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Chimp Anjana Surrogate Mom for Two White Tiger Cubs

2010-08-08T19:21:00.000-07:00

LIFE TO BE LIKE THIS

Anjana is a two year old chimpanzee that plays a surrogate mother role for two 21 days old white tiger cubs that had to be separated from their mother due to safety reasons, when a hurricane flooded their sanctuary.

However, that’s not the only case. China York the care taker at The Institute of Greatly Endangered Species in South Carolina, along with the help of Anjana, who has been with her ever since the day she was born. Together they take care of many such animal babies

“Anjana has been with China, side by side, ever since she was born and has joined her in caring and raising baby animals,” said Dr Bhagavan, founder of TIGERS. She began copying everything that China did, so this is how her caring instinct was born. Today, the motherly chimpanzee bottle feeds these babies and forms a close bonding with them making them feel as though she was their own mother.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T06:55:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day is a day to express your love, and to celebrate the spirit of love. You will love this absolutely for valentine's day site, where you can celebrate the spirit of this day of lovers, and all of it is free! We have one of the best selections for love greetings for the occasion, recipes, history, and much more. Send the special message to your loved ones!
Special attractions: for this valentine's Day: Announce your love, and, send reasons why you love your sweetheart to woo him/her. Just scroll down and enjoy the site to your full. Please refer our site to all your friends and send us your suggestions. Happy Valentine's day !

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.

The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine's Day — should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas). Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap".

Seven Wonders Of India

2009-11-19T04:24:00.000-08:00

Taj Mahal

Among the famous monuments of India, none is more fascinating than the Taj Mahal. The pinnacle of medieval architecture was achieved in this mausoleum built by the Mughul Emperor Shahjahan in the 17th century AD. The immense size and grandeur along with its sublime spiritual appeal makes the Taj Mahal one of the most popular tourist attractions in India. Located in the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh, the Taj Mahal stands out among the highlights of tourism in India.

The magnificent Taj mahal was built by the 5th Mughul emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, also known as Arjumand Bano Begum. She was his favorite wife and she bore him 14 children. She died at childbirth in 1631, and thus attained martyrdom. This is why the tomb of Mumtaz mahal was designed to be a mausoleum, as well as place of pilgrimage where religious festivals would be held.

The design of the Taj mahal has been inspired by the description of the garden of paradise in the Holy Quran. The best architects, craftsmen and masons were summoned from all over the world for this project of mammoth proportions. In those days, it cost nearly 41 million rupees, and involved the use of over 500 kilos of gold. The immense structure was completed in 1643, after 12 years of work by about 20,000 workers.

The Taj Mahal features the Charbagh garden style brought to India by the Mughuls, who originated from arid lands of central Asia, and liked their palaces and other structures to be opulent in greenery and water. The charbagh of the Taj is perfect in symmetry. The lotus pool in the middle of the garden reflects the monument in all its glory and is a popular spot among tourists for photographing themselves.

The main structure is made up of white marble, procured from Makrana in Rajasthan. The dome is the most prominent part of the main structure. It rises to 44 meters (144 feet) and is topped by a finial. Four minarets, each 40 meters (131 feet) tall, surround the main building on four sides. These are topped by open octagonal pavilions, known as chatris. The minarets have been deliberately made shorter than the main building to highlight the supremacy of the central structure.

The actual tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shahjahan, who was also buried here, lie in a crypt below the cenotaphs. They are now closed for public viewing. The cenotaphs are richly decorated with magnificent calligraphy. They are surrounded by a beautiful screen carved out of a single block of marble. It is an example of the amazingly intricate artistry of the artisans working on the Taj.

The decorative elements of the Taj are as interesting and attractive as its architecture. Pietra Dura inlay work, using precious stones in marble, has been used extensively in the Taj. Simple flower designs have been executed with remarkable artistry, making the whole monument exude an earthly beauty. Similarly, the best calligraphers of the time were assigned the task of decorating the Taj with verses from the Quran. The calligraphy has been executed with black marble which stands out on the white surface.

The main building is flanked by two red sandstone buildings on the western and eastern sides. The western building is the mosque, while the eastern building was known as the mahman khana, or guest house.

The Taj signifies the ultimate amalgamation of Persian, Turkish, Indian and Islamic architectural styles. It represents the best that the 17th century had to offer in architecture. Declared a world heritage site by the UNESCO in 1983, the Taj Mahal remains one of the most visited and loved historic monuments of the world.

