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The Chinese City of Suzhou has Some Nice Places to Drink Jan 24, 2010 Steve Rogerson The Chinese city of Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze Basin with a history that is more than 2000 years old. Known for its beautiful gardens, many of which survive to this day, the modern version of the city also boasts some interesting bars. Paulaner at Kempinski Hotel, 1 Guobing Lu The hotel’s bar contains the only microbrewery in Suzhou, and it is part of the German Paulaner chain. The brewer, Christian Liepke, explained that the brewing is done in two large copper kettles facing the bar and then transferred to the fermenting room, a separate room at the side of the bar but with glass walls so people can look in. When ready, the beer is stored in five large vats downstairs and then transferred as needed to three large vats near the bar, and these are connected directly to the pumps at the bar. Sadly Christian uses hop pellets rather than full hops as he said these were more convenient for a brewery this size, yet many microbreweries use full hops as they know they give better flavour. The Paulaner light and dark are brewed there. The wheat beer is imported in bottles. Jane’s Pub Bar, 621 Shiquan Street This busy ex-pat style bar is one of the better ones on a street full of similar bars. Tiger beer is available on draught and the food is good. The bar also sells bottled beers that are a lot nicer than the draught Tiger. The range includes Chimay, Duvel, Hoegarden, Erdinger Weiss and Dunkel, and Paulaner Weiss. And it has a pool table. ZZ8 Loft, Unit 203, 215 Shishan Road This upstairs pub specialising in American craft beers is quite small with half a dozen stools at the bar and nine tables with seating round them. There were goldfish in a large bowl on the bar. The craft beers were imported from the USA in 12 fl oz bottles. The bar also sold Erdinger Weizen white and dark, Schöfferhofer Weizen and Crystal, Heinekin and TsingTao from bottles and Carlsberg on draught. The Ruedrich's Red Seal Ale is a 5.5% hazy red beer from California. It is very hoppy to the extent that the hoppiness broke through even when it was cold from the fridge. The Dead Guy Ale Rogue is a 6.5% beer from Oregon. This has a very malty smell, and on taste an initial bitter hit gives way to a lasting malty and bitter mix. Also a red cloudy beer, with sediment, so bottle conditioned. The barmaid said people who normally drink the Carlsberg all night are drunk after two bottles of this. Finally, the 5.2% Brooklyn lager is again a cloudy bottle conditioned beer with a hoppy smell. It had a nice hoppy taste with a colour more brown than red. It was good though not as good as the first two. Despite its name, this is not a lager. The bar also sells Brooklyn IPA, which the barmaid said was the best seller, which probably explains why it was sold out. Dream Hollywood, 777 Shiquan Street This is another upstairs bar, but with live rock music. It has Paulaner wheat beer light and dark on draught. This oddly comes from the Paulaner brewpub in nearby Shanghai, rather than the one in Suzhou, apparently for contractual reasons. The Bookworm, 77 Gun Xiu Fang The Bookworm is a cosy combined bar, library and bookshop just off Shiquan Street. There is also a pleasant outdoor seating area. The menu had a range of western and eastern foods, and beer. On draught are Sapporo from Japan, Tiger, Carlsberg and Guinness, and the bottles range from Erdinger and Hoegarden to Newcastle Brown and Boddingtons. Books are brought from the shelves around the premises to the bar to be purchased and the barman packs them and will add the cost to your drink tab if you are staying. HB Hofbrau Bar, 50 Ligongdi Road This is the second of the German Hofbrau chain in China and the beer is brewed at the first in Jiangyin. They sell the lager, weisse and dunkel. Kurukshetra, Northern India The Place Where Krishna Taught Karmayoga (Action Without Desire) Jan 24, 2010 Raj Kaushik From the looks of it, Kurukshetra looks like any other sleepy, dusty and nondescript town of Haryana, a state in Northern India. But driving down about 12 kilometres to Jyotisar, a village next to a lake to the west of Kurukshetra will reveal as to why Kurukshetra is placed so high in the annals of Indian history. Jyotisar is the place where Lord Krishna was believed to have told Bhagvad-Gita to the great archer and Mahabharata warrior Arjuna after the latter expressed his inability to wage a war against his cousin brothers. There is a plinth at the entrance of Jyotisar with a small lake tucked under on its left. A white marble gate leads to the plinth. There are locked tiny little rooms on the right of the gate where images of Mahabharata characters are resting. One of these rooms houses Shiva, the destroyer God from Hindu pantheon. Next to the Shiva temple stands a banyan tree with a platform built around it where a replica of Arjuna’s chariot is placed. The tree is supposed to be an offshoot of the original banyan under which Krishna spoke Gita to Arjuna. Its overhanging branches and thick wrinkled trunk have red threads tied all over. The devotees of Lord Krishna believe that tying of the thread on the tree will help them realize their most cherished wish. Although there are visitors at the sight during anytime of the day and evening but on festivals associated with Lord Krishna and solar eclipse it is packed with huge crowds. In evening, a light and sound show is organized at the spot to tell stories from Mahabharata. Around a kilometre before Jyotisar is located another village called Narkatari where Bhishma, the grand sire of Pandavas