Best Places of Interest - Page 75 of 183

March 5, 2018 Travel, Within India

Kedarnath Temple – The Sacred Dham to Moksha

Across India, there are twelve Jyotirlinga. It is expounded in Shiv Purana that Lord Shiva would specifically stay at 12 different locales as eternal Jyoti. Being able to visit each of these Jyotirlinga is considered to be such a blessing. At Kedarnath rests the pristine Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve across the Indian subcontinent. No wonder thousands of pilgrims brave the difficult terrain of its trajectory to reach Kedarnath. Paying one’s obeisance at Kedarnath Temple would require the pilgrim to trek uphill for about 19 km from Gaurikund. You could well consider the perils of the journey as a metaphor for one’s inner struggles before letting the inner Divine fully take the lead in one’s life. Or is akin to Maa Parvati’s rigorous spiritual practice to win over Lord Shiva as her husband, which she undertook in Gauri Kund.

The temple is located near the banks of the Mandakini River in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The temple similar to sacred shrines located in icy cold Himalayan terrain opens for darshan only six months a year. It remains open from Akshaya Tritiya (April) till Kartika Purnima (November). The idol is transferred to Ukhimath Omkareshwar Temple during the winter to ensure the continuance of Pooja rituals throughout the year.

History

The beautiful stone edifice of the temple standing on a plateau amidst snow-clad mountains dates back to the eighth century BCE. Although, the temple of Kedarnath is believed to have been first built by Pandavas in Dwapara Yuga.

There’s an interesting tale linking its conception with the Pandava brothers in which the five brothers were struck with intense remorse at their having murdered their own family members in the bloody Kurukshetra war. Upon being advised to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva and the Lord eluding them in spite of their arduous search for them, their curiosity was piqued by encountering a certain bull. Bhim is said to have engaged in forced combat with the bull at the end of which the bull dived into the ground. This left its posterior, hump above the surface. Actually, Lord Shiva had only taken the shape of the bull to delude himself from the Pandavas. It is said that different body parts of the bull became visible at different sites in the Garhwal Himalayas, each of whom Pandavas raised a temple in honor of Shiva and prayed for redemption. Lord Shiva is said to have been pleased with their penances and freed them from their karmic sins.

How to Reach-

If you prefer to travel by road, you can travel towards Kedarnath from any of the adjacent major cities and/or pilgrimage stopovers like Delhi, Rishikesh, Nagpur, Haridwar, Mussoorie, and Chandigarh. Once one reaches Sonprayag/Gaurikund, the next phase of the journey begins – an uphill trek of 16-19 Km to the sacred shrine.

One can remit the strenuous effort involved in reaching Kedarnath by opting for helicopter services to Kedarnath. The helicopter service usually begins from Sahastradhara Helipad at Dehradun.

Sightseeing:

The trail from Gaurikund to Kedarnath would let one into intimate encounters with Himalayan topography. The trail is not just a mere test of one’s physical endurance but also of one’s spiritual ardor. If not for the unadulterated mountainous beauty that accompanies one’s ascent up the trail, hardly would have anyone had the motivation to persist in finishing the trek.

Other than the Kedarnath shrine, one also ought to pay obeisance at Bhairavnath Temple. The temple housing the fierce form of Lord Shiva is worshipped as the guardian deity in the entire area. The panorama from the temple’s premises of the entire Kedar Valley is utterly mesmerizing.

Accommodation

There is provision for temporary accommodation near the temple premises in the form of tent houses and a few guesthouses. It is thereby advisable to finish the Darshan and return downhill to stay in any of the hotels in the Kedarnath Temple area.

Best Time to Visit

Of the six months, the temple remains open for Darshan; it is advisable to avoid travel plans during monsoon season. Thus, the best time to procure blessings of Kedarnath includes May, June (pre-monsoon), September (post-monsoon), and October.

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KAILASH MANSAROVAR TOUR BY HELICOPTER

February 28, 2018 Events and Festivals

10 Things to Know About The Holi Festival in India. How about #9?

Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a Hindu spring festival that is celebrated in India and Nepal. Below are some interesting facts about Holi that will help you learn more about this festival which is celebrated by millions of people from various cultures and regions. Holi is awaited eagerly even in the United States and Germany.

