Pari Mahal

Once the royal observatory, Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. A Buddhist monastery at one time, it was converted into a school of astrology by Dara Shikoh, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eldest son. Situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal, the ancient monument, with a well-laid spacious garden in front, is connected to Cheshmashahi by road. It is illuminated at night.

Chashma Shahi

At Chashmashai, is a tastefully laid garden in terraces, which commands a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and surrounding mountain ranges. The cool water of the spring is highly refreshing and digestive. The original garden was laid out by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD. TRC Srinagar free of cost to visit the permits can be had from the infromation Counter Chashma Shahi Garden. Permits can be had from the infromation counter.

Nishat Bagh

Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, (11 km. from TRC), this 'garden of bliss' commands a magnificent view of the lake and the snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range which stands far away to the west of the valley. Nishat was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan.

Shalimar Bagh

Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan, Shalimar, 15 kms from the TRC, is a beautiful garden with sweeping vistas over gardens and lakes, and shallow terraces. The garden is 539 m by 182 m and has four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal lined with polished stones and supplied with water from Harwan runs through the middle of the garden. The fourth terrace, by far the best, was once reserved for royal ladies.

The Mughal Gardens

With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them - the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions.

Srinagar Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Srinagar is commonly done by bus or taxi. Another way of seeing the city, especially the lake area, is by shikara. It is particularly pleasant to row over the waters of the Dal Lake to visit the Mughal Gardens and other lakeside sites, including the famous Hazratbal mosque.

The well-known sights in the city are Shankaracharya Temple atop the hill called Takht-e-Suleiman, a 5 km climb from Nehru Park on a metalled road. Across the city is another, much lower hill crowned by the Hari Parbat Fort, built by an Afghan governor of Kashmir in the 18th century. The low wall enclosing the upper part of the hill was constructed by Emperor Akbar. On the hill are several famous places of worship: the temple of goddess Sharika, the shrine of Muslim saint Makhdoorn Sahib, and the historic Sikh Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi.

Kashmir Handicrafts

From the amusing trinket to a collector's item, you'll find it all in Srinagar. Row upon row of shops filled with handicrafts line the streets. The array is awesome. There are objects to suit every pocket, for the variety within each craft is wide.

While top-of-the-line products cater to the discerning, some handicrafts cater to the buyers with a modest budget. To the uninitiated, the difference between two shawls may be negligible and hardly worth the enormous disparity in price. However, the dealer knows exactly what he has in his showroom, knows how much skill, labour and material has gone into its fabrication, and so accordingly structures the price.

Kashmiri handicrafts are prized everywhere for their exquisite craftsmanship. Kashmir carpets, in both wool and silk with their Persian design, are a lifetime investment and the shoppers’ selection range from the simple to the most extraordinarily intricate patterns handed down the generations.

Then there are papier-mâché items ranging from jewellery boxes to mirror frames, a range of intricately carved walnut wood furniture and accessories, stone jewellery boxes, beautiful woollen shawls, crewel embroidery on furnishing material sold by the meter and more. Following is a brief description of the main handicraft legacy of Kashmir.

Kashmiri Food

Rich and redolent with the flavour of the spices used –cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron, etc. -- Kashmiri food can be the simple meal of a family, or a 36-course wedding banquet called Wazawan. The staple diet of every Kashmiri is rice, the most preferred being the dense, slightly sticky grained Kashmir variety, which is prized in the Valley.

Mutton, chicken or fish are of prime importance in Kashmiri meal and everyday cooking often combines vegetable and meat in the same dish. Mutton and turnips, chicken and spinach, fish and lotus root are also very popular combinations. Pure vegetarian dishes include dum-aloo - roasted potatoes in curd-based gravy, and chaman- fried paneer (cottage cheese), in a thick sauce. Non-vegetarian dishes are considered in Kashmir to be a sign of lavish hospitality and at a Wazwan or banquet, not more than one or two vegetarian dishes are served. Sweets do not play an important role in Kashmiri cuisine. Instead Kahva or green tea is used to wash down a meal.

Wazawan is usually served at weddings and parties. The most commonly served items are rista (meat balls) made of finely pounded mutton and cooked in a gravy; seekh kababs, tabak maz, or flat pieces of meat cut from the ribs and fried till they acquire a crisp crackling texture, roganjosh, which owes its rich red colour to the generous use of Kashmiri chillies. Yakhni, a cream coloured preparation of delicate flavour, is made with curd as a base. Gushtaba, which is the last item to be served in a traditional wazawan, are meatballs moulded from pounded mutton like large-sized Rista but cooked in thick gravy of fresh curd base. Dam-Aaloo and chaman are the commonly served vegetarian dishes - to serve more than this would indicate an unseemly tendency on the part of the host to economize!

Several restaurants in Srinagar serve Kashmiri wazawan on their menus. Mughal Durabar, Ahdoos and Grand, on the Residency Road, offer authentic wazawan. Similarly, Broadway Hotel on Maulana Azad Road arranges wazawan prepared by professionals.

Srinagar – The Lake City

Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year.

Kalhana, the author of 'Rajtarangini’, states that Srinagri was founded by Emperor Ashoka (3rd Century BC). The present city of Srinagar was founded by Pravarasena-II, and Hiuen Tsang, who visited Kashmir in 631 AD, found it at the same site as it is today. Laltaditya Muktapida was the most illustrious ruler of Kashmir in the Hindu period, which ended in 1339 AD. King Zain-ul-Abidin (1420-70 AD), popularly known as ‘Budshah’, was a great patron of Sanskrit. Akbar captured Kashmir valley for the Mughals, who endowed Srinagar with beautiful mosques and gardens. The Sikhs overthrew the last Muslim ruler in the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819. In 1846 the Dogras secured the sovereignty of Kashmir from the British under the Treaty of Amrjtsar, and in 1947 the state of Jammu and Kashmir with Srinagar as its capital, became part of the Indian Union.

