Lumbini Park, Hyderabad

Photo 1: Lumbini Park with visitors in day time

Photo 2: Lumbini Park Laser Show auditorium, showing the history of Hyderabad

Photo 3: Lumbini Park entrance gate

The Lumbini Park is a public urban park of 7.5 acres (0.03 squire km), adjacent to Hussain Sagar Lake, located in the center of Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is in close proximity to other tourist attractions of Hyderabad such as the Birla Mandir and Necklace Road. The park attracts many thousands of Indian and international tourists, apart from local visitors throughout the year.

Constructed in 1994, at a cost of Indian Rupees 2.35 crores, the Lumbini Park is being maintained by the Buddha Purnima Project Authority that functions under the guidance of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The Lumbini Park is famous for its 2000-people-capacity laser show auditorium, boating facilities, beautiful gardens, musical fountains, along with other visually appealing features.

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.

Indian Temple in China Town

Indian Temple in China Town, originally uploaded by MeloVillareal.

This a photo of the gopuram of Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in China Town, Singapore. Originally constructed by Indian businessman Naraina Pillai, the temple is as old as Singapore itself. It is a National Monument of Singapore and a major tourist attraction.

Palitana - Jain Temple

Palitana - Jain Temple (India - Gujarat), originally uploaded by amar_v_vora.

Palitana, in Gujarat (India) is approximately 50 KM south west of Bhavnagar. It is in the Saurashtra region, which has a very large number of temples. It is historic too because Saurashtra always attracted foreign visitors, especially the invaders in the pre-Mughal period who were attracted to India because of the large quantities of gold and precious gem stones the temples in this region used to have. They primarily invaded for looting wealth to finance their war efforts to capture and enlarge their empires.
This region has a very large number of modern cities growing side by side with beautiful beaches and varied flora and fauna. Palitana is well connected by roads and railways to the major cities and to the other parts of India and the world.
It is interesting to note that many temples are located on hilltops or mountain ranges of India. The believers of religions like Hinduism, Jainism, etc., seem to place special importance to pilgrimages to holy places where they have to climb up mountainous tracts. The Jainism has many hill locations for pilgrimage, Shatrunjaya Hill, Palitana, being the most important among them. A group of temples in Girnar (Junagadh) in the nearby areas and similar temples in Rajasthan and Maharashtra are also worth a visit by anyone, especially for their location in beautiful surroundings and the rich temple architecture and sculptures.
Palitana and surroundings, with a very large cluster of Jain temples, has 863 temples. These temples were built in the 11th and 12th centuries. This period saw a frenzy of activities to promote spiritualism and temple architecture, in almost all parts of Indian subcontinent. Foreign invaders destroyed many of these temples in the 14th and 15th centuries.
As for these magnificent Jain temples, unlike many others built by Kings and Emperors, they were built by the Jain traders and the people of this area.

Vrindavan Garden, the only fully illuminated garden in India

Vrindavan Garden, Mysore, Karnataka, India, originally uploaded by karkadanelson.

The Glacier National Park in Montana

What makes a getaway unique or most memorable? A nice location, no doubt, is what everyone wants to visit. Here is a nice choice. Covering 1.4 million acres of wildlife preserves, the Glacier National Park in Montana, one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states, has one of the most magnificent scenery in the western United States. It is traversed from east to west by the Going-to-the-Sun Road built in 1932. This road is an engineering feat and has been deemed a National Historic Landmark. The National Park Resort Lodge is located at the east entrance of the Glacier National Park.

