaria 30 kms.<br />Kanha 250 kms.<br /><br />Public transport is available from all these places.<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Accommodation</span></strong> </div><div></div><div><br />Bhandavgarh National Park park is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream.<br />There are excellent accommodation and internal transport facilities to suit all budgets.<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Best time to Visit</span></strong> </div><div><br /><br />The climate at Bandhavgarh varies from 0 to 20 degree centigrade in winter and hots up to 46 degrees centigrade in summer.</div><div>The monsoon (rainy) season mostly begins mid June till October. </div><div></div><div><br />The best time to visit Bhandavgarh National Park is between December and February. </div><div>But the months of April to June, when the vegetation is sparse, are really the best for tiger sighting.</div><div></div></div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-87272200101236157082008-02-14T23:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:13.965-08:00Jaipur
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib97hBVFlSDEbrMKA7jBwEf-3MQH6_DYD9KqtnasHIJEQy1KocHpTGQ1FllPXIw73jEt6jmf-ikCkNht8qha_7OPs0u3xTpUklRC4XvSSnCYnfSFcNkzg8kFgqH_p9nli1MuFuG3E7sps/s1600-h/Jaipur.Jantar+Mantar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166886527821031186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib97hBVFlSDEbrMKA7jBwEf-3MQH6_DYD9KqtnasHIJEQy1KocHpTGQ1FllPXIw73jEt6jmf-ikCkNht8qha_7OPs0u3xTpUklRC4XvSSnCYnfSFcNkzg8kFgqH_p9nli1MuFuG3E7sps/s200/Jaipur.Jantar+Mantar.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><div><div><div></div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">The Pink City</span></strong>
<br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Prince amongst the cities of India</strong></span>
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<br />Jaipur, or the Pink City, is the undisputed prince amongst the cities of India.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Status of Royalty in India - Pathetic</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>Someone wrote to me enquiring about the present status of the Royalty in India.</div><div>There were 547 kings and rulers in India before 1947.</div><div>After India attained independence, all these kingdoms seamlessly merged into India. </div><div>But the rulers were given privy purse, annual sums of money, as compensation. </div><div>They were also allowed to keep their palaces, jewelley, etc. and certain other privileges. </div><div></div><div>
<br />In 1969, Indira Gandhi abolished the privy purse - indirectly snatching away all their rights and privileges.</div><div>Overnight, the kings became commoners.</div><div>So now they are treated just like common men. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbGdU_kxJoYIGo5EX90wyOGhjbrYtK473jTHrnK8IgQnCvC7ebcGN45XmGgo9bPGs8SwydSOFm5A3XFbT6Uk_rqsDRBZ4rpH6W3lLH9aBYUKfjTzXMKJUa0zAdTiT0pObJ_zN9QU176U/s1600-h/Jaipur.Hawa+Mahal.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166887781951481666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbGdU_kxJoYIGo5EX90wyOGhjbrYtK473jTHrnK8IgQnCvC7ebcGN45XmGgo9bPGs8SwydSOFm5A3XFbT6Uk_rqsDRBZ4rpH6W3lLH9aBYUKfjTzXMKJUa0zAdTiT0pObJ_zN9QU176U/s200/Jaipur.Hawa+Mahal.2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br />A few ex-rulers like Karan Singh and late Madhav Rao Scindia entered politics.</div><div>Many converted their palaces into five star or heritage hotels to maintain themselves.
<br />A few rulers are still respected by the people. </div><div></div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Glamorous Maharani Gayatri Devi</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>Maharani (Queen) Gayatri Devi of Jaipur (Born 23 May, 1919) is one of the world’s most glamorous ladies. </div><div>Foreign magazines rated her amongst the most beautiful ladies of the world.</div><div>She had her education in Shantiniketan (West Bengal) and abroad.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>At the young age of 17, she fell in love with, and married Man Singh, then the heir to the Maharajah of Jaipur.
<br />Gayatri’s parents, the Maharajah and Maharani of Cooch Behar, were against the marriage, because Man Singh already had two wives - daughters of the Maharajah of Jodhpur, but Gayatri Devi had her way.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>She contested the Indian Parliamentary Election in 1962 and won - creating a Guinness record for the record number of votes polled. </div><div>She won the elections again in 1967 and 1971.</div><div>She spends the summers in England.</div><div></div><div></div><div>You can see more of her and her photographs at the following site:</div><div><a href="http://coochbehar.nic.in/HTMfiles/present_royal_member.html">http://coochbehar.nic.in/HTMfiles/present_royal_member.html</a> </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Privy Purse</span></strong> </div><div></div><div>
<br />Most of us are not aware that the word ‘privy purse’ refers to the British Sovereign’s private income, mostly from the <a title="Duchy of Lancaster" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchy_of_Lancaster">Duchy of Lancaster</a>. </div><div>What is astounding is that that after deduction of the amounts spent for official purposes, the remaining income is fully taxed.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Jaipur</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>I have visited Jaipur earlier too.</div><div>Recently, we had a couple of German guests. </div><div>We decided to take them to Jaipur. </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">History</span></strong> </div><div></div><div>
<br />The City of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India was founded in 1727 A.D by the Kachhawa ruler Sawai (meaning one and a quarter) Jai Singh II (1700 - 1747 A.D.) - one of the greatest Indian rulers.
<br /></div><div></div><div>Jaipur is surrounded by the Aravali hills on three sides. </div><div>It glitters like a jewel amidst the sandy deserts of Rajasthan and is surrounded by historical forts, majestic palaces, mansions and gardens of great architectural beauty. </div><div></div><div>
<br />Jaipur is remarkable for its fabulous architecture and town planning. </div><div>It is the only city in the world which is divided into nine rectangular sectors representing the nine divisions of the universe. </div><div>It is also the first planned city designed built in accordance with Vaastu Shilpa Shastra - the ancient mystic science of Hindu architecture. </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yNOFcNjxaRd3n_LWKxcSZzSr97lSsreCMBP82isZqeK65mDxPPY127zmNy0dT3sLuveLcmCn8fFw21cBMq0AwlM4SOca5UPPaDPmIMAKPMq3azdL3rovdU9cBPPFmJ0wYltPdJqt-AQ/s1600-h/Jaipur.Pink+City.jpg"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166886639490180898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yNOFcNjxaRd3n_LWKxcSZzSr97lSsreCMBP82isZqeK65mDxPPY127zmNy0dT3sLuveLcmCn8fFw21cBMq0AwlM4SOca5UPPaDPmIMAKPMq3azdL3rovdU9cBPPFmJ0wYltPdJqt-AQ/s200/Jaipur.Pink+City.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></a>
<br /></div><div>Jaipur is popularly known as the ‘Pink City’, because in 1883 A.D., the Maharajah of Jaipur ordered the entire city to be white washed in pink to welcome Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria of England.</div><div>Ever since, all the buildings in Jaipur are pink washed. </div><div></div><div></div><div>
<br />Jaipur is a unique synthesis of modern and traditional culture. </div><div>The people here are lively. </div><div>Even today, you will meet weather beaten faces under huge colourful turbans, with unbelievably fierce moustaches and lips that are ever ready to erupt into the most charming smile. </div><div>You will meet ladies in traditional colourful Rajasthani attire. </div><div>They too will give you the million dollar smile. </div><div></div><div>
<br /><a name="G"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places to See </span></strong></div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">City palace</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div>The City Palace Complex is a blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. </div><div>Most of the buildings were built by Sawai Jai Singh II. </div><div>The present Maharajah - Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh - still lives in a portion of the palace. The glamorous Gayatri Devi lives in a separate palace in Jaipur.</div><div>But she spends the Indian summers in London - a practice she has followed for over forty years.
<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>You can see a vast collection of royal costumes in the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum: Exclusive and precious Pashmina (Kashmiri) shawls, Benarasi silk saris, Sanganeri prints and folk embroidery. </div><div>You can also see the voluminous clothes worn by the voluminous Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I (rule 1750-1768 A.D.). </div><div></div><div>
<br />You can also see well preserved ancient Rajput weapons in the adjoining Maharani’s Palace (the Queen’s Palace) - some date back to the 15th century. </div><div>They have been preserved extremely well. </div><div>You can see protective chain armour, small canons, guns, pistols, gun powder pouches, jewel embedded ivory handled swords, belt swords, poison tipped blades, and the remarkable scissor-action dagger. </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Amber Fort</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>Amber (pronounced Amer), situated about 11 kilometres from Jaipur, was the capital of the Kachhawa rulers (ancestors of the present Maharajas) before they shifted their capital to Jaipur. </div><div></div><div>
<br />The Amber Fort, set atop picturesque hills, is a blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. </div><div>It was constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Sawai Jai Singh I.
<br />The Fort is made of red sand stone and white marble. </div><div>The rugged exterior hides the luxurious interior which is virtually a paradise. </div><div>The Maota Lake in front gives the fort a breathtaking view. </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Jaigarh Fort</span></strong> </div><div></div><div>
<br />During the Mughal era, Jaipur region was a major weapon producing centre for the Mughal and Rajput rulers, several of which are on display in the fort’s museum.
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<br />The Jaigarh Fort is the most spectacular of the three hilltop forts that overlook Jaipur.</div><div>It is one of the few military structures of medieval India preserved almost intact, containing palaces, a granary, a well-planned canon foundry, several temples and a tall tower.Jaigarh Fort is also known as the Fort of Victory.
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<br />On display are a collection of canons, many of which are exquisitely decorated and were used by Raja Man Singh in his campaigns against the Mughals. </div><div>You can also see the Jai Ban (Jaivan), the largest mounted canon in the world.
<br />Jaigarh Fort was once responsible for the security of both Jaipur and Amber. </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Nahargarh Fort</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Nahargarh Fort located on the rugged ridge of Aravali Hills was built by Jai Singh in 1734 and extended in 1868.
<br />Nahargarh, which means abode of the tigers, was built to add to the defense of Amber.
<br />The Madhavendra Bhawan, built by Sawai Ram Singh II, has a cluster of 12 identical suits for queens. </div><div>At the head is the king’s suit. </div><div>The rooms are linked by corridors and retain some delicate frescoes as well as toilets and kitchen hearths. </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULLUhqWJdbRTWb9jn6j784kwBVKkW3J9A1x33sl4RJL-k_B2WoFu5LUbuHlm232KAfxFAs1Nq8KCYtQg9nOgl-Alh4P2JNAanW1mQTgO-VpiX4ADAccEu1WtjqTqynNfkCOVqVrATaiE/s1600-h/Jaipur.Hawa+Mahal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166886042489726722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULLUhqWJdbRTWb9jn6j784kwBVKkW3J9A1x33sl4RJL-k_B2WoFu5LUbuHlm232KAfxFAs1Nq8KCYtQg9nOgl-Alh4P2JNAanW1mQTgO-VpiX4ADAccEu1WtjqTqynNfkCOVqVrATaiE/s200/Jaipur.Hawa+Mahal.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a title=""><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Hawa Mahal</span></strong> </a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>This is the most photographed landmark of Jaipur. </div><div>The five-storey Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) built by the Poet king Sawai Pratap Singh is really only a facade.
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<br />It consists of 953 honeycombed sandstone windows known as ‘jharokhas’ (windows) and was originally built for ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life and processions in the city from their veiled comfort.
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<br />You can climb to the top for a wonderful view from the latticed windows. </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Jantar Mantar</span></strong> </div><div></div><div>
<br />Sawai Jai Singh II was literally immersed in astronomy and numerology.
<br />He constructed Jantar Mantars (observatories) in Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi and Ujjain.
<br />The one in Jaipur has 14 instruments and is the largest.The primitive stone instruments made by him are still functional to an astounding degree of accuracy.The sun dials give accurate time.
<br />Ram Niwas Garden and Albert Hall.
<br />Just outside the walled city is the sprawling Ram Niwas Garden, a place for royal recreation since the reign of Sawai Ram Singh.
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<br />The exquisitely designed garden has pools and fountains, sprawling lawns and beautiful flower beds all around.
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<br />In the middle of the garden is Albert Hall designed by Sir Swinton Jacob, a British architect who designed many palaces in Rajasthan. </div><div>You can see a rich collection of artefacts like paintings, carpets, ivory, stone and metal sculptures and colourful crystal works, etc.
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<br />Opposite the Albert Hall is one of the oldest Zoos in the country. </div><div></div><div>
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<br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Chokhi Dhani (18 kilometres from Jaipur)</strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>Chokhi Dhani which literally meaning “Fine Hamlet” is a 5 star ethenic resort - the only one of its kind in India. </div><div>There are authentic looking mud and thatch cottages, suites and conferences halls, multi-cuisine restaurant, and also traditional Rajasthani food mixed with Rajasthani welcome.
<br />The Resort is more like a traditional village with all modern amenities rather than an hotel.It is an experience.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">See Tigers in the Wild</span></strong>
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<br />You can take a trip to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Ranthambhore National </a>Park or <a href="http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/attractions/wild_life/Sariska.htm">Sariska Tiger Reserve</a>. </div><div>You could see the majestic tigers, deer and other animals in the wild.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Fairs and Festivals</span></strong> </div><div></div><div>
<br />The Rajasthanis celebrate festivals with great enthusiasm and fervour. </div><div>Some of the more festival festivals are: Elephant Festival, Gangaur Festival, Teej and Kite Festival. </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72_bchl1F5Sin0xkjezhxLgXE2UsRIlC3_1pTOMm_F5S2Jj7X_Obdob2kZcsxY42RtZJl4EpkFTdTCM3xUWRjjvb8j15XPOAX08OW7apE8ivPe8feKGBmyswj0jSamB09WULQU0qb1Ko/s1600-h/Jaipur.A+Modern+Temple.jpg"></a></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Fact File</span></strong> </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Clothing</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Summer - light tropical or cotton
<br />Winter - woollens
<br />Best Season to visit - October to March. </div><div>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Reaching there</span></strong> </div><div>
<br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Air</strong> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><div>Jaipur is well connected with all the major cities of India. </div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Rail</span></strong> </div><div></div><div>Well connected with the major cities of India. </div><div>
<br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Road </strong></span></div><div></div><div>Jaipur has a very good road network. </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Distances from Jaipur </span></strong></div><div></div><div>
<br />Agra 236 km </div><div>Ajmer 131 km </div><div>Bharatpur 176 km </div><div>Bikaner 321 km </div><div>Bombay 1202 km </div><div>Delhi 258 km </div><div>Jaisalmer 638 km </div><div>Jodhpur 316 km </div><div>Udaipur 405 km </div><div></div><div>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Recommendation </span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#000099;"></span></strong></div><strong></strong></div><strong></strong></div><strong></strong>
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<br /><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72_bchl1F5Sin0xkjezhxLgXE2UsRIlC3_1pTOMm_F5S2Jj7X_Obdob2kZcsxY42RtZJl4EpkFTdTCM3xUWRjjvb8j15XPOAX08OW7apE8ivPe8feKGBmyswj0jSamB09WULQU0qb1Ko/s1600-h/Jaipur.A+Modern+Temple.jpg"><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166886961612728114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72_bchl1F5Sin0xkjezhxLgXE2UsRIlC3_1pTOMm_F5S2Jj7X_Obdob2kZcsxY42RtZJl4EpkFTdTCM3xUWRjjvb8j15XPOAX08OW7apE8ivPe8feKGBmyswj0jSamB09WULQU0qb1Ko/s200/Jaipur.A+Modern+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></a>
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<br /></strong><a name="F"></a>Jaipur, Agra and Delhi comprise the Golden Triangle for tourists. Jaipur is a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trapping of a modern metropolis yet possessing an age old charm linked to kings, palaces and forts.
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<br />It is also a place you could use as a centre to see a number of surrounding places.
