HI TO ALL

Direct Sat TV

2009-02-27T10:40:00.000-08:00

The TV satellite technology has developed a lot in the recent past. TV satellite provider is also giving contribution for the TV satellite technology spreading. DIRECT SAT TV is one which provides the best DIRECTV products and services at a very low price. DirecTV deals with varieties of packages to satisfy the different needs of different customers. When you buy DIRECTV from DIRECT SAT TV you will be getting the most advanced DIRECTV satellite dish, receiver, and DVR recorders, backed by expert installation second to none in the satellite TV and dish network industry. One of the best authorized dealer is Direct sat TV.

Just by signing up with them u can enjoy ur favorite program sitting at home. They have a huge collection of channels from which u can choose ur favorite. Compare DIRECTV to cable to see all of the advantages that DIRECT SAT TV can deliver.DirectTV has lot of discount offers too.Don’t wait any more jus visit there website and order now.

Acobay

2009-02-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

Human being is a social animal. He needs some at all stages to share his views. Acobay is a social network site. People can share anything with any person anywhere in the world including our blog which is the most exciting part of this network.This will increase the traffic of your blog. You can talk about ur personal things, ur likes, dislikes etc. It’s a great way to get to know each other.

All that u need to do is jus sign up with them, which hardly takes few minutes of ur precious time. You can write opinions on everyday items you use, products you like, movies you've seen, music you love, in special categories just for those things, or post more in the anything section. You can also post about ur blog. You can share wat ur blog is all about. Its also very interesting to read about stuffs that others have written.

There are many social networks. But Acobay is unique in its own way. To find out more about acobay jus log on to their home page and get connected with the world.

Diet and exercise

2009-02-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

The more fat you have on your body,the more is the risk of strainig heart and developing diabetes.
If you are past the age of 25, the only way you can know that you are putting in excess weight to compare your weight against the figures of desireable weight.If 20% more,you are obese.
If you are overweight, the only solution is to reduce your intake of food. And do exercise regularly.
Donot start any diet without consulting Doctor and dietcian.
Do running,Cycling,Swimming,brisk walking which will help reduce your fat by removing excess calorie.Never start any exercise program without getting fitness certificate from your family physician.
It has been proved that regular exercise can prevent heart attack.

Light up with Farreys

2009-02-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

Everybody wants their house to be beautiful and bright. Here is an opportunity to make ur house more attractive. Farreys offers a wide range of light fixtures to brighten ur house. Believe me Farreys is the best place where u can find quality product at a cheaper rate. There are thousands of lighting products from which u can choose ur favorite. Some of the lighting products include chandeliers, pendant lights, lamps, torchieres etc.
They are into this business since 1924, hence they are highly reliable and provide good customer service. They not only provide lighting fixture but also ceiling fans, kitchen accessories, bath products, ventilation products etc. Since they have a huge collection, they provide a search tool to choose the products with ease. They offer huge collection of lighting for both indoor and outdoor.
Here is a best opportunity for people who want to decorate their house with beautiful lightings. Just browse through their website and order ur favorite product.

Car Hire In USA

2009-01-27T21:09:00.000-08:00

Many of us plan for a tour during our vacation. This is the most memorable period that we spend with our family. For this vacation if you are planning to tour around USA, then I would say u have taken a wise decision because this is the best place to spend you vacation. U have lot of historically things to see. To make your trip more convenient I have a good idea for all u people. I came across a website which I would like to share with everyone. They help u to hire car in USA. I never thought car rental would be so easy. They provide us with a wide range of vehicles from which v can choose our favorite.

All u need to do is just visit their website and fill out the details finally u will get the car that u need at right time. Car rental is not only provided in USA but in around 60 countries. You can just give your travel plans regarding where you are gonna start and where you want to be dropped after your tour, number of days of travel and travel places and they will give your the price quotation for the trip. Believe me its very cheap and no one else would provide u such a service for such a low price. People those who have planned for a trip to USA, why still waiting jus sign up with them and make your trip the most exciting one. For all travelers out there who are looking for a car hire USA for a tour, this place would be the BEST.

Planterixchange

2009-01-21T01:45:00.000-08:00

Everybody likes to have a beautiful garden at there home but we may not have sufficient space at our home to grow big trees. When we think about decorative item for our house related to gardening then the first thing that comes to our mind is planters. The one place where decorative and stylish planters are available is Planterixchange.com. They have a wide collection of residential planter or commercial planters to suit everyone’s need. The products that are available with them are Indoor Planters, Outdoor Planters, Garden Planters, Window Box Planters, High End Planters and Decorative Planters. The listed one’s are very few. In reality they have a wide range of products.

Another marvelous feature of this online store is that they provide us with indepth knowledge of various products. The customer service is excellent. The products are of high quality. Low price ,variety and ease of shopping is another best feature of this online market.

For people who have decided to buy planters.. believe me this is the best place. Hence feel free to try out the products here. I m sure u will be satisfied to a great extent. Why still waiting CLICK here and order your favorite piece.

Flower Gifts on Valentine's Day

2009-01-15T01:15:00.000-08:00

Feb 14th is a very special day for people all over the world, yes it’s the valentine’s day. Everybody whether he is rich or poor/young or old celebrates this day. This is a special day to show how much love they have for each other. Hence people exchange valentine gifts to express there love. The most popular gift is valentine flowers of course. These flowers easily express the feelings that are too difficult to be expressed by words.

On valentine’s day love should be expressed in a very special way because this day is meant for that. Here is a gift idea for u. To make the unforgettable Valentine’s Day for your loved one, be creative with giving flowers. What ever flower it is u can always use your imagination to make it special. Many of us may not have a chance to give those lovely flowers in person.

If your loved one is at a different location which is not reachable by u, then don’t lose heart. Here is a way. U can order those flowers online for delivery anywhere in the world. Visit this website and choose from the different arrangements of flowers and simply click and order to make your valentine’s day a memorable one.
Have a happy valentine’s day….

The Stainless Steel Store

2009-01-13T03:03:00.000-08:00

Stainless steel have become an integral part in today’s household. Stainless steel is the most preferred over aluminium,Iron or brass. The stainless steel store has all sorts of products made of high quality steel. More over stainless steel has an advantage over Iron i.e it doesn’t get corroded. All the products in Stainless steel store are made of Blomus Stainless steel. They have a wide variety of product for kitchen, dinning room, living room etc. For example if we consider kitchen, stainless steel bread box, stainless steel spatula, stainless steel knife, stainless steel coffee canister are some of the product available. The products that I have mentioned are very few. They have a huge collection.

There are several items in steel which we would not have imagined that it could be made out of steel. Its very easy and convenient to shop at The stainless steel store. It save our valuable time too. Just sitting at home we can order our favorite utensil or whatever product made out steel. Hi friends why still waiting just browse through their website and place your orders as soon possible.

Enjoy shopping with Shopwiki

2009-01-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

When we decide to shop for something often we may end up at a wrong place. I think we must first look online of where we can get a better product. You can find the most reliable site HERE. If you are planning to buy a bicycle then the best thing is to check out the products with shopwiki. Believe me this is the best place where we can find products related to most of our needs. Conventional shopping sites will only show you stores that have PAID for placement but ShopWiki will give a shopper everything, almost 30,000 stores instead of the usual 1,000 stores that other shopping sites have. Hence a shopper can find anything and everything at one place.

In today’s world , time is the most important thing. Shopwiki saves our valuable time. This site will provide you with the result which contains almost every product that is available in the market. Unlike other search engines, ShopWiki does not get any payments from the retailers for inclusion of their product in search results. I think many of you would have a long list of things that u would like to shop for. Just sit at home and browse through shopwiki, u can find the best place. Enjoy shopping!!!!

Join Payingpost

2009-01-07T23:25:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite pass time is blogging. I get to know about different people around the world just sitting at home. Initially I started my blog jus to share my views to the outer world but later I came to know about different blog advertisements where we can earn a handsome amount. I was really interested. There are lot of advertisement from various sites that invites the bloggers to sign up and write reviews for the advertisers. There are many networks but the one I recommend is awesome. Here we not only get to know about various products but we can also earn money writing good reviews for advertisers. This is highly reliable too.
The requirement to join this blog market is very simple. You should have a blog that contains original contents. Then sign up with them .They will respond to you via mail as quickly as possible. Hence I encourage all the bloggers to join this site to enter into the world of opportunities so that every one can earn a handsome amount. Why still waiting jus click HERE and start your journey.

Temper Control.....

2009-01-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said “you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.”
You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.
Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.

new year

2009-01-01T23:58:00.000-08:00

Wish U All A Happy New Year

Palak Paneer

2008-12-28T02:12:00.000-08:00

Ingredients
3 bunches of spinach (fresh and cleaned)
100 gms paneer
1 onion
3 tablespoons of butter
3 to 4 bay leaves
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
Salt to taste
¼ teaspoon of black pepper powder
¾ teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
½ teaspoon green chili paste
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Method

* Mix the ginger-garlic paste, green chili paste and some water with spinach.
* Put the mixture in a pressure cooker, steaming it for about 7-8 minutes
* Blend the mixture in a blender to make an even thick spinach paste.
* Cut the paneer into small cubes.
* Heat oil in a pan and then deep fry the paneer cubes till it is light brown.
* In a cooking pan heat the butter and fry the bay leaves and cumin seeds. Add the chopped onion.
* Add salt, black pepper powder, garam masala.
* Add the fried paneer cubes and cooked spinach.
* Serve hot with rice

Pepper Mushroom

2008-12-26T02:06:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:
Mushroom one small pack.

Pepper (powdered) 4 or 5 spoon.

Ginger & garlic paste 1 and a half spoon.

Onion (chopped) 1.

Turmeric Powder 2 pinch.

Salt To a needed limit.

Oil 3 spoon.

Lime (squash) 2 drops.

Coriander leaves.

Mustard seeds and Curry leaves .

Method:
* Heat a pan containing oil, then add mustard seeds and curry leaves after the oil gets heated.
* Add the chopped onion to that and fry till the onion turn to golden brown in colour.
* Immediately add the ginger & garlic paste,turmeric powder, powdered pepper, fry for a second.
* Add the mushroom pieces to the above mixing.
* Add half a glass of water, add salt. Wait till it turns to gravy.
* Finally Squeeze a 2 drops of lime and garnish with coriander leaves.
* Serve hot with Rice, Chappathi, Naan. You can also add Potatoes(finely chopped) if you like.

A-Z phobia

2008-12-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

A
Achluophobia - Fear of darkness.
Acrophobia - Fear of heights.
Agliophobia - Fear of pain.
Agoraphobia - Fear of open spaces or crowds.
Aichmophobia - Fear of needles or pointed objects.
Amaxophobia - Fear of riding in a car.
Androphobia - Fear of men.
Anginophobia - Fear of angina or choking.
Anthrophobia - Fear of flowers.
Anthropophobia - Fear of people or society
.Aphenphosmphobia - Fear of being touched.
Arachnophobia - Fear of spiders.
Arithmophobia - Fear of numbers.
Astraphobia - Fear of thunder and lightening.
Ataxophobia - Fear of disorder or untidiness.
Atelophobia - Fear of imperfection.
Atychiphobia - Fear of failure.
Autophobia - Fear of being alone.
B
Bacteriophobia - Fear of bacteria.
Barophobia - Fear of gravity.
Bathmophobia - Fear of stairs or steep slopes.
Batrachophobia - Fear of amphibians.
Belonephobia - Fear of pins and needles.
Bibliophobia - Fear of books.
Botanophobia - Fear of plants.
C
Cacophobia - Fear of ugliness.
Catagelophobia - Fear of being ridiculed.
Catoptrophobia - Fear of mirrors.
Chionophobia - Fear of snow.
Chromophobia - Fear of colors.
Chronomentrophobia - Fear of clocks.
Claustrophobia - Fear of confined spaces.
Coulrophobia - Fear of clowns.
Cyberphobia - Fear of computers.
Cynophobia - Fear of dogs.
D
Dendrophobia - Fear of trees.
Dentophobia - Fear of dentists.
Domatophobia - Fear of houses.
Dystychiphobia - Fear of accidents.
E
Ecophobia - Fear of the home.
Elurophobia - Fear of cats.
Entomophobia - Fear of insects.
Ephebiphobia - Fear of teenagers.
Equinophobia - Fear of horses.
G
Gamophobia - Fear of marriage.
Genuphobia - Fear of knees.
Glossophobia - Fear of speaking in public.
Gynophobia - Fear of women.
H
Heliophobia - Fear of the sun.
Hemophobia - Fear of blood.
Herpetophobia - Fear of reptiles.
Hydrophobia - Fear of water.
I
Iatrophobia - Fear of doctors.
Insectophobia - Fear of insects.
K
Koinoniphobia - Fear of rooms.
L
Leukophobia - Fear of the color white.
Lilapsophobia - Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes.
Lockiophobia - Fear of childbirth.
M
Mageirocophobia - Fear of cooking.
Megalophobia - Fear of large things.
Melanophobia - Fear of the color black.
Microphobia - Fear of small things.
Mysophobia - Fear of dirt and germs.
N
Necrophobia - Fear of death or dead things.
Noctiphobia - Fear of the night.
Nosocomephobia - Fear of hospitals.
O
Obesophobia - Fear of gaining weight.
Octophobia - Fear of the figure 8.
Ombrophobia - Fear of rain.
Ophidiophobia - Fear of snakes.
Ornithophobia - Fear of birds.
P
Papyrophobia - Fear of paper.
Pathophobia - Fear of disease.
Pedophobia - Fear of children.
Philophobia - Fear of love.
Phobophobia - Fear of phobias.
Podophobia - Fear of feet.
Porphyrophobia - Fear of the color purple.
Pteridophobia - Fear of ferns.
Pteromerhanophobia - Fear of flying.
Pyrophobia - Fear of fire.
S
Scolionophobia - Fear of school.
Selenophobia - Fear of the moon.
Sociophobia - Fear of social evaluation.
Somniphobia - Fear of sleep.
T
Tachophobia - Fear of speed.
Technophobia - Fear of technology.
Tonitrophobia - Fear of thunder.
Trypanophobia - Fear of injections.
V-Z
Venustraphobia - Fear of beautiful women.
Verminophobia - Fear of germs.
Wiccaphobia - Fear of witches and witchcraft.
Xenophobia - Fear of strangers or foreigners.
Zoophobia - Fear of animals.

White Tiger

2008-12-21T01:47:00.000-08:00

The white tiger (also known as the Bengal tiger) is about 3 meters long, and weighs approximately 180-285 kg (400-569 LB). It’s coat lies flatter than that of the Siberian tiger, the tawny color is richer and the stripes are darker. White tigers are white colored bengals, they are not albinos and they are not a seperate subspecies of tigers.They have blue eyes, a pink nose, and creamy white furr covered with chocolate colored stripes. White tigers are born to tigers that carry the unusual gene needed for white coloring. Wild white tigers are very rare.They are usually located on the Mainland of Southeastern Asia and in central and southern India. The white Bengal tiger lives in grassy or swampy areas and forests, where they can be well camouflaged. Those living on islands have almost disappeared; most now live in zoo’s or special wildlife parks.Even though it is illegal, white tigers are hunted by poachers in many Asian countries.Tiger’s body parts are sought for use in traditional Chinese medicine and exotic recipes. As well as their body parts, their coats can be sold for a small fortune, so to many people this is the ideal animal to hunt if they want some fast money.

WHITE TIGER FACTS

White tigers are born to Bengal tigers that carry an unusual gene needed for white coloring. The White Tiger is a good swimmer, but a very poor climber.They may be slow runners, but they are stealthy enough to catch any prey in their sights. Because they are solitary animals, they mostly hunt at night.The other four sub-species of tiger are Siberian, South China, Indochinese, and Sumataran. There are only approximately 5,000 to 7,400 tigers left in the wild.It is belief that if you are born in the Chinese year of the tiger you are unusually lucky. Let’s hope that some of this luck rubs off on the white tiger before it’s too late.

Nile- The longest River

2008-12-17T01:44:00.000-08:00

At 4,132 miles (6,650 km.), the Nile River is the longest river in the world. It has its origins in Burundi, south of the equator, and flows northward through northeastern Africa, eventually flowing through Egypt and finally draining into the Mediterranean Sea. Three principal streams form the Nile. In Ethiopia's highlands, water flows from the Blue Nile and the Atbara. Headstreams of the White Nile flow into Lake Victoria and Lake Albert. The Nile River basin is immense and occupies an area about one-tenth of the continent of Africa. It includes portions of Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, The Sudan, and Egypt. It is estimated to drain an area of 1,293,000 square miles (3,349,000 sq. km.)
The Nile receives its name from the Greek Neilos, which means a valley or river valley. The river flowed northward and flooded the lands in Egypt, leaving behind black sediment. As a result the ancient Egyptians called the river Ar or Aur (black). The Greeks and Egyptians also gave the land its oldest name Kem or Kemi, which also translates into black. The river's water and the fertile soil along its banks created the perfect setting for the evolution of the civilizations that existed in the ancient world. The ancient peoples that lived along the river's banks cultivated the art of agriculture and were one the first to utilize the plow.
Throughout the year, the Nile serves as a constant source of water. This enables farming along its banks in spite of the high temperatures that occur. In those regions, especially The Sudan, where there is enough rainfall to support cultivation, the high temperatures evaporate enough of the water making irrigation necessary. In addition to its vital role in agriculture, its waterways also play a major role in transportation. During seasonal flooding it enables transportation to those areas where road access is not possible.
During the 20th century, dependence on the waterways as a sole source of transportation has been reduced as facilities for air, rail and highways have expanded.

Chilly Paneer

2008-12-09T22:51:00.000-08:00

Ingredients
1. 1 cup Paneer chopped into cubes

2. 3-4 green chilies

3. 1 tea spn soya sauce

4. 1 tea spn tomato ketchup

5. 1/2 tea spn ginger-garlic paste

6. 1/2 cup onions slices

7. 1/2 cup capsicum slices

8. 1 tbl spn oil

9. 2-3 strands coriander leaves

10. Salt

Directions

1. Heat oil and fry the Paneer cubes till they turn slightly brownish. Take them out.

2. In the remaining oil, add ginger-garlic paste and onions. Fry till onions turn translucent.

3. Add capsicum, slitted green chilies and fry till they become soft.

4. Add soya sauce, tomato ketchup, salt and Paneer. Mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Taj Mahal - One of the seven wonders of the world

2008-12-07T00:18:00.000-08:00

Taj Mahal of India - "the epitome of love", "a monument of immeasurable beauty". The beauty of this magnificent monument is such that it is beyond the scope of words. The thoughts that come into the mind while watching the Taj Mahal of Agra is not just its phenomenal beauty, but the immense love which was the reason behind its construction. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at the first sight. The very first sight of the Taj Mahal, the epitome of love and romance leaves one mesmerized.

Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is synonymous with love and romance. It is believed that the name "Taj Mahal" was derived from the name of Shah Jahan wife Mumtaz Mahal and means "Crown Palace". The purity of the white marble, the exquisite ornamentation, precious gemstones used and its picturesque location, all make Taj Mahal travel gain a place amongst the most popular ones. However, unless and until, one knows the love story behind the Tajmahal of India, it will come up as just a beautiful building. But, the love behind this outstanding monument is what has given a life to this monument

Qutab Minar

2008-12-05T22:51:00.000-08:00

Qutub-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation for Qutub Minar in 1199 AD and his successor and son-in-law Shamsu'd-Din- Iitutmish completed the structure by adding three more stories. Standing at 72.5 meters, it is the highest stone tower in India. Its base diameter is 14.3 meters and its top diameter is 2.7 meters. It has 379 steps leading to its top story. The lower three stories are made using red sand stone and the top two with marble and sand stone.

There are various stories being told about the reason the Qutub minar was built. Some say that it was constructed as tower of victory to declare the might of Islam. Some others have the view that it might have been used as a tower for defense. The inscriptions at the base of the minaret tell that Firoz Shah Tughlak (AD 1351-88) added the last story in 1368. It is also believed that Sikandar Lodhi(AD 1489-1517) and Major R. Smith (1829) have undertaken several repair and restoration works on the tower. There are a numerous other Arabic inscriptions on the tower telling the history of Qutub.

Other structures in the Qutub complex include:

Tomb of Iitutmish, which was constructed in 1235 AD. The tomb is made up of red sandstone and it describes the Arabic architectural patterns.

Alai Minar, which stands north to Qutub Minar was constructed by Alaud-Din-Khalji with an intention to make it twice the size of Qutub. But he could complete only one storey and the work was abandoned after his death. Alai Minar is 25meters in height.

Quwwat-ul-Islam, a mosque constructed by Qutub-ud-din in 1198 also stands in the Qutub complex.

A famous Iron Pillar, which was erected in the 4th Century AD, is located in the courtyard of Quwwat-ul-Islam. It raises to a height of 7 meters and weighs more than 6 tons. The Sanskrit inscriptions on the pillar tells that it is erected as a flagstaff in honour of hindu god Vishnu and the memory of Chandra Gupta. It is made up of 98% wrought iron and it stood the test of time of more than 1600 years with our rust or decomposition. This proclaims the metallurgical excellence of ancient India.

There are many other installations like madrassas, graves, tombs, mosques in the vicinity of Qutub Minar.

Interestingly Qutub Minar is the most visited tourist spot in Delhi.

HIGHEST, LONGEST, BIGGEST, LARGEST, DEEPEST, SMALLEST OF THE WORLD

2008-12-01T23:39:00.000-08:00

Largest Airport - King Khalid International Airport (South Arabia)
Highest Airport - Lhasa Airport, Tibet
Tallest Animal - Giraffe
Largest Animal - Blue Bottom whale
Largest Bay - Hudson Bay, Canada,
Fastest Bird - Swift
Largest Bird - Ostrich
Smallest Bird - Humming bird
Longest Bridge - the Akashi Kaikyo bridge in Japan takes the title, with a main span of 1,991 meters (or 6,532 feet)
Tallest Building - Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan,2004,101 stories,509m,1,670ft
Longest Canal - Baltic sea White Canal
Largest Cathedral - Cathedral Church of New York
Largest Cemetry - Leningrad, Russia
Largest Church - Belisca of St. Peter in the Vatican City, Rome.
Largest Continent - Asia
Smallest Continent - Australia
Largest Country - Russia
Smallest Country - Vatican City
Biggest Cinema House - Roxy, New York
Highest City - Wen Chuan, China
Highest Population - Mexico
Longest Day - June 21
Shortest Day - December 22
Largest Delta - Sunderbans
Largest Desert - Sahara, Africa
Biggest Dome - Gol Gumbaz (Bijapur), India
Largest Dams - Grand Coulee Dam, USA
Tallest Fountain - Fountain Hills, Arizona
Largest Gulf - Gulf of Mexico
Largest Hotel - Hotel Rossaiya, Moscow
Largest Island - Greenland
Largest Lake - Caspian Sea, CISIran
Deepest Lake - Baikal (Siberia)
Highest Lake - Titicaca (Bolivia)
Biggest Library - National Kiev Library, Moscow and Library of the Congress, Washington
Largest Mosque - Jama Masjid, Delhi (India)
Highest Mountain Peak Mount Everest (Nepal)
Highest Mountain Range Himalayas
Longest Mountain - Andes (South America)
Biggest Museum - British Museum (London)
Largest Minaret Sultan Has-san Mosque (Egypt)
Tallest Minaret - Qutub Minar, Delhi (India)
Biggest Oceans - Pacific Ocean
Deepest Oceans - Pacific Ocean
Biggest Palace - Vatican (Rome)
Largest Palace - Imperial Palace (China)
Biggest Park - Yellow Stone National Park
Largest Park - Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada)
Largest Peninsula - Arabia
Highest Plateau - Pamir (Tibet)
Longest Platform - Kharagpur, W. Bengal (India)
Largest Platform - Grand Central Terminal, (Ely. Station)New York (USA)
Biggest Planet - Jupiter
Smallest Planet - Murcury
Brightest Planet Venus
Coldest Planet Pluto
Nearest (To the Sun) - Mercury
Farthest (from the Sun) - Pluto
Longest River - Nile, Africa
Longest River Dam - Hirakud Dam, India
Largest Sea - South China Sea
Largest Stadium - Starhove Stadium, Prague (Czech Republic)
Brightest Star - Sirius A
Tallest Statue - Motherland (Russia)
Largest Sea-bird - Albatross
Biggest Telescope - Mt. Palomar (USA)
Longest Train Flying Scotsman
Largest Temple - Angkorwat in Kampuchea
Oldest Theatre - Teatro Ohmpico (Itlay)
Tallest Tower - C. N. Tower, Toronto (Canada)
Longest Wall - Great Wall of China
Highest Waterfall - Angel (Venezuela)
Widest Waterfall - Khone Falls (Laos)
Lowest Water Level - Dead Sea
Longest Epic - Mahabharata
Hottest Place - Al-Azizia (Libya)
Rainiest Place - Mosinram, near Cherapunji (India)
Highest Road - Leh-Nobra, Ladakh division India.
Highest Village - Andean (Chile)
Highest Volcano - Ojos del Salado, (Argentina) Chile
Largest Volcano - Manuna Lea (Hawai)
Lightest Gas - Hydrogen
Fastest Animal - Cheetah
Biggest Flower - Rafflesia (Java)
Longest Corridor - Rameshwaram Temple (India)
Largest Democracy - India
Fastest Dog - Persian greyhound
Lightest Metal - Lithium

Gangas- The Holy River

2008-11-23T23:30:00.000-08:00

The mighty river Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) represents Indian culture in a unique blend of the mythical and the real. The river rises as the Bhagirathi from a mammoth glacier Gangotri, of nearly 200 sq km, in the lower reaches of the Himalayas. It joins the Alaknanda River to form the Ganges. This perennial river flows almost 2500 km before joining the Brahmaputra River creating the world’s largest river delta Sunderbans, on the Indo-Bangladesh border. A tributary of Ganges crosses over into Bangladesh as the Padma River.