So, the best place to be in is Montana Resorts, one of the premier national park resorts in the country. St. Mary Lodge and Resort, located at the east entrance of Glacier National Park in Montana within the Blackfeet Indian Nation, on Going-to-the-Sun Road, is the combination of natural beauty and modern comforts. They offer some of the finest dining in Montana. Explore all of the resort's dining options at StMaryLodgeandResort.com

Glacier National Park Lodging has 122 accommodations, with an array of unique dining venues, superb shopping, high-speed wireless Internet at the main lodge lobby, etc., spread among seven different facilities. Your choice can vary from rustic and relaxing to a completely upscale luxury lodge accommodation. They have got something to fit every taste level and budget, like Great Bear Lodge, Glacier Cabins, Tipis, Pinnacle Cottages, Sun Cabin, Guest House, Main Lodge, West Lodge and East Lodge. The accommodations are available for singles, couples or families, complete with facilities like king beds, queen beds, air conditioning, satellite TVs, flat screen TVs, granite counters, mini wet-bars, fireplace, leather couches, Jacuzzi tubs, microwave, mini fridge, cedar wood floors, gas barbecue, etc. The added attractions are breathtaking views into Glacier National Park and private decks with exceptional views of the park, available with some of these.

Jog waterfalls, the highest waterfalls in India

Jog Falls (also known as Gerusoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi), in Shimoga District of Karnataka State, created by the Sharavathi River, falling from a height of 253 meters (829 feet) is the highest plunge waterfall in India. These falls are a major tourist attraction.

There are many waterfalls in India and Asia which are of more heights. Unlike those waterfalls, Jog Falls is un-tiered, i.e., it drops directly to the bottom and does not stream on to rocks. So it is the highest un-tiered waterfalls in India.

Upstream the River Sharavathi is the Linganmakki Dam across River Sharavathi, and the 1200 MW hydro-electric power station, one of the largest hydro-electric stations in India and a significant source of electric power for Karnataka. The power station has been operational since 1949. The power station was previously named Krishna Rajendra hydro-electric project, after the King of Mysore at that time. The name was later changed to Mahatma Gandhi Hydro-electric Project. It was served by Hirebhaskara dam until 1960. After 1960, Linganmakki Dam, built across River Sharavathi is being used for power generation.

Before the onset of monsoon, when there is not much water in the Linganmakki dam, the Jog Falls, instead of the roar and the spray and the massive flow of water, has only a pair of thin streams of water trickling down the cliff. The local people would tell you that the authorities open the dam only during weekends to enhance the flow of water in the waterfalls, when there are a lot of tourists to view it.

August-December is best the season with the best flow to visit Jog Falls. Jog Falls is situated at 30 Kilometers (19 miles) away from Sagara, and 379 kilometers (235 miles) away from Bangalore. Nearest Bus Stations are Jog and Sagara. One can reach Jog by direct buses to Jog from Bangalore. Alternatively, take a direct bus to Sagara from Bangalore and local bus from Sagara to Jog. The distance is 379 kilometers (235 miles) from Bangalore, 102 kilometers (63 miles) from Shivamogga and 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Sagara. Nearest Train Station is Shimoga. One can board a train to Shimoga from Bangalore and can travel to Jog in buses from Shimoga. Bangalore Airport is the nearest airport. Another convenient airport is at Mangalore.

More details and photos (photo gallery) can be had from Wikipedia.

Jog Falls: between heaven and earth

(Between Heaven And Earth) بین زمین و بهشت, originally uploaded by V.E.

Here is the text added by the original author:
Between Heaven And Earth) بین زمین و بهشت
اگه دست خودم بود تا آخر عمر دور دنیا ولگردی میکردم مخصوصا هندوستان و یکی از باحالترین جاهای هندوستان اینجاست
Jog Falls, India: of all the photos I took there (India), none can describe my true feeling when I was staying there. Easily some of the best days of my life (Uploaded by V.E on 11 Nov 08, 1.49PM PST).

Kovalam Beach

Kovalam Beach, originally uploaded by MarinerOne.

Kovalam Beach, situated on the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shoreline, came on the international tourist map, when its beautiful and secluded beaches were identified for their beauty. Earlier during the rule of the Kings, it was recognized by the royals too as the presence of the Kovalam Palace shows.

Main Altar, Se Cathedral, Goa

 

Main Altar, Se Cathedral, Goa, originally uploaded by ArunaR.

ArunaR adds below the original entry, "The principal chapel with its high altar has an imposing appearance, and is 38 feet long and 34 4/5 feet broad. The altar piece is richly adorned with engravings. It has three niches in the center, one above the other, in which stand three images, one of St. Catherine, another of Nossa Senhora d'Assumptio, and the third of Christ crucified."