1. Holi Facts in History

The name Holi comes from “Holika”, the sister of the demon King “Hiranyakashyap” (refer: Hindu mythology). Legend has it that the evil king – Hiranyakashyap – forbade his son Prahlad from worshiping one of the Hindu gods – Lord Vishnu. However, Prahlad worshiped Vishnu despite his father’s denial. Thus the demon king ordered Prahlad to sit on a pyre (a structure usually made of wood, for burning a body as part of a funeral rite or execution) along with Holika (who was immune to fire) the sister of the demon king. When the fire started, Holika was burnt to death in spite of her immunity to fire, and miraculously Prahlad was saved because Prahlad asked the help of Lord Vishnu during the event. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. However, there are other arguments as well, that support the celebration of Holi and its origin. The story is also narrated in various ways but the conclusion remains the same i.e. – “victory of good over evil.”

INFORMATION

Another legend behind the origin of Holi is that Lord Krishna as a baby was poisoned by the breast milk of Putana and thus he developed the characteristic blue color of his skin. Krishna was not sure if fair-skinned Radha and other girls would like him. Thus he approached Radha and colored her face in some colors. Radha accepted Krishna despite the blue color of his skin and since that day the festival of Holi is celebrated.

2. Occurrence of Holi

Occurrence: It is celebrated after the full moon in the month of ‘Phalguna’ which generally falls between February and March. The exact date of the festival is determined by the Hindu calendar and its arrival varies on the Gregorian calendar. The festival of Holi is celebrated for at least 16 days in the Brag region of India where Krishna was born. Holi is also celebrated in Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

INFORMATION

The first day is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi and the second is Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, or Dhulivandan.

3. Rituals in Holi

The festival of Holi is predominantly a festival of fun. People spend a lot of their time during the festival days engaging in fun activities. Kids start using water balloons and water pistols a week or 10 days before Holi. They hide and target the by-passers with balloons filled with colored water and water pistols. A special delight that people make at their homes is Gujiya. It is a stuffed sweet delicacy where the stuffing consists of dry fruits and other sweet items. It is very popular and people enjoy the delight to their full extent.

INFORMATION

A popular saying: The festival of colors is also popular for the saying “Bura na mano, Holi hai!” which means “Do not mind, its Holi.”

4. Synthetic Vs. Natural Colours

The use of synthetic colors during the festival of Holi is a concern for some people. However, many prefer playing with water and some homemade natural colors. Natural colors are derived from indigo, sunflower, and marigold flowers.

5. International Celebration

It is a national festival in India and people from all the states celebrate it. The festival of Holi is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. People of Nepali origin also celebrate it in different parts of the world.

INFORMATION

With every passing year, the festival is being welcomed across the world in many forms and people find great relief and satisfaction celebrating it with their friends and family.

6. Midnight Celebration

The festival starts on the night before Holi when people gather and start a bonfire. The bonfire is lit up between 8 pm and midnight. People gather around the fire to watch it while eating their favorite food items and talk with friends.

7. Holika Dahan

The Holika bonfire is a place where people gather and do their religious rituals. People during their religious rituals ask for forgiveness from god and pray that their evil should come to an end.

8. Rangwali Holi

The second day of the festival of Holi which is also referred to as “Rangwali Holi” is the main day when people play with wet and dry colors. People chase each other in an attempt to color one another. Water is a big part of the event as many people use water balloons and engage in interesting water fights with their family and friends.

INFORMATION

A lot of different colors are involved and it is a great time for everyone as everyone irrespective of their age participates. People generally tend to gather and celebrate this festival in the open as it provides a suitable environment for the use of colors and water.

9. Time To Drink Bhaang

Holi is also popular for the consumption of an intoxicating article – Bhang. This ingredient is mixed into drinks and sweets and is largely consumed by many during the festival. Bhang is made from cannabis leaves.

10. Different names of Holi

In various states of India Holi is known by different names: Uttar Pradesh – Lathmar Holi; Uttarakhand – Khadi Holi; Punjab – Hola Mohalla; West Bengal – Basant Utsav and Dol Jatra; Goa – Shigmo; Manipur – Yaosang; Kerala – Manjal Kuli; Bihar – Phaguwa; Assam – Phakuwah; Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh – Rang Panchami; Rajasthan – Royal Holi.

Holi is a festival of fun and colors for children. Children of all age groups gather and celebrate the festival with oneness and vigor. They throw dry colors and wet colored liquids on each other and family members. The delightful festival signifies the victory of good over evil. It also marks the end of the winter season and welcomes the spring. Just like Diwali, Holi is a significant one in India and Nepal. It is a great occasion for people from different religious communities, castes, colors, and creeds to come together and strengthen their bonds, and also repair their broken relationships.

