Top 10 Cities in India

Posted: Monday, December 31, 2012 by Unknown in Labels: , ,
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1. New Delhi: New Delhi is one of the most popular and fastest growing cities of India, located in India’s Capital State - Delhi. New Delhi is a true bustling metropolitan city, filled with exciting sounds and smells. The city has deep rooted rich and glorious History, which dates back to 5,000 years. New Delhi Houses major Tourist attractions of India like Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Red Fort, Jantar Mantar, Birla Mandir, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid & Chandni Chowk.


2. Hyderabad: The capital city of Andhra Pradesh - a prominent Indian State, Hyderabad is a sprawling, bustling and vibrant city. Often described as the "City of Minarets" or "City of Nizams" or "City of Pearls", Hyderabad occupies a pivotal position in the heart of the country. Hyderabad-Andhra Pradesh is well known for its IT companies in India and lately it acquired the status of "Cyber City" or "Cyberabad". The City is known for hospitality and friendly people. People from every walk of life - rich and poor, orthodox and modern, made the city as their abode. All the religious groups, Hinduism, Islamic, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, are all found here. Hyderabad, the city with high profile, has a garrulous history.

Charminar images, Hyderabad


3. Bangalore: Bangalore which is popularly known as Bengaluru - "Garden City" is the capital city of Karnataka, India. It is one of the most prominent metropolitan cities in the country, situated in the south-eastern part of the state. Bangalore is the third most populous city in the country with a higher density rate of population. The city is well known as the "Silicon Valley of India" as it is home to some of the most prestigious multi-national software companies and their training centres, making it to be the top contributor in the IT exports of India.  
 
4. Mumbai: Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra is the most popular & largest City of India. The city contributes largest share in Revenue. Mumbai is the fast paced commercial, financial, industrial and celluloid City of India. The city is popular for commercial and Fashionable life. Marathi, Hindi & Guajarati are the most spoke languages of Mumbai.

5. Kolkata: Kolkata – known as Calcutta till 1991 - is the Capital City of West Bengal State in India. Positioned at 22°33′N  88°20′E coordinates , it is located in the world’s largest River Delta – the ‘Ganges Delta’- also known as the ‘Sunderbans Delta’, the ‘Bengalla Delta’ and the ‘Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta’ which stretches between River Hooghly on the West and River Meghna on the East. The city of Kolkata rests on the east bank of River Hooghly as India’s third most populous metropolitan area and the world’s thirteenth most populous urban area with 14.2 million people residing in its urban core and suburbs. Kolkata is a City of Palaces - owing to the numerous palatial mansions dotting the Kolkata cityscape – most constructed during the British colonial era in Bengal when Kolkata was made the Capital of British India.

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
 
6. Chennai: Chennai - formerly known as Madras is the largest city situated in the southern Part of India in Tamil Nadu State. Chennai is the 4th most populous metropolitan area & the 5th most populous city in India. The city is located on the south-eastern Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal and the vibrant metropolis serves as a gateway to the culture of South India. Chennai city is gifted with the rich heritage of art and culture and is a major hub of cultural, commercial & education in South India. Carnatic Music & Bharatanatyam are the best and biggest cultural exports of Chennai - Tamilnadu. A major Part of India's car manufacturing industry is based in and around the city. Chennai city is India's second largest exporter of software - information technology (IT) and information-technology-enabled services (ITES). 

Kishkinta, Tambaram, Chennai
7. Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad, which is locally called as Amdavad is the city of Gujarat-India. Ahmedabad city is one of the Major & fastest growing cities of India - popularly known as the Manchester of the East as it is famous for its textile Industries. The city is located on the banks of Sabarmati and is closely associated with the Mahatma Gandhi.  Gujarati is the main language spoken here in the city Ahmedabad.  Best time to visit Ahmedabad is between November-February i.e winters.

8. Pune: Pune is the second largest city in the state of Maharashtra. Placed 560 meters above sea level on the Deccan plateau, at the convergence of the Mula and Mutha Rivers, it is the administrative capital of Pune district and the 8th most populous metropolitan area in India. Pune city serves as the perfect amalgamation of the modern and the traditional. Here, history has brilliantly blended with the contemporary lifestyle. Pune's history dates back when certain Copper Plates found designated when the Rashtrakutas governed the place in 758.

