Religious

Varanasi

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I do not care for the ‘truths’ they have faith in or the ‘lies’ they spread. This is not the first cremation that I am descrying nor shall it be the last, but in this moment, I’ve understood the human endeavor of fighting death with life. The answer to the fears of our faith is in welcoming it with our arms wide open and embracing it like a long lost brother. It’ll be perhaps in this gesture that the faithful shall be granted nirvana.

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Around a 1000 strong crowd has gathered to see what is a daily ritual but is as powerful and enchanting as it must have been a 1000 years ago. The spiritual seekers have loaded the boats – some to get a better view, some for better pictures and some for their beliefs – an adventure of a lifetime. The head priest is crying hoarse asking people to sit down calmly – all the skills of a masterful showman.

So much for the lonely moksha… (sigh)

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गढ़वाल घुमक्कडी: कर्णप्रयाग – विष्णुप्रयाग – बद्रीनाथ

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चूँकि आज हमे सिर्फ़ बद्रीनाथ ही पहुँचना था (जो की यहाँ से मात्र 125 किमी ही है), इसलिए हम संगम पर काफ़ी देर बैठे मस्ती करते रहे. संगम का आनंद लेकर और दोनो नदियों के जल से विशुद्धि व उर्जा पाकर हम लोग आगे की यात्रा पर निकलने को तैय्यार थे. ढाबे पर नाश्ता करने के बाद, हम लोग सीधे बद्रीनाथ की बस लेने आ पहुँचे. थोड़ी देर इंतेज़ार के बाद, एकाध बसें आई पर सब खचाखच भारी हुई, पाँव रखने तक की जगह नही थी, यात्रा सीज़न मे ये एक आम नज़ारा है.

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अयोध्या नगरी – प्रथम भाग

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शायद उस नन्हे से टीले को वे कोई बड़ा पर्वत ही समझ रहीं थीं और बड़ी खुश हुईं. टीले के ऊपर भी एक मंदिर है, जिसमें सीता-राम का नयनाभिराम विग्रह है. मणि पर्वत के बारे में जनश्रुति है कि हिमालय से संजीवनी बूटी ले कर लंका जाते हुए हनुमान जी ने पर्वत-खंड को रख कर यहाँ विश्राम किया था. अन्य लोकोक्ति यह कहती है कि राम विवाह में राजा जनक जी ने इतने आभूषण इत्यादि दिए थे कि अयोध्या लाने पर उनका एक पर्वत बन गया, जिसे मणि पर्वत कहते हैं. मणि पर्वत से नीचे उतर कर मैंने महसूस किया कि माताजी के मन में पर्वत चढ़ने से थोड़ी थकान छाई हुई है. शायद जिसे मैं नन्हा-सा टीला समझ रहा था, वह उनके लिए किसी पर्वत से कम नहीं था.

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NRI Durga Puja- Evoking Mixed Feelings

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A few weeks ago, we celebrated the most awaited and significant festival for us Bengalis- the Durga Puja. Having spent a significant number of years of my youth in Calcutta, celebrating Durga Puja in the United States usually stirs nostalgically similar, yet unfamiliar emotions

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Mecca, the Holiest City of Saudi Arabia

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Mecca is and will always remain one of the most popular destinations for more than two billion people of the planet. I have attempted to demystify the city and open its heart so that they (the people) may understand a little of its piety and glory even if only by proxy.

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A visit to Banaras or Varanasi

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Our next destination Sarnath is about 10 km from Ramnagar. On the way to Sarnath, we saw Sher Shah Suri Makbara. We were at Sarnath around 1 pm and we all were hungry. So, we first ate Dosha and drank Cold Drink in Vaishali restaurant.

We hired a guide there, guide told us that Sarnath has five main point; Ashoka Stupa, Main Temple campus, Japanese Temple, Sachi Stupa and God Budha statue. Ashoka Stupa ruins and Bodhi Tree inside main temple campus are famous and most important place in Sarnath. Main temple is designed in Japanese temple architecture and walls inside the temple have been painted related to God Budha life. We visited all points but we did not explore much due to very hot day.
“भगवान बुद्ध की विशालकाय मूर्ति, मंदिर के दीवारो पर चित्रित उनकी जीवनी, बोधिवृक्ष के नीचे पाँच मित्रों के साथ बनी उनकी मूर्ति उस समय का अनुभव कराती है ।”

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Best of Bikaner, Rajasthan

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You do not need to hire any guide. The palace tickets will include it all. Then the guide will roam you around the palace and will tell you all about the history etc. of this palace. Really this palace is unique in its own. The monuments and the historical things that has been preserved in this palace really stunning.

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यमनोत्री से गंगोत्री

यमनोत्री से गंगोत्री

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देखा मंदिर के पास से ही भागीरथी बह रही है. यहाँ पर भागीरथ का छोटा सा मंदिर है. हम लोग भी भागीरथी के किनारे खड़े ही कर निहार रहे थे. सुबह के 7 बाज रहे थे धूप खिली हुई थी. आस पास का वातावरण बहुत सुंदर लग रहा था . कुछ लोग इस ठंडे मौसम मे भागीरथी मे स्नान कर रहे थे. मैने पत्नी से नहाने को कहा पर उनकी तो हिम्मत नही हुई.

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A Balinese Sojourn

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Finally, the last day began with a nice Balinese spa. It was so rejuvenating, one must not miss it at any cost. We went beach hopping that day. First, we went to the Benoa beach, it is famous for beach activities. As I am not very much into water sports, I just took some vibrant pictures and headed to Nusa Dua. Now that is the place one would hanker for. The turquoise calm water of the sea and the vast white sand beaches will make one go weak in the knees.

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Amarnath Yatra :: A Journey of Faith :: Pahalgam to Pishutop

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We were climbing the steep ascent through the muddy, rocky and narrow route. Those on foot were making their path upwards according to their own convenience. Every step on such steep ascent of initial trek is the first test of one’s mind and faith. To strengthen devotees’ faith the Military Personnel are there and their presences are felt throughout the route.

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The Underground World of GOD

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Patal Bhuvneshwari was one of the most exciting tours for us. Before starting for Nainital ( Nainital is a Himalayan town in the Kumaon region of India’s Uttarakhand state, at an altitude  of around 2,000m. ) I explored about nearby places in Nainital. I do not want to explore the lake and another most visited place of Nainital.

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