and Kauravas, was supposed to have breathed his last after having been nailed by arrows fired by Arjuna, his grandson. A large image of Bhishma is placed in a deep well connected with descending steps. The well is located in the forelawn of a temple dedicated to Bhisma. There is a Panorama and Science Centre where animation films on different episodes of Mahabharata war are screened during the day for visitors. There is also a museum – called Srikrishna museum - housing artifacts and paintings related to Mahabharata and Lord Krishna. Land of Lakes & Temples Kurukshetra is a town dotted with temples dedicated to different Hindu deities. It is also a land of water bodies with several ancient and sacred lakes – Sannihit and Brahma Sarovars – situated here. In prehistoric times, the town was supposed to have hosted the original confluence (now it is located at Allahabad) of three rivers which dried up over the years. Besides the places associated with Mahabharata war and Krishna, Kurukshetra is replete with other historical monuments. Harshvardhan, who ruled over large parts of India in 606 AD, had his capital at Thanesar, the twin town of Kurukshetra. During its excavations, carried out on a mound at Thanesar in the past, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered pottery, terracotta figurines and other structures from the Harshvardhan period. The archaeologists also found skeletons, wells and a water channel as evidence of the glorious past. The city also houses a beautiful tomb associated with Abd-ur-Karim alias Sheikh Chilli, the famous saint and day dreamer who was believed to be the spiritual guru of Mughal Prince Dara Sikoh (1650 AD). Mahabharata: The epic war originally written in Sanskrit was said to have been fought between cousins Kauravas and Pandavas, descendants of Kuru, a king of Kurukshetra, sometime around 950 Before Christ Era (BCE) over the kingdom of Hanstinapur. Krishna drove Arjuna’s chariot during the war where Pandavas were victorious.Gita, the treatise on Karmayoga (work with a detached mind), is a most popular part of the epic. How to Reach Kurukshetra: The nearest airports are at Chandigarh and New Delhi. The city is well connected with a number of inter-state trains having a stopover here. You also have the option of traveling by a bus or a taxi. Kurukshetra is around 160 kilometres from Delhi. When to Visit: It would be better to visit the city in October or March months when it enjoys a moderate climate. Where to Stay: Being a religious centre, Haryana state government has set up a number of tourist guest houses in Kurukshetra. The city also has a few hotels and good number of inexpensive lodges.

Tags: bar, beer, kurukshetra, krishna, bottle

Ajanta Caves near Aurangabad, India Jan 31, 2010 Shanti Mahadevan Ajanta Caves are one of the most magnificent Buddhist caves and are situated at a distance of approximately 100 km from Aurangabad and 40 km from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra State, India. Since 1983, Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s greatest historical monument. Most visitors explore the Ajanta Caves in conjunction with Ellora Caves that is nearby. History of Ajanta Caves Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples and were carved in the 2nd century out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. In ancient times each cave was accessed from the riverfront. Now a terraced path connects the caves. These caves are numbered from east to west from 1 through 29. Of these 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas (prayer halls) and the rest are viharas (monasteries). The aim behind the construction of Ajanta Caves was to provide a shelter and praying place for Buddhist monks who were spreading the principles of Buddhism in the world. Rediscovery of Ajanta Caves A viewing platform across the Waghora River provides an excellent view of Ajanta Caves. The area is beautiful and this was why the Buddhist monks chose this site for their spiritual pursuits. They used the caves as prayer halls and monasteries for nine centuries. Thus these caves that were excavated around 200 BC were abruptly abandoned and fell into oblivion in 650 AD in favor of Ellora, until they were rediscovered by a British tiger-hunting party in 1819. Some British soldiers were out hunting in the Deccan Plateau , and one of them saw a horseshoe rock from a height. The cave’s entrance increased his curiosity and thus the hunting party ventured across the ravine of the Waghur River. They discovered the caves against which were bush, earth, shrubs and stones. They informed the Government about their finding and the archaeologists began to excavate them. Of the 29 caves, five were temples and 24 were monasteries and supposed to have been occupied by some 200 monks and artisans. All the rock-cut caves had paintings right from 2nd century BC on ceilings, inner walls and verandahs, and they are some of the most beautiful masterpieces of world art. The caves have also been found to be ornamented with scenes that depict semi-mythological history. Some are based on Greek and Roman compositions. Some others resemble Chinese style. But however, the majority of them are based on Indian style. The paintings show heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. Paintings in The Dark Caves of Ajanta It was believed that the Buddhist monks painted and sculpted in Ajanta caves . Perhaps the Hindu craftsmen of the lower caste had accepted Buddhism. They scooped caves from the 1st century A.D. and evolved practical ways of working in the dark. The torch stick was smeared with vegetable oil and used for lighting. This apart