Khajuroha

Temples of Khajuraho are among the most magnificent temples of India. These temples were built by the rulers of the Chandela dynasty of central India between 9th and 10th century. Temples are famous all over the world for a large number of erotic sculptures, which are wonderful works of art, and also tell us a lot about the lifestyle of the people of ancient India. These temples are visited by numerous tourists from all parts of the globe, and are counted among the most important tourist attractions in Madhya Pradesh.

There are 25 temples still standing in the Khajuraho complex. It is said that originally 85 temples had been built, but they did not survive the ravages of time. Having remained hidden by a dense forest cover for almost seven centuries, these magnificent temples were rediscovered in the 19th century by a British officer, much like the Ajanta and Ellora caves. These temples were abandoned after the decline of the Chandela rulers in the 13th century. The remoteness of their location saved these temples from destruction by the invading Islamic forces that arrived in India in the 11th century.

The figures of Apsaras (celestial nymphs) dominate the temple sin Khajuraho. Showcasing the mastery of the artisans, particularly in depicting the female form, these have often been carved to act as support brackets. The temples are divided into three groups. These are –

The western group:

The major temples in this group are:

Kandariya Mahadev - this temple represents the pinnacle of north Indian temple arc. It is massive in proportions and features an amazing blend of complex design with a uniform harmony. The temple features over 800 sculptures that depict erotic scenes, Gods, war themes, dancers, musicians and scenes from the courtly ceremonies.

Lakshmana temple – this temple is similar to the Kandariya Mahadev temple, but it has many figures that are unique to it. The female bracket figures and the pair of street singers are notable among these.

The large statue of Varaha, Vishnu’s boar incarnation, is located in a pavilion opposite the temple. The temple dates back to the 10th century AD.

Vishwanath temple – dating to 11th century, this temple also features splendid sculptures, including the famous Apsara picking a thorn from her foot, and another Apsara playing the flute.

Matangeshwar temple – this temple is still used for daily worship. It was built around 900 AD.

The Eastern Group

The eastern group of temples includes:

Jain Parsvanath temple – this temple was built around 950 AD. It is known for the intricately carved ceiling pendants, and the sculptures of three Apsaras.

The Ghantai temple and Adinath temple are the other major temples in the eastern group.

The Southern Group

The Southern Group represents the final stages of building in the complex. The Chaturbhuj temple is the most prominent temple in this group. Built in 1090 AD, this temple has a magnificent four armed statue of Lord Shiva in the inner sanctum. This temple does not have any erotic sculptures.

An archaeological museum near the entrance of the western group of temples exhibits an impressive collection of sculptures and other pieces of art found in the area. The exhibits include a frieze that shows the construction of the Khajuraho temples. The Khajuraho temples have been declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO.

Ajanta-Ellora

The splendid rock cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora are located near Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra, a state in western India. These temples represent the pinnacle of rock cut temple architecture in India achieved by the ancient craftsmen. The temples cover a vast range of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain religious themes, and were built over a period of several centuries between the 2nd century BC, to about 9th century AD. Both the cave complexes have been declared as world heritage sites by the UNESCO. Together they are among the best known tourist attractions in India.

Ajanta Caves:
The Ajanta caves comprise a set of 30 caves that are lined in a horse shoe shape besides the Waghora river gorge. These caves were discovered accidentally by a British officer during a hunt.

The caves fall into two groups, the earlier ones dating back to the 2nd to 1st century BC. During this period, Hinayana Buddhism was dominant and Buddha was represented by various symbols and not in his human form. The second group dating between 5th to 6th centuries AD belongs to the Mahayana period and contains sculptures of Buddha in his human form.

The caves can be classified structurally into chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monastery). The caves are famous all over the world for their exquisite murals, painted ceilings, carved pillars, and the occasional large figures of Buddha in various postures. Notable among these is the cave 26, which showcases two magnificent panels, including a 7 meters long image of reclining Buddha, depicting Parinirvana (death of Gautama Buddha).

The murals are among the finest and most ancient paintings to be seen in India. They were executed between the 2nd century BC and 5th century AD, but still look as fresh as if they were painted a few days ago. The themes range from the Jataka tales that recount the story of Buddha in his various incarnations, to the everyday courtroom themes, and scenes from everyday life of the period. The colors are still very vibrant and are remarkably well preserved despite lying unattended for several centuries.

Ellora caves:
The 34 caves at Ellora are located 30 kilometers north west of Aurangabad. They are dated later than the Ajanta caves. Commissioned by the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta kings, they represent a Hindu renaissance in India that coincided with decline in Buddhism. The period covered is between 7th – 9th centuries AD.