Today Srinagar is a resort for the tourist who can experience, at first hand, the peculiar beauty of the valley that has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the British to it.

Vasco-da-Gama in Goa

Vasco da Gama, 29-km by road southwest of Panjim, sits on the narrow western tip of the Marmagoa (also known as Mormugao) peninsula, overlooking the mouth of the Zuari River. Acquired by the Portuguese in 1543, this strategically important site was formerly among the busiest ports on India's west coast.

It remains a key shipping centre, with container vessels and iron ore barges clogging the choppy river mouth, but holds nothing of interest for visitors, particularly since the completion of the Konkan Railway, when Goa's main railhead shifted from here to Margao. The only conceivable reason one might want to come to Vasco is to catch a bus to Dabolim airport, of Bogmalo beach, 8-km southeast.

Aguda Fort in Goa

A spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that called there, giving it the name "Aguada" (meaning 'water' in Portuguese). On the northern side, it provides a harbour for local shipping. The fort, at present, houses the central jail. A 19th century built lighthouse is situated inside the fortress.

Immediately south of Candolim, a long peninsula extends into the sea, bringing the seven-kilometre white sandy beach to an abrupt end. Aguada Fort, which crowns the rocky flattened top of the headland, is the best-preserved Portuguese bastion in Goa. Built in 1612 to protect the northern shores of the Mandovi estuary from Dutch and Maratha raiders, it is home to several natural springs, the first source of drinking water available to ships arriving in Goa after the long sea voyage from Lisbon.

Anjuna Beach, Goa

With its fluorescent painted palm trees and infamous full moon parties, ANJUNA, 8-km west of Mapusa, is Goa at its most "alternative". Designer leather and lycra may have superseded cotton Kaftans, but most people's reasons for coming are the same as they were in the 1970s: dancing and lying on the beach slurping tropical fruit. While browsing in the area have a day trip to the famous flea market.

The BeachOne of the main sources of Anjuna's enduring popularity as a hippy hang out is its superb beach. Fringed by groves of swaying coconut palms, the curve of soft white sand conforms more closely to the archetypal vision of paradise than any other beach on the north coast. Bathing is generally safer than at most of the nearby resorts, too, especially at the more peaceful southern end, where a rocky headland keeps the sea calm and the undertow to a minimum.

North of the market ground, the beach broadens, running in an uninterrupted kilometre long stretch of steeply shelving sand to a low red cliff. The village bus park lies on top of this high ground, near a crop of small cafes, bars and Kashmiri handicraft stalls. Every lunch hour, tour parties from Panjim pull in here for a beer, before heading home again, leaving the ragged army of sun weary westerners to enjoy the sunset.

How To Get There

By Road Buses from Mapusa and Panjim drop passengers at various points along the Tarmac Road across the top of the village, which turns right towards Chapora at the Main Starco's crossroads. The Starco's crossroads has a couple of small stores, a motorcycle taxi rank, and functions as a de facto village square and bus stand.

Sri Shantadurga Temple in kavalem, Goa

There is the famous temple of Sri Shantadurga the goddess of peace who is said to have settled a quarrel between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu amicably. Sri Shantadurga is worshipped all over Goa and scores of temples have been devoted to this deity. At several places it is known by several names, "Thamai", "Sateri", "Bhumka", "Adimaya" and others.

Situated at the foothill of Kavalem, the Shantadurga temple boasts of a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and Agrashalas. The temple was built in 1728 AD during the reign of Shahu Maharaj of Satara at the request of one of his ministers, Naro Ram Mantri.

The original site of Sri Shantadurga temple is Kardelivana of Quelossim in Mormugao Taluka, where the great bard Krishnadas Shama penned the epic "Sri Krishna Charita" probably in the 14th century on the lines of Dnyaneshwari.

Sri Kamakshi Temple, Goa

About 12-km from Kavalem is situated another important religious monument which is dedicated to Sri Kamakashi. The deity is believed to have come from Kamakhya, Guwahati in Assam, which is her original abode.

In Goa, the original location of Sri Kamakshi temple was Raia in Salcete Taluka. But the deity was subsquently shifted to Shiroda village in Ponda Taluka due to religious persecution by alien rulers.

The place where temple is has an ancient name "Shivagram". Of the smaller temples present in the complex there is the one dedicated to Lord "Rayeshwara". People irrespective of religious faith and hailing originally from Raia, still venerate Sri Kamaksha.

Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa

The Ganesh festival is one packed with fun and frolic, a time for prayer as well as pageantry. Its an occasion to clean and decorate the house, to prepare to receive the divine guest Lord Ganesh (also spelt as Ganesha), to get together with family and friends, to exchange gifts, and to rejoice the birth of the Lord with new attire, dance and music.

As year after year, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the Goa culminates with the harvesting season. Ganesh's in various sizes and forms usually adorn street corners in gaily decorated Pandals, which are put up by local associations/ merchant groups in the city areas. Preparations normally begin several days in advance.

The festival of Ganesh or Vinayak Chaturthi, is the day on which Lord Ganesh was born. It is the most joyous event of the year. Throughout India the festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion. In Goa, like Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated for upto ten days. It is said that Ganesh was the creation of Goddess Parvati, who breathed life into a doll, which she made out of the dough she was using for her bath.

