Saturday, February 27, 2010

Amitabha Buddha meditating in Yoga posture

Amitabha (also known as Amida Buddha or Great Buddha), is the Buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahayana Buddhism. Amitabha is the principal Buddha in the Pure Land Buddhism (also referred to as Amidism), a branch of Mahayana Buddhism which is one of the most popular schools of Buddhism in East Asia, along with Zen Buddhism. According to the Mahayana scriptures, Amitabha possesses infinite merits resulting from good deeds over countless past lives as a bodhisattva named Dharmakāra. Amitabha is translatable as ‘Infinite Light,’ hence Amitābha is often called ‘The Buddha of Infinite Light.’

The bronze statue of Amida Buddha meditating in Padmasana Yoga posture is located in Kōtoku-in, a Buddhist temple of the Jōdo shū sect in the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The height of the statue is 13.35 meters and weighs approximately 93 tons. The statue is hollow, and visitors can view the interior of the statue for a small payment.

It is believed that the statue was originally cast in 1252, in the Kamakura period, as conceptualized by the priest Joko, and sculpted by One-Goroemon and Tanji-Hisatomo. The statue was built inside a wooden temple, but that building washed away in the tsunami of September 20th, 1498 during the Muromachi period. But the statue survived the tsunami. Since then the statue has been in the open air. Repairs were carried out in 1960-1961, when the neck was strengthened and precautionary steps were implemented to protect it from earthquakes.

Yoga, the traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, is associated with meditative practices in eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy. Buddhism yoga is associated with meditative methods. In Jainism it refers to the sum total of all activities; mental, verbal and physical.

Ancient expression of Yogic ideas can be found in the early sermons of the Lord Buddha. A key teaching of Buddha was that meditative absorption should be combined with the practice of mindfulness. Buddha taught meditative states alone are not an end and even the highest meditative state is not liberating. Instead of attaining a complete cessation of thought, some sort of mental activity must take place such as a liberating cognition based on the practice of mental awareness.

The Buddha also departed from earlier Yogic thought in discarding the early Brahminic notion of liberation at death. Liberation for the Brahminic Yogi was thought to be the realization at death of a non-dual meditative state anticipated in life. In fact, old Brahminic metaphors for the liberation at death of the yogic adept were given a new meaning by Buddha. Yoga is of much importance to many branches of Buddhism.

Yogachara Buddhism, also spelled Yogacara Buddhism, is a school of philosophy and psychology that developed in India during the 4th to 5th centuries. Yogacara received the name as it provided a Yogi a framework for engaging in the practices that lead to the path of the bodhisattva. The Yogacara sect teaches Yoga in order to reach enlightenment.

Ch'an Buddhism, also known as Seon or Zen: The name Zen derives from the Sanskrit word ‘dhyaana’ via the Chinese ‘ch'an’, and it is a form of Mahayana Buddhism noted for its proximity to Yoga. In the west, Zen is often set alongside Yoga. The two schools of meditation display familiar resemblances, and it merits special attention since the Zen Buddhist school of meditation has some of its roots in Yogic practices. Certain essential elements of Yoga are important both for Buddhism in general and for Zen in particular.

Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Yoga is central to Tibetan Buddhism. In the Nyingma tradition, the path of meditation is divided into nine Yanas, or vehicles. The last six are described as ‘Yoga Yanas’; Kriya Yoga, Upa Yoga, Yoga Yana, Mahā Yoga, Anu Yoga and Ati Yoga. The Sarma traditions also include Kriya, Upa (Charya) and Yoga, with the Anuttara Yoga class substituting for Mahayoga and Atiyoga.

Other Tantra Yoga practices include a system of 108 body postures practiced with breath and heart rhythm. The Nyingma tradition also practices Yantra Yoga (in Tibetan: Trul khor), a discipline which includes breath control (or Pranayama), meditative contemplation. The body postures of ancient Tibetan Yogis are depicted on the walls of the Dalai Lama's summer temple of Lukhang. An account of Tibetan Yoga by Chang (1993) refers to caṇḍalī (Tibetan: tummo), the generation of heat in one's own body, as being ‘the very foundation of the whole of Tibetan Yoga’. Chang also claims that Tibetan Yoga involves reconciliation of apparent polarities, such as Prana and mind, relating this to theoretical implications of Tantrism.