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<br />Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-14943273192380418182008-02-14T05:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:16.692-08:00Bijapur<div><br /><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKS2Ma6SfTaM1Pzc67Y9glAW0DYqPlARx8EFlkG7D9_cudJgxQrUvLGjKJn4i_9j2ocg-ajWUKSrinbJow17Saa15bWznV6vbTiHr1qpgntTPkqahRZU4PcY6RdPi8hQRnZMkYidXsAo/s1600-h/Gol+Gumbaz.1890.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155377418145668642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKS2Ma6SfTaM1Pzc67Y9glAW0DYqPlARx8EFlkG7D9_cudJgxQrUvLGjKJn4i_9j2ocg-ajWUKSrinbJow17Saa15bWznV6vbTiHr1qpgntTPkqahRZU4PcY6RdPi8hQRnZMkYidXsAo/s200/Gol+Gumbaz.1890.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKS2Ma6SfTaM1Pzc67Y9glAW0DYqPlARx8EFlkG7D9_cudJgxQrUvLGjKJn4i_9j2ocg-ajWUKSrinbJow17Saa15bWznV6vbTiHr1qpgntTPkqahRZU4PcY6RdPi8hQRnZMkYidXsAo/s1600-h/Gol+Gumbaz.1890.jpg"></a></div><div> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Gol Gumbaj - 2nd largest dome in the world</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div>Bijapur is famous for two things:<br />· Its acoustic wonder Gol Gumbaj - with its 2nd largest dome in the world, and the<br />· Malik-e-Maidan (Monarch of the Fields) - one of the largest bell metal guns in the world. </div><br /><div>A single visit to Bijapur was not enough. </div><div>I had to visit Bijapur a second time to really soak in the sights and sounds of Bijapur.</div><br /><div></div><div>Moreover, about two hours drive from Bijapur are the fabulous rock cut temples of Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami representing the best of Chalukyan architecture. </div><br /><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">History</span></strong><br /><br />Bijapur is about a thousand years old.<br />The foundations of Bijapur were laid during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty between the tenth and eleventh centuries.<br />It was then called Vijayapura or the “City of Victory” which over the years has become distorted to the present Bijapur.<br /><br />Bijapur came under Muslim rule, first under Allaudin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, towards the end of the 13th century, and then under the Bahamani Kings of Bidar in 1347.<br /><br />Bahamani power declined. In 1489, Yusuf Adil Khan, the Bahamani Governor of Bijapur declared Bijapur independent and founded the Adil Shahi dynasty which survived till the kingdom was annexed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1686.<br /><br />Bijapur reached its zenith under the Adil Shahi dynasty.<br />During this period, more than 50 mosques, more than 20 tombs and a large number of palaces were built.<br /><br />One remarkable change the rulers of the Adil Shahi dynasty made was that they employed large numbers of Indian craftsmen whereas the earlier Muslim rulers employed Persian craftsmen and architects.<br /><br />In <a title="1724" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1724">1724</a>, the <a title="Nizam" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nizam">Nizam</a> of <a title="Hyderabad state" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_state">Hyderabad</a> became the ruler of Bijapur.<br />In <a title="1760" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1760">1760</a>, the <a title="Maratha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maratha">Marathas</a> defeated the Nizam.<br />The <a title="Maratha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maratha">Marathas</a> in turn were defeated by the British in <a title="1818" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1818">1818</a>. </div><div><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The City<br /></span></strong><br />The city consists of three distinct portions:<br />· the citadel,<br />· the fort, and<br />· the remains of the city.<br /><br />The citadel, which is one mile in circumference, was built by Yusuf Adil Shah.<br />It is very strong and well built with massive materials. </div><br /><br /><div>It is encompassed by a 100 yards wide ditch, which was originally filled with water, but now nearly filled up with rubbish.<br />Within the citadel are the remains of old Hindu temples which prove that Bijapur was an important Hindu town in pre Islam times.<br /><br />The fort, which was completed by Au Adil Shah in 1566, is surrounded by a wall 6 m. in circumference. </div><br /><div>Its wall is between 30 to 50 ft. high, reinforced with ninety six massive bastions of different designs.</div><div>In addition, there are ten others at the various gateways. </div><div>The width is about 25 ft.</div><div>A battlemented curtained wall about 10 ft. high runs from bastion to bastion. </div><div>The whole is surrounded by a deep moat 30 to 40 ft. wide.<br />Outside the walls are the remains of a vast city, now mostly in ruins.</div><br /><div>But the remains of the innumerable tombs, mosques, caravan serais and other edifices, offer clear evidence of the ancient splendour of the place.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">What to see</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Gol Gumbaz <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_S3eLCOsol90TFF-bp-AwiZoJxnL3zkcLsNSKeXTOVTAzDRW_zQdKZvuL1yYFZgCrQGACDmQqXwM648ST-hKfFgKsQu_mpGsXPtMYaVU7jRAVgiXKlqQHaL4iP4ZRyfDyQwIYkgZxfY/s1600-h/Gol+Gumbaz.another+view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155377929246776882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_S3eLCOsol90TFF-bp-AwiZoJxnL3zkcLsNSKeXTOVTAzDRW_zQdKZvuL1yYFZgCrQGACDmQqXwM648ST-hKfFgKsQu_mpGsXPtMYaVU7jRAVgiXKlqQHaL4iP4ZRyfDyQwIYkgZxfY/s200/Gol+Gumbaz.another+view.jpg" border="0" /></a> </span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br /><p> </p><p>The most important monument in Bijapur is the world famous Gol Gumbaz with its unique dome. </p><br /><br /><br />The Gol Gumbaz is actually the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (1627-56), the 7th ruler of the Adil Shahi dynasty.<br />It was completed in 20 years and is visible for miles around.<br /><br />The Gol Gumbaz was built on a 200 yards square platform.<br />The diameter of the dome is 124 feet.<br />The external height of the dome is 198 ft.<br />Its internal height is 175 ft.<br />There are no supporting pillars within the dome.<br />There are 4 minarets or towers 8 storeys high, 12 ft broad.<br />You can climb up the minarets by winding staircases.<br /><br /><br />Its dome, measuring 38 meters in diameter, is the second largest in the world - second only to <a title="St Peter's Basilica" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Peter%27s_Basilica">St Peter’s Basilica</a> in <a title="Rome" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome">Rome</a>.<br />The central chamber of Gol Gumbaz is unique because every sound echoes seven times.<br /><br /><br />The Whispering Gallery is even more unique.<br />You can clearly hear the ticking of a watch, or the rustle of paper, 37 metres away.<br /><br /><br />From the gallery around the dome, you can have a bird’s eye view of the entire town.<br /><br /><br />The Gol Gumbaz complex includes a mosque, a Naqqar Khana (hall for the trumpeteers) (Now it is used as museum) and ruins of guest houses.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsah8rpqbaN8ZIt-wKm0pfCu2ZQnQI9LGTAS-aYKCDBipgE2BgSY3_ZMMsE9gs93z_eicHou8kREwF0bmATnLLWzyxvzwBtndETIci0H1QFrBx7nvxhHpeaiYxToVBZpZfcPwtoKwtzY8/s1600-h/Bijapur.Tomb+inside+the+Gol+Gumbaz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166617430940067554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsah8rpqbaN8ZIt-wKm0pfCu2ZQnQI9LGTAS-aYKCDBipgE2BgSY3_ZMMsE9gs93z_eicHou8kREwF0bmATnLLWzyxvzwBtndETIci0H1QFrBx7nvxhHpeaiYxToVBZpZfcPwtoKwtzY8/s200/Bijapur.Tomb+inside+the+Gol+Gumbaz.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />A cenotaph slab in the floor in the basement marks the site of the grave.<br />This is the only instance of this practice in Adil Shahi architecture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnw4blWDOkrHfR3J2eXDrdJISTatZzAd_Ih93HgaM-WXvy4S2FBSAsjp28JcCt789bTKg0VEJYenoVRV5P1jMMo-Bi0SAPaJdhmpTXtGpTFrT8yGNtafT7og6SXvll3KPs5IZk_oHU3g/s1600-h/Ibrahim+Roza+-+Bijapur.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155378474707623490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnw4blWDOkrHfR3J2eXDrdJISTatZzAd_Ih93HgaM-WXvy4S2FBSAsjp28JcCt789bTKg0VEJYenoVRV5P1jMMo-Bi0SAPaJdhmpTXtGpTFrT8yGNtafT7og6SXvll3KPs5IZk_oHU3g/s200/Ibrahim+Roza+-+Bijapur.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a></strong></span></div></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Ibrahim Roza </span></strong><br /><br />Roza literally means a garden.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTmM79VERRVu4WnBmUfKoRFtkTZNPK6Gs3sWcJYTfw1bfrV7meyZGd2hPRscm9oOZVUwo41WL91l7H5-7i_dhmgty-p8qtauUGl-RvHHlrB3sYZ_abgMuj9o28omjUVg3QFqMYEB0nw8/s1600-h/Bijapur.Ibrahim+Roza.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166616928428893890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTmM79VERRVu4WnBmUfKoRFtkTZNPK6Gs3sWcJYTfw1bfrV7meyZGd2hPRscm9oOZVUwo41WL91l7H5-7i_dhmgty-p8qtauUGl-RvHHlrB3sYZ_abgMuj9o28omjUVg3QFqMYEB0nw8/s200/Bijapur.Ibrahim+Roza.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Ibrahim Roza is a square enclosure encompassing 2 buildings - one building houses the tombs of Ibrahim Adil Shah II and his family.<br />The tomb was constructed under the orders of Ibrahim Adil Shah (1580-1627).<br /><br />The other is a mosque.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIet1mdB-kJYbdHOikTFtm2GnJQ0IJo4jl62GbZsLtuvVNO0xgcJkoM957fN-iSewnfRkx_e8l-xIWH2EAiZuEn70_mrELzrxLnvmbHHwO8r5u7q924E5aeGiX1plT7Uh1IJ0GuyDr4PU/s1600-h/Bijapur.Ibrahim+Roza.Ornamental+Door.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166617164652095186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIet1mdB-kJYbdHOikTFtm2GnJQ0IJo4jl62GbZsLtuvVNO0xgcJkoM957fN-iSewnfRkx_e8l-xIWH2EAiZuEn70_mrELzrxLnvmbHHwO8r5u7q924E5aeGiX1plT7Uh1IJ0GuyDr4PU/s200/Bijapur.Ibrahim+Roza.Ornamental+Door.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14UHLmO5I3lKx0CmUPLZqe0Jqe4Mg4HVCOpgrKQxv-WPAY_W56YAGEY7TplSAhviy0RCsvQH05-xuTilc4nEQN1nZ37scQKfTm0Ny1gF66zccrTHgsnKehC5nGBY1bxR51p7GJRSdJGI/s1600-h/Ibrahim+Roza+-+still+another+view+-+Bijapur.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155379084592979554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14UHLmO5I3lKx0CmUPLZqe0Jqe4Mg4HVCOpgrKQxv-WPAY_W56YAGEY7TplSAhviy0RCsvQH05-xuTilc4nEQN1nZ37scQKfTm0Ny1gF66zccrTHgsnKehC5nGBY1bxR51p7GJRSdJGI/s200/Ibrahim+Roza+-+still+another+view+-+Bijapur.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14UHLmO5I3lKx0CmUPLZqe0Jqe4Mg4HVCOpgrKQxv-WPAY_W56YAGEY7TplSAhviy0RCsvQH05-xuTilc4nEQN1nZ37scQKfTm0Ny1gF66zccrTHgsnKehC5nGBY1bxR51p7GJRSdJGI/s1600-h/Ibrahim+Roza+-+still+another+view+-+Bijapur.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /> The doors are<br /> exquisitely<br /> carved.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It has striking symmetry of proportion, exquisite minarets cupolas, parapets & cornices and is believed to have been the inspiration for the Taj Mahal at Agra.<br /><br /><br />The entire structure has been built on a single slab of bed-rock with the mausoleum on the left and the prayer hall to the right.<br />The gardens are beautifully sculpted and enclosed within an imposing wall and have some superb gateways.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJ8x3S4NPmGAFu8N5f0-epVXHEVHQKS95HkXEaDkWFASu9ckjBP5P4882zrwYQT3hB5Z3B922KI-iYLoqOvrCw-x95Z3KlaA6Jx_Xui82jAqzBDzBeEUt3G-csD1opP_O8PUJUdN2un0/s1600-h/Ibrahim+Roza+-+another+view+-+Bijapur.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155378749585530450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJ8x3S4NPmGAFu8N5f0-epVXHEVHQKS95HkXEaDkWFASu9ckjBP5P4882zrwYQT3hB5Z3B922KI-iYLoqOvrCw-x95Z3KlaA6Jx_Xui82jAqzBDzBeEUt3G-csD1opP_O8PUJUdN2un0/s200/Ibrahim+Roza+-+another+view+-+Bijapur.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Two stone chains (each carved from a single rock) hang from the sides of the prayer hall.<br />Each door (made in teak wood and re-enforced in metal) in this complex is unique.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJ8x3S4NPmGAFu8N5f0-epVXHEVHQKS95HkXEaDkWFASu9ckjBP5P4882zrwYQT3hB5Z3B922KI-iYLoqOvrCw-x95Z3KlaA6Jx_Xui82jAqzBDzBeEUt3G-csD1opP_O8PUJUdN2un0/s1600-h/Ibrahim+Roza+-+another+view+-+Bijapur.jpg"></a><br /><br />The arches in the hallway surrounding the inner perimeter of the mausoleum are superbly crafted.<br />The facades of the building provide some stunning art-work in stone, including a map to the basement, which lies under the mausoleum.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Malik-e-Maidan</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2b-NMpr8yXJHewS_7PjUlooXACTM7-wMt16NLWSt-qMtHtUCgzqg1Ns0FW-AATb-8x2GO1T-vWNrxQBP3SUIv6-Y_oJgGUNOrHjcN14R7EGvBEMu4q01vf3y6byxjYlvZYT23shu214/s1600-h/Malik_E_Maidan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155379222031933042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2b-NMpr8yXJHewS_7PjUlooXACTM7-wMt16NLWSt-qMtHtUCgzqg1Ns0FW-AATb-8x2GO1T-vWNrxQBP3SUIv6-Y_oJgGUNOrHjcN14R7EGvBEMu4q01vf3y6byxjYlvZYT23shu214/s200/Malik_E_Maidan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Malik-e-Maidan (meaning Monarch of the Plains) is one of the largest bell metal guns in the world.<br /><br />It was built under the orders of Burham Nizam Shah I for his son-in-law Adil Shah.<br /><br /><br />It measures 4.45 m in length, is 1.5 m in diameter and weighs 55 tons.<br />It is installed on the walls of the city on one of the bastions of the fort (called the Buruz or Lion Tower).<br /><br />I marveled at the unique cannon.<br />I touched it in the blistering sun.<br />It was surprisingly cool.<br />It is made of some alloy which keep it always cool - even under the blazing sun.<br />When tapped gently, it tinkles softly like a bell.<br /><br /><br />The muzzle of the gun is shaped like the head of a lion with open jaws.<br />Depicted between the carved fangs of the lion is an elephant being crushed to death.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Jumma Masjid</span></strong><br /><br /><br />This is the largest and first constructed mosque in Bijapur.<br />The total area of the mosque is 10,810 sq m.It was built between 1557 -1686, most of it during Ali Adil Shah reign, who acquired the land after defeating the rich Ramaraja of Vijayanagar.<br /><br /><br />The main part of the mosque stands to the west and has nine huge arches on their facade that deepen into five arches and form 45 compartments.<br />The majestic tomb rises above the roof in a semicircle resembling the bud of a flower.<br /><br />This imposing mosque (the rectangle is 170m x 70 m) is incomplete, lacking in 2 minarets.<br /><br />The original gateway is on the northern side.<br />Aurangzeb extended the mosque in the east, the south and the north verandah and built the eastern gate.<br /><br />The interior of the mosque shows restraint, except for some decorative motifs on the apexes of the arches.<br />The heavy curtain hangs over the "Mehrab", which has domes, minarets, niches with books, flower vases & Persian writings inscribed on it.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Gol-Gumbaz Archaeological Museum</span></strong><br /><br />This museum is located in the building just in front of the Gol-Gumbaz.<br />It contains art from the Chalukya as well as Adil Shahi periods.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Getting there</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Air</span></strong><br /><br />The nearest airport is Belgaum(205 kms), which is well connected to Mumbai and Bangalore.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Train</span></strong><br /><br />Bijapur is well connected to Bangalore, Mumbai (via Solapur) ; Hyderabad (via Solapur or Hotgi Jn); Hospet (via Gadag) ; Vasco da Gama (via Hubli and Londa).<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Road</span></strong><br /><br />Bijapur is well connected to many cities in south and west India.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Around Bijapur</span></strong><br /><br />110 kms, 134 kms and 120 kms away from Bijapur are the fabulous rock cut temples of Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami representing the best of Chalukyan architecture.<br />These are places which you cannot possibly afford to miss.Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-21264196954689534012008-02-13T19:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:19.762-08:00Hampi - the lost Vijayanagar Empire<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6TFF6MeU_Ba4_R_BoF8vrsh7ak8W6bffQEuiW31zmBj8vNcHP2zoA43rgxITaBo-qA_HLCsiZbzn9SOuy3iApTLTLdiUym4wk8ITy1FNg02cXDf7pxMD4FSTYxB47mqgMZbd7t4yEqc/s1600-h/Hampi.Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166468442819536546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6TFF6MeU_Ba4_R_BoF8vrsh7ak8W6bffQEuiW31zmBj8vNcHP2zoA43rgxITaBo-qA_HLCsiZbzn9SOuy3iApTLTLdiUym4wk8ITy1FNg02cXDf7pxMD4FSTYxB47mqgMZbd7t4yEqc/s200/Hampi.Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">A Lost Empire</span></strong></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Hampi is today a small hamlet in Karnataka (South India) with a population of about two thousand.<br />It is difficult to visualise that once upon a time, this was the glorious city of Vijayanagar (meaning City of Victory) - the capital of South India’s largest, prosperous and most beautiful empire.<br /></div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">History</span></strong><br /><br /></div><br /><div>The story of Vijayanagar takes us back to the 14th Century. </div><div>In 1310 A.D., Malik Kufur, the famous general of Alla-ud-din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, swept down the Deccan (South India) with his vast armies, defeating and capturing whatever came his way. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Over the next few years, Malik Kufur ended the rule of the Hoyshala and Yadava kings. </div><div></div><div></div><div>No effective leadership remained. </div><div>There was utter confusion. </div><div>Local chieftains, officials, descendants of old ruling families and opportunists - all tried to take over power.<br />During that time, Kampila was the ruler of a minor kingdom of the region. </div><div>Kampila was killed in war in 1327 A.D. - creating a vacuum. </div><div><br /><br />Two brothers of the Sangama Dynasty, Hukka (1336-56 A.D.) and Bukka (1356-77 A.D.), who were patronized by the Shankaracharya (Hindu religious head) of Sringeri (Mysore), established the Vijayanagar kingdom in 1336 A.D.<br />Why the brothers selected Hampi is clear. </div><div>It is strategically located. </div><div>The tempestuous Tungabhadra River forms a natural barrier on the north. </div><div>Rocky granite ridges on the other three sides make the area informidable.<br /><br /><br />Hukka, and after him Bakka, constructed residential complexes, a large number of temples and started massive fortifications. </div><div>They raised large armies and expanded their empire far to the south. But they could not penetrate into the North. </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><div>Their successors extended the residential complexes and fortifications. <div>And built still more temples!<br />Devaraya I (1406-22 A.D.) and Devaraya II (1424-46 A.D.) expanded the kingdom eastward to the Bay of Bengal, and westward to the Arabian Sea. During their rule, the kingdom really became an empire.<br />Later, Krishnadevaraya (1509-29 A.D.), and after him, his half brother Achyutaraya (1529-42 A.D.) raised Vijayanagar empire to its zenith.<br /><br /></div><div><br />Their successor, Ramaraya, son in law of Krishnadevarya, antagonised the Muslim rulers to such an extent that the rulers of Bijapur, Golkonda, Ahmadnagar and Bidar joined together and attacked him. </div><div>On 23 January 1565, Ramaraya was killed in the battle of Talikota (100 kilometres north of Hampi). </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoTn4-ub4Mz-CyC5oqBfPJBQfVULAf0vj8Nx5mbfDRh-9NKdnnWiN8YF14Yb1yDJ9LvGwvPtAymwblcRV288D1oIFeouJfqNXzH7-IpbbdZVLQZftmzsthjYdKKdI6tHvXw-MmlHEiwo/s1600-h/Hampi.Platform.12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135355563872656514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoTn4-ub4Mz-CyC5oqBfPJBQfVULAf0vj8Nx5mbfDRh-9NKdnnWiN8YF14Yb1yDJ9LvGwvPtAymwblcRV288D1oIFeouJfqNXzH7-IpbbdZVLQZftmzsthjYdKKdI6tHvXw-MmlHEiwo/s200/Hampi.Platform.12.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><br />This defeat was followed by the worse pillage in history. For more than six months, the victors pillaged, looted and burnt the city. So savage and devastating was the destruction that Hampi could never be established again.<br /></div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">World Heritage</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />In 1986, Hampi was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. </div><div>Today, Hampi is included in UNESCO’s list of endangered sites.<br />An international team of archaelogists has been working on the site since 1981. </div><div>But a lot still remains to be done. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>The central part of the township covered an area of about 26 square kilometres. <div>There were massive walls all round the town. </div><div>Hampi had one of the most advanced irrigation systems. </div><div>Water from the Tungabhadra River </div><div>was used to irrigate the fields. </div><div>Agriculture was very good. </div><div>The entire metropolis stretched over an area of over 600 square kilometres. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Virupaksha Temple</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k-jYT_rO5M2LcPLY-9WyrrLuXOSPnWoxqJhiAey6V0jYSQtXe5EqxlW9_kmnj061qIHXBeI1ZMi6KBc8DSBchyphenhyphenTqXyCgcWXFY5-6KWKoxLajV3Q5YG25AyYHMM35YA5GWNGnfjfRNbs/s1600-h/Hampi.Temple.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqo_atiMLoSUP7Kl2agvz3VCMVTYmFi8pxB5HRKfoGe3U_3TeZ0svbW6YNjBGVuuug4WZ17gOcV7-CWX1Uu8H0LOdUhfiFqnjFYGliGWlbsWnFN_rIKm9E7VQpFDRxCEZ5sQqyv7chPdU/s1600-h/Hampi.Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135355778621021330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="211" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqo_atiMLoSUP7Kl2agvz3VCMVTYmFi8pxB5HRKfoGe3U_3TeZ0svbW6YNjBGVuuug4WZ17gOcV7-CWX1Uu8H0LOdUhfiFqnjFYGliGWlbsWnFN_rIKm9E7VQpFDRxCEZ5sQqyv7chPdU/s200/Hampi.Temple.jpg" width="137" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div></div><div>We can start our sojourn from the Virupaksha temple dedicated to Lord Shiva who is also known as Virupaksha or Pampapathi.<br />We enter through a gate in the 50 metres high outer tower or gopura. <div>The present tower is imposing, but not very old. </div><div>Most of it was constructed during the 19th century.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /> </div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYx8_q0y0wuTchKPY65kwnZJVTnbHNrxpULvL3GhWE7-BlQjWBMpPuztNczJBz7ComSGkM3H4zSzOph0K-44de19eMYyF-9QaRJbLlWr1LVndh9UnRkj8CnDBI7gsVliL8F5ocSWznr8/s1600-h/Hampi.Temple+Elephant+Welcoming+my+son.