The Gate Of The Palace Of Adil Shah, Goa

The Palace of Adil Shah at Old Goa was the most prominent building with magnificent lofty staircases. It was the residence of the Portuguese governors till 1695, and was afterwards used by them on festive occasions. It was deserted during the epidemic in the 18th century, was demolished in 1820 and the materials carried to Panjim for construction of houses.

Now only the gate remains which is architecturally purely Brahminical in style. Six steps in front of the gate lead to the raised platform on which the gate stands. It is made of basalt and consists of a horizontal lintel resting on pillars decorated with mouldings and having on the outer side fragmentary perforated screens.

The Palace of Adil Shah at Old Goa was the most prominent building with magnificent lofty staircases. It was the residence of the Portuguese governors till 1695, and was afterwards used by them on festive occasions. It was deserted during the epidemic in the 18th century, was demolished in 1820 and the materials carried to Panjim for construction of houses.

Now only the gate remains which is architecturally purely Brahminical in style. Six steps in front of the gate lead to the raised platform on which the gate stands. It is made of basalt and consists of a horizontal lintel resting on pillars decorated with mouldings and having on the outer side fragmentary perforated screens

Ruins Of St. Augustine's Tower in Goa

Built in 1602, the only ruin of the Church of St. Augustine on the Holy Hill at Old Goa near the Nunnery, is a lofty 46-metre high tower defying the torrential rains. The tower is one of the four of St. Augustine Church that once stood there. There were eight richly adorned chapels and four altars, and a convent with numerous cells and artistic columns attached to the church.

The Church when intact was perhaps the biggest in Goa. With the religious suppression in 1835, the Augustinians deserted the church and the convent. The latter was used for some time by the charitable institution of the Misericordia. The buildings fell into neglect resulting in the collapse of the vault on 8 September 1842. The Government appropriated the property selling the materials the following year. The façade and half of the tower fell in 1931 and some more parts of it collapsed in 1938.

The Convent And Church Of St. Francis Of Assisi, Goa

To the west of the Se Cathedral is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The structure is built of laterite blocks and is lime-plastered. The church faces west and has a nave with three chapels on either side, a choir, two altars in the transept and a main altar. To the north of the main altar is a belfry and a sacristy. The convent, which forms an annexure to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.

The Architectural Grandeur :- The exterior of the Church is of the Tuscan Order while the main entrance is in Manuline style. The main altar is Baroque with Corinthian features. There are no aisles but only a nave, which is rib-vaulted. The internal buttress walls, separating the chapels and supporting the gallery on top, have frescoes showing intricate floral designs. In a niche on the facade, stands a statue of our lady of miracles brought from Jaffna in Sri Lanka. A wooden statue of St. Francis of Assisi adorns a pedestal bearing the insignia of the Franciscans. A wooden pulpit, richly carved with floral designs is to the left as one enters. Beneath a ribbed vault with frescoes showing floral decorations, is the main altar, which is gilded and has a richly carved niche with a tabernacle supported by the four evangelists.

The Tabernacle:- The tabernacle was used for displaying the holy sacrament. Above the tabernacle, in the main altar, is a large statue of St. Francis of Assisi and an equally large statue of Jesus on the cross. Beneath the two figures are inscribed the three vows of the Saint - poverty, humility and obedience. On either side of the main altar, in the nave, are beautiful large paintings on wood, depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assai.

J. Paul Getty Museum, California

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to further knowledge of the visual arts and to nurture critical seeing by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting works of art of the highest quality. To fulfill its mission, the Museum continues to develop its collection through purchase and gifts, complementing its impact through special exhibitions, publications, educational programs developed for a wide range of audiences, and a related performing arts program. The Museum strives to provide its visitors with access to the most innovative research in the visual arts while they enjoy a unique experience in viewing works of art at our Getty Center and Getty Villa sites. While benefiting from the broader context of the Getty Trust, the Museum also extends the reach of its mission via the internet and through the regular exchange of works of art, staff, and expertise.

The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs.

The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Villa in Malibu opened on January 28, 2006, after the completion of a major renovation project. As a museum and educational center dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria, the Getty Villa serves a varied audience through exhibitions, conservation, scholarship, research, and public programs. The Villa houses approximately 44,000 works of art from the Museum's extensive collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, of which over 1,200 are on view.

Annual National Shrimp Festival, USA

The Annual National Shrimp Festival is held each year during the second full weekend in October on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Festival is one of the nation’s premier outdoor festivals featuring over 300 vendors that offer fine art, arts and crafts, a retail marketplace and of course, SHRIMP!!

The Festival is produced by the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated group of committee members who work tirelessly all year long to produce such an enjoyable festival. The mission of the Annual National Shrimp Festival is to promote Gulf Shores and the surrounding area through a festival that includes Fine Art, Arts & Crafts, music and food with an emphasis on seafood, during the month of October.

Celebrating its 37th year in 2008, the Festival attracts over 300,000 people who come to view Fine Arts and Arts & Crafts from over 200 artists during the four day Festival. Two stages offer continuous musical entertainment while the little one’s attention is captured in the Children’s Activity Village where they create their own “art” and participate in other fun-filled activities.

Huntsville Museum of Art, USA

Visit the Huntsville Museum of Art in our beautiful location in Big Spring International Park. Take a stroll through our latest exhibitions, admire student artwork in the Children’s Community Gallery, sign up for an art class at the Museum Academy, and shop for local artwork in SPACE 300.