The mythic aura of the river is seen from the string of holy shrines that line its path like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Haridwar and Varanasi. The banks of this river and its tributaries have nurtured several settlements that have grown into major cities like Allahabad, Kanpur, Patna, Kolkata and Delhi.

The mythical Ganges, once a celestial river, was prevailed upon by King Bhagiratha, after herculean efforts, to descend to earth to cleanse the sins of his ancestors. This gave Ganges the image of a purifier in Indian beliefs. Scattering the ashes in the river after cremation or a dip in the river is believed to wash away one's sins. The Ganges River is also worshipped as Gangadevi/Goddess Ganga.

Languages of various countries

2008-11-21T22:41:00.000-08:00

Afghanistan
Dari Persian, Pashtu (both official), other Turkic and minor languages
Albania
Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Algeria
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Andorra
Catalán (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Angola
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Antigua and Barbuda
English (official), local dialects
Argentina
Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Armenia
Armenian 98%, Yezidi, Russian
Australia
English 79%, native and other languages
Austria
German (official nationwide); Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian (each official in one region)
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani Turkic 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Bahamas
English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Bahrain
Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Bangladesh
Bangla (official), English
Barbados
English
Belarus
Belorussian (White Russian), Russian, other
Belgium
Dutch (Flemish) 60%, French 40%, German less than 1% (all official)
Belize
English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Benin
French (official), Fon, Yoruba, tribal languages
Bhutan
Dzongkha (official), Tibetan dialects (among Bhotes), Nepalese dialects (among Nepalese)
Bolivia
Spanish, Quechua, Aymara (all official)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Botswana
English 2% (official), Setswana 78%, Kalanga 8%, Sekgalagadi 3%, other (2001)
Brazil
Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
Brunei
Malay (official), English, Chinese
Bulgaria
Bulgarian 85%, Turkish 10%, Roma 4%
Burkina Faso
French (official); native African (Sudanic) languages 90%
Burundi
Kirundi and French (official), Swahili
Cambodia
Khmer 95% (official), French, English
Cameroon
French, English (both official); 24 major African language groups
Canada
English 59.3%, French 23.2% (both official); other 17.5%
Cape Verde
Portuguese, Criuolo
Central African Republic
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca, national), tribal languages
Chad
French, Arabic (both official); Sara; more than 120 languages and dialects
Chile
Spanish
China
Standard Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
Colombia
Spanish
Comoros
Arabic and French (both official), Shikomoro (Swahili/Arabic blend)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Congo, Republic of
French (official), Lingala, Monokutuba, Kikongo, many local languages and dialects
Costa Rica
Spanish (official), English
Côte d'Ivoire
French (official) and African languages (Dioula esp.)
Croatia
Croatian 96% (official), other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, German)
Cuba
Spanish
Cyprus
Greek, Turkish (both official); English
Czech Republic
Czech
Denmark
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (Inuit dialect), German; English is the predominant second language
Djibouti
French and Arabic (both official), Somali, Afar
Dominica
English (official) and French patois
Dominican Republic
Spanish
East Timor
Tetum, Portuguese (official); Bahasa Indonesia, English; other indigenous languages, including Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak
Ecuador
Spanish (official), Quechua, other Amerindian languages
Egypt
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
El Salvador
Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)
Equatorial Guinea
Spanish, French (both official); pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Eritrea
Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Estonia
Estonian 67% (official), Russian 30%, other (2000)
Ethiopia
Amharic, Tigrigna, Orominga, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, English, over 70 others
Fiji
English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Finland
Finnish 92%, Swedish 6% (both official); small Sami- (Lapp) and Russian-speaking minorities
France
French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects (Provençal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Gabon
French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Gambia
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous
Georgia
Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azerbaijani 6%, other 7% (Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia)
Germany
German
Ghana
English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Greece
Greek 99% (official), English, French
Grenada
English (official), French patois
Guatemala
Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Guinea
French (official), native tongues (Malinké, Susu, Fulani)
Guinea-Bissau
Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages
Guyana
English (official), Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu
Haiti
Creole and French (both official)
Honduras
Spanish (official), Amerindian dialects; English widely spoken in business
Hungary
Magyar (Hungarian) 94%, other 6%
Iceland
Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
India
Hindi 30%, English, Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi (all official); Hindi/Urdu; 1,600+ dialects
Indonesia
Bahasa Indonesia (official), English, Dutch, Javanese, and more than 580 other languages and dialects
Iran
Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
Iraq
Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
Ireland
English, Irish (Gaelic) (both official)
Israel
Hebrew (official), Arabic, English
Italy
Italian (official); German-, French-, and Slovene-speaking minorities
Jamaica
English, Jamaican Creole
Japan
Japanese
Jordan
Arabic (official), English
Kazakhstan
Kazak (Qazaq, state language) 64%; Russian (official, used in everyday business) 95% (2001 est.)
Kenya
English (official), Swahili (national), and numerous indigenous languages
Kiribati
English (official), I-Kiribati (Gilbertese)
Korea, North
Korean
Korea, South
Korean, English widely taught
Kuwait
Arabic (official), English
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz, Russian (both official)
Laos
Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
Latvia
Latvian 58% (official), Russian 38%, Lithuanian, other (2000)
Lebanon
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Lesotho
English, Sesotho (both official); Zulu, Xhosa
Liberia
English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic-group languages
Libya
Arabic, Italian, and English widely understood in major cities
Liechtenstein
German (official), Alemannic dialect
Lithuania
Lithuanian 82% (official), Russian 8%, Polish 6% (2001)
Luxembourg
Luxermbourgish (national) French, German (both administrative)
Macedonia
Macedonian 67%, Albanian 25% (both official); Turkish 4%, Roma 2%, Serbian 1% (2002)
Madagascar
Malagasy and French (both official)
Malawi
Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998)
Malaysia
Bahasa Melayu (Malay, official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; several indigenous languages (including Iban, Kadazan) in East Malaysia
Maldives
Maldivian Dhivehi (official); English spoken by most government officials
Mali
French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
Malta
Maltese and English (both official)
Marshall Islands
Marshallese 98% (two major dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family), English widely spoken as a second language (both official); Japanese
Mauritania
Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French, Wolof
Mauritius
English less than 1% (official), Creole 81%, Bojpoori 12%, French 3% (2000)
Mexico
Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages
Micronesia
English (official, common), Chukese, Pohnpeian, Yapase, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Moldova
Moldovan (official; virtually the same as Romanian), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Monaco
French (official), English, Italian, Monégasque
Mongolia
Mongolian, 90%; also Turkic and Russian (1999)
Montenegro
Serbian/Montenegrin (Ijekavian dialect—official)
Morocco
Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often used for business, government, and diplomacy
Mozambique
Portuguese 9% (official; second language of 27%), Emakhuwa 26%, Xichangana 11%, Elomwe 8%, Cisena 7%, Echuwabo 6%, other Mozambican languages 32% (1997)
Myanmar
Burmese, minority languages
Namibia
English 7% (official), Afrikaans is common language of most of the population and of about 60% of the white population, German 32%; indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Nauru
Nauruan (official), English
Nepal
Nepali 48% (official), Maithali 12%, Bhojpuri 7%, Tharu 6%, Tamang 5%, others. English spoken by many in government and business (2001)
Netherlands
Dutch, Frisian (both official)
New Zealand
English, Maori (both official)
Nicaragua
Spanish 98% (official); English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast (1995)
Niger
French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Nigeria
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and more than 200 others
Norway
Bokmål Norwegian, Nynorsk Norwegian (both official); small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities (Sami is official in six municipalities)
Oman
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Pakistan
Urdu 8%, English (both official); Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, Burushaski, and others 8%
Palau
Palauan 64.7%, English 9.4%, Sonsoralese, Tobi, Angaur (each official on some islands), Filipino 13.5%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000)
Palestinian State (proposed)
Arabic, Hebrew, English
Panama
Spanish (official), English 14%, many bilingual
Papua New Guinea
Tok Pisin (Melanesian Pidgin, the lingua franca), Hiri Motu (in Papua region), English 1%–2%; 715 indigenous languages
Paraguay
Spanish, Guaraní (both official)
Peru
Spanish, Quéchua (both official); Aymara; many minor Amazonian languages
Philippines
Filipino (based on Tagalog), English (both official); eight major dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Poland
Polish 98% (2002)
Portugal
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Qatar
Arabic (official); English a common second language
Romania
Romanian (official), Hungarian, German
Russia
Russian, others
Rwanda
Kinyarwanda, French, and English (all official); Kiswahili in commercial centers
St. Kitts and Nevis
English
St. Lucia
English (official), French patois
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
English, French patois
Samoa
Samoan, English
San Marino
Italian
São Tomé and Príncipe
Portuguese (official)
Saudi Arabia
Arabic
Senegal
French (official); Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Serbia
Serbian (official); Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, and Croatian (all official in Vojvodina); Albanian (official in Kosovo)
Seychelles
Seselwa Creole 92%, English 5%, French (all official) (2002)
Sierra Leone
English (official), Mende (southern vernacular), Temne (northern vernacular), Krio (lingua franca)
Singapore
Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000)
Slovakia
Slovak 84% (official), Hungarian 11%, Roma 2%, Ukrainian 1% (2001)
Slovenia
Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 5% (2002)
Solomon Islands
English 1%–2% (official), Melanesian pidgin (lingua franca), 120 indigenous languages
Somalia
Somali (official), Arabic, English, Italian
South Africa
IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001)
Spain
Castilian Spanish 74% (official nationwide); Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% (each official regionally)
Sri Lanka
Sinhala 74% (official and national), Tamil 18% (national), other 8%; English is commonly used in government and spoken competently by about 10%
Sudan
Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
Suriname
Dutch (official), Surinamese (lingua franca), English widely spoken, Hindustani, Javanese
Swaziland
English, siSwati (both official)
Sweden
Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Switzerland
German 64%, French 20%, Italian 7% (all official); Romansch 0.5% (national)
Syria
Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood
Taiwan
Chinese (Mandarin, official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Tajikistan
Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
Tanzania
Swahili, English (both official); Arabic; many local languages
Thailand
Thai (Siamese), English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Togo
French (official, commerce); Ewé, Mina (south); Kabyé, Dagomba (north); and many dialects
Tonga
Tongan (an Austronesian language), English
Trinidad and Tobago
English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese
Tunisia
Arabic (official, commerce), French (commerce)
Turkey
Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli, Azeri, Kabardian
Turkmenistan
Turkmen 72%; Russian 12%; Uzbek 9%, other 7%
Tuvalu
Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
Uganda
English (official), Ganda or Luganda, other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
Ukraine
Ukrainian 67%, Russian 24%, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
United Arab Emirates
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
United Kingdom
English, Welsh, Scots Gaelic
United States
English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)
Uruguay
Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero
Uzbekistan
Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Vanuatu
Bislama 23% (a Melanesian pidgin English), English 2%, French 1% (all 3 official); more than 100 local languages 73%
Vatican City (Holy See)
Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Venezuela
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Vietnam
Vietnamese (official); English (increasingly favored as a second language); some French, Chinese, Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Western Sahara (proposed state)
Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Yemen
Arabic
Zambia
English (official); major vernaculars: Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga; about 70 other indigenous languages
Zimbabwe
English (official), Shona, Ndebele (Sindebele), numerous minor tribal dialects

Mona Lisa

2008-11-16T23:36:00.000-08:00

The Mona Lisa is 16th century oil painting created by the renowned Leonardo da Vinci. The work of art depicts an enigmatic woman gazing at the viewer, and it is said that if you move across the room while looking into her eyes, they’ll follow you. It is definitely one of the most popular paintings worldwide and has been the center of many artistic, religious, and theoretical debates. The French government currently owns the Mona Lisa and it is featured at the Musee du Louvre in Paris. The painting can also be referred to as La Gioconda or La Joconde. The name of the painting stems from the name of the woman in the portrait, Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy businessman in Florence, Italy named Francesco del Giocondo. Mona means ‘my lady’ or ‘madam’ in modern Italian, so the title is simply Madam Lisa.

Art historians agree that Leonardo da Vinci likely began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, and completed it within 4 years. In 1516 the King of France, King Francois, bought the painting and it is thought that after Leonardo’s death the painting was cut down. Some speculators think that the original had columns on both sides of the lady, whereas other art critics believe that the painting was never cut down in size. It has been suggested that there were 2 versions of the Mona Lisa painting, but many historians reject the second version. The duplicate copy can be found at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. After the French revolution the painting was moved to the Louvre, and Napoleon had it placed in his bedroom for a short time before it was returned to the Louvre. The popularity of the Mona Lisa increased in the mid 19th century because of the Symbolist movement. The painting was thought to encompass a sort of feminine mystique.In 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. The art thief hid in a broom closet until the museum closed, stole the painting, hid it under his jacket and walked out the front door. Eduardo de Valfierno was the mastermind behind the theft and has planned to make copies of the original and sell them as the real thing. Eventually, in 1913, he was caught when trying to sell the original to a Florence art dealer.

The Mona Lisa is most famous for her facial expression, her enigmatic smile and da Vinci’s mastering of tone and color in the painting. There is much mythology and interpretations relating to the painting that mystify the world. Many art critics and art history buffs suggest that the Mona Lisa is actually a portrait of da Vinci himself in feminine form. In addition, most viewers see the meaning behind Mona Lisa’s smile very differently.

Mona Lisa Smile:
The most enigmatic and most sought after factor in the painting of Mona Lisa is its smile. This is understood that her smile has a number of things hidden.The most starking feature is that a viewer finds different shades in her smile. If one looks at it with full concentration, he finds that in beginning the painting seems to be smiling and in light mood. But after sometime the same painting seems to be catching a serious mood and the lightness fades away gradually.
Many scientists and researchers put their efforts to bring forth the secret behind this world famous oil painting. In late 2005, Dutch researchers from the University of Amsterdam scanned the image through an "emotion recognition" computer software developed in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The revelations of the software were very interesting. It found that the smile to be 83% happy, 9% disgusted, 6% fearful, 2% angry, less than 1% neutral, and not surprised at all. This study was not only a startling fact about the painting but it was the display of the new technique also that set accuaracy standards.

Children's Day

2008-11-14T23:12:00.000-08:00

Children’s day is special day for the children. Universally, Children’s Day is celebrated on 20th November, every year. But in India it is celebrated on 14th November, because the date marks the birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter and independent India’s first Prime Minister – Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. As a tribute to Nehru and his love for children, Children’s Day is celebrated on his birth date. This day reminds to each and every one of us, to renew our commitment to the welfare of children and teach them to live by their Chacha Nehru’s quality and dream.

Nehru’s Life & love for children

Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14th November, 1889 to Motilal Nehru and his wife Swaroop Rani. From the beginning he was an exceptional child and brilliant child. After the early education his father sent him foreign to pursue higher education. Nehru completed his higher education in England at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge University. He completed his M.A. from Cambridge University, England. After his returned to India, Nehru practiced law before joining into politics. After quitting the legal profession, he joined the Congress and Gandhiji in the Freedom Struggle of India. He was an extremely outspoken, honest, practical and courageous politician. And when India gained its independence, he was unanimously selected by the Congress to lead the country as first Prime Minister of the independent India.

Pt. Nehru was not only a great leader, statesman but also a great philosopher and think-tact of all time. He perfectly blended the western scientific thinking with eastern philosophical values. He was also a great poet and writer of his own. His famous works are ‘Glimpses of World History’ and ‘Discovery of India’. His letters to his daughter, Indira Priyadarshini from the jail reflects his philosophical outlook, and his compassion to children.
He was fondly referred as Chacha Nehru by the children. He was also fond of both children and roses. He started to wear a rose on his jacket after a child pinned one rose on his jacket. He often stated that children were like the flowers in a garden and they should be carefully nurtured. He said the children’s are the future and foundation of a nation. Every one should keep a careful eye for their development and upheaval. For him children’s were little adults in the making. Nehru’s empathy toward children is well-known, he once said, “Our one goal, our bounden duty, is to gift the future of India - our children - a country filled with peace and tranquility.”

Egypt

2008-11-07T01:10:00.000-08:00

Places to visit in Egypt
Alexandria
Cairo
Pyramids at Giza
Luxor
Aswan
Sharm el Sheik
Hurghada
Nile River

Egypt could be said to have six major tourist sites. Each has its own flavor, and mostly each serves a different purpose. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, most of these tourist areas do not depend on ancient monuments to sustain them. In fact, only Luxor is completely dependent on this trade. These sites consist of: Alexandria and the immediate area around the City, Cairo and the immediate area around the City, Luxor and the surrounding area, Aswan and the surrounding area, Hurghada and the surrounding area, particularly El Gouna and Sharm El Sheikh, and the surrounding area including Sharks Bay. This is not to say that there are many more tourist destinations, particularly on the Red Sea and in Sinai, and on Egypt's mainland interior, the oases. However, in much of the rest of the mainland interior, travel and destinations are limited. However, the tourist super-sites encompass perhaps ninety-five percent of the ancient monuments, and most else there is to do in Egypt.

ALEXANDRIA

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean", has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km. from Cairo. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world. But ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed, he found a sparsely populated fishing village.From the 19th century Alexandria took a new role, as a focus for Egypt's commercial and maritime expansion. This Alexandria has been immortalized by writers such as EM Forster and Cavafy. Generations of immigrants from Greece, Italy and the Levant settled here and made the city synonymous with commerce, cosmopolitanism and bohemian culture. Alexandria is a city to explore at random. It's as important to enjoy the atmosphere as it is to see the sights.

CAIRO

The largest city in Africa as well as the Middle East, Cairo is one of the world's largest urban areas and offers many sites to see. The city is a traveller’s delight, providing a fascinating look into the age-old empire of the pharaohs, with markets, museums and music conjuring up the spirits of the ancients. There are also ancient temples, tombs, Christian churches, magnificent Muslim monuments and of course, the Egyptian Antiquities Museum all within or nearby the city. Cairo is an amazing city full of life and movement, and it is that way almost 24 hours every day, with the noisy honking of horns, children playing in the streets and merchants selling their wares and services. And here, the Egyptians are most at home in this powerful, modern and ancient city Cairo provides great culture, including art galleries and music halls, such as the Cairo Opera House. Cairo offers an incredible selection of shopping, leisure and nightlife activities. Shopping ranges from the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, (or bazaar) largely unchanged since the 14th century, to modern air-conditioned centers displaying the latest fashions. All the bounty of the East can be found here. Particularly good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics and mashrabiya. Try some of the famous street markets, like Wekala al-Balaq, for fabrics, including Egyptian cotton, the Tentmakers Bazaar for appliqué-work, and Mohammed Ali Street for musical instruments and, although you probably won't want to buy, the Camel Market makes a fascinating trip. This is, and has been for over a thousand years, truly a shopper's paradise.

PYRAMIDS at GIZA

The Great Pyramids at Giza are acclaimed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The entire complex of antediluvian tombs seemingly shrouded in mystery is spell-binding in its stature. The monumental Sphinx, along with the conical mausoleums of Cheops and Chephren, form El Giza’s imposing center. So ancient are these magnificent structures that, though they were built adjacent to the Nile, over the centuries the river has meandered over 5kms away.

LUXOR

Luxor has often been called the worlds greatest open-air museum, as indeed it is and much more. The number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Actually, what most people think of as Luxor is really three different areas, consisting of the City of Luxor on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak just north of Luxor and Thebes, which the ancient Egyptians called Waset, which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor. To say that the Luxor area is a major attraction for tourists in Egypt would be an understatement. It has been a tourist destination since the beginning of tourism. Even in ancient times, during the late dynasties of the Greek and Roman periods, the area drew tourists, and has been doing so ever since. Today Luxor is well equipped to accommodate tourists with many hotels and in general a tourist industry ready and willing to serve the people from many countries that descend on this area of the Nile Valley every year. Within Luxor, there are only three main streets consisting of Sharia al-Mahatta, Sharia al-Karnak and the Corniched, next to the Nile. Along this street one will find the colorful signs of restaurants and cafes, as well as bazaars where the usual variety of Egyptian souvenirs can be found. Of interest is the alabaster, which is plentiful along the west bank and milled not far from here. Also look for the clay pots used by the locals for cooking, which are more unusual. In Luxor proper on the East Bank, one of the first stops must be the Temple of Luxor built by Amenophis III.

ASWANA

swan, Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town located about 81 miles south of Luxor, has a distinctively African atmosphere. Its ancient Egyptian name was Syene. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish. In Aswan the Nile is at its most beautiful, flowing through amber desert and granite rocks, round emerald islands covered in palm groves and tropical plants. Explore the souk, full of the scent and color of spices, perfumes, scarves and baskets. View the spectacular sunsets while having tea on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel (named due to the location of the Nile's first cataract located here). Aswan has been a favorite winter resort since the beginning of the nineteenth century, and it's still a perfect place to get away from it all. Every night Nubian dancers and musicians perform in the Cultural Center, just off the Corniche. Folklore troupes recreate scenes from village life and perform the famous Nubian mock stick-fight dances.

SHARM el SHEIK

The simplicity of sun, sea and sand. The luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment. This is Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai peninsula. All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, mountains and sea. There are small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains, plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom.Four miles south the southern section of the town stands on a cliff overlooking the port providing a great view. Na'ama Beach is a center of tourist activities. Located just north of Sharm, this area is developing into a resort town of its own. Most hotels at Na'ama Bay have their own, private beaches with comfortable amenities such as chairs, shades and even bars. Shark's Bay is also nearby, and again is a growing resort community with more and more to offer, along with several diving centers. The small harbor known as Sharm el-Moiya is located next to the civil harbor, has accommodations for boats, and includes a Yacht Club with rooms. For those who live to shop, the Sharm El-Sheikh mall provides shops with both foreign and local products, including jewelry, leather goods, clothing, pottery and books. For diving enthusiasts, it has been said that this area is a must. There are many diving sites along the 10 mile beach between Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Nusrani.

HURGHADA

Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century, and until a few years ago, remained a small fishing village. But today, it has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, but, above all, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. This area has many fine accommodations, usually offering warm and efficient service. Restaurants are mostly along the main road. While in Hurghada, don't miss the museum and aquarium, with their complete collections of flora and fauna of the Red Sea. Today, Hurghada is known as a party town, particularly among Europeans. Locals and others will tell you that life begins at night in Hurghada, with the many, many clubs. One may often find a rousing party centered around the visitors from a tour group taking over the action of a particular bar.

NILE RIVER

A first time visitor to Egypt who wants a classical pharaonic antiquities experience would do well to book a Nile cruise. Of course modern airlines now shuttle tourists to the southern region of Egypt, but historically the Nile cruise was really the only way to visit the temples and tombs located along this stretch of the river. It is still a popular means of visiting upper Egypt and has many advantages to other means of travel. Nile cruises often visit a wider variety of antiquities along the banks of the river. But equally important, they also allow the tourist to gain a perspective of the rural Egypt, where people live much the same way they did even thousands of years ago, in mud brick homes, tending their fields with wooden plows and moving produce via donkey. It is a wonderful experience to sit on a shaded deck of a floating hotel, sipping an iced beverage while watching 5,000 years of culture slowly drift by.

Shimla- Tourism

2008-11-03T00:33:00.000-08:00

Shimla

Shimla is the capital town of Himachal Pradesh. The town of Shimla is built over several hills and connecting ridges. The important hills are Jakhu ( 2,455 meters ), Prospect Hill ( 2,328 meters ), Observatory Hill ( 2,350 meters ), Elysigim Hill ( 2,466 meters ) and Summer Hill ( 2,300 meters ). Shimla is situated in the North-West Himalayas and was the Summer Capital of India during the British rulling era. This town is spread over the ridge measuring about 12 km. It is perhaps the biggest hill station in the world, located at an altitude of 2,421 meters above sea level. A place of peace and pleasure, Shimla is a tourist resort in real sense of the world. The best season of the year here is autumn but the early spring runs a close second. Shimla is connected with air, rail, and road traffics. Shimla under snow is a wonderful sight and it offers the unique attraction of an open air ice skating rink. Also the legendary Ridge under snow and snow sports at Kufri make Shimla a wonderful winter holiday resort.

Famous Places Around Shimla :
Jakhu Hill : ( 2,455 meters ) 2 km. from town. This is the highest peak of Shimla and offers panoramic view of the town and the mountains. 'Hanuman Temple of Jakhu' is very famous. According to legend, Hanumanji took some rest here when he was carrying a hill of 'Sanjiwani Booti' ( a herb to save the life of Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama ). Jakhu is one of the most famous places around Shimla.

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies : The institute in Shimla is housed in the erstwhile Viceregal Lodge which was built in 1884-88 during the period of Lord Dufferin. It is a commanding building in Summer Hill. The gardens of the Institute are really beautiful and fascinating. It was designed by Henry Twain.

Glen : ( 1,830 meters ) Distance 4km. This is one of the most beautiful picnic spots of Shimla with flowing streams through dense forest. Approach is near Cecil Hotel and Kennedy House. It is sure one of the very famous places around Shimla.

Chail : ( 2,250 meters ) Situated 45 km. from Shimla.. This was the Summer Capital of the erstwhile Patiala State. The small town is located amid thick woods and has fine walks. It has the highest cricket ground in the world. The dense forests around are alive with many species of birds and animals but it is best known for its Scottish red Deer which were introduced by the Maharaja.