The centerpiece of the Ellora caves is the Kailasanatha temple. A UNESCO world heritage site, this magnificent temple ahs been carved downwards out of a single cliff, an incredible achievement, considering the age of construction. Approximately 3 million cubic feet of rock were chiseled by the ancient artisans to create this ancient wonder of India. The temple (cave 16) is supposed to represent mount Kailasa, the holy abode of Lord Shiva. It was commissioned by the 8th century Rashtrakuta ruler, Krishna I. the interior of the temple is as impressive as the exterior and contains a large number of intricate sculptures depicting various Hindu mythological themes.

The complex also contains Buddhist (1 to 12) and Jain caves (30- 34) which include remarkable viharas and chaitya grihas meant for ritualistic as well as residential purposes. The Ellora caves complex is also a protected place declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. Together with the Ajanta caves, they form the core of tourism in Maharashtra.

Golden Temple

The Golden temple in Amritsar, Punjab, is the most important pilgrimage for the Sikhs all over the world. The supreme governing body of the Sikh religion which developed in India in the 16th – 17th centuries is also located in the golden temple complex. It is one of the most important religious sites in India, and an indispensible part of tourism in Punjab. One of the wonders of India, the Golden temple is visited by numerous tourists from all parts of the globe including people from all religions and not only Sikhs.

The magnificent temple was built between 1589 and 1601. The foundation of the temple was laid by Guru (spiritual head) Arjan Dev in 1588. Another version states that the foundation stone was laid was a Muslim saint named Miyan Mir. The idea was to build a center of Sikhism, much like Varanasi for the Hindus, and Mecca for Islam. The surrounding village of Ramdaspur came up as his followers started residing there. Ramdaspur came to be known as Amritsar, after the sacred tank called Amrit Sarovar was dug in the area, planned by Guru Amar Das.

The golden temple was rebuilt under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the great Sikh ruler of the 18th -19th centuries, after being severely damaged by Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan invader who defeated the Marathas in the third battle of Panipat. It was Ranjit Singh who got the dome of the temple covered in gold, giving the temple its name. The interior was also decorated lavishly under his patronage.

The style of the temple is a curious blend of Islamic and Hindu architectural patterns prevalent at the period. The chief components of the temple complex are the two structures known as the Akal Takht and the Hari Mandir.

Hari Mandir:
This three storied temple is the holiest site for the Sikhs across the globe. It is also known as Harmandir sahib, and is greatly revered as the Guru Granth sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs is kept here during day. The dome and upper portion of this temple is covered with gold and it is this structure that gives the complex its name. The marble walls of the first floor feature intricate pietra dura decoration reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. The decorative plasterwork involving animal and floral motifs also adorn the first floor.

The dome of Hari mandir is shaped like an inverted lotus. It is covered with about 100 kilograms (220 lbs) of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1830. The lower wall of the temple is made with white marble, another feature from the Taj. The Sheesh Mahal or the hall of mirrors is a typically Hindu feature found in the palaces of Rajasthan. The Sheesh Mahal of the Golden temple is located in the top floor. The Guru Granth Sahib is placed under a jeweled canopy in the hall called the Durbar sahib.

Akal takht:
The Akal takht is the seat of the supreme governing body of the Sikhs. This beautiful structure also houses various articles used by the previous Sikh gurus, including swords and flagstaffs. The holy book is kept here at night.

A 60 meters long causeway with nine gilded lamps on either side leads to the Hari mandir temple from the Akal takht through the gateway called the Darshana deorhi. The most conspicuous feature of the complex, apart from Hari mandir, is the large tank, the Amrit Sarovar. This is where the Sikhs are baptized.

The other major features of the golden temple complex include the common dining hall (guru ka langar), the Assembly Hall, Arjan Dev’s Tree, Dukh Bhanjani Ber, and Gobind Singh’s Shrine.

Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi temple is located in Budh Gaya, which is a famous Buddhist pilgrimage spot in the Gaya district of Bihar, eastern India. Budh Gaya is, in fact, the holiest of the Buddhist sites all over the world. It is here that Gautama Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi temple is the center of attraction of Budh Gaya. This temple is among the best known tourist attractions in Bihar, and is visited by numerous Buddhist pilgrims as well as tourists from all over the world. It is a major part of tourism in Bihar.