The Huntsville Museum of Art, North Alabama’s leading visual arts center, moved to its beautiful facility in Big Spring International Park in March 1998. The nationally-accredited Museum fills its seven galleries with a variety of exhibitions throughout the year, including prestigious traveling exhibits and the work of nationally and regionally acclaimed artists. The Museum’s own 2,522-piece permanent collection also forms the basis for several exhibitions each year.

In addition, the Museum offers reception areas on the gallery level and in the Great Hall for weddings, meetings and other events. Visitors can also shop for local art in SPACE 300, Art for Today's Collector.
Named as one of the state’s “Top 10” destinations by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, the Huntsville Museum of Art is gaining a reputation throughout the South for bringing high-caliber touring exhibitions to the region. Nearly 40,000 people visited the Museum during A Taste for Splendor: Russian Imperial and European Treasures from the Hillwood Museum. Another 23,000 visited the blockbuster exhibition Land of the Winged Horsemen: Art in Poland.

Major Himalayan Hill Stations

Gulmarg and Sonamarg:- A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cowbells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not surprisingly have been the venue of several films.

Srinagar:- The capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the largest city in the state, Srinagar (1,730m) is famous for its canals, Houseboats and Mughal Gardens. The city itself is quite unlike most other large Indian cities for here you are much more in Central Asia than on the Indian sub-continent.

Ladakh:- Ladakh is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram, it lies athwart two other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar Range.Ladakh is full of amazing sights - strange Gompas perched on soaring heights; the barren, shattered looking landscapes splashed with small brilliant patches of green; ancient palaces clinging to sheer rock walls.

Shimla:- Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very different from other hill stations.

Kullu:- Kullu was once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world. Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled 'Silver Valley'.

Manali:- Surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.

And some more like:- Dalhousie, Sarahan, Nainital, Mussorie, Rishikesh, Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kailash Mansarovar.

Religions in Himalaya

Land Of Lord Shiva:- Since time immemorial, the Himalayas has been recognized as the sanctuary for ascetics and philosophers. The Himalayas also occupy a central place in Hinduism. The whole region is considered the realm of Shiva- the supreme ascetic, and ‘Pashupati’ - the protecting deity of pastoral herds. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a lingam - a phallus symbolizing the male principle in the universe. In his manifestation as the cosmic darer, the ‘Natraja’, he rhythmically creates and destroys the cosmos.

Famous shrines like the ice cave at Amarnath in Kashmir, the glacial formation at Kedarnath in Garhwal, and Jageshwar amidst a thick stand of deodar in Kumaon are dedicated to him. Kalidas, a resident of Ujjain, a city of Shiva, aptly described the Himalaya as the dazzling laughter of Shiva.

Nor is Vishnu the protector forgotten here. Interstingly, Sankara, a Saiva 9akso spelt as Shaiv) South Indian saint from Kerala, at the southernmost tip of India, is credited with the restoration and consecration of the Badrinath shrine - one of the four major pilgrimages prescribed for a believing Hindu. It is a ‘Dhama’ (an important sacred destination).

Trans-Buddhism:- Gompas (monasteries) like Hemis and Lamayuru in Ladakh or Rumtek in Sikkim hold an important place for Buddhist worshippers. Many of these have preserved with loving care the heritage of Tibetan art and culture.There is a venerated Sikh shrine at Hemkund, a high-altitude lake on the fringer of the Valley of Flowers. Legend informs us that it was here that a Sikh guru did penance and was rewarded with a divine vision.

Influence Of Islam:- Islam and Christianity also have a distinct presence in the Himalayas. While the Muslims of the valley of Kashmir are mostly descendants of people who converted to Islam after the conquest by Muslim invaders, the Ladakhis adopted Islam after encountering it via the Central Asian trade route. On India's northeastern frontier, Christian missionaries won many converts among the tribes. Proselytizing has gone hand in hand with the spread of education and health care. One can also discern traces of animist of Bon worship in tribal areas bordering Tibet. In Kumaon, Gharwal and Himachal local, pre-Aryan deities vie with the Gods of the Hindu pantheon for propitiation by the faithful.

Religious Harmony:- By and large, different religious groups have coexisted peacefully in the Himalayas. There is certainly something in the atmosphere, which makes the spirit soar and quest for eternal truths. This is what renders even more painful the ravages wrought in the environment.The people of the Himalayas have a distinct economic, political and religious identity. They display a remarkable similarity in ways of life, social customers, economic practices and religious beliefs. Their occupations and ethnic characteristics are akin to those of the people who live in the north and south of them. In the southern belt, the Hindu influence predominates while to the north the imprint of Tibet and its Buddhism is more markedly discernible. However, the most impressive feature of life here is its dynamic synthesis of the diverse influences to which it has been subject throughout history.The region has always been an integral part of India geographically and culturally. Kashmir and Kumaon as well as Nepal and Assam find repeated mention in ancient Indian literature and inscriptions. It seems that this area came that this area came under the influence of Tibet only after the death of King Harsha in the 7th century AD. Scholar - Monk’s negotiated perilous passes and frozen slopes to share the message of Indian religious teachings and culture.

The Muslim Invasion:- The Muslims established themselves in the Indian plains in the 11th and 12th centuries. All major northern states succembed before the onslaught, and the political system was drastically changed. One of the commanders of Qutubuddin Aibak attempted an invasion of Tibet but could not advance beyond the foothills. Muhammad bin Tughluq (also spelt as Tughlaq) also failed in a similar attempt. The Himalayan frontier maintained its essential character. Some Rajput princes, escaping from the Turko-Afghan invaders, took to the hills with the remains of their armies and camp followers and founded independent principalities there. They brought Hindu culture and traditions with them but, inevitably, also absorbed local traditions and practices. Most of them recognized the suzerainty of the Emperor of Delhi. The Mughals sought to freeze the frontier, some even tried to expand their control northwards. Akbar brought Kashmir under his control in 1586 and Shah Jahan sought to subdue Ladakh so that Kashmir could be protected against any attack from Central Asia. Aurangzeb in his time authorized his men in Bengal to invade Assam. As Ladakh was then being threatened by an expansionist Tibet, it thought it wise to forge close links with the Mughals and it was finally rendered a vassal in 1665.