Kufri : ( 2,633 meters ) 16km. from Shimla. Kufri has won a name on the sports and tourist map of India due to its Ski-runs, Seed Potato Farm of the Central Potato Research Institute and Food Craft Institute. It is the winter sports capital. Kufri in Shimla is the most favourable place for winter sports activities. Excellent view of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Pirpanjal Range and Shiwalik Range from a height.

Summer Hill : ( 2,123 meters ) 5 km. A picturesque suburb of Shimla, which offers shady walks in quiet surroundings. Himachal Pradesh University is located here.

Kamna Devi : ( 2,145 meters ) 5 km. This place is located near Boileauganj. Kamna Devi is the most popular picnic spot in Shimla which commands a unique view of Shimla, Jutogh, Summer hill and Tara Devi. The hill is famous by name of Prospect Hill.

Tara Devi : ( 2,100 meters ) 8 km. Tara Devi in Shimla is another beautiful place in Shimla. There is a famous temple on the top of the hill.

Christ Church : The imposing Church stand majestically on the ridge, is the second oldest Church in North India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, patience and humanity. It was built in 1857. In fact it has become synonymous with Shimla and no picture of two town is complete without it.

Tattapani : ( 2655 meters ) 51 km. A dip at the hot sulphur springs at Tattapani not only relaxes the body but also has therapeutic effects. There is a tourist bungalow at Tattapani to accommodate 20 persons.

Mashobra : ( 2,150 meters ) 13 km. This is a popular picnic spot in Shimla which offers ideal walks amidst forest of oak and pine. The area adjoining to Mashobra is famous for apples orchards. Nearby is the site of annual 'Sipi Fair' held in June.

Naldera : ( 3,044 meters ) 22 km. Naldera offers one of the oldest and most sporting golf courses in India set in the midst of thick forests. The country around Naldera is also famous for its temples which are representative of the typical hill architecture of the area. Naldera in Shimla is known for its 'nine hole golf course'. Naldera course was laid by Lord Curzon in 1903.

Fagu : ( 2,510 meters ) 22 km. Fagu's idyllic surroundings area for those looking for tranquillity and solitude. A slamm hamlet overlooking prosperous apple orchards and with a fine view of the Himalayan Panorma. Fagu in Shimla is also a popular trekking stage.

Narkanda : ( 2,708 meters ) 64 km. Narkanda in Shimla commands a unique view of the eternal snow line and the dense forest. A quaint sleepy hamlet. From here, you get breathtaking view of the snow clad Himalayas. 'Hatu Peak' at an altitude of 3,143 meters above sea level ai 8 km. from Narkanda. In winter, there are exciting ski slopes to Ski on.

The State Museum Shimla : Shimla museum has endeavoured to project hill art and the cultural wealth of the state showing their link with the national artistic scene. There is a collection of minitature paintings, costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region. A leisurely winding walk from the Mall, past the Gortan Castle and the Cecil leads to a colonial mansion perched atop a hill. It houses the state museum. A visit to Shimla is incomplete without seeing this museum, which offers a peep into Himachal's grand past.

Coffee House Shimla : This coffee house of Shimla is working under a cooperative society. The interior decor of the coffee house is always kept simple with a few framed pictures, but only those portraying coffee. Having two floors, the Shimla Coffee House is spacious but it is always packed.

Kali Bari Temple : Few yards from scandal Point towards General Post Office. It is believed that the idol of Goddess Shayamla is enshrined there.

Rampur : ( 924 metres ) 140 Km. )On the Hindustan Tibet Road. Once the capital of the Princely State of Bushahr, the town is situated on the banks of Satluj river, Big Commercial Centre and famous International Lavi fare which is held in November every year, Dumgir Buddhist Temple, Padam Palace, Raghunath Temple, Ayodhya temple and Narsingh Temple, are worth visiting. Himachal Tourism runs a tourist Complex and air conditioned Cafe, Satluj.

Kalapathar : ( 2673 metres ) 85 Km. ) Motorable on Shimla-Rohru road. A famous religious shrine Giriganga is 7 Km on foot or by jeep. HPTDC Tourist complex Giriganga Resort under construction.

Tourism in Shimla :
Shimla combines the luxury of being a hill station as well as a city. Tourism in Shimla is advanturous. Tourism in Shimla is delightful as Shimla offers a lot of beautiful places to explore. The main attraction of tourism in shimla is the The Mall and the Ridge. These two places are the most favourable places to enjoy tourism in Shimla. Kufri and Narkanda offers great opportunity for tourism in Shimla because of snow covered terrains and skiing in winter season. Britishers called Shimla "the queen of hill stations" and staying true to this saying, Shimla and its nearby areas are heavens for any kind of tourism related activities. Tourism in Shimla offers everlasting memories of quality time spent in the heart of Himalayas.

District Shimla : General Information

Altitude : varies from 600 meters to 6000 meters.

Headquarter : Shimla ( altitude 2,210 meters )

Location : Shimla district lies between 30°45' and 31°44 North Latitude and between 77°0' and 78°19' East Longitude. It is bounded by Mandi and Kullu in North, Kinnaur in the East, the state of Uttar Pradesh in the South and by Sirmaur district in the West.

Access by Air : The nearest airport is Jubbarhatti 23 km.

Access by Rail : There is broad guage railway line upto Kalka and thereafter narrow guage line upto Shimla 90 km. ) with 103 tunnels.

Access by Road : Almost each and every part of the state is linked by roads. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is running its buses covering the whole state. There is huge network of HRTC to cater the needs of the people.

Distances : Manali 260 km., Mandi 150 km., Palampur 235 km., Dharamshala ( via Hamirpur ) 235 km., Dalhousie 336 km., Sarahan 175 km., Sangla 230 km., Kalpa 244 km., Tabo 374 km., Kaza 421 km., Keylong ( via Kunzum Pass ) 610 km., Hatkoti 109 km., Chigaon 137 km., Kssauli 75 km., Renuka 165 km., Delhi 370 km., Pathankot 295 km., Chandigarh 117 km.

Dewali - Festival Of Lights : Why is it celebrated??

2008-10-28T22:30:00.000-07:00

DEWALI

Indians celebrate Diwali with great passion. They fire lots of firecrackers and eat sweets and wear new clothes. Why is Diwali so important in India?

Diwali is the day when it is said that Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after conquering Lanka. Lord Rama was asked by his father Dashrath to go to the wild forests for fourteen long years. In the forest Ravana, the king of Lanka, abducted his queen Seeta. Lord Rama was along in the jungle with only his brother Laxaman with him. In the forests Lord Rama met the monkey king Sugriva.

Sugriva sent monkeys around the world to search for mother Seeta. Finally Lord Hanumana found Seeta in the kingdom of Ravana at Lanka. He burnt Lanka and came back to inform Lord Rama about mother Seeta. Lord prepared a large army of monkeys and bears and invaded Lanka. Ravana was defeated. Vibhishan the brother of Ravana had joined Lord Rama in the battle. After defeating Ravana Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya his kingdom after fourteen long years.

Indian Hindus celebrate Diwali as a day of celebration. Candles are burnt in every home. People clean their homes and wear new clothes. Sweets are shared and people wish each other. Diwali is the biggest festival of India that celebrates the victory of good over the evil. Indians all over the world celebrate Diwali and it is also the beginning of new year as per the Hindu calendar.

Chicken Biryani Recipe

2008-10-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
• 1 kg Chicken (pieces)
• 500 gm Basmati Rice
• ½ cup Milk
•4 tbsp Garam Masala (whole)
• 4 tsp Garam Masala Powder
• 50 gm Butter
• 4 tbsp Garlic (chopped)
• 2 tbsp Rose Water
• 1 cup Onions (sliced)
• 4 tbsp Ginger (chopped)
• 3 tsp Red Chili Powder
• 1 tbsp Coriander Powder
• 5 tbsp Oil
• ½ gm Saffron
• 2 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 2 cup Curd (yogurt)
• ¾ cup Tomato (chopped)
• 4 Bay Leaves
• Salt to taste

How to make Chicken Biryani:
•Take a bowl and put salt, 1/2 of the red chili powder, 1/2 of the chopped ginger, 1/2 of the chopped garlic, 1 tsp garam masala powder, 1/2 of the turmeric powder and curd in it, mix well.
•Add chicken pieces to it and leave for an hour.
•Now wash and soak rice in water for 30 minutes.
•Boil water, add 1/2 of the whole garam masala, bay leaf, salt and rice in it.
•Cook the rice until 3/4 th done.
•Drain rice and place it aside.
•Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan and combine remaining whole garam masala with it, let it crackle.
•Add sliced onions to it and cook it till light golden brown.
•Add the remaining coriander powder, turmeric powder chopped ginger, chopped garlic, red chili powder, 1 tsp garam masala powder and chopped tomatoes to it, cook for 5 minutes.
•Combine marinated chicken with it and cook until chicken is tender.
•Dissolve saffron in warm milk and set aside.
•Place alternate layers of chicken and rice.
•Now sprinkle saffron dissolved in milk, remaining garam masala powder, golden fried sliced onions and butter in between the layers and on the top.
•Carefully end it with the rice layer topped with saffron, spices & rose water.
•Cover and seal it with an aluminum foil and cook on low flame for about 10 to12 minutes.
•Chicken Biryani is ready to serve.

Ooty - Queen of hill stations

2008-10-20T02:44:00.000-07:00

Ooty Udhagamandalam
(Ooty)
Udhagamandalam (Ooty), the capital of Nilgiri district, is popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations' among the tourist circuits. It is situated at a distance of 105 km away from Coimbatore. The height of the hills in the Nilgiri range varies between 2280 and 2290 metres, the highest peak being Doddabetta at a height of 2623 metres.

The Tea

The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers. Visit Ooty during this festival, when tea lovers from all over the world converge. An occasion not to be missed!

Prime Attractions of Udagamandalam

Botanical Garden
Botanical gardens are a major tourist attraction for those who visit Ooty, one of the most popular hill stations of India. They sprawl over 50-acres and lie on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak, which is the highest point in Ooty.
Government Museum - Ooty
The Government Museum At Ooty The government museum, Mysore Road, Ooty has items of tribal objects, district's ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu. It was set up in 1989, with a view to provide education benefits to the residing and visiting population of Nilgiris district. Tourist Information Admission: Free Timings: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm Closed On: Fridays, Second Saturdays and National Holidays Ooty The nearest airport is at Coimbatore (100-km). Ooty on the narrow gauge railway is connected to Mettupalayam, which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai on the broad gauge. There are regular bus services connecting Ooty to Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Calicut, Tirupati etc.
Hills and Views
Udhagamandalam (Ooty), the capital of Nilgiri district, is popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations" among the tourist circuits. It is situated at a distance of 105 kilometres from Coimbatore
Kalhatty Falls
The Kalhatty falls are located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13-km from Udhagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore Kalhatty ghat road. Also known as the "Kalahasti Falls", the water here cascades down a height of 122m.
Kandal Cross Shrine
Kandal cross, a Roman Catholic Shrine considered, as the Jerusalem of the East is located in Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu. The Nilgiri Catholics consider it as the "Calvary of Tamil Nadu".
Mini Garden and Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is situated about 3 to 4-km away from Charring Cross. Mini garden is also situated on the way to the boathouse where the children amusement park is housed.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
The Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary is located where the Nilgiri Hills, the offshoot of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the sanctuary, following the course of the Mayyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur.
Ooty Lake
The beautiful Ooty Lake is a favourite haunt of tourists. It was constructed in the year 1825, through the initiatives of Mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. This lake was built in order to provide an irrigation tank to the people.
Summer Festival
There is several beautiful hill stations in Tamil Nadu. With the Summer Festivals, the hills are even hospitable to welcome the visitors. The summer festival is held in the 'Queen of Hill Stations',
Tea and Tourism Festival
Akin to the nectar of the Gods is the Camellia Sinensia, which is a bush that gives fragrant amber ambrosia-a refresher and stimulizer. In other words, TEA.

Significance - Udhagamandalam
Historical
It is believed that the name Nila, has been in use for over 800 years since, the King of the Hoysalas Vishnu Vardhana, who ruled from 1104 to 1141 AD seized the Nilgiris Plateau. His general Ponisia recorded this fact in 1117 AD with mention of Todas. The name Nilgiri was due to the blue haze, which envelops the range with most distant hills of considerable size. This Nilgiri territory came into possession of the East India Company as part of the ceded lands, held by Tipu Sultan, by the treaty of Srirangapatnam in 1799. Rev. Jacome Forico, a priest was the first European who visited Nilgiris in 1603 and released his notes about the place and people of Nilgiris. In 1812 surveyor William Keys and Macmohan visited the top of the plateau. In 1818, Wishand Kindersley, Assistant and Second Assistant to Collector of Coimbatore visited this spot and submitted their experience report to the Collector of Coimbatore Mr. John Sullivan. Settlement in Udhagamandalam began in 1822 with the construction of the Stone House by John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. The bungalow, which is locally called "Kal Bangla", is one of the landmarks of Udhagamandalam and is now the Chamber of the Principal of the Government Arts College.

Fairs & Festivals - Udhagamandalam
Summer Festivals A summer festival is held each year during the month of May in the Botanical Gardens, which is an added attraction for tourists. The Flower Show is the pride of the festival. Cultural programmes are organised for those interested in traditional classical arts. Adventure spots like trekking also form part of the festival.

Leisure - Udhagamandalam
Entertainment
Trekking

The Nilgiris are a trekker's paradise. Landscaped by nature, the hills abound in trek for lovers of nature. There are treks and treks in whichever direction you turn and from whichever point you start. A trek can be full of thrill, excitement and adventure and a way of seeing and enjoying nature in all its beauty and splendour. Udhagamandalam (Ooty) offers several trek routes, which vary in distance, altitudes and terrain. There is a base camp at Parsons valley, from where one can start trekking to various points within Western Ghats. The down hills of Western Ghats on the North ends up with meeting the extensions of Eastern Ghats, where the sprawling Mudumalai Sanctuary lies which opens vistas for adventure tourists. Trekking pamphlets are available with the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association (NWLEA). There are guides who have sound knowledge of certain areas. If necessary, their services may be hired. And for further details contact the Tourist Information Office at Charring Cross, Ooty.

Hang-Gliding

Hang-glidng courses are also organised during March to May every year, with the assistance of the Department of Tourism. Contact the Tourist Officer, Ooty for assistance.

Angling

Goad Trout, Carp and mixed water fishing is possible in various streams and lakes of Ooty. The Assistance Director of Fisheries issues the fishing licence.

Shopping
Just about anything available in the cities can be had at Ooty with the added attraction of leisurely shopping. Exclusive Nilgiri products including Nilgiri tea, fruits, natural oils like Eucalyptas, Toda embroideries, plant nurseries are easily available in the town. Co-operative Super Market and Municipal Market are some of the best places for shopping fruits and general groceries. Kairali of Kerala Handicrafts and Poompuhar of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts have their showrooms near to Super Market Buildings on Charring Cross.

Eating Out
Blue hills Chandan Vihar Tandoor Mahal Ooty Coffee House Chinkos Chinese Restaurant Hills Palace.

How To Get There - Udhagamandalam
By Rail
Ooty is on the narrow gauge railway, connected to Mettupalayam (47 km), which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai. The famous toy train connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor.
By Road
A good network of roads and national highways connect Ooty with all major towns and cities. There are regular bus services to and from Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut, Tirupati and other important destinations in South India. Ooty is also well connected with major cities of Kerala and Karnataka.
Local Transport
Taxis, tourist cabs, auto rickshaws are available in plenty. There are no standard rates except tourist cabs. Town buses are also available to all important places. Conducted sight seeing tours are arranged by the private operators and the Government Tourism Development Corporation.
By Air
Coimbatore, 105 km from Ooty, is the nearest airport.

Places To Stay - Udhagamandalam
Accommodation is available at the luxurious and economy class hotels, lodges, and resorts in Ooty. Both Indian and Western style accommodation and food are available. Prior booking is advisable, especially during the summer months.

Maps
Location Map

Climate - Udhagamandalam
Winter
Max 21ºC, Min 5ºC
Summer
Max 25ºC, Min 10ºC
Rainfall
121 cms.

General Information - Udhagamandalam
STD Code: 0423
Location
Niligiri District, Tamil Nadu.
Founded By
British In 1800.
Area
36-sq-kms.
Population
8,1763 (1991 Census) .
Altitude
2,623 metres.
Languages
Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and English.

Ancient Seven Wonders Of World

2008-10-15T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Colossus of Rhodes
A gigantic bronze statue that once stood 32 meters (110 feet) high on a marble plinth, the Colossus of Rhodes was built by its citizens to revere the Sun God Helios who supposedly helped Rhodes to ward off Demetrius of Macedonia. Constructed by the engineer Chares of Lindos, the Colossus of Rhodes was completed after ten years of meticulous work so that the legs would sustain the enormous weight of the giant statue. Unfortunately, in 227 B.C., an earthquake caused the Colossus to crack at the knee and set it in motion so that it collapsed into pieces. Even so, the statue was so admired that it was left lying in huge fragments for over 900 years until its valuable parts were brought to Syria.

The Pyramids of Egypt
The only surviving wonder of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Egypt (Giza), were the phenomenal achievement of Egyptian construction and engineering. Built between 2600 and 2500 B.C., the three pyramids at Giza encompass more than 5 million limestone blocks which were painstakingly transported via timber sleds and by being rolled over the top of logs. As cranes were as yet unheard of, each block had to be dragged via ramps up to its designated place. According to Herodot, the largest of the three pyramids, known as the Great Pyramid, (about 146 meters high) took 20 years to complete and served as the tomb for the Egyptian Pharoah Khufu. The pyramids represented the link between heaven and earth and were a signal to Horus, God of the World.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria
Built to guide ships through the labyrinth of sandbars that created havoc for merchants attempting to reach the port of Alexandria in Egypt, the Lighthouse or Pharos of Alexandria was the only ancient wonder to have served a practical purpose. Built between 299 and 79 B.C., the lighthouse stood some 166 meters, or around 500 feet, above the city's western harbor and was financed by the Greek merchant Sostratus who wanted to help ensure the safety of shipping traffic. Polished bronze mirrors were specially devised to reflect sunlight out to sea during daytime, and fires were lit at night to serve as a beacon for lost ships at night. The tower stood relatively intact until a series of earthquakes and gradual deterioration from natural elements caused the structure to collapse and eventually be dismantled for its stones.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
A magnificent garden paradise said to have been built in 7th century B.C. in the middle of the arid Mesopotamian desert, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were testimony to one man's ability to, against all the laws of nature, create a botanical oasis of beauty amid a bleak desert landscape. King Nebuchadnezzar created the gardens as a sign of esteem for his wife Semiramis, who, legend has it, longed for the forests and roses of her homeland. The gardens were terraced and surrounded by the city walls with a moat to repel invading armies. There remains doubt, however, amongst historians and archaeologists as to whether this lost paradise ever existed, given that excavations at Babylon have left no definitive trace of this mythical oasis.

The Temple of Artemis
The greatest temple of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis once stood as the most magnificent accomplishment of Greek civilization and Hellenistic culture, built as a tribute to Artemis - the Greek goddess of the hunt, mistress of Nature, protector of wild beasts and the sister of Apollo. The Temple of Artemis was located in Ephesus (in modern-day Turkey), which was to become the richest seaport in Asia Minor. It once consisted of 127 marble columns each standing 20 meters (60 feet) tall. First built in the 6th century B.C., the temple was destroyed by fire 200 years later and then rebuilt under the supervision of Alexander the Great. The great temple was eventually destroyed successively by invading Gothic hordes, earthquakes, and plunderers. Today, only a solitary column remains of this once-glorious structure.

The Statue of Zeus
This gold and bejeweled statue was commissioned in 438 B.C. by the Council of Olympia in reverence for Zeus, the ruler and most powerful of the Olympian gods. The great statue was the work of the Athenian sculptor Phidias and was constructed inside the Parthenon, the great temple overlooking the city. According to Philo of Byzantium, this was the most inspiring of all the seven wonders of the ancient world: 'Whereas we greatly admire the other six wonders, we kneel in front of this one in reverence...'. The statue of Zeus was later destroyed along with its temple after an earthquake in 170 B.C.

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Built between 370 and 351 B.C., this monumental tomb was dedicated to King Mausolus of Caria by his grieving wife, Queen Artemisia, as a memorial to their great love. According to Plinius the Mausoleum once stood 45 metres (135 feet) high and was surrounded by 36 columns, standing atop a marble pedestal at the intersection of the two main streets of Halicarnassus. The Mausoleum stood relatively intact until 1522 A.D., when it was ordered destroyed as an example of Pagan art.

Pictures of Ancient seven wonders of world

2008-10-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

How diamonds are made??

2008-10-13T23:30:00.000-07:00

Background

The diamond is the hardest natural substance known. It is found in a type of igneous rock known as kimberlite. The diamond itself is essentially a chain of carbon atoms that have crystallized. The stone's unique hardness is a result of the densely concentrated nature of the carbon chains. Like other igneous rocks, kimberlite was formed over the course of thousands of years by volcanic action that occurred during the formation of the earth's crust. Kimberlite is located inside these former spheres of volcanic activity—often near mountain ranges—in vertical shafts that extend deep inside the earth. Inside the kimberlite are intermittent deposits of diamonds, one of several minerals present. However, not all kimberlite contains diamond. Other stones often found with diamonds are mica, garnet, and zircon. Kimberlite may be blue-grey in hue—thus termed blue ground—or if exposed to air it may have a yellowish cast and is called yellow ground.

History
It is thought that diamonds were first discovered in Indiaabout 6,000 years ago in the riverbeds of the region. Traders were responsible for bringing the gems as far east as China and as far west as Rome during the classical and early medieval eras. The Chinese were the first to hamess the unusually tough nature of the gem and used it as a tool to cut other stones. Pliny the Elder, a Roman scholar, wrote about the diamond in the first century. The word itself stems from the Greek term adamas which means "invincible" or "unconquerable."
From the earliest days, the diamond has been imbued with mystery and superstition. Because they were so rare—at first found only in India—it became a commonly held superstition that the diamond lent its wearer special powers. They were worn in battle to insure victory and sometimes invoked as an antidote to poison. Other superstitions associated with the stone included the caveat that placing it in the mouth would bring on a loss of teeth. In other cases, finely ground diamond, made into a powder, was thought to be an effective poison. Indeed, experts agree that even in a pulverized form, the unique sharpness of the mineral would tear minuscule holes in the digestive tract. Because it is both the hardest and one of the rarest natural substances, diamonds have always fetched exceedingly high prices. The extreme value of the stone also made it a portable form of wealth in times of warfare and upheaval.
The actual mining of diamonds as an industry can be traced back to India to around 800 to 600 B.C. India was the only known source of the rocks for over a thousand years, until they were unearthed in Borneo around A.D. 600. During the Middle Ages, the diamond was overshadowed by some of the more colorful gems like the ruby and emerald. These other stones found their way into the jewelry of the rich and powerful of Europe more easily than the diamond. Additionally, gem-cutting techniques had not yet been developed to unleash the brilliance of the stone. Diamonds were usually left in their natural state or shaped by a rudimentary cut. In the 17th century, how-ever, a Venetian lapidary named Vincenzo Peruzzi developed the so-called brilliant cut. This cut revealed the intricacies and the natural perfection of the stone.

In the 18th century, diamond deposits were discovered in Brazil in small quantities, and later in Australia, Russia, and the United States. Brazilian gems were first taken to India and shipped to Europe as Indian diamonds, since people considered non-Indian gems less valuable. In the 20th century, an American mine near Murfreesboro, Arkansas, was open for novelty public mining for a small fee. High-quality diamonds have been found in Siberia, but the extremely cold temperature has made large-scale mining unfeasible.
In 1866 the world's largest cache of diamonds was discovered in South Africa. Some children had found a rock and brought it home, and a curious neighbor passed it on to a trader, who gave it to a geologist. It was discovered to be a diamond of enormous size and worth a small fortune. South Africa soon experienced a diamond rush, and shanty towns sprang up with the influx of prospectors. Eventually, the various mines and mine companies of the region were consolidated under the control of the DeBeers organization. With the DeBeers Consolidated Mines, Ltd., a Central Selling Organization, and a Diamond Trading Company, this conglomerate controls about 80% of the world's diamond output. Contemporary diamond mining is centered at Kimberley, South Africa, and carried out by DeBeers. Every six weeks or so, representatives of the DeBeers Diamond Trading Company invite a special list of diamond wholesalers—less than a hundred world-wide—to London to view preselected lots of the gem. This is the only method by which South African DeBeers diamonds come onto the market.

Industrical Applications

In modern times diamonds have become indispensable to industry. Automobile magnate Henry Ford was the first to uncover the contemporary industrial uses of the stone. He sponsored research into its applications for the manufacturing sector, especially as a low-cost abrasive, and the Detroit area became a hub for dealers of diamond tools. The aircraft industry followed the lead of the automotive sector, becoming an avid user of diamond-based products. Diamonds used for industrial applications are usually of a lower grade than those found in the gemstone market, but they retain the same properties of hardness and durability. Diamond tools last much longer than those made from other sources and offer a nearly unmatched precision in cutting other substances. Additionally, such tools work faster and much more quietly than other alternatives.
Tools made from industrial diamonds are used in the mirror and optical manufacturing fields as well as in gas and oil drilling endeavors. In the textile industry, devices made from diamonds are used to cut patterns. In medicine, cutting instruments made from diamonds are used to cleanly slice bone and tissue. The construction industry uses diamond tools in the grinding and cutting of concrete and pavement. Diamonds are also used to make needles for stereo record players.