The original temple at this spot is believed to have been constructed by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. The location of the temple is said to be on the very spot where the wandering prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment almost 2500 years ago. The present structure is a reconstruction of the original temple, probably in the 7th century AD. The temple was seriously damaged by Muslim invaders in the 12th century. It was repaired and significantly remodeled in the 14th century under patronage from the Burmese kings. Major excavations carried out in the 19th century brought out much of the temple that was buried under silt deposited over centuries.

The temple is surrounded by a stone railing which dates back to the 1st century BC. The temple is also greatly revered due to the presence of the Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment after meditating for 49 days. This tree, however, is not the original Bodhi tree, but is a sapling from a tree in Sri Lanka which is said to be a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree.

The spire of the temple soars to 54 meters (177 feet). It goes up in tiers and is topped by an umbrella shaped finial. The gateway of the temple features Buddha’s teachings inscribed in granite. This gateway dates back to the 8th century AD. The Chakramana is yet another important feature of the Mahabodhi temple. It is the sacred place where Buddha used to walk while deep into contemplation during his stay here.

The Vajrashila is a red sandstone seat which marks the spot where Buddha sat in meditation. It is a greatly revered spot for the Buddhists.

The most famous attraction of the Mahabodhi temple’s interior is the gilded stone image of Gautama Buddha. It is located in the main sanctum of the temple which is reached through the main entrance of the temple. The statue is dated around the late 10th century AD. The calm look on the face of the statue creates a peaceful and serene ambience inside the sanctum.

Dusk is the best time to visit the temple, when lamps and prayers combine to create a surreal and pious atmosphere in the temple complex. The Buddha Jayanti, held in May, is the most auspicious occasion and the perfect time to visit the Mahabodhi temple.

Hampi

Hampi has an important position among the tourist destinations in South India. A famous stop in a tour of South India, the ruins of the once mighty Vijayanagar Empire have made Hampi one of the most famous tourist spots in India. The ruins have also been declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. The ruins are located in the South Indian state of Karnataka, about 460 kilometers North West of Bangalore. The nearest railway station is at Hospet, 13 kms away.

The region has been identified as the legendary Kishkindhya as mentioned in the epic – Ramayana. Hampi is located on the southern banks of the River Tungabhadra. The ruins remind the onlooker of the immense proportions of the Vijayanagar Kingdom which rose in South India during the 14th century. The Kingdom was the only remaining major Hindu power, except the Rajputs, that survived at a time when the Islamic sultanates ruled almost the entire north India and the Deccan. The kingdom survived till the 16th century, perishing to the joint forces of the Deccan sultanates. The city was left desolate and the ruins today narrate the sad story of the sudden fall from grace of one of the most remarkable kingdoms of medieval India.

The name of the place has probably been derived from the Kannada word Hampe which in turn has been derived from Pampa, the old name of the Tungabhadra River. Hampi is most probably an anglicized version of the word Hampe. The temple of Virupaksha, the patron deity of the Vijayanagar rulers, still draws devotees from distant areas. This temple probably predates the Vijayanagar kingdom and is among the major attractions of Hampi even today. It is dedicated to the Goddess Pampa and her consort Shiva. The temple has a 50 meter high gopuram (spire) that is visible from a great distance.

The chief attraction of Hampi is the Vitthala temple. This magnificent temple was enlarged during the reigns of Krishnadeva Raya and Achyuta Raya, two of the most prominent kings of Vijayanagar. The hollow columns of the hall in this temple emit different notes of the octave. The temple also features amazing reliefs and frieze work, displaying various mythological Themes in minute details. A shrine shaped like a chariot is placed in front of the temple and is dedicated to Garuda, the celestial bird.

The other noted features to be seen in Hampi are:

The Krishna temple – This was built by Krishnadeva Raya in 1516 to commemorate his victory over Orissa.

King’s Balance – The ruling kings were weighed on this balance with gold or grain. This was a common practice among Indian monarchs at the time.

Elephant stables – This large building has 11 chambers and was used for the royal elephants. The polygonal shapes of the roofs are unique features of this structure.

Lotus Mahal – This beautiful temple was probably used as a council chamber by the kings.

Stepped tank – This magnificent tank was part of an amazing hydraulic system that was used to bring water to the royal quarters.

Queen’s bath – This was used for the purposes of royal recreation.

The temple of Achyuta Raya, Kodandarama temple, Hazara Ramachandra temple, and the monolithic sculpture of Narasimha are the other attractions of Hampi.