Resolution:‎ 1600 x 1075 pixels, file size; 184 KB, MIME type; image/jpeg. CLICK on the above photo to enlarge and download it. Full resolution of the original photo (not included here because of the huge size) is 3722 x 2501 pixels; 7.14 MB. Click here to send a request if you need the original for any genuine purpose.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Watercolor on paper: Radha and Krishna playing Holi

Image: 19th century opaque watercolor and gold on paper showing Radha and Krishna, along with Gopis playing Holi. Source: Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Gallery; Author: Anonymous.

In Vrindavan and Mathura (in Uttar Pradesh, India), where Lord Krishna grew up, Holi festival is celebrated for 16 days until Rangpanchmi in commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Lord Krishna is believed to have popularized the festival by playing pranks on the Gopis here. Krishna is believed to have complained to his mother about the contrast between his dark skin complexion and Radha's fair skin complexion. Upon this, Krishna's mother decided to apply colour to Radha's face. The celebrations usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.
Gopi is a word of Sanskrit language origin meaning 'cowherd girl'. In Hinduism the name Gopi (sometimes Gopika) is used more commonly to refer to cowherd girls popular in Vaishnava Theology for their unconditional devotion (Bhakti) to Krishna, as described Bhagavata Purana and other Puranic literatures.

My choice of top 10 cities to visit in USA

To top the list of my choice of top 10 cities to visit in the United States, here is my personal favorite city, Boston (a.k.a Boston MA). The city was the location of several major events during the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, according to Wikipedia. This historical connection has made Boston one of the ten most-popular tourist locations in the country. It is a major shipping port and manufacturing center, apart from evolving as an intellectual, technological, and political center. Being one of the oldest cities in the US, Boston is very compact, and prices of Boston apartments witnessed an increase since the 1990s. There are a number of ornate theatres here. It is home to many renowned performing arts organizations such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and a major center for contemporary classical music. There are also many events and festivals that make Boston a favorite destination for people interested in entertainment and performing arts.

New York City, the City That Never Sleeps, exerts a strong influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment, is located on a large natural harbor. The most adored landmark here, The Statue of Liberty, has been greeting millions of people from all over the world to this city of skyscrapers. New York City is also the birthplace of many cultural movements, including modern painting, music genres like hip hop, punk, salsa and disco; and is the home of Broadway Theater. It has the most visited city park in the United States, the Central Park, many public beaches, lakes, zoo, a wildlife sanctuary, natural woods, and many more attractions.

The Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas, famous for its casinos, hotels, resorts, fine living and dining, has become a popular setting for films and television programs. This is one such city that most people, including most famous celebrities of the world head to for unwinding themselves and relaxing.

Miami, a global city due to its importance in finance, commerce, culture, print media and entertainment, is an international center for popular entertainment in television, music, fashion, films and the performing arts. The Port of Miami is the number one cruise/passenger port in the world, has many nightclubs, bars, restaurants, bohemian shops, beaches, many parks and gardens to make a vacation to this city the most memorable.

Philadelphia, also known as Philly, is the centerpiece of early American history. It was the social and geographical center of the original 13 American colonies and an important center of the American Revolution and American Independence. Now with its numerous glass and granite skyscrapers, the city is a commercial, educational and cultural center. It has a wide range of architectural styles, with Philadelphia's architectural history dating back to Colonial times.

San Francisco, the financial, cultural and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, is a center of liberal activism in the United States and a popular international tourist destination famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, unique parks, cable cars, beaches and many more attractions. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the most visited destinations in the United States. San Francisco city is famous for an eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture.

New Orleans, located in southeastern Louisiana, straddling the Mississippi River, is well known for its French architecture, its cross cultural and multilingual heritage. One of the most visited cities in the United States, New Orleans, is famous for its cuisine, live music, boutique stores, flea markets, antique shopping, nightlife, and many celebrations and festivals. /p>

Seattle, a major economic, cultural and educational center, is famous for many fairs and festivals such as film festivals, seafaring events, art and music festivals, and ethnic festivals, galleries and museums, etc., and centers for recreation. Having experienced significant growth in the cruise industry, especially as a departure point for Alaska cruises, Seattle attracts very large number of cruise passengers.

Los Angeles (L.A.), a major global center of international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, technology and education, is the home of Hollywood, which is leading the world in the production of motion pictures, television production, interactive games and recorded music. Important landmarks to visit in Los Angeles include Walt Disney Concert Hall, Kodak Theatre, Griffith Observatory, Getty Center, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard, Capitol Records Tower, City Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Watts Towers and Staples Center.

