Khajuraho Group of Monuments

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho is a famous tourist and archaeological site known for its sculptured temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Jain patriarchs, famous for their erotic sculptures. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the "seven wonders" of India.

One thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, 85 temples, magnificent in form and richly carved, came up on one site, near the village of Khajuraho. The amazingly short span of 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples, in an inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples-most constructed of hard river sandstone-about 20 are still reasonably well preserved. Both internally and externally the temples are richly carved with excellent sculptures that are frequently sensual and, at times, sexually explicit. The temples are divided into three complexes-the western is the largest and best known, containing the magnificent Shaivite temple Kandariya Mahadev, a 31m high agglomeration of porches and turrets culminating in a spire.

The Khajuraho temples contain some sexual or erotic art outside the temple or near the deities. Also, some of the temples that have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall. There are many interpretations of the erotic carvings. It has been suggested that these suggest tantric sexual practices. Meanwhile, the external curvature and carvings of the temples depict humans, human bodies, and the changes that occur in bodies, as well as facts of life. Some 10% of the carvings contain sexual themes; those reportedly do not show deities but rather sexual activities between people. The rest depict the everyday life of the common Indian when the carvings were made and activities of other beings.

The creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon. The legend that describes the origin of this great dynasty is a fascinating one: Hemavati, the beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest was seduced by the moon god while bathing in the Rati one evening. The child born of this union between a mortal and a god was a son, Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to found the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-visitation from his mother, who implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, successive rulers added to the fast growing complex.

The Khajuraho temple complex offers a professional light and sound show every evening. The first show is in English language and the second one in Hindi. The show is about an hour long and covers the history, philosophy and the art of sculpting of these temples. It is held in the open lawns in the temple complex.

The Khajuraho Dance Festival, held every year in the first week of February (1st to 7th), is an opportunity for visitors to experience various classical Indian dances set against the backdrop of the Chitragupta or Vishwanath Temples.

                                                              I don't claim the information to be my own. It has been collected from various sources 

World's Largest Chapati

The largest chapati weighed 63.99 kg (141 lb 1 oz) and was made by the Shree Jalarm Mandir Jirnodhar Samitee organisation at the Jalaram Temple, Jamnagar, on 15 January 2005.

Tungnath - World's Highest Hindu Pilgrimage

The Tunganath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) is the world’s  highest Hindu pilgrim Temple  dedicated to Shiva. Tungnath situated in the height of above 12000ft in Rundraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is the second in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars.

 It has a rich legend linked to the Pandavas, heroes of the Mahabharata epic. It is said that the Pandavas, after the Great War at Kurukshetra, wished to atone for the sins of fratricide and the killing of Brahmins. They were directed to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The Lord, however, was in no mood to pardon them as he was angry at the magnitude of their sins. Taking the form of a bull, the Lord hid from the Pandavas at Guptkashi in the Garhwal Himalaya. But later Shiva’s body in the form of bull’s body parts rematerialized at five different locations that represent the “Panch Kedar” where Pandavas built temples of Lord Shiva at each location, to worship and venerate, seeking his pardon and blessings. Each one is identified with a part of his body; Tungnath is identified as the place where the bahu (hands) were seen: hump was seen at Kedarnath; head appeared at Rudranath; his navel and stomach surfaced at Madhyamaheshwar; and his jata (hair or locks) at Kalpeshwar.

It is an ancient temple built in the North Indian style of temple architecture. It is small in size and can barely accommodate ten people in the sanctum. The temple opens for worship after winter snows melt in June and remains open until late October when snowfall cuts off access to the temple. At this time the deity is moved ceremoniously to the Ukhimath, thousands of feet below.

Besides its majestic location against a backdrop of cliffs, peaks and snow-clad mountains, Tungnath is also popular with trekkers, who make it a point to witness the sunrise from Chandrashila, a nearby peak at 13,123 feet. The 4 km (2.5 mi) trek starts from Chopta (9,600 ft (2,926 m)), the nearest place on the NH 58. Chopta is 63 km (39 mi) from Rudraprayag towards Karnaprayag and is reached from Rishikesh via Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag.

                                                                                                     I don't claim the information to be my own. It has been collected from various sources 

Bhangarh-Asia's Most Haunted Place

At the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, between Jaipur and Alwar in Rajasthan, is Bhangarh, popularly known as the “ghost city of India. It is considered to be the Most Haunted Place in whole Asia.