Physical Characteristics

Diamonds are chains of carbon. Carbon is one of the most common substances on the planet. In one form it is simple graphite, used in pencils, but in its crystallized form, it takes an altogether different appearance as diamond. On the scale used by mineralogists to measure the hardness of minerals, diamonds rate ten on a scale of one to ten. Diamonds are measured in carats, the standard unit of measurement for gemstones. One carat is roughly equal to one-fifth of a gram. The carat can be further divided into points based on a scale of 100. One of the reasons diamonds are so prized is because the light they absorb is reflected directly back outward, if the stone has been properly cut. The unusual crystal structure of the gem allows this high degree of refractability. Because of their structure, diamonds are also excellent conductors of electrical current.
Structurally, the diamond can be described as an octahedron. This means that there are double four-sided pyramids of carbon chains inside that meet one another at the bases. Cubes or dodacahedrons—a twelvesided shape—are also found within the stone. Sometimes small triangular pockets called trigons can be observed.
Diamonds are found in nature in a variety of hues. Colorless or white diamonds are the most common, while some tinted stones are rare and valuable. The shades may be yellow, blue, pink, green, or amber. In South Africa it is common to see orange diamonds as jewelry, but this is a custom that has not made its way into the rest of the world. Some of the world's most famous diamonds are the colored ones—the heavy Dresden Green, for instance, and the infamous Hope Diamond. The latter, blue in color, is thought to hold certain negative energy, and many unexplained deaths have been associated with its owners. It is now in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

Extraction and Refining

Diamonds are mined either from the kimberlite pipes below the earth's surface, or from alluvial deposits. Alluvial (riverbed) deposits occurred when volcanic action carried kimberlite and other minerals from the center of activity to naturally forming irrigation systems. Such diamonds are found quite near the earth's surface. In alluvial mining, considerable amounts of sand must first be removed from the area. The sand and other such components are called over-burden, and large mechanical scrapers are used to move it out of the way. Underneath the overburden lies a gravel bed, and bulldozers scoop the gravel up and set it aside in piles.
The piles are then taken to a screening plant, where the diamonds are extracted. In alluvial mining, it is sometimes necessary to reach the bedrock underneath the gravel bed—or sometimes even below the bedrock itself—in order to unearth the diamond deposits. The bedrock must be thoroughly searched. Sometimes an enormous vacuum device called a Vacuveyer is used for this purpose. As the mining process moves along in a horizontal fashion, the removed overburden is again deposited to fill over the excavated sites.
Below-ground mining of kimberlite for diamond also requires moving enormous quantities of rock and other material in order to unearth gems, but on a much larger scale than alluvial mining. For one part diamond uncovered, it is estimated that 15 to 30 million parts waste must be moved out of the way. Unlike mining endeavors for gold or other substances, engineers cannot determine beforehand whether an area has a large abundance of diamond.
Mining
· 1 Block caving is the most commonly used method in excavating diamonds from kimberlite deposits. This method offers the highest yield and thus is the most cost effective. First, a large vertical hole is excavated, typically 1,750 feet (533 m) in diameter. Levels are placed approximately every 40 feet (12 m). Along these levels are horizontal tunnels known as scraper drifts. In the drifts, there are small inclined coneshaped openings at intervals of every 11 feet (3 m) or so. These openings are roughly four feet by four feet. When a horizontal slice is cut above the cones—usually about six feet (1.8 m) in height—the kimberlite begins to break off and fall into the cone and into the scraper drift. The material is then pushed onto trucks. The trucks travel underground through the mining area and take the collected kimberlite to a crushing device.
Crushing
· 2 In the crushing operation, which occurs in the below-ground mining facilities, large chunks of kimberlite are broken up into more easily transportable segments. After an initial crushing, the kimberlite passes through a grizzly, or a set of iron bars. If the crushed chunks do not pass through the grizzly, they are still too large, and they are sent back for further crushing. The crushed kimberlite is then taken above the surface for further processing. When no more kimberlite is found entering the cones, the area is depleted and work moves on to a lower level.
Separating
· 3 The actual diamonds must be separated from the rock that surrounds them. Crushing or milling the excavated material is the first step, but this is done in a rudimentary form so as not to damage the potential gems inside. Next, a gravity-based device is used to sort the diamond-containing portions—called the concentrate—from the tailings, or the filler rock. One of the most commonly used methods to separate the two is a type of washing pan developed in South Africa in the 1870s. Decomposed kimberlite and water—in a mixture known as a puddle—is put into the pan. The mixture's viscosity is a crucial element, because the lighter particles will rise to the top, but the diamonds and other heavy minerals will descend to the bottom of the pan.
Another method of uncovering diamonds uses media separators. A stew called a slurry is made up—typically consisting of water added to the crushed concentrate and tailings. Ferro-silicon powder, which has a heavy density, is also added.
The slurry may be put into one of three types of media separators. The first is a cone-shaped tank, with a cone-shaped agitating element inside. The agitator moves around the sides of the tank, but leaves enough room so that the lighter tailings can rise to the top and the heavier elements sink to the bottom. In a lifting-wheel type of media separator, a wheel is filled halfway with slurry. Paddles inside it agitate the mixture, and lift the heavy particles from the bottom and separate them from the rest of the mixture. The third type of media separator is known as a hydrocyclone. It is a large vat that spins around, and through centrifugal force, the heavier, diamond-rich particles are separated.
Greasing
· 4 After this rudimentary separation, the concentrate moves to a greasing area, another innovation in diamond manufacturing developed in South Africa in the late 19th century. Mixed with water, the kimberlite-and-diamond mixture is placed on a greased belt or table. This device is usually slanted and vibrated. The method operates on the premise that diamonds newly excavated will not become wet when brought into contact with water. Instead they will stick to the grease. Petroleum jelly is usually the preferred substance on the grease belt or table. The water then carries away the remaining non-diamond particles. The diamond-laden concentrate is then swept off the table and boiled to remove the traces of grease. In a newer method, X-ray technology is used to determine which of the concentrate is diamond and which is effluvial material.
Cutting
· 5 Chunks of diamond eventually become small, perfectly shaped gemstones commonly used in engagement rings and other jewelry. Since diamond is the hardest known substance, diamond dust must be used to cut the stone. In cutting, a minuscule groove is incised into the surface of the diamond, and a cleaving iron is inserted into the groove. With a quick, forceful blow, the diamond should split perfectly along its naturally occurring planes. The lapidary determines further cuts by marking them off on the surface with ink. Next, a diamond saw, oiled with the unusual combination of diamond dust and olive oil, is rotated vertically on the surface of the raw gem. This device divides the diamond into new segments. These parts are then fed into a lathe-like device for grinding.

Konark sun temple - Orissa

2008-10-13T03:56:00.000-07:00

Konark Sun Temple,Orissa

Situated near the sacred city of Puri (Orissa), the Konark Sun Temple is an amalgamation of artistic craftsmanship and human endeavour, and marks the highest point of achievement in Kalingan architecture so much so, that UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site.

Though accounts of the temple's origins remain ambigous, historical sources maintain that the temple was built by King Narasimhadevan in the thirteenth century. It was constructed in the form of a massive chariot with seven horses and twelve wheels on each side, carrying the Sun god 'Surya' across the heavens. The Sun god has been worshipped in India as early as the Vedic period. Two lions safeguard the entrance while a flight of steps lead to the to the main temple area. Some believe the wheels to signify 24 hours of the day, while others relate it to the 12 months of a year. The horses are deemed to symbolize the seven days of the week. Sailors once knew the temple as the Black Pagoda and feared its power to cause ship wreaks.

Legend
Samba, the son of Lord Krishna took great pride in his beauty. So much that he once committed a mistake of ridiculing a sage called Narada. The sage, bursting with rage, hit upon an idea to teach Samba a lesson. Somehow, the sage lured the boy to a pool where his step mothers, the consorts of Lord Krishna, were having bath. As Krishna got to learn of this immoral activity, he was inflamed and cursed his son with leprosy. However, before long, lord Krishna came to know that it was all a premeditated plan of the mischievous Narada. He suggested to his son that he go and worship the Sun god, the healer of all diseases. Samba followed the advise and spent 12 long years of penance and worship. Eventually, Surya instructed Samba to go and take a dip into the sea at Konark. So did the afflicted boy and surprisingly enough his leprosy was cured. Elated Samba made up his mind to built a temple in honour of Surya at the very spot. And that was how the temple came into being.

Architecture of the Temple
The colossal structure with its though in ruins now, stands ovation to Orissa's medieval architecture. Its architectural brilliance is displayed in the interesting juxtaposition of intricate and minute sculptural patterns to the free-standing statues of an exceptional size. The wheels of this chariot attract special attention being almost 10m in diameter and covered with intricate displays of creative talent. The spokes of the wheels are used as sundials, with their shadows predicting the exact time of the day. On the walls of this temple one can witness beautiful carvings, sculptures and bas-reliefs (figures projecting from a plain background) depicting images of god, goddesses, men, women and scenes from 13th century social life. The architecture of the temple is typified by its curved towers mounted by cupolas with a pyramidal roof of sandstone ascending to a height of around 30 metres.The temple stands aligned in the east-west direction exemplifying solitary majesty and splendour in the midst of natural surrounding comprising of casuarinas plantations and other trees native to the sandy soil of this region. The gentle undulating topography of the Bay of Bengal coastline lends distinction to the surrounding landscape.

Konark Festival
The Natya Mandir (Dance Hall) within the Sun Temple Complex hosts the Konark Festival of Dances, in celebration of India's diverse dance forms like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chau. The festival is usually held in the first week of February and is attended by leading classical dancers, connoisseurs, tourists and locals.

Best Time to Visit
Being close the sea, the climate of Konark is never very harsh. With greenery surrounding the place, rainfall is heavy in Konark. The best season to visit Konark is between October and March; however, one can go there throughout the year.
Location
The city of Konark lies in the eastern state of Orissa, India approximately 65 km from the capital Bhubaneshwar and 35 km from Puri.

Getting there and Around
By Air - The nearest airport is the Biji Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneshwar, which is well connected to most major cities of the country like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

By Rail - Nearest railheads are found at Bhubaneshwar and Puri with long-distance trains connecting them to all key cities of the Country.

By Road - Konark is well linked through private buses as well as those run by the Orissa State Road Transport Corporation to all parts of the State.

Accommodation
Konark offers various government approved accommodations at Panthanivas, Travellers lodge, Inspection Bungalow, yatri Nivas.There are thousands of low budget and luxury Hotels too.

Lotus Temple

2008-10-10T02:39:00.000-07:00

Lotus Temple in Delhi:

A Remarkable Architecture
Lotus Temple is one of the remarkable architectures of Bahai faith. It is located at Kalkaji in New Delhi. The temple looks like a lotus flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The place provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace and wisdom. The Bahai temple was completed in 1986. Since then the temple has received recognition from all over the world for its splendid architecture and design. Lotus Temple is among the most visited monuments in India. The credit for building this beautiful structure goes to the Persian architect Fariborz Sahba from Canada.
Personifying Lotus in the temple does not merely mean giving a lotus shape to the edifice but it has a message to the people of India in the form of a manifestation from the almighty. Lotus is a symbol of peace, purity, love and immortality. It is this particular specialty of Lotus flower which makes the flower an important icon in Indian culture and society. This is why the design of Lotus temple has been inspired by lotus flower.
The design looks like a half opened Lotus flower with 27 freestanding "petals" made of marble. The architect, while designing the temple took into account the eternal beauty of Lotus flower. The construction work took almost 10 years before it finally got shape and was open for public. The team comprised of 800 engineers, technicians, workers and artisans who worked diligently to give realization to one of the most complex edifices in the world. The temple integrates the aesthetic values along with the technological influence within the whole structure. There are nine reflecting pools that encompass the temple from outside. Converting the geometry of the design that did not have any straight line to the actual structure needed a lot of effort and dedicated engineering.
The temple has the capacity to accommodate nearly 2500 people and has nine doors that open in a central hall. The whole structure is made of white marble that adds to the glory of the temple. It is about 40 meters tall surrounded by nine ponds and appears as if the temple is floating like a Lotus flower in water.
The most appraising aspect of this particular architectural masterpiece is the integration of the effervescent Indian history along with the modern engineering and architecture. The temple has to its accreditation being recognized all over the world as one of the most visited edifices in the world with almost 50 million people having visited the temple since its inception in 1986.

Awards Received:

* Award given to the architect Mr. Sabha in the year 1987 from International Federation for Art and Architecture, USA.
* Award for the structural design by the Institute of Structural Engineers in UK
* The Citation Award for personifying the visual impact of the beautiful Lotus flower.
* Accreditation for its outdoor illumination in the year 1988
* American Concrete Institute Award for being one of the most artistically built concrete structures.
* In the year 2000 it received the "Glob Art Academy Award" from Glob Art Academy in Vienna.

Topiary- Art of shaping trees

2008-10-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

Topiary

Topiary is simply the art or practice of trimming and shaping plants into ornamental shapes. The shapes can be any object or geometric shape one can think of. History tells us that Pliny the younger (AD 62-110) described his villa in Tuscany as being embellished with various figures and adorned with animals out of boxwood. So topiary has been around for nearly 2000 years. Its still popular in mansions as well as in the home garden. The term topiary today can mean a large specimen, such as a garden giraffe or a small tabletop centerpiece, but its always related to shaped plants. Here are some of the most popular uses for topiary today.

GARDEN TOPIARY

Topiary is found in a wide variety of home gardens as well as commercial establishments. Formal gardens will often include pyramids or arches, maybe even cones or teardrops with little birds pruned on top. Whimsical topiary shapes such as animals or birds or even trains and airplanes may grace a park or zoo, or accent one’s garden, bringing pleasure to all who visit. Topiary children may dance through a cottage garden and topiary dolphins look natural near the swimming pool. Topiary bunnies may welcome visitors by the front door, or human shapes ‘help’ in the garden. A scene of topiary ducks with a mother and her ducklings brings a smile to anyone’s face. Commercial gardens enjoy using garden topiary to delight their visitors, as Cypress Gardens did a few years ago with a huge topiary exhibit with over 75 large frames, including a moving carousel of topiary animals. Elli’s Great American Restaurant in Salinas California has a topiary Statue of Liberty in its front garden. Topiary is so versatile it can be at home in any garden. Its sure to be around for another 2000 years!

TOPIARY FOR CONTAINERS

Container gardening has become especially popular in the last few years and topiary for containers is a natural fit. Picture a duck or goose in a ‘nest’ of grasses. Or a tall ivy cone graced with impatience around the base with trailing ivy between the flowers. A grouping of containers with a large quail topiary surrounded by smaller quail would make a nice patio vignette. Two ivy standards flanking a door way in victorian urns would enhance an entrance. Container grown topiary has the advantage of being able to be moved around the garden as desired, it serves as a focal point and can be adorned around the base with flowers or grasses to accentuate the topiary.
TABLETOP TOPIARY

Another kind of topiary that is very popular is the table top topiary, most often done in ivy, but also found in herbs such as rosemary. Wreaths, hearts, cones, spirals, standards, double standards and many geometric shapes have all found their way to the table as a centerpiece, often decorated with seasonal decorations. With over 500 varieties of ivy to choose from, the possibilities for many different looks are endless. Many of these shapes are instant if one starts with a long ivy. A simple 13” ivy topiary wreath can be made with an ivy that has 18” runners in 10 mintues and they become more beautiful as they grow. The tabletop topiary is very popular for weddings and parties as it makes a pretty and appropriate centerpiece. Its also easy to tie a topiary in to a theme: hearts and flowers for weddings and anniversaries, wreaths and ivy trees for Christmas, custom topiary fish for a fisherman’s birthday, you get the picture!

BASKET TOPIARY

Martha Stewart Living magazine featured topiary baskets a few years ago that were shaped like different animals and decorated for Easter. Ducks, bunnies, roosters, goats and deer all became topiary baskets that held flowers or colored eggs. Ivy baskets can hold champagne or flowers and make unique gifts.
So topiary can be used as an accent in the garden or as a statement. It can serve a formal garden with repetition of geometric cones or spirals, or be at home in a cottage garden with whimsical animals. It fits commercial gardens with large exhibits or single specimens. And tabletop topiaries are widely used for adorning the home or party centerpieces. And with ready made topiary frames, the whole process has become user friendly and likely to keep growing in popularity.

Amarnath yathra- cave temple

2008-10-05T01:55:00.000-07:00

Amarnath Yatra Temple Jammu Kashmir
Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley, Amarnath cave stands at 3,888 m. and is 46 Km. From Pahalgam and 141 Km. from Srinagar. Though the original pilgrimages subscribes that the Amarnath yatra be undertaken from Srinagar, the more common practice is to begin journey at Chandanwari, and cover the distance to Amarnath and back in five days. Pahalgam is 96 Km. Srinagar.Amarnath is regarded as one of principal Hindu Dhams. The holy cave is the residence of the holy trinity, Shiva lord. The guard of the absolute, lord Shiva, the destroyer, is present in the form of ice Lingam in this cave located at a more remote end of the valley of Lidder. This lingam is made naturally of a stalagmite of ice which awakes and weakens with the moon.

THE YATRA

The trek to Amarnath Yatra begins at Srinagar on the panchami day of the bright half of the month. The next halt enroute is Pampur, 9 miles south east of Srinagar. Subsequent halts are at Avantipur, Brijbihara and Martand. Martand is known for its ancient temple dedicated to the Sun God - now in ruins. Enroute to Martand are Anantnag and Gautamnag. Martand is known as the architectural lion of Kashmir. It is a temple with a colonnade of 84 columns full of artistic work. This temple dates back to Lalitaditya of Kashmir of the 8th century. The next halt is at Aishmukam, and the next is Pahalgam, which is reached on the day of Dasami, the tenth day of the bright half of the month. At Pahalgam is the confluence of the rivers Seshnag and Liddar.
Next the enroute of stop is Chandanwadi, from where the confluence of the rivers Asthan Marg and Seshnag. Promote is to the top Pishu Ghati, thought to be the site where the demons were crushed by the gods. Promote is to the top the lake Seshnag with a size of approximately 12000 feet above sea level. The next halt is at Wavjan before to raise it stiff with the passage of Mahagunus to a size of 14000 feet, after which there is to the bottom a slope carrying out to Panchatarni. From here, the cave of Amarnath is reached the day of full moon, and the pélerinage is complete.

THE MYTH

The cave of Amarnath was where Shiva lord reported the secrecy of immortality, Amar Katha with his Wife Parvat. Shiva hesitated initially but finally gave inside.Shiva wanted to reveal the secrecy in a place of isolation far from any life being and thus chose the cave of Amarnath. In preparation, Shiva left his Nandi (the Bull), which he rode at Pahalgam. At Chandanwari, he released the moon from his hair and on the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he released the snakes. Son Ganesha was left at Mahagunas Parvat and at Panjtarni, Shiva left the Five Elements behind - earth, water, air, fire and sky - that make life possible. As a final precaution, Shiva created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to set afire and eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy Cave. Finally, Shiva and Parvati entered the Amarnath Cave where he began meditating on a deerskin. He then narrated the Amar Katha to Parvati. Unknown to them, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this conversation and learned the secret. Reborn again and again, they have made the cave their eternal abode. Today, pilgrims claim seeing the pair of doves when they trek the arduous route to pay their obeisance at Shivalinga formed naturally of an ice stalagmite.

THE LEGEND

The story narrated by people about the discovery of this Holy Cave is of a shepherd Buta Malik. He is given the credit of discovering this Holy Cave. Story goes like this, that a saint gave Buta Malik a bag full of Coal. On reaching his home when he opened the bag , to his utter surprise the bag was full of gold coins. This made him overwhelmed with joy. He ran to thank the Saint. But, what he found was that the Saint had disappeared. Instead, he found The Holy Cave and Shiv Lingam there in. He announced the discovery of this to the Villagers. Then onwards this has become the sacred place of Pilgrimage.
The ancient epics narrate an other story which goes like this. The valley of Kashmir was under water. It was a big lake. Kashyap Rishi drained the water through number of rivers and rivulets. In those days Bhrigu Rishi came that way on a visit to The Himalyas. He was the first to have Darshans of this Holy Cave. When people heard of the Lingam, Amarnath for them became Shiva's abode and a Centre of pilgrimage. Since then Lacs of devotees perform the pilgrimage through tough terrain and avail eternal happiness. The trek to Amarnath, in the month of sharavan (July August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a Lingam, is formed naturally of an Ice Stalagmite, which waxes and wanes with the Moon's cycle. By its side are fascinating, two more Ice Lingams, that of Maa Parvati and of their son, Ganesha.

CLIMATE

The climatic conditions are very uncertain. Rain or snowfall may take place at any time or place during the Amarnath Yatra. It is to be particularly noted that abrupt changes in temperature might occur. Sunny weather may turn into rain / snow fall in a short time . The temperature may fall up to -5 degree C.

Capitals of various Countries

2008-10-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

Afghanistan - Kabul
Albania - Tirane
Algeria - Algiers
Andorra - Andorra la Vella
Angola - Luanda
Antigua and Barbuda - Saint John's
Argentina - Buenos Aires
Armenia - Yerevan
Australia - Canberra
Austria - Vienna
Azerbaijan - Baku
The Bahamas - Nassau
Bahrain - Manama
Bangladesh - Dhaka
Barbados - Bridgetown
Belarus - Minsk
Belgium - Brussels
Belize - Belmopan
Benin - Porto-Novo
Bhutan - Thimphu
Bolivia - La Paz (administrative); Sucre (judicial)
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo
Botswana - Gaborone
Brazil - Brasilia
Brunei - Bandar Seri Begawan
Bulgaria - Sofia
Burkina Faso - Ouagadougou
Burundi - Bujumbura
Cambodia - Phnom Penh
Cameroon - Yaounde
Canada - Ottawa
Cape Verde - Praia
Central African Republic - Bangui
Chad - N'Djamena
Chile - Santiago
China - Beijing
Colombia - Bogota
Comoros - Moroni
Congo, Republic of the - Brazzaville
Congo, Democratic Republic of the - Kinshasa
Costa Rica - San Jose
Cote d'Ivoire - Yamoussoukro (official); Abidjan (de facto)
Croatia - Zagreb
Cuba - Havana
Cyprus - Nicosia
Czech Republic - Prague
Denmark - Copenhagen
Djibouti - Djibouti
Dominica - Roseau
Dominican Republic - Santo Domingo
East Timor (Timor-Leste) - Dili
Ecuador - Quito
Egypt - Cairo
El Salvador - San Salvador
Equatorial Guinea - Malabo
Eritrea - Asmara
Estonia - Tallinn
Ethiopia - Addis Ababa
Fiji - Suva
Finland - Helsinki
France - Paris
Gabon - Libreville
The Gambia - Banjul
Georgia - Tbilisi
Germany - Berlin
Ghana - Accra
Greece - Athens
Grenada - Saint George's
Guatemala - Guatemala City
Guinea - Conakry
Guinea-Bissau - Bissau
Guyana - Georgetown
Haiti - Port-au-Prince
Honduras - Tegucigalpa
Hungary - Budapest
Iceland - Reykjavik
India - New Delhi
Indonesia - Jakarta
Iran - Tehran
Iraq - Baghdad
Ireland - Dublin
Israel - Jerusalem
Italy - Rome
Jamaica - Kingston
Japan - Tokyo
Jordan - Amman
Kazakhstan - Astana
Kenya - Nairobi
Kiribati - Tarawa Atoll
Korea, North - Pyongyang
Korea, South - Seoul
Kosovo - Pristina
Kuwait - Kuwait City
Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek
Laos - Vientiane
Latvia - Riga
Lebanon - Beirut
Lesotho - Maseru
Liberia - Monrovia
Libya - Tripoli
Liechtenstein - Vaduz
Lithuania - Vilnius
Luxembourg - Luxembourg
Macedonia - Skopje
Madagascar - Antananarivo
Malawi - Lilongwe
Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
Maldives - Male
Mali - Bamako
Malta - Valletta
Marshall Islands - Majuro
Mauritania - Nouakchott
Mauritius - Port Louis
Mexico - Mexico City
Micronesia, Federated States of - Palikir
Moldova - Chisinau
Monaco - Monaco
Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar
Montenegro - Podgorica
Morocco - Rabat
Mozambique - Maputo
Myanmar (Burma) - Rangoon (Yangon); Naypyidaw or Nay Pyi Taw (administrative)
Namibia - Windhoek
Nauru - no official capital; government offices in Yaren District
Nepal - Kathmandu
Netherlands - Amsterdam; The Hague (seat of government)
New Zealand - Wellington
Nicaragua - Managua
Niger - Niamey
Nigeria - Abuja
Norway - Oslo
Oman - Muscat
Pakistan - Islamabad
Palau - Melekeok
Panama - Panama City
Papua New Guinea - Port Moresby
Paraguay - Asuncion
Peru - Lima
Philippines - Manila
Poland - Warsaw
Portugal - Lisbon
Qatar - Doha
Romania - Bucharest
Russia - MoscowRwanda - Kigali
Saint Kitts and Nevis - Basseterre
Saint Lucia - Castries
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Kingstown
Samoa - Apia
San Marino - San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe - Sao Tome
Saudi Arabia - Riyadh
Senegal - Dakar
Serbia - Belgrade
Seychelles - Victoria
Sierra Leone - Freetown
Singapore - Singapore
Slovakia - Bratislava
Slovenia - Ljubljana
Solomon Islands - HoniaraS
omalia - Mogadishu
South Africa - Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative); Bloemfontein (judiciary)
Spain - Madrid
Sri Lanka - Colombo; Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative)
Sudan - Khartoum
Suriname - Paramaribo
Swaziland - Mbabane
Sweden - Stockholm
Switzerland - Bern
Syria - Damascus
Taiwan - Taipei
Tajikistan - Dushanbe
Tanzania - Dar es Salaam; Dodoma (legislative)
Thailand - Bangkok
Togo - Lome
Tonga - Nuku'alofa
Trinidad and Tobago - Port-of-Spain
Tunisia - Tunis
Turkey - Ankara
Turkmenistan - Ashgabat
Tuvalu - Vaiaku village, Funafuti province
Uganda - Kampala
Ukraine - Kyiv
United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi
United Kingdom - London
United States of America - Washington D.C.
Uruguay - Montevideo
Uzbekistan - Tashkent
Vanuatu - Port-Vila
Vatican City (Holy See) - Vatican City
Venezuela - Caracas
Vietnam - Hanoi
Yemen - Sanaa
Zambia - Lusaka
Zimbabwe - Harare

Golu - Festival of Dolls

2008-09-29T03:47:00.000-07:00

Navaratri Golu is a major festival of Hindu celebrated during navaratri throughout india during september or october for a period of 10days especially in south india. During Navratri, it is customary in Tamil Nadu to display a "Golu". This is an exhibition of various dolls and figurines in odd (usually 7, 9, or 11) numbered tiers ("padis"). Generally, when people come to a person's house to see the Golu, they are given prasad (the offering given to God that day), kumkum and a small bag of gifts. These are only given to girls and married women. In the evenings, a "kuthuvilakku" (small lamp) is lit, in the middle of a decorated "kolam"(Rangoli), before the Golu and devotional hymns and shlokas are chanted. After performing the puja, the food items that have been prepared, are offered to the Goddesses.
Golu is adorned with dolls - predominantly with that of the Gods and Goddesses depicting mythology. It is a traditional practice to have at least some wooden dolls. There should also be a figurine of a boy and a girl together. On the 9th day (Saraswati Puja), special pujas are offered to Goddess Saraswati - the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in the puja and worshipped as a source of knowledge. Also tools are placed in the pooja - as part of "Ayudha Pooja". Even vehicles are washed and decorated, and puja performed for them.
The 10th day, "Vijayadasami" - is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which evil was finally destroyed by good. It marks a new and prosperous beginning. New ventures started on this day are believed to flourish and bring prosperity. Kids often start tutoring on this day to have a head start in their education.
In the evening of "Vijayadasami", any one doll from the "Golu" is symbolically put to sleep and the Kalasam is moved a bit towards North to mark the end of that year's Navaratri Golu. Prayers are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year's Golu and with a hope of a successful one the next year! Then the Golu is dismantled and packed up for the next year.