Honolulu, is the capital of Hawaii, is the best place to start when planning a visit to Hawaii. Its natural beauty, tropical climate, beaches and active volcanoes are a major attraction for tourists, surfers, biologists and researchers. Some of the tourist attractions are Ala Moana, Aloha Tower, Bishop Museum, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Honolulu Academy of Arts, `Iolani Palace, Lyon Arboretum, USS Arizona Memorial, Waikiki Aquarium and Waikiki Beach.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

My choice of car interiors and dash kits

The interiors of your SUV, cars, trucks or other automobiles must essentially reflect your personal style statement. So to do up the interiors with a classy and colorful dash kit, the best place to shop for is CARiD.com that offers the best wood dash kits for most models. Additionally, you get dash kits in a very wide choice of genuine real wood veneers, synthetic woods, factory-match woods, real carbon fiber, and other materials and finishes and your favorite color schemes. They also come with a lifetime warranty.

In modern times most people are always on the move, commuting to work places, to meet business contacts, and going on occasional vacations to the most exotic of the locations on the globe. If all the distances traveled are categorized and classified, you can find that the maximum number of hours spent traveling is in each individual’s personal vehicles.

That means, as we like to be in plush interiors at homes, offices, hotels, etc., the car, SUV or truck that we use most often also needs to have equally attractive, stylish and functional interiors. Most people agree that the portion of the car interior that is most viewed and taken note of is the dash board. But I find that most vehicles, however, modern they may be, come with the same dash kit and other interiors. It otherwise means, trying to live up with the repetitive, dampening look of the automated factory-finish. The more popular your vehicle, the more the look is repeated to the extent of extreme boredom.

While sourcing for car accessories to reflect the style statement I wanted to make, what struck me the most is the modern styles, materials, comfort and a luxurious and aesthetic feel their car and automobile accessories ensured to today’s upscale customers.

Apart from the vast variety of choices, I like the fine finish and cozy looks of the real, right wood dash kits. Stylish and functionally superior car interiors can make your travels dramatically different and make your vehicle stand out even in a crowd. This is especially so, as not all cars and trucks come with the dash boards or interiors of your liking, unless you order them custom-made for you.

River Narmada: Omkareshwar Island

While flowing through Handia and Nemawar, and up to Hiran fall (the deer's leap), Narmada river is overlooked by hills from both the banks. The Omkareshwar island, sacred to the Lord Shiva, is the most important river island in Madhya Pradesh. Omkareshwar temple is situated on this island.

Omkareshwar Shiva Jyotirlinga Shrine

The Hindu temple Omkareshwar, located in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh State in India, is on a river island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada River. The shape of the island resembles the Om symbol. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. There are two temples here, one of Omkareshwar and the other of Amareshwar. A lot of pilgrims and tourists from India and other countries visit Omkareshwar throughout the year.

Omkareshwar is about 77 km (48 miles) from Indore on the Indore-Khandwa highway. It is about 12 km (7 miles) from the Omkareshwar Road railway station. There are steamboats across the Narmada River and also two connecting bridges.

Omkareshwar is about 72 km from Khandwa and about 77 km (48 miles) from Indore. You can travel by road or train. Khandwa is connected to all the major cities of India by railways and it is on the New Delhi-Mumbai railway route. You can also reach Omkareshwar from Ujjain via Indore. Buses and trains are available from Ujjain to Indore.

Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar temple
Omkareshwar, originally uploaded by Soumitra Agnihotri.

Omkareshwar, an island in the course of the River Narmada in Madhya Pradesh, is home to the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple.

Temple of Omkareshwar at night

The Hindu Shiva Temple of Omkareshwar at night
Temple d'Omkareshwar, India, originally uploaded by mafate69.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Evolution: White Tiger

Photo: sleeping white tiger at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana (April, 2003).

White tigers are neither albino, nor do they constitute a separate subspecies and they can breed with orange or brown ones, although approximately half of the resulting offspring will be heterozygous for the recessive white gene and their fur will be orange. But if the orange parent was itself already a heterozygous tiger, which would give each cub a 50 per cent chance of being either double recessive white or heterozygous orange. If two heterozygous tigers or heterozygote breed, on average, 25 per cent of their offspring will be white, 50 per cent will be heterozygous orange (with white genes) and 25 per cent will be homozygous orange (with no white genes).

In the 1970s a pair of heterozygous orange tigers produced 13 cubs in Alipore Zoo, India, out of which 3 were white tiger cubs. If two white tigers breed 100 per cent of their cubs will be homozygous white tigers. A tiger which is homozygous for the white gene may also be heterozygous or homozygous for many different genes. The question whether a tiger is heterozygous (a heterozygote) or homozygous (a homozygote) depends on which gene is being discussed. Inbreeding promotes homozygosis and this fact has been used as a strategy to breed white tigers in captivity.