There is an archaeological museum that houses the artifacts discovered from the site. The chariot festival is a major event that is celebrated with fanfare in the bazaar street area every year.

Konark - Sun Temple

The sun temple at Konark is the most important structure in the state of Orissa in eastern India. It is the highlight of any tour of Orissa. The Konark sun temple is of utmost interest to those studying temple architecture in India. Orissa has its own distinct temple architecture and the Konark sun temple is a typical example of this style. Tourists should make it a point to visit this temple as it is the most famous tourist attraction in Orissa.

The sun temple was built in the 13th century under the orders of King Narasimhadeva of the eastern Ganga dynasty. It is counted among the most remarkable architectural marvels constructed in medieval India and is dedicated to the Sun God. The structure has been designed as a chariot of the Sun god, driven by seven horses and carried by 12 pairs of wheels. According to Hindu mythology, the sun god circles the earth in this chariot.

The temple is known for its remarkable design as well as the superb sculptures. Among the numerous sculptures featuring a wide range of mythological themes, the most prominent is that of the Sun god himself. The life size image of the sun god has been shown as standing on a chariot. He is surrounded by his wives and other deities. Mention must be made of the erotic sculptures of the temple, reminiscent of the temples in Khajuraho.

Besides the artistic aspect, the design and sculptures of the temple also has astronomical significance. The seven horses of the sun represent the seven days of the week. The 12 gigantic wheels represent the 12 months of the year. The wheels have eight spokes, which are believed to represent the day divided into eight sections of three hours each. An amazing feature of the temple is that the three images of the sun god have been positioned with such accurate measurements that the sun’s rays fall on their faces at dawn, noon, and dusk.

The temple had a 70 meter tall spire which collapsed by the 19th century due to constant corrosion. The temple’s stone structure has been corroded over the centuries due to the saline climate as it is situated right next to the Bay of Bengal. Now under constant supervision, the Konark temple has been awarded the status of a world heritage site by the UNESCO.

The adjoining Jagamohan or assembly Hall is another beautiful structure. It was buried under sand for centuries and was unearthed in the early 20th century. It has many sculptures that include 1700 elephants in different postures. Another important part of the Konark sun temple is the Bhogmandir, which is the hall of offerings. The structure has lost its roof over the years, but retains its pillars and plinth and has many splendid sculptures featuring the traditional dance form of the region, Odissi. The Shrine of the Nine Planets in the compound is a large stone slab featuring the deities representing the nine planets. The archaeological museum exhibits the sculptures and other artifacts recovered from the site.

World Ends Day

2009-11-18T23:19:00.000-08:00

Please watch the video below to hear these shocking words by the president of the United States. If you are an American living in the US, this may make you a little sick. It's difficult to realize what little the American voters knew about their candidate.

FIRST VIDEO OF THE TWO SUNS SEEN IN CHKALOVSKY TAKEN ON APRIL 21, 2009.

THIS IS THE SECOND VIDEO OF THE TWO SUNS TAKEN ON AUGUST 24, 2009.

It has been one year since the "two suns" event was delivered in the June 1, 2008 Message from the Blessed Mother. I did quite a bit of research in the past few months regarding the information presented in the June 1st message. I uncovered an unbelievable amount of information concerning the future of mankind and the immediate threat to our current way of life. According to the information I found, in the next few years we will see Earth changes that will be devastating to all living creatures on the planet. There will be compound crisis' happening at the same time in our cosmos. Planet X will be returning from its 3600 year orbit around our solar system. Which will bring with it six orbiting satellites with it. This return of Planet X will disrupt our solar system, and especially Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, Venus, and the Earth. Planet X will enter our solar system at the edge and cross orbits with Jupiter. Jupiter could ignite at this time and become a baby sun. Nibiru will pass between the Earth on the Sun. This will cause the two suns to be seen by everyone in the world. Everyday people will be able to view the two suns by May of 2011 the latest.

The 11 1/2 year solar flare cycle will peak on 2012 causing solar flares that can knock out power grids around the world. These solar flares in conjunction with the return of Planet X, will cause devastation on the earth.

The sun, earth, and milky way will align at the galactic equator, on December 21, 2012, the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the end of the Mayan calendar. This only happens every 25,800 years! For the first time in recorded history, our entire solar system will move BELOW the milky way galaxy. These combined cosmic events, will be the end of the world as we know it. About 6 billion people of the world will perish in just a few short years if this cosmic catastrophe occurs.