Se Cathedral, Goa

 

Se Cathedral, Goa, originally uploaded by ArunaR.

One of the oldest and most celebrated religious buildings in Goa, the Se Cathedral is one of the largest churches in Asia and it took eighty years to get completed. It is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria and is located in Old Goa. This monument truly represents the royalty of Goa during the rule of Portuguese. Se Cathedral has been declared as a heritage site by UNESCO.

View from Chapora fort

 

View from Chapora fort, originally uploaded by ryan_lemos.

View from Chapora fort, the quite and serene greenery, unpolluted, the hallmark of most of the places in Goa. This perhaps is one of the reasons that attracts tourists from all corners of the world to Goa, if not the fabulous beaches with white sand on which waves break gently.

Church of St. Augustine at GOA

 

Church of St.Augustine, GOA, originally uploaded by Sriranga.rao.

This is another view of Church of St. Augustine.

One of the major attractions of historical importance in Goa is The Church of St. Augustine built in 1602. According to records, Twelve Augustan Friars pooled their efforts and resources to construct the church on the Holy Hill at Old Goa in September 1572 and the church was completed by 1602. The government under the Portuguese later issued a ban against them. So they abandoned the church and the convent beside it. Both the church and the convent are in ruins now. But the soaring 46-metre high Bell Tower still remains and forms a major segment of the ruins.

The bell in the Bell Tower was removed and installed in the church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception at Panaji in 1871. It is in working condition even today. The bell tower that remains amid the ruins belongs to one of the four of the St. Augustine Churches that once stood there. Initially there used to be four altars, eight chapels and a convent attached to the church. The Church of St Augustine was considered to be the largest in Goa before it was damaged.

Unfortunately, out of neglect, the facade and half of the tower fell in 1931. In 1938 some more parts fell apart. After being abandoned by the founders, the convent was used for charity work by the institution of the Misericordia for quite sometime. The vault collapsed on 8 September 1842 due to prolonged neglect. The then Government under the Portuguese sold the materials of the remains of the church in 1843, but the few ruins are remaining till today.

Church of St. Augustine, Old Goa

 

Tower, originally uploaded by James113

Ruins of Church of St. Augustine, Old Goa, India, was one of the most magnificent churches. It is set atop a tiny hill.

Elephant at Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant @ Punnathur kotta Elephant Sanctuary, ഗുരുവായൂര്‍ ദേവസ്വം പുനത്തുര്‍ കോട്ട ആനത്താവളം, originally uploaded by Mithun Sreedharan മിഥു൯.

The Devaswom maintains a unique elephant sanctuary, the only one of its kind in the world. These jumbos are the offerings of the devotees to the Lord. A large number of pilgrims and tourists visit this fascinating spot every day. In this vast compound, there are road facilities for pilgrims and tourists to go around.

Kovalam Beach - beautiful tourist paradise

Beautiful location-Kovalam-Kerala-India, originally uploaded by Arun Kumar Sinha.

The photographer notes: Kovalam is a beach town on the Arabian Sea in Kerala, a state in south India. It is located around 16 km outside Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) City in the Thiruvananthapuram district. There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The seaport of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.

Kovalam was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the Hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel. Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists.

There are three beaches at Kovalam, separated by outcrops jutting out to the sea. The larger one is called Light House Beach for its 30 odd metre high light house. The second largest one is Hawah Beach named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. Topfree bathing and parading is banned now except in private coves owned by resorts. Visitors frequent these two beaches. The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach in tourism parlance. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. The normal tourist season is from September to May.

Vattakotai at Kanyakumari

Vattakota @ kanyakumar, originally uploaded by santhosh_trans.

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Gandhi Memorial in Kanya Kumari

Gandhi Memorial in Kanya Kumari, originally uploaded by vthalakola.

Sunrise at Kanya Kumari

Sunrise at Kanya Kumari, originally uploaded by Anandarup Bhattacharyya.

Munnar, heaven on earth

Munnar-Heaven on earth, originally uploaded by Arun Kumar Sinha.

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