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The Golden Temple(INDIA)

2011-01-10T00:25:00.003+06:00

Introduction

The architect of Golden Temple is the fifth Guru of sikhs, Sri Guru Arjan dev ji.

General

The Golden Temple is considered holy by Sikhs because the eternal guru of Sikhism, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is always present inside it and its construction was mainly intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religion to come and worship God equally.^[1]^[4]The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest literature in the Sikh religion,^[4] the tenth guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh, on 7 October 1708 at Nanded made it the eternal Sikh Guru and the leader of Sikhism. Anywhere in the world where the Guru Granth Sahib is present is equally holy and precious to Sikhs.Amritsar is the location of Harmandir Sahib.

History

Its name literally means Temple of God. The fourth guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das, excavated a tank in 1577 AD which subsequently became known asAmritsar (meaning "Pool of the Nectar of Immortality"),^[5] giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib (meaning "the abode of God"),^[6] rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granthcomprising compositions of Sikh gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosophies, e.g., Baba Farid, and Kabir. The compilation of the Adi Granth was started by the fifth guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev.

The Amritsar area

The city of Amritsar lies in Majha ,often called the cradle of Sikhism.Amritsar is located in the Majha region of the Punjab. Majha is also known as the Bari Doab, since it is the Doab (Do = two, ab = rivers) or the fluvial tract of land which lies between two of the five great rivers of the province, the Ravi and theBeas. As such, Majha lies in the heart of the ancient Punjab region, comprising Gurdaspur, Batala and Tarn Taran Sahib, as well as Amritsar.

Construction of the Harmandir Sahib

Originally built in 1574, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake in a thin forest. The third of the six grand Mughals, Emperor Akbar, who visited the third Sikh guru, Guru Amar Das, in the neighbouring town of Goindval, was so impressed by the way of life in the town that he gave a jagir (the land and the revenues of several villages in the vicinity) to the guru's daughter Bhani as a gift on her marriage to Bhai Jetha, who later became the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das. Guru Ram Das enlarged the lake and built a small township around it. The town was named after Guru Ram Das as Guru Ka Chak', Chak Ram Das or Ram Das Pura.

During the leadership of the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581–1606), the full-fledged Temple was built. In December 1588, the great Muslim Sufi saint of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir, who was a close friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, initiated the construction of the temple by laying the first foundation stone (December 1588 AD).A mason then straightened the stone but Guru Arjan Dev told him that, as he had undone the work just completed by the holy man, a disaster might come to the Harmandir Sahib. It was later attacked by the Mughals.

The temple was completed in 1604. Guru Arjan Dev, installed the Guru Granth Sahib in it and appointedBaba Buddha Ji as the first Granthi (reader) of it on August 1604. In the mid-18th century it was attacked by the Afghans, by one of Ahmed Shah Abdali's generals, Jahan Khan, and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s. However, in response a Sikh Army was sent to hunt down the Afghan force. They were under orders to show no mercy and historical evidence suggests the Sikh Army was decisively victorious in the ensuing battle. Both forces met each other five miles outside Amritsar; Jahan Khan's army was destroyed. He himself was decapitated by commander Sardar Dayal Singh.

The Harmandir Sahib Complex and areas in its vicinity

The temple is surrounded by a large lake, known as the Sarovar, which consists of Amrit("holy water" or "immortal nectar"). There are four entrances to the temple, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness; ostensibly, this concept is reminiscent of the tent of the Old Testament patriarch Abraham, whose tent was open on all four sides in order to be able to welcome travelers from all directions. Inside the temple complex there are many shrines to past Sikh gurus, saints and martyrs (see map). There are three holy trees (bers), each signifying a historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the temple there are many memorial plaques that commemorate past Sikh historical events, saints, martyrs and includes commemorative inscriptions of all the Sikh soldiers who died fighting in World Wars I and II.

In 1988, after Operation Black Thunder, the government acquired a narrow peripheral strip of land (including buildings) in order to use their space as a security buffer. The acquisition process involved the displacement and relocation of a large number of residences and businesses. However, the project met with a strong resistance from both moderate and militant Sikh organisations and had to be abandoned following the murder of a senior government-employed engineer connected with the project. The project was revived only in 1993 by the Deputy Commissioner Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, who was also appointed as the project director of what became popularly known as the Galliara Project. He changed the concept of the periphery from that of a security belt to that of a second parikarma and created a serene landscape that was fully consistent with the ethereal beauty of the Harmandir Sahib. This was done in quiet consultation with the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). Present-day pilgrims can travel by foot in the Galliara; no vehicles are permitted.