I know you will have to do some more investigations yourself, to see if there is any truth to what I am writing here. You may, or may not, believe it EVEN after you uncover the massive amount of scientific, astronomical, and historical proof, that we are in the of the end of days leading to 2012.

SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS from around the world are predicting that five years from now, all life on Earth could well come to an end. Some are saying it’ll be humans that would set it off. Others believe that a natural phenomenon will be the cause. And the religious folks are saying it’ll be God himself who would press the stop button. The following are some likely arguments as to why the world would end by the year 2012.

Reason one: Mayan calendar

The first to predict 2012 as the end of the world were the Mayans, a bloodthirsty race that were good at two things -- building highly accurate astrological equipment out of stone and sacrificing virgins.

Thousands of years ago they managed to calculate the length of the lunar moon as 329.53020 days, only 34 seconds out. The Mayan calendar predicts that the earth will end on December 21, 2012. Given that they were pretty close to the mark with the lunar cycle, it’s likely they’ve got the end of the world right as well.

Reason two: Sun storms

Solar experts from around the world monitoring the sun have made a startling discovery. Our sun is in a bit of strife. The energy output of the sun is, like most things in nature, cyclic and it’s supposed to be in the middle of a period of relative stability. However, recent solar storms have been bombarding the earth with lot of radiation energy. It’s been knocking out power grids and destroying satellites. This activity is predicted to get worse and calculations suggest it’ll reach its deadly peak sometime in 2012.

Reason three: The atom smasher

Scientists in Europe have been building the world’s largest particle accelerator. Basically, its a 27 km tunnel designed to smash atoms together to find out what makes the universe tick. However, the mega-gadget has caused serious concern, with some scientists suggesting that it’s properly even a bad idea to turn it on in the first place. They’re predicting all manner of deadly results, including mini black holes. So when this machine is fired up for its first serious experiment in 2012, the world could be crushed into a super-dense blob the size of a basketball.

Reason four: The Bible says it

If having scientists warning us about the end of the world isn’t bad enough, religious folks are getting in on the act as well. Interpretations of the Christian Bible reveal that the date for Armageddon, the final battle between good an evil, has been set for 2012. The I Ching, also known as the Chinese Book of Changes, says the same thing, as do various sections of the Hindu teachings.

Reason five: Super volcano

Yellowstone National Park in United States is famous for its thermal springs and old faithful geyser. The reason for this is simple -- it’s sitting on top of the world’s biggest volcano and geological experts are beginning to get nervous sweats. The Yellowstone volcano has a pattern of erupting every 650,000 years or so, and we’re many years overdue for an explosion that will fill the atmosphere with ash, blocking the sun and plunging the earth into a frozen winter that could last up to 15,000 years. The pressure under the Yellowstone is building steadily, and geologists have set 2012 as a likely date for the big bang.

Reason six: The physicists

This one’s case of bog -- simple maths mathematics. Physicists at Berkely University have been crunching the numbers. They’ve determined that the earth is well overdue for a major catastrophic event. Even worse, they’re claiming that their calculations prove that we’re all going to die, very soon. They are also saying that their prediction comes with a certainty of 99 per cent; and 2012 just happens to be the best guess as to when it occurs.

Reason seven: Earth’s magnetic field

We all know the Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field that shields us from most of the sun’s radiation. What you might not know is that the magnetic poles we call North and South have a nasty habit of swapping places every 750,000 years or so -- and right now we’re about 30,000 years overdue. Scientists have noted that the poles are drifting apart roughly 20-30 kms each year, much faster than ever before, which points to a pole-shift being right around the corner. While the pole shift is under way, the magnetic field is disrupted and will eventually disappear, sometimes for up to 100 years. The result is enough UV outdoors to crisp your skin in seconds, killing everything it touches.

Modern Arts

2009-11-09T06:12:00.001-08:00

Modern art refers to artistic works produced during the period extending from 19th century through 20th century, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. It is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of experimentation.

Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing, and with fresh ideas about the nature of materials and functions of art.

‘The finest in jazz since 1939”: that’s how the logo reads on every Blue Note record. It’s an exaggeration, but not a completely crazy one. Other companies recorded wonderful performances, but no other had so strong an identity: not only musical but also visual, extending to the design of the photographs on the sleeve. And no other jazz label remained so faithful to its ideals for so long. There is plenty to celebrate in the anniversary of the birth of Blue Note, 70 years ago.

Diwali

2009-10-21T01:44:00.000-07:00

HAPPY DIWALI..
Diwali, or Deepavali, (also called Tihar and Swanti in Nepal) (Markiscarali) is a major Indian and Nepalese festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the “Festival of Light,” where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.