large mirrors were used to reflect sunlight in to the caves whose walls were prepared for painting. How Paints Were Made The colors used in the wall paintings were made from pebbles and vegetables found on hillside. Different colors of pebbles were crushed, ground and mixed with glue. And the main colors used were ochre, yellow ochre, brown ochre, black, white, lapis lazuli (blue) and red. Green was made by mixing lapis lazuli with Indian yellow ochre. Technique of the Indian Wall Painting The Indian wall painting in Ajanta Caves was a layer of clay mixed with cow dung and powdered rice hunk which was first applied to the chipped rock surface. When dry, a second coat of lime plaster was applied with a trowel. The lines were then drawn in pink, brown or black colors filled with big brushes made from the hair of squirrels’ tail. Why Ajanta Caves Were Scooped in the Deccan Plateau? Expert scholars, learned men, pilgrims, and tourists from the world have visited the Ajanta Caves. And in unison every one wondered why the caves were scooped out on this horseshoe rock in the middle of the Deccan Plateau. Late Prof. D.D. Kosambi who was a great scholar suggested that all the caves in the Western Ghats from Shudhaghar through Karla to Ajanta are located on the crests of an ancient trade route - from Arabian Sea in to the Deccan. This may be one of the reasons for the carving in the Ajanta rocks as there were Mandis or trade centers of Deogiri and Jalgaon nearby. The second reason may be the texture of the granite rock which was in layers. This could be easily cut with what-ever instruments were available to the craftsman at that time. The third reason is that Buddhist monks preferred to live in seclusion. But they went for alms to villages, towns and trade centers, and always returned to the ravines and gorges to be away from the crowds.It is best to view the caves in the reverse to avoid crowds. Timings Timings are from 9.00a.m. to 5.30p.m. (IST). Closed on all Mondays. Getting There By Air: Aurangabad is the nearest airport for Ajanta Caves and can be reached from New Delhi and Mumbai. By Rail : Jalgaon is the nearest railway station is Jalgaon and connects to many cities in India. From Jalgaon, one can take a taxi to Ajanta. By Road: Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at Aurangabad airport and Jalgaon railway station. Chandigarh -- The City Beautiful The First Planned City of India is dotted with Gardens, Boulevards Jan 27, 2010 Raj Kaushik The best thing about Chandigarh, arguably the only planned city in India, is that it is different from other Indian cities which are developed haphazardly with slums and encroachments jutting out every here and there. Bounded by rivulets on its two sides, Chandigarh is nestled in the foothills of Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It has an aesthetic landscape where nature seems to blend with the man-made buildings and infrastructure. There are trees planted along all avenues with boulevards snaking under the plantation. The boulevards separate the roads from the clusters of identical two-storied flats. The flats are built around large parks to provide clean environs to the residents. Chandigarh – City of Gardens There are gardens all around rendering sobriquet of ‘city of gardens’ to Chandigarh. There are two Botanical Gardens in the city and a third one is under development. The first is located between Sukhna Lake, a man-made lake which boasts of the longest channel for rowing in Asia (it was venue for an Asian Rowing Championship) and Rock Garden where figurines created out of waste are a major attraction. The other garden is located in Punjab University. The gardens are set up to promote research, education and awareness about floral heritage among the citizens of Chandigarh. The third, being developed, is spread into 176 acres of land and will have 15 botanical sections. There is a Medicinal Garden where 75 varieties of medicinal trees jostle for space with 55 species of therapeutic shrubs. The garden is spread in over 40 acres of land. The city boasts of a Bamboo Valley where trees of silver oak and mango share space with other flora. National Mission of Bamboo Application (NMBA) of India has set up some bamboo structures in the valley to promote use of bamboo in the construction industry. Rose Garden of Asia Chandigarh hosts the largest Rose Garden of Asia where 17,000 plants representing some 1600 varieties of roses have been planted. The garden celebrates a ‘festival of gardens’ around Valentine’s Day every year. Besides these, the city also has a Terraced Garden, a Topiary Park where animal figures are created out of bushes and creepers, a Hibiscus Garden and a Garden of Fragrance where different aromatic plants flourish. Poetry on Rocks But the biggest attraction in the city is Rock Garden where shapes of animals, birds, men and women are placed on slopes built from cement slurry, clinker and broken crockery. The shapes created out of shards of bicycles, tricycles, pottery, electric molds, bangles, glass, sanitary fittings, steel scrap and hundreds of other waste materials stand in different postures depicting different facets of life. There are bands of musicians holding flute, drum and other instruments. There are followers of Backus, the God of wine, pouring drinks into their glasses. And there are rural women walking with multiple water pots balanced on their heads. The human, animal figures and fossil images in the Garden show how life finds its replication in nature. Developed by Nek Chand, a former Road Inspector of Public Works Department (PWD), the Garden is divided into three phases. Besides the figures, the Garden