The Royal Chitwan National Park, Himalaya

Royal Chitwan National Park is Nepal’s first and most famous national park is situated in the Chitwan Doon or the lowlands of the inner Terai. Covering an area of 932-sq-kms the park includes hilly areas of the Shiwalik range covered by deciduous Sal forest.

A fifth of the park is made up of the floodplains of the Narayani, Rapti and the Reu Rivers and is covered by dense tall Elephant grass interspersed with revenine forests of silk cotton (Kapok), Acacia and Sisam trees.

This ecologically diverse area is the last remaining home in Nepal for more than 300 of the endangered Asian one-horned inoceros and harbours one of the largest populations of the elusive and rare Royal Bengal Tiger. Besides Rhino and Tiger, Chitwan also support a great variety of flora and fauna. There are four species of Deer, including the Spotted Chittal, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Small Wild Cats, the white stockinged Gaur (world’s largest wild cattle) and many other smaller animals.

The swampy areas and numerous Ox-bow lakes of Chitwan provide a home for Marsh Crocodiles. In a stretch of the Narayani River is found one of the few remaining of the populations of the rare and endangered fish-only eating Gharial. In the summers the park is alive with migrants such as the fabulous paradise flycatcher, the Indian Pitta ans Parakeets.

Ecotourism in Himalayas

Nature worship and the conservation ethic have been an integral part of Indian thought and traditions and its also followed by India's Himalayan neighbours. For centuries, the country has nurtured the philosophy of the oneness of life, the tradition that humankind is a part of nature and one should look upon all creation with the eyes of a friend.

It is tragic that in recent years, the mad pursuit for material ends has created in India and elsewhere a situation in which progress has become synonymous with exploitation of nature in all its manifestations. Today the entire Himalayan range, with its rich and unique biological diversity, is facing a deep crisis and is in the danger being destroyed. It is being relentlessly denuded of its rich forest cover. Fortunately, this has been led to some realisation, and now the beginnings of a new awakening about human responsibility towards nature are discernible.

Climate of Himalayas

The Himalayas with dazzling pinnacles of snow-covered ranges extend for 2,250-km from the Namcha Barwa on the bend of the Tsang-po (Brahmaputra) to Nanga Parbat on the Indus. The range runs east to west up to central-Nepal and then takes a southeast to northwest direction. The average width of the Himalayas is about 200-km.

Climatic Variation In The Himalayas:- The Himalayan Alpine climate varies according to the elevation. It gets colder as the elevation increases and gets wetter as the elevation drops. As a result the temeparture and climatic changes in the Himalayan regions change very quickly. All of a sudden there can be occurances of monsoons, floods, high winds, snowstorms and other types of precipitation, which makes the climate over here quiet an unpredictable and dangerous one.

The two major seasons of the Himalayan region are winter and summer. During the winter the region recieves the maximum snow with very icy temperatures. Summer are quiet mild over here, making the places overe here quiet good summer holiday hideouts. Usually throughout the year te Alpine Himalayan region recieves Snow.

The Awesome Himalayan Panorama:- To know the mountains one has to be amongst them. In the evening as one begin settling down so do the mountains, valleys and clouds. It is a wonderful sight to see a sea of clouds sinks in repose in the deep valleys. At the same time the setting sun converts the surrounding peaks into molten gold which gradually fade away into pale pink and steel grey.

At night, the moon lends a peculiar charm to the snow transferring the rugged peaks and ridges into soft contours. The hamlets in the valleys, surrounded by fields, are in deep slumber. The silence of the mountains is complete. The only sound one can hear is of the campfire.

In the morning, the rising glow of the sun reflects from peak to peak and then descends to the lower slopes awakening all. The sun’s warmth rouses the clouds to gradually climb the mountains, hugging the valley sides as they rise and engulf the peaks with their crowns of snow. This is an experience so vivid and revitalizing that it can never be forgotten.

Himalayan Legends & Pilgrimages

As an abode of peace, there are many references to the Himalya as the place where sages and common people have meditated in the pursuit of peace most myths associated with the Himalayas have a base in the idea of penance most myths associated with the Himalayas have a base in the idea of penance.

Kedarnath:- A story goes that there were once two sages, Nara and Narayana. They meditated for long years in the Himalayas. Lord Siva was impressed by their dedication, and after many years, came along to meet them. As the two sages sat awed by his very presence, the Lord said he was so happy that he would grant them a boon. The sages asked that the Lord might rest on these mountains forever. Since then the Jyotirlinga or the symbol of Saivite worship, installed itself at a place called Kedarnath and people from all over the world visit it to catch a glimpse of Shiva’s (also spelt as Shiv, Siva or Shiva) essence.

Pancha Kendaras:- Even the Pandavas, the five heroic brothers of the epic, Mahabharata, are said to have visited the Lord here. When Lord Shiva saw them coming he, however, changed his form into one of a buffalo and tried to run away. The five brothers managed to get hold of him, but only his posterior. It is believed that in Kedaradesa only the posterior part of the Lord remains. His body was separated into five parts and spread all over the Himalyas and these five sites are together known as “Pancha Kendaras”. The devotees visit all of them.