According to one theory Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali. Southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. In western India it is also in honor of the day King Bali went to rule the nether-world by the order of Vishnu. (There is another festival ‘Onam’ which is celebrated in Kerala around the month of August to mark this legend)

Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November.

In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 BCE. The Sikhs celebrate Diwali for a different reason; on this day, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment along with 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) whom he had arranged to be released as well. after his release he went to Darbar Sahib (golden temple) in the holy city of Amritsar. There, he was greeted by Sikhs and many other people. In happiness they lit candles and diyas to greet the Guru. In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.

The festival marks the victory of good over evil, and uplifting of spiritual darkness. Symbolically it marks the homecoming of goodwill and faith after an absence, as suggested by the Ramayana.

On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.

Hindus have several significant events associated with it:

•Return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya: Diwali also celebrates the return of Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after a 14 year exile, and a war in which he killed the demon king Ravana. It is believed that the people of Ayodhya lit oil lamps along the way to light their path in the darkness. Since Lord Rama traveled from South India to his kingdom in North India, he passed through the south earlier. This is the reason why the festival is celebrated a day earlier in South India.

•The Killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Naraka Chaturdasi, two days before Diwali day, it commemorates the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon who created havoc, by Lord Krishna’s wife Satyabhama. This happened in the Dwapar Yuga during this time of Lord Krishna’s avatar. In another version, the demon was killed by Lord Krishna (Lord krishna provokes his wife Satyabhama to kill Narakasura by pretending to be injured by the demon. Narakasura can only be killed by his mother, Satyabhama) himself. Before Narakasura’s death, he requested a boon from his mother, Satyabhama (believed to be an Avatar of Bhudevi – Narakasura’ mother), that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful light.

•Austerities of Shakti: According to the Skanda Purana, the goddess Shakti observed 21 days of austerity starting from ashtami of shukla paksha (eighth day of the waxing period of moon) to get half of the body of Lord Shiva. This vrata (austerity) is known as kedhara vrata. Deepavali is the completion day of this austerity. This is the day Lord Shiva accepted Shakti into the left half of the form and appeared as Ardhanarishvara. The ardent devotees observe this 21 days vrata by making a kalasha with 21 threads on it and 21 types of offerings for 35 days. The final day is celebrated as kedhara gauri vrata.

•Krishna defeating Indra: Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali. It is the day Lord Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain. As per the story, Krishna saw huge preparations for the annual offering to Lord Indra and questions his father Nanda about it. He debated with the villagers about what their ‘dharma’ truly was. They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He continued to say that all human beings should merely do their ‘karma’, to the best of their ability and not pray for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna then lifted Mt Govardhan and held it up as protection to his people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme. This aspect of Krishna’s life is mostly glossed over – but it actually set up the basis of the ‘karma’ philosophy later detailed in the Bhagavat Gita.

•Bali’s return to the nether world: In Bhavishyottara and Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Diwali is associated with the Daitya king Bali, who is allowed to return to earth once a year. However in Kerala this is the reason ‘Onam’ is celebrated. ‘Onam’ festival falls around the month of August-September.

Pondicherry

2009-10-08T21:46:00.001-07:00

Sun rise in Pondicherry beach.

Gandhi statue in beach

Symbol of Pondicherry. This is located in Central park.

This is the entrace of pondicherry, which is in Chennai to Pondicherry road (west side).

This is south side entrace which is place in Cuddalore to Pondicherry road.

Further south, at the end of Goubert Avenue, lies the Children's Park. Here stands the statue of Dupleix, one of the most able French Governors. Though Dupleix's tenure ended in 1754, this statue was erected in only in 1870. Originally, this 2.88m tall structure stood on six intricately carved granite pillars at the Place du Republique. However, it was later shifted to this Park, overlooking the sea. As you can see in the picture of the Children's Park (the one immediately below), there's a pier (284m long, I think), located just beyond.

At the northern end of Goubert Avenue lies the Indian War Memorial, a helmet perched on a rifle, flanked by tall pillars on four sides, This memorial was erected by the Government of Pondicherry in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.