proudly showcases cascading falls, high fortresses and majestic gorges. Nek Chand (86) has created similar Gardens in many other countries including United States of America and Germany. Apart from the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, a 3 kilometre long artificial water body which was created by Corbusier out of a seasonal stream and Sukhna sanctuary are major sources of attraction in Chandigarh. Hundreds of people turn up at the lake to enjoy rowing sailing, kayaking, water skiing and yachting every day. The Sukhna sanctuary hosts exotic birds like Siberian duck, crane and storks. According to 2001 census, Chandigarh houses around one million people. Bounded by Panchkula (Haryana) and Mohali (Punjab), the city accommodates governments of Haryana and Punjab States. Besides being a Union Territory (UT), it is home to the UT administration. How to Reach Chandigarh: The city is around 240 kilometres from New Delhi and connected to it by an 8-lane national highway. The airport in Chandigarh, being integrated with upcoming Chandigarh International Airport, has flights connecting to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Jammu, Goa and Srinagar. When to visit: Chandigarh has a moderate climate and can be visited at any time of the year. Where to Stay: The city has good five star as well as budget hotels.

Tags: cave, garden, ajanta, chandigarh, city

Ajanta Caves near Aurangabad, India Jan 31, 2010 Shanti Mahadevan Ajanta Caves are one of the most magnificent Buddhist caves and are situated at a distance of approximately 100 km from Aurangabad and 40 km from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra State, India. Since 1983, Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s greatest historical monument. Most visitors explore the Ajanta Caves in conjunction with Ellora Caves that is nearby. History of Ajanta Caves Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples and were carved in the 2nd century out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. In ancient times each cave was accessed from the riverfront. Now a terraced path connects the caves. These caves are numbered from east to west from 1 through 29. Of these 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas (prayer halls) and the rest are viharas (monasteries). The aim behind the construction of Ajanta Caves was to provide a shelter and praying place for Buddhist monks who were spreading the principles of Buddhism in the world. Rediscovery of Ajanta Caves A viewing platform across the Waghora River provides an excellent view of Ajanta Caves. The area is beautiful and this was why the Buddhist monks chose this site for their spiritual pursuits. They used the caves as prayer halls and monasteries for nine centuries. Thus these caves that were excavated around 200 BC were abruptly abandoned and fell into oblivion in 650 AD in favor of Ellora, until they were rediscovered by a British tiger-hunting party in 1819. Some British soldiers were out hunting in the Deccan Plateau , and one of them saw a horseshoe rock from a height. The cave’s entrance increased his curiosity and thus the hunting party ventured across the ravine of the Waghur River. They discovered the caves against which were bush, earth, shrubs and stones. They informed the Government about their finding and the archaeologists began to excavate them. Of the 29 caves, five were temples and 24 were monasteries and supposed to have been occupied by some 200 monks and artisans. All the rock-cut caves had paintings right from 2nd century BC on ceilings, inner walls and verandahs, and they are some of the most beautiful masterpieces of world art. The caves have also been found to be ornamented with scenes that depict semi-mythological history. Some are based on Greek and Roman compositions. Some others resemble Chinese style. But however, the majority of them are based on Indian style. The paintings show heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. Paintings in The Dark Caves of Ajanta It was believed that the Buddhist monks painted and sculpted in Ajanta caves . Perhaps the Hindu craftsmen of the lower caste had accepted Buddhism. They scooped caves from the 1st century A.D. and evolved practical ways of working in the dark. The torch stick was smeared with vegetable oil and used for lighting. This apart large mirrors were used to reflect sunlight in to the caves whose walls were prepared for painting. How Paints Were Made The colors used in the wall paintings were made from pebbles and vegetables found on hillside. Different colors of pebbles were crushed, ground and mixed with glue. And the main colors used were ochre, yellow ochre, brown ochre, black, white, lapis lazuli (blue) and red. Green was made by mixing lapis lazuli with Indian yellow ochre. Technique of the Indian Wall Painting The Indian wall painting in Ajanta Caves was a layer of clay mixed with cow dung and powdered rice hunk which was first applied to the chipped rock surface. When dry, a second coat of lime plaster was applied with a trowel. The lines were then drawn in pink, brown or black colors filled with big brushes made from the hair of squirrels’ tail. Why Ajanta Caves Were Scooped in the Deccan Plateau? Expert scholars, learned men, pilgrims, and tourists from the world have visited the Ajanta Caves. And in unison every one wondered why the caves were scooped out on this horseshoe rock in the middle of the Deccan Plateau. Late Prof. D.D. Kosambi who was a great scholar suggested that all the caves in the Western Ghats from Shudhaghar through Karla to Ajanta are located on the crests of an ancient trade route - from Arabian Sea in to the