History According To Other Mythological Texts

Once upon a time, there lived a king called “Milinda”. He asked a sage called “Nagasena” about the Himalyas. The sage replied in a single verse which when translated reads: “The Himalya, the king of the mountains, five and thousand league in extent at the circumference, with its ranges or eight hundred and forty thousand peaks, the source of five hundred rivers, the dwelling place of multitudes of mighty creatures, the producer of manifold perfumes, enriched with hundreds of magical drugs, it is seen to rise aloft like a cloud in the centre of the earth.”

In fact, a text called the Sama Veda (Sam Veda) does describe the mountain ranges to be the centre of the earth. To the sage’s description may be added that these ranges are the youngest in India and one of the youngest mountain systems of the world. With many peaks yet to be christened, these mountain ranges have also given birth to many heroes who have scaled its heights.

Many other texts use very colourful adjectives to describe the mountains. Some call it, “the measuring rod of the earth”, The oldest Veda, the Rig Veda refers to the Himalyas as ‘Himavan’, a deity and asks: “To which other deity shall we offer our prayers? On account of your prowess, mountains like the Himalyas and the oceans with rivers are created and the distant quarters are designated as your mere arms.”

No wonder then that a mountain of so many aspects is viewed in Indian mythology as having a ‘divine soul’. It is called “Devatatma” in a Sanskrit poet Kalidasa’s works. That divinity is an all-pervading idea can be seen by the fact that there is a reference to a situation where a sage catches sight of the mountain ranges in Krishna’s stomach!

Krishna was the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in yet another instance, the path to heaven, it is said runs up the Himalya the hero of the Mahabharata, Yudhishtra, is said to have climbed these peaks in his progress towards heaven the one leading to the heavens is called “Swargarohini”, where Swarga means heaven “Arohini” means ascent. Chomolungma is the “Goddess mother of the earth” in Tibetan.

History of Himalayas

The Himalayas are not merely a geographical feature, a range of mountains; they epitomise a people’s civilisational identity that goes back to the dawn of history. If these majestic mountains were not there, the rain clouds sweeping up from the Indian Ocean would have passed over the Indian subcontinent into central Asia leaving it a burning desert.

Archaeological evidence reveals that urban civilisation first emerged in the valleys of the rivers coursing down from the Himalayan mountains. When man elsewhere was cautiously emerging from his cave shelters, spectacular cities flourished at Mohenjodaro and Harappa in the Indus valley.

Bang Khunphrom Palace & The Bank of Thailand Museum, Bangkok

The palace was once the residence of H.R.H. Prince Baripatra Sukhumbhand, the 33rd son of King Rama V. The construction of the main building (or tamnak yai) was finished in 1906 before another building called tamnak somdet was built to be the residence of his mother, H.M. Queen Sukhumala Marasri. Different ages of building resulted in different art styles of the whole palace. But they magically created the stunning impression for the beholders.

After the political transformation in 1932, the prince and his family moved to Bandung, Indonesia and Bang Khunphrom palace was turned into the offices for several organizations. Since 1992, the palace has become the Bank of Thailand National Museum featuring the prince’s life, the history of the central bank and Thai and foreign currencies.

National Museum, Bangkok

Established in 1926 in the reign of King Rama VII, it is located within walking distance of the Grand Palace next to Thammasat University, this is the largest and most comprehensive museum in Southeast Asia. It contains an 18th century palace and a group of well-designed buildings, housing Thailand's artistic treasures from prehistoric to contemporary.

The National Museum houses three permanent exhibition galleries as follows:

1. The Thai History Gallery

2. The Archaeological & Art History Collections

3. The Decorative Arts & Ethnological Collections

The Erawan Museum: The museum of three-headed elephant, Bangkok

Located in Samut Prakan Province (29 km south of Bangkok) is a graceful museum, which contains a priceless collection of antiques. Many of them, in the past, were viewed as sacred objects that brought fertility and prosperity to the land. The building itself was designed and built in a unique style.

Standing on the museum’s rooftop is a statue of Airavata (Erawan in Thai), a three-headed elephant in Hindu mythology. The Erawan is not only the god Indra’s vehicle but also a symbol of the eastern cosmography. Since its completion, the elephant has become one of the most revered objects in the province.

Ancient City (Muang Boran), Bangkok

Ancient City, covering about 320 acres, is the world's largest outdoor museum, and presents about 100 scaled-down replicas of Thailand's historic monuments and works of art. The structures are sited orderly in accordance with their geographical locations from the northern to the southern parts.

Though it takes an entire day to cover the area, it's worth a visit, especially for those who don't have enough time to tour the real places.

Phuttha Monthon Park & Utthayan Road, Bangkok

Covering an area of about 400 hectares, this large Buddhist park was built to celebrate the completion of the 25th century of the Buddhist era.The main attraction is the magnificent Walking Buddha statue 16 m high that can be seen from afar. There are replicas of important places in the life of the Buddha, e.g. the places where he was born, where he attained enlightenment and where he reached nirvana.

The park, with a great number of shady trees, features artificial lakes which contains lots of fish, and a botanical garden, part of which are plants that are mentioned in Buddhist history. Another outstanding feature of Phuttha Monthon Park is Utthayan Road, the 3.8 km road leading to the front gate of the park. It is magnificently lined with over 700 lamps, each adorned at the top of the post with the golden figure of the mythical bird called hansa. One will have a more splendid view of the road if coming at night when all lamps are turned on.