What causes hiccups??

2008-09-26T03:17:00.000-07:00

People have been pondering the precise cause of hiccups for thousands of years. Ancient Greek physician Galen, for example, hypothesized that hiccups were simply violent emotions that began in the stomach and erupted out the mouth. This hypothesis has not exactly been disproved, but since then, we have come up with many more.
We know what happens during a hiccup. During normal breathing, we take in air from the mouth and nose, and it flows through the pharynx, past the glottis and into the larynx and trachea, ending in the lungs. The diaphragm, a large muscle between the chest and abdomen, aids this airflow. It moves down when we inhale, and then up when we exhale. The phrenic nerves control the movement and sensation of the diaphragm. Any irritation to these nerves induces a spasm of the diaphragm. This spasm causes a person to take a short, quick breath that is then interrupted by the closing of the epiglottis (a flap that protects the glottis, the space between the vocal cords). The sudden closing creates the sound we all know as a hiccup.

So, hiccups are the result of diaphragm spasms. But what causes the irritation that leads to the spasm? There are only a few culprits for common hiccups, which usually disappear within a few minutes. One of the main irritants is a full stomach -- a result of swallowing too much food or air. A distended stomach pushes against the phrenic nerves of the diaphragm, increasing the possibility of irritation and, therefore, hiccups. A full stomach of spicy food can do double damage -- hot foods can be especially irritating to those nerves. As any smoker on a bender can tell you, excess smoking and drinking alcohol can also cause hiccups. A rapid temperature change outside or inside your stomach, from a cold night or a hot beverage, can be irritating enough to induce hiccups. Finally, emotions -- shock, excitement and stress -- can also trigger a hiccup fit.

some plants eat animals!!!!!!

2008-09-25T03:44:00.000-07:00

Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants whose prey-trapping mechanism features a deep cavity filled with liquid known as a pitfall trap. It has been widely assumed that the various sorts of pitfall trap evolved from rolled leaves, with selection pressure favouring more deeply cupped leaves over evolutionary time. However, some pitcher plant genera (such as Nepenthes) are placed within clades consisting mostly of flypaper traps: this indicates that this view may be too simplistic, and some pitchers may have evolved from flypaper traps by loss of mucilage.
Whatever their evolutionary origins, foraging, flying or crawling insects such as flies are attracted to the cavity formed by the cupped leaf, often by visual lures such as anthocyanin pigments, and nectar bribes. The sides of the pitcher are slippery and may be grooved in such a way so as to ensure that the insects cannot climb out. The small bodies of liquid contained within the pitcher traps are called phytotelmata. They drown the insect, and the body of it is gradually dissolved. This may occur by bacterial action (the bacteria being washed into the pitcher by rainfall) or by enzymes secreted by the plant itself. Furthermore, some pitcher plants contain mutualistic insect larvae, which feed on trapped prey, and whose excreta the plant absorbs. Whatever the mechanism of digestion, the prey items are converted into a solution of amino acids, peptides, phosphates, ammonium and urea, from which the plant obtains its mineral nutrition (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus). Like all carnivorous plants, they occur in locations where the soil is too poor in minerals and/or too acidic for most plants to be able to grow.

Onam - The festival of kerala

2008-09-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Onam is the biggest celebration in Kerala. Travel to Kerala during Onam, on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater, and see Kerala at its festive best. See the beautiful flower carpets, eat a delicious festive lunch, watch a graceful thiruvathirakali dance performance and join in the festivities of Onam in Kerala.

The Legend behind Onam Festival in Kerala:
Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, a legendary ruler of Kerala, who was renowned for the justice and goodness of his rule. According to legend, people in his kingdom lived in prosperity and harmony and loved their King so much that even the God's grew jealous of him, for King Mahabali was of the race of Demons. King Mahabali had conquered all the land and sea and the heavens, making the Gods even more disturbed. They requested Vishnu, the Preserver, in the Hindu trinity to act. Vishnu descended on earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana. He went to King Mahabali's palace and found the good King distributing alms. When Mahabali asked Vamana what alms he sought, Vamana replied he would like as much ground as he could cover with three footsteps. Mahabali looked at the tiny feet of the dwarf and agreed to his wish. Lord Vishnu covered the land and seas with one step and the heavens with the second. Mahabali recognized the presence of the Lord and offered his head as the ground for Vishnu/Vamana's third step. Mahabali was thus subjugated and sent to the underworld. However because he was a good king who loved his subjects, he could return once a year to check on the welfare of his people. Thus Onam is celebrated every year to welcome Mahabali, the good Demon King of Kerala.

Onam Festival Celebration in Kerala:
Onam Festival is celebrated with great joy and gaiety across Kerala, on a particular day in August or September. People buy new clothes and exchange gifts. Houses are cleaned and beautiful flower carpets and decorations are made at the entrances of houses and in courtyards. Traditional oil lamps are lit in the courtyard and women dressed in traditional Kerala sarees dance around the lamp, performing a dance called Thiruvathirakali. The main event on Onam day is a grand feast at lunchtime. Called sadya, the feast consists of a series of dishes served one after the other, including rice, vegetable curries, pickles and several varieties of payasam or sweet dish. Many cultural events are also held on the occasion of Onam. Snake Boat races, Kathakali and Mohiniattam dance recitals and musical performances are organized to celebrate Onam in Kerala.
You will see all of Kerala decked up in its best, during the occasion of Onam.

vellore: golden temple

2008-09-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

VELLORE:
The Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple located in Sripuram (spiritual town) in Thirumalaikkodi, about seven km from here, was consecrated by Sri Sakthi Amma, head of the Sri Narayani Peedam, Thirumalaikkodi, on Friday.A large number of devotees gathered for the occasion.Unique structureIt is a unique temple whose Vimanam and Ardha Mandapam have been coated with gold both in the interior and exterior.Twelve layers of gold foils have been pasted on copper sheets embossed with the designs of Gods and fixed on the walls.One-and-a-half tonnes of gold has gone into the design of the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple, which has been built at a cost of Rs.300 crore.100-acre siteAccording to Sri Sakthi Amma, the decision to have the temple coated with gold is only to attract visitors and enable them to get wisdom through the messages of the Vedas, which they will have to read before reaching the temple located on sprawling a 100 acre-site.The temple has been designed in such a way that visitors can reach the golden temple only after going through a star-shaped pathway, which has the messages from the Vedas on both sides.Tamil Nadu can boast of its own Golden Temple nowVellore: If you see the temple, you might even think that the temple is made of gold. And your guessing will be correct.The Golden Temple is about 140 km from Chennai at Tirumalaikodi in Vellore district.Sri Narayani Peedam, a private religious charitable organisation, built the temple. And the glittering monument also boasts of some glittering figures."The actual estimate is about 300 crores. The amount of gold that went into it's making is 1,500 kilos," says head, Sri Narayani Peedam, Sri Sakthi Amma.A breathtaking wonder of intricate designs, the temple dedicated to Goddess Narayani is in the midst of lush greenery spread over 100 acres.Except the pathways, even the roofs and the pillars of the temple are made of gold as about 1.5 tonnes of the metal went into its making.The Peedom says the funds for building the temple were collected from NRIs.But is this an attempt to match up to the other golden temple?"Well! We need to see the people's reaction-how the world is accepting it," says Shakti Amma.The temple will be formally consecrated on Friday and will be thrown open to the public from the next day.Now even Tamil Nadu can boast of a wonder of its own- the Golden Temple created with about 1.5 tonnes of gold and which is already on its way to making history.

2008-09-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

vellore golden temple

2008-09-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

fishing at kullu

2008-09-05T00:25:00.001-07:00

Raghunath Temple

2008-09-05T00:22:00.000-07:00

silver valley

2008-09-05T00:21:00.001-07:00

kullu tourism

2008-09-05T00:08:00.000-07:00

The Silver Valley

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' of Kulu. Here is the core of an intricate web of numerous valleys - each of which is a visual delight and seems more beautiful than the other. The Himalayan mountain scapes remain spectacular whether in brilliant sunshine or in the haze of the mist. The town of Kullu has long been a centre of faith. In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh installed here an idol of Lord Raghunathji, which he brought from Ayodhya. As a mark of his penance, he placed the idol on his throne and it became the presiding deity of the Kullu valley. The town of Kulu is famous for its colourful Dussehra festival. Decorated palanquins and processions convey Gods and Goddesses from temples all over the valley to Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning deity, Raghunathji. A Fair springs up during the festival which is celebrated with a great deal of singing, dancing and festivity.

Places Of Interest In Kullu
Raghunathji Temple:
In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh of Kulu committed a great wrong. To atone for the sin he sent a senior courtier to Ayodhya for a statue of Lord Raghunath - Lord Ram. This temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh to house the image and even today, is greatly revered. The shrine houses an image of Shri Raghunath in his chariot.
Bijli Mahadev Temple:
Set on a spur that offers some spectacular views, this temple is famous for its 20m high rod that periodically draws lightning, which shatters the 'Shivalinga' and scorches the building. Using only butter as adhesive, the 'linga' is then carefully pieced together by the temple pundit.

Around Kullu
Naggar:
For 1,400 years Naggar remained the capital of Kullu. Its 16th century stone and wood castle is now a hotel run by Himachal Tourism. Here, a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich. Naggar also has three other old shrines.
Parvati Valley & Manikarna:
At 1,737 m, here am hot sulphur springs that bubble next to the by waters of the Penal river. The place is revered by both Hindus and Sikhs Treks from here lead to Pulga, Khirganga and Mantalai' a stretch of considerable natural beauty. The route finally reaches the Pin Parvati Pass (4802 m), which opens into the Sutlej valley.
Jagatsukh :
Jagatsukh is the most ancient Kullu capital, situated on the left bank, between Nagar and Manali. Around the Jagatsukh secondary school playground there are two ancient temples - the small shrine of Gaurishankar and the larger chalet-roofed temple to the goddess Sandhya Devi, the stone base of which is much more ancient than the 19th-century wooden verandah and roof.
Deo Tibba:
Also known as Indralika, this 2,953 metres (9,687 ft.) high snow dove Jagatsukh, has a legend around it, with Arjuna. He started performing 'tapa' at this mountain, under the advice of Maharishi Vyas, in order to obtain the powerful Pasupata Astra from Indra.

Adventure Sports in Kullu
Angling & Fishing in Kullu:
Kasol:
An open glade by the banks of the river Parvati, Kasol makes a good holiday destination. Clean white sand separates the lush green grass from the stone, this place is well known for trout fishing.
Raison:
By the banks of the Beas-and on the Kullu-Manali Highway- Himachal Tourism runs a camping site here. This place is ideal for a taste of adventure and for spending a quiet holiday in solitary splendour.
Katrain:
At about midpoint on Kullu-Manali road, this is the home of lush orchards and famous for bee-keeping and trout fishing. Khatrain is the widest point in Kullu Valley and is overlooked by the 3,325 m Baragarh peak.

snow leopard rose

2008-09-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

Lingshed, Zanskar - altitude 3940 mThe bright rose was in full bloom like healing our tiredness of long walking in the mountain.

J & K - Paradise on earth

2008-09-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

Tso Kar or Shoker as it is pronounced is a bird watcher's paradise in the high reaces of Ladakh India. The lake is a Salt water lake and the area is marshy hence making it the idle place for the birds to come from all over the world. The lake is accessable by road for 5-6 months in a year.

Guess ur character

2008-08-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

IF you were born on the:

1st, 10th, 19th, 28th of any month you are number 1.
2nd, 11th, 20th, 29th of any month then you are number 2.
3rd, 12th, 21st, 30th of any month then you are number 3.
4th, 13th, 22nd, 31st of any month then you are Number 4.
5th, 14th, 23rd of any month then you are number 5.
6th, 15th, 24th of any month then you are number 6.
7th, 16th, 25th of any month then you are number 7.
8th, 17th, 26th of any month then you are number 8.
9th, 18th, 27th of any month then you are number 9.

Number 1
You are smart, a straight talker, funny, stubborn, hardworking, honest, jealous on a competitive basis, kind hearted, temperamental, friendly, and popular. You always want to be on the top and most likely to be independent. You are most likely to fall in love at a young age, but will marry once you mature! You are likely to have problems with people who have opposite views and you are most likely to take revenge over your enemies in a long time basis. You are a spender, but you will have a good profession in the future. If you are guy you will be very popular. You can go anywhere from the local shop to the heart of the parliament because you are positive and talented in numerous areas. But in your life you will always have some people who will work hard to bring you & your name down. Because of your intelligence, some might hate you. You are a pioneer, independent & original your best match is 4, 6, 8 while a good match would be with 3,5,7

Number 2
No matter what, every one will love you because you are ruled by the Moon. You day dream a lot, you have a very low-self esteem, you need to have a back up for every move in your life, you are very unpredictable. You tend to change according to time and circumstances, selfish, have a very strong sense of musical and artistic talent and powerful verbal communication. You can be sweet as an angel and can be ruthless when double-crossed. Some might say you have a sixth sense. You will become a poet, writer, an artist or a businessperson. You are not strong in love, so your relationship will be in disarray until you settle down. If you are a girl, you will be responsible for your family. If you are a man, you tend to get involve in fights & arguments in the family. You will sacrifice your life for your family. You are gentle, intuitive with a broad vision. You make a well-balanced person. Your best match is 2, 7,5, and 9 no other people can put up with you!!!

Number 3
You are hardhearted and selfish most of the time. You always tend to have lots of problems within your family in the early stages but you will be able to cope with everything. You seem to have your way in everything. And from birth you would always have to work hard to achieve anything you want. You always make a point to set examples on others, especially the younger ones. Generally you are not a cool person. It's not easy dealing with you. A tough player you are! But once you are comfortable with someone, it will be a lasting friendship. You always earn respect from others. Your Ilk seems to have lots of worries and problems but they won't be for long. You will have brilliant kids! You love money a bit too much so temptation will push you to try endlessly. You will look after your family and help friends, so you will spend a life time just being generous and kind (except for men born on the 21st). You love your freedom, creative and ambitious, a person who brings beauty, hope & joy to this world!!! Your best match 6 and 9. Good match 1, 3, and 5

Number 4
You are very stubborn, very hard working but unlucky in important matters in life, very cool and helpful. You might repel people away from you, you may cause nuisance to others if you area man, as you gifted are with understanding other people's problems. If you are a girl, you excel in your studies and arts. If you are a guy you spend most of your time with girl friends and you tend to have too much fun with your mates & girls. Your friends will spend your time & money and get on with their life and you will be left empty handed. So be careful! You love to spend. Your positive side is that you are always around to help family and friends. You always fall in love with those younger than you. You often live with disappointments but you will take good care of your family. You need to be careful of people who will take advantage of your kind heart. And beware of your relationships too. You are radical, patient, persistent, and a hit old-fashioned; you live with foundation & order. Your best match 1, 8. Good match 5, 6, and 7

Number 5
You are very popular and you can get things done only by talking. Even to your enemies! You are business-minded and like to do things spontaneously. You will be famous if you get involved in any business. Your friends and families will always ask for your help, and you are the one actually with the money to help your friends. You will have more than one relationship, but when you settle down you tend to be selfish. You tend to go for other relationships - even if you are married at times because of your popularity. You tend to get along easily with anyone because the numbers is a middle number. You love freedom and changes. You learn your life through your personal experiences. Your best match 1, 2, Good match 6, 8.

Number 6
Ooopppss... You were born to enjoy! You don't care about others. I mean you always wanted to have a lifetime of enjoyment. You will excel in either education or business management! You are talented, kind (but with only people who you think are nice), and popular. All good things come easily to you. Your mind and body is just made perfect for love. You are loveable by any number. But if you are a number 6 men, you will be involved in more than a few relationships until you get married. If you are a girl, most of you will get married/engaged early. You are a caring person towards your family and friends. You are a person of compassion, comfort & fairness, domestic responsibility, good judgment, and after all you can heal this world's wounds to make peace for everyone because you have the great power and caring talent to take the world of love one step further.. Your best match 7, 6, and 9. Good match 4, 5

Number 7
You are realistic, confident, happy, and talented in education, music, art, singing, and most importantly in acting. You also have a bad temper! You value your family status a lot; you will be in the top rank when you reach a certain age. If you are a guy you are popular with girls. Most of the number 7s faces lots of problems with their married life. Only a few are happy. You have everything in your life but with worries throughout your lifetime. You need to get ready looking for a partner rather than waiting. If you don't, then you might end-up being single. You are born to contribute to everyone's joy. Your best match is 2. Good matches are 1, 4

Number 8
You have a very strong personality and people will find it hard to understand you. You are more likely to suffer in your younger years. You might be also the one responsible to look out for your family. You often suffer all the way through life. You will learn life in a very practical way. You are the one who will fight for justice and may even die in the war too. You are normally very reserved with a handful of friends and most of the time, live life alone and always prepared to help others. However, once you settle down, (which is often late), then your had lucks will disappear. You will face unexpected problems such as encountering poisonous animals, and accidents. You are highly- disciplined, persistence, and courageous, and it is your strength that will take you to success. You are a great part of a family team. You are a fighter! Your Best match 1, 4 and 8. Good match 5

Number 9
You guys are the most incompatible people in the world. You are so strong, physically and mentally. You often have big-aims. You will work hard and will think it's still hard to get there, even if you already have gotten there! Normally you suffer in the early age from family problems and generally you will have to fight in life. You are respected by others. You were however very naughty in your childhood, and often got beaten up by your parents and had been involved in fights and you seemed to have suffered lots of injuries. But when you grow older you become calm and will fall into the quiet and dignified macho type. Love is not an easy matter for you. You are however good in engineering or banking jobs because people always trust you. Your family life is very good, but you will always worry over your children. Your finer qualities are that you are humanitarian, patient, very wise & compassionate. You are born to achieve targets and serve every one equally without any prejudice. You are a role model for everyone. Your best match 3, 5, 6, and 9. Good match 2.

Birthday Meaning

2008-08-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

Is your birthday day 1 of the month?

Your Life
You are very curious and dedicative. When you are interested in something, everything else has to wait. This is your quality. But if you learn to be more patient and complete what you have started, you will be successful in life.
Your Love
You believe in love at first sight. You won't wait to learn more about the person. Vise versa, people who fail to impress you will hardly get a chance to be your friend. Your emotion is on the extreme. You can only love or hate, nothing in between and this often shows in your __ex-pression. Try not to end a relationship in a quarrel.

Is your birthday day 2 of the month?
Your Life
You have great common sense but usually fail to follow through. This might happens because you are too busy with your mission and shut yourself from the outside world. You are clever and profound so there's a slight chance for self-control problem.
Your Love
Your love progress slowly, and quietly. You seem to be contented with your unrequited love. Your are a romantic and loyal lover.

Is your birthday day 3 of the month?
Your Life
Although you are innocent and romantic but your __ex-pression often mislead others that you are an active, fun loving kid. Because of your double personality, it's hard for others to really know the real you. You are careful and patient.
Your Love
Your love is the greatest which often surprises others. No one can bring you to light when you are in love. Your confidence
might lead you to the track your parents disagree.

Is your birthday day 4 of the month?
Your Life
You usually think before acting which makes your life quite easy. But you often are the one who give yourself a hard time by being paranoid. People might not truly understand you but you are really nice to be around. You are cheerful and friendly.
Your Love
Still water runs deep, that's what you are. You always surprise others with your new character when you are in love. Your love trap often comes unexpectedly and your love life is full of surprises.

Is your birthday day 5 of the month?
Your Life
Although you are on the quiet side, but you enjoy excitement and changes. Routine is something you cannot stand. Because of your extreme confidence, you hardly ask others for opinion. You believe in leading your own life, and you have got the gift in doing so.
Your Love
Nothing can stop you from making progress in your love life. Once you are in love, you feel the ownership of your lover. A third party can only makes your jealousy becomes worse.

Is your birthday day 6 of the month?
Your Life
You are generous with people in need, sometimes to an extreme that people find you nosey. Your hidden courage and dedication often surprise others. Your imagination is extremely unique.
Your Love
Your love life is on the smooth track because it grows from friendship. Although you may not make a sweet lover but your sincerity bring happiness to your couple.

Is your birthday day 7 of the month?
Your Life
You are sensitive to changes around you but your feeling is hardly expressed. You hate exaggerations. Under your quiet personality, you are rather stubborn and self-centered. These qualities are the force behind your extreme persistence.
Your Love
You have enormous courage to please your lover. Your relationship often progress quickly.

Is your birthday day 8 of the month?
Your Life
You have pleasant and friendly personality. People look u to your wit and imagination. You are unpredictable and hardly complete what you started, which sometimes create negative impact to people around you.
Your Love
Falling in love becomes your routine. Most of the time you are lucky. You fascinate people with good taste but you never have enough with one. Although your love progresses very fast, it never lasts.

Is your birthday day 9 of the month?
Your Life
You often have problem in promoting yourself, just because you don't know how to express your true self. On the other hand, you don't really care what they think. This is why people misunderstand you until they really get a chance to learn about your pleasant personality.
Opposite sex find you mysterious and worth searching. Your wit is remarkable but sometimes you are too fast to follow.
Your Love
You won't reveal your feeling even after dreaming about the same guy over and over. Your first love lasts forever. You are responsible to the feeling of your lover. The chance to betray your lover is none. You have luck with children.

Is your birthday day 10 of the month?
Your Life
You are very capable. If you are a woman, you have high chance to be a renowned workingwoman. If you are a man, your path to fame and honor is near. As an innovator, you are not a good follower. You are good in implementing your imagination and share it with
others. You are always well dressed.
Your Love
You often lose your love ones from being too jealous. You always feel like you own the person you fall in love with and that often blows your relationship.

Is your birthday day 11 of the month?
Your Life
You are gracious, elegant and prudent. People admire your qualities and some even become jealous of you. You are realistic, flexible and adaptable. You are remarkably kind and moral person.
Your Love
You are willing to sacrifice yourself for the one you love. Your lover will always have your gentleness, care and loyalty. You will always be happy to hand around the one you love.

Is your birthday day 12 of the month?
Your Life
You are friendly, humorous and full of energy. You are open-minded and do not care for minor details. Your weak point is your hot temper.
Your Love
You are willing to start off in one-sided love affairs because you strongly believe that you will eventually win his/her heart. On the other hand, once you are together, you always want to do things your way, which is often the fire starter. You usually run in and out of love quickly.

Is your birthday day 13 of the month?
Your Life
You are sincere and easy going. Flattering and charming around are not your style. You care so much for freedom that often leads you to the difficult path. Because of your sincerity, most people find you easy to be around although you are sometimes too straightforward.
Your Love
Your gentleness, care and sincerity make you an attractive person. Eventhough you don't intend to be charming, but you naturally are, especially in the eyes of opposite sex.