Deccan. This may be one of the reasons for the carving in the Ajanta rocks as there were Mandis or trade centers of Deogiri and Jalgaon nearby. The second reason may be the texture of the granite rock which was in layers. This could be easily cut with what-ever instruments were available to the craftsman at that time. The third reason is that Buddhist monks preferred to live in seclusion. But they went for alms to villages, towns and trade centers, and always returned to the ravines and gorges to be away from the crowds.It is best to view the caves in the reverse to avoid crowds. Timings Timings are from 9.00a.m. to 5.30p.m. (IST). Closed on all Mondays. Getting There By Air: Aurangabad is the nearest airport for Ajanta Caves and can be reached from New Delhi and Mumbai. By Rail : Jalgaon is the nearest railway station is Jalgaon and connects to many cities in India. From Jalgaon, one can take a taxi to Ajanta. By Road: Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at Aurangabad airport and Jalgaon railway station. Chandigarh -- The City Beautiful The First Planned City of India is dotted with Gardens, Boulevards Jan 27, 2010 Raj Kaushik The best thing about Chandigarh, arguably the only planned city in India, is that it is different from other Indian cities which are developed haphazardly with slums and encroachments jutting out every here and there. Bounded by rivulets on its two sides, Chandigarh is nestled in the foothills of Shivalik range of the Himalayas. It has an aesthetic landscape where nature seems to blend with the man-made buildings and infrastructure. There are trees planted along all avenues with boulevards snaking under the plantation. The boulevards separate the roads from the clusters of identical two-storied flats. The flats are built around large parks to provide clean environs to the residents. Chandigarh – City of Gardens There are gardens all around rendering sobriquet of ‘city of gardens’ to Chandigarh. There are two Botanical Gardens in the city and a third one is under development. The first is located between Sukhna Lake, a man-made lake which boasts of the longest channel for rowing in Asia (it was venue for an Asian Rowing Championship) and Rock Garden where figurines created out of waste are a major attraction. The other garden is located in Punjab University. The gardens are set up to promote research, education and awareness about floral heritage among the citizens of Chandigarh. The third, being developed, is spread into 176 acres of land and will have 15 botanical sections. There is a Medicinal Garden where 75 varieties of medicinal trees jostle for space with 55 species of therapeutic shrubs. The garden is spread in over 40 acres of land. The city boasts of a Bamboo Valley where trees of silver oak and mango share space with other flora. National Mission of Bamboo Application (NMBA) of India has set up some bamboo structures in the valley to promote use of bamboo in the construction industry. Rose Garden of Asia Chandigarh hosts the largest Rose Garden of Asia where 17,000 plants representing some 1600 varieties of roses have been planted. The garden celebrates a ‘festival of gardens’ around Valentine’s Day every year. Besides these, the city also has a Terraced Garden, a Topiary Park where animal figures are created out of bushes and creepers, a Hibiscus Garden and a Garden of Fragrance where different aromatic plants flourish. Poetry on Rocks But the biggest attraction in the city is Rock Garden where shapes of animals, birds, men and women are placed on slopes built from cement slurry, clinker and broken crockery. The shapes created out of shards of bicycles, tricycles, pottery, electric molds, bangles, glass, sanitary fittings, steel scrap and hundreds of other waste materials stand in different postures depicting different facets of life. There are bands of musicians holding flute, drum and other instruments. There are followers of Backus, the God of wine, pouring drinks into their glasses. And there are rural women walking with multiple water pots balanced on their heads. The human, animal figures and fossil images in the Garden show how life finds its replication in nature. Developed by Nek Chand, a former Road Inspector of Public Works Department (PWD), the Garden is divided into three phases. Besides the figures, the Garden proudly showcases cascading falls, high fortresses and majestic gorges. Nek Chand (86) has created similar Gardens in many other countries including United States of America and Germany. Apart from the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, a 3 kilometre long artificial water body which was created by Corbusier out of a seasonal stream and Sukhna sanctuary are major sources of attraction in Chandigarh. Hundreds of people turn up at the lake to enjoy rowing sailing, kayaking, water skiing and yachting every day. The Sukhna sanctuary hosts exotic birds like Siberian duck, crane and storks. According to 2001 census, Chandigarh houses around one million people. Bounded by Panchkula (Haryana) and Mohali (Punjab), the city accommodates governments of Haryana and Punjab States. Besides being a Union Territory (UT), it is home to the UT administration. How to Reach Chandigarh: The city is around 240 kilometres from New Delhi and connected to it by an 8-lane national highway. The airport in Chandigarh, being integrated with upcoming Chandigarh International Airport, has flights connecting to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Jammu, Goa and Srinagar. When to visit: Chandigarh has a moderate climate and can be visited at any time of the year. Where to Stay: The city has good five star as well as budget hotels.