9. Gurgaon: Gurgaon is the popular city located in the Gurgaon district of Haryana state. Gurgaon city is the district headquarters of Gurgaon district of Haryana State and is the state’s second largest city. Gurgaon derived its name from the ancient Mahabharata times. The city is believed to be associated with the Mahabharata epical Guru – Guru Dronacharya. Gurgaon is also a place for sports activities such as football, hockey and golf. A Gurgaon Tourism Fair also known as the Gurgaon Shopping Festival was organized in Gurgaon in 2010 by the famous Indian and International Tour and Travel organizations for 3 days (27th September – 29th September).

10. Shimla: Shimla is one of the most visited tourist place of the country. Shimla earlier known as Simla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh state. It was declared as the summer capital in 1864 during the British rule in India. Shimla has always been a tourist place for its hills and was called as the "Queen of Hills" by the British. The agricultural crops of the place include wheat, corn and barley, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, French beans, peas and the most popular Apples. Shimla is named after the very popular local Goddess Shyamala Devi (an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali). 

You Can book your air tickets @ CheapOair.ca

Guru Nanak Jayanti - 2012

Posted: Monday, November 26, 2012 by Unknown in Labels: , ,
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Sikhism was born in the city of Nankana Sahib (formerly Rāi Bhōi dī Talwandī) located in Punjab, Pakistan. Sikhism was found in 15th century; Guru Nanak was the founder of the Sikh religion & the first guru of Sikhism. Nanak ji was born on Apr 15, 1469. He was fascinated by Religion & God. He peculiarly meditated alone in which he did not took part in religious rituals. His teachings mainly based on mysteries of life. Sikh religion is the 5th largest religion in the world with the population of about 30 millions, out of which 75% of sikhs lives in the state of Punjab, India.

This year Guru Nanank Jayanti celebrates on 28 Nov. Sikhs celebrates his birth anniversary with great pride, honor and religious fervor. On this day a huge procession will be held. Procession – known as Prabhat pheris, starts early in the morning at gurudwaras and make it way around the neighborhood, chanting and singing hymns.

Guru Nanak Ji

Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs is read for 48 hours. The holy book contains compositions by the first five Gurus of Sikh religion. People from all religions throng to Gurudwara on this day, Prayers and Kirtans at gurudwaras are followed by community meals. Nishan Sahibs (the sikh flag) carried by Five armed guards, representing the Panj Pyaras leading the procession. As the procession continues, the followers sing shabads (religious hymns) while the local bands play religious music.

Guru Nanak teachings are mostly based on dangers of Egotism, Meditation and Divine order. It is said that the journey of Guru Nanak was mostly on foot, about 28000 km in all directions along with his companions. It is believed that he is the second most travelled person in the world on foot.

Dussehra Festival 2012 - Vijaya Dashami

Posted: Saturday, October 13, 2012 by Unknown in Labels: , , , ,
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Dussehra Festival is one of the prominent Festivals of Hindu Religion in India. This festival is mostly celebrated by hindus at the same time in different ways in different parts of India as well as around the world.


As per Hindu autumn calendar in the lunar month of Ashvin or Ashwayuja which falls in months of September or October. After the new moon which falls in Bhadrapada, to the next day or tenth day and culminates the tenth day as Dasara. After the completion of nine days of Navarathri, Vijaya Dashami falls on tenth day, 

At this time, the harvest season begins in India and Goddess Durga is invoked to initiate the new harvest season and achieve the vigor and fertility of soil. Hindus, as per their faith observe Vijaya Dashami through social gatherings and offering Prasadam (Prashad) to gods at home and in temples all over India and Nepal.

As per the History, there were some demons who were very powerful, ambitious and continually tried to capture Heaven and overtake Devas or Gods. During this period whole world was crushed under the dictatorship of demon Mahishasura. All the gods joined their energies to get rid of the demons rule and transferred all their energies to a single mass luminescent energy "Shakti " to kill Mahishasura.