From the casual way that Jim Corbett makes reference to a white tigress, which he filmed with two orange cubs, in his ‘Man-Eaters of Kumaon’ (1946), it is suggested that white tigers were nothing out of the ordinary to him. Corbett's black and white film footage is probably the only film in existence of a white tiger in the wild. It illustrates again that white tigers survived and reproduced in the wild. The film was used in a National Geographic documentary ‘Man-eaters of India’ (1984), about Corbett's life, based on his 1957 book by the same title.

White tigers with dark stripes were recorded as living in the wild in India during the Mughal Empire (1556-1605). A painting from 1590 of Akbar while hunting near Gwalior depicts four tigers, two of which appear white.

The Journal of The Bombay Natural History Society reported 17 white tigers shot between 1907 and 1933: in several separate locations in Orissa, Bilaspur, Sohagpur and Rewa.

On January 22, 1939, the Prime Minister of Nepal shot a white tiger at Barda camp in Terai, Nepal. The last observed wild white tiger was shot in 1958, and the mutation is believed to be extinct in the wild.

Arthur Locke mentions white tigers in ‘The Tigers Of Trengganu’ (1954).

E.P. Gee collected accounts of 35 white tigers from the wild up to 1959, with still more uncounted from Assam where he had his tea plantation. Some white tigers in the wild had reddish stripes known as ‘red tigers’. The Boga-bagh, or ‘white tiger’, Tea Estate in upper Assam, was named that after two white tigers that were shot there in the early 1900s.

In India, the Rewa hunters' diaries recorded 9 white tigers in the fifty years prior to 1960.

One theory of white tigers holds that they were symptomatic of inbreeding as a consequence of over hunting and habitat loss, as tiger populations became isolated.

White Tiger in Miami Metrozoo


Miami Metrozoo -White Tiger, originally uploaded by b-a-boop.

Watch this white tiger found in captivity, in Miami MetroZoo, spread over 740 acres (3.0 squire km), is the largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida. It is located in southern unincorporated Miami-Dade County southwest of the city of Miami and west of the village of Palmetto Bay. It houses over 1,200 wild animals and is the only subtropical zoo in the continental United States.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Sweet pea flowers of Meghalaya

Flora of Meghalaya
Sweet Peas never look so sweet., originally uploaded by ner_luv.

Though the flowers of sweet pea are very beautiful as found in Meghalaya, seeds of many varieties of plants of the genus Lathyrus, including sweet pea, are toxic if eaten in quantity, unlike edible pea. A related pea species, Lathyrus sativus, is grown for human consumption but when it forms a major part of the diet it causes symptoms of toxicity called lathyrism. Sweet pea ingestion, it is believed, causes similar symptoms called odoratism or sweet pea lathyrism due to formation of collagen. The symptoms are similar to scurvy and copper deficiency which share the common feature of inhibiting proper formation of collagen fibrils. Seeds of the sweet pea contain beta-aminopropionitrile that prevents the cross linking of collagen by inhibiting lysyl oxidase, leading to loose skin. Recent experiments have attempted to develop this chemical as a treatment to avoid disfiguring skin contractions after skin grafting.

Sweet pea flower

Sweet pea flower from Meghalaya
Another shot of Sweet pea, originally uploaded by ner_luv.

Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), an annual climbing plant, growing to a height of 1-2 meter, is a flowering plant belonging to the genus Lathyrus in the family Fabaceae (legumes). It is originally native to the eastern Mediterranean region from Sicily east to Crete. The leaves are pinnate with two leaflets and a terminal tendril which twines around supporting plants and structures helping the sweet pea to climb. The flowers are generally purple, 2 cm to 3.5 cm broad in the wild plant and larger and very variable in colour in the many cultivated plants. They are often grown by gardeners for their bright colours and the sweet fragrance that gives the name ‘sweet pea’. Watch this variety from the Indian state of Meghalaya.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Narmada River flows through Marble Rocks

Photo: Narmada flows through Marble Rocks

CLICK the photo to enlarge it. You can save and use it as a wallpaper (size: 1600x1200)

‘Marble Rocks’ is a gorge on the Narmada River in central India where the river narrows to a width of 10 meters and carves very deep through a large area of white marble, creating a beautiful gorge of about 3 km in length. The Marble Rocks is located near the city of Jabalpur in the Madhya Pradesh state of India. It is a very popular tourist destination.