Tags: cave, garden, ajanta, chandigarh, city

The Place Where Krishna Taught Karmayoga (Action Without Desire) Jan 24, 2010 Raj Kaushik From the looks of it, Kurukshetra looks like any other sleepy, dusty and nondescript town of Haryana, a state in Northern India. But driving down about 12 kilometres to Jyotisar, a village next to a lake to the west of Kurukshetra will reveal as to why Kurukshetra is placed so high in the annals of Indian history. Jyotisar is the place where Lord Krishna was believed to have told Bhagvad-Gita to the great archer and Mahabharata warrior Arjuna after the latter expressed his inability to wage a war against his cousin brothers. There is a plinth at the entrance of Jyotisar with a small lake tucked under on its left. A white marble gate leads to the plinth. There are locked tiny little rooms on the right of the gate where images of Mahabharata characters are resting. One of these rooms houses Shiva, the destroyer God from Hindu pantheon. Next to the Shiva temple stands a banyan tree with a platform built around it where a replica of Arjuna’s chariot is placed. The tree is supposed to be an offshoot of the original banyan under which Krishna spoke Gita to Arjuna. Its overhanging branches and thick wrinkled trunk have red threads tied all over. The devotees of Lord Krishna believe that tying of the thread on the tree will help them realize their most cherished wish. Although there are visitors at the sight during anytime of the day and evening but on festivals associated with Lord Krishna and solar eclipse it is packed with huge crowds. In evening, a light and sound show is organized at the spot to tell stories from Mahabharata. Around a kilometre before Jyotisar is located another village called Narkatari where Bhishma, the grand sire of Pandavas and Kauravas, was supposed to have breathed his last after having been nailed by arrows fired by Arjuna, his grandson. A large image of Bhishma is placed in a deep well connected with descending steps. The well is located in the forelawn of a temple dedicated to Bhisma. There is a Panorama and Science Centre where animation films on different episodes of Mahabharata war are screened during the day for visitors. There is also a museum – called Srikrishna museum - housing artifacts and paintings related to Mahabharata and Lord Krishna. Land of Lakes & Temples Kurukshetra is a town dotted with temples dedicated to different Hindu deities. It is also a land of water bodies with several ancient and sacred lakes – Sannihit and Brahma Sarovars – situated here. In prehistoric times, the town was supposed to have hosted the original confluence (now it is located at Allahabad) of three rivers which dried up over the years. Besides the places associated with Mahabharata war and Krishna, Kurukshetra is replete with other historical monuments. Harshvardhan, who ruled over large parts of India in 606 AD, had his capital at Thanesar, the twin town of Kurukshetra. During its excavations, carried out on a mound at Thanesar in the past, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered pottery, terracotta figurines and other structures from the Harshvardhan period. The archaeologists also found skeletons, wells and a water channel as evidence of the glorious past. The city also houses a beautiful tomb associated with Abd-ur-Karim alias Sheikh Chilli, the famous saint and day dreamer who was believed to be the spiritual guru of Mughal Prince Dara Sikoh (1650 AD). Mahabharata: The epic war originally written in Sanskrit was said to have been fought between cousins Kauravas and Pandavas, descendants of Kuru, a king of Kurukshetra, sometime around 950 Before Christ Era (BCE) over the kingdom of Hanstinapur. Krishna drove Arjuna’s chariot during the war where Pandavas were victorious.Gita, the treatise on Karmayoga (work with a detached mind), is a most popular part of the epic. How to Reach Kurukshetra: The nearest airports are at Chandigarh and New Delhi. The city is well connected with a number of inter-state trains having a stopover here. You also have the option of traveling by a bus or a taxi. Kurukshetra is around 160 kilometres from Delhi. When to Visit: It would be better to visit the city in October or March months when it enjoys a moderate climate. Where to Stay: Being a religious centre, Haryana state