Wednesday, December 23, 2009

CHARDHAM YATRA

One teaching around which all the faiths base their preaching is tranquility of mind, body and spirit. From the ancient times both man and divinity have just one prayer - Peace - for the alive and the dead. The Char Dham, also known as the Deo Bhumi - The dwelling of the Gods - provides just the environment where the God & the transcendent coexist.

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The Sacred Himalayas
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The Himalayas - the planets most imposing & highest mountain chain, is the universal legacy of all mankind. The inspirational quality of this "dwelling of Snows' has, since ancient times , motivated the sages & saints of our country and has fascinated travelers & pilgrims from all around the world for its breathtaking attractiveness & tranquil stillness. The four dhams obtain holy water in the shape of four rivers - Yamuna , Bhagirathi , Mandakini and Alaknanda .
Sri Badrinath Dham
Badrinath the place of the God Vishnu in his aspect of Badrinarayan, is the main of the four Dhams in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. Positioned in the hills of Himalaya, at an altitude of 10,248 feet above sea level is extremely famous among the hindus. The path to Badrinath is one of the very grueling one owing to the haughty mountainous topography, bends and cliffs.It is the most amazing and fine-looking place on this entire earth.......More

Sri Kedarnath Dham
Kedarnath is one of the very popular pilgrimages for the religious Hindu and is positioned in the Uttaranchal state of India. Kedarnath, where a shape of the Lord Shiva is respected as one of the twelve jyotirling , is one of the four sites in India's pilgrimage Char Dham. More

Yamunotri Pilgrimage
Yamunotri, the starting place of the Yamuna River and the place of the goddess Yamuna, is also considered to be one of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. The holy place of Yamunotri is on the left bank and was initially built by Maharaj Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The place of pilgrimage of Yamunotri is one of the "four dhams" of Uttaranchal. Yamunotri shrine is positioned in the way opposed to Gangotri and the road divides and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a position connecting Rishikesh - Uttarkashi.
Gangotri Pilgrimage
Gangotri, the pleasing pilgrimage in the lap of the Himalayas is the most blessed destination where Ganga , the river of life feel the ground for the first time.

Located at 99 km from Uttrarkashi, at an altitude of 3140 meter this shrine is dedicated to the Goddess and was costructed nearly 250 years ago by Amar Bahadur Thapa, the Gorkha Commande

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Ultimate Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotels

The Ultimate Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotels If you are visiting Fort Lauderdale, one of the main reasons that you are going is to see the incredible beaches. For this reason, it makes sense to make sure that you are staying in one of the great Fort Lauderdale beach hotels where you will be able to see and smell the ocean, watch the amazingly beautiful sunsets from your own balcony and be just a stone's throw away from the white sand beaches. Otherwise, if these types of hotels are not in your financial plan there are still many Fort Lauderdale motels that are both affordable and are still within walking distance from the beautiful beaches. Either way, you are sure to have a ideal vacation in an amazing city. You should ensure the room quality and the price including the cost. If the beach is your center, then try and find ones that are either right on the beach or are inside a couple of blocks of it so that it doesn't become a chore for you to get to where you want to spend most of your time. If you are into the city nightlife, then look for a hotel that is close to the main strip of nightclubs, pubs, bars and restaurants where you can party the night away with your friends. If you are into the arts scene, look for a hotel that is adjacent to the galleries, theaters and shops where you can easily go out shopping and browsing and then get freshened up before going out to the theater for some live entertainment. It is also important to look at what is inside the hotel rather than just what it is located close to. Assume about what it is you need out of a room. Is it simply a place to sleep and get ready for all of your excursions or do you need more?. If you are there on business or just need to keep in call with family and friends back home, then check and see if they offer internet service. If you are on a budget and don't want to go out for dinner too much, see if there are any rooms with a kitchenette or even just a microwave oven and ask if there is a complimentary breakfast that comes with the room. If you can't live avoid your morning coffee, then a coffee maker or espresso machine is a must inside the room. If you are staying for a little while, then a laundry service can be a life saver. Think about what it is that you will require to use the room for and then ask questions about it before checking in on the Fort Lauderdale motel that you would like to stay in. You can have a enjoying stay in these locations. Enjoying the delicate dining choices, vibrant nightlife and incredible sunsets, it is hard not to fall in love with the place. The Motels and the Hotels are really a home away from your home. Whether your cause for coming to Fort Lauderdale is for business or pleasure, the comfort that every one of the hotels and motels offer is sure to make your hang out here one that you will not easily forget.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Weekends are for discovering in Singapore

For those working and living in Singapore a typical work week would involve plenty of stress, tight deadlines, swallowing lunch and long hours staring at a PC screen. This is of course until the weekend arrives. And what better way to take charge and recharge with a weekend getaway as Singapore is perhaps the best place to do it since it offers access to Malaysia and Indonesia.