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166467940308362898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYx8_q0y0wuTchKPY65kwnZJVTnbHNrxpULvL3GhWE7-BlQjWBMpPuztNczJBz7ComSGkM3H4zSzOph0K-44de19eMYyF-9QaRJbLlWr1LVndh9UnRkj8CnDBI7gsVliL8F5ocSWznr8/s200/Hampi.Temple+Elephant+Welcoming+my+son.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br />If you are fortunate, you may be garlanded by the temple elephant much like the Kings used to be welcomed on their return from the various wars they fought.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0_tDuybVKTdbJdTlFc7_RCEFXuNCpFgJADD56zWVDp3tyN0Ap7XHScQgXioLLlMJ31BMPbIflDh4Ts1xZvNsqfdJQEBZbcRfnfAPboPFtAQWo5deGt3EIy0FPi84ea_A1h2gpYOHxEQ/s1600-h/Hampi.Carvings2.11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166468743467247282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0_tDuybVKTdbJdTlFc7_RCEFXuNCpFgJADD56zWVDp3tyN0Ap7XHScQgXioLLlMJ31BMPbIflDh4Ts1xZvNsqfdJQEBZbcRfnfAPboPFtAQWo5deGt3EIy0FPi84ea_A1h2gpYOHxEQ/s200/Hampi.Carvings2.11.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />As we enter, just in front is the coronation hall or mandapa. </div><div>The hall has finely carved pillars and paintings on the roofs. </div><div>This hall was built by Krishnadevaraya on his coronation in 1510 A.D. and represents true Vijayanagar architecture. </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /></div><div><br />The hall leading to the sanctum sanctorum - the place where the deity is located - has finely carved columns with animals. </div><div>This temple is still in use. </div><div>There are smaller shrines dedicated to the Goddessess Pampadevi and Bhuvaneshvari and there is the customary temple tank. </div><div><br /><br />To the west of the temple is the Hampi Bazar (market) - a 100 metres long and 35 metres wide market which at one time was flanked on both sides with beautiful houses. </div><div>In its days of glory, this was a crowded place. </div><div>Apart from fruits, vegetables, meat, cloth and other items of daily necessity, diamonds, pearls, emeralds and rubies were sold here. </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>Today, it serves much the same purpose. </div><div>There are shops selling merchandise of all kinds.</div><div>And if you look carefully, in the modern shops and houses, you will discover little remnants of ancient constructions.<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Vithala Temple</span></strong> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsY3Vq6pJFNBq1FWBD6E_m2o5x5OFfyi3ATtn9IJChz9cy0Dh-7Y4bxC3calxsxJOKjXdz2Mej9H_5dynx2dR5dwUP8QlV-fjjA0XJNFl253TwKloIPobRTaw_UbSkqbXFgSE7iHa1wjQ/s1600-h/Hampi.Chariot.2.18.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135353910310247506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsY3Vq6pJFNBq1FWBD6E_m2o5x5OFfyi3ATtn9IJChz9cy0Dh-7Y4bxC3calxsxJOKjXdz2Mej9H_5dynx2dR5dwUP8QlV-fjjA0XJNFl253TwKloIPobRTaw_UbSkqbXFgSE7iHa1wjQ/s200/Hampi.Chariot.2.18.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div> </div><div>The most splendid monument of Hampi is the Vithala Temple Complex. </div><div>The 56 pillars in the main hall produce musical notes when struck. To the east of the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually revolve! </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Hampi is full of such surprises like the King's Balance, where ruling kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor. </div><div>Or the Queen's Bath, with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus - shaped fountains. </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgGtK9coxJklDgjw48nFfON1XfXDScX-N0qOnTDxVWUBKQ_MCGmVmy_KiOZ0HYHK3MWnxkEPgP6lMPYgzp1SFDAn86tKYV3df6u-5U5v8UwAdNljEdCnxZZC4-AN3VfQWInE9tp-np1s/s1600-h/Hampi.LotusMahal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166466763487323730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgGtK9coxJklDgjw48nFfON1XfXDScX-N0qOnTDxVWUBKQ_MCGmVmy_KiOZ0HYHK3MWnxkEPgP6lMPYgzp1SFDAn86tKYV3df6u-5U5v8UwAdNljEdCnxZZC4-AN3VfQWInE9tp-np1s/s200/Hampi.LotusMahal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Or the Lotus Mahal in the 'Zenana' enclosure - beautiful two-storied place with recessed <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwCz_2wQgDiB744oKuDFbIbfna_iX4La5wz-P3m1hDJ_mF-OMwrhlS5KgpTc-bMBZtzvPB-yOjk2fAuhEGTsJP5CBm_0kPN0aWKAhD02utPdvZe_0xbc68lNMmfEAR5zkUT2Fat4B8F0/s1600-h/Hampi.LotusMahal.9.jpg"></a>archways set in geometric regularity and opening out to the sun and the wind like the petals of a flower.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism4YGcHkxTZiyKSvnT8TmzqDPTNm_BK6nSGsCtsGsJhlkZEzH7uVgau5R3PWfk21gvocE1w0Ly_Z8O5IUrrSrtkZ-y0Wgk5IDr9Sz-4gMqtHRtdfXo93eEDhOrC-kL3Rz2u2nMaz2H0Y/s1600-h/lotus-mahal.jpg"></a><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZKgpJ07Ux8LvqtSPaj7P1wYTOUYZBar6QRg__ElBDm8AN5dWvtwqa-1_amL-x3hAhZxCY9Nd1ctc2F5x4lf5sFtCNPPv5aEDiS4kIzu-M4UyBLvM0joecb7YyFYV8W3CVIngJEMLP-o/s1600-h/Hampi.Elephant+Stables.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166467008300459618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZKgpJ07Ux8LvqtSPaj7P1wYTOUYZBar6QRg__ElBDm8AN5dWvtwqa-1_amL-x3hAhZxCY9Nd1ctc2F5x4lf5sFtCNPPv5aEDiS4kIzu-M4UyBLvM0joecb7YyFYV8W3CVIngJEMLP-o/s200/Hampi.Elephant+Stables.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div>The imposing Elephant Stables have arched entrances and domes. </div><div>In the Royal Enclosure of the city is the Hazara Rama Temple.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSqGeCCM_FM6jz2hJJoMfVfe5ZsN3NZpt2nPcSfbRoqOisb2LYkW1Pu6ql-f05f3DBy4ezQkmvjVXn4rXY8HE-e3h0vtz6GAagxmN4Geg8zoQWgMPE3tP3XrEEJHZ-miF9x7GT3v1GMk/s1600-h/HampiShivalinga.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135353132921166898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSqGeCCM_FM6jz2hJJoMfVfe5ZsN3NZpt2nPcSfbRoqOisb2LYkW1Pu6ql-f05f3DBy4ezQkmvjVXn4rXY8HE-e3h0vtz6GAagxmN4Geg8zoQWgMPE3tP3XrEEJHZ-miF9x7GT3v1GMk/s200/HampiShivalinga.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJV2PLDtKprhU2dPnWKj1_60Z_lCqpCKCv1b9O59a9CA-xrdjxbNuf6EiSpQh-k-JfGUMl6Cn9pnC6ZnNrHEJe8x7yamxqjZ40rxPg-1sioYYmzluUWtVOvhSZ0JRLcbbR4cSmw4avy0/s1600-h/Hampi.Ganpati+Statue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166467579531110018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJV2PLDtKprhU2dPnWKj1_60Z_lCqpCKCv1b9O59a9CA-xrdjxbNuf6EiSpQh-k-JfGUMl6Cn9pnC6ZnNrHEJe8x7yamxqjZ40rxPg-1sioYYmzluUWtVOvhSZ0JRLcbbR4cSmw4avy0/s200/Hampi.Ganpati+Statue.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJV2PLDtKprhU2dPnWKj1_60Z_lCqpCKCv1b9O59a9CA-xrdjxbNuf6EiSpQh-k-JfGUMl6Cn9pnC6ZnNrHEJe8x7yamxqjZ40rxPg-1sioYYmzluUWtVOvhSZ0JRLcbbR4cSmw4avy0/s1600-h/Hampi.Ganpati+Statue.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJV2PLDtKprhU2dPnWKj1_60Z_lCqpCKCv1b9O59a9CA-xrdjxbNuf6EiSpQh-k-JfGUMl6Cn9pnC6ZnNrHEJe8x7yamxqjZ40rxPg-1sioYYmzluUWtVOvhSZ0JRLcbbR4cSmw4avy0/s1600-h/Hampi.Ganpati+Statue.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJV2PLDtKprhU2dPnWKj1_60Z_lCqpCKCv1b9O59a9CA-xrdjxbNuf6EiSpQh-k-JfGUMl6Cn9pnC6ZnNrHEJe8x7yamxqjZ40rxPg-1sioYYmzluUWtVOvhSZ0JRLcbbR4cSmw4avy0/s1600-h/Hampi.Ganpati+Statue.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> There are several other </div><div> beautiful images</div><div> and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBckh-6kEjbkHVW3BIagIVJAH0VaJPjfzswk3nMPb5Wn5xugdhs9GlsU2szv6cjjo_yNqAbnnWUBJnOKBNR3X-K6SGV2UNBDywpX0JEuDe0h6_is24-GHxX2BYC5sYozCCNM38edE1iAs/s1600-h/Hampi.Narsingha.jpg"></a>structures. </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6JlM4vtL3aGxJOo5VHJA0KgPQ1FI9rdDcWWzP6A7mH6yoNjncGi3nU0vLXCd2YIcpU6d-Wtcg_-IAMvotbRNZeXz2b7ZJzr8p8RXxUnA2UEEgceGkImGUyHFtAkYMPsCF4ot6K9_uPc/s1600-h/Hampi.Narsingha.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166467347602876018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6JlM4vtL3aGxJOo5VHJA0KgPQ1FI9rdDcWWzP6A7mH6yoNjncGi3nU0vLXCd2YIcpU6d-Wtcg_-IAMvotbRNZeXz2b7ZJzr8p8RXxUnA2UEEgceGkImGUyHFtAkYMPsCF4ot6K9_uPc/s200/Hampi.Narsingha.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5_i_aWKEvSXa0kuDe3jg3igP3w7Md-dxKpQB-2o6l2RQ6sfttfaS-g6SJgA4W_AzqdnYlIb4msxFlmyBlHtKOqe4zoxJL9FOPaow22E8H4Lniu5CkAH-g_WqgIWvU9p_Y2-Je5XKeCQ/s1600-h/Hampi.NagTemple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134208700230441554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px" height="215" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5_i_aWKEvSXa0kuDe3jg3igP3w7Md-dxKpQB-2o6l2RQ6sfttfaS-g6SJgA4W_AzqdnYlIb4msxFlmyBlHtKOqe4zoxJL9FOPaow22E8H4Lniu5CkAH-g_WqgIWvU9p_Y2-Je5XKeCQ/s200/Hampi.NagTemple.jpg" width="146" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Across the Tungabhadra river, in Anegondi, is another complex of ruins that has many small temples. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>How to get there </strong></span></div><span style="color:#006600;"></span><span style="color:#006600;"></span></div><div><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Air </strong></span></div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong><div><br /></span>The nearest Airport is Bellary (74 kms). </div><div>Other convenient airports are at Belgaum (190 kms), Hubli (160 kms) and Bangalore(353 kms).</div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Rail</strong></span> </div><div><br /><div>The nearest station is Hospet (13 kms).<br />Hospet is linked by rail to Bangalore, Bijapur, Hubli and Guntakal. </div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Road</strong></span></div><br /><div>Hampi is 350 kms from Bangalore. </div><div>The road is very good.<br /></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong></div><div></div><div><br />Visit the wonderful ruins. </div><div>They will transform you into the remote past.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-70383785077774792212008-02-12T21:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:20.882-08:00Madurai<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMIMk2tzP2oJRYc0VGk7WUqkD9QgAEzUep-0-3XB5rU2Gz52Ui38m7Db9dCvgonAkMvmnYc4n3BvKIVzMOKd3Vk1vb3aCTnfgbQ9mK-QEWtQ43_eKYFTTyWNdTJaFYYterl10gg2gStg/s1600-h/Madurai.Beautiful+Statues+in+Meenakshi+Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166112561829389858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMIMk2tzP2oJRYc0VGk7WUqkD9QgAEzUep-0-3XB5rU2Gz52Ui38m7Db9dCvgonAkMvmnYc4n3BvKIVzMOKd3Vk1vb3aCTnfgbQ9mK-QEWtQ43_eKYFTTyWNdTJaFYYterl10gg2gStg/s200/Madurai.Beautiful+Statues+in+Meenakshi+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>The City of Temples</strong><br /></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>and the Gate Way to the South<br /></strong></span><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>I have visited the 2500 old Madurai City many many times.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>The Meenakshi Temple is the largest and most beautiful temple dedicated to any female deity in India.</div><div>Madurai is also the gateway to a number of tourist places in South India - such as Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, Kodai Kanal and Yercaud.</div><div>Madurai is the headquarters of the world famous Aravind Eye Hospital, which is doing outstanding philanthropic work in the field of eye care.</div><div>And the high-so Taj Hotel located on a vantage spot here is really affordable.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>History </strong></span></div><div></div><div><br />Madurai is the second oldest city in India after Varanasi. </div><div>There are chunks of missing periods in its history.</div><div>In the 3rd century B.C., Madurai was a flourishing city under the Pandya kings who ruled till the 10th century A.D. when it was captured by the Cholas.</div><div></div><div></div><div>The Cholas ruled from 920 A.D. till 1223 A.D., when the Pandyas regained their lost kingdom.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>In April 1311 A.D., Malik Kafur, the General of Alauddin Khilji - the ruler of Delhi, raided Madurai and robbed the city’s precious stones, jewels and other rare treasures. </div><div>In 1323 A.D., Madurai became a province of the Delhi empire. </div><div>In 1371 A.D., the Vijayanagar dynasty of Hampi captured Madurai. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Nayak Rule</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Vijayanagar rulers appointed Governors known as <a title="Nayaks" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nayaks">Nayaks</a> or Nayyakars to administer their distant territories. </div><div>By 1545 A.D., the Nayaks of Madurai became more autonomous.</div><div>After the Vijayanagar empire collapsed in 1565 A.D., the Nayaks established the <a title="Madurai Nayak" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madurai_Nayak">Nayak</a> dynasty which remained in power up to the 1740s. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a title="Rani Mangammal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_Mangammal">Rani (Queen) Mangammal</a> (1689-1704 A.D.) of the <a title="Madurai Nayak" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madurai_Nayak">Nayak</a> dynasty was an able and courageous ruler. </div><div>She bravely fought against foreign invaders. </div><div>Her successors were weak rulers. </div><div>The kingdom broke up after her. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>The Meenakshi Temple</strong></span> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Most visitors come to Madurai to see the Meenakshi temple. </div><div><br />In fact, Madurai city was originally built around the <a title="Meenakshi temple" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshi_temple">Meenakshi temple</a>. </div><div>Concentric rectangular streets were built around the temple.</div><div>And they were named after the <a title="Tamil calendar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_calendar">Tamil months</a> of Aadi, Chithirai and Maasi symbolizing the structure of the cosmos. </div><div></div><div><br />The original temple was built by the early Pandya king Kulasekhara to enshrine the Shiva Linga, which according to mythology was worshipped by God Indra.</div><div>Most of the old temple was destroyed by the Muslim invaders and later rebuilt by Hindu rulers.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Meenakshi temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (a form of Parvati).</div><div>There is also a sanctum for Sundareshwar (or Siva), her consort.</div><div>In keeping with Indian tradition, where the husband commands greater respect than his wife, the Sundareshwar (or Siva) shrine is larger and older; but Meenakshi is worshipped first. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyvxeCyRRN_URZm54Z2t0f3hUJe5mJRqfiU33swGGpy3syoewKsmGXGPG0H-XIQJWQTC2RNN6i4FGEDutDUMnGYd2Uy72pGA0xQwWreUsw1i-2635vwHtzC_Lzlbyc3LmnuThBUyfTVU/s1600-h/Madurai.Meeankshi's+marriage+with+Sundareshwar.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div>Devotees enter the temple through the South Gopuram (southern tower) and worship Goddess Meenakshi before worshipping her consort. </div><div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyvxeCyRRN_URZm54Z2t0f3hUJe5mJRqfiU33swGGpy3syoewKsmGXGPG0H-XIQJWQTC2RNN6i4FGEDutDUMnGYd2Uy72pGA0xQwWreUsw1i-2635vwHtzC_Lzlbyc3LmnuThBUyfTVU/s1600-h/Madurai.Meeankshi's+marriage+with+Sundareshwar.jpg"></a> </div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyvxeCyRRN_URZm54Z2t0f3hUJe5mJRqfiU33swGGpy3syoewKsmGXGPG0H-XIQJWQTC2RNN6i4FGEDutDUMnGYd2Uy72pGA0xQwWreUsw1i-2635vwHtzC_Lzlbyc3LmnuThBUyfTVU/s1600-h/Madurai.Meeankshi's+marriage+with+Sundareshwar.jpg"></a></div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyvxeCyRRN_URZm54Z2t0f3hUJe5mJRqfiU33swGGpy3syoewKsmGXGPG0H-XIQJWQTC2RNN6i4FGEDutDUMnGYd2Uy72pGA0xQwWreUsw1i-2635vwHtzC_Lzlbyc3LmnuThBUyfTVU/s1600-h/Madurai.Meeankshi's+marriage+with+Sundareshwar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166112836707296818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyvxeCyRRN_URZm54Z2t0f3hUJe5mJRqfiU33swGGpy3syoewKsmGXGPG0H-XIQJWQTC2RNN6i4FGEDutDUMnGYd2Uy72pGA0xQwWreUsw1i-2635vwHtzC_Lzlbyc3LmnuThBUyfTVU/s200/Madurai.Meeankshi's+marriage+with+Sundareshwar.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The temple is a treasure trove of beautiful statues.</div><div></div><div>The statue depicting the Wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswara is considered a masterpiece. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />The Temple Complex is breathtaking.</div><div>It has massive fort-like walls encirling an area of 640,000 square feet (60,000 m²) with four major lofty Gopurams facing the four directions.</div><div></div><div>Each Gopuram is sculptured with more than a thousand painted figures of Hindu gods, animals and mythological creatures. </div><div></div><div><br />The Thousand Pillar Mandapam (1000 pillars hall) is the ‘wonder of the temple’. </div><div>For unknown reasons, there are actually 985 pillars in the 1000 pillars hall. </div><div>Each pillar is beautifully sculptured. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>There is a Temple Art Museum in the 1000 pillars hall where you can see historical and archaeological exhibits. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Just outside the 1000 pillars hall, towards the west, are the Musical Pillars. </div><div>Each pillar, when struck with a spoon, produces a different musical note. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>There are a number of shops inside the temple complex selling an assortment of things. But you must learn the subtle art of bargaining. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Potraamaraikkulam or the Golden Lotus pond</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhezQz-_C6_9-7_4D2PMSyKFKxrztr40w7yUDEZYhHd213WzNi_mig5ZDlq49BcmlFgGzDausl9R7TKbdNQ78U09tg_IadunyZ6riUoAVgwKpfG-5uFxoIkj58EF_1r3iWP30ZKjq1ug/s1600-h/Madurai.Meenakshi+Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166111397893252610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhezQz-_C6_9-7_4D2PMSyKFKxrztr40w7yUDEZYhHd213WzNi_mig5ZDlq49BcmlFgGzDausl9R7TKbdNQ78U09tg_IadunyZ6riUoAVgwKpfG-5uFxoIkj58EF_1r3iWP30ZKjq1ug/s200/Madurai.Meenakshi+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhezQz-_C6_9-7_4D2PMSyKFKxrztr40w7yUDEZYhHd213WzNi_mig5ZDlq49BcmlFgGzDausl9R7TKbdNQ78U09tg_IadunyZ6riUoAVgwKpfG-5uFxoIkj58EF_1r3iWP30ZKjq1ug/s1600-h/Madurai.Meenakshi+Temple.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>When you enter the temple, you see the spectacular Potraamaraikkulam (meaning the Golden Lotus pond) surrounded by corridors depicting murals from the Thiruvilaiyaadal Puraanam (episodes of Sundareswar ). </div><div></div><div><br />In ancient times, the sangam, or assembly of poets, used to gather at this pond to judge the merits of new compositions, often by throwing the manuscripts into the pond itself. </div><div>Those that sank were supposed to be inferior, while those that floated were worthy of praise and propagation. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJgYYHmr4FF0cXxh-vPpdENO3hAKjyyI-WqQxLFeazWszWuCxUQg4RaT46BZ8FAT1y9lGNT7bBranDbqwZDTZ3MgnIO2gmBLqTLaxZUkRBtjNBMLFfHfQTdLwZGj2r0ejTrtFiAJ4-t4/s1600-h/Madurai.Thirumalai-Nayak-Palace.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166112317016253970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJgYYHmr4FF0cXxh-vPpdENO3hAKjyyI-WqQxLFeazWszWuCxUQg4RaT46BZ8FAT1y9lGNT7bBranDbqwZDTZ3MgnIO2gmBLqTLaxZUkRBtjNBMLFfHfQTdLwZGj2r0ejTrtFiAJ4-t4/s200/Madurai.Thirumalai-Nayak-Palace.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>Thirumalai Nayak (1623-1659 A.D.) was a very popular ruler.</div><div>He created many magnificent structures in and around Madurai - the Raja Gopuram of the Meenakshi Temple; the Pudu Mandapam and the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal (Palace). </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJgYYHmr4FF0cXxh-vPpdENO3hAKjyyI-WqQxLFeazWszWuCxUQg4RaT46BZ8FAT1y9lGNT7bBranDbqwZDTZ3MgnIO2gmBLqTLaxZUkRBtjNBMLFfHfQTdLwZGj2r0ejTrtFiAJ4-t4/s1600-h/Madurai.Thirumalai-Nayak-Palace.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />The Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, located in Madurai, was constructed in the Indo-Saracen style in 1636 A.D.<br />There were originally two parts - the beautifully decorated, Swarga vilasa (heavenly repose) meant for the King, his harem and housing the darbar court; and the Rang vilasa,which was for the commoners.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Most of Rang vilasa was demolished by Thirumalai Naicker’s Grandson.<br />Only about a fourth of the original structures remain today. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><a name="Nayak_Rule"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Palace is a national monument under the care of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. </div><div>There is a sound and light show in the evening (both in English and Tamil). </div><div></div><div><br />Madurai has a large number of beautiful temples. </div><div>This is the reason it is known as the “Temple City”. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Kazimar Periya Pallivasal or Kazimar Big Mosque</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Kazimar Periya Pallivasal or Kazimar Big Mosque is located within a kilometre of the temple. </div><div>Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin, who came from <a title="Oman" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oman">Oman</a> during late 12th century, obtained this land from king Ku Pandiyan and constructed the mosque - the first Muslim place of worship in Madurai. </div><div></div><div></div><div>His descendants (Huqdars - Share holders of that mosque called Syeds) have lived in the same locality for 700 years, and managed the mosque ever since. </div><div>Syed Tajuddin was appointed as Kazi of the sultans; and till now, his descendants who live in Kazimar Street are appointed as Kazis to the <a title="http://www.tn.gov.in" href="http://www.tn.gov.in/">Government of Tamil Nadu</a>. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><a name="The_Temples_in_the_City"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Aravind Eye Hospital</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Aravind Eye Hospital here is a peculiar world class institution rendering free eye care services to an unbelievably large number of patients.</div><div>It is a model even students of management are trying to take lessons from and emulate.</div><div>It is fondly called the MacDonalds of Eye Surgery. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a name="Naickar_Mahal"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Taj Hotel</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Taj Hotel is linked with luxury and expensiveness. </div><div>But the Taj Hotel here is affordable. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Getting there<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjF7EkUKnam1-sqmW_3OhRXEp-j6w66VhfSTPjnpPpN8XG21jb-VMknUiktqpOr7YX4lPjLr3Gz5Wd8rByYYE_vGQvFv0O1lSeJgEc9IXLbkbO-E1D3Rbn62FVkeSSqSbm7CarEnEVD8/s1600-h/Madurai.Beautiful+Gargolyes+in+Meenakshi+Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166113090110367298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjF7EkUKnam1-sqmW_3OhRXEp-j6w66VhfSTPjnpPpN8XG21jb-VMknUiktqpOr7YX4lPjLr3Gz5Wd8rByYYE_vGQvFv0O1lSeJgEc9IXLbkbO-E1D3Rbn62FVkeSSqSbm7CarEnEVD8/s200/Madurai.Beautiful+Gargolyes+in+Meenakshi+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>There are direct flights from Chennai (Madras).</div><div>There are also convenient over night trains from Chennai.</div><div>You could also travel from Chennai to Madurai by car. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Madurai is a beautiful temple city and the gateway to the South.</div><div>You can even make it a base to see different places in the South.</div><div></div><div></div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-17984821698642540682008-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:22.943-08:00Rameswaram<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNTg3tU2KQZ-HPrkda14G5fz97_oJ3puh6B4M6s2pUd4zsDzvRIYu0s31k2jvuLYceR2ZLVYq95UoQr1kFRPb-Nf4CvJKvZKQ4DD70CfiTpvLhN59moQEi2mPj5Wp_HyA6vSRelMfUdo/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164040566552864050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNTg3tU2KQZ-HPrkda14G5fz97_oJ3puh6B4M6s2pUd4zsDzvRIYu0s31k2jvuLYceR2ZLVYq95UoQr1kFRPb-Nf4CvJKvZKQ4DD70CfiTpvLhN59moQEi2mPj5Wp_HyA6vSRelMfUdo/s200/Rameswaram.Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV_3eOB0Uu2BF450Ije8ow5D1_d9U-Esd2NamgSutI8MMvkhKxjb_g9FgXREiuEQbrDTcyOUBwqlslO5uYvT3OdCVV2c51wlDLgwBcLlar1j_HZLorWf2sXAffPfgvhL8fDGnInkoE8Q/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Map.gif"></a> </div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV_3eOB0Uu2BF450Ije8ow5D1_d9U-Esd2NamgSutI8MMvkhKxjb_g9FgXREiuEQbrDTcyOUBwqlslO5uYvT3OdCVV2c51wlDLgwBcLlar1j_HZLorWf2sXAffPfgvhL8fDGnInkoE8Q/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Map.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164039441271432450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV_3eOB0Uu2BF450Ije8ow5D1_d9U-Esd2NamgSutI8MMvkhKxjb_g9FgXREiuEQbrDTcyOUBwqlslO5uYvT3OdCVV2c51wlDLgwBcLlar1j_HZLorWf2sXAffPfgvhL8fDGnInkoE8Q/s200/Rameswaram.Map.gif" border="0" /></a></div><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">The southern most of Adi Shankaracharya's Four Dhams</span></strong><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV_3eOB0Uu2BF450Ije8ow5D1_d9U-Esd2NamgSutI8MMvkhKxjb_g9FgXREiuEQbrDTcyOUBwqlslO5uYvT3OdCVV2c51wlDLgwBcLlar1j_HZLorWf2sXAffPfgvhL8fDGnInkoE8Q/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Map.gif"></a> </div><div></div><div><br />Rameswaram is a small town on Pamban Island - an island in South India - separated from the Indian mainland by the <a title="Pamban channel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamban_channel">Pamban Channel</a>.<br /><br /></div><div><br />Rameswaram is the place used by Lord Rama to cross over to Sri Lanka (Ceylon). <div><div><div>Rameswaram is one of the four Char Dhams established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century A.D.</div><div></div><div></div><div>A <a title="Pilgrim" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim">pilgrim</a>age to Varanasi (<a title="Benares" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benares">Kashi</a>) – famous pilgrimage in North India - is considered incomplete without a pilgrimage to Rameswaram. </div><div>For this reason, Rameswaram is a very important and frequented pilgrim centre. </div><div>Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi of the south.</div><div><br /></div><div>I visited Rameswaram and found it much more than a religious place.</div><div>It is a nature lover’s paradise. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>The Pamban Railway Bridge and Indira Gandhi Setu</strong></span> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq6IgVzWMDdPdq4cYFBMt93lqBeHy0yn1svSp3rsGZJ5vDya6tz4IMQHZZ9L8aSQwJDg0eQ6F_Xq-uwiLJANZ1GTmppCKHWkqdj6kh4BfTkR04bZMlBDbXV0TjPS-Tqa9SjkoNffhzKU/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Railway+Bridge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164040025386984738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq6IgVzWMDdPdq4cYFBMt93lqBeHy0yn1svSp3rsGZJ5vDya6tz4IMQHZZ9L8aSQwJDg0eQ6F_Xq-uwiLJANZ1GTmppCKHWkqdj6kh4BfTkR04bZMlBDbXV0TjPS-Tqa9SjkoNffhzKU/s200/Rameswaram.Railway+Bridge.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><br />There are actually two bridges over the <a title="Pamban channel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamban_channel">Pamban Channel</a>.</div><div>The older one is the 6,776 ft (2,065 metres) long <a title="Cantilever" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantilever">cantilever</a> railway bridge which was opened for traffic in <a title="1914" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1914">1914</a>.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>It still has a functioning <a title="Vertical lift bridge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_lift_bridge">vertical lift</a> section that can be raised to let ships pass under the bridge.</div><div>It is so low, that from the train, you can literally wash your hands in the sea.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKqX2bsekOdWAo6As3r_1vLQ-AdYbw3VtfrtkDOMZJapivwIzi0EMPh-_7VoifcViH6X-TUZo7z4h7vOBiEB9Ra9JAlxW9EWxzVSXMXyTrh1bYjkPZ9khOtWAwnmOKzpDkS9pjLoHZrc/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Railway+Bridge2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164039767688946962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKqX2bsekOdWAo6As3r_1vLQ-AdYbw3VtfrtkDOMZJapivwIzi0EMPh-_7VoifcViH6X-TUZo7z4h7vOBiEB9Ra9JAlxW9EWxzVSXMXyTrh1bYjkPZ9khOtWAwnmOKzpDkS9pjLoHZrc/s200/Rameswaram.Railway+Bridge2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKqX2bsekOdWAo6As3r_1vLQ-AdYbw3VtfrtkDOMZJapivwIzi0EMPh-_7VoifcViH6X-TUZo7z4h7vOBiEB9Ra9JAlxW9EWxzVSXMXyTrh1bYjkPZ9khOtWAwnmOKzpDkS9pjLoHZrc/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Railway+Bridge2.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The railway bridge had meter-gauge (narrow gauge) railway tracks.</div><div>The <a title="Indian Railways" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Railways">Indian Railways</a> upgraded the tracks to broad-gauge in August 2007. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />The 2.3 kms long road bridge is also known as Pamban Bridge.</div><div>But its real name is Indira Gandhi Setu. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cR48_cZjsLEl-yAjW2rYzuVHWTzR4BtW3V3oqXExhTrhcU9zMyxR6EC4D7CA0Uc4JOYnKPIQzxGfdlEWn4Pw3Q_LP3uXNGY77PuVfYdMItQh1crVV_h4KKRFIZrT2-gFsiCcoG6yPJs/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Bridge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164036817046414546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cR48_cZjsLEl-yAjW2rYzuVHWTzR4BtW3V3oqXExhTrhcU9zMyxR6EC4D7CA0Uc4JOYnKPIQzxGfdlEWn4Pw3Q_LP3uXNGY77PuVfYdMItQh1crVV_h4KKRFIZrT2-gFsiCcoG6yPJs/s200/Rameswaram.Bridge.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div>It is the longest sea bridge in India.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cR48_cZjsLEl-yAjW2rYzuVHWTzR4BtW3V3oqXExhTrhcU9zMyxR6EC4D7CA0Uc4JOYnKPIQzxGfdlEWn4Pw3Q_LP3uXNGY77PuVfYdMItQh1crVV_h4KKRFIZrT2-gFsiCcoG6yPJs/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Bridge.jpg"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The beautiful bridge is located very high up in the sea.</div><div>From the middle of the bridge, you get panoramic views of the sea, the scattered islands and the rail bridge far below. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mythology</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Lord Rama built a bridge at Rameswaram - the <a title="Ram Setu" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Setu">Ram Setu</a> (also known as <a title="Adam's Bridge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_Bridge">Adam’s Bridge</a>) - to cross the sea to Sri Lanka to bring back his wife Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. </div><div></div><div></div><div>This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to be absolved of the sin of killing Ravana. </div><div></div><div><br />What is not known is that there is one more legend as to how Adam’s Bridge got its name.</div><div>According to this legend, Sri Lanka was the site of the biblical earthly paradise, and Adam’s Bridge was created when Adam was expelled from paradise. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Shivalinga</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div>After Lord Rama had defeated and killed Ravana, the Rishis (sages) advised <a title="Rama" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama">Rama</a> to install and worship a Shivalinga at Rameswaram, along with <a title="Sita" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sita">Sita</a> and <a title="Lakshmana" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmana">Lakshman</a>, to expiate the sin of Brahma Hatya (killing of a Brahmin). </div><div>(Ravana was a Brahmin - the great grandson of Brahma).</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Rama fixed an auspicious time for the installation and worship. </div><div>He sent <a title="Hanuman" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman">Hanuman</a> to Mount Kailash to bring a linga. </div><div>But Hanuman was late, so Sita made a make shift Shivalinga of sand. </div><div>By the time Hanuman returned with the linga from Mount Kailash, the puja (worship) was over. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Hanuman was disappointed.</div><div>To appease him, Rama also installed the linga brought by Hanuman (Visvalingam) by the side of the sand Ramalinga, and ordered that all rituals should first be performed to the Visvalingam.</div><div></div><div><br />In Rameshwaram Temple, you can have “Mani Darshan” (Glimpse of the Mani) early morning every day. </div><div>This “Mani” made of “sphatik” (crystal) is in the form of “Shivalinga”. </div><div>According to the Hindu texts, this is the “Mani” of “Sheshnag”. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0ZQJOpdG2zTwk0HR18lCn-5NzTroGVHv5EP7ZL_E5ZhrheqKsQNfKsveIHEnzFMro9sRYOJsVNcNe-9hoUp8usFCxHTFTJaMLW70obuhkFzHXAZbDsmHqt2dVG0rRAIr_awSi6OzOMM/s1600-h/Rameshwaram.Temple.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164036456269161666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0ZQJOpdG2zTwk0HR18lCn-5NzTroGVHv5EP7ZL_E5ZhrheqKsQNfKsveIHEnzFMro9sRYOJsVNcNe-9hoUp8usFCxHTFTJaMLW70obuhkFzHXAZbDsmHqt2dVG0rRAIr_awSi6OzOMM/s200/Rameshwaram.Temple.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Temple</span></strong> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />The main deity here is in the form of a Shiva <a title="Linga" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linga">Linga</a> with the name Sri Ramanatha Swamy. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />The huge temple, built in the Dravidian style of architecture, has the largest temple corridor in India with 1000 beautifully carved granite pillars. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhKrd_vhFXevVVkWT6IuwiC3PVR21mrUsYL0IAko8OQXeGZYCMO-ebL0ylQEiSN9vSp6QpHJ-1bcTZ7g0mAdXqNoLhNV0sR4IlgfAHdTiIw1y_bqJqeVppb3w0ktHfDdjB6J9Z93rGAI/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Corridor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164038839976010978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhKrd_vhFXevVVkWT6IuwiC3PVR21mrUsYL0IAko8OQXeGZYCMO-ebL0ylQEiSN9vSp6QpHJ-1bcTZ7g0mAdXqNoLhNV0sR4IlgfAHdTiIw1y_bqJqeVppb3w0ktHfDdjB6J9Z93rGAI/s200/Rameswaram.Corridor.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Construction of the temple started in the 12th century.</div><div>Different rulers added to the construction of the temple over a period of time. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The temple has 22 wells which are considered sacred.</div><div>The water of each well has a different taste. </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places to see around</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Sethu Karai</strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div>This is a place 22 km from Rameshwaram where Lord Ram built a floating stone bridge – the “Ramasethu”. </div><div>The remnants of the Ramasethu are submerged under the sea as shot from Gemini 1 satellite of NASA in 2004. </div><div></div><div><br /><a name="Dhanushkodi"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Dhanushkodi</span></strong></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The southernmost tip of Pamban Island is called Dhanushkodi. </div><div>The road ends at a fisherman’s village. </div><div>The entire village was <a href="http://www.ramnad.tn.nic.in/images/Final_Dhanush%20sunrise.jpg"></a>completely washed away by a cyclone in 1964. </div><div>But the Kothandaramasamy Temple here remained intact. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioarb_RmAMVFJqKo64AJ2XaHIuA649fIVJAqjrChj8qXg_g8GplLZMfODvlNdIz_lEFfq5-I8VnYinPnDXn6Flx_KldvsDNuE9gGrYs03dw0aAu7xViAQqOc_XMlDeu-s6Hyr-o-ITV-M/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Fishing+Boats.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164039028954572018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioarb_RmAMVFJqKo64AJ2XaHIuA649fIVJAqjrChj8qXg_g8GplLZMfODvlNdIz_lEFfq5-I8VnYinPnDXn6Flx_KldvsDNuE9gGrYs03dw0aAu7xViAQqOc_XMlDeu-s6Hyr-o-ITV-M/s200/Rameswaram.Fishing+Boats.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Dhanushkodi is 18 kms from Rameswaram. </div><div>According to mythology, it was here that Vibishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered before Ram. Dhanushkodi has a fine beach. </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioarb_RmAMVFJqKo64AJ2XaHIuA649fIVJAqjrChj8qXg_g8GplLZMfODvlNdIz_lEFfq5-I8VnYinPnDXn6Flx_KldvsDNuE9gGrYs03dw0aAu7xViAQqOc_XMlDeu-s6Hyr-o-ITV-M/s1600-h/Rameswaram.Fishing+Boats.jpg"></a> </div><div></div><div><br />On the way to Dhanushkodi, during the winter months, you can see millions of migratory birds, including flamingoes. </div><div></div><div><br />Dr. <a title="Abdul Kalam" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Kalam">Abdul Kalam</a>, the ex-president of <a title="India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India">India</a>, comes from <a title="Dhanushkodi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhanushkodi">Dhanushkodi</a>. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><a name="Kurusadai_Island"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Kurusadai Island</span></strong> </a></div><div></div><div></div><div>To the south of Rameswaram are dozens of islands. </div><div>Kurusadai Island is an uninhabited Island lies to the west of the Pamban Bridge between the mainland and Pamban Island. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>10,500 sq. kms of the sea around here constitute a Marine Biosphere, a paradise for Marine Biologists and nature lovers. </div><div>There are plenty of coral-reefs and fishes. </div><div>You can also see dolphins and sea-cows (Dugong). </div><div></div><div><br />Kurusadai Island is about 4 KMs from Mandapam. </div><div>But you have to obtain permission from the Director of Fisheries, Chennai.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />Large ships cannot navigate through the shallow waters of the strait and have to travel around Sri Lanka.</div><div>As early as in 1860, there were suggestions and proposals to dig out a shipping canal.</div><div>The present <a title="Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sethusamudram_Shipping_Canal_Project">Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project</a>, is mired up in politics and litigation. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Visit Rameswaram. </div><div>Apart from being a holy place, it is a paradise for nature lovers.</div></div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-70533666736289075072008-02-05T21:45:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:24.313-08:00Gangasagar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZbQ5oY9K1CyXbGNYzoBOkhXsg1zFWYoHtBk-QXM3jp6jH-9yLhVsE5AuTPBMcBTWUXqDZ7SfNTJO8GsoALGfhyphenhyphenkQb43n8-fU-WfgZ-wsYdiKKbC77fW69E1vn794A0SaFX5pO7r7JRA/s1600-h/Ganga+Sager.A+Sannyasi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163525887736882258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZbQ5oY9K1CyXbGNYzoBOkhXsg1zFWYoHtBk-QXM3jp6jH-9yLhVsE5AuTPBMcBTWUXqDZ7SfNTJO8GsoALGfhyphenhyphenkQb43n8-fU-WfgZ-wsYdiKKbC77fW69E1vn794A0SaFX5pO7r7JRA/s200/Ganga+Sager.A+Sannyasi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">The Holy Sagar Island </span></strong><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>When I was a young student in Calcutta, I often heard about Gangasagar (also known as Sagar Island, Sagar Deep or simply Sagar).</div><div>There is a popular saying that you can visit all the places of pilgrimages again and again, but you can visit Gangasagar only once.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I fancied Gangasagar was a small mysterious place which would come out of the oceans every year on the annual ‘Makar Sankrati’ festivities held there on the 14th January.<br />(Don’t ask me how an island can come out of the oceans and later disappear - because no one could ever explain this to me).<br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0dLyV1tH2I35iuomR4IZu0kP4_q_-Dz-XIDxmHu2r5P2Fnt8U5v9ziSnmkazPnvgSZ4sDCvo4XXwEdl_BUm8TKQc6U905u4DYvWCS4d4h8FflF2JxmEkkdbnUm2Bu6WuHqMC6pDJLaA/s1600-h/Gangasagar.Kapilmun+Templei.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163527043083084962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0dLyV1tH2I35iuomR4IZu0kP4_q_-Dz-XIDxmHu2r5P2Fnt8U5v9ziSnmkazPnvgSZ4sDCvo4XXwEdl_BUm8TKQc6U905u4DYvWCS4d4h8FflF2JxmEkkdbnUm2Bu6WuHqMC6pDJLaA/s200/Gangasagar.Kapilmun+Templei.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>I first visited Gangasagar in 1986, to watch the Hailey’s Comet zoom past in the pristine early morning sky there. </div><div>The visit was organised by the <a href="http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Galaxy/7881/index.html" target="_blank">Sky Watchers Association</a> of Calcutta.</div><div>They had selected Gangasagar for the sighting because there was no electricity there.</div><div>But there were many other small villages without electricity - nearer to Kolkata.</div><div>Probably, the mystique surrounding the island was the reason they selected Gangasagar.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ZHC5HX1o1vaTb3bxAf2Snt3pvvna-ZjZwBtmicCSUpFwN_1FTH-77Ulh9V76Cz1TqvgHrdk0A2GZc4vp-FG4gLt2TZAZU5a_AnXS6aPqbX9REA0WAMTBwPHUgjc0ld1-AqPokMtb78/s1600-h/Gangasagar.A+Panoramic+View.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163526351593350258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ZHC5HX1o1vaTb3bxAf2Snt3pvvna-ZjZwBtmicCSUpFwN_1FTH-77Ulh9V76Cz1TqvgHrdk0A2GZc4vp-FG4gLt2TZAZU5a_AnXS6aPqbX9REA0WAMTBwPHUgjc0ld1-AqPokMtb78/s200/Gangasagar.A+Panoramic+View.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There was no electricity. </div><div>A generator provided power for three hours every day.</div><div>Even today, a generator powers some areas of the island for three hours every day between 6 and 9 PM.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br />The second time, I visited Gangasagar on ‘Makar Sankrati’ day, the 14th January, to see the festival. </div><div>My younger brother, a senior police officer, was in charge of the police arrangements there. </div><div>He invited me to visit the island.</div><div>I watched in fascination as he and other police officials worked almost continuously for three days and nights with short spasmodic spells of sleep.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGw2-wxLNbMrva4Co3s3i2z0ZLcYVRDWzcpSpKRO4pqLa3fn62J44bh5yfVcHvt2_NsNQIhKZlOD-gXf_zZtNyXOqZymLSesC5v2yXC0b5NLQ2M_tUH87zXHkCdZ5x02a4XIjc1tw8y8/s1600-h/Gangasagar.A+Fire+Broke+Out.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163526106780214370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGw2-wxLNbMrva4Co3s3i2z0ZLcYVRDWzcpSpKRO4pqLa3fn62J44bh5yfVcHvt2_NsNQIhKZlOD-gXf_zZtNyXOqZymLSesC5v2yXC0b5NLQ2M_tUH87zXHkCdZ5x02a4XIjc1tw8y8/s200/Gangasagar.A+Fire+Broke+Out.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>A fire broke out in the fair. </div><div>Thick black smoke filled the air. </div><div>But the fire brigade quickly moved in and quelled the fire. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>This is the largest fair in India - after the Kumbh Mela which is held every 12 years in three different centres - Haridwar, Allahabad and Nasik - by rotation.</div><div>But in Gangasagar, the logistic problems are multiplied several times by the fact that the pilgrims have to be ferried to the island.</div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorsz7rvwM6XT6ibt-2Mrf5BUKtkKwFFIO4a0RIQDGXEIAExEwETtGTD-Xslke1bcj8AeQXW0KMS8caVax6OQzkqtVilxNI6yc21JSh4mSDGPHOC2o1nbY7-ANdKFBZ_sjNASVjiG1coE/s1600-h/Gangasagar.A+Procession.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163526643651126402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorsz7rvwM6XT6ibt-2Mrf5BUKtkKwFFIO4a0RIQDGXEIAExEwETtGTD-Xslke1bcj8AeQXW0KMS8caVax6OQzkqtVilxNI6yc21JSh4mSDGPHOC2o1nbY7-ANdKFBZ_sjNASVjiG1coE/s200/Gangasagar.A+Procession.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div>The boatmen try to overload their boats. </div><div>After all, they get this unique opportunity only once a year.</div><div>Sometimes, boats collide with one another.</div><div>Sometimes, they capsize.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>In 2008, the auspicious day spilled over to the 15th January. </div><div>The number of pilgrims swelled to 5 lakhs (half a million).</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Island</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHt4jjkiIuSITrljDNKxjHrsAPRu9tH7Pri9Cam_MnF-0uep_RMhRmxCgOZ-_gnU2b8qqieeyUx9ucpKrbKQCjOhGQ4I5WOwXJAetkT9yQmUnfidBX7iZBxRk21dxcUEPW2fMYd3Z7_o/s1600-h/Gangasagar.On+the+Beach.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163527244946547890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHt4jjkiIuSITrljDNKxjHrsAPRu9tH7Pri9Cam_MnF-0uep_RMhRmxCgOZ-_gnU2b8qqieeyUx9ucpKrbKQCjOhGQ4I5WOwXJAetkT9yQmUnfidBX7iZBxRk21dxcUEPW2fMYd3Z7_o/s200/Gangasagar.On+the+Beach.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />Gangasagar is a little known island located on the continental shelf of the Bay of Bengal at the confluence of Hooghly river (a tributary of the Ganges River) with the Bay of Bengal - about 150 km south of <a title="Kolkata" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata">Kolkata</a>. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />Gangasagar does not sink into the sea.</div><div></div><div></div><div>It is quite a large island with an area of about 300 sq km. </div><div>It has 43 villages with a population of over 160,000. </div><div>There are schools, post office and even a police station. </div><div> </div><div></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzZdB_0otpNj1JthmW4M-FXW2s6Gm4MfgG-utfSPZj-BEKETkNBDFXOUdK1TJCA3PgERTI2L-RhASRKLwCGSrbmlU34yE3JY-40HMmhryYyuLd9Z6ZNGNKys1FCMGOnD-GS_JI6jJBo8/s1600-h/Gangasagar.In+Front+of+the+Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163526927118967954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzZdB_0otpNj1JthmW4M-FXW2s6Gm4MfgG-utfSPZj-BEKETkNBDFXOUdK1TJCA3PgERTI2L-RhASRKLwCGSrbmlU34yE3JY-40HMmhryYyuLd9Z6ZNGNKys1FCMGOnD-GS_JI6jJBo8/s200/Gangasagar.In+Front+of+the+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There are numerous waterways and small rivers.