government has set up a number of tourist guest houses in Kurukshetra. The city also has a few hotels and good number of inexpensive lodges. Visiting Hong Kong Interesting and Inexpensive Things to do for Tourists on a Budget Jan 20, 2010 Elaine Pounder Take a Hong Kong Island Tram Ride At just HK$2 per adult and HK$1 per child this has to be the best value ride in HK. Seats upstairs provide the best views, and the sights and sounds of Hong Kong can be enjoyed because the trams travel at speeds conducive to sightseeing. However, this is not a recommended ride to take during rush hour! Ride the Star Ferry Ferries carry thousands of passengers from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and back again every day! The most popular route links Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) and Central (Hong Kong Island). Ferries run from 6.30 a.m. – 11.30 p.m. and with waiting time of no more than 12 minutes, it’s very convenient! Travelling first class (upstairs) is not only inexpensive, but it provides the best views of the harbour too! Shop at the Night Markets The street markets come alive in the evening as stalls and vendors turn streets into vibrant, colourful marketplaces where tourists and locals jostle together for bargains! They also provide visitors with opportunities to test their bartering skills and dine on fast food from one of the many Dai Pai Dong’s (street vendors) offering inexpensive Chinese cuisine. Two of the most famous markets are known as the Ladies' Night Market and the Men's Night Market. The Ladies' Night Market is located on Tung Choi Street, Kowloon and can be found by taking the MTR (Mass Transit Railway - underground) to Mong Kok Station and following the signs to Tung Choi Street. T he Men's night market is located on Temple Street in Kowloon and is also within walking distance of the MTR (Jordan Station). Take Exit A and turn right into Jordan Road; walk three blocks and then turn right into Temple Street. Travel to Victoria Peak on the Peak Tram Open top buses run frequently from the Star Ferry in Central to the Peak Tram Station in Garden Road. The tram is a must for any visitor wishing to get a spectacular bird’s eye view of Hong Kong! Besides providing amazing views of Hong Kong, it also provides access to the tram’s historical museum, the Peak Tower Shops, the Sky Terrace, and for the energetic, a trail around Victoria Peak that takes approximately 1 hour to walk. For those unable to cope with the near vertical tram ride, buses, mini-buses and taxis provide an alternative form of transport. The number 15 bus and number 1 mini bus run to the Peak from Central and the 15B bus runs from Causeway Bay Visit Yuen Po Street Bird Market In this Chinese garden, open from 7 a.m. – 8.00 p.m., visitors can wander and enjoy the sights and sounds coming from over 70 stalls selling songbirds, living bait and ornately created bird cages. A unique experience and one that can be extended, if time permits, as the flower market and the goldfish market can both be found on the doorstep. The bird market can be accessed by taking exit B1 at Prince Edward MTR station and walking east along Prince Edward Road West. Watch the Firing of the Noon Day Gun The gun, which was immortalised in Noel Coward's song ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’ is fired every day at noon. It is located by the harbour on Gloucester Road in Causeway Bay. It can be accessed by walking to the Excelsior Hotel from Causeway Bay MTR station (Exit D1) and entering the tunnel in front of the World Trade Centre. Visitors to Hong Kong often receive tourist packs on arrival at the airport, but there are four tourist information centres. One is located in the International Airport at Buffer Halls A & B on the Arrivals Level at Terminal 1. Another can be found in Lo Wu in the Arrival Hall, located on the 2/F of the Lo Wu Terminal Building. On Hong Kong Island, a centre can be found at The Peak Plaza between The Peak Tower and The Peak Galleria, whilst in Kowloon, a tourist information centre can be found at the Star Ferry Concourse in Tsim Sha Tsui. However, the tourist information centre provides an excellent website for visitors to explore. It is therefore advisable to visit their website during the planning stage to get the most out of a visit to Hong Kong.