Vimanmek Mansion Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok

Located in the Dusit Palace area behind the old National Assembly Building, this three-storey European style mansion is the biggest golden teakwood building in the world. It was originally built in 1868 by command of King Rama V as a summer house on the island of Ko Si Chang off Chon Buri province. It was moved to Dusit Palace compound in 1901 and used as a royal residence.

After having been deserted for decades, it was renovated by order of H.M. Queen Sirikit in 1982 and opened to the public as the private museum of King Rama V with 31 exhibition rooms in total. Some rooms such as the bedrooms, the throne room and the bathrooms, are kept in the original condition, while the others are used to display art works. The collection consists mostly of photographs of royalty and other personages.

Also displayed are antique furniture, elegant Thai ceramics, precious china, European porcelain, splendid gift items from abroad and many other invaluable memorabilia.There are several other buildings in the compound that are worth visiting. Most of them display a variety of artefacts and precious art objects.

Royal Albert Hall, London

Opened in 1871 the Royal Albert Hall London is one of the capital’s most prestigious historic buildings and tourist attractions. It has been the scene of over 150,000 performances including the celebrated BBC Proms.

The Royal Albert Hall recently launched Family tours of the hall. Suitable for children over seven, these tours are an exciting and informative way to experience the Albert Hall, London and learn about one of the most famous entertainment venues in the world – contact the venue for more details.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the Royal Albert Hall is located close to London’s main museums: the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the V&A.

Kensington Palace, London

Kensington Palace, former home of Lady Diana, Princess Of Wales and birthplace of Queen Victoria.Set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough Of Kensington, this London palace was William III and Mary II’s principal (though not official) residence when in London. Although the palace was originally a Jacobean manor house, Sir Christopher Wren designed much of its current architecture.

Visitors to Kensington Palace can experience an age of elegance in the State Apartments with displays of royal court and ceremonial dress at this most fashionable Royal address, as well as strolling round the pleasant gardens here.

Kew Garden, London

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these magnificent London gardens, glasshouses and galleries are a living exhibit as well as an important historical legacy – its modern history really begins in the century when Henry VII moved his court to Richmond Palace in the summer months and nearby Kew village flourished. Since 1840 Kew Park has been open to the public and is without a doubt the most impressive London garden.

Given the size of this London attraction, Kew Garden could easily be a complete day out in itself – bring a picnic or use one of the four restaurants and cafés. A walking tour is a good way to experience the magnificent range of plants from the rainforest through to desert - guided tours of the park leave from Victoria Gate Centre at 11am and 2pm daily.

London visitors should note that Kew Gardens is accessible via the London Underground (Kew has its own stop on the District Line) and mainline rail services (trains depart regularly from central London).

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour and Exhibition, London

Shakespeare's Globe London was founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wannamaker and has become one of London's most successful theatres and a top London attraction in its own right.

Built in 1599, the original building that housed Shakespeare's theatre in London was an open-air playhouse where the playwright penned many of his greatest plays. This modern building is a faithful reconstruction of the Globe and perfectly evokes the atmosphere of Elizabethan London (albeit with more modern facilities for theatregoers!)

Resident storytellers on the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour And Exhibition introduce visitors to all aspects of the Globe, historical and contemporary, including Sam Wannamaker's epic struggle to recreate the theatre for which Shakespeare wrote many of his works.

HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast was launched in 1938 and served with distinction in both the Second World War and the Korean War. She is now the only surviving example of the great fleets of big gun armoured warships built for the Royal Navy in the first half of the twentieth century. She was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast (builders of RMS Titanic), and was launched on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1938, by Mrs Neville Chamberlain, wife of the then Prime Minister.

On 5 August 1939 HMS Belfast was commissioned into the Royal Navy and just a month later she was at war. On 21 November 1939, whilst leaving the Firth of Forth, HMS Belfast was severely damaged by a German magnetic mine, the damage was so severe that it was almost three years before she was fit for action again. She continued to serve in active military engagements until 1952, including participation in the destruction of the battle cruiser Scharnhorst the Normandy Landings and the Korean War. She remained in service until 1965. In May 1971, after 32 years service, HMS Belfast was 'Reduced to Disposal', in preparation for her sale and destruction by the ship's breakers. With the encouragement of the Imperial War Museum, an independent trust was formed, led by one of HMS Belfast's former captains, Rear-Admiral Sir Morgan Morgan Giles. The trust succeeded in bringing her to London where she opened to visitors on Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1971. She has been a popular London Thames attraction ever since. HMS Belfast has been part of the Imperial War Museum since 1978 and is the first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson's Victory.

Today London visitors can explore her nine decks including the massive boiler and engine rooms, operate the anti-aircraft guns and experience what life was like for those on board. An audio guide is available for visitors in four different languages.

HMS Belfast is moored on the River Thames, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. The nearest tube is London Bridge Station.

The Tower Bridge

One the most impressive structures and sites in the capital, Tower Bridge in London has stood over the River Thames since 1894 and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world.

At the Tower Bridge Exhibition you can enjoy the breathtaking views from the high-level walkways (an exhilarating tour, as long as you don’t suffer from vertigo!) learn about the history of the Bridge and how it was built. Interactive displays and videos provide an entertaining and informative guide to Tower Bridge in London and its place in the history of the River Thames.

London visitors can also descend into the Victorian Engine Rooms, home of the original steam engines. Exciting hands-on mechanisms and information panels explain about the ingenious technology used over the years to keep Tower Bridge in motion.

London Zoo

Opened in 1828, ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo and today houses over 650 different species of animal and is the only zoo in London where you can experience big animals such as elephants, rhinos and giraffes.