Is your birthday day 14 of the month?
Your Life
You are so confident that sometimes you forget about the people around you. If you have to be in one of the two teams, you will choose to be in the winning team. On the other hand, you are kind and caring but above all, you care for your own benefits. Your imagination is
unique and often gets implemented shortly after it comes across.
Your Love
You will not get soft with the one you don't really like, no matter how hard he/she tries. But once you feel for someone you have chosen, there's no getting back.

Is your birthday day 15 of the month?
Your Life
You are outgoing and love to be at the center of attention. From the outside, you may seem flashy, flirty, and tricky but your true self is strong, full of hope to be the leader. When you
fail to convince someone, you will get frustrated, and perhaps let your temper shows.
Your Love
You are emotional. Many can win your heart at once, but not for long. This is why you hardly win a decent relationship.

Is your birthday day 16 of the month?
Your Life
You always follow the good and the right instead of listening to your heart. Another word, you are a perfectionist. You care for every word people say about you. You often seen isolated while you are, by nature, curious and a dreamer who is ready to get over the edge to make
your dream comes true.
Your Love
You often fall in love with a person who is much different from you, in age and other aspects. Your relationship grows on friendship. Love at fist sight is not your style.

Is your birthday day 17 of the month?
Your Life
You neither want to be interfered nor have the desire to mess with others' life. But you are friendly and occasionally a party animal. You are always in a circle of friends. You often do things in your own way that occasionally go beyond the acceptable limit. People may find you childish and not very attractive in that sense.
Your Love
Your fun-loving character attracts opposite sex. Many of those are great.You often find yourself trapped among a few great guys while you have to choose only one.

Is your birthday day 18 of the month?
Your Life
At first glance, people think you are quiet type of person. Actually you are cheerful, but conditionally. You will show your joyful character only in good mood. One the other hand, when you are moody, no one would dare to be around. Because of your emotion fluctuation and frank character, some find you hard to be around.
Your Love
You hardly show your feeling towards opposite sex no matter how much you like him/her. Your partner also has similar character so your love affairs often take quite a while to flourish. Time tells it all. Your sincerity makes you very attractive.

Is your birthday day 19 of the month?
Your Life
You are great in managing everything in your life and this is how you gain respect from others. Because of this quality, you sometimes feel that you are better than the rest. Extreme confidence might lead you to the wrong path. You are a free bird and want to lead your
own life.
Your Love
You love life is rather different from others'. When you are in love, nothing can stop you. You may often fight with your partner but, soon after that, you will make up in a way that surprises others.

Is your birthday day 20 of the month?
Your Life
You are prudent, circumspect and take things seriously. Before you make any move, you will think of a few alternatives that might take a while. You are patient, imaginative and target oriented. You value friendship more than anything else.
Your Love
You usually study your partner carefully before making any move. You never demand anything beyond the natural quality of that person. Your sincerity doesn't bring excitement in your love life but it brings deeply grown relationship.

Is your birthday day 21 of the month?
Your Life
You are curious and a true follower. You can please someone so much that it seem like you are trying to charm that person. You hide your disagreement under your smiling face. This is a charming quality of yours.
Your Love
You are quite unlucky in love. You are loved by someone you don't like while your dream man is so far away. Your love life is occasionally under turbulence. Sometimes you don't have the clear view of the guy in your heart.

Is your birthday day 22 of the month?
Your Life
You have the boss character, but not a leader. Most people look up to you for your capability and confidence although they find you quite stubborn. You should listen more to others. You are a unique and charming individual.
Your Love
You hardly take the moderate track. You either love or hate someone. Whom you call friends are the chosen ones. If any of them betray you, you won't let them get away without having hard time.

Is your birthday day 23 of the month?
Your Life
You never live your life in the way others want you to. You are an independent individual who loves challenges and excitement. You are ready to face with the result of your decision. You are usually the one your friends count on.
Your Love
Because you love excitements, you occasionally get involved in forbidden love affairs. You may fall in love with a married person and no one can stop you from making progress. You are very charming, although you might not realize it.

Is your birthday day 24 of the month?
Your Life
You are very optimistic and that's why you always enjoy life. You are gifted in entertaining others. Your friends love and trust you. You'll be the first they come to when they are in need of someone to speak their heart out.
Your Love
Sometimes you fall in love just because you want to be in love, not that you really like that person. You always be seen as a sweet couple but you can't really get over your love ones from past. Your partner is usually crazy about you because you are remarkably charming and
romantic.

Is your birthday day 25 of the month?
Your Life
You are a warrior. No obstacle can stop you from reaching your goal. You always keep yourself busy. This quality plus your responsibility will eventually bring you success.
Your Love
You adore your partner as the number one priority. You value your love one
more than yourself. Your love is the greatest of all and your have potential
to get married young.

Is your birthday day 26 of the month?
Your Life
You are always curious and responsive to changes. Routine life is not the way you choose to live. Travelling is your favorite hobby because excitement is what you are after.
Your Love
You will not stand being around the one you dislike. Your love comes and goes quickly. You can be deeply in love but soon after you will be looking around for the next one.

Is your birthday day 27 of the month?
Your Life
You are sensitive and vulnerable. Tears often run down your cheeks even when the matter is not that bad. This might be the result from being to pessimistic. You might seem cold on the shell, but your inner self is a kind loving person.
Your Love
You will be elegantly dressed, no matter how casually dressed your date may be. You are emanding in love and sometimes to an unacceptable extend.

Is your birthday day 28 of the month?
Your Life
You are a capable person but you usually underestimate your own ability. This is the cause of missing numbers of opportunity to step forward. If you try to give yourself a chance, you can be successful in life. Try to see things on the bright side and you will be happier than ever.
Your Love
You are quite unlucky in love. The one in your arm is not the one in your heart. Your love has so many ups and downs. You often chicken out before seeing any progress in love.

Is your birthday day 29 of the month?
Your Life
You can trust your sixth sense. Life is exciting so routine job is not your interest. You have great ideas and fantastic imagination. You often feel tired of things and people around you.
Your Love
You can tell what's in the mind of another person just from looking into his/her eyes. You are paranoid and jealous and these are the cause of fights between you and your lover.
Sometimes the thing you believe in is just your imagination.

Is your birthday day 30 of the month? Your Life
You are always surrounded by a circle of friends. You are friendly and fun to be with. Though you occasionally disappoint them by being stubborn, but over all, they love your qualities.
Your Love
You want to have full control of your love and that's not a nice way to treat your partner. You take your time in saying yes to his wedding proposal or if you are a man, you will not propose anyone until you are certainly confident which might take ages.

Is your birthday day 31 of the month?
Your Life
Your emotion is hard to predict. You can be sad this minute and happy in the next. People might find it difficult to follow your emotion and understand you. You tend to take things seriously.
Your Love
You take your time to study a person before falling in love. Once you decide that he or she is the one, no one can stop you from making progress, even your partner

Astrology

2008-08-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

---------------JANUARY BABY--------------------
Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to Recover when hurt. Sensitive. Down-to-Earth. Stubborn.

----------FEBRUARY BABY --------------------
Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexiest out of everyone. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. HonestAnd loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves Freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves Aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friendsBut rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the Inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

-----------------MARCH BABY --------------------
Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate Shy and Reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generousAnd sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Great kisser. Easily angered.Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up Feelings. Observant and assesses others.

------------------APRIL BABY -------------------
Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and Sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does Work well with others. Very confident.. Sensitive.Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good Memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look For information. Able to cheer everyone up and/or Make them laugh... Able to motivate oneself and Others. Understanding. Fun to be around.Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and Travelling. Systematic.

-----------------MAY BABY -----------------
Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and Highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally.. Firm Standpoint.
Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex.Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to Dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good Imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. LovesLiterature and the arts. Loves travelling. DislikeBeing at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited.

------------JUNE BABY -------------
You've got the best personality and are an Absolute pleasure to be around. You love to make New friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt And more than likely have an a very attractivePartner. A wicked hottie. It is also more than likely That you have a massive record collection. You Have a great choice in films, and may one day Become a famous actor/actress yourself - heck, You've got the looks for it!!!.

----------------JULY BABY --------------
Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to
Be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation.. Easily Consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's Feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable.Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Spazzy at times.Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. SensitiveAnd forms impressions carefully. Caring and Loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of Sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people Through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties In studying. Loves to be with friends Always broodsAbout the past an d the old friends.. Waits for Friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive Unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt But takes long to recover.

------------AUGUST BABY ---------------
outgoing personality. takes risks.. feeds on attention. no self control. kind hearted. self confident. loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. easy to get along with and talk to. has an "everything's peachy" attitude. likes talking and singing. loves music. daydreamer. easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. loves to be loved. hates studying. in need of "that someone".longs for freedom. rebellious when withheld orrestricted. lives by "no pain no gain" caring. always a suspect. playful. mysterious. "charming"
or "beautiful" to everyone. stubborn. curious.independent. strong willed. a fighter

------------SEPTEMBER BABY ---------------
Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems.Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends. Enjoys to make love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore.

---------------OCTOBER BABY -------------------
Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the centre. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt butrecovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does
not care to control emotions. Unpredictable.

--------------NOVEMBER BABY --------------------
Trustworthy and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independentpersonality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, thegreatest men are born in this month.

--------------DECEMBER BABY ---------------
This straight-up means ur the most good-looking person possible... better than all of these other months! Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions.Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to,
though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots ofideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer.Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. one guy/girl kind of person. Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. loves music

Paneer Butter Masala

2008-08-10T00:16:00.000-07:00

This is a very famous north indian dish. It tastes very rich and delicious.

cooking time : 20 minutes

preparation time : 30 minutes

paneer : 250 gm

onion : 1(blended)

tomato puree : 2 tablespoon

ginger-garlic paste: 1 tablespoon

butter : 3 tablespoon

milk : 1/2 cup

fresh cream : 2 tablespoon

poppy seeds : 1 teaspoon

decicated coconut: 1 tablespoon

cinnamon stick : 1 inch

cloves : 2

cardamom:2

bay leaf : 1

chilly powder :1 teaspoon

turmeric powder: 1/4 teaspoon

corriander powder : 1/2 teaspoon

cumin powder: 1/2 teaspoon

salt: to taste

garam masala powder : 1 teaspoon

finely chopped corriander for garnish

procedure:

1. First cut the paneer into medium flat pieces and keep aside.

2.In a small pan roast coconut and poppy seeds till the colour chnages .

3.Make a fine power of coconut , poppy seeds,cinnamon stick,clove and cardamom in a mixture.

4.Heat 2 tablespoon of butter in a heavy bottom pan.

5.Add bay leaf , then onion paste and fry it for sometime, then add ginger-garlic paste and again fry till the colour changes to golden brown.

6. Add chilli podwer, termeric powder , all masala powders and salt to taste and then add tomato puree , fry 2 minutes.

7. Add milk and fresh cream and keep it on low flame for 2 minutes ,if required add water as per you like greavy.

8. Add paneer and remaining butter and garam masala to the greavy .

9. Garnish with chopped corriander .

10. Serve hot with simple chapati or naan.

Gobi manchurain recipe

2008-08-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

Ingredients of cauliflower manchurian :
1 medium Gobhi (Cauliflower)3/4 cup Flour (Maida) 1 tbsp Corn Flour Salt to taste 1 Chopped green chili 11/2 tbsp Garlic Paste11/2 tbsp Ginger Paste1 cup finely Chopped Onions Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves 1/4th tsp Ajinomoto 2 tbsp Soya Sauce 2-3 tbsp Tomato Ketchup 2 tbsp Oil

Preparation of gobhi manchurian :
Make a paste of maida, corn flour and salt using water.
Take a tsp. of ginger and garlic paste, add it to the paste.
Dip the gobi florets in the paste and deep fry till golden brown. Keep aside.
Heat oil in another pan and add the left ginger & garlic paste, chopped onions and green chili to it.
Now, mix aginomoto, soya sauce and tomato sauce to it.
Add fried Gobi kept aside and mix well. Garnish it with coriander leaves. Serve the gobi manchurian hot.

Chocolate is poisonous to Dogs

2008-08-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

The article explains that chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid that dogs can't metabolize quickly. If a dog ingests a large amount of chocolate, the theobromine can build up and reach a toxic level of concentration, leading to cardiac arrest. Different types of chocolate are more harmful than others, and the effects will vary, depending upon the size and weight of the dog. However, it is potentially lethal.
If you know your dog has ingested chocolate (signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, a quick heart rate, and rapid breathing) take him to a vet immediately.

Chettinad house

2008-08-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

The Chettinad houses are built on a rectangular, traversal plot that stretches across two streets,with the front door opening into the first street and the back into the second. Looking in from the main threshold, your eye travels in a straight line across a series of inner counrtyards,each a diminishing rectangle of light, leading out to the back door.

Most of the Chettiyar’s house in Chettinad consists of thousands of windows, hundreds of wooden pillars, door frames with Gajalakshmi who symbolize Goddess of wealth and a Kumbam(brass pot) with sprouting leaves engraved on them to symbolize wealth. Some buildings has a scene-by-scene narration of Mahabharatha and Ramayana in its wooden panels and walls. Some mansions are filled up with pillars of different materials such as wood, stone, plaster and metal. These pillars are coated with egg white stand tall in marvelously big dinner hall called Kalyana Kottahai. These houses may also contain raised platform known as ‘Thinnai’ used to protect from sun and rain.

The walls are of baked bricks, plastered over by a secret recipe of roots, yolk and lime that leaves them silken smooth and washable; the tiles are Spanish; the floors of Italian marble or locally - crafted Athangudi tiles; and the pillars of Burmese teak, many houses have small turrets and elaborate guard houses on the terrace. The carvings and friezes are not just Hindu pantheon but include British soldiers, Victorian women, and scenes from the Raj.The chettiar's main intent was to make his house a statement of his social success and he put everything into it, but the pastiche of styles - Kerala Woodwork, neo-classical, Victorian, Anglo-Indian - is Strangely not Vulgar. The airy courtyards seem somehow to absorb and mute everything down inside. The outside are not always so lucky - colours, curves, domes and arches often clash painfully but the message of splendour is not lost.The display of wealth extended to other areas. At the chettinad railway station, exactly opposite where the Raja of chettinad's first - class coach would halt, a paved path leads through an arched gate to his private waiting room, where he went directly without having to mix with the rabble at the station. The waiting room and attached toilets are still furnished, with superb divans, recliners bidets and washbasins, all in various stages of disrepair. There are three smaller such buildings around, for lesser personages and family guests.The practical detail inside the houses are rich: the courtyards supply ample light and air ( pickles and papads were dried there ) but leaving the rest of the house in deep and cool shadow. The courtyards have tiles placed exactly under the strom-water drain run right through the house, with stone stoppers carved exactly for their mouths. Large stone vats for water and wooden bins for firewood line the inner courtyards.

Chadura Kalli

2008-07-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

CHADURA KALLI (Euphorbia antiquorum) is a small tree, cactus like in appearance and has a rugged elegance about it. The stout triangular stems are green and jointed. The stipular spines are persistent, giving the plant an arrogant aloofness.
These plants hold sway in degraded Southern Tropical Deciduous Forests, falling under Champion and Seth's forest type, Euphorbia Scrub. Edaphic factors combined with excessive felling of tree growth and over grazing have reduced the deciduous forests to this scrub form, where Chadura Kalli naturally occurs.
Chadura Kalli is generally cultivated as a hedge plant and usually finds a place in the rockery part of a garden. It can also be kept as an indoor ornamental plant. It grows well when there is a layer of brick and charcoal pieces, on top of which sandy loam soil is spread. It needs no maintenance. Excess watering is to be avoided. Blue metal or pebbles can be spread around the feet of the stems to give it a natural look.
Genus Euphorbia is named after the physician to King Juba of Mauritania. It is a genus of 2,000 species of cosmopolitan distribution, differing enormously in habits and forms. All euphorbias give out poisonous, milky latex. The milk of Euphorbia antiquorum is taken as a purgative.

Rose

2008-07-27T00:12:00.000-07:00

SHEER BEAUTY and variety make the rose a special flower. Among all flowering plants, be it as a single spray or in a bouquet, it reigns supreme.
Rose garden
A rose garden was a prime feature of large grounds and among the popular varieties of yore are the sweet-scented `paneer' rose. It is mainly grown in the fertile Thanjavur delta. Its cousin is the cluster-petalled pale red rose. The nail pink Edward rose is also popular in South India and is able to withstand the heat.
Old shrub roses, musk roses, modern shrub roses, the peculiar viridiflora or green rose, floribundas, hybrid tea roses and climbing roses all do well in cooler climes, aided by frequent applications of rose mix and organic fertiliser.
Perennial enemy
Scale is a perennial enemy of the rose and regular spraying is essential for the plant's survival. Using a toothbrush dipped in water and scraping the stems gently can deal with initial attacks of scale.
Popular variety
White climbing roses do well in the city, given a semi-shady corner. Of all the roses that are grown, the most popular now are the tightly furled bud roses grown under controlled climatic conditions, largely because of the lucrative export market they enjoy. Common shades are pink, deep pink, red and white. The leafy, long-stalked flowers are tightly packed in bunches and sold in their prime. They last well in water for two to three days.
Commercial uses The rose has commercial uses too. It is used in the making of perfumes and in various food products such as gulkhand, rose water and rose essence. It is also decoratively used in salads.

Aromatic weed : Lantana

2008-07-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

YOU CAN smell out a Lantana camara (Common name: lantana) from quite a distance, literally. The fragrance of the flowers of this evergreen shrub from the tropics spreads far and wide, and attracts hordes of butterflies. Belonging to the Verbenaceae family, it is a shrub native to Central and South America. The shrub, which once grew on the fringes of forests, has now invaded interior areas, thanks to its ability to inhibit the growth of other plants. It is also widespread in the plains, growing almost everywhere without much effort.
The shrub, which grows to a height of two to five metres, has been cultivated for more than 300 years now and has hundreds of hybrids. The flowers sport brilliant colours. From yellow to pink to orange and flaming red, the plant is a multi-hued carpet.
Some tribes eat the fruits. The fleshy drupe is 3-6 mm in diameter and contains 1-2 seeds.
The fruits mature rapidly and change colour from dark green to black.
Its stems and leaves are covered with hairs and are rough in texture. This plant has a distinct smell. And a tendency to escape cultivation. Lantana has managed to survive for so long in the forest thanks to herbivores' dislike of them.
But, of late, cattle have learnt to thrive on their alkaloid-rich leaves, due to the dwindling grasslands in the forest. Since it tolerates shade, it has become the dominant undergrowth in open forests.
In homes, it is often used as an ornamental shrub, planted as hedges.
Lantana is regarded as a cosmopolitan weed. It also forms extensive, dense thickets in forestry plantations, orchards and wasteland.
In Indian sandalwood forests, the shrub competes with the tree crop as well as favours the spread of the sandal spike disease.
To raise it at home, plant a seed in a pot mixture of red soil, sand and manure. The hardy plant grows in all climes. The seeds are not available in shops, but you could ask someone visiting the hills to get you some.

Sun Loving Plants

2008-07-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

PORTULACA GRANDIFLORA, originally from Argentina and Brazil, are sun-loving herbaceous perennials. Flowers of the original plants are orange or purple but the hybrid varieties grown in gardens have yellow, white, pink, crimson, purple, scarlet and apricot coloured flowers. The double flowered varieties with carmine red, white, pink or light pink flowers are popular.
The succulent herbs with low spreading branches have cylindrical, pinkish leaves. Flowers bloom only when the sun is shining. The double flowers are 5 cm long with several layers of petals resembling a rose and hence the name Rose Moss Plant.
Stem cuttings readily develop roots. Seeds are produced. These are tiny and look like old iron filings. Seeds should be mixed with fine sand before being sown in seed pans and should not be buried too deep as it will prevent germination. The plant should be watered carefully.
Flowers of Portulaca grandiflora bloom by 9 a.m. and droop by afternoon. Because of its dependence on the sun for flowering, the plant is sometimes known as the Sun Plant. The plants grow well in a well-drained sandy soil. The Ross Moss plants have to be watered well, but being succulent, these plants decay during water stagnation.

Boat Lily

2008-07-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

AN ASSORTMENT of vivid plants can enliven the interiors. A delicate looking indoor plant that grows well even in warm Chennai or Hyderabad with an unexplained generic name Boat Lily, Rhoeo spathacea (Rhoea discolour), is a member of the family Commelinaceae. A native of Mexico, it was named Rhoeo by R.P.Hance a British botanist.
The specific name spathacea refers to the large bracts that enclose the flowers and discolouring explains the double colour nature of the leaves, dark green on the upper surface and purplish underneath.
The leaves are erect and lance shaped up to 25 cms long and 5 cms broad produced in conical rosettes, with flowers in boat shaped bracts found below the leaves. Owing to the shape of the bracts, the plant, although not a lily, is also known as the Boat Lily. The small white flowers are not showy but they present a curious appearance like a child peeping from its cradle and hence the common name `Moses-in-the-cradle'.
The leaves are fleshy and can easily be broken. The plant, thus being delicate, should be kept in a place where it will not be disturbed. . A semi shady, moist place will be ideal for the plant. In summer, the plant should be given more shade and water but water logging around the roots should be avoided.
Mature plants produce plenty of offshoots and they come in handy to propagate the plant. A loose compost mixture in which an extra amount of leaf mould is added will be ideal for the plant.
Rhoeo spathacea (Vittata) with yellow lengthwise stripes on the upper side of leaves with a red tinge is a variegated variety of the plant.

Peacock flower

2008-07-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

PLANTING FLOWERING shrubs especially those that are always in flower is an easy way to make a garden colourful throughout the year.
One such useful shrub is Caesalpinea pulcherrima, which produces smaller Delonix regia or Gul Mohr-like orange-red flowers.
It is an ornamental shrub of medium height (3 to 3.5m) with occasional prickles. The leaf stalks are twice branched and the leaflets 1.5 cm long and of a pleasing green colour.
The plant bears flowers in large pagoda-like conical bunches on top of erect branches. The flowers have five clawed petals one of which is smaller and shaped differently. All the petals one of which is smaller and shaped differently. All the petals have crinkled edges. The stamens are scarlet and about five cm long. The petals turn dark and become scarlet with age. The plant gets the name `Peacock flower' from the closely arranged stamens that bear a fanciful resemblance to the crest of a peafowl.
Caesalpinia pulcherrima is believed to be a native of tropical America. The plant is also commonly known as `Barbados Pride'. Besides the orange-red type there is also a purely yellow flowered variety.
Though perennially blooming, the plant produces larger and more colourful flowers after the rains. The plant does well in a sunny situation.
The plant can be propagated through cuttings but it is mainly grown from seeds. Plenty of thin and long pods are produced each with ten or more seeds. The seeds germinate easily.
Caesalpinia pulcherrima is not very particular about the soil and thrives in any garden soil without much care.
Though an exotic one, the plant finds a place among our medicinal plants and infusion of the flowers is prescribed for asthma, bronchitis and malarial fevers.
Occasional watering and light trimming keeps the plant in good condition and shape. The shrub is suitable for hedging and as a colourful addition to the shrubbery.

Heliconia

2008-07-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

THE BOAT-SHAPED flowers or the Heliconia are brick red with ends of lemon red and streaks of green. They hang glowing, as if lit by inner lamps, in strings of twin rows, alternately arranged on ruddy zig zag stalks, against a backdrop of dark green foliage.
Growing up to a height of ten to fifteen feet, the Heliconia plant looks like an overgrown canna. The oblong banana- like leaves, have characteristic long stalks. The plant is shallow-rooted and is grown from rhizomes, from which culms and festoons of flowers shoot out in a matter of months. The rhizome goes on multiplying and enlarging into a wide clump, holding 20-30 flowering shoots in two to three years. This tropical plant is native to the West Indies, Brazil, Mexico and Guatemala.
Said to have come from Peru to India, it is cultivated in gardens all over the sub-continent, and thrives on the plains of Sri Lanka and South India. Stray plants from the planters' gardens can be seen growing wild on the sunny sand banks in the Ouchterlony Valley of Gudalur in the Nilgiris.
Ample sunshine, well-drained soil and copious watering are all that the plant requires.
The plant is named after Mount Helicon in Greece. It is also known as wild plantain, Singapore banana, Chinese cracker and firebird.
The pendant flowers that seem to be on fire stay fresh for 20-25 days. New blooms continue to appear in succession, providing a round-the-year feeling of festivity.

Golden Globe : Echinocactus

2008-07-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

THE ECHINOCACTUS grusonii is one of the most attractive of cacti; it grows huge and round with golden tubercles.
It is hardy, long-living, and can reach a diameter of one metre on maturity.
A small plant of one foot in diameter could be all of 10 years old. The needle sharp spines are a deep yellow and there is a golden woolly growth on top of the cacti. Small yellow flowers grow on mature specimens.
The plant's beautiful rotund form makes it
ideal for use in landscaping.
As with all cacti, the golden barrel too does well in full sun and a free draining soil.
Moderate watering on alternate days is advisable in summer, and perhaps only twice a week in winter.
A large pot is best, as the cactus can be allowed to grow undisturbed in it. Multiplication is by way of offsets from very mature plants.