Tags: market, kurukshetra, kong, hong, peak

Agra Fort of Agra City, Uttar Pradesh, India Jan 6, 2010 Shanti Mahadevan Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh, India . Situated on the right bank of River Yamuna, this fort is about 2.5 km northwest of Taj Mahal and quite near the Agra Cantonment Station area. The fort’s colossal double walls rise 20 m in height and measure 2.5 kilometers in circumference. Encircled by a moat, this red sandstone fort was the residence of three Mughal emperors – Akbar, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. They made significant structural contributions and changes to this complex. The initial structures of the fort were built by Akbar, and later taken over by his grandson Shah Jahan, who added most of the marble creations. History of Agra Fort Agra Fort was originally a brick fort and the Chauhan Rajputs held it. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted from Delhi to Agra and lived in the fort. He governed the country from here. When he died in 1517, his son Ibrahim Lodi held the fort for nine years. He was defeated and killed in the battle of Panipat in 1526. During his period, he built several palaces, wells and a mosque in the fort. When Babur sent his son Humayun to Agra, he captured Agra Fort and seized a vast treasure which included the world famous Koh-I-Noor diamond. Humayun was coronated here in 1530. Agra's heyday came with the reign of Humayun's son, Akbar. Akbar decided to make it his capital. He renovated the fort with red sandstone. Its foundation was laid and it was built with bricks in the inner core, and with sandstone on external surfaces. Some 1,444,000 builders worked on it for almost eight years and completed the fort in 1573. When Shah Jahan (Akbar’s grandson) reigned, the site took on its current state. Legend has it that he built Taj Mahal for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. He destroyed some of the earlier buildings inside the fort in order to make his own. All his buildings were made of white marble and inlaid with gold and semi-precious gems. During his last days, he was imprisoned in the fort by his son, Aurangzeb. It is rumored that Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony having a view of the Taj Mahal. Layout of Agra Fort The Agra Fort has a semi-circular plan and had initially four gates. Now there are only two gates - the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate. The Delhi Gate is considered the grandest and leads into an inner gate called the Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate. A draw-bridge and a crooked entrance make it impregnable. The Indian military still uses the northern part of the Agra Fort, hence the Delhi Gate is not allowed for use by the public. They use the Lahore Gate. The Lahore Gate is so named as it faces Lahore. It was renamed Amar Singh Gate by the British. It is similar to the Delhi Gate, both being made of red sandstone. Sites and Structures within Agra Fort Inside the Agra Fort are sites and structures : Anguri Bagh (Grape Garden) – a 85 square, geometrically arranged garden. Shah Jahani Mahal – was Shah Jahan’s first attempt at modification of the red sandstone palace. Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) - was used to address people and listen to petitioners. It once housed the Peacock Throne. Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) - was used to receive kings and dignitaries. It features black throne of Jahangir. Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) – was a royal dressing room featuring tiny mirror-like glass-mosaic decorations on the walls. Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque) – a private mosque used by mujahara. Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) – a mosque built for use only by members of royal court. Nagina Masjid (Gem Mosque) – a mosque designed for the ladies of the court. Jahangiri Mahal – was built by Akbar for his son, Jahangir. Musamman Burj - a large, octagonal tower with a balcony facing the Taj Mahal. Khas Mahal – a white marble palace, one of the best examples of painting on white marble. Zenana Mina Bazaar (Ladies Bazaar) – was right next to the balcony where female merchants sold wares. Macchi Bhawan (Fish Enclosure) – a grand enclosure for harem functions which once had pools and fountains. Entrance Fee: Indian citizens - Rs. 10/- per head (children up to 15 years free) Others: US $ 5. Visiting Time: Anytime from sunrise to sunset. Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year,. How to Reach: Hire a cab or Auto from the hotel. A Traveller's Guide to Manali, Himachal Pradesh Discover the Himalayas in Manali, India’s Famous Hill Station Jan 5, 2010 Satu Susanna Rommi Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Manali is one of North India’s best known hill stations and attracts both foreign visitors and domestic holidaymakers. It has for long been a favourite with international backpackers and is also a popular destination for Indian tourists on honeymoons and family holidays. Things to Do in and Around Manali Manali attracts visitors with stunning mountain views and opportunities for trekking, rafting, paragliding, mountaineering and mountain biking. Manali is a good base for exploring the beautiful Kullu and Parvati Valleys and a starting point for travel to the more remote areas in Ladakh , Lahaul and Spiti. The nearby Rohtang La, a 3978 m high mountain pass, is a popular daytrip destination especially amongst Indian visitors. Finding Accommodation in Manali The modern town centre, New Manali, is filled with new hotels, shops, markets and other businesses and services. Domestic tourists tend to stay in the hotels in New Manali, but most backpackers head to Old Manali or nearby Vashist. Both Old Manali and Vashist offer a choice of cheap guesthouses, restaurants that serve Western food, bakeries, Internet cafes, travel agents and other services designed for the international backpacker market, but in a less hectic environment than the busy town centre. Travelling To and From Manali Daily government buses travel from Delhi to Manali via Chandigarh, and travel agents in Delhi’s Pahar Ganj backpacker area arrange private bus services to Manali. There are regular buses from Manali to Kullu for exploring the Kullu Valley and bus connections to the Parvati Valley via Bhuntar. Public and private buses connect Manali to Leh in Ladakh between June and October and take two days to complete the hair-raising journey, with an overnight stop in Keylong or in Sarchu. There are also buses to the Spiti Valley, to Shimla and to Dharamsala. Many visitors rent a motorbike to explore Manali and its surroundings. Manali has several motorbike workshops and other places to buy or rent bikes, but read these tips before renting or buying a motorbike in India. The Best Times to Visit Manali The best time to visit Manali is from March to June, when the rest of India suffers from intense summer heat but the mountain climate in Manali, at 2050 m altitude, remains cool and pleasant. The monsoon brings heavy rain in July and August. The summer months from April to June are the busiest times in Manali, and another high season is around September and October after the monsoon. Winter brings snow and skiing opportunities, and extremely cold weather. Some guesthouses in Manali close for the winter season.

Tags: fort, manali, agra, gate, mahal