Source- Rudra

February 26, 2018 Round the world, Travel

Blue bliss- How to reach Cinque Terre?

A beautiful blue trail down five villages that make up the gorgeous Italian destination Cinque Terre

The train rushes past a splay of apartment buildings and supermarkets before plunging into a tunnel. The passengers look around, mildly bored with the darkness punctuated by the glow from their cell phones. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and as the train bursts into the sunshine there is a collective gasp from everyone. On the right is a cliff, but over the left is a vast expanse of shimmering blue as far as the eye can see. The train has pulled into Riomaggiore in stunning Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site of rugged coastline, which literally translates to ‘five lands’. This idyllic group of fishing villages in the Italian Riviera is a spectacular part of the country with aquamarine waters, dramatic coastal scenery, terraced farms, and like most of Italy, spectacular food.

Cinque Terre, Italy — Image courtesy-Pixabay

Walk this way

Meandering along the coastline through vineyards, olive groves, coastal jungle and terraced farms are hiking trails that connect the five villages and offer the best way to experience the region. Though the villages are connected by train, walking the Cinque Terre is recommended. One could do the entire trail over 6-8 hours but stop for refuelling along the way. And if you want to quit (you’ll have to either go on to the next village or backtrack to the previous one) you can always catch the train back or forth to one of the villages. Stop for some freshly squeezed orange juice or a glass of wine, lunch or snack at one of the villages, or take a dip in the achingly blue waters.

The Sentiero Azuro, aka the Blue Trail or Trail #2, is the most popular of the lot with four individual paths along the coast. You can hike in either direction, starting from the last town of Monterosso towards Riomaggiore or the other way around. From Riomaggiore to Manarola is the Via dell’Amore with its famous kissing statue, benches and tunnel plastered in declarations of love. The next section between Manarola and Corniglia has beautiful garden and sea views. Travelling between Corniglia and Vernazza, the trail goes from the highest point of the Cinque Terre and then slopes back. Saving the best for the last, the trail between Vernazza and the last town of all five villages is a real highlight.

Boat, Cinque Terre — Image courtesy- Pixabay

Here comes the sun

The informal capital, Riomaggiore, is also the largest of the five villages, its main street busting with cafes, pubs, shops amid its colourful sprawl of buildings in yellows and oranges -quintessential colors of the region. People emerge on to the street from alleys, which hide doorways up to a multitude of guest rooms and apartments for the throng of visitors to the region. It is about 20 min until sunset and everyone is moving to the harbour, drawn like moths of a flame to the spectacular show about to begin. There are fabulous views of the sunset at several parts of Cinque Terre, but a favourite is at the marina of Riomaggiore. The pastel shades of the buildings are aglow in the evening sun. Fancy cameras, professional videographers and selfie sticks are on the ready as the sun starts to gradually descend. All eyes are only on the golden sphere ahead of us, which is sinking deeper into the sea, colouring the sky in a riot of blazing orange, red and purple. Just as it disappears there is a thunderous applause from the crowd, appreciation for a riveting show.

Food, glorious food

Pesto alla Genovese, Cinque Terre — Pesto alla Genovese
Image courtesy- splendidtable.org
For the recipe, please visit- https://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/pesto-alla-genovese

To help refuel after all the walking is a great variety of food. The cuisine is rustic and fresh, featuring local produce harvested in the sea, steep terraced farms and vineyards along the cliffs. There is a variety of pasta encased in the fragrant basil that is grown in the region; freshly baked focaccia seasoned with just salt and olive oil or topped with cheese or sausage; paper cones piled high with fried calamari which can be washed down with some beer; or a hearty seafood platter to enjoy the fresh catch of the day. Pesto alla Genovese is the region’s most iconic dish comprising basil leaves from Genoa, pine huts, Peccorino and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses, garlic, salt and olive oil.