</div><div>There are <a title="Mangrove" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove">mangrove</a> swamps.</div><div>This is also the home of the endangered <a title="Royal Bengal Tiger" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Bengal_Tiger">Royal Bengal Tiger</a>. </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />The <a title="Kolkata Port Trust" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata_Port_Trust">Kolkata Port Trust</a> has a pilot station and a light house here.</div><div>The West Bengal government is planning to build a deep water port on the island. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mythology </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div><br />According to legend, after slaying the demons on earth, King Sagar decided to perform the Ashwa Megh Yagya to proclam his supremacy to the world.<br />A horse would be taken around the earth accompanied by the King’s 60,000 sons from Queen Sumati and one son Asmanjas from the second queen Kesani.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Indra, the supreme ruler of the gods, was afraid that if the Yagya was successful, he might lose his throne. </div><div>So he wanted to interfere with the Yagya.</div><div>He stole the horse and tied it to the ashram of sage <a title="Kapil" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapil">Kapil</a> Muni, who was then in deep meditation. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>When King Sagar’s sons could not find the horse, they searched everywhere.</div><div>Finally, they found it tied near the meditating <a title="Kapil" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapil">Kapil</a> Muni. </div><div>The sixty thousand and one angry sons of King <a title="Sagar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagar">Sagar</a> stormed the ashram of Kapil Muni disrupting his meditation as Indra had planned.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Kapil Muni was very angry. </div><div>He opened his eyes and turned all the sons into ashes.</div><div>The only way to bring them back to life was to bring down Goddess Ganga from the Heavens and wash the ashes with the holy water.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Bhagirath, grandson of King Sagar, meditated for a long time to persuade Ganga to come down to the earth.</div><div>But the coming down of Ganga would have been too torrential and would have caused colossal damage.</div><div>Finally, Lord Shiva agreed to receive Ganga in his large tresses to break her fall.Ganga descended down to the earth through Shiva’s tresses.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>King Bhagiratha then preceded the holy river in his chariot and ripped open a gorge through which Ganga could flow. </div><div>The river followed <a title="Bhagiratha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagiratha">Bhagirath</a> to Gangasagar where Kapila Muni livedand washed the ashes.</div><div>All the sons came back to life. </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><a name="Get_in"></a><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Reaching there</strong></span> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />To reach Gangasagar, you have to cross the Muriganga river/creek by ferry.</div><div>You can take the ferry either from Harwood Point (80 kms from <a title="Kolkata" href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Kolkata">Kolkata</a>) or Namkhana (13 kms more from Harwood Point).<br /><br /><br />After landing at Sagar Island, you will have to cross the whole stretch of the island (32 kms) by local bus or taxi. </div><div></div><div></div><div>It is possible to travel from Kolkata right up to Gangasagar by car or taxi. </div><div>At Harwood Point, the car can cross the river on a barge. </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br /><a name="Get_around"></a><a name="See"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places to see</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />· Kapil Muni Temple<br />· Fair Grounds<br />· Sea Beach<br />· Sagar Marine Park<br />· Sagar Lighthouse and Port at Beguakhali<br />· Ramkrisna Mission Ashram<br />· Sushama Devichowdhurani Marine Biological Research Institute. (SDMBRI) at Bamankhali </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Accommodation</span></strong> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><a name="Do"></a>There are sufficient boarding and accommodation facilities at Gangasagar. </div><div></div><div>· State Youth Hostel<br />· Bharat Sevashram Sangha and some other ashrams<br />· Larica Sagar Vihar (the only hotel) </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Gangasagar is a remote, secluded, not much visited spot.</div><div>If you are looking for novelty and raw nature - this is the place you should head for.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The West Bengal Government is planning to construct a bridge connecting the mainland with Sagar Island.</div><div>The 3.3 kms long bridge is likely to cost around Rs 600 crores. </div><div>A feasibility study has already been completed. </div><div> </div><div><br />Visit the place before the bridge is constructed.</div><div> </div><div></div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-30053559675334934572008-02-04T21:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:25.591-08:00Fossil Parks<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoyDL3HsF0OoUaXYlNg9qPokcznTgGNjEcllXOD6hNZcDM5ZZfXsl9MZFJ1NzeAMLq7vImWNMAXNhflSR7-dhs9chyA_1BpzjAKosk-sOck7TZx_Zr58N5KIXQBfaRcFVWQ5BnunUIbI/s1600-h/Fossil+Park.India.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163149734501098530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoyDL3HsF0OoUaXYlNg9qPokcznTgGNjEcllXOD6hNZcDM5ZZfXsl9MZFJ1NzeAMLq7vImWNMAXNhflSR7-dhs9chyA_1BpzjAKosk-sOck7TZx_Zr58N5KIXQBfaRcFVWQ5BnunUIbI/s200/Fossil+Park.India.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">National Fossil Wood Park, Tiruvakkarai</span></strong><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><strong><span style="color:#000099;"></span></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04G0jbsSTcLA6cNAWqVLt2nMdHpyuoCehyphenhyphenmw2SfFJkBzv-8xpFX8UPi-cXUIlU-Ysl3SzNKocxgV7o5AuIEpPkhdCTDqWfp-oYhiKsyVDCsCV-JZvTtOe2W1kJSZaxNAcwa96s9A8xSQ/s1600-h/Fossil+Park.Map.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163149816105477170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04G0jbsSTcLA6cNAWqVLt2nMdHpyuoCehyphenhyphenmw2SfFJkBzv-8xpFX8UPi-cXUIlU-Ysl3SzNKocxgV7o5AuIEpPkhdCTDqWfp-oYhiKsyVDCsCV-JZvTtOe2W1kJSZaxNAcwa96s9A8xSQ/s200/Fossil+Park.Map.gif" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">The First National Fossil Wood Park of India</span></strong><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nR5SZ3zjVdorYHDwFYfWwEKfhGSZyvZVIRQiNUlo7wpmFL0VEKWVvM1tLVUDewXYfkuCOnV7z8eIE9EDh7CSeBYGYF4jd3cof700FCtLyKuKkyzRHqVH5pWI41jeOsx2js5_fATFluA/s1600-h/Fossil+Park.A+Fossilised+Tree-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163148690824045554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nR5SZ3zjVdorYHDwFYfWwEKfhGSZyvZVIRQiNUlo7wpmFL0VEKWVvM1tLVUDewXYfkuCOnV7z8eIE9EDh7CSeBYGYF4jd3cof700FCtLyKuKkyzRHqVH5pWI41jeOsx2js5_fATFluA/s200/Fossil+Park.A+Fossilised+Tree-1.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div><br />There are no real Jurassic Parks on earth.<br />But there are Fossil Parks which to the scientists are as interesting as the fictional Jurassic Parks.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Fossils</span></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>Fossils are <a title="Mineral" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral">mineralized</a>, or otherwise preserved, remains or traces of animals (such as footprints), plants, and other organisms. </div><br /><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Petrified Wood</span></strong> </div><div></div><br /><div>The word petrified comes from the Greek word “petro” meaning “rock” or “stone”. </div><div>The word petroleum also comes from “petro”.</div><div> </div><div>Petrified wood, which literally means “wood turned into stone”, is a type of <a title="Fossil" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil">fossil</a>.</div><div>It is actually <a title="Fossil wood" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_wood">fossil wood</a> where all the <a title="Organic life" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_life">organic materials</a> have been replaced with <a title="Mineral" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral">minerals</a> (most often a <a title="Silicate" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicate">silicate</a>, such as <a title="Quartz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz">quartz</a>), while retaining the original structure of the wood. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The <a title="Petrifaction" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrifaction">petrifaction</a> process occurs underground, when wood becomes buried under <a title="Sediment" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sediment">sediment</a> and is initially preserved due to lack of <a title="Oxygen" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen">oxygen</a>. </div><div>Mineral-rich water flowing through the sediment deposits minerals in the plant’s <a title="Cell (biology)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_%28biology%29">cells</a>.</div><div>As the plant’s <a title="Lignin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignin">lignin</a> and <a title="Cellulose" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose">cellulose</a> decay away, a <a title="Rock (geology)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_%28geology%29">stone</a> mould forms in its place.<br />Elements such as <a title="Manganese" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manganese">manganese</a>, <a title="Iron" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron">iron</a> and <a title="Copper" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper">copper</a> in the water / mud during the petrification process give petrified wood a variety of colour ranges. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Petrified wood can preserve the original structure of the wood, including <a title="Tree ring" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_ring">tree rings</a> and the tissue structures, in all its fine detail, down to the microsopic level. Petrified wood is very hard with a<a title="Mohs hardness" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_hardness"> hardness</a> of 7 on the Mohs Scale - the same as quartz. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd0u9dFbKxt64_Z59enG40psmRsn_zjO8pF9WHHkvsob-ShV9-2E-HJ81KszXvK9qB9FtsuJhrkcG5-jSWoXaDQP0PdmSBlxTR-UPhgYoy9mSrLP7e75RqJdeuv6z4eDbL6R68mVCQiU/s1600-h/Fossil+Park.Close+up+of+Petrified+Wood.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163150988631548994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd0u9dFbKxt64_Z59enG40psmRsn_zjO8pF9WHHkvsob-ShV9-2E-HJ81KszXvK9qB9FtsuJhrkcG5-jSWoXaDQP0PdmSBlxTR-UPhgYoy9mSrLP7e75RqJdeuv6z4eDbL6R68mVCQiU/s200/Fossil+Park.Close+up+of+Petrified+Wood.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona, U.S.)</strong></span> </div><div></div><div><br />The Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona U.S. <a title="United States" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States">has</a> one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of <a title="Petrified wood" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrified_wood">petrified wood</a> in the world - mostly of the <a title="Araucarioxylon arizonicum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araucarioxylon_arizonicum">Araucarioxylon arizonicum</a> species.</div><div></div><div></div><div><br />On <a title="December 8" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_8">December 8</a>, <a title="1906" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1906">1906</a>, the Petrified Forest area was designated a National Monument.</div><div>The Painted Desert was added later. </div><div>On <a title="December 9" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_9">December 9</a>, <a title="1962" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962">1962</a>, the entire area covering 218,533 acres (885 sq. kms) was declared a <a title="List of areas in the United States National Park System" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_areas_in_the_United_States_National_Park_System">national park</a>. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>But you don’t have to travel all the way to U.S. to see petrified trees. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmAyv0TfCgZmaSs2bjHoqPyxrfGxI5Cx4q8xhwVmX0gpgvRm4kKAJDY6UQU6V563IIKJsIYXKyOtwQAH391VoM9FcBHlVxZUNGfzw-gua4ulxoPWLPxQ81JejQNLgselogkPxvT8QCfw/s1600-h/Fossil+Park.A+Fossilised+Tree+Trunk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163148982881821698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmAyv0TfCgZmaSs2bjHoqPyxrfGxI5Cx4q8xhwVmX0gpgvRm4kKAJDY6UQU6V563IIKJsIYXKyOtwQAH391VoM9FcBHlVxZUNGfzw-gua4ulxoPWLPxQ81JejQNLgselogkPxvT8QCfw/s200/Fossil+Park.A+Fossilised+Tree+Trunk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>India’s first National Fossil Wood Park (Tiruvakkarai)</strong> </span></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#006600;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#006600;"></span> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Because what is not known is that there are Fossil Wood Parks in India, too.</div><div>These parks are maintained by the Geological Survey of India.</div><div>Their web site gives very cryptic mention. </div><div>Surely, the site could provide more elaborate and detailed information! </div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />Over a decade ago, I was posted in Chennai (Madras).</div><div>I read somewhere about some fossilised trees near Pondicherry.</div><div>I wanted to see the trees.</div><div>I phoned up my officers in Pondicherry. </div><div>They had no idea.</div><div>I told them to contact the local Geological Department and the Archaelogical Department and find out.</div><div>(I was not sure which department would know).</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>And so one day, I landed up in National Fossil Wood Park, Tiruvakkarai.<br />The signboard, in Tamil, read ‘National Fossil Wood Park, Tiruvakkarai, Villupuram District, Tamilnadu’. </div><div>(Thank God. An English sign board has since been added.) </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVIqqFYQBLy2KUFMrIJjya5x__UXNLk9wFbSJzN4RmbKCZMmp6rDb6iQpBj73S5v5TmYpxqZw7jVQb_4HwPmchWLbVxgEq-fwKEoH7k1US276xbptI75ot9004i4ePyOxf8YnpnXWVKc/s1600-h/Fossil+Park.A+piece+of+Fossilised+Wood+in+Ooty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163149287824499730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVIqqFYQBLy2KUFMrIJjya5x__UXNLk9wFbSJzN4RmbKCZMmp6rDb6iQpBj73S5v5TmYpxqZw7jVQb_4HwPmchWLbVxgEq-fwKEoH7k1US276xbptI75ot9004i4ePyOxf8YnpnXWVKc/s200/Fossil+Park.A+piece+of+Fossilised+Wood+in+Ooty.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><br />There was a barbed wire fence with a gate on which hung a small padlock.</div><div>We could have easily jumped over the small fence. </div><div>But that would have been most ungraceful, and un-officer like.</div><div></div><div></div><div>So we sent someone to the neighbouring village to find out and bring the watchman and waited.</div><div>Finally, he came, opened the gate and we entered into 20 million years of history. </div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />The 20 million year old wood fossils, scattered over 247 acres, are fenced within nine separate enclaves. </div><div>Only a small portion is open to the public.</div><div>There are 200 fossil trees of various shapes ranging between 3 and 15 metres in length and up to 5 metres in girth. </div><div>They lie strewn and half-buried in the soil.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>The fossilized tree trunks are brown and look very much like wood, but are as hard as rock. Scientists speculate that the trees did not originally grow at that site, but were transported there before they were petrified. </div><div>Sonneret, a European naturalist, first gave detailed account of the fossils in 1781. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Seeing around</span></strong> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />You can visit the Tiruvakkarai village which is situated in picturesque surroundings on the northern bank of a small river called Sankaraabarni. </div><div>The river is safe for visitors because there is not much water in it, but mainly sand. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Chandrasekharar Temple</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>You can visit the ancient Chandrasekharar Temple at <a href="http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Tamil-Nadu/Tiruvakkarai-45420.htm">Tiruvakkarai</a>. </div><div>This vast temple covers an area of 3 acres. </div><div>It has a seven-tiered 85 feett high <a href="http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Tamil-Nadu/Shikhara-43804.htm">Rajagopuram</a> and two prakarams and also houses a large <a href="http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Tamil-Nadu/Nandi-29909.htm">Nandi</a>. </div><div></div><div>This temple was famous even during the period of Aditya <a href="http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Tamil-Nadu/Chola-Dynasty-22728.htm">Chola</a> I in 10th century. </div><div>It was renovated by the queen Sembian Mahadevi. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>There is a Kali shrine dating back to the Pallava period. </div><div>The chariot shaped 100 pillared hall and the outer gopuram was built in the days of Kulottunga Chola III. </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Getting there</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />The National Fossil Wood Park is located 1 km east of Tiruvakkarai village on the road between Tindivanam and Pondicherry.<br />It is 155 kms S.S.W. of Chennai via Tindivanam and a mere 20 kms from Pondicherry. </div><div>The road is good. </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Accommodation</span></strong> </div><div></div><div><br />The nearest good accommodation is in Pondicherry.</div><div>You can also find some simple accommodation at Tindivanam. </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>If you travel to Chennai or Pondicherry, visit India’s unknown First National Fossil Wood Park.</div><div>Discover the wonders of nature.<br />This is as close to Jurassic Park as you will ever get.</div><div></div></div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-17095155682323984362008-02-03T11:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:27.439-08:00Yamunotri<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbBYO_kaJk1vPLomR0DIbixCwr2_vvCRhvsjLXKAa0xs4q_cB2mkGBhPcXo3uhmbSBir508XYqvBYRh-vak6y7rNuohQAG27qCu-OGFtXvEkK1zsQFMkUpGAhKyM23KM1PWcESpKn_fc/s1600-h/Char+Dham.Map.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162646269844726674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbBYO_kaJk1vPLomR0DIbixCwr2_vvCRhvsjLXKAa0xs4q_cB2mkGBhPcXo3uhmbSBir508XYqvBYRh-vak6y7rNuohQAG27qCu-OGFtXvEkK1zsQFMkUpGAhKyM23KM1PWcESpKn_fc/s200/Char+Dham.Map.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">The First of the Char Dhams</span></strong><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Visiting Char Dham or the ‘four holy pilgrimages’ - Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri is every devout Hindu’s dream.</strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqSOxSyn0FXofoubmzdVfOoO3SLIETvFbrlzqrj8rVaU3pfjGuegPCf-EX2mJB9ZzBH08McUGupvQJp8V3e_VSdmwLQ2aE1QJwC9LN2aru2nucqPq_bPDuFymv_bm7aouMXO1SoQLcEg/s1600-h/Yamunotri.Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162647601284588514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqSOxSyn0FXofoubmzdVfOoO3SLIETvFbrlzqrj8rVaU3pfjGuegPCf-EX2mJB9ZzBH08McUGupvQJp8V3e_VSdmwLQ2aE1QJwC9LN2aru2nucqPq_bPDuFymv_bm7aouMXO1SoQLcEg/s200/Yamunotri.Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><br />When I was very small, my grandmother went on a pilgrimage to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath.</div><div>The journey was really tedious, involving walking long distances. </div><div>The roads, where they existed, were very bad.</div><div>There were no proper hotels or eateries on the way. </div><div>I don’t remember the exact duration, but it took her almost three months.<br /><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>The Original Char Dhams (Four Holy Pilgrimages)</strong></span> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />Char Dham originally refered to the four holy places, or dhams, established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.</div><div>These places are located in four far-flung corners of India.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Badrinath nestles amidst the Himalayas in the North.</div><div>Rameshwaram overlooks the Bay of Bengal in the extreme South.</div><div>Jagannath Puri is again located on the Bay of Bengal in the East.</div><div>Dwarka floats on the Arabian Sea in the West.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>A visit to the Char Dhams used to be a lifelong ambition of every devout Hindu.</div><div>It was my mother’s wish, and my readiness to fulfill her wishes, that I visited Adi Shankaracharya’s Char Dhams. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Chota Char Dhams</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />Somewhere down the line, Badrinath became the centre of what came to be known as Chota Char Dham - the lesser four dhams.</div><div>The original Char Dhams established by Adi Shankaracharya are too far flung.</div><div>So the Chota Char Dhams in Uttarakhand in the Himalayas - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath - became increasingly popular.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The 1962 Indo China war forced India to improve the border roads. </div><div>More and more tourists and pilgrims started travelling to these places.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Around that time, the word Chota dropped out somewhere, and the Chota Char Dham became Char Dham.