In keeping with the rule observed at all Sikh temples (gurdwaras) worldwide, the Harmandir Sahib is open to all persons regardless of their religion, colour, creed, or sex. The only restrictions on the Harmandir Sahib's visitors concern their behavior when entering and while visiting:

Maintaining the purity of the sacred space and of one's body while in it:
Upon entering the premises, removing one's shoes (leaving them off for the duration of one's visit) and washing one's feet in the small pool of water provided;

Not drinking alcohol, eating meat, or smoking cigarettes or other drugs while in the shrine

Dressing appropriately:
Wearing a head covering (a sign of respect) (the temple provides head scarves for visitors who have not brought a suitable covering);

Not wearing shoes (see above).

First-time visitors are advised to begin their visit at the information office highlighted in the map and then proceed to the Central Sikh Museum near the main entrance and clock tower.

CYPRUS

2011-01-09T23:30:00.005+06:00

Cyprus also called the “Island of Love.” Is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations of all places and is frequented by tourists and visitors from across the world round the year. The place with its beautiful and friendly people, ancient cultural heritage, magnificent monuments and great water sports facility is a paradise to unwind and pamper yourself. So pack your bags and enjoy a flight or even better an invigorating cruise journey to the love island.

How to reach

The major international airport in Cyprus is Larnaca International LCA. Cyprus is served by several major international airlines from European cities. From North America, travelers can break up the journey in Frankfurt. Flight time from London to Larnaca is 4.5 hours; from Frankfurt, 3.5 hours; from Athens, 1 hour and 45 minutes. In addition, the national Cyprus Airways provides regular daily flights from London, Amsterdam and other major European and Middle Eastern countries to Cyprus. Various cruises also run their business and can be enjoyed to have a wonderful time. For local transport, intercity Service Taxis connect all major towns in Cyprus and run every half hour. Driving in Cyprus is also advisable to have fun time.

Where to Stay

Cyprus offers a wide choice of holiday accommodation, from modern, large, lavish and luxurious hotels and resorts, to small and no frills apartments. Choices include hotels, hotel apartments,tourist villages, tourist villas, camping sites, traditional houses, guest houses, youth hostels. Most hotels and hotel apartments have swimming pools, tennis courts, sports facilities, sauna and most hotels offer special off-season discounts.

Places to see

Cyprus is a tourist delight with innumerable galleries, churches and museums all exhibiting rich cultural and architectural finesse. Mouseiou gallery exhibits fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures.The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia revives life in the capital from ancient times to the present. Byzantine Museum and Art Galleries contains the largest collection of icons on the island, covering the 9th to 18th centuries. The Art Galleries contain oil paintings, maps and lithographs. Agios Ioannis Cathedral- Built by Archbishop Nikiforos in 1662, the 18th-century wall paintings depict scenes from the Bible and the discovery of the tomb of Saint Barnabas. Archbishopric (Old and New)- the New Archbishopric was built in a neo-Byzantine style in 1960. The Old Archbishopric houses the Folk Art Museum. National Struggle Museum Documents, photographs and other memorabilia of the 1955-1959 National Liberation Struggle. Famagusta Gate is the tourists favorite point Apart from that Ethnological Museum, Chrysaliniotissa Church, Omeriye Mosque, Faneromeni Church, State Gallery of Contemporary Art, Cyprus Handicraft Centre, The Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, Agioi Apostoloi Church, Tamassos, Agios Irakleidios Convent, Machairas Monastery, Fikardou village are the other tourists attraction. Cyprus is also a paradise for the sports enthusiast. Sports include angling, sea sports, golf, cycling, sailing/yachting, swimming, hiking/nature trails, and water sports.

		AGIA NAPA
		Agia Napa was originally a small fishing village and has become a major tourist centre. Famous for its nightlife, Agia Napa is determined to maintain its popularity in this area. This is the resort for fun in the sun! Families haven't been forgotten. Huge strides have been taken to make it a place that caters for all the family. With some of the best beaches on the island it's easy to have fun with a bucket and spade, building sand castles! All types of water sports can be found to cater for all enthusiasts. The interesting medieval monastery right in the heart of Agia Napa has a 16th century church partially cut into the rock and boasts an ancient sycamore tree, at the south gate, believed to be 600 years old.