The Cinque Terre Lands

Riomaggiore-chiesa San Giovanni Battista-rosone, Cinque Terre — Riomaggiore-chiesa San Giovanni Battista-rosone
Image courtesy- Davide Papalini, Wikimedia.org

Each village of Cinque Terre lends itself to lazy wandering and discovery. One of the region’s most romantic sights is the pastel buildings of Riomaggiore steeply flanking the tiny harbour, views of which are best appreciated at sunset. A botanical garden and bird watching center; little shops selling lemon soap, jars of pesto and bottles of Sciacchetra; bustling bars and restaurants; and the Church of San Giovanni Battista are some of the attractions around the town. The village next in line is Manarola, which has more grapevines than the other villages and is also believed to be the oldest of the five because of various medieval relics. Overall, a picturesque village vacation you’ll never get over.

This article has been authored by Reem Khokhar. The above article has been published in a newspaper- The Times of India- Times Life

How to reach Cinque Terre?

You need to reach Italy and then to Cinque Terre
Which airport you choose to fly in and out of depends on (apart from price) how long you plan to visit Italy and where you plan to travel.
The major airport for traveling in northern Italy (Venice, Lake of Garda, Piedmont) is Milan.
The major airport for traveling in southern Italy (Rome, Amalfi/Capri, Naples) is Rome.
The closest airports for traveling to Cinque Terre and Tuscany are Pisa, Florence and Genoa.
From PISA There is a shuttle train at the airport that takes you from Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale. It’s name is People Mover. From Pisa Centrale, there are trains that take you to the Cinque Terre, with a stop in La Spezia Centrale. (Depending on when you arrive at Pisa Centrale, you may be able to purchase a direct ticket from Pisa Centrale to Monterosso in the Cinque Terre, where we’ll be staying.).
For train schedules, go to www.trenitalia.com. (Approx. Travel Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes.)

February 23, 2018 Literature/ Art/Music/Education

Live, Work, And Study In Australia For A Year With These 3 Types Of Visa

Whether it’s a short week-long globetrotting or a search for employment and education opportunities, Australia has got a lot to offer to its foreign visitors. However, one tourist visa can’t be your sole ticket to everywhere, especially if you’re thinking of studying or landing a job. There are different visas to consider depending on your nationality, what your visit is for, and how long you plan to stay.

To get you started, here are three visas you can apply for to access Australia’s massive education and career opportunities.

Obtain Employment in Australia

Employment in Australia, Visa — Image credit- Pixabay

There are a variety of visas available to foreign nationals seeking job opportunities in Australia, both on a temporary or permanent basis. If you plan to visit and work at the same time for no longer than a year, you can apply for a Working Holiday visa (417) or a Work and Holiday visa (462).

Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)

Working Holiday visa is like hitting two birds with one stone; with this, you can work while having a vacation in Australia. It is a temporary visa for young people (18 to 30 years old) who want to work in the country for up to a year. It encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between Australia and a number of eligible partner countries.

You are eligible to apply if (1) you hold a valid passport from an eligible country, (2) you have no dependent child with you at any time during your stay, and (3) you have enough money to support yourself on a working holiday and buy a return or onward travel ticket at the end of your visit.

With 417 visas, you can work in Australia for up to six months with one employer, and study for up to four months. You can also leave and re-enter the country for how often you wish while the visa is valid.

Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

Working Holiday visa (417) and Work and Holiday visa (462) are terms often used interchangeably, but there are slight differences between the two. The requirements mentioned in the former is pretty much the same with the requirements of the latter except:

462 visas do have education requirements; 417 visas do not.
462 visas require a letter of support from the applicant’s government of origin (unless you’re from the U.S.); 417 visas do not.
462 visas also demand proof of functional English; 417 visas do not.

Get Education in Australia

Education in Australia, Visa — Image credit- Pixabay

Australia is a land of opportunities for students who want to learn in a prestigious university and choose among more than 20,000 quality courses while enjoying the quality of life. In fact, it is the 4th country in the world with most foreign students according to Unesco.

Student Visa (subclass 500)

If you want to obtain a student visa, you’ll have to enroll in one of the accredited courses (minimum of 12 weeks). Depending on the duration of your chosen course, your student visa will cover the study period and an extra vacation time. So if your course runs for 10 months, the visa will be valid for 12.

Not only your student visa gives you learning opportunities; it can also give you a chance to work and earn while studying. You can work part-time, up to 20 weekly hours during the study period and up to 40 weekly hours during the vacation period. You can also renew your visa after your course has been finished should you wish to continue your studies.

Carmina Natividad is a resident writer for Four Points Immigration, a team of registered migration agents, assisting individuals and employers with their successful Australian visa application. Writing a wide variety of interesting and informative articles about immigration and travel is her cup of tea.