Once called Vedapuri, Pondicherry is said to have been home to the sage Agastya. Excavations at Arikamedu, an archaeological site barely 4km from Pondicherry, reveal vestiges of a port town, and Roman settlements over 2000 years old. Vedapuri’s trade links with Rome and Greece continued till the Cholas took over Pondicherry (around 10th- 11th century). In the 13th century, the Cholas were overthrown by the Pandyas. Later, the Vijayanagara Empire, which encompassed almost all of South India, ruled here till 1638, after which the Sultan of Bijapur took hold of Gingee (pronounced sen-jee, a fortified town 75km from Pondicherry).

Often referred to as The French Riviera of The East, this little town on the Coromandel coast is where the French dream of an Indian Empire began… and ended. French Pondicherry was a Boulevard Town, an oval with straight roads intersecting at right angles. The town was encircled by a boulevard, and split by a canal into Ville Blanche (White Town, the European side) and Ville Noire (Black Town, the Tamil part).

Aurobindo Ghosh

Mother

Throw a mango anywhere in India—the birthplace of yoga—and you'll hit an ashram. Officially designated as a place for spiritual striving, these retreat centers range from spare mountain meditation chambers to urban yoga Disneylands. There's no better representation of ashram life, however, than Auroville, a humming township near the former French colony of Pondicherry, in tropical Tamil Nadu. Spread out along the warm Bay of Bengal, the eight-square-mile town is being built by followers of the famous guru Sri Aurobindo and his French partner, a woman known as "the Mother." The Aurovillians have constructed an internationally populated utopia of organic farms, holistic hospitals, arts-and-crafts centers, and hatha yoga instruction.

Auroville, the city of dawn is a modern city created some distance away from the place where we were staying. It is actually a universal town where a person from any place of the world is able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities.

In Ashram there was a hall that was having the pictures of the future city. Then we moved to see Matrimandir. It is about a couple of kilometers from the Ashram and you need to go over there by walking. The name Matrimandir means literally Temple of the Mother. It is actually in the shape of a golden sphere just near to the amphitheatre.

Manakula Vinayagar temple

Cute Lakshmi

This is the church which is near to beach. And this is architect in Gothic style

The garden is huge, it covers about 22 acres of land. In center of the garden fountain will be found with the statues of two fighting bulls.

Hotel Paradise Boating place.

Heart of the city. Nehru street.

French style buildings

Hotel de L'Orient Courtyard

These are the hotels which is face through the beach. And this is Le Cafe

Promenade Hotel

Hotel Ajantha

Tamil poet-patriot, Subramanya Bharathi came to the French ruled Pondicherry and found it to be peaceful. He penned down some of his finest patriotic poems and romantic compositions. His residence is converted to a museum and is literally a pilgrimage for the Tamilians. He too has struggled for the freedom of India through creating enlightenment among people as to know what is going on.

Pondicherry museum

Narashimar Temple

2009-10-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

Me and my friends (Nandhu & Siva) visit the Narashimar temple which is located at Abhisekapakkam, Puducherry. - May 2009.

Me & Nandhu

Me & Sive

Thuvarika Prabakarn Birthday

2009-10-06T20:18:00.001-07:00

Me & Balaje in Chunnambar boat house. This pic has taken with we are way to Prabakar baby's birthday. And this is located in Pondicherry to Cuddalore road. - October 2009

This is JP(Jaya Prakash) & Bala in Pondicherry entrance.

In Balaje Office

2009-10-06T20:13:00.001-07:00

Last Meet

2009-09-25T02:39:00.001-07:00

Last we have met in our friend vijay's marriage. The fools who are in this pic are Appu, Dhoom Abdhul, Karthikesan, Surbeswaran, Reliance Balki, Rabya, Kalivanee, Vijayalakshmi & Moota Karthi

Finally Achieved The Goal

2009-09-25T02:32:00.001-07:00

Final Year Tour

2009-09-25T02:28:00.001-07:00

This is our final year tour pics. This snap was taken in cochin ship yard at morning 6 'O' clock.

In Pazhani

In kodaikanal. It was an winter season. It's soo chill & we were freezed in that morning time. It was a good moment in our life. The guys who are in front of were, Push & Anbu.

When Exam Starts

2009-09-25T02:26:00.001-07:00

During Class Hours

2009-09-25T02:23:00.001-07:00

This shot has been taken in pondicherry beach. And this is our favourite place which is opposite to Hotel Ajantha. These guys are Mari, Anbu & Appu. - Jan 2007

This shot has taken in Cuddalore beach(Silver beach). This is the beach which is Asia's second in area.

Sjec 2007 Batch

2009-09-25T02:10:00.001-07:00

Sjec 2009 Batch

2009-09-25T02:09:00.000-07:00