		ARGAKA/POTOMOS
		ARGAKA/POMOS On the north coast just a ten minute drive from Polis lie the villages of Argaka and, further north east, Pomos. During the summer months music lovers can visit the tiny local taverna. This enjoys spectacular views of the bay and entertains with a variety of jazz and other popular music. Argaka has a lovely picnic area adjacent to the beach and is a perfect way to spend a day relaxing in the shade of the trees. The original houses, in the old part of the village, were built with hewed limestone or with igneous pebbles from the stream running through the village. Upper Argaka stands upon a slope with excellent views towards the sea and of Paphos forest. The east part of the village has officially been deemed as a region of natural beauty. Several streams flow down to the sea, the largest being the Makounta upon which the Argaka dam was constructed. Pomos is a small fishing village with stunning inland views of the Troodos mountains. A small, new harbour has made it possible to take boat trips along this scenic coastline.

		NICOSIA
		Nicosia, (Lefkosia) the capital of Cyprus remains a divided city since the Turkish occupation of the north in 1974. The old city within the 400 year old Venetian walls is a maze of narrow streets with arts, handicrafts and traditional workshops working alongside modern shopping areas and up-market restaurants. Much of this is for pedestrians only. Surrounding the walls is the busy, modern metropolis. Here you find the modern city with its restaurants, hotels and gardens blending with the fine examples of colonial buildings. The old and new are linked through the central Eleftheria Square. Nicosia is home to many museums, most linked to the distant past but some refer to a more recent history of British rule and of the Turkish invasion. This is a fascinating city to wander and the local Cyprus Tourist Organisation provide free of charge maps to ensure that nothing is missed.

		PETRA TOU ROMIOU
		Aphrodites Rock is one of the most famous spots in Cyprus. It lies between Paphos and Limassol just off the main highway. The name comes from the tale of the Byzantine hero Dighenis who, the legend goes, threw huge rocks at invaders to destroy their ships. The name literally means Rock of the Greek. This is the romantic place where, according to mythology, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, rose from the water and was born to the world. This was her place of worship. Pafos was the name given to the daughter of Venus (Aphrodite). The whole area is steeped in legend and a visit at sunset is an ideal photo opportunity.

		TOMBS OF THE KINGS
		Just on the edge of the town of Paphos are the old cemeteries. A part of this incredibly large necropolis has been excavated and is known as Tombs of the Kings. The impressive appearance of the tombs and the heavy Doric style contributed to the naming of the site. It was used as a burial ground from the 3rd century BC up to the 3rd century AD and was used by persecuted Christians, as a place of refuge, long after. The modern day excavation started in 1977 and has uncovered 3 very large tomb complexes and the investigation of many smaller tombs.

		AKAMAS NATIONAL PARK
		The western tip of Cyprus is an area of breathtaking, rugged beauty. It is only accessible to 4 wheel drive vehicles and many tracks can be very tricky to manoeuvre. The best way to get to know this park is to explore on foot on the official trails with bottles of water, a sun screen and sturdy footwear. The results are fabulous. This area of undeveloped wilderness comes alive in the springtime with over 530 species of plants, many of them orchids, providing a blaze of colour. Visit Fontana Amoroza, the pool at the tip of the peninsular. It is said that if you taste the water here, every woman and every girl is more desirable than on any place on earth. Take a walk up the splendid Avakas gorge, where tree roots are visible high above you. Visit "turtle beach" Lara Bay where there is a turtle sanctuary and turtles come to lay their eggs year after year. Under the close supervision of marine biologists, Lara Bay has the most successful breeding program for the green back and loggerhead turtles in the eastern Mediterranean.

		TROODOS MOUNTAINS
		When Cyprus reaches its highest temperatures during the hot summer months there is nothing better than a day, or two, discovering Troodos. Troodos is located toward the western area of Cyprus. The high altitude refreshes with crystal clear air. They reach an altitude of over 1950 metres. They have picturesque villages, many with their own specialised local handicraft or even a locally distilled spirit. There are many fascinating churches and monasteries with ten Byzantine churches on the UNESCO list of cultural treasures. The most famous monastery is Kykko with its wealth of gold adorning the walls and high ceilings. Park the car and go for a stroll through the pine scented forest and discover a silent world.

		LEFKARA
		To the north between the towns of Limassol and Larnaca lies the traditional village of Lefkara with its white washed walls and cobbled streets. For centuries the women have sat out in the shade and hand made lace and hand stitched painstakingly intricate embroidery. No two designs are ever the same. Loukoumia (Cypriot delight) is also made here. There are two Lefkaras about 1km apart, Kato and Pano, take care not to miss one!

