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Showing posts from May, 2019

Haridwar – Gateway of Ganges

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Haridwar is an ancient city and municipality in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometres from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar. This gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwara (Gateway of Ganga / Ganges). It is regarded as one of the seven holiest places (Sapta Puri) to Hindus and is Uttarakhand’s holiest Hindu city. Pilgrims arrive here in droves to bathe in the fast-flowing Ganges. The sheer number of people gathering around Har-ki-Pauri Ghat (steps) every evening for the Ganga aarti gives it a chaotic but reverent feel. Within the religious hierarchy of India, it is much more significant than Rishikesh, an hour further north, and every evening the river comes alive with flickering flames as floating offerings are released onto the Ganges. Haridwar has been an abode of the weary in body, mind and spirit. It has also been a centre of

Mysore – A Small City with Big History

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Mysore served as the capital city of the Kingdom of Mysore for nearly six centuries, from 1399 until 1956. The Kingdom was ruled by the Wadiyar dynasty, with a brief period of interregnum in the 1860s and 70s when Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were in power. Patrons of art and culture, the Wodeyars contributed significantly to the cultural growth of the city and the state. The cultural ambiance and achievements of Mysore earned it the sobriquet Cultural Capital of Karnataka. Mysore is noted for its heritage structures and palaces, including the Mysore Palace. It is also famous for the festivities that take place during the Dasara festival when the city receives a large number of tourists from across the world. It lends its name to various forms arts and culture – like Mysore Dasara and Mysore Painting. Dishes like the sweet dish Mysore Pak and Mysore masala dosa, Brands like Mysore Sandal Soap, Mysore Ink. Styles and cosmetics like Mysore Peta (a traditional silk turban) and the Mysor

Fresh Cuts Radio - Episode 75

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Here's the new Fresh Cuts - Episode 75! The best new EDM (Big Room / Dutch / Future / Funky). Enjoy! Tracklist - 1. Teamworx - Losing Control 2. Chocolate Puma & Carta - Zhong 3. Axwell - Nobody Else (A-Trak Remix) 4. Throttle & Tony Romera - Darlin 5. Tom Staar & Trace - East Soul 6. Firebeatz x Schella & Pexem - Bounce 7. Avicii - SOS (Laidback Luke Remix) 8. Valentino Khan - Pony 9. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike x Vini Vici x Liquid Soul - UNTZ UNTZ 10. Garmiani - BARRACA 11. Ellie Goulding - Sixteen (Don Diablo Remix) 12. TV Noise - Lasers 13. Cedric Gervais - Take You In 14. Martin Garrix - Summer Days 15. Billie Eilish - Bad Guy (Tiesto Remix) 16. Bassjackers & Twiig - Memento 17. Alesso - TIME (Alesso & Deniz Koyu Remix) 18. David Guetta - Stay (TUNE OF THE WEEK) 19. Steff Da Campo & David Puentez - Everybody 20. MaRLo & Feenixpawl - Lighter Than Air 21. Rob & Jack, Sanjin, Mike Bond - Shoot N Miss 22. Fedde L

Philadelphia – Birthplace of USA History

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The city where the U.S. got its start is rich in history, for sure. Over the past few hundred years, Philadelphia has served as a Quaker colony & a meeting place for the Founding Fathers. It was the long-ago capital of the newly formed United States and, more recently, the birthplace of the very beloved cheese-drenched steak sandwiches! If I had to describe Philadelphia in 1 word, I would say that it is unexpected. On one hand, this is a city that is as beautiful and austere as you would imagine. It is full of historic landmarks, museums and lovingly-preserved buildings. But amidst all of the austerity is an underlying hipness and modernity. This is a city that values creativity, art and taking chances. It has 3600+ murals and pop-up beer gardens hosted by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society in underutilized public spaces. It has a notable restaurant scene that has turned vegan food into fine dining. The city is full of unexpected gems for tourists looking for a diverse

Varanasi – The Spiritual Capital of India

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Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city’s winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while a few are used exclusively as cremation sites. One of the most colourful and fascinating places on earth, surprises abound around every corner. This is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, and one of the holiest in Hinduism. Pilgrims come to the ghats lining the Ganges to wash away sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones. It’s a particularly auspicious place to die, since expiring here offers moksha (libera