The River Narmada originates from a small tank called Narmada Kund located on the Amarkantak hill at a height of 1,057 metres (3,467.8 ft) above sea level, in Anuppur District of Madhya Pradesh. The river descends from the Amarkantak hill range at the Kapildhara falls over a cliff and flows through rocks and islands up to the ruined palace of Ramnagar. Between Ramnagar and Mandla (25 km) the course is comparatively straight, and then it flows northeast in a narrow loop towards Jabalpur city.

Near Jabalpur, there is a fall of 9 metre (29.5 ft), called Dhuandhara (the fall of mist). From there it flows for 3 km (1.9 miles) through a deep narrow gorge in the magnesium limestone and basalt rocks called the Marble Rocks which has a width of about 90 metres (295.3 ft) at the top, narrowing down to 18 metres (59.1 ft) at the bottom of the gorge through which the river flows.

Considering its size, Marble Rocks is perhaps the only one place in the world where a river near its origin cuts through very hard marble and meanders around hills and gorges. At some places in the gorge, while you travel through the river in a boat, you can see interesting shapes and figures resembling artistic sculptures on the marble through which the river has cut and made the gorge in the course of centuries of flowing through the marble. Boats are available on hire for visitors at very reasonable rates.

While travelling from Jabalpur to Marble Rocks, visitors can also reach Dhuandhara and Chausath Yogini temple (temple of sixty four yoginis) which are on the way. The ancient temple situated on the top of a small hill houses the idols of sixty four yoginis, all of which are broken due to vandalism by invaders in the past. The broken pieces are kept by the side of the broken idols.

After Marble Rocks, Narmada river enters its first fertile basin and flows westwards over a length of 1,312 km (815.2 mi) before draining through the Gulf of Cambey (Khambat) into the Arabian Sea, 30 km (18.6 miles) west of Bharuch city of Gujarat. It is the largest west-flowing river and the only river in India that flows in a rift valley flowing west between the Satpura and Vindhya ranges, although the Tapti River and Mahi River also flow through rift valleys but between different ranges.

The Narmada River valley is extremely important for paleontological studies. Several dinosaur fossils have been found in the area including Titanosaurus indicus found in 1877 by Richard Lydekker and the recently discovered Rajasaurus narmadensis.

Kanha National Park located in the upper reaches of Narmada, about 18 km (11.2 miles) from Mandla, has several species of wild animals including tigers. Two tributaries of Narmada, Hallon and Banjar, flow through this park. It is one of the best National Parks of Asia which has been described vividly by Rudyard Kipling in his famous ‘Jungle Book’.

Jabalpur is well connected by road, rail and air. Jabalpur Airport, known as Dumna Airport, is about 20 km from the city. Jabalpur is connected by road to most of the Indian cities. Jabalpur is the headquarters of West Central Railways and is connected by trains from Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Kolkata, Vadodara, Patna, Lucknow, Chennai, Bangalore, Nagpur, Pune, Jaipur, Jammu, Hyderabad, Varanasi and Goa.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The best things to do and see in Toronto

Toronto, often described as a global city, is the largest city and the economic capital of Canada and one of the top financial centres in the world. If you plan a visit, a search in specialized search sites such as Canada 411 on the various attractions will help you to plan your visit, as Toronto has often been compared to New York City as the city that never sleeps north of the border. A few places that one must visit are below.

The 1,815 feet high CN Tower, a prominent landmark of Toronto, held the record of the tallest free-standing land structure in the world for over 30 years. Visitors can reach the top of the tower in an elevator with glass walls to view the panorama of the city and areas beyond.

Another unforgettable experience will be a visit to the Harbourfront & Toronto Islands. Yet another attraction is the Niagara Falls on the Niagara River on the border between the United States and Canada. With more than 6 million cubic feet of water falling every minute it is the most powerful and massive waterfall in North America and the best-known in the world.

Toronto is famous for its events and festivals. At the Exhibition Place on the Toronto lakeshore, every August the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), the largest and most successful fair of its kind in the entire North America, is considered an important part of the culture of Toronto and Canada itself. The other attractions are the City Hall & Nathan Phillips Square, Casa Loma, Rogers Centre/Skydome, Chinatown, Hockey Hall of Fame, and the St. Lawrence Market.

Also you will not like to miss The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the Toronto Zoo, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, the Ontario Science Centre, the Textile Museum, and many more such venues.