Singapore offers beautiful getaways that are all within a short drive or an hour’s flight. The options are endless, from lazing on beautiful stretches of beach with pristine clear water or indulging in the relaxing charms of a spa, it’s just the beginning.

Towards the north one could choose to travel to Malaysia or Thailand, towards the south there’s beautiful Indonesia. In the south a ferry ride lasting about 45 minutes could take visitors to Batam or Bintan. The beaches here are absolutely amazing and are the perfect way to spend the day for those who love the outdoors.

Another place to find good beach getaways is the east of Malaysia, in Johor where the choice is between Desaru, Tioman or Pulau Sibu. The beach areas face the South China Sea and the water at these beaches is a beautiful turquoise colour.

Should doing a bit of shopping lift one’s spirits then what better place to find a shoppers’ paradise than at Bangkok, Thailand which is approximately two hours away by plane and shouldn’t cost too much with many budget carriers offering affordable means of travel.

Once in Bangkok the many markets open during the weekend offer the best bargains, even more so for those who have developed their bargaining skills. On the other hand those who have developed the upper hand in being streetwise will know quite easily how to discern a genuine product from those that have been reproduced.

If residents or tourists are too tired to travel, then Singapore itself offers the beautiful island of Sentosa which is close enough to reach. The beach side area offers good restaurants and cheap enough accommodation. However, for those with an appetite for seafood then Kukup in Malaysia is a must. Once known as a fishing village it offers fresh seafood that is affordable and absolutely delicious.

Sometimes weekend getaways are unplanned and a simple Singapore hotel reservation even at the last minute at a hotel could perhaps be the best break one needs. A boutique style hotel such as the Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore offers amenities like a sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi which are just what the doctor ordered to recharge those batteries.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Singapore Cable Cars – A Thrilling Ride

Singapore began using the cable car system in 1974 and since then it has served as a means of linking Singapore to the beautiful resort of Sentosa which is located close to the Harbour of Keppel.

When it opened in the 1970’s the cable car system was the first aerial transport means in the world to extend across a harbour. However, it was not the first aerial rope system as they call it, to extend across an ocean. Although tourists refer to it as a cable car and now locals themselves have got accustomed to call it that, it is actually not an aerial tram but a gondola lift.

As a means of promoting tourism this cable way was supported by the government of Singapore during the 1960’s. It begins from Mount Faber which is located in Singapore Island. The project cost over US $5 million and was opened in February 1974.

At the time that it was declared open the Singapore cable car system had only 40 odd cabins. It was a tedious job for cabin attendants as they had to manually open and close the doors securely. A popular show during the 1970’s was the Hawaii Five O, which was filmed using the cabins and thereafter the cable cars increased in popularity. It grew so popular that over 50 cabins were added soon after. Another interesting point to note is that the world’s first mass wedding celebrations were also conducted on the cable cars towards the end of the 70’s.

The cable cars are not only a symbol of Singapore’s development but during its early years it was a major symbol of pride for the country, which still continues today. In the 80’s the cable cars came into the limelight again during the Miss World pageant. This was when Singapore was hosting it and contestants were treated to a ride in its cabins.

In 1999, the cable car system which had already achieved many firsts added another to its list when it introduced glass bottom cabins at the rate of US$30,000 per unit. And in the year 2000 about six more glass bottom cabins were added to the system bringing the total number of cabins to 81. In 2004, organisers put together a thrilling competition called ‘Survivng the Sky’ where teams of two members each had to survive in a suspended cabin for the longest time, within a 24 hour period.