Nalanda – The Seat of Learning for 800 Years

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Nalanda was an acclaimed Mahavihara, a large Buddhist monastery in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar) in India. The site is located about 95 kilometres southeast of Patna near the town of Bihar Sharif, and was a centre of learning from the seventh century BCE to c. 1200 CE. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highly formalized methods of Vedic learning helped inspire the establishment of large teaching institutions such as Taxila, Nalanda, and Vikramashila which are often characterised as India’s early universities. Nalanda flourished under the patronage of the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under Harsha, the emperor of Kannauj. The liberal cultural traditions inherited from the Gupta age resulted in a period of growth and prosperity until the ninth century. The subsequent centuries were a time of gradual decline, a period during which the tantric developments of Buddhism became most pronounced in eastern India under the Pala Empire. At it

Gooty – The King of Forts

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This fort – locally pronounced as “Gutti” – is located in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh In India. Previously this place was known as Gowthampuri and later renamed as Gooty. This area was ruled by Ashoka the Great. A little later, this place was under the Vijayanagar Empire and king Krishnadevaraya was ruling over here. History moved slowly and Nayaka dynasties come into force and later Bahmani Sultunet also powered on this place. Mysore Kingdom ruled over this place and Haider Ali & Tipu Sultan were the administrators of this place for a long time. At last, Asaf Jahi ruled this place till the India got independence and the area merged with Union of India and lastly converted into Andhra Pradesh on 1st Jan 1960. The fort of Gooty considered the most ancient building in Andhra Pradesh hilly area. The very first inscriptions which were found here were written in Sanskrit or Kannada script and revealed the construction period of this fort as 7th century. According to variou

Tirupati – Temple of Seven Hills

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Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a landmark Vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. The deity is about 8 feet (2.4 m) from the toes to the top of the crown and is considered the main source of energy for the temple. The Tirumala Hills are part of Seshachalam Hills range. The hills are 853 metres (2,799 ft) above sea level. The Hills comprises seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. The temple lies on the seventh peak -Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. Hence the temple is also referred to as “Temple of Seven Hills”. Many piligrims walk up the hill to have darshan of Lord V

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary

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Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary also known as safe haven for birds located in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, India. This small (6 sq km) sanctuary, about 12km northeast of Jamnagar, encompasses both salt- and freshwater marshlands. It hosts over 200 bird species, including rarities such as the Dalmatian pelican and black-necked stork. The sanctuary, created over the 1920’s and ’30s, is formed from two man-made dykes that separate fresh water from sea water. This creates the opportunity to simultaneously observe species that belong to each ecosystem, and some that share both. Along with the marine and fresh water habitats, there are also marshy lands, mangroves, Prosopis areas, mudflats, salt pans, creeks, forest scrub, sandy beaches, and even farmlands bordering the area. As the Khijadia Bird Sanctuary at Gujarat lies on the western-most part of the country that falls on the traditional route of the migratory birds, a large number of such birds nest here in the winte

Pahalgam – Valley of Shepherds

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Pahalgam is a town on the banks of Liddar river which is 94 kilometres South East of Srinagar close to Jammu, India. Pahalgam means Valley of Shepherds. It is located at an altitude of at an altitude of 7200 ft. from sea level. The mountains surrounding the valley are breathtaking. Three main sites in the area are Chandanwari, Betaab Valley and Aru valley. Pony rides are available to a scenic meadow called Baisaran or ‘Mini Switzerland’ from city center. Baisaran is a large, grassy meadow with small rolling hills and fantastic views of the mountain peaks that surround it. Here, one can buy shawls, get photographed with exotic animals or go zorbing. Taking short breaks sipping Kashmiri Kahwa tea is a must-do thing here.