Bunny Ear Cactus

2008-07-02T23:56:00.000-07:00

THE OPTUNTIAS or Bunny Ear cactus is one of the largest and most widely distributed groups of cacti, from Mexico. They vary a lot in shape and size. Optuntia microdasys is a very popular plant. This is a profusely branching species with many flattened oval segments each measuring up to 10-12 cm long, 4-6 cm wide and 1/2 cm thick. The segments are pale or mid-green and spineless, but the areoles, which are spaced close together over the surface of every segment, are golden yellow.
Optuntias do not have leaves in the usual sense, but small, soft textured cylindrical `leaves' sometimes appear on new growth. These soon shrivel and fall off.
In summer the plant produces pale yellow bowl-shaped flowers measuring about 4-5 cm across, often tinged with red or pink hue on the outer side, but these cannot be counted on. Optuntias do not flower indoors (in homes) but may grow very big in the wild and produce magnificent blooms. Optuntia needs as much direct sunlight as they can get throughout the year. Place them in sunny spots outdoors during the growing period. Use good porous garden soil mixed with coarse sand and peat. Re-pot annually. The prickliness of this plant makes this operation difficult. Wrap thick fold of newspaper around the plant to protect your hands.
Propagation is very simple. Remove a stem segment by cutting it with a knife. Allow the detached segment to dry for three days and then insert in the potting mixture. Optuntia is cultivated as a hedge plant and also to decorate gardens, particularly rockeries with large stones. As a houseplant, Optuntia can be kept small if planted in smaller pots.

Face Pack

2008-06-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

One of the oldest methods of beauty treatment is the application of face and body mask. History is full of instances of women making use of various natural and organic substances to make their skin look young and smooth. Cleopatra is a classic example.

Advantages of using a face mask:
*Improves the blood circulation and gives a glow to the skin.
*Helps in toning the muscles and prevents them from sagging.
*Makes the skin supple.
*Removes dead cells and lends a porcelain-like shine to the skin.

Basic mask for a smooth texture
Beat an egg in the juice of one lemon. Apply on face and neck.
Leave for 15-30 minutes till dry. Rinse off. If this mask suits you use it once a week.

Masks for oily skin
Honey & egg mask (if you are allergic to honey avoid using it)
Mix 1 tsp of honey with one egg white, apply the thick paste on face and neck, leave for 7-10 minutes and wash off.
Mix 1 tsp of yeast, 1 tsp of sugar in ½ cup warm water, cover and keep in warm place. When it ferments use it as a face mask.

Toning mask:
Make a paste of one beaten egg white, 1 tsp yogurt and multani mitti (fullers earth). Apply on face and leave till it dries. Rinse off. Use this toning mask at least twice a week.

Fruit packs:
Mix 2 tsps papaya pulp and 10 drops of lemon juice. Apply on face and neck, leave for 20 minutes and rinse off.
Or take the juice of the pulp of any fruit (orange, sweet lime, water melon or papaya) and apply on the face. This soothes and cleanses the skin, closes the pores and stimulates blood circulation.
Caution: Do a test by applying the juice behind the ear. If it causes redness or itching do not use.

For dry skin
Warm milk is excellent for rough skin. Mix oat meal or almond powder in milk. Apply on the face, when dry scrub in a circular motion. Wash with clear water
Or mix 1 tsp of Olive oil with 2 tsps of fresh cream. Apply on the face and leave for 10 minutes. Remove with cotton wool pads soaked in water.

Fruit packs
*Beat a mashed banana in 1 tsp of salad or vegetable oil. Apply and leave for 20 minutes till it dries. Rinse off. This nourishing mask should be used at least once a week.

*1 tsp of honey, 15 drops of orange juice, 1 tsp spoon of fullers earth and 1 tsp of rose water. Mix well. Apply on the face and wash after 10 minutes.

*Mix 3/4 cup of rose water, 1/4 cup of glycerine, 1 tsp vinegar and 1/4 tsp honey. Keep in a bottle, use regularly after cleansing the skin.

Packs for those suffering from acne
*Mix 2 tsp of egg white, 2 pods of crushed garlic and 1 tsp of Lacto Calamine. Apply on the face and wash after 20 minutes.

*Mix in one bottle (250 ml) of rose water ¼ tsp vinegar, 5 drops of glycerine and 2 drops of camphor. This is an excellent moisturiser.

For aging skin
*To a large pinch of crushed almonds add ¼ tsp of cleansing cream or milk. Massage well on the skin. Wash off.
*Mix a few drops of the essential aroma oil Pachholi with almond oil. Apply every morning and at night. This helps to maintain the rhythm of cellular reproduction.
Use a face pack regularly. This will go a long way in keeping the skin healthy and glowing.

Hair Care

2008-06-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

HAIR and the scalp must be kept scrupulously clean. Our grandmothers and mothers followed a regular ritual of washing hair. Hair and the scalp were anointed and massaged with oils and washed with reetha (soapnut), shikakai and other herbal extracts.

Washing of hair has assumed greater importance today, specially for city dwellers because we are exposed to many chemical pollutants, dirt, smoke etc., which cling to the hair, making it necessary to wash your hair frequently.

One of the most frequently asked questions is how often one should wash hair. Actually, washing does not harm hair. It is the product that you use that can be harmful.

Harsh shampoos can strip the hair of its natural oil and leave an acidic residue on the scalp and this can cause damage. You should wash hair as often as you need to in order to keep the scalp and hair in good condition. The frequency of your shampoo depends on your

hair type:
* whether your hair is dry or oily.
* the season - during humid weather you need to wash your hair more frequently.
* the area you live in - rural or urban and the pollution level.
* the general condition of your hair. For instance if your hair has suffered damage due to the use of permanent wave lotions or chemical dyes or exposure to hair dryers - less frequent shampooing is recommended.

Choosing a shampoo
Shampoos come in various forms including creams, semi liquids and gels. These are different shampoo bases. Some are gentler on hair and skin than others. The detergent content in shampoos for greasy hair is higher than those for normal or dry hair. The balance of the various ingredients in a shampoo is important, so is their ability to deal with different hair types and conditions.
So, while choosing a shampoo, do not go by the brand name but by the contents that suit your hair.

Dry hair: Choose a shampoo which is formulated to nourish dry hair - look for ingredients that contain oil e.g. coconut, palm, almond etc., as these help to soften hair.
Oily hair: Oily hair needs to be gently cleaned without causing any irritation to the scalp. Use a shampoo which contains Camoline - this makes hair shiny. Lemon shampoo - this contains lemon essence or citric acid and helps to cut grease and gives shine.
Coloured hair: If you use a dye or henna - it adds artificial pigment to the hair - it requires special care to keep hair healthy, make the colour last long and add shine. A number of companies make shampoos for coloured hair. One of the best is L'oreal.
Dandruff, itchy scalp: You need to use a medicated or treatment shampoo. These shampoos usually contain Cetrimide and Selenium Sulphide.
Preperm shampoo: If you perm your hair - make sure that your hairdresser uses a preperm shampoo.

Tips for cleansing and washing hair:
Wet your hair thoroughly before applying shampoo. Do not use very hot water or hard water to wash. Using a lot of shampoo does not make your hair cleaner, but only leads to depletion of oil and moisture. Apply shampoo with a light massage, working into the scalp and hair with fingertips. Rinse your hair well after shampoo to get rid of the soapy residue.
To dry your hair, first wrap your head in a towel and let it soak the excess water. Then gently blot your hair instead of vigorously rubbing with the towel. Do not brush or comb wet hair. Use a wide tooth comb to get all the tangles out, working from the ends upwards. Avoid using hair dryers as much as possible. Let the hair dry naturally.

Hair conditioning: Beautiful hair is one that is shiny, has resilience and elasticity, neither too limp nor too dry.
Our hair suffers from the abuses rendered by the city environment - the water we drink and wash our hair with is laden with chemicals. That is not all - we use harsh chemical treatments like perming, colouring etc. Emotional crisis, hormonal problems and adverse weather conditions add to all this. Resulting in split ends, dryness or oiliness, limpness etc. This is when a conditioner comes to the rescue.

A conditioner is a beauty preparation that improves the texture of the hair and makes them easily manageable. There are conditionerses for various types of hair and are applied after shampooing.

Conditioning is an important aspect of the haircare routine. Almost all kinds of hair need conditioning to some extent or the other. Conditioning is usually carried out to rejuvenate the hair which has been usually robbed off its vitality. Conditioning is a restorative routine and falls in the category of preventive haircare routine.
There are two kinds of conditioners — one that are rinsed out and the other that you leave on the hair.
The special cream rinse conditioners are designed to untangle the frizz in the hair. Many also add the welcome beauty benefit of gloss to the hair. The cream rinse coats the hair to help minimise stress due to brushing, combing, setting and keeps breakage and split ends under control. Cream rinses only softens hair.

Deep conditioning is done when hair is in a very damaged condition and is brittle and broken. Deep conditioners contain large amounts of protein and for these proteins to get absorbed, deep conditioners should be applied for a longer time. In short, conditioners help to restore body and bounce to limp hair, to restore the acid mantle and remove the snarls and helps restore the loss of moisture.

Choose the conditioner according to the condition of your hair. If you have frizzy, tangled hair, go in for a moisturising cream conditioner. For coloured damaged hair, use a conditioner formulated for coloured hair. Choose the shampoo and conditioner made by the same company. If your hair is badly damaged, go to a salon and get a deep conditioning done.

Tips for conditioning
Shampoo your hair and let the excess water drain away.
Take the conditioner in your palm and apply on your hair.
Divide hair into sections and spread the conditioner throughout the hair. You can use a wide tooth comb to spread it.
Leave it on the hair for 1 to 3 minutes.
Rinse with water.

Home-made conditioners
Mix the following to prepare the magic rinse.
1 tsp of castor oil + 1 tsp of amla oil on Brahmi Oil + 1 tsp of Malt vinegar + 1 tsp of glycerine + 1 tsp of shampoo. The castor oil gives body to hair, the herbal oil acts like hair tonic, vinegar restores the acid mantle, glycerine moisturises and the shampoo helps to blend the ingredients. Before washing hair, apply this mixture to the hair gently and have it on for 20 minutes. Then wash it off with a shampoo and feel the marvellous change in your hair texture.

Henna conditioner:
For oily hair - mix heena with 2 table spoons of yoghurt and a pinch of sugar to a light paste, add a bit of water if the paste is thick and apply. Leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse well.
For dry hair - mix heena + 1 table spoon of oil (any natural oil) and add enough warm milk to make a paste, apply and have it on your for 20 minutes and wash it off. Henna conditioners give colour, sheen and body to hair.

Tips to Get rid of Dandruff

2008-06-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

AT SOME TIME or the other, most of us are confronted with problems related to hair. One of the most common among these is dandruff, which can occur at any time, right from childhood to old age

Dandruff
Dandruff is the single most common problem that anybody could have. To have a few white-flaked cells is normal, for, it is simply the sloughing off matured skin cells and waste materials through the pores of the scalp. It is only when this becomes excessive that it has to be considered a problem. Well looked after, clean healthy hair with proper acid balance does not have the problem of dandruff.
There are two forms of dandruff — oily and dry. The dry dandruff appears as loose white flakes and the scalp itches a lot. The oily dandruff is sticky and yellow in colour. The oily form is found mostly in adolescents and adults with an excessively oily skin and scalp.

Causes of dandruff
The basic causes of dandruff are:
1. Faulty diet
2. Emotional tension and stress
3. Hormonal disturbances *
(*The reason why so many adolescents have dandruff is that this is the time they secrete an excess of androgen hormones which produces more sebum and the sebum attracts dirt and breeds bacteria resulting in dandruff).

dandruff is a scalp disease. Some forms of dandruff can cause severe itching and when one scratches the scalp to relieve itching, further damage is caused. Any damage to the scalp, with nails can cause secondary bacterial infection. All these put together give rise to a more serious problem, accelerating hair loss and undermining the health of the hair.

How to get rid of dandruff:
Your mantra to get rid of dandruff is to keep your hair clean. Follow the routine given below:

1. Wash your hair and scalp frequently — it could be daily or every other day depending upon how stubborn your dandruff is. Rub your scalp with your fingertips and not your nails. This will clean the scalp as well as improve blood circulation.

2. If your hair and scalp are oily, you should use a herbal shampoo since washing your hair with frequent strong shampoo can cause harm to your hair.

3. Massage and daily brushing are extremely helpful for treating dandruff. They increase the blood circulation to the scalp and dislodge the dead skin cells sticking to the scalp.

4. If you have dry dandruff, use oil to massage your hair, especially before washing your hair.

5. Dandruff can be infectious; so, avoid using other people's hairbrushes and combs. If you have dandruff, soak your brush and comb in a mug of hot water containing an antiseptic solution, every time you wash your hair.

6. Medicated shampoo and rinses are available in plenty. These are actually anti-dandruff lotions whose main ingredients are made up of (a) An antiseptic agent to clear the infection (b) An agent to maintain the natural acid mantle of the scalp. The anti dandruff shampoo `Head & Shoulders' has been shown to give good results for controlling dandruff.

7. Dandruff can cause skin problems like pimples, acne or rash. Those prone to dandruff often get small rashes/pimples on the forehead or cheeks or the back. In fact, it can lead to severe acne infections, spreading to the back, chest and upper arms, wherever the skin comes in contact with hair.

8. Diet plays a very important role in the treatment of dandruff. The objective is to restore health to the scalp.
* Drink 6-8 glasses of water
* Avoid nuts and dried fruits, chocolates, deep fried foods.
* Include green leafy vegetables like spinach or any keerai daily in your diet.
* If you are a non-vegetarian, eat more of fish and chicken than mutton.
* If you are a vegetarian, include more milk and its products to give you more protein.
* Vitamin A and C play an important role in keeping the skin healthy. Vitamin A is present in some animal foods like butter and ghee, whole milk, curds, egg yolk, liver etc. Fish liver oils like Cod & Holibut are some of the richest known natural sources of the Vitamins. Today these oils are available in the market in the form of capsules. Take one capsule daily. For the vegetarians, leafy vegetables such as spinach, amaranth and red and yellow coloured fruits and vegetables like mangoes, papaya and tomato are rich sources of Carotene — the precursor for Vitamin A.

For Vitamin C, include citrus fruits like orange, sweet lime and guava in your diet. Sprouted legumes and amla are also high in Vitamin C.

Home remedies
Dandruff is one problem that can be easily taken care of with home remedies.

For Oily Dandruff:
1. Trifla Lotion: buy some trifla from the market, powder it, mix one tsp. of it in one glass of water and boil. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes, cool it and strain it. Mix with equal quantity of cider vinegar or malt (not synthetic vinegar) and massage this lotion gently in the scalp and leave it on. Use it as a nightly massage. Shampoo with a mild herbal shampoo in the morning.

2. Vinegar Rinse: To a mug of water, mix two tablespoons of malt vinegar. After shampooing, rinse the hair with it. Towel-dry your hair. This is an excellent remedy to prevent oily dandruff.

3. Dandruff Cleanser — Soak two spoonful of fenugreek (methi seeds) in water overnight. In the morning, make a paste of the seeds and apply on the head. Leave it on for half an hour. Then wash your hair with soapnut (reetha) or shikakai and water. You could also use a herbal shampoo instead to wash your hair. Do this routine twice a week.

For Dry Dandruff:
1. Boric Powder treatment: Take one tsp of boric powder which is available with the Chemist — this is what you wash your eyes with. Take one spoon of this powder, mix it with warm coconut oil and apply on the scalp; keep for 2-3 hours and then wash with a mild or herbal shampoo. Repeat at least once a week. This is a very effective treatment for dandruff and helps to maintain the acid balance of the scalp.

2. Oil Massage — For best results, massage your scalp with 1 tsp. hot castor oil and 1 tsp. coconut oil and 1 tsp. of til oil. Leave it on for about half an hour and then shampoo. Follow this routine twice a week, especially in winter.

3. Shatone Treatment — This is a Salon treatment that combines electric high frequency treatment and a hair tonic made from herbs. Usually 10 sittings help to get rid of dandruff. This treatment is available at all Shanaz Hussain Franchise Salons.

4. Cleanser — Take about 5 tablespoons of yoghurt and squeeze half a lime in it; add 2 spoonful of green gram powder and mix it well. Apply on scalp and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash your hair with a creamy shampoo thoroughly. Follow this routine at least once a week.

If your dandruff does not clear up after this treatment, then you should take medical advise as it could be due to a fungal infection.

Skin Care Routine

2008-06-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

skincare routine of CTM, i.e., Cleaning, Toning and Moisturising.

Moisturising and nourishing
THE MOST important part of skin-care routine is moisturising. Moisture is very essential for the skin to remain healthy, soft, supple, smooth and firm. The skin has the ability to retain moisture and to moisturise itself. However, various factors can cause depletion of moisture and make the skin dehydrated and dry. Some of the factors which cause dehydration are:
* Dry cold weather;
* Excessive exposure to air;
* Constant exposure to air conditioning and heating;
* Excessive make-up.
With lack of moisture in the skin, the cells of the outer layer become dry and shrivel up. This makes the skin texture rough and becomes fragile leaving the inner layers exposed to further loss of moisture. The skin is now vulnerable to the formation of lines and wrinkles and becomes sensitive. The end-result is premature ageing.

Functions of a moisturiser:
A GOOD moisturiser is one that not only prevents loss of moisture and rehydrates the skin but also helps to speed up the process of cell-renewal. It should also contain active ingredients that supply vitamins, minerals and enzymes to nourish the skin, keep it healthy and minimise cellular build-up on the skin surface. Many natural ingredients which have the above qualities are being incorporated into moisturising lotions and creams.

Two good natural moisturisers are
1) Honey
2) Aloe Vera.

* Honey naturally helps attract moisture to the skin from the atmosphere. Honey-based creams provide intensive moisturisation. They are ideal for dry and dehydrated skins.
* Aloe Vera is one of the most versatile plant ingredients. The plant has a unique moisture-retentive ability and powerful healing properties. One of the main properties of Aloe Vera is its ability to seal off moisture from the skin.

Cleansing gels containing aloe-vera have helped acutely dehydrated skins restore health and for sensitive conditions. Another quality is its action on dead epithelial cells on the skin surface. Aloe Vera aids to soften these dead cells aiding their removal from the surface, leaving the skin smoother. The removal of dead cells improves the function of the skin. It also has an astringent action and tightens the skin, thus protecting it from early ageing. It has also shown excellent results on sun-damaged skin with its moisturising, softening and healing actions.
So, when you are choosing a moisturiser, read the label well and choose one which contains honey/aloe vera. For normal to dry skin, use moisturising creams containing honey along with sandalwood.
OILY SKINS need moisturising too, especially in cold dry weather. Use a light liquid moisturiser soon after cleansing and toning while the skin is still damp. This helps to seal in moisture and prevent moisture loss.

Nourishing is a way of supplying emollients to the skin so that it can hold moisture better and perform its other functions. In dry and ageing skins, the secretion of sebum, the skin's natural oil, is low. Nourishing helps to replenish and feed the skin; therefore, nourishing is a must in the daily night-care routines, so that the skin is replenished after it has suffered assaults by exposure to the sun, chemical air pollutants, low humidity conditions and make-up. It also prepares the skin for the night so that the process of renewal and repair can carry on efficiently while you are asleep.

How to choose your nourishing cream:
A NOURISHING cream is a "skin food" that is enriched with emollients and Vitamin A & E, which are necessary for nourishing the skin. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant and helps in minimising cross-linking damage. Cross-linking is an oxidation process that causes degeneration to the supportive tissues and thus hastens premature ageing of the skin. Vitamin E also promotes the healthy regeneration of new skin cells. Read the label and buy a nourishing cream of a reputed company which has Vitamin A & E in it. Among the herbal creams, choose something which contains active ingredients like wheat germ oil, carrot, cabbage, and almond which provides valuable vitamins and minerals.

Procedure for using nourishing cream:
AFTER CLEANSING, apply your nourishing cream. Massage your face lightly using upward and outward movements. Avoid areas around the eyes. Pay more attention to dry patches. Keep for 5-15 minutes, remove the moist cotton. Never sleep with cream on, as it blocks your pores.

Eye area:
After cleansing the area around the eyes, apply an outer eye cream. Leave for 5 minutes and remove with moist cotton wool. Take care not to pull or drag the skin around the eyes. Special eye creams are today manufactured by good cosmetic firms. Always try a little cream first to test for allergy. Among the herbal creams, use an almond-based eye cream.

Home-made moisturiser:
Mix ¾ cup of rose water, ¼ cup glycerine, 1 tsp. of vinegar and ¼ tsp. of honey and keep it in a bottle. Use it regularly after cleansing.

Home-made nourishing mask:
Mash a banana and beat in a tsp. of salad or vegetable oil. Brush it on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes till it dries. Then rinse it off. This nourishing mask should be used once a week at least.

Wrinkle Free Skin

2008-06-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Although wrinkles can be signs of experience and wisdom, naturally it could be a matter of bother to many. Skin ages all over the body; but more so where there has been exposure to the sun - which is a lot in tropical weather, especially in Chennai. Exposure to sunlight causes dryness, roughness, sagging and finally wrinkles.

Wrinkles can be divided into two categories.
* Fine surface lines which appear first and
* Deep furrows that appear as age advances.

Wrinkles do not just appear on the face, but also on the face, neck, the back of the hands and top of forearms.

Factors that promote wrinkle formation:
SMOKING, pursing of lips leads to formation of fine lines
* Skin type - people with light coloured skin are more susceptible to sun damage and hence more wrinkles.

* Heredity (some families wrinkle more; so if your grandmother at 60-70 still has smooth skin, chances are that you will have less wrinkles).

* Dress - long or short as it determines how much skin is exposed to the sun.

* Occupation - people who are mostly outdoors, have more exposure to the sun over the course of many years tend to have more wrinkles.

Preventive measures
* THE most important preventive measure is to use a sunscreen lotion when you are outdoors. For India, use of sunscreen with SPF 30 or above; apply the sunscreen at least half-an-hour before you go out; repeat every three hours.

* Limit alcohol intake - large amounts of alcohol consumption leads to blotches and puffiness and when this goes down, wrinkles set in.

* Drink at least eight glasses of water to hydrate your skin.

* Do not go on crash diets. Yo-yo gain and loss can make your skin sag by wearing out the supporting fibres.

* Exercise in fresh air or walk daily for at least 15 - 30 minutes in the open. This stimulates the circulation and oxygen supply to the skin and helps to delay onset of wrinkles.

* Take time out to relax facial muscles. This can be done both by meditation or a facial every month after you are 30 years old.

* Don't sleep with your face scrouched into your pillow.

* Place a thin strip of cloth soaked in groundnut oil over your forehead. Leave it on for 10 minutes. Do this three times a week.

* Always wear sun glasses with UV protection. This prevents crows feet.

* Use reading glasses as soon as you need them; otherwise you will be puckering your eyes.

* Do not keep rubbing your eyes all the time. This can stretch the delicate skin.

* Stop smoking as pursing your lips around a cigarette can etch up lines.

* Keep your hands off your face. Sitting with your chin in your hands pushes your skin out of its natural position and stretches it.

Treatments available for wrinkles:
Cosmetic treatment
A NUMBER of anti-wrinkle creams are available in the market. Choose creams that contain liposomes, antioxidants like Vit. E, Panthenol and Provitamin B5. These creams make wrinkles look less prominent. Choose a cream to suit your skin type and a reputed parlour for a facial once a month.
Consult an experienced beautician for a facial which prevents pimples.

Medical procedures:
TODAY THE two most popular medical procedures are:
* Laser removal of wrinkles. This treatment is almost painless and there is little or no redness. You may require a few sittings over a period of months.

* Botox - is getting popular in India. A lot of film stars and models use it to keep their appearance intact. Botox is brand name for Botulinum Toxin Type A. Botulinum toxin is used to eliminate frown lines, horizontal forehead lines, crows feet and worry lines. Botox blocks impulses from the nerve to the tiny facial muscles to stop them contracting, leaving the overlying skin smooth and wrinkle-free. The pain associated with the injection is minimal. Treatment takes 15 minutes depending on the areas you wish to get treated. It takes seven days to see the full effect and lasts for 3-5 months. You will need to repeat the injections 2-3 times a year. Nowadays people have `botox kitty parties' where these injections are given to both men and women. For safety, choose an experienced doctor.
Diet for avoiding the onset of wrinkles:

* GET FISH to your table at least twice a week. Oily fish like Mackerel, Salmon, Sardines are the richest source of active Omega-3 fatty acids which strengthen collagen and elastic fibres and thus prevent wrinkles, sagging and dryness. If you are a vegetarian, Omega-3 fatty acid is available in capsule form at the pharmacies.

* Eat berries like our grandmothers did - purple, dark red, blue berries eg. jamun, phalsa and dark cherries. These have anti-aging properties because they get their colour from the wrinkle-buster antioxidant flavinoid Anthocyanin. Cauliflower and broccoli also have cell-protecting anti-oxidants, beta-carotene as well as Vitamin A and C.

Tips to hide your wrinkles:
USE LIQUID make-up to camouflage lines, blend well so that it does not set into crevices.
* Blush-on used on cheek bones can take away attention from the wrinkles.

Get Rid of Dark Circles

2008-06-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Under-eye circles
This is a common problem, generally attributed to heredity, lack of sleep, mental and physical fatigue, stress and improper diet.

If your dark circles are hereditary, you can hope to lighten them and camouflage them by the treatment given below, but they will not vanish.

Sleep is very essential to health and beauty. Make sure you get your 6-8 hours of sleep. Some people need more and some people need less. Skin revives itself when you sleep.

If you suffer from insomnia or chronic fatigue, something very common during menopause, consult your doctor, and along with medical help, follow the instructions given below.

A nutritious diet goes a long way in preventing dark circles. Insufficient iron, which causes anaemia, is also responsible for dark circles. To get rid of those dark circles or prevent them, do the following:

-- Eat a green leafy vegetable daily.
-- If you are a non-vegetarian, include liver and egg, especially yolk, in your diet.
-- Iron supplement can be taken in the form of tablets.
-- Figs and sultanas are sources of iron.
-- Wheat contains more iron when compared with rice; include wheat at least once in your daily diet.
-- Drink plenty of liquid. Consume at least 6-10 glasses of water daily. Moisture is the key to a good complexion.