The cable cars have been a source of sheer thrill, and have delighted many who have got on board; a ride is definitely a must on the list of things to do when visiting Singapore. Another must is to make a visit to Orchard Road, and enjoy a meal at a café at the Orchard Hotel Singapore. This hotel Singapore offers some delectable Cantonese fine dining in its restaurants. Geared to care for leisure and business travellers, the hotel is the perfect place from which to begin one’s day out in Singapore.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Sky Tower - a different view of New Zealand

An iconic structure adorning the skyline of Auckland City in New Zealand is the Sky Tower. The tower which is used as a dual purpose observatory as well as a telcommunications platform is over 300 metres in height, from the bottom to the very top of the tower’s needle like tip.

When compared to the great towers of the world, it ranks as number 13 and is the tallest free standing structure in the southern hemisphere. The tower is quite popular and anyone who travels to Auckland is always curious to know what the city looks like from the tower. It accommodates more than a thousand visitors a day. Part of SKYCITY which is an Auckland casino it was originally intended to be part of ‘Harrah’s Entertainment’.

A café and restaurant can be found on the uppper section of the tower. A highlight of the tower is its unique revolving restaurant, which rotates 360 degrees, and moves every hour. From the floor where the main observatory is located visitors will find three observation sections or decks as they are called. The tower’s main antenna is just above the popular ‘Skydeck’. The main deck is situated at a height of 186 metres.

Perhaps the best way to conquer the fear of heights would be to indulge in the 192 metre high ‘Sky Jump’ at the observation deck, where jumpers are capable of reaching speeds of about 50 miles per hour. The speed is controlled from the cable and is the ultimate adrenaline rush.

The Auckland Peering Exchange known among locals as ‘The APE’ is also located in the tower, and uses a powerful aerial for its broadcasting and communication work. The antenna is said to have the capability of linking more than 50 wireless microwave links, making the antenna at the Sky Tower one of the world’s biggest FM gatherers.

Another reason as to why the Sky Tower is so popular is the fact that it is used as a means of literally highlighting various causes. For instance the colours of various causes are showcased by illuminating the tower in those specific colours. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month the tower is lit up in pink, during the Chinese New Year the colours are usually gold and red.

Recently a new lighting system for the tower was installed whereby the floodlights were replaced by LED lights in a bid to conserve the amount of energy used to light the tower. The previous floodlights were in use since the tower’s inception in 1997. The new system that has been put in place is said to use only 60 percent of the energy required earlier.

Visitors to Auckland should make it a point to add the Sky Tower to their list of things to do. In addition to this, other sites like the Vector Arena are also a must and are in close proximity to the Copthorne Hotel Auckland City. This Auckland hotel offers lovely views of the city and has all the essential amenities to make one’s stay a memorable one.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

India Tourism - Rich Art Forms and Cultural Heritage

India – a sanctuary of tourism delights, a civilization to tour through. Number of tourists visiting India is rising at an alarming rate. Tourists come to India for its wealth of sights, cultural exuberance, diversity of terrain and in search of that special something, an extra punch that only India promises and delivers. It is not wrong to say that tour to India can be organized for various purposes either for exploring natural beauty or for paying a holy visit to various pilgrimage centers, etc.

If you really want to discover the captivating splendor of India tourism, then places like Taj Mahal, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan, Kerala are the best choices. Similarly, sacred destinations like Golden Temple, Konark temple, Khajuraho etc are the most sought after destinations for those tourists who want to make a holy visit in India.

India tourism is not classified to pilgrimage centre or heritage sites, even the animal lovers can have a whale of the time while roving around the famous Kaziranga, Jim Corbett, Ranthambore, etc., national parks which are real treasure of diverse flora and fauna of India. Experience & Uncover the enchanting splendor of India tourism by various tour Packages as like : heritage tours, adventure tour, wildlife tour, pilgrimage tour packages and many other tour packages.

These packages are tailor-made and can be further customized as per the needs and requirements of the tourists. Although, India is one such a destination which is visited by numerous tourists throughout the year round, yet tourists prefer visiting India during festive season of Holi, Diwali, Christmas, etc. to get a glimpse of high-spirited celebrations made by Indian people during these colorful festivals. It is not wrong to say that by availing these tour packages, one can surely get a brief insight of the eternal Indian tourism of which it boasts for.