A beautiful virgin with ten hands came out of powerful band of lighting from the mouths of Trimurthi’s (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) riding on a lion. Special weapons were received from all the Gods. This battle raged for nine days and Mahishasura was defeated and killed by Goddess Durga on the tenth day of Ashvin Shukla Paksha.

These nine days are called as “Navratri’s and the tenth day as “Vijaya Dashami.”

There are different stories regarding the celebration of this festival. 

1) The Lord's Shakti, Parvati, defeated demon Mahishasur on the 10th day after a 9-day battle. This is cited in the Skanda Puran.

2) On this day Lord Ram vanquished demon Ravan. Therefore people celebrate the Lord's victory by burning Ravan's effigy.

3) Mahaar, Dhaumya rishi’s son married to Shami, daughter of Aarva Rishi of Malwa. Both went to darshan and blessings of Shaunak rishi. On their way, they saw a rishi with trunk head and made fun of him. For which, both (Mahaar & Shami) were cursed into trees by the rishi. For their liberation they prayed to Lord Ganesha. They were blessed by Lord Ganesha that, Mahaar tree and Shami tree will be worshipped from then. Since then, people worship these Mahaar and Shami trees and give their offerings. It is said that this form of worship is equal to shiva’s puja. 

4) As per Skand Puran, another story revealed. Kautsa, who was the poor student of Vishwamitra Maharishi, approached Raghu Raja for wealth, to gift his guru. But Raghu Raja utilized all his resources for Vishwajit yagna by that time. Raghu Raja doesn’t wanted kautsa to leave empty hand, then he forayed into Kuber – the treasurer of the devas. The shami tree was sprinkled with14 crore gold coins by defeated kuber and the poor student gathered them and gifted to his guru. In turn, the poor were gifted with these gold coins by Vishwamitra. Thus, the leaves of shami considered as gold during puja. At this time, Shami tree gifted with wealth, so puja is performed to Shami tree during this festival.

5) A story revealed, when a battle between Arjuna and Duryodhan. Arjuna picked up his weapons hiding behind the Shami tree, to retrieve Virat Raja's cows from him.

Dussehra is the last day of Navratri; during these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. It falls on the 10th day of the waxing moon during the Hindu month of Ashvin (around September or October). Dussehra in 2012 is on 24th of October.

Durgashtami Festival (Dussera) 2012

Posted: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , ,
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Durgashtami is celebrated in the 8th day of Navaratri. Durgashtami festival also called as Mahashtami and Veerashtami. Durga Ashtami is the most fortunate day to perform KanyaPuja, Suvasini Puja, DampatPuja. Sandhi Puja is one of the most important ritual during Durga Ashtami Durga Puja in Bengal. It is performed at the end of Durga Ashtami and the beginning of Maha Navami.

Dussera images


 Durga Astahmi Puja is celebrated in the all accross India mainly Mysore in Karnataka, Kolkata in West Bangal, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh,  Jharkhand and other eastern parts of India. The day is regarded significant as life is "breathed" into the idol of Durga by priests who perform elaborate rituals amidst chanting of religious verses.

 The devotees of Goddess Durga start the celebrations on the morning of Maha Ashtami with Pushpanjali. Devotees perform the ritualistic bathing and fasting before offering Pushpanjali. They offer Fresh flowers to mantra is recited after the priest. After reciting the Sanskrit couplets everyone showers flowers at the Goddess's feet.

Durga mata images


 Evening Aarati is performed with fire. The fire emblem light and is the purifier of sins. In the evening, Sandhi puja is conducted, which marks the inter-linking of the Maha Ashtami with Maha Navami. It is performed at the end of Durga Ashtami and the beginning of Maha Navami. Sandhi Puja is one of the most important ritual during Durga Ashtami-Durga Puja. The 48 minutes interval or Sandhi when Ashtami Tithi transits into Navami is highly sacred. Half of it falls in Ashtami and another half in Navami. At this time Durga is worshiped as Chamunda (a form of Kali who killed the demon Chand and Munda).




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