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Today Char Dham is used for Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdsSCV2HUCqli6ClaiWmpr2RySsgLvGxWi-GJBLH8XoN5UaGz57tr8tFm20g5qwONLqG0lilFPDzqm-FuxS8_yMxyHqOl_CQGShf_SDUyonNsp6at4cCNhc0s0EVDOvvrYFRrqXOnZpk/s1600-h/Yamunotri.Land+of+Ice+and+Snow.jpg"></a> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdsSCV2HUCqli6ClaiWmpr2RySsgLvGxWi-GJBLH8XoN5UaGz57tr8tFm20g5qwONLqG0lilFPDzqm-FuxS8_yMxyHqOl_CQGShf_SDUyonNsp6at4cCNhc0s0EVDOvvrYFRrqXOnZpk/s1600-h/Yamunotri.Land+of+Ice+and+Snow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162647150313022402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdsSCV2HUCqli6ClaiWmpr2RySsgLvGxWi-GJBLH8XoN5UaGz57tr8tFm20g5qwONLqG0lilFPDzqm-FuxS8_yMxyHqOl_CQGShf_SDUyonNsp6at4cCNhc0s0EVDOvvrYFRrqXOnZpk/s200/Yamunotri.Land+of+Ice+and+Snow.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Going there</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />There are two routes to visit the Char Dham - one is via Mussourie and the other via Haridwar and Rishikesh.<br />The latter route is far more picturesque.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The Ganges river enters the plains at Haridwar.</div><div>And Rishikesh is the undisputed gate way to the Abode of Gods.</div><div>Haridwar and Rishikesh are favourite pilgrimage and tourist places, on their own right. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Get hold of a map of India or use the one on this blog.</div><div>Open your right palm wide and place it on the map (palm down). </div><div>Put your right thumb on Rishikesh . </div><div>The four fingers will point at <a name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a name="OLE_LINK1">Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. </a></div><div>You can see their exact locations and the routes in the map. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7u2AK4jzxfDxvALnMTzaTPSiCs9_LQsG221XQFTEzkXKXYBBFlJO-wdh6nHl7fIbikYHEamp6YuOLL8Fs0DLpu5R0r4ey9mujHwHD6tI3cQY12pFHrLBKeLzI1e1bui8s_8NrthWE3M/s1600-h/Yamunotri.Frozen+water+on+the+Way.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162646703636423586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7u2AK4jzxfDxvALnMTzaTPSiCs9_LQsG221XQFTEzkXKXYBBFlJO-wdh6nHl7fIbikYHEamp6YuOLL8Fs0DLpu5R0r4ey9mujHwHD6tI3cQY12pFHrLBKeLzI1e1bui8s_8NrthWE3M/s200/Yamunotri.Frozen+water+on+the+Way.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Yamunotri </strong></span></div><div></div><div><br /> </div><div>The first of the Char Dham is Yamunotri. </div><div>Incidentally, it is also highest of the four.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1cOmnXo8OB6_Hr7EWSTw4rjR8tAfzn5-8fXATABZWjvbL4axTac9whJtvEowJPxfCQ26yJujLLug5yRJTVOPQfHGzMACzaXnL_RY7jZzgJyVC9R_EM3niDDdW3f9MiGAS-5-0JGd-No/s1600-h/Yamunotri.Ice+on+the+Way.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1cOmnXo8OB6_Hr7EWSTw4rjR8tAfzn5-8fXATABZWjvbL4axTac9whJtvEowJPxfCQ26yJujLLug5yRJTVOPQfHGzMACzaXnL_RY7jZzgJyVC9R_EM3niDDdW3f9MiGAS-5-0JGd-No/s1600-h/Yamunotri.Ice+on+the+Way.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span></a> </div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Yamunotri is the source of the river Yamuna which originates from a frozen lake of ice and the Champasar Glacier 1 km above the temple at an altitude of 4,321 metres. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1cOmnXo8OB6_Hr7EWSTw4rjR8tAfzn5-8fXATABZWjvbL4axTac9whJtvEowJPxfCQ26yJujLLug5yRJTVOPQfHGzMACzaXnL_RY7jZzgJyVC9R_EM3niDDdW3f9MiGAS-5-0JGd-No/s1600-h/Yamunotri.Ice+on+the+Way.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162646961334461362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1cOmnXo8OB6_Hr7EWSTw4rjR8tAfzn5-8fXATABZWjvbL4axTac9whJtvEowJPxfCQ26yJujLLug5yRJTVOPQfHGzMACzaXnL_RY7jZzgJyVC9R_EM3niDDdW3f9MiGAS-5-0JGd-No/s200/Yamunotri.Ice+on+the+Way.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a></div></div><div>Champasar Glacier is located on the Kalind Mountain at a height of 4421 metres above sea level. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Access to Champasar Glacier is extremely difficult and normal pilgrims cannot reach it.</div><div> </div><div>This is the reason, Yamunotri temple was built at the present location. </div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2E1Ew84mFj1vagRrUkRZm8Scyo4PQh7nV4kdwsgcGK41wOZHHeYflgDpy2dmpE1OOxovdzy_vh7Mw_lvZxQitT-s0f9wk7VcswfTFmXFzT5Kiwu475ms43bRwJabuUR2cE2YQKsCzdk/s1600-h/Yamunotri.On+the+Way.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162647386536223698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2E1Ew84mFj1vagRrUkRZm8Scyo4PQh7nV4kdwsgcGK41wOZHHeYflgDpy2dmpE1OOxovdzy_vh7Mw_lvZxQitT-s0f9wk7VcswfTFmXFzT5Kiwu475ms43bRwJabuUR2cE2YQKsCzdk/s200/Yamunotri.On+the+Way.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Yamunotri is about a day’s journey from <a title="Rishikesh" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishikesh">Rishikesh</a>, <a title="Haridwar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haridwar">Haridwar</a> or <a title="Dehradun" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehradun">Dehradun</a>.</div><div>The temple is accessible only by a six kilometres walk from Hanuman Chatti and a four kilometres walk from Janki Chatti.</div><div>Of course, you can hire ponies and <a title="Palanquin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palanquin">palanquins</a>. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The trek from Hanuman Chetty to Yamunotri is exceedingly picturesque with beautiful views of the snow covered mountains, deep valleys and a number of water falls. </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Temple</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The temple of Goddess Yamuna is perched on top of a flank of the Bandar Poonchh peak (3,165 metres above sea level). </div><div>The original temple was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century, but it was destroyed by the weather and natural elements.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The present temple on the left bank of the Yamuna was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. </div><div>The deity is made of black marble. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places to see</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple of Goddess Yamuna. </div><div></div><div><br />Close by the temple are hot water springs (kunds) gushing out from mountain cavities. </div><div>The most important spring is Suryakund.</div><div>Devotees boil rice and potatoes by tying them in a piece of muslin cloth and dipping them in these hot water springs. </div><div>The cooked rice and potatoes are eaten as ‘prasad’. </div><div></div><div><br />Near the Suryakund there is a shila (stone) called Divya Shila, which is worshipped before puja is offered to the deity. </div><div></div><div><br />There are a number of thermal springs at Jankichatti (7 kms away). </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><a name="External_links"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Adi Shankaracharya’s original Char Dhams are all Vaishnava shrines.</div><div>The Himalayan Char Dhams are a mix of three sects - <a title="Vaishnava" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnava">Vaishnava</a> at Badrinath; <a title="Shaiva" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaiva">Shaiva</a> at <a title="Kedarnath" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kedarnath">Kedarnath</a>; and <a title="Devi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devi">Devi</a> at <a title="Yamunotri" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamunotri">Yamunotri</a> and <a title="Gangotri" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangotri">Gangotri</a>. </div><div></div><div><br />Today, the Char Dham are extremely popular religious and tourist places with all modern amenities.</div><div>All the four Dhams become inaccessible during the winter. </div><div>Therefore, they are closed down from <a title="Diwali" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali">Diwali</a> (sometime in November) to15 April. </div><div></div><div><br />The mountain roads become wet and treacherous during the rainy season.</div><div>But the mist and dense swirling clouds only add to the mystic charm. </div><div></div><div><br />Spend your next vacation in these places. </div><div>You will definitely thank me.</div><div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-55624427021708765962008-02-01T18:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:28.582-08:00Gangotri<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmGON-iii62uByMw0LxM68tS_rSCScW5B__Y71lWLT_iNJPphQhN55L-tFr6w7bfECxrIXnc9v87hz6_8CP-wKpCnLSovk18Pb4Rufz2LZaSce3v81c0xvxUK20RFphqvZRoB75e0bxM/s1600-h/Gangotri.Ganges+River.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161995663903761186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmGON-iii62uByMw0LxM68tS_rSCScW5B__Y71lWLT_iNJPphQhN55L-tFr6w7bfECxrIXnc9v87hz6_8CP-wKpCnLSovk18Pb4Rufz2LZaSce3v81c0xvxUK20RFphqvZRoB75e0bxM/s200/Gangotri.Ganges+River.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>The Birth Place of Ganga</strong></span> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Visiting Char Dham or the ‘four holy pilgrimages’ - Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri is every devout Hindu’s dream. </strong></span></div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_Zzmz2aW52XZ_FgB9jVVBLnJ5aO6TYfq0xG0dRC2w18Xuf1_IZIIJzO8SyjlxVeQvbPyZJPHtM2s6dcJsaBiBrnUHfCzes63AhhHCmlWS0ZYo6yOUsKr90s8WUkgMU6CqO2faWZZINY/s1600-h/Gangotri.Beautiful+Mountains+and+Rivers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161995874357158706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_Zzmz2aW52XZ_FgB9jVVBLnJ5aO6TYfq0xG0dRC2w18Xuf1_IZIIJzO8SyjlxVeQvbPyZJPHtM2s6dcJsaBiBrnUHfCzes63AhhHCmlWS0ZYo6yOUsKr90s8WUkgMU6CqO2faWZZINY/s200/Gangotri.Beautiful+Mountains+and+Rivers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>I stood on the bank of the river Bhagirathi bubbling and gurgling on its 1,500 miles long journey to the oceans.</div><div>All around were snow clad mountains. </div><div>I took off my clothes to take a dip in the holy river.</div><div>I am used to taking chilled shower after a steam or sauna in my gym.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtexa56_0A2_oW7RDWUv22DrYNwn5FQk0rLIIJk9-zaTojFBGS_HDTWK_SOlgFHv7CdAAvegAngmU1T4TnnAQAFeKQj5PO7Zcc3zbqjSHL1Vd-RMsoZs8IG9ceqXopcX4w6FIAN97Mw0/s1600-h/Gangotri.On+the+banks+of+the+Bhagirathi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161996351098528578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtexa56_0A2_oW7RDWUv22DrYNwn5FQk0rLIIJk9-zaTojFBGS_HDTWK_SOlgFHv7CdAAvegAngmU1T4TnnAQAFeKQj5PO7Zcc3zbqjSHL1Vd-RMsoZs8IG9ceqXopcX4w6FIAN97Mw0/s200/Gangotri.On+the+banks+of+the+Bhagirathi.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div> </div><div>When I entered the river, I shivered. </div><div>The water was far more chilly than I was accustomed to.</div><div>I shivered very badly.</div><div>But after a few minutes, my body adjusted to the coldness and I felt quite comfortable.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>At that time, a strange thought crossed my mind.</div><div>Many of my foreign friends find it surprising that Indians worship the Ganga (or Ganges river).</div><div>Think from an Indian’s point of view.</div><div>The river waters the Gangetic plain - an area of 359,400 sq. km., roughly 10 per cent of India’s total landmass - providing the people water for drinking, cooking, washing and agriculture. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Every year, the rains wash down a lot of minerals from the mountains into the river which increases fertility and prosperity of the land.</div><div>During the ancient days, when there were few roads and far more dense forests, road journey was hazardous.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvUQRCMlHkvIl8fJ6GueO9zxkB1qI84rfWUXQVNMpT-RzFDCCPZYWfpL-QbEa9tJNDofsIcpiaqGGAH4P0kyGPRHNmO8CPoylgTqP0z_Y92GpoDB-PxhQ5rFmGtfo0wZJI2aH_IS4gvA/s1600-h/Gangotri.Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161997141372511074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvUQRCMlHkvIl8fJ6GueO9zxkB1qI84rfWUXQVNMpT-RzFDCCPZYWfpL-QbEa9tJNDofsIcpiaqGGAH4P0kyGPRHNmO8CPoylgTqP0z_Y92GpoDB-PxhQ5rFmGtfo0wZJI2aH_IS4gvA/s200/Gangotri.Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div>The river provided a safe means of transport - free from wild animals and other perils.</div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvUQRCMlHkvIl8fJ6GueO9zxkB1qI84rfWUXQVNMpT-RzFDCCPZYWfpL-QbEa9tJNDofsIcpiaqGGAH4P0kyGPRHNmO8CPoylgTqP0z_Y92GpoDB-PxhQ5rFmGtfo0wZJI2aH_IS4gvA/s1600-h/Gangotri.Temple.jpg"></a> </div><div></div><div>In the evening, I attended the temple prayers and aarti. </div><div>I had a strange feeling.</div><div>I felt the high mountains were looking down upon me - smiling and blessing me.</div><div></div><div></div><div>May be, all this was my imagination.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>But many visitors have a similar feeling.</div><div>This is what makes the journey to such places so fascinating. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Gomukh</span></strong> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />The Ganges River originates amongst the melting snows of a glacier - called Gomukh or Gangotri glacier - in the Himalayas. It is difficult to identify and pin point any particular spot. </div><div></div><div>But the river’s origin is taken as <a title="Gaumukh" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaumukh">Gomukh</a> (meaning cow’s mouth) - 18 kms trek from Gangotri.Here, the river comes out of a cave which does look like an open mouth. </div><div></div><div><br />Since the last Ice Age, the glacier has been melting and receding due to global warming. </div><div>But the rate of melting has doubled since the1970s. </div><div></div><div><br />In 1866, the British traveler Samuel Burn travelled up t o Gangotri. </div><div>He wanted to visit Gomukh.</div><div>But the local people did not allow him to go. </div><div></div><div><br />According to Burn, they believed that Gangotri was the holiest place and human interference in Gomukh was non-religious.<br />Today’s foreign tourists are lucky. </div><div>They can travel right up to Gomukh. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-XnlPkI2q5CtFV_tPCo7-e-8iJ0PplW8WGoAbupFStBXzgHORpaHuASCxcpj5CLfZmcFfPobeN4qLfvCGDXrIIVM5kXa-KEKcgvyotUdR7Q0ZYBtFrbv9kabUZQjzbRmOuoJmqtW90Q/s1600-h/Gangotri.On+the+way.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161996737645585234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-XnlPkI2q5CtFV_tPCo7-e-8iJ0PplW8WGoAbupFStBXzgHORpaHuASCxcpj5CLfZmcFfPobeN4qLfvCGDXrIIVM5kXa-KEKcgvyotUdR7Q0ZYBtFrbv9kabUZQjzbRmOuoJmqtW90Q/s200/Gangotri.On+the+way.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Bhagirathi</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div>The river originates as <a title="Bhagirathi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagirathi">Bhagirathi</a>. </div><div>At <a title="Devprayag" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devprayag">Devprayag</a> (prayag means a place where two or more rivers meet), another river, the <a title="Alaknanda" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaknanda">Alaknanda</a>, meets the <a title="Bhagirathi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagirathi">Bhagirathi</a>. </div><div>The two rivers mingle with each other - the name changes to <a title="Ganges" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges">Ganga</a> (or Ganges) and travel onwards. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Gangotri</strong></span> </div><div></div><div><br />Gangotri is a small town nestling amongst the Himalayas at a height of 3,042 metres above sea level.</div><div>The Goddess Ganga is believed to have descended to the earth at this spot. </div><div></div><div><br />The <a title="Ganga in Hinduism" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganga_in_Hinduism">Ganga</a> temple was built on the bank of the Ganga river by a <a title="Gurkha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurkha">Gurkha</a> General <a title="Amar Singh Thapa" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amar_Singh_Thapa">Amar Singh Thapa</a> in the late 18th or early 19th century. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2o4jfa5dGpc1tfu9i7wjEWu7uVojXX7WFWDrrtZLRxc1q02QKGt-1bVR-0LgtPXuCqDeeadIV45duGsRRs-uz-ROrJgloDGL7WhuiZnQIUH1dRiQdy8jn0pdWUESUTBiwUtgWr_e8aE/s1600-h/Gangotri.the+beautiful+scenery.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161997386185646962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2o4jfa5dGpc1tfu9i7wjEWu7uVojXX7WFWDrrtZLRxc1q02QKGt-1bVR-0LgtPXuCqDeeadIV45duGsRRs-uz-ROrJgloDGL7WhuiZnQIUH1dRiQdy8jn0pdWUESUTBiwUtgWr_e8aE/s200/Gangotri.the+beautiful+scenery.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>During the winter months, the place becomes inaccessible.</div><div>The temple is closed down on <a title="Diwali" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali">Diwali</a> day (November) every year and reopens in May. </div><div>During this time, the idol of Goddess Ganga is shifted to Mukhba village, near Harsil. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mythology</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>How Ganga came down to earth</strong></span> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>According to legend, after slaying the demons on earth, King Sagar decided to perform the Ashwa Megh Yagya to proclam his supremacy to the world. </div><div>A horse would be taken around the earth accompanied by the King’s 60,000 sons from Queen Sumati and one son Asmanjas from the second queen Kesani. </div><div></div><div><br />Indra, the supreme ruler of the gods, was afraid that if the Yagya was successful, he might lose his throne. </div><div>So he wanted to interfere with the Yagya.</div><div>He stole the horse and tied it to the ashram of sage <a title="Kapil" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapil">Kapil</a> Muni, who was then in deep meditation. </div><div></div><div></div><div>When King Sagar’s sons could not find the horse, they searched everywhere.</div><div>Finally, they found it tied near the meditating <a title="Kapil" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapil">Kapil</a> Muni. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The sixty thousand and one angry sons of King <a title="Sagar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagar">Sagar</a> stormed the ashram of Kapil Muni disrupting his meditation as Indra had planned.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Kapil Muni was very angry. </div><div>He opened his eyes and turned all the sons into ashes.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The only way to bring them back to life was to bring down Goddess Ganga from the Heavens and wash the ashes with the holy water.</div><div>Bhagirath, grand son of King Sagar, meditated for a long time to persuade Ganga to come down to the earth.</div><div>But the coming down of Ganga would have been too torrential and would have caused colossal damage.</div><div>Finally, Lord Shiva agreed to receive Ganga in his large tresses to break her fall.<br />Ganga descended down to the earth, washed the ashes and all the sons came back to life. </div><div><br /><br />The Bhagirathi ‘Shila’ located near the temple of Ganga marks the spot where Ganga descended on earth from heaven. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Recommendation</span></strong> </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br />Gangotri, the source of the river <a title="Ganges River" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_River">Ganges</a> and seat of the Goddess <a title="Ganga in Hinduism" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganga_in_Hinduism">Ganga</a>, is one of the four <a title="Char Dham" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_Dham">Char Dham</a>s (Four Dhams). </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmVbI5mwQqhcGD2ov3Dg7QQxq5D-8a9nZEFXMrPyGkBt_hlR0i8EflSleaBwvDLi84TfF-vh5ZBp03jbAFeCntArEOrE9l7kybuq6h2rDSAOFvkV-ivhcnlQFcrbQyFCQMSzbpinrIFE/s1600-h/Gangotri.The+Majestic+Himalayas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161997575164208002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmVbI5mwQqhcGD2ov3Dg7QQxq5D-8a9nZEFXMrPyGkBt_hlR0i8EflSleaBwvDLi84TfF-vh5ZBp03jbAFeCntArEOrE9l7kybuq6h2rDSAOFvkV-ivhcnlQFcrbQyFCQMSzbpinrIFE/s200/Gangotri.The+Majestic+Himalayas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Whether or not you believe in religion or mythology, the Four Dhams are exquisite places.</div><div>Visit them for their beauty.</div><div>At least for some time, you will forget all your worries and be one with nature. </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><a name="Mythological_relation"></a><a name="Submerged_Shivling"></a><div></div><div>Gangotri can be reached in a day by road from <a title="Rishikesh" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishikesh">Rishikesh</a>, <a title="Haridwar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haridwar">Haridwar</a> or <a title="Dehradun" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehradun">Dehradun</a>.</div><div>The journey is enchanting.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>There are several good places where you can stay. </div><div></div><div><br />Grateful thanks: The photo ‘Beautiful Mountains and Rivers’ has been taken by Amir Jacobi.</div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-54906304404017778022008-01-30T21:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:30.280-08:00Shaligram<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4w9g27Ta94AA1wfp9aPYvwhtmxRj9_VF1xuza51WG3U0DElfQEZ9m5blDoyChjKX2HMb9k4Xed1IGFrL2e-ttb8A57WQhWnZs76-OMzg20gbuezBozbETpEeSaUjyJxpVHYck6IqTZk/s1600-h/Shaligram.the+so+called+Vishnu%27s+Chakra.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161290425978790674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4w9g27Ta94AA1wfp9aPYvwhtmxRj9_VF1xuza51WG3U0DElfQEZ9m5blDoyChjKX2HMb9k4Xed1IGFrL2e-ttb8A57WQhWnZs76-OMzg20gbuezBozbETpEeSaUjyJxpVHYck6IqTZk/s200/Shaligram.the+so+called+Vishnu%27s+Chakra.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>The permanent residence of Lord Vishnu</strong></span> </div><div></div><div><br /><br />In every big city of India, you will come across advertisements of exhibition cum sale of pearls and other semi precious stones.</div><div>In these exhibitions, you will also see rudrakshas, shaligrams and similar objects.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>In 1988, almost two decades ago, I visited an exhibition cum sale of pearls in Chennai.</div><div>The exhibitor showed me his ware.Statuettes made of crystal; fresh water pearl necklaces; rudrakshas; shaligrams; tulsi malas, etc.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl5sg35VmRZJZNQtiHF9RKTqdEALtnLhMYpktDdwdQW1ecDqUWYHOU68FnwZ8w_p4qaK4S2PWAndvkGmTIR32YQ1nOMMUJtABvysMRR8FZSOpSFwsyJ_45i8TAZTQQkVdvjiV6zZ_LiQ/s1600-h/Shaligram.Crystal+Statuette.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161289420956443362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl5sg35VmRZJZNQtiHF9RKTqdEALtnLhMYpktDdwdQW1ecDqUWYHOU68FnwZ8w_p4qaK4S2PWAndvkGmTIR32YQ1nOMMUJtABvysMRR8FZSOpSFwsyJ_45i8TAZTQQkVdvjiV6zZ_LiQ/s200/Shaligram.Crystal+Statuette.