Then flag of India has 4 colors (though we call it “tiranga” or three colors in common parlance). The four colors are: Orange, White, Green, and Navy Blue (the chakra in the centre).
Category Archives: Heritage
Vande Mataram should be made optional: Shashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor, addressing a gathering at the CSI Christ Church, on its 150th Anniversary, on November 15th, expressed that national song be optional. Drawing a simile to national sport he told that one can sing it out of respect but it is not bounding on him to do so. Important to note that Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind had issued fatwa against Muslims those who would sing this song. Continue reading Vande Mataram should be made optional: Shashi Tharoor
National Parks of India
Besides having numerous wildlife sanctuaries, India also has about 20 national parks, which are aimed to offer the highest quality conservation efforts. Really impressive range of flora and fauna can be found within the boundaries of these national parks. Following are some of the most popular National Parks of India:
Kaziranga National Park lies on the south bank of the Brahamaputra. The Park was established in 1908 and was declared a National Park in 1974.
Hemis High-Altitude National Park is the largest high-altitude reserve of India. Very close to Leh, in the area of Markha and Rumbak Valleys, the area in general is rocky and sparsely covered. The park comes under the district of Ladakh and represents the Trans-Himalayan ecosystem. The park was established in the year 1981 to preserve the dwindling population of wildlife in Ladakh region with an area of 600 sq km. The park has been earmarked as one of the snow leopard reserves under a central government project to conserve the species, its prey population, and fragile mountain habitat. It takes its name from the world famous Buddhist Gompa situated here.
Sunderbans National Park is located in the Ganga delta in West Bengal and was declared a National Park in 1984. It covers a vast stretch of mangrove swamp, lush forested islands and small rivers near the Bay of Bengal and comprises mainly of estuarine mangrove forests and swamps. The Sajnakhali sanctuary, famous for its rich avian population, is regarded as a part of the Sunderbans National Park.
Sri Venkateshwara National Park extends over two districts of Chittoor and Cuddapah of Andhra Pradesh in an area of 353.62 sq.km. The park established in October 1989, is named after Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati. It is located in Rajampet of Cuddapah district and Chandragiri and Bailapadu of Chittoor district. The hilly terrain bounded by Seshachalam and Tirumala hills is rugged and beautiful with gorges, steep slopes, plateaus and valleys. The park is also famous for its beautiful waterfalls like Talakona, Gundalakona and Gunjana.
Indian Arts and Crafts
India is rich in artistic works. It is often confusing for foreign visitors on how to decide which crafts they should take with them. The choices are many, widely varied and often inexpensive.
Some of the best quality merchandise can often be found in the bazaars that populate large cities such as Delhi, Mumbai in Bombay, Kolkata in Calcutta and Chennai in Madras. Literally thousands of places, from quaint shops to roadside stands, sell crafts to visitors.
Every state in India produces its own special arts and crafts. Rajasthan and Kashmir are the two largest producers of crafts made for mass distribution. In Rajasthan, you will find bargains on fabrics, jewelry, glass, pottery, rugs and camel-hide products. Carpets, shawls and embroidery dominate the products produced in Kashmir. These are often considered to be of the finest quality available.
The many tribal communities of India produce unusual crafts that are popular with tourists. These crafts include wire animal tarakashi of Orissa and large bronze sculptures in Nagaland. The Himalaya areas produce a vast amount of silver, turquoise and coral jewelry.
Indian jewelry shops specialize in bright, 22-carat gold items. Many of the local tribes trade in their traditional silver jewelry for the more widely preferred gold. Often jewelers have bags of silver jewelry for sale by the pound. Brass and copper are worked into trays, cups and plates. Some of the best works can be found in Varanasi and Moradabad in UP.
No mention of India’s crafts would be complete without a mention of Bidriwork, a specialty of Aurangabad and Hyderabad. This craft is a matte gunmetal alloy finely inlaid with silver and gold. It is then used in making boxes, vases. These are sure to be treasured by all who obtain one.
This article only touches on the rich craft culture of India. Spend plenty of time looking at the variety and choosing. You are bound to find the perfect souvenir of your trip to India.
Akshardham Temple in Delhi
Image source: flickr.com/photos/mskadu/71142741/
Image source: flickr.com/photos/ramesh_lalwani/3784131664
The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, India was constructed by the BAPS foundation, who are the builders of the various Swaminaryan Temples across the world. The temple went live in 2005.
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi symbolizes 100 centuries of Indian culture in breathtaking grandeur. The temple showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages.
Swaminarayan Akhshardham Temple in Delhi, which was originally a pilgrimage place, is also becoming a major tourist attraction for the India tourists today. Entry to the complex is free however entry into the theater and exhibition has a nominal fee.
Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is located in the eastern part of Delhi, India with its monumental creations and breathtaking grandeur stands apart amongst the country’s most fascinating structures of all time, with intricately carved pillars, statues of deities and divinites adorned on its walls.
The temple is constructed with pink sandstone from Rajasthan and white marble from Italy. The pink stone symbolizes Bhakti (Devotion) in eternal bloom while the white marble stands for absolute purity and eternal peace.
Constructed under the patronage of Bochasanvasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), the temple is a tribute to the glorious culture of India while, at the same time giving a unique glimpse of Hinduism as well.