Bhangarh is a place between Jaipur and Delhi in Rajasthan state of India known for its ruins. Bhangarh is also a pre-historic site. The most remarkable of its buildings are the temples of Gopinath, Shiva (Someshwar), Mangla Devi, Lavina Devi and Keshava Rai. Other buildings include shops along the main road, several havelis, a mosque, and a palace. The palace was protected by two inner fortifications across the valley. The town is separated from the plain by ramparts with five gates.

The town was established in 1573 (VS 1631) during the rule of Bhagwant Das as the residence of his second son Madho Singh, the younger brother of Emperor Akbar’s general, Man Singh I. Madho Singh participated in many campaigns with his father and brother. The next ruler of Bhangarh was his son Chhatr Singh, after whose death in 1630, Bhangarh slowly declined. When the Mughal Empire became weaker after the death of Aurangzeb, Jai Singh II attached Bhangarh to his state by force in 1720. After this Bhangarh diminished in population, and since the famine of 1783 (VS 1840) the town has remained uninhabite

The city, according to legend, was cursed by a tantrik in the sixteenth century. Singhia, a lecherous tantrik, was attracted to the beautiful queen of Bhangarh, Ratnavati. One day, he saw her maid buying some hair oil for the queen and put a love spell on it. The queen was a tantrik herself. One look at the swirling oil and she threw the flagon away. As soon as it touched the ground, the stone magnified into a boulder and moved towards Singhia. Dying, the magician cursed the palace with the death of all who dwelt in it. The next year there was a battle between Bhangarh and Ajabgarh in which Princess Ratnavati perished. Legends says that there are ghosts in Bhangarh and that is why entry is prohibited for tourists in the fort after sunset and before sunrise.The locals believe that the princess Ratnavati has taken birth somewhere else and that the fort and the empire of Bhangarh is waiting for her return to put an end to the curse.

The Internet is flooded with horror tales. People claim to have heard the tinkling of payals, seen the ruined market come to life, many tourists who take photographs inside the ruins find weird colour spots in the pictures. 

Entry to Bhangarh is legally prohibited between sunset and sunrise. Such is the town's reputation that even the Archeological Survey of India doesn't have an office here though government rules state that every historical site must have an office of the ASI. The nearest one is a kilometre away — enough distance between officials and the spooks.


                                                                                         I don’t claim the information to be my own. The information is compiled from different sources

India International Trade Fair (IITF)

The India International Trade Fair (IITF) began in 1980 and since then has evolved as major event for the business community. It is a premier event organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), the nodal trade promotion agency of the Government of India. The event is held between 14 - 27 November every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India. It is Asia’s largest Trade Fair. The IITF is one of the largest trade fairs in the world, in terms of exhibitors and visitor participation and has evolved as an iconic national event.

The IITF is a major tourist attraction in the city of Delhi and lakhs of people visit this fair every year. This annual event acts as a platform for manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers and displays a wide range of products and services including: Automobiles, Coir Products, Jute, Textiles, Garments, Household appliances, Kitchen appliances, Processed food, Beverages, Body care and healthcare Products, Furniture, Toys, etc.

The unique aspect of the IITF is the participation of almost all states and union territories of India, apart from domestic and foreign companies. IITF, 2011 saw participation of 7,000 exhibitors, including overseas participation from 28 countries, representing over 350 companies. A large number of domestic and foreign business persons visited the fair and the fair attracted trade delegations from 73 countries. Over one million general visitors also visited the fair during 14-27th November, 2011.

This year will mark the 32nd edition of the IITF and as always will have B2B (Business to business) and B2C (Business to consumer) components. The fair presents an interesting range; right from local artisans to MNC’s, covering diverse sectors, primarily in the consumer goods category. The theme is "Skilling India” which is more pertinent, contemporary and is an extremely important objective of India today.

                                                                       I don’t claim the information to be my own. The information is compiled from different sources

Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple - World's Richest Hindu Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Thiruvananthapuram, India. The shrine is currently run by a trust headed by the royal family of Travancore. It has become the World’s richest Hindu temple (overtaking the Tirupati Temple) after a vast treasure trove of gold coins, jewels and precious stones were unearthed. The opening of four vaults reveals a vast bounty that unofficial estimates at 22 billion US dollars (1,00,000 Crores).