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>He showed me one shaligram which he said was worth at least 2.5 million Indian Rupees (65,000 U.S. $). </div><div>He said he would not sell it at any price because it would bring him good luck and much more furtune.</div><div>He later sent me three shaligrams. </div><div> </div><div><br />At time, I wrote a small article “The sacred Shaligram” in the Hindu. </div><div>I got numerous letters. </div><div>Some accused me of not knowing anything about shaligrams. </div><div>Some wanted me to recommend a good dealer.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWjCTMdNpXjWRc1asaNlNW1vfWFbyjoHo7QJf5gQEnGT0cOvcyLgiUL25PpKl1Px3BDidwlxhsQp53HC54ouQCqK5c4QP-1OYtkn_VVANZVpZUIqq30itIYv2SulPlCYoWMhN_Sip478/s1600-h/Shaligram.Rudrakhsa.jpg"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161289648589710066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWjCTMdNpXjWRc1asaNlNW1vfWFbyjoHo7QJf5gQEnGT0cOvcyLgiUL25PpKl1Px3BDidwlxhsQp53HC54ouQCqK5c4QP-1OYtkn_VVANZVpZUIqq30itIYv2SulPlCYoWMhN_Sip478/s200/Shaligram.Rudrakhsa.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></a></div></div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWjCTMdNpXjWRc1asaNlNW1vfWFbyjoHo7QJf5gQEnGT0cOvcyLgiUL25PpKl1Px3BDidwlxhsQp53HC54ouQCqK5c4QP-1OYtkn_VVANZVpZUIqq30itIYv2SulPlCYoWMhN_Sip478/s1600-h/Shaligram.Rudrakhsa.jpg"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></a> </div></div><div></div><div></div><div>My boss read my article and summoned me. </div><div>He asked me whether it was true that I was going to accept gift of shaligrams. </div><div>I told him I love small gifts and would gladly accept them.</div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWjCTMdNpXjWRc1asaNlNW1vfWFbyjoHo7QJf5gQEnGT0cOvcyLgiUL25PpKl1Px3BDidwlxhsQp53HC54ouQCqK5c4QP-1OYtkn_VVANZVpZUIqq30itIYv2SulPlCYoWMhN_Sip478/s1600-h/Shaligram.Rudrakhsa.jpg"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></a> </div><div>He became very serious. </div><div>He said don’t take them unless you can observe the daily rituals strictly. </div><div>Otherwise, you would have bad luck.</div><div>Although this trait sometimes does create problems, by nature I am very obstinate.</div><div>Finally, he made me promise that if I suffered any mishap within a week of getting the shaligrams , I would send them to some nearby temple.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The shaligrams did not affect me in any way. </div><div>And they remain with me to this day.</div><div>Lord Vishnu has taken good care of himself. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">What are Shaligrams</span></strong> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mythology <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwFy15kjF301hy2Q5dax2Rwmuf5qTMUBJAmP2cXnHIc9fGcCMb640t4beRqxYiLpooSA2aKpMGfEaN4lbe_Gr8mdXCbnk-d0MCn707JnP8wrpZ1KPm29HMd9UQYClFl5uXpfr5PCAESg/s1600-h/Shaligram.Tulsi+Mala.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161289957827355394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwFy15kjF301hy2Q5dax2Rwmuf5qTMUBJAmP2cXnHIc9fGcCMb640t4beRqxYiLpooSA2aKpMGfEaN4lbe_Gr8mdXCbnk-d0MCn707JnP8wrpZ1KPm29HMd9UQYClFl5uXpfr5PCAESg/s200/Shaligram.Tulsi+Mala.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></strong></div><div> </div><div><br />According to Hindu religion, God does not reside in any statue.</div><div>When we start pooja (worship) of any God (or Goddess), we first have to request that God to enter his statue and remain present for the duration of the pooja. </div><div>This is called ‘awahan’ (summon). </div><div>After the pooja is over, we have to do ‘visarjan’ (farewell) - request God to go back to wherever he came from.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>But shaligram is a special stone in which Lord Vishnu is ever present.</div><div>So we have to take extreme care.</div><div>Bathe him. </div><div>Feed him at regular hours. And perform all the rituals strictly, otherwise…… he may become angry.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Why Vishnu remains in the shaligram?<br />According to one legend, Vishnu had two wives - Laxmi and Sarswati.</div><div>Ladies will always be ladies!</div><div>Once the two wives had a big fight. </div><div>In a fit of rage, Laxmi cast a curse on Sarswati. </div><div>She would have to go down to the earth and live there forever.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Sarswati cried and cried.</div><div>When Vishnu came, he told Sarswati not to cry. </div><div>He would tay with her on earth.</div><div></div><div></div><div>So Sarswati came down to the earth in the form of Tulsi (Holy Basil) plant and Vishnu came down in the form of shaligram.</div><div>Tulsi and shaligram are therefore worshipped together.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>According to another legend, Gandaki, a lady devotee, performed sever penance for a long time. She asked for and got a boon from Vishnu, that he would reside in her womb (in her depths) as her own offspring.<br /></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">What scientists say</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div>According to scientists, shaligrams are fossils of Ammonite - an invertebrate which lived in the Tethys sea which existed between India and the Asian mainland. </div><div>There were about a thousand different varieties of ammonites. </div><div>Some were coiled. </div><div>Other were straight. </div><div></div><div>All are now extinct.</div><div>Their closest surviving ancestor is the pearly nautilus.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>As India moved northwards - some 9000 kilometres in 250 million years - the Himalayas were formed. </div><div>A number of rivers formed and flowed down from the Himalayas into the Indo Gangetic plain. The shaligram was found in plenty in the Gandaki river.</div><div></div><div></div><div>The photograph of the shaligram here is probably a Perispyinctes of the Jurassic period - about 150 million years old. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Conclusion</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Shaligrams are not supposed to be purchased and sold.</div><div>They are prized possessions in many Hindu families and are handed down from generation to generation. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />The main statues in a few ancient temples are made of shaligram.</div><div>What is worshipped is the shaligram stone which has a whorl or chakra.</div><div>The one in my photo has a perfect chakra. </div><div>And you can also clearly see a serpents hood.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>I met the owner again in 2005. </div><div>He invited me to inaugurate his new show room in Chennai. </div><div>He had indeed accumulated wealth. </div><div> </div><div></div><div><br /><a name="Origins_of_worship"></a>The <a title="Jagannath Temple (Puri)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath_Temple_%28Puri%29">Jagannath Temple</a>, dedicated to Vishnu, in Puri (<a title="Orissa" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa">Orissa</a>) has the largest and heaviest shaligram in India.</div><div>The <a title="ISKCON" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISKCON">ISKCON</a> temple in <a title="Scotland" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland">Scotland</a>, called ‘Karuna Bhavan’, has the largest number of shaligrams outside <a title="India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India">India</a>. </div><div><br /> </div><div><br />So far my own shaligrams are concerned, they have given me no reason what so ever to whimper or complain.</div><div>They have indeed kept me happy and content all these years. </div><div> </div><div> </div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-25470857694663143432008-01-29T06:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:31.320-08:00Badrinath<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01W6axOpXn4_x-Ot-o3zEbmjqEGaQpVr9kgkQsNcDW-5IKqtpHY_3GVyeclCC1xHJhOcToPy682lUURDfddQJ13IziaJfyVtUQFduzstDAN5MMQnK4-Ni9GJ-Y8xZMONfVKTJr-9dj68/s1600-h/Badrinath.View+of+the+Himalayas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160698403391742626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01W6axOpXn4_x-Ot-o3zEbmjqEGaQpVr9kgkQsNcDW-5IKqtpHY_3GVyeclCC1xHJhOcToPy682lUURDfddQJ13IziaJfyVtUQFduzstDAN5MMQnK4-Ni9GJ-Y8xZMONfVKTJr-9dj68/s200/Badrinath.View+of+the+Himalayas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">The Most revered Temple of Lord Vishnu</span></strong><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Visiting Char Dham or the ‘four holy pilgrimages’ - Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri is every devout Hindu’s dream.</strong></span></div><br /><div><br />Badrinath also known as ‘Vishal Badri’ is situated on the banks of Alaknanda river - 3,133 metres above sea-level.<br />This temple is the largest and most popular of the five Badri or Vishnu temples in the Himalayas.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWgDercJzpxI-I8TDMAZpNx8HGaNlLpvKC8wdS2DXgZt3FIXf2BA17sCBexOQHEhVhqfBo3aJPbTP5QqJTI7WAOOSGQqR4pMIymys9OXQxcHpWUrLk0IIAzMwoUZCg_qdGPWE5wcwxSA/s1600-h/Badrinath.Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160699442773828306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWgDercJzpxI-I8TDMAZpNx8HGaNlLpvKC8wdS2DXgZt3FIXf2BA17sCBexOQHEhVhqfBo3aJPbTP5QqJTI7WAOOSGQqR4pMIymys9OXQxcHpWUrLk0IIAzMwoUZCg_qdGPWE5wcwxSA/s200/Badrinath.Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>The first time I visited Badrinath was during the initial phases of my training as a civil servant.<br /></div><div><br />Class I officers are selected on the basis of a written examination followed by an interview. </div><div>The selected officers comprise an odd assortment - from different regions, with diverse educational backgrounds, coming from different strata of society, representing different cultures, etc.</div><div>They are given an orientation training designed to enable them to mix with each other and adjust into the elite bureaucratic set up.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>It seems rather strange that the training never did me any good.</div><div>Till my last days in service, I could never feel myself any different from the ordinary man.</div><div>I was and remained a commoner.</div><div>My office was open to everyone and sundry.</div><div>I never left my office without meeting the last visitor.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>As a part of their training, new entrants to the civil services are sent to different parts of the country. </div><div>To see things - first hand! </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>We were sent to Badrinath and Kedarnath.</div><div>The program included a visit to the Jawans (Indian army) in the Mana pass.</div><div>From Joshimath, military vehicles and escorts took us into the heights of the Mana village and then onwards to the military camp.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The commander there had arranged a mock battle for us.</div><div>Two groups of soldiers fought against each other as they would in real war.</div><div>Machine guns rattled. </div><div>Shells burst and dense smoke billowed. </div><div>There were mock attacks. </div><div>The soldiers shrieked and shouted and even fell down stone dead as if they had been hit by a bullet.</div><div>The soldiers did their best to show off their acting talents. </div><div>And they succeeded. </div><div>The battle looked very realistic.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>I started taking photographs of the mock battle. </div><div>A soldier came up to me, reminded me that we were in a prohibited forward area and asked me to stop.</div><div>The Commander (a lieutenant colonel) who was watching from a distance immediately stepped in, asked what the problem was, and gave the green signal. “Go ahead. Sir”, he said.</div><div></div><div>We tasted the normal lunch which our jawans usually have in the high altitude border areas.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>I have visited Badrinath twice after that. </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mythology</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div>Badrinath is mentioned in the Hindu ancient texts. </div><div>There was an ancient temple here during the ancient times.</div><div>Although the statue is very old, the present temple was built recently.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>The statue of Lord Vishnu in Badrinath temple is made of Shaligram stone.</div><div>It is in the padmasana or sitting pose.</div><div></div><div></div><div>One legend explains why Vishnu’s statue is in the <a title="Padmasana" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasana">padmasana</a> pose, rather than in the usual reclining pose. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>A sage saw Lakshmi (Vishnu’s wife) massaging the feet of Vishnu. </div><div>He rebuked Vishnu.Vishnu came down to Badrinath to perform austerity and meditated for a long time in padmasana pose.</div><div>The area around Badrinath attracts yogis who come here for meditation and seclusion. </div><div> </div><div><br />Another legend says that <a title="Shiva" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva">Shiva</a> and <a title="Parvati" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvati">Parvati</a> were residing in Badrinath. </div><div><a title="Vishnu" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu">Vishnu</a> came disguised as a small child, crying loudly and disturbed them. </div><div><a title="Parvati" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvati">Parvati</a> asked the child why he was crying. </div><div>He replied that he wanted Badrinath for meditation. </div><div><a title="Shiva" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva">Shiva</a> and <a title="Parvati" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvati">Parvati</a> recognised Lord <a title="Narayan" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayan">Narayan</a> in disguise. </div><div>They left Badrinath and moved over to <a title="Kedarnath" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kedarnath">Kedarnath</a>. </div><div> </div><div><br />Adi Shankarachary visited Badrintah in the 8th century. </div><div>He retrieved the statue of Badrinarayan from the Alaknanda River where it had been thrown away centuries ago and installed it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs.</div><div></div><div>The King of Garhwal established the present temple in the sixteenth century.</div><div>The temple was badly damaged by the earthquake of 1803.</div><div>It was then rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur. </div><div> </div><div><br />Some authors claim that the temple was built on a former Buddhist temple site.<br /></div><div> </div><div></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>The Temple </strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCEmhp7jE6tKJKYsAWrLZF8vTCSRew1BOHZqZm_aBi8tG4Ha18RVaikw2N9NY7auUkk_w25Eq5JwTaYJ8XzD2a9T8sWIgyZkfh4wjtID7nGkSeE194XcyK6fMlgZIG32h3W6FSh2nGzI/s1600-h/Badrinath.Temple.A+closer+view.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160698931672720066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCEmhp7jE6tKJKYsAWrLZF8vTCSRew1BOHZqZm_aBi8tG4Ha18RVaikw2N9NY7auUkk_w25Eq5JwTaYJ8XzD2a9T8sWIgyZkfh4wjtID7nGkSeE194XcyK6fMlgZIG32h3W6FSh2nGzI/s200/Badrinath.Temple.A+closer+view.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Badrinath temple is flanked by two mountain ranges known as Nar and Narayan.</div><div>The majestic <a href="http://www.4dham.com/go2/Neelkanth.html">Neelkanth</a> peak provides a befitting backdrop. </div><div><br />This area was once carpeted with wild berries which gave it the name ‘Badri Van’, meaning ‘forest of berries’. </div><div><br />The statue of Lord Vishnu is made of Shaligram and depicts him sitting under a badri tree under a gold canopy. </div><div><br />There are fifteen more statues in the temple including statues of <a title="Nara-Narayana" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara-Narayana">Nara & Narayana</a>, <a title="Narasimha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narasimha">Narasimha</a> (the fourth incarnation of Vishnu), <a title="Lakshmi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi">Lakshmi</a>, <a title="Narada" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narada">Narada</a>, <a title="Ganesha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha">Ganesha</a>, <a title="Uddhava" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uddhava">Uddhava</a>, <a title="Kubera" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubera">Kubera</a>, <a title="Garuda" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garuda">Garuda</a> (the vehicle of Lord Narayan) and <a title="Navadurga" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navadurga">Navadurga</a>. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpEehEt8UoeDvayi_HrGRjops43QaRYTABd963vqV73c8LZy9k1tMuItgMCX9TDVD-9A8LtTTRN14NJY7avHYsAVorFTEjR4Yx5S4ANrvUrjpXjU1FXuG3ctAG9SxVkchN7L0fzMlSec/s1600-h/Badrinath.Taptkund.another.view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160698704039453362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpEehEt8UoeDvayi_HrGRjops43QaRYTABd963vqV73c8LZy9k1tMuItgMCX9TDVD-9A8LtTTRN14NJY7avHYsAVorFTEjR4Yx5S4ANrvUrjpXjU1FXuG3ctAG9SxVkchN7L0fzMlSec/s200/Badrinath.Taptkund.another.view.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div>Facing the temple at the bank of <a href="http://www.4dham.com/go2/Alaknanda.html">Alaknanda</a> river is a hot water spring known as ‘Tapt Kund’. It is supposed to have medicinal properties and curative powers.A bath in this spring is very refreshing. There is a separate tank for women.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Time to Visit</strong></span> </div><div><br />Badrinath is too cold and inaccessible during the winter months. </div><div>The temple is closed in November and the statue is moved to nearby <a title="Jyotirmath" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyotirmath">Jyotirmath</a> .</div><div>The best time to visit Badrinath is between May and October. </div><div><br /><a name="gi"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">General Information</span></strong> </div><div></div><div><br /><a name="acc"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Rail </span></strong></div><div>The nearest station is Rishikesh (293 kms).</div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Road</span></strong></div><div>Badrinath is connected by road to Rishikesh (293 km), Haridwar (313 km), Kotdwara (325 km), Joshimath (42 km) & Valley of flowers (38 km), Kedarnath (242 km) and Delhi(518 km).<br /></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places of interest</span></strong><br /><br />· Mana Village (3 kms) - the last Indian village near the Indo-Tibetan border. Even today, the traditional people here maintain their own way of life.<a name="plb"></a><br />· Bheem Bridge - this is a natural bridge over the river Saraswathi, near Mana Village, made of a huge boulder.<br />· Vasudhara Falls - this is a high waterfall 5 kms after Bheem Bridge.<br />· Satopanth Lake - this beautiful lake full of lotus flowers is 18 km from Mana Village.<br />· Pandukesar (20 kms) - this is a memorial for the Pandavas. There are two ancient temples with intricate carvings.<br />· Govind Ghat - 2 kms before Pandukesar, this is the gateway to the Hem Kund Lake and the fabulous Valley of the Flowers. The Hem Kund is 20 kms by foot from here. The Valley of the Flowers is a 17 kms walk.<br />· Hanuman Chatti - 13 kms before Badrinath - this is a temple. Nearby is a nursery of rare birch trees.<br />· Kheerau Valley - when you cross the bridge on the Alaknanda River on the way from Hanuman Chatti to Benakuli, you see this extremely beautiful valley. 4 kms from here is the Kheerau village.<br />· Joshimath (42 kms) - Adi Shankaracharya visited this place in the 18th century and founded the Mutt called Jyotir math or Joshimath. </div><div><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">My recommendation</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEwifgkdWvehHjBmqrmTnUTzF-FJ5z93vVtQ7_YQiPbUNlEKpnOzDecHo5hpF5XG5gxUyjlSYTwUbNYldbYOR7h60noqlu7u2kdfV3G4pWXM9QZK3XZswcHKu5NblYcqc-UUpPVWhMaU/s1600-h/Badrinath.Mountains+of.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160698145693704850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEwifgkdWvehHjBmqrmTnUTzF-FJ5z93vVtQ7_YQiPbUNlEKpnOzDecHo5hpF5XG5gxUyjlSYTwUbNYldbYOR7h60noqlu7u2kdfV3G4pWXM9QZK3XZswcHKu5NblYcqc-UUpPVWhMaU/s200/Badrinath.Mountains+of.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />The statue is considered to be one of eight swayam vyakta keshtras, or self-manifested statue of Vishnu. </div><div><br />A peculiar feature of this temple is that in accordance with the practice started by <a title="Adi Shankara" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara">Adi Shankara</a>charya, the Rawal, or head priest of this temple, is a <a title="Nambudiri" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nambudiri">Nambudiri</a> Brahmin from <a title="Kerala" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala">Kerala</a> (south India). </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Visit the place. </div><div>The journey is most enjoyable.</div><div>You will forget the hustles and bustles of city life and get immersed in a world of peace and tranquility.</div><div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-26976663891379697312008-01-27T22:30:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:32.175-08:00Kedarnath Temple<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48v8ovfGYMuBMIVa3kTBbbbrTalT7unQcCaeyx0YVdNIWFS-JYjKw1pNRY5CziUZyct92yDBTYb0L53zwTYCPhknAcZiM_SWAzEDeNG7ckWdeFMtXiw-P1MOd4ZuWoKu8IZ98YimdbBo/s1600-h/Kedarnath.Neel+Kanth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160198022521889378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48v8ovfGYMuBMIVa3kTBbbbrTalT7unQcCaeyx0YVdNIWFS-JYjKw1pNRY5CziUZyct92yDBTYb0L53zwTYCPhknAcZiM_SWAzEDeNG7ckWdeFMtXiw-P1MOd4ZuWoKu8IZ98YimdbBo/s200/Kedarnath.Neel+Kanth.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Jyotirlinga Shrine</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Visiting Char Dham or the ‘four holy pilgrimages’ - Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri is every devout Hindu’s dream.</span></strong> </div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Kedarnath</span></strong> </div><div><br /> </div><div>Perched at the head of Mandakini river, 3584 metres above sea level, the Kedarnath Temple is the most important Hindu temple in the Himalayas. </div><div>It is also one of the most important Shiva temples in India. </div><div><br />I have visited Kedarnath twice.</div><div>The second time, it was in the month of June. </div><div>We travelled by car from Delhi via Dehradun and Mussourie. </div><div>We reached Gaurikund (14 kms from Kedarnath) around 4 P.M. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>The road passes through beautiful mountains. </div><div>At times, you can see a river snaking far below.