Visit the “Into Africa” exhibit where you can come face to face with some of Africa's most unusual animals including zebras and hunting dogs, or try “Meet The Monkeys” an exciting walk-through experience. Other new exhibits include the Butterfly Paradise, where you can enjoy myriad species of butterfly as they fly around you.

With over 12,000 animals to see and incredible animal displays taking place throughout the day (including feeds and keeper talks) you could easily spend a whole day at this London attraction.

Tower of London

As one of the most famous castles in the world, Tower Of London tickets normally cost £16.00 for an adult ticket and £9.50 for children making this one of the best savings on London attractions to be had for pass holders.

For over 900 years the Tower Of London has dominated the city of London – no surprise then that it is one of the capital’s most prominent landmarks and an essential place to visit if you’re on the London sightseeing trail.

Throughout its long history the Tower Of London has been England’s most feared castle, a place of execution, torture and imprisonment – its nickname “The Bloody Tower” says it all! It is definitely a must see on a sightseeing tour of London.

However, during its colourful past the London Tower has also been a Royal Palace, an arsenal, a fortress, the royal mint, a menagerie, a jewel house, and now a major tourist site.

London visitors can discover its long and eventful history, its buildings and collections – Tower Of London prices include access to the Crown Jewels exhibition and Royal Armouries.

New York, USA

Let's face it New York City has it all! From Historic landmarks to Broadway theaters to hundreds of museums. Attractions are everywhere! Your journey to the Big Apple Begins here. When you get to our detail pages you will find useful information about each attraction, links that will keep you up to date and a handy cross reference scheme that will let you know where you are in the city. The NYC Neighborhoods section of the site shows you what's around each sight and has great tips on dinning and entertainment in the area.

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is one of New York City’s most famous landmarks. The terminal opened in 1913, after about 10 years of construction. Over the years, the terminal suffered deterioration and possible demolition. But the city wasn't going to let Grand Central suffer this fate. In the 1960's, the terminal was designated an historical landmark, despite some serious opposition. In the 1990's, the terminal was completely renovated and is now quite the midtown destination. Grand Central Terminal is home to five fine restaurants, twenty casual restaurants, and about fifty unique specialty shops. The terminal hosts large public events in its 12,000 square foot Vanderbilt Hall. To see this great terminal up close, you can take a self-guided walking tour or a one-hour private guided tour. If you choose the self-guided tour, visit the Grand Central Terminal's official website (using the link below) to print out a great itinerary for your tour. If you choose the guided tour, be sure to book at least 2-3 weeks early. More information and booking options are found on the official website. And while you're in the main terminal, be sure to look up at the spectacular ceiling, an astronomical mural painted by Paul Helleu.

Chrysler Building

In the summer of 1929, a "race for the sky" broke out on the island of Manhattan. Automobile tycoon Walter Chrysler battled Wall Street powerhouse Bank of Manhattan Trust Company for the title of world's tallest building in what many historians consider to be the most intense race in skyscraper history. In the spring of 1930, just when it appeared that the bank might capture the coveted title, a small crew jacked a needle-thin spire hidden in Chrysler's building through the top of the crown to claim the title of world's tallest at 1,046 feet. Not only was the Chrysler Building the world's tallest structure, it was also one of the most decorated office buildings in the world. Chrysler wanted "a bold structure, declaring the glories of the modern age" -- and he got it. He decorated his skyscraper with hubcaps, mudguards, and hood ornaments, just like his cars, hoping that such a distinctive building would make his car company a household name. Today, the Chrysler Building is recognized as New York City's greatest display of Art Deco, a decorative style characterized by sharp angular or zigzag surface forms and ornaments. Only four months after the completion of the Chrysler Building, the world's tallest championship title would be claimed by a new structure, the Empire State Building.

Empire State Building

New York's famous Empire State Building, a New York City Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, soars more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan. Located on the 86th floor, 1,050 feet above the city's bustling streets, the Observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion and from the surrounding open-air promenade. The observatory is handicap accessible. The building, one of New York City's main tourist attractions, offers a variety of activities for its visitors. One can tour the Observatory 365 days per year, day and night, rain or shine for breathtaking views of Manhattan and beyond. Also, there are two restaurants, a sushi bar, three coffee shops, a drug store, a Hallmark card shop, a post office and two banks, in addition to the plethora of restaurants and nightlife activities in the surrounding area. Majestic art deco masterpiece. World-renowned landmark; the symbol of New York. Indoor/outdoor observatories offer spectacular daytime and nighttime views from 1,050 to 1,250 feet above Manhattan. Call for current schedule.

Rockefeller Center

Today, Rockefeller Center is a fascinating combination of contradictions: at once futuristic and classical, with soaring buildings and underground tunnels, inspired by both hard-headed commercialism and philanthropic idealism. Below street level, the Center's buildings are linked by a pedestrian shopping concourse. This is an oasis of order in the heart of the busiest city in the world, a city within a city, functionally efficient and aesthetically elegant. In 1988, Rockefeller Center was declared a national historic landmark.

Times Square, New York

When the New York Times erected a new building on 43rd Street at the turn of the 20th century, the neighborhood took on the name "Times Square." A decade later, theater, vaudeville and cabaret migrated to the streets nearby, attracting much tourism by the 1920s. But the market crash of 1929 led to a sharp decline in theater attendance, and to the transformation of performance halls into cheap "grinder" houses that screened sexually explicit films. In the early 1980s, the city made major efforts to restore the neighborhood to its former, more wholesome, glory. Now it is the site of the most famous New year's Eve countdown in the world.