Stress -- mental and physical -- also increases dark circles. To relax, close your eyes. Squeeze the juice from a grated cucumber, dip a cotton pad and place it on your eyes.

Put on some soothing music, lie down and relax. Dark circles tend to intensify with the increase in the number of hours spent before the TV and the PC.

Tips for treatment at home
At bedtime, cleanse the skin around the eyes using an herbal cleanser. Wipe off very gently with moist cotton. Apply an almond-based under-eye cream around your eyes. Remove it using moist cotton after 10 minutes. Creams should not be left on the skin around the eyes when you go to sleep.

For daytime, you can try the following: Powder almonds and store in an airtight bottle. Make a paste using milk and apply around the eyes in the morning. Keep it on for 10-15 minutes and wash with water. Take care not to pull or drag the skin around the eyes.

Some parlours do a special under-eye treatment. Specially formulated masks containing seaweeds are also available for the purpose. Seaweed has a revitalising effect when applied under the eyes. When it dries, wash off with water. This should be used once a day.

Fresh air and exercise
Oxygen is vital to your skin. It has been observed that if you are continuously breathing in stagnated air (for example, if you work for 12 hours in an air-conditioned office), you are prone to dark circles. To offset this, take an half-an-hour brisk walk daily and do some deep breathing exercises. This will do you as much good as an expensive under-eye treatment.

Tips to improve complexion

2008-06-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

For most of us complexion means fair or dark. But complexion is the total effect of the skin - colour, tone and clarity.

Factors affecting complexion
*Genetic: This determines the colour of your skin, number of oil glands, seat glands etc. Therefore, people belonging to different races have different skin type, colour and tone.
*Age: With age we find that the skin loses its sheen and its texture becomes thin, dry and loose. The cell renewal process diminishes with age.
*Improper skin care: The first two factors are natural. But we can prevent our complexion from deteriorating by avoiding the following:
Improper cleansing of oily skin darkens the skin and leads to blemish causing acne.
The texture of the oily skin worsens if the enlarged pores are not arrested; so, be sure to do your toning process daily to close the pores.
Cleansing, moisturising and nourishing are essential aspects of dry skin care. If you avoid this routine, the texture of your skin will turn dry and flaky resulting in dull complexion.
*Use of wrong cosmetics:
Excessive use of wrong cosmetics like oil-based chemical make-up products adversely affect the condition of the skin. The complexion turns sallow, yellow and the texture become thick and greasy.
Go slow on fairness creams. Some fairness creams contain mercury drug preparations. They are photosensitive and cause patchy discolouration of the skin in the sun.

Home care to improve complexion
*Cleansing: Use face wash for the face and soap for the rest of your body.
*Face scrubs to remove dead skin:
For normal skin - mix green gram and Bengal gram powder in equal quantity in milk and apply on face. When dry pat with water, scrub in a circular motion and rinse with water. This helps to give the skin a smooth appearance. Should be used at least twice a week.
For oily skin - Use an oatmeal and sandalwood scrub.
Mix one tsp of oatmeal and ¼ tsp of sandalwood powder. Apply on face and scrub gently in circular motion.

After cleansing, use a toner. You can use a readymade toner or just mix 1 tsp. of lemon juice with rose water and apply.
*To control open pores:
Mix tomato juice and honey and apply on skin daily. Keep on for 10 minutes and then rinse off.
*Moisturising dry skin:
After cleansing and toning, use a moisturiser. You can choose between a readymade and a home-made moisturiser. Mix 1 spoon of glycerine and a few drops of Vitamin E oil; apply on the face. Rinse off after 20 minutes. This gives a soft and smooth texture.

*Complexion masks to lighten skin colour:
Make a paste with 1 tsp milk powder, 2 tsp honey and juice of half a lemon, apply on your face, leave it on till it dries and then rinse off.
If you are the busy one with no time, do the following. Take a lime and cut it into two.
Rub one half on the face gently. Squeeze the other half into a cup of water, add a little rock salt and drink it. Do it for 6-8 weeks regularly. There will be a marked improvement in your skin colour.

DO's:
*Diet plays an important role in improving the complexion and texture of the skin.
*Drink a glass of lemon juice daily. This contains Vitamin C which improves the complexion.
*Include a glass of carrot juice or any mixed vegetable juice in your daily diet.
*Soak fenugreek (methi seeds) in a glass of water overnight. Drink the water and eat the seeds the next morning. This not only improves the complexion but also acts as a pain-reliever.
*Include one keerai (green leafy vegetable) daily in your diet. This contains a lot of iron and micronutrients and helps to get rid of dark circles.
*Take honey in some form. If you are plump, take a glass of honey and juice of half a lemon in water at room temperature. Alternatively, you can add honey to your toast instead of jam. Honey has Vitamin B-Complex that is essential for good skin colour.
*Yoghurt is a wonder food. Eat it as well as use it to massage your skin. It tones up both dry and oily skin.

DON'Ts:
*Avoid using strong soaps on your face.
*Go slow on bleaching and lightening creams as these harm the skin.
*Do not apply perfumed lipstick.
*If you have acne problem, do not pick on pustules as these will leave marks.
*The Sun is the skin's worst enemy. Exposure to the ultraviolet rays damages the collagen fibres and will darken the complexion. It can also make the skin dry and rough. If you cannot avoid going out in the sun, make sure to use a sunscreen meant for Indian skin.

Types of face packs

2008-06-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

YOUR FACE is the most important part of your personality. It provides a great deal of information about you, your health, your age and your state of mind. The skin on your face is the most valuable asset. When you are young, you do not need to take much care of your skin. The problem of pimples begins at teenage. And as you grow older, your skin starts looking pale and lifeless. No matter how much make up you apply, it's difficult to get back that natural glow. So, it's essential to take extra care of your face as you grow old. Facial is one of the most common ways of refreshing your skin. It is a deep skin treatment and helps to counteract the ravages of age, pollution and UV rays. A lot of skin problems such as blemishes, acne, dry skin and wrinkles can be prevented and reduced with regular facials. If appropriate technique and products are used, this treatment can be effective to make the skin smooth and shining.

There are different types of facials offered by salons. The kind of facial you should go in for depends on your skin type, lifestyle and general health. When you get the facial done for the first time, go to a qualified beautician, who can assess your skin type and recommend an appropriate facial. Also make sure that you get your facial done by a professionally qualified and experienced beautician in hygienic surroundings. Otherwise, there are chances of getting skin infections.

A basic or normal facial includes thorough cleaning, massage with a nourishing cream, removal of blackheads and use of a facemask (depending on your skin type/specific problems).

Types of facials
Apart from basic facials, some of the popular facials done at most beauty salons are:

*Acne facial
It is meant for treatment of acne. Specific creams and masks are used to dry the pimples, clean blackheads and lighten acne scars. Sometimes a beautician may use high frequency current to dry the pimples.

*Facial for lightening the skin colour.
Herbal vegetable peels or cosmetic products with a galvanic machine are used to achieve a lighter skin tone.

*Bio lift facial
A special bio-mask is used for a face-lift. This facial is usually recommended for people in the forty-plus age group.

*Fruit facials
Fruit pulp like papaya or fruit and vegetable juices are used as they contain beta-carotene and antioxidants. The benefits of a fruit facial are achieved only in conjunction with a galvanising machine.
A word of caution: make sure you do a patch test with the fruit or fruit juices to check if you are allergic to that particular fruit/juice; otherwise you may end up with rashes and burns.

*Alpha hydroxyl facials
Products with high potency of AHAs are used to treat pigmentation, dull skin and wrinkles.

*Aroma facials
Essential aroma oils are mixed with cannien oil and used for massage. Different oils have different properties. Therefore, the kind of oil used depends on individual needs. For instance, eucalyptus oil improves skin elasticity and Patchouli oil rejuvenates the skin, helps in treating cracked skin and wrinkles.

Exotic facials

*Gold facial
This is a clinical treatment and uses special methods of massage. The treatment encourages lymphatic drainage and removal of wastes and toxins. The main ingredients are gold cream and gold gel. These contain 24 carat gold, aloe vera, wheat germ oil and sandalwood. The gold facial helps to improve blood circulation, skin elasticity, rejuvenates the skin and helps in delaying the formation of lines and wrinkles.

*Pearl facial
The precious pearl and whitening rehydrated moisturising cream is used along with sea oil and a sea scrub. Research has revealed that pearls contain a combination of natural substances that help to improve rejuvenation of the skin cells. This treatment is ideal for pigmented skin, provides hydration to the skin and makes the skin firm, supple, smooth and young.

The question asked often is when should one start having a facial and how often.
Have it done once a month after the age of 30.

Sunscreens and Sunblocks

2008-06-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

Exposure to the sun is the main cause of wrinkled, rough and blotchy skin. Photo-damage is the term used by dermatologists to describe damage caused to the skin by the sun. In fact, dryness of skin, patchy discolouration, darkening, tanning, pigmentation, age spots, wrinkles and other signs associated with not so young skin are the direct cumulative result of unprotected sun exposure, rather than ageing itself.

The sunrays that cause damage to the skin are UV rays (ultraviolet rays). Our skin is exposed to two kinds of UV rays:

UVA rays:
These are long wave, intense rays that can penetrate deep into the skin. Not only do they lead to dryness, wrinkles, darkening and pigmentation but they also result in deeper damage to the collagen and elastin fibres causing sagging of the skin. The UVA rays come into the house through windows and also through clothing especially thin and loose clothes.

UVB rays:
These are short wave, intense light rays. They not only cause sunburn but they also intensify the effect of UV rays. UVB or the burning rays are more prevalent during summer and strongest at mid-day.

UV rays
*Thinning of the epidermis.
*Damage to epidermal cells, the defence cells and the colour cells.
*Deep damage to the collagen and elastic tissue in the dermis.

The result
*Thin, dry and fragile skin
*Patchy, darkening and pigmentation
*Wrinkles - fine lines as well as deeper ones
*Sagging
*Loss of suppleness and elasticity
*Reduced immunity, making us more susceptible to allergies and infections

Skin exposed to UV light forms high energy molecules called free radicals. These discharge energy and cause further damage to neighbouring skin cells.
How do you tell that skin has become sun damaged? These are the several signs - the skin has a dull greyish appearance, blotching, tanning or pigmentation which will be patchy, freckles, moles, dark spots and of course, the dreaded wrinkles; however, one of the earliest signs is the dryness of the skin.

Sunscreens and sunblocks:
These protect your skin from photodamage. Actually sunscreens are probably the best anti-wrinkle treatment you can buy. Broadly speaking, each and everyone of us need to use a sunscreen on a daily basis even if we are indoors - in winter as well as in summer.
Sunscreens get into the skin and sit there like a line of defense. When UV rays hit the skin, the sunscreen grabs these and absorbs the dangerous energy before the rays can get into skin cells.
Sunblocks block UV light, causing it to reflect off the skin thereby never allowing it to penetrate the skin like a mirror sitting on the skin surface. Today most sunscreens have a combination of ingredients, thus making them sunblocks too.
The ability of a sunscreen to block out the sun's harmful rays is referred to as sun protection factor (SPF) and is designated as a number, for instance 10, 15, 30 etc. In other words, SPF is the protecting power of a sunscreen. SPF, however, denotes protection only against UVB rays.
Most sunscreens today contain antioxidants which act as fire extinguishers - they diffuse, put out or take the energy out from these radicals. Antioxidants can render free radicals harmless thereby sparing and protecting the surrounding skin cells from damage. Vitamin A, C and E are antioxidants. By using sunscreen products with antioxidants, you can reduce harm to your skin.

Some do's and don'ts:
Use a sunscreen with SPF of atleast 30. The higher it is the more effective.
Read well the label of the sunscreen before you use. Buy one which has both UVA and UVB blockers.

Apply sunscreen - atleast 20 minutes before exposure to the sun. This allows the sunscreen to be fully absorbed into the skin thus completely readying the skin to screen out the UV rays it encounters right from the beginning.

Don't be stingy. Make sure you use enough sunscreen; otherwise, you will not get the protection of the SPF rating given on the product. Use a blob about the size of a 50 paisa coin.

If you are going to be outdoor, apply sunscreen at regular intervals. A thumb rule is: reapply sunscreen every two hours when you are out in the sun.

Reapply sunscreen immediately after exercising or swimming even if your sunscreen claims that it is waterproof or sweat proof.

Do not forget your lips. Use sunscreen on your lips too. Unprotected lips can get badly burnt. Lips tend to get darker more than the rest of the facial skin on exposure to the sun.

Protect your eyes - give your eyes a sunscreen too - use sunglasses that have lenses with UV light protection. Wearing a proper eye protection helps prevent cataracts as well as squint lines from developing.

Avoid direct sun. When outdoors, stay in shady areas and wear a wide brimmed hat.
Wear the right clothes. During summer, choose loose cotton clothes.

Myth and fact about shampoo

2008-06-10T23:33:00.000-07:00

Most of us do not give the process of shampooing a second thought.
Drop some soap on the hair, work up some frenzied hand movements, get the maximum lather, rinse rapidly and voila!
The hair is clean. But is it? It's important to choose the right shampoo and also equally vital is how you go about this cleaning regime. Here are few general facts and fiction regarding shampoos.

Myth: Shampooing often dries the hair.
Fact: You should wash and shampoo your hair as often as it accumulates dirt or becomes limp. This is especially for working women who go out everyday.
UV rays and the pollution can play havoc with your healthy hair, creating a chemical imbalance on your scalp.
People with oily hair should cleanse their hair more often and for this daily regime they can choose a mild shampoo or dilute your regular shampoo in water. Always remember to apply conditioner to your hair after shampoo to shield it from harmful rays.

Myth: Use hot water to remove excess dirt from hair.
Fact: Very hot water makes the cuticles swell and stand away from the hair shaft, cold water flattens them providing a smooth and shiny surface. The age-old trick of rinsing hair under cold water after conditioning does really make a difference. For your regular shower its ideal to use tepid water.

Myth: Dandruff shampoos keep the flakes away.
Fact: Most of the anti-dandruff shampoos can eliminate the flakes temporarily but they may not prevent them from recurring. Using this kind of shampoo is only a preventive measure.
Some of the shampoos now have a good amount of moisturiser. Yet others make your hair feel dry and brittle. Leaving conditioner on your hair without a thorough rinse can also accumulate dandruffs.

Myth: Coloured hair does not need special shampoos.
Fact: Use special shampoos on treated hair. Use the one that enhances the colour or protects the colour coating.
Most of the colour products come with a conditioner to be used after colouring and generally shampooing is not recommended soon after colouring. Some of these shampoos leave an additional pigment on your hair. Others contain sunscreen character that protects the colour from fading. Even a mild shampoo can fade the colour. If you are not using a special shampoo then avoid using a shampoo on the hair for a few days.

Myth: You do not have to use a conditioner if you are using a shampoo with moisturiser.
Fact: Moisturising shampoo increases the shine of hair and removes tangles but only till the lather remains.
Once you wash away the lather the moisture also goes. You need to use a conditioner for long, damaged or brittle hair. You can avoid conditioner if you have oily hair or if it's short.

Myth: Shampoo brand has to be changed regularly to prevent your hair getting used to a particular shampoo.
Fact: This is a common myth and this is a reason good enough for us to try out new brands flooding the market. Hair does not get used to a shampoo.
A built-up is possible if you use too many styling products or a shampoo that contains a conditioner as well. Use shampoo according to the quality of your hair and use a conditioner separately.

Myth: The more the lather in a shampoo the cleaner the hair gets.
Fact: Actually it is the other way round. The heavy lather is only filled with air and not any cleansing agent. Thick foam that comes from small lather breaks up the dirt and the oil that accumulates on the scalp.
Only a small amount of shampoo is needed for short hair and a little more for longer ones. Excess shampoo could damage the hair lustre.

Myth: You should always lather and rinse twice.
Fact: Only if you have oil accumulated on your hair need you follow this instruction that you see on most of the shampoo bottles. This could me a marketing strategy followed by the companies.
If you have an oily hair it is ideal to shampoo at least every alternate day.
If you have dry hair, wash and shampoo only twice a week to prevent your hair from becoming brittle.

Tips to keep ur face clean n fresh

2008-06-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

It is important for those with acne/pimple problems to keep their skin clean. Follow this routine:

Morning - Wash your hands and then your face with a medicated soap. Pat dry with a clean towel; do not rub with the towel. Saturate a piece of cotton with an astringent lotion or rose water to which some water has been added and press all over your face gently.
Rinse with cold water. This helps to close the pores and reduces oiliness.
If you are at home, apply a medicated cream on the pimples using your fingertip; do not spread the cream all over the face.
If you are going out, apply calamine lotion with a drop of clove oil/mint oil. Use it as a foundation on the face.

Mid-day - Repeat the same cleaning routine. Reapply the medicated cream if you are staying at home or apply calamine lotion if going out. Wash/cleanse your face four to six times a day.

Night - Repeat the same cleaning routine. Make a paste of sandalwood. Apply it with your fingertip on the pimples and scars. Keep overnight and wash in the morning.
This is an effective remedy to dry the pimples and lighten the scars. You can also use spirit of camphor or camphor lotion. This is available at the chemists. Apply on the pimples using an ear bud.
Deep cleanse twice a week to control black heads and keep pores free from clogging with excess oil — either get it done professionally at a beauty parlour or follow this method if you want to do it at home: Wet the face with warm water. Take a teaspoon of oats (cereal), add a few drops of water and apply on the face; then rub in a circular motion. Concentrate on areas where there are blackheads and excessive oiliness. Rinse gently.

Dos and don'ts
*Avoid using cream make-up and anointments that are oil-based.
*Don't rub, squeeze or pick the pustules.
*Follow skin care routine diligently.
*Avoid using beauty soaps.
*Try to avoid stress and strain. Meditate for 15 minutes daily or do yoga.
*In case you have dandruff, treat it immediately as it aggravates acne.
*If your acne is severe, consult a doctor. Diet plays an important role in the prevention of acne.
*During adolescence, girls and boys tend to eat a lot of junk, which triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. So avoid deep fried food.
*Also avoid dry fruits. Aerated drinks also aggravate pimples, besides chocolates and chocolate drinks. Go slow on spicy food and pickles as well as desserts that have a lot of cream.
*Drink six to eight glasses of water as it removes toxins and helps bowel movement and decontaminates the skin.
*Take a high-fibre diet, chapattis for instance, once a day rather than having rice twice.
for instance Include one green leafy vegetable such as spinach in your diet.
These are not only high in fibre but also contain lot of minerals and nutrients that help the skin.
For instance Eat legumes such as channa, rajma and karamani rather than meat or chicken — these are also high in fibre and protein and help in bowel movement. Constipation aggravates acne.
*Eat as much fruits and raw vegetables as possible — a salad before eating your meal works wonders as fruits and vegetables contain anti-oxidants.
*Include a tablespoon of sprouts in your breakfast. This will give you the day's requirement of vitamin C, which will keep your skin free from infection. Eat regular meals rather than snacking, and most importantly, don't go on crash diets as they aggravate acne.

Tips on "How to Care ur Cosmetics"

2008-06-04T23:25:00.000-07:00

. All of us have cupboards full of crumbling powders, worn out lipsticks and dusty jars of cream gifted by friends and relatives from abroad. Now is the time to clear out the clutter.

The seven golden rules to follow when storing cosmetics:
* Store cosmetics in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight; but not in a medicine type of box or under the sink. Humid and hot areas spoil the cosmetics.
* Check the expiry date, especially sunscreens and other SPF products. They not only lose effectiveness over time but also become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
* Keep your make-up tightly capped. This prevents oxidation and contamination thus prolonging the shelf life of your cosmetics.
* Watch for changes in colour, odour, texture and consistency such as product separation. There may be signs of growing bacteria.
* Never moisten make up with saliva or water. Saliva increases the chance of breeding bacteria.
* Don't share or lend your make-up or applicators - not even a quick dash of lipstick or eyeliner. Chances of getting infection from the other user are high.
* Last but not the least, if you get an eye infection or cold sore around your mouth - immediately throw out any products that may have come into contact with that area.

Some facts to help you ditch your cosmetics:
* Mascara: (shelf life - three months): Don't pump your brush in the tube. This introduces air, which promotes bacterial growth.
* Eye and lip pencils: (six months): Sharpen pencils before each use. This helps to clean the surface. Avoid using lip pencils as eye liners as some colourants are unsafe.
* Powder (face, blush): (6-12 months): Wash the sponge and applicators regularly with a milk shampoo/soap.
* Lipsticks (one year or more): Store at room temperature.
* Cleansers (6-12 months): Use tubes or pumps instead of jars.
* Toner (6-12 months): Apply with a clean cotton pad or ball.
* Moisturiser (6-12 months): Choose a pump or tube instead of a jar for hygienic storage.
* Undereye cream (6-12 months): Do not apply higher than your eye socket. Any higher may sting your eyes.
* Sunscreen: (one year but check expiry date): Don't leave outdoor or in direct sunlight. Thus knowing how to store beauty products will make them last longer and keep your skin free from rash or infection.

Tan Free Skin

2008-06-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

Sunburn usually occurs if you have been on a holiday to a mountainous region, where you are closer to the sun and the atmosphere is thinner resulting in sunburn (even if you have not been out in the sun much). Sunburn has detrimental effects on the skin in the long run. So, should be treated immediately.

Sunburn soothers
* Apply cod liver oil.
* Mix grated cucumber with milk and apply.
* Grate one fresh raw potato. Extract juice by squeezing in a muslin cloth. This treatment provides immediate relief.
* Calamine lotion (available at most chemist shops) is a very effective remedy. Apply liberally on affected areas and leave to dry.
* To one raw egg white, add one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of hazel. Apply on affected areas. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Wash with tepid water.

Suntan removers
All sunburn aids - vinegar, milk, potato juice, cucumber juice are good for removing tan. Apply on the affected area; keep for 10-15 minutes and wash. The above suntan removers have a drying effect on the skin; so, if you have a dry skin, make sure you use a moisturiser after this treatment.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

2008-05-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the holy city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of Sundareswarar or Beautiful Lord) and his consort, Goddess Parvati (in the form of Minakshi). The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai, home of the Tamil language.
The temple has a stunning architecture and a significant testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmins for their master architecture in sculpting this temple.This was a frontrunner in the election for the modern seven wonders of the world for its architectural importance. The complex houses 12 magnificent gopurams or towers that are elaborately sculptured and painted. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure is believed to have been built only recently in the early 17th century.

Mythology
According to Hindu legend, Shiva came down to earth in the form of Sundareswarar to marry Meenakshi, an incarnation of Parvati. Parvati had earlier descended to earth in the form of a small child in response to the great penance of Malayadwaja Pandya, the ruler of Madurai. After growing up to adulthood, she began ruling the city. The Lord appeared on earth and proposed to her. The marriage was supposed to be the biggest event on earth, with the whole earth gathering near Madurai. Vishnu, the brother of Minakshi, was traveling to preside over the marriage from his holy abode at Vaikuntam. Due to a divine play, he was tricked by god Indra and delayed on the way. Meanwhile, the marriage was presided over by a local god Koodal Azhaghar. This angered Lord Vishnu, and he swore never to enter the city, settling on the outskirts at a beautiful hill called Alagar Koil. He was later appeased by other gods, and he proceeded to bless the divine couple - Shiva and Parvati.
Both the marriage and the Vishnu's pacification are still celebrated as the biggest festival in Madurai, called Chithirai Thiruvizha also called as Azhakar Thiruvizha (the festival for the Beautiful Lord).
The divine couple are believed to have ruled the region for a long time. It is not clear what happened to the place after they left.Though there is proof that this divine incident was real Another legend says that Shiva's idol, in the form of the lingam, was discovered by the God of heaven, Indra, who built the original temple. This tradition is still followed in the temple - the deity is accompanied by a model of Indra's vehicle, during festive processions.

Thousand Pillar Hall
Thousand Pillar hall of Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple was built with the oldest Nellaiappar Temple,Tirunleveli as a model. The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam or thousand pillar hall is of very high sculptural importance and contains 985 (instead of 1000) magnificiently carved pillars and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The thousand pillar hall is supposed to have been built by Arya Natha Mudaliyar, the Prime Minister of the first Nayaka of Madurai (1559-1600 A.D.), the founder of 'Poligar System'. An equestrian statue of the Mudaliyar flanks one side of the steps leading to the 'mandapam'. Each pillar is sculptured and is a monument of the Dravidian sculpture. There is a Temple Art Museum in this 1000 pillars hall where you can see icons, photographs, drawings, etc., exhibiting the 1200 years old history. Just outside this mandapam, towards the west, are the Musical Pillars. Each pillar, when struck, produces a different musical note. The kalyana mandapa, to the south of the pillared hall, is where the marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated every year during the Chithirai Festival in mid-April.

LADAKH

2008-05-17T23:16:00.000-07:00

The flight into Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is an unforgettable experience - over the dramatic expanse of the Himalayas - for Ladakh straddles four main ranges - the great Himalayan, Zanskar, Ladakh and the Karakoram. This is the highest inhabited region in India and the River Indus with its tributaries, slice their way through the ranges. Remote though it is, Ladakh has never been totally isolated. Over the centuries the trade route from India to central Asia passed through this area undeterred by its high passes and desert landscape. Caravans carrying spices, brocades, pearls, carpets and more mundane merchandise like salt and tea took just two months to cover the distance from Amritsar in the Punjab to the central Asian towns of Varkand and Khotan! Leh and Kargil on this ancient route developed then into centres of trade.