Vaishno Devi Temple

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Vaishno Devi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu Mother Goddess or Durga, located at the Trikuta Mountains within the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Vaishno Devi is also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi. The temple is located at a height of 5,300 ft. Vaishnavi, in the form of a five-and-a-half-foot-tall rock with three heads or ‘Pindies’ on the top is the ultimate destination of a devotee. These Pindies constitute the Sanctum Sanctorum of the holy cave known as the shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, which is revered by one and all. Vaishnodevi pilgrims (yatris) visit the temple every year, numbering more than 4.5 million. It is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirupathi Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Mata Vaishno Devi temple can be reached from Katra – a small but bustling town around 45 kilometers from Jammu. The pilgrimage (yatra) begins at Katra and pilgrims have to cover around 14 kilometers of terrain on foot to reach the Sanctum S

Fresh Cuts Radio - Episode 74

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Here's the new Fresh Cuts - Episode 74! The best new Big Room / Dutch / Future / Funky House music. Enjoy! Tracklist - 1. Jonas Aden - I Don't Speak French (Adieu) 2. Jaxx & Vega vs SEEQ - Soundcontrol 3. Don Diablo - Brave (Club Mix) 4. Avicii - SOS 5. Deorro x Danny Avila - Keep It Goin 6. Quintino - TUTUTU (TUNE OF THE WEEK) 7. Game of Thrones - Main Theme (PBH & Jack Shizzle VIP MIx) 8. Armin van Buuren X Lucas & Steve - La Resistance De L'Amour 9. Morten - Me & You 10. Tiesto & Mesto - Can't Get Enough 11. Kideko - What Is It 12. Deepend x Joe Stone x BAZZFLOW - If You Love Me 13. EDX & Amba Shepherd - Off The Grid 14. Steve Aoki & Alok - Do It Again 15. Matisse & Sadko and Robert Falcon - Another Side 16. Sultan + Shepard x Showtek - We Found Love 17. Kura & Jimmy Clash - My Crew 18. Martin Garrix and Matisse & Sadko - Mistaken 19. Diplo - Win Win 20. Will Sparks - Untouchable

Iconic Places of London

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London is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world. It’s also a common stop on most backpacking trips, European vacations, or two-week holidays. Everyone wants to come to London! People are drawn to it by images of pubs, museums, theater, and royalty. It is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, and an amazing place to eat. It’s got everything for everyone – from arts & culture to food & shopping, world history to amazing scenery. There’s always something new to do!

The Hills of Happiness – Nandi Hills

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Nandi Hills, near Bengaluru, India, serve as a great trekking destination and one of the most popular one-day getaway for people in the metro. The hills are blessed with a pleasant climate throughout the year. It’s picturesque location featuring the misty mountains and the brilliant sunrise. With its attractions comprising of religious sites, Nandi Hills is also a nature lover’s as well as an adventure enthusiast’s haven with trekking and other activities, amongst the dewy hillocks and exotic flora & fauna. There are many stories about the origin of the name Nandi Hills. During the Chola period, it was called Ananda Giri meaning The Hill of Happiness. Another story is that Yoga Nandeeshwara performed penance here, and so it was named after him. A temple of Yoga Nandeeshwara is situated on top of the hill. Nandi is also commonly called Nandidurga (Fort) because of the fort build here by the ruler Tippu Sultan. It is also perhaps called because the hill resembles a sleeping bull

Fresh Cuts Radio - Episode 73

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Here's the new Fresh Cuts - Episode 73! The best new Big Room / Dutch / Future / Funky House music. Enjoy! Tracklist - 1. Leftwing : Kody - I Feel It 2. Radiology & Declain - Stop It All 3. Veracocha - Carte Blanche (KhoMha Remix) 4. Tiesto & Sikdope - My Whistle 5. Jetfire & Elso - Roof Top 6. Seth Hills & Crime Zcene - Echo 7. Thomas Gold & Angger Dimas - HI LO 8. Pickle - Body Work 9. W&W vs. Nicky Romero - Ups & Downs 10. Curbi - Redeem 11. DallasK & Nicky Romero - Sometimes 12. David Tort & DJ Ruff - Wild Girl 13. Bali Bandits - Fire In Your Soul 14. Jay Hardway - Exhale 15. SaberZ - Nebula 16. Damien N Drix - Flubber 17. Sophie Francis - Lose My Mind 18. Rob & Jack - Crank (TUNE OF THE WEEK) 19. Tiesto & Stoltenhoff- Lose Control 20. Maxinne - Something In Our Life