</div><div>And you pass over frail looking bridges.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>From Gaurikund, you can either walk up, be carried in a basket (for youngsters and aged), hire a palanquin, or ride a pony.</div><div>I wanted to walk up. </div><div>But since it was getting late, I was coerced into hiring ponies. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>The scenery was extremely beautiful. </div><div>But the pony tracks were far too narrow, at times just sufficient for a single pony. </div><div>On one side of the track would be the mountain face. </div><div>On the other, a steep vertical fall.</div><div>And whenever I looked down, I was reminded…. that if…..……. the pony slipped, I would land thousands of feet down. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>I had never seen a snow fall. </div><div>I was hoping we would see snow fall. </div><div>But the pony owners told us it was too late for that. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Just two kilometres short of Kedarnath, the sky started turning dark. </div><div>Visibility fell rapidly. </div><div>And we were covered with what we felt were fluffs of soft cotton.</div><div>But these were not fluffs of cotton, but beautiful flakes of snow. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>In a few minutes, the sky became completely dark. </div><div>We could not see anything beyond a few inches. </div><div>Visibility was zero.</div><div>Our hands started freezing. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>We were just one kilometre from Kedarnath. </div><div>Our pony owners told us we must stop. </div><div>Because one slip in the darkness meant certain death. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bx9_df7ULY4njX2ktYdUmmScV-Ea-2GXzBmF2l4C_YiCt0BLK1KPlX1xdccGUdTy_e5E2bmPI5NwBzlBFMj458zLUM0WDi6PzUP9UduNCVW5cr4l8KoxwMLmWUSW5zHPHXs6LeK7Zbk/s1600-h/Kedarnath.'Chatti'.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div><br />There were no hotels on the way. Mere ‘chattis’ - small shops made of roughly hewn stones stacked on top of one another - where one can have tea, coffee and simple vegetarian meals. </div><div>They also keep blankets, pillows, etc. for a night stay. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bx9_df7ULY4njX2ktYdUmmScV-Ea-2GXzBmF2l4C_YiCt0BLK1KPlX1xdccGUdTy_e5E2bmPI5NwBzlBFMj458zLUM0WDi6PzUP9UduNCVW5cr4l8KoxwMLmWUSW5zHPHXs6LeK7Zbk/s1600-h/Kedarnath.'Chatti'.jpg"></a></div><div>Even today, some pilgrims prefer to walk the 14 kms. </div><div>And they spend the nights in these ‘chattis’. </div><div><br />So we entered a ‘chatti’.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bx9_df7ULY4njX2ktYdUmmScV-Ea-2GXzBmF2l4C_YiCt0BLK1KPlX1xdccGUdTy_e5E2bmPI5NwBzlBFMj458zLUM0WDi6PzUP9UduNCVW5cr4l8KoxwMLmWUSW5zHPHXs6LeK7Zbk/s1600-h/Kedarnath.'Chatti'.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160197635974832722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bx9_df7ULY4njX2ktYdUmmScV-Ea-2GXzBmF2l4C_YiCt0BLK1KPlX1xdccGUdTy_e5E2bmPI5NwBzlBFMj458zLUM0WDi6PzUP9UduNCVW5cr4l8KoxwMLmWUSW5zHPHXs6LeK7Zbk/s200/Kedarnath.'Chatti'.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>The crackling log fire was more welcome than any five star luxury. </div><div>We had some hot tea followed by some good simple meals. </div><div>The snow on our clothes melted. </div><div>We had not carried any extra clothes. </div><div>So we had to take off most of our clothing and hang them up to dry.</div><div><br />There were no beds. </div><div>The ground was rocky and uneven. </div><div>Icy winds blew in through the holes and crinks between the stones.</div><div>We squeezed into some blankets huddling to each other like penguins.</div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6dLgKywMzZSoaIZn-OGntvSCKMM-YKAbCSlMfpnJ7cQ4D-1oIjXCGQE6k4PQrUjYYxQExa9OipFJ9VUsCEm5aH5aoRXIdYzkWjql_6aXN2J9sE8kp5iKUjWH-_AK7o5aSGxoeUwCShw/s1600-h/Kedarnath.After+the+snowfall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160196845700850242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6dLgKywMzZSoaIZn-OGntvSCKMM-YKAbCSlMfpnJ7cQ4D-1oIjXCGQE6k4PQrUjYYxQExa9OipFJ9VUsCEm5aH5aoRXIdYzkWjql_6aXN2J9sE8kp5iKUjWH-_AK7o5aSGxoeUwCShw/s200/Kedarnath.After+the+snowfall.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>A little past midnight, I ventured outside in my undergarments.</div><div>I was in fairy land!</div><div>The scene was so enchanting, I did not feel the cold. </div><div>All around were beautiful ice clad blue mountains I had read about in fairy tales.</div><div>There was no moon, yet visibility was good. </div><div></div><div>It was one scene, I have never seen again. </div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Mythology </span></strong></div><div><br />According to mythology, after the Pandavas defeated the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war (Mahabharat), they felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to repent for their sins. </div><div><br />But Lord Shiva did not want to bless them and evaded them repeatedly.</div><div>Finally, Lord Shiva took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. </div><div>The Pandavas followed him…… relentlessly. </div><div>At Kedarnath, Lord Shiva dived into the ground to hide, leaving only his hump on the surface. </div><div>The stone hump is the form in which Lord Shiva is worshipped in Kedarnath temple. </div><div><br />The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared in four other nearby places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. </div><div>The arms appeared at Tungnath; the face at Rudranath; the belly at Madhmaheshwar; and his head with locks of hair at Kalpeshwar. </div><div></div><div>Kedarnath and these four shrines (Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhmaheshwar and Madhmaheshwar), where different parts of Lord Shiva appeared, are known as Panch Kedar. </div><div><br />There are five holy peaks here. Rudra Himalaya, Vishnupuri, Brahmapuri, Udayagiri -Kanha and Swargarohini. </div><div><br />Swargarohini (meaning Road to Heaven) was used by the Pandavas and Droupadi to reach heaven.<br />Arjuna did severe penance here to please Lord Shiva and get Pasupata, the most potent weapon. </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">The Temple<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCMPYD-LSCDBYWoYqIf-X_39BA6jehj2Wu5GYlEb4SKckYJ7YMOD0Gfpj1Nt0zLAfg-va14_gs4zXc0GjEi2KWPcH5JyJMmlrSQT_Hsa9eGIHDGISKA7OJv2NPgp61u_m1oevhU0Ic_E/s1600-h/Kedarnath.Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160198323169600114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCMPYD-LSCDBYWoYqIf-X_39BA6jehj2Wu5GYlEb4SKckYJ7YMOD0Gfpj1Nt0zLAfg-va14_gs4zXc0GjEi2KWPcH5JyJMmlrSQT_Hsa9eGIHDGISKA7OJv2NPgp61u_m1oevhU0Ic_E/s200/Kedarnath.Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong> </div><div></div><div>According to mythology, the Pandavas built the original temple at Kedarnath. </div><div>Adi Shankaracharya visited Kedarnath during the 8th century A.D. and he built the present temple. </div><div>Adi Shankaracharya took his Samadhi in Kedarnath at the young age of 32.</div><div>His Samadhi lies just behind the temple.</div><div></div><div>Beyond this sketchy detail, we don’t have any indication about who built the temple and when. </div><div> </div><div>The present temple is built of large grey stone slabs. </div><div>The temple has a ‘Garbha Griha’ the sanctum sanctorum, which contains the image of Lord Shiva in the form of a stone hump (a conical rock formation measuring about five feet by four feet);and a Mandap where pilgrims and visitors gather. </div><div>In this form, Lord Shiva is known as Lord Maheswar-Kedareswar </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7OxwuJN7wd6IIWUc1opNVm3OINC8DCpbbgKJ-pT_13YOz-a3S1usNOEHenXKKM9xCKr89uTi2aNldpPT2x2B7iIiauqZYUMeHjCBxWSspmofSCWat3EQMHA-ossCkBWMukxbpNstOGY/s1600-h/Kedarnath.Temple.Nandi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160198640997180034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7OxwuJN7wd6IIWUc1opNVm3OINC8DCpbbgKJ-pT_13YOz-a3S1usNOEHenXKKM9xCKr89uTi2aNldpPT2x2B7iIiauqZYUMeHjCBxWSspmofSCWat3EQMHA-ossCkBWMukxbpNstOGY/s200/Kedarnath.Temple.Nandi.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The inner walls of the assembly hall are decorated with figures of various deities and mythological scenes. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>Just outside the temple door is a huge and beautiful statue of Nandi (the Bull), Lord Shiva’s vahan. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Time to Visit</strong></span> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Kedarnath temple is surrounded by high mountains.</div><div>During the winter months, it is impossible to reach Kedarnath. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>In November, Lord Shiva, is carried down from Kedarnath to Ukhimath; and is brought back to Kedarnath in the first week of May. </div><div></div><div>It is believed that Lord Shiva is worshipped by the lesser gods for six months and the rest of the year by the humans. </div><div><br />May to October is the best season to visit Kedarnath. </div><div><br /><a name="gi"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places of Interest</span></strong> </div><div><br />· Chorabhari Tal or Gandhi Sarovar (3 kms).<br />· Gaurikund (14 kms) - hot springs of medicinal values and a temple dedicated to Gauri.<br />· Vasuki Tal (6 kms) – this beautiful lake is 4135 m above sea level.<br />· Triyuginarayan (5 kms from Son Prayag) - this is the mythological place where Lord Shiva married Parvati.<br />· Gupt Kashi (49 kms) - famous for the temples of Ardhnarishwar and Vishwanathji.<br />· Ukhimath (60 kms) - winter home of Lord Kedarnath, and the seat of the Rawal (Priest) of Kedarnath during the winter months.<br />· Panch Kedar - the five most important temples of Lord Shiva in the Garhwal Himalayas.<br />· Chopta (40 kms from Gopeshwar) - one of the most picturesque spots in the entire Garhwal region. It provides a breathtaking view of Himalayan ranges.<br />· Deoria Tal - in the early morning, the snow-capped peaks are clearly reflected on the waters of this lake on the Chopta - Ukhimath road.<br />· The Kedar Massif - is an outstanding massif formed by three major mountains. </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Reaching there</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><a name="acc"></a> </div><div></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Rail</strong></span></div><div>The nearest station is Rishikesh (221 kms). </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Road</span></strong> </div><div>Kedarnath is connected by road with Delhi (450 km), Haridwar (250 km), Rishikesh (226 km), Kotdwara (256 km), Badrinath (242 km). </div><div><br /><a name="accom"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Accommodation</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><a name="plb"></a> </div><div></div><div>Plenty of reasonably good accommodation is available in Kedarnath.</div><div><a name="plk"></a> </div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#006600;">My recommendation</span></strong> </div><div><br />Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Kedar or Lord Shiva.</div><div>Even if you are not interested in religion and temples, do visit the Char Dhams. </div><div></div><div>They are really beautiful places to visit. </div><div></div></div></div></div>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637669314890112526.post-25793510413479602402008-01-26T23:45:00.000-08:002008-11-13T08:09:33.921-08:00Panhala Fort<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDmkpVP6bPLbpddsd0cs9cc7Ki5ZDfHk3bkkl75SgoZ78qnutMaobGfbtgukfIs6sNZ8v6Q0rd2Blpo1dhcGotVb15fMwvxEOMYTn56QaipMZILEdGfb5iB0HZPXW_6DDRg0bjivyz24/s1600-h/Raigad.Statue+of+Shivaji-Maharaj.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYvkQni7SGg30Egy_TEtSULtJrFcMm0XW1GVQKh8JulYNF6ZR4jl_Ak0PPizMAuDqFE4kR8l7u_TWE9zdAvwToFH4643WB0DstpJwUgazNgn6TibkFygwZl_nHm7AIOuhTiHdGSIj2Is/s1600-h/Shivaji-Maharaj.Statue+at+Raigad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159847673449620018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYvkQni7SGg30Egy_TEtSULtJrFcMm0XW1GVQKh8JulYNF6ZR4jl_Ak0PPizMAuDqFE4kR8l7u_TWE9zdAvwToFH4643WB0DstpJwUgazNgn6TibkFygwZl_nHm7AIOuhTiHdGSIj2Is/s200/Shivaji-Maharaj.Statue+at+Raigad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Guardian of the Western Ghats </span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></span></strong></div><br />Panhala is a beautiful hill station - 977.2 metres ( 3177 feet) above sea level - about 18 km north-west of <a title="Kolhapur" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolhapur">Kolhapur</a> in the <a title="States and territories of India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_and_territories_of_India">state</a> of <a title="Maharashtra" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharashtra">Maharashtra</a>. <div><br />The most interesting thing here is Panhala Fort – the largest of the Deccan forts.</div><div></div><br /><div>The Fort is strategically located on one of the principal routes passing through the Western Ghats and was therefore of great military importance. It is also intimately connected with Shivaji and the Maratha rule. </div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1uMtry1JkhvCZu5_b-eRq7-RMH1jZsfs5t1QmMOyJiUlqFxfCtMu_EbQIONV22EVD1uacyOd4axXaa7-WR4wwJ1zmFfT5piUv_GggsQcX7vqhbMrfILHQtea6Ond72KjbyqZ-zLidgo/s1600-h/Panala.Fort.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159842150121677250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1uMtry1JkhvCZu5_b-eRq7-RMH1jZsfs5t1QmMOyJiUlqFxfCtMu_EbQIONV22EVD1uacyOd4axXaa7-WR4wwJ1zmFfT5piUv_GggsQcX7vqhbMrfILHQtea6Ond72KjbyqZ-zLidgo/s200/Panala.Fort.2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>History </strong></span></div><div><br />Panhala Fort was built by the Shilahara ruler King Bhoja II between 1178 and 1209 A.D. Subsequently, it passed into the hands of the <a title="Yadav" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yadav">Yadav rulers</a>.<br /><br />This fort was a favorite outpost of the <a title="Bahmani Sultanate" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahmani_Sultanate">Bahamanis</a> of <a title="Bidar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidar">Bidar</a>.</div><br /><div></div><div>By the beginning of the <a title="16th century" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century">16th century</a>, Panhala became a part of the kingdom of <a title="Bijapur Sultanate" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bijapur_Sultanate">Bijapur</a>. The <a title="Adil Shahi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adil_Shahi">Adil Shahis</a> strengthened and rebuilt the ramparts and gateways. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE0t7Nw7icmioZJY64MxpAQgjMvnPQAzNVB1eWfVib0p02W4As69qrNhmatCPGLiePNdkcvhDe4Q-IOPtVa_CLgWGOi6KmXspzwV1BxrU-uBQ8_m_7KBpFESeb3DSPhKqQx0b4MuBqI4/s1600-h/Panala.Fort.Konkan+Door.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159842918920823250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE0t7Nw7icmioZJY64MxpAQgjMvnPQAzNVB1eWfVib0p02W4As69qrNhmatCPGLiePNdkcvhDe4Q-IOPtVa_CLgWGOi6KmXspzwV1BxrU-uBQ8_m_7KBpFESeb3DSPhKqQx0b4MuBqI4/s200/Panala.Fort.Konkan+Door.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>Shivaji attacked the fort in <a title="1659" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1659">1659</a>. But he could occupy it permanently only in <a title="1673" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1673">1673</a>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Shivaji did not stay in any single fort for a long time.Panhala is the only fort where he spent more than 500 days, other than his childhood homes.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcbrmtdbDX7EjC-lul6qVd-PB_WQiCtkrbHGjRIWo8fyLZpRec94fQi6ejrB2bK8ejZoKqdQw-R81sczT41YgsJW25D1SXuaWzo6E-_RexLxZQLgNEYy4EiTf810PbM6sq6OYZ5QYHpY/s1600-h/Panhala.Sajja+Kothadi.Shivaji+kept+his+son+captive+here..jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159844666972512786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcbrmtdbDX7EjC-lul6qVd-PB_WQiCtkrbHGjRIWo8fyLZpRec94fQi6ejrB2bK8ejZoKqdQw-R81sczT41YgsJW25D1SXuaWzo6E-_RexLxZQLgNEYy4EiTf810PbM6sq6OYZ5QYHpY/s200/Panhala.Sajja+Kothadi.Shivaji+kept+his+son+captive+here..jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Shivaji imprisoned his errant son Sambhaji in this Fort in the building known as Sajja Kothi, Sajja Kothi was built by Ibrahim Adil-Shah in 1500 AD.</div><br /><div>But Sambhaji escaped... right into the arms of his father’s enemies. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaEr7vQymHihgfpvFwh-6J7XTN8SBjZUZEA33Ac3BpT0oZmADUsXYdSwO2mCCTVlvCeO-am5nNP_Uuwgo8xbE6zocuZDLqJGqzgmhurNfmPZ0INlXXR8AxGufuZxOrefk-T1lA3dWskk/s1600-h/Panala.Fort.Statue+of+Baji+Prabhu+Deshpande.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159844855951073826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaEr7vQymHihgfpvFwh-6J7XTN8SBjZUZEA33Ac3BpT0oZmADUsXYdSwO2mCCTVlvCeO-am5nNP_Uuwgo8xbE6zocuZDLqJGqzgmhurNfmPZ0INlXXR8AxGufuZxOrefk-T1lA3dWskk/s200/Panala.Fort.Statue+of+Baji+Prabhu+Deshpande.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div>It was here that Shivaji beleaguered for over four months and escaped on a rainy night to Vishalgad, while his loyal general Baji Prabhu Deshpande laid down his life, holding down the forces of Siddi Johar at a narrow pass.</div><div>This place is now called Pavankhind. </div><br /><div>In 1701, Panhala was surrendered to Auragzeb, and it was here that the Mughal Emperor received the English Ambassador, Sir William Norris. </div><div>Within a few months the fort was taken back by the Maratha forces. </div><br /><div>Panhala was the Maratha capital until 1782, when the capital was shifted to Kolhapur. After a local rebellion in 1844, Panhala was taken over by the British. </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Fort</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C9pstHfxRFfSmWndtZRNOduDN1EwE7woZ6jSvuvXRHrOXI7y29PoXeArpR3rej0IRc0zwVVHGY1-ouYL71OQRrb6e9njaFLmyy52TsZJiLni90imPNFDyeOlRwpQe4fcEEREs3d7Yjc/s1600-h/Panhala.Fort.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159844499468788226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C9pstHfxRFfSmWndtZRNOduDN1EwE7woZ6jSvuvXRHrOXI7y29PoXeArpR3rej0IRc0zwVVHGY1-ouYL71OQRrb6e9njaFLmyy52TsZJiLni90imPNFDyeOlRwpQe4fcEEREs3d7Yjc/s200/Panhala.Fort.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a></div><br /><div>The Fort is built on an outlying spur of the <a title="Western Ghats" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ghats">Sahyadris</a>, rising more than 400 metres above the surrounding plains. From the fort, you can see the plains for miles around. </div><div><br />More than 7 kms of fortifications encircle the Panhala Fort. </div><div>The walls are protected by steep escarpments, reinforced by a parapet with slit holes. </div><div>The remaining sections have 5 to 9 metres high ramparts, strengthened by round bastions. </div><div>The East Gate called Char Darawaja, through which the road passes on arrival at the Fort, was demolished by the British. </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places to see in Panhala</span></strong> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqWbDKYmX4EoyNBMvBenVpR_HW109ThtCLQu8ToaXkfgE_HUS7yjhwO0rBnLZl0CVRxcdbeiZhVzDF5U92X3L6BY1kv7D5_t6c-Oxrq-oSYnFtGLgoBpBOJjyx57LJJC7GW4qKHsmpKU/s1600-h/Panhala.Food+Granary.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159843223863501282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqWbDKYmX4EoyNBMvBenVpR_HW109ThtCLQu8ToaXkfgE_HUS7yjhwO0rBnLZl0CVRxcdbeiZhVzDF5U92X3L6BY1kv7D5_t6c-Oxrq-oSYnFtGLgoBpBOJjyx57LJJC7GW4qKHsmpKU/s200/Panhala.Food+Granary.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Amberkhana or Granary </strong></span><span style="color:#006600;"><strong></strong></span></div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><div><br /></strong></span></div>There are three large buildings called Amberkhana - a huge granary - with the capacity to store 50,000 pounds of corn, sufficient to last an entire army for several months. <div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Sajja Kothi</span></strong> </div><div></div><div>The Sajja Kothi was actually a pleasure pavilion set into the ramparts. </div><div>This two storied structure has an upper chamber with rather flatish domes on vaults decorated in typical Bijapur style.</div><div>An arcaded balcony on the west looks down into the fort. </div><div>The chamber on the east gives a panoramic view of the approach to Panhala from the plains beneath. </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Other places</span> </strong></div><div></div><div>Nearby are the <a title="Sambhaji" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambhaji">Sambhaji</a> temple; Someshwar temple; Teen Darwaza; Raj Dindi; Ambabai Temple where Shivaji used to seek blessings before going out on his many expeditions; and Pavankhind, where <a title="Baji Prabhu Deshpande" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baji_Prabhu_Deshpande">Baji Prabhu Deshpande</a> laid down his life to cover Shivaji's escape. </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Places to see around</span></strong> </div><div><br />Kolhapur is a lovely place with many things to see.<br /><br /><a name="By_train"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Reaching There<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrJaJdEnvighX06cMQt2lmbUBJ5FNTwXrtnfwi_oBaorBw1ADnYjASp2sLxn-2LJSVLZPdApZSPXnhmf7lRr3ewxkzu3UHAXJ5yqg8yvMzL0SFIaSP8mMUkw1191yxs_Yl1q5Oyz5DgE/s1600-h/Panhala.Fort.4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159843889583432178" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrJaJdEnvighX06cMQt2lmbUBJ5FNTwXrtnfwi_oBaorBw1ADnYjASp2sLxn-2LJSVLZPdApZSPXnhmf7lRr3ewxkzu3UHAXJ5yqg8yvMzL0SFIaSP8mMUkw1191yxs_Yl1q5Oyz5DgE/s200/Panhala.Fort.4.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></strong></div><br /><div><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>Air </strong></span></div><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong><div><br />Air Deccan has daily flights from <a title="Mumbai" href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Mumbai">Mumbai</a> and Bangalore. <a name="Geography"></a></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Train</span></strong> </div><div><br />Kolhapur is well connected to Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Miraj by rail. </div><div><br /><a name="By_road"></a><strong><span style="color:#006600;">Road </span></strong></div><div><br />Kolhapur to Mumbai is 396 kms</div><div>Kolhapur to Bangalore is 600 kms </div><div><br />Kolhapur lies on National Highway 4 which connects Mumbai to Bangalore.<br />Mumbai to Kolhapur is about 6 hours drive by road.<br />The road is very good.<br /></div><a name="By_air"></a>Dr. Binoy Gupa x Chief Commissioner of Income Taxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14659478523446087760noreply@blogger.com0