The Yorkville neighbourhood, one of the most elegant shopping and dining areas, is visited by tourists and even celebrities from all over North America, and the whole world, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival.

For your comfortable stay in Toronto there are some of the finest hotels such as Delta Chelsea Hotel, The Fairmont Royal York, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, The Westin Harbour Castle, Hotel Victoria, and many more to suit every budget. Also there are many nightclubs and restaurants for those who like a memorable nightlife experience. For transport, taxis are aplenty, or one can rely upon the efficient Toronto Public Transportation system.

Jim Corbett

Photo: Jim Corbett with the slain tiger, Bachelor of Powalgarh

Jim Corbett (Edward James Corbett), born on 25 July 1875 in Nainital in the Indian State of Uttarakhand, was a hunter of Irish ancestry. He was a conservationist, naturalist, photographer and writer famous for killing a large number of man-eating tigers and leopards that had killed people in the villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions in India.

According to Wikipedia, though Jim Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and worked for the Bengal and North Western Railway, often he was called upon by the government to slay man-eating tigers and leopards. According to records, between 1907 and 1938 Corbett had shot dead man-eaters such as the Champawat Tiger, the Leopard of Rudraprayag, the Tigers of Chowgarh and the Panar Leopard. These man-eating big cats, 19 tigers and 14 leopards, had killed more than 1200 men, women and children.

As he had great admiration for tigers and leopards, he resolved never to shoot them unless they turned man-eaters or posed threats otherwise. However, by his own account, Corbett had shot the wrong animal at least once, and he greatly regretted the incident. Man-eaters are quite capable of stalking the hunter. So Corbett preferred to hunt alone travelling on foot while pursuing dangerous game. At times, Corbett took dangerous personal risks to save the lives of others.

Corbett was deeply concerned about the fate of tigers and their habitat. So he used to lecture to groups of school children about natural heritage, the need to conserve forests and wildlife. Along with F. W. Champion he played a key role in establishing India's first national park, the Hailey National Park in the Kumaon Hills. Later the park was renamed in his honour as Corbett National Park by the Indian government in 1957.

In 1968, one of the five remaining subspecies of tigers, the Indochinese Tiger, which was also called Corbett's tiger, was named after him as Panthera tigris corbetti. The famous books written by Corbett are: Man-eaters of Kumaon, The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, My India, Jungle Lore, The Temple Tiger and more man-eaters of Kumaon, Man against man-eaters, and Tree Tops.

After 1947, Corbett and his sister Maggie retired to Nyeri, Kenya, where he continued to write and sound alarm about declining numbers of jungle cats and other wildlife. After retirement, Corbett authored the Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore and other books recounting his hunts and experiences. He also advocated for the protection India's wildlife from extinction.

Jim Corbett died of a heart attack after he finished writing his sixth book Tree Tops, and was buried at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Nyeri.

Friday, February 5, 2010

An exciting vacation rental exchange program

Here is an exciting opportunity to owners of second homes who are mostly not making the best use of their second homes. Sometimes simply they are too busy to visit their second homes, or they want to get away to a different location for a better and exciting getaway experience. But many a times they may not find one unless they want to burn a hole in their pockets. The website 3rd Home is filling that void by taking care of your need for such a vacation, a third home for you, anywhere in the world at any time at the click of a mouse button. Simply put, it is a home exchange website that allows you exchange your second home with other luxurious vacation houses so that you can enjoy the exclusive access to some of the best resorts and private destinations in the world.

The goal of 3rd Home is very simple: creating the finest, luxury second home exchange program in the world. In doing so, they also keep up the highest industry standards. What all you need to do is join them and become eligible to use the second homes of other members like you. The availability of such luxurious vacation homes, locations, and the facilities that you get there are listed in the site. Also you are free to check with other members and find out all that you want to know, in addition to the information that you get from their site.

The company is managed by professionals with vast experience in real estate and vacation property management. That means you, your second home, and your need for a luxurious third home will be taken care of in the best possible way. If you are looking for home exchange, you will be excited to know that some of their most popular destinations for vacation rentals by owners are located at such locations as Miami, Florida, Palm Springs, California, and Nantucket Massachusetts. Their members have houses ranging from mansions on Miami Beach and beach villas in Mexico to upscale lofts in France and log homes in Colorado.

That means you get exclusive access to the finest vacation homes and villas at some of the most sought after holiday resorts and private destinations in the world. So, instead of keeping your second homes idle or underutilized, make the best out of them and enjoy the best of vacations without burning a hole in your pockets.