The origin of the Temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy is lost in antiquity. It is not possible to determine with any exactitude, from any reliable historical documents or other sources as to when and by whom the original idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy was consecrated. The Temple has references in Epics and Puranas. Srimad Bhagavatha says that Balarama visited this Temple, bathed in Padmatheertham and made several offerings.

The temple is one of 108 Divya Desams (Holy Abodes of Vishnu) – principal centres of worship of the deity in Vaishnavism. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple gave its name to Kerala’s state capital Thiruvananthapuram. ‘Thiru’ ‘Anantha’ ‘Puram’ means Sacred Abode of Lord Anantha Padmanabha. The city is also known as Anandapuram (City of Bliss) and Syananduram (Where Bliss is not far off). Ananda refers to Sree Padmanabha Himself. Hindu scriptures refer to the Supreme Being as 'Sachidananda' (Absolute Truth, Absolute Consciousness and Absolute Bliss).

The marvelous idol of Sree Padmanabhaswamy is seen reclined on the mighty five hooded serpent Anantha. The supreme God is in conscious cosmic slumber with the head positioned to the south and the feet to the north. Anantha (or the endless) spreads its hoods above the head of the Idol. The three coils represent the three characteristics of mankind Sattva, Rajas and Tamas and its five hoods indicate the Panchendriyas(five senses) or the five elements(Panchabhootas). From the navel of the Lord emerges a lotus on which Lord Brahma, the Creator, is seated. Just below the stretched right arm of the Lord is the Shiva Linga of the Destroyer. Brahma, Vishnu(Padmanabha) and Shiva represent the ‘Srushti, Stithi and Samharam’.

In line with the Temple Entry Proclamation, only those who profess the Hindu faith are permitted entry to the temple. Devotees have to strictly follow the dress code.

This south Indian Temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu was already a popular pilgrimage center in Kerala and the discovery of the treasures and the labeling of being the richest Hindu temple in the world have made the temple more popular.

 http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/11000/richest-hindu-temple                                                                

                                                                                              I don’t claim the information to be my own. The information is compiled from different sources

India first superfast double decker train

The first superfast air-conditioned Double Decker (12931/12932) Ahmedabad-Mumbai express train was flagged off on September 19, 2012 by the Union Minister of State for Railways Bharat Sinh Solanki. 

"The train is equipped with modern amenities and its coaches have some very special features for comfortable travelling. It has a seating capacity for around 1,500 passengers. 

According to Western Railways, superior suspension technology in its coaches ensures a comfortable journey for passengers.

Minister of State for Railways Bharat Sinh Solanki flags off the new Double-decker Superfast Express (Ahmedabd to Mumbai Central) at Kalupur Railway station in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
A visitor looks at the newly-launched Double Decker AC Superfast Express train at a railway station in Ahmedabad on September 19, 2012. 

Inner view of the train - A passenger (L) and policewoman (R). The train can travel the 500 km journey from Ahmedabad to Mumbai Central in seven hours.

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 I don’t claim the information to be my own. The information is compiled from different sources

Magnificent Mary

Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, (born 1 March 1983), also known as MC Mary Kom, Magnificent Mary or simply Mary Kom, is an Indian boxer belonging to Kom tribal community of north-eastern state of Manipur. She has won five consecutive World Boxing Championship Titles and is the only pugilist to win a medal in each one of the six Championships. She is the only Indian woman boxer to have qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics, competing in the flyweight (51kg) category and winning the bronze medal. She has also been ranked as No. 4 AIBA World Women's Ranking Flyweight category.

A mother of two, Mary Kom started her career as an athlete but later switched to boxing following the success of fellow Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh. She started her boxing career in 2000 after which there was no stopping her. In 2001, she lost in the final and had to settle for a silver medal. In 2002, she started her domination at the AIBA World Championships where she won her first gold. She continued to dominate women's boxing till 2006 after which she took a 2-year sabbatical due to the birth of her twins. After a two-year break, she won a silver medal at the 2008 Asian Women's Boxing Championship in India and a fourth successive gold medal at the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in China, followed by a gold medal at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam.

At London Olympics 2012, she stood third in the competition and garnered her first olympic Bronze medal.

In 2010, she was voted India's Sportswoman of the Year. Mary Kom also became the International Boxing Association's Ambassador for Women's Boxing in 2009. 

Her feat earned her the title of 'Magnificent Mary' from the AIBA. 

                                                                                               I don’t claim the information to be my own. The information is compiled from different sources