		OMODOS
		Located on the southern hills of Troodos lies the village of Omodos. This is the largest of the Krassochoria wine villages. Part of the village has been imaginatively restored to allow visitors to see and feel the essence of village life. Although created for the tourist it has been well thought out. It's now possible to go inside the old stone houses and see the corn mills, see the wine presses and see how they make the local spirit, Zivinir. Double distilled from every part of the grape and vine, local zivinir is drunk straight from the freezer and is said to cure all! You can see traditional Cypriot kitchens with their old clay ovens and venture down in the cellars and sample the local wine. The village also has its own Folk museum.

Specialty of the place

Cyprus is a fascinating land of contrasts. The city with its ancient history and monuments together with one of the most modern facilities leaves you speechless and spellbound and wishing to come back again and again.

The Taz Mahal (INDIA-AGRA)

2011-01-01T19:51:00.003+06:00

The Taj Mahal; Hindi: ताज महल, from Persian/Urdu: تاج محل "crown of buildings", pronounced [ˈt̪aːdʒ mɛˈɦɛl]; also "the Taj") is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love.

Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.

Origin and inspiration

In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire's period of greatest prosperity, was grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, one year after her death. The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrate the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal. The principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words:

Should guilty seek asylum here,

Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.

Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,

All his past sins are to be washed away.

The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;

And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.

In this world this edifice has been made;

To display thereby the creator's glory.

Architecture

The tomb

The central focus of the complex is the tomb. This large, white marble structure stands on a square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with an iwan (an arch-shaped doorway) topped by a large dome and finial. Like most Mughal tombs, the basic elements are Persian in origin.

The Taj Mahal seen from the banks of river Yamuna

The base structure is essentially a large, multi-chambered cube with chamfered corners, forming an unequal octagon that is approximately 55 metres (180 ft) on each of the four long sides. On each of these sides, a huge pishtaq, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan with two similarly shaped, arched balconies stacked on either side. This motif of stacked pishtaqs is replicated on the chamfered corner areas, making the design completely symmetrical on all sides of the building. Four minarets frame the tomb, one at each corner of the plinth facing the chamfered corners. The main chamber houses the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; the actual graves are at a lower level.

Interior decoration

Jali screen surrounding the cenotaphs

Tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal

Cenotaphs, interior of Taj Mahal

The interior chamber of the Taj Mahal steps far beyond traditional decorative elements. Here, the inlay work is not pietra dura, but a lapidary of precious and semiprecious gemstones. The inner chamber is an octagon with the design allowing for entry from each face, although only the door facing the garden to the south is used.

The interior walls are about 25 metres (82 ft) high and are topped by a "false" interior dome decorated with a sun motif. Eight pishtaq arches define the space at ground level and, as with the exterior, each lower pishtaq is crowned by a second pishtaq about midway up the wall. The four central upper arches form balconies or viewing areas, and each balcony's exterior window has an intricate screen or jali cut from marble. In addition to the light from the balcony screens, light enters through roof openings covered by chattris at the corners. Each chamber wall has been highly decorated with dado bas-relief, intricate lapidary inlay and refined calligraphy panels, reflecting in miniature detail the design elements seen throughout the exterior of the complex.

The octagonal marble screen or jali which borders the cenotaphs is made from eight marble panels which have been carved through with intricate pierce work. The remaining surfaces have been inlaid in extremely delicate detail with semi-precious stones forming twining vines, fruits and flowers.

Muslim tradition forbids elaborate decoration of graves. Hence, the bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan were put in a relatively plain crypt beneath the inner chamber with their faces turned right and towards Mecca. Mumtaz Mahal's cenotaph is placed at the precise center of the inner chamber on a rectangular marble base of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) by 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in).

The best in tourism

The Golden Temple(INDIA)

Introduction

General

History

The Amritsar area

Construction of the Harmandir Sahib

The Harmandir Sahib Complex and areas in its vicinity

CYPRUS

AGIA NAPA

ARGAKA/POTOMOS

NICOSIA

PETRA TOU ROMIOU

TOMBS OF THE KINGS

AKAMAS NATIONAL PARK

TROODOS MOUNTAINS

LEFKARA

OMODOS

The Taz Mahal (INDIA-AGRA)

Origin and inspiration

Architecture

The tomb

Interior decoration