Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Varanasi, also known as Benaras and Kashi, is a major city in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga, the city has great religious significance for the Hindus. Varanasi is home to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It enshrines one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Shiva. It is said that this temple was rebuilt several times. The latest structure standing here dates back to the 18th century. Thousands of Pilgrims converge here to perform an abhishekam to the sacred Jyotirlingam, with water from the Ganga.

Beside its religious significance, the temple is also an architectural marvel. The magnificent edifice offers a breathtaking view to the onlooker. It is said that once Lord Shiva came in the dream of Rani Ahalya Bai Holkar of Indore. She, being a devotee of Lord Shiva, got the current temple built in 1777.

Vishwanath Khanda, also referred to as the Old City is located at the heart of Varanasi, between Dashashwamedha Ghat and Godaulia to the south and west and Manikarnika Ghat on the river to the north. The whole area rewards exploration, with numerous shrines and lingams tucked into every corner, and is buzzing with the activity of pilgrims, pandas and stalls selling offerings to the devotees.

Approached through a maze of narrow alleys and the Vishwanath Gali (or Lane), the temple complex of Vishwanath or Visheshwara, the "Lord of All", is popularly known as the Golden Temple, due to the massive gold plating on its shikhara (spire). Inside the compound, which is hidden behind a wall, and entered through an unassuming doorway, is one of India's most important shivalingams, made of smooth black stone and seated in a solid silver plinth. The shrines of the wrathful protectors Mahakala and Dandapani, and the lingam of Avimukteshvara are also situated within the temple complex.

Pilgrims offer their sankalpa or statement of intent here, before commencing the Panchatirthi Yatra. Slightly north, across the main road, the thirteenth-century Razia's Mosque stands atop the ruins of a still earlier Vishwanatha temple.

Varanasi is said to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga, the fiery pillar of light by which Shiva manifested his supremacy over other gods, broke through the earth's crust and flared towards the heavens. More than the Ghats and even the Ganga, the Shivalinga installed in the temple remain the devotional focus of Varanasi.

A visit to Darjeeling

The town of Darjeeling is the headquarters of the district; it is known as the Queen of the Hills and is most famous for its fine, delicate tea. Some of the Beautiful places to visit when you tour Darjeeling.

Tiger hill

Situated at an altitude of 2590 meters (8482 ft.) and 13 kilometers from the town, this spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over the "Kanchanjunga" and the great eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here. The hesitant rays of the early morning sun paint these peaks in pale gold.

Batasia loop and A War Memorial

The Batasia loop situated almost 5 km away from the town is a gigantic railway loop where the Toy Train makes a 360 Degree turn. It was basically built to make it possible for the Toy Train to cut the deep ascend. Strategically located the Batasia Loop offers a panoramic view of the Kanchanjunga Range. A War Memorial constructed in the memory of the brave sons of the soil who laid down their lives in the different wars since the independence of the nation adds to its attraction. There is also a well furbished market where visitors can buy locally made purses, bags and other decorative items.

Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park
Situated 10 km from town, Rock Garden and Ganga Maya Park has now developed into a very attractive picnic spot with natural water falls. The park offers boating facilities and is endowed with great scenic beauty. Ample eateries are available for visitors to indulge in local delicacies and one can even buy souvenirs. No fees are charged for taking photographs. Visitors are however, required to make arrangements for transportation. A two way travel arrangement is advisable.


Happy Valley tea garden
Happy Valley tea garden is located just a kilometer away from the main town and is situated along 18 Lebong Cart Road (very near to the District Magistrate's Office) and offers tourist a refreshing ambience far from the otherwise noisy town. One can soak in the ambience of the tea garden and take a walk through the carpeted garden. You can take a pony from the Chowrasta or merely walk down the hill to reach the factory. The garden is presently closed but the residents are running it through a cooperative.

Dhirdham temple
Dhirdham temple is modelled on the lines of the famous Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu and was built in 1939. It is a minute's walk from the Darjeeling Railway Station.

Nightingale Park/Srubbery Park
It is about 2-5 kms from Darjeeling Railway Station and walkable from the Chowrasta. It is a beautiful park with a package of cultural programmes performed daily during the tourist season and its opening time is 4.00 p.m. and closing time is 8.00 p.m. The park has recently been extensively re-developed, and now comprises of a giant Statue of Lord Shiva, a temple, and provisions for live-interactive entertainment. The best time to visit the park is in the evenings. Entrance fee is charged and nominal charges for photography may also be required to be made by the visitor.

Tips for a Healthy Family

The health of both women and children can be appreciably improved by spacing births at least two years apart, by avoiding pregnancies before the age of 18 and by limiting the total number of pregnancies to three or less. Some basic parenting tips are:

• To reduce the danger of childbearing, all pregnant women should go to a health worker for pre-natal care and all births should be assisted by a trained midwife.

• For the first few months of a baby's life, breast milk alone is the best possible food and drink. Infants need other foods, in addition to breast milk, when they are four to six months old.

• Children below three years have special feeding needs. They need to eat 5 to 6 times a day. Mashed vegetables and small amounts of fats or oils should be added to their food to enrich their diet.

• Diarrhea can kill by draining too much liquid from a child's body. So the liquid lost each time the child passes a watery stool must be replaced by giving the child plenty of the right liquids to drink- breast milk, home - based fluids such as dal water, rice water, butter milk or a special drink called Oral Rehydration Suspension (ORS).

• Immunization protects against several diseases, which can cause poor growth, disability, and death. All immunization should be completed in the first year of the child's life and a booster dose should be given at one and half years.

• Most coughs and colds will get better on their own. But if a child with a cough is breathing much more rapidly than normal then the child is seriously ill and it is essential to go to a health centre quickly. A child with a cough or cold should be helped to eat and to drink plenty of liquids.

• Many sicknesses are caused when microorganisms go into the mouth. This can be prevented by using correct latrines; by washing hands with soap and water after using the toilets and before handling food; by keeping food and water clean; and by boiling drinking water if it is not from a safe piped supply.

• Parents should keep an eye on the child's actions and also have knowledge about the instrument of all the toys with which it plays

You’re favorite color and your character

RED-strong
Red is associated with active, confident individuals who love attention and being in the focus. Those who love red live life to the fullest and are mulish and stiff in their endeavors.

PINK-soft
Pink is associated with kindness, softness and peaceful. Those who choose pink as their favorite color are often calm and are very sensitive and they concern about other feelings. Pink lovers are also generally sympathetic and kindhearted and dislike controversy of any kind.

GREEN-nature
Green lovers can guess things very easily and consider their status which is very important. If green is your favorite color, you may be expressive, thoughtful, aware of those around you and they love nature.

BLUE -calm
Blue is associated with quiet and settled. Those who choose blue as their favorite color you love harmony,are capable, reliable, sensitive, always make an effort to think of others and capable of handling things very easily.

PURPLE- royalty- spirituality
Purple is associated with royalty and nobility. Those who choose purple as their favorite color are believed to help people be creative and artistic and unique.

BLACK- artistic
Black is associated with sad things. People who choose black as their favorite color are often artistic,sensitive, and wealthy and are fashion.

BROWN-bold
Brown gives off a feeling of connection with the mother earth and all that is natural. Those who choose brown as their favorite are usually happy with what they have.

WHITE- cleanliness- innocence
White is associated with cleanliness, purity and innocence. People who like white are often well prepared and consistent and don't have a great deal of confusion, either tangible or emotional in their lives.

YELLOW - bright
Yellow is associated with good optimism and happiness. Those who love yellow are often imaginative, artistic, shared people who have vivid imaginations and are keen on creating new things.

ORANGE-sacred
Orange is associated with Thanksgiving, fall, spice, affection and orange is the only color named after an entity. This color is very rarely chosen.

Shilpa Getting Lamborghini From Fiance

Since 'Big Brother' a little more than two years ago, Shilpa Shetty has gone luckier with each passing day. The fame in the UK lead to the launch of her perfume, her production House. Especially meeting millionaire Raj Kundra has changed loads of things for her. Lucky girl this one

She is the proud owner of an IPL team now and is enjoying the attention showered on her and having a gala time cheering for her team Rajasthan Royals with Raj. She even met Matt Damon recently.

At the moment, Shilpa and fiance Raj are so immersed in work and entertainment that they are not willing to discuss marriage which too is likely to happen soon though. As of now she is set to get a sports car from Raj which she has been dreaming of.

Source: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/

Funny Prank

Gudi Padwa - A New Year Celebration

The Gudi Padwa festival marks the beginning of the Hindu new year in Goa. Also known as Sansar Padwa, it is considered one of the most auspicious days to start new business ventures. The Hindu calendar year begins with the onset of Vasant season (spring) in Chaitra.

In some parts of Goa, Shigmo festival concludes on the day of Gudi Padwa. Once many villages situated in the remote corner of the Sahyadri hills were involved in the performances of Ranmale, a popular form of folk drama. Besides, Sattari and Sanguem, villages from Karnataka and Maharashtra bordering these talukas have performances of the Ranmale during the 5-day celebration of the Shigmo or on the Gudi Padwa's night.

In various parts of Goa, the new year celebration is observed with various cultural performances on the previous day of Gudi Padwa. In Nanoda, Bicholim, a folk dance called ghodemodni is performed besides the performance of virbhadra.

In Gaondongri, unmarried youth from the Velip community take part in Dinya Jatra'. The carry a stick of dino (Leea indica) decorated with flowers.

ForMoreInfo: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Gudi-Padwa---A-new-year-celebration/articleshow/4320723.cms