Category Archives: HARITAGE

~ World Heritage: Ancient Temples Outside India

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This is a collection of some famous and ancient temples at outside India locations (e.g Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal,etc.). Full list of Hindu Temples listed in UNESCO World heritage Sites with photos can be found here . Find list of all famous temples in India & Abroad at – Link-1 and  Link-2. For beautiful photos of various temples visit this.

CAMBODIA

  • Angkor Wat Vishnu Temple , Cambodia

Angkor Wat- Lord Vishnu temple   dedicated to Hindu God , Lord Vishnu, by mighty Khmer Empire Hindu King Suryavarman II in 12th century at Combodia. Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu Temple and largest religious monuments in the world! UNESCO description about this temple is given here Angkor wat is also considered as one of the Wonders of the world and also finalised in list of New 7 Wonders of The wrold.

Another Clip . More detail and good documentaries , inside temple views here : Angkor Wat 3D documentary  and The face of Cambodia-Documentory

INDONESIA:

Hinduism in Indonesia is also called as Agama Hindu Dharma  or Javanese Hinduism  in Indonesia.  A role of Hinduism in modern Indonesia is described in the article  . Main religion practiced in Bali  is Agama Hindu Dharma or Hinduism.   Bali region has Balinese culture ome Indonesian native language sites on Hinduism. More on this can be found in local language here . Find more information see List of hindu temples in Indonesia . Below is some of the popular temples in Indonesia.

  • Prambanan Temple , Indonesia

Prambanan Hindu Temple , is also one of the largest Hindu Temple outside India. Temple is dedicated to three basic Hindu Gods ( Trimurti)  Lord Brahma (The Creator), Lord Vishnu (The Preserver) and Lord Shiva ( The Transformer). There are about 237 small temples in same campus apart from main big temple. This old historical temple is included in World heritage site by UNESCO. See UNESCO description and other details about Prambanan HinDu Temple here . More details in news about temple here See this nice documentary on Prambanan from world guide sites below:

Another clip of Prambanan Temple here

  • New 1000 years Old Hindu Temple Found in Jakarta-Indonesia

Watch Clip

  • Mother Temple of Besakih, Bali, Indonesia

This is believed to be 14th century temple and important / holiest religious place for Bali Island people. There are series of Balinese temples at Bali.  More details and history about Mother Temple of Basakih is here

Watch Clip. Another clip for Besakih  temple here

  • Tahan Lot Temple – Bali, Indonesia

Tanah Lot Temple is one of 7 Balinese sea temples in Bali which were founded during 15th – 16th century by Hindu religious figure and traveller Danghyang Nirartha

Watch Clip . Another beautiful clip and mythological play (Ramayana, i guess) from devotees for visitors see here and Tahan Lot Festival event here

  • Tampak Siring -Holy Water Temple Indonesia

Tirta Empul – Tampak Siring Temple has history way back in year 882. Pilgrims take holy dip at water resources inside temple, see clip

  • Bali lost hindu temple in Rainforest

See clip for this neglected temple in rainforest here

  • Sukuh Hindu Temple – Indonesia

Details about Sukuh Hindu Temple in Indonesia here

MALAYSIA

  • Batu Caves Lord Murugan Temple , Gombak, Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia  

Batu Caves  are situated in lime stone hills and temple is dedicated to Hindu God Lord Murugan. Famous festival called Thaipusam is celebrated there in Malaysia.

Another clip to batu cave temple :  Clip-1  ,   Clip-2

NEPAL

  • Kathmandu Valle ( Hindu Temples) Nepal

Nepal has very ole history and rich heritage. Kathmandu Valley has various Hindu and Buddhist temples. UNESCO description about Kathmandu Valley can be found here

Watch Clip

Other famous Temple in former India region:

Katasraj Shiva Temple built somewhere around 600 AD is dedicated to Hindu God Lord Shiva It is believed that Pandavas (5 brothers) from Hindu epic Mahabharata   have spent 4 years here.List of other Hindu Temples in former India region can be found here

Good clips and documentaries of Katasraj temples : Clip-1   Clip-2    Clip3    Clip-4    Clip-5    Clip-6

Photo links : Link-1 , Link-2 , Link-3

Brief Introduction to Hinduism

For detail introduction to Hinduism see : Part 1/ 5 , Part 2/5, Part 3/ 5. Part 4/5,  Part 5/5

Other related news coverage:

Image Credit: “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angkor_Wat.jpg”

Sources: YouTube, Wikipedia, google search and other hyperlinks mentioned in the post.

~ India’s Jurassic Parks: Dinosaur Eggs and Fossils Found At Various Sites

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Till date there are 4 different sites are discovered in India which could trace presence of Dinosaurs about 45-70 million years ago.

1. Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park , Gandhinagar , State of Gujarat, at Western Part of India, is believed to be world’s second largest hatchery of Dinosaur Eggs. There is huge tourism potential at this site. Rocks with Dinosaur footprints are also found along with Eggs.  .More on this can be found at DNA News  and TOI News  reports. See some photos from visitors.

2. Ariyalur, Pariyar, Tamilnadu, at Southern part of India : Geologist from Periyar University , Salem ,Tamilnadu State in India found Dinosaur’s eggs which is estimated to be 65 million years old. Each egg is 13 to 20 cm in diameter and was found in Cauvery river basin region  at Ariyalur district near Tiruchirapalli.  Scientist believe this finding  could hold clues to dinosaur extinction  mystery .                                                                     See Times Now reports and video clips at  : Inside India’s Jurassic Park , Find will unravel dinosaurs evaluation,  and  Spl: huge Jurassic nest found in Tamil Nadu  . More news here  , see collection of related articles   and  India’s Jurassic Nest Dug Up In Tamil nadu

3. Padlya, Dhar-Mandla Belt, Near Indore City, Madhya Pradesh, at Central part of India : Asmadha-Fossil Park at Mandu, State of Madhya Pradesh, India will be dedicated to Dinosaur Eggs and fossil museum as per Dhar District Administration . Proper protection of these sites should be top priority.  Photo of tourist with Dinosaur Eggs .

4. West Khasi Hills, Shillong, North-East part of India: Geological Survey of India (GSI)  team found fossils at West Khasi Hills , 165 Km from Shillong , State of Meghalaya. Check full GSI case study and photographs from their findings – here. For news paper coverage see- here and here. Visit official Meghalaya Tourism site for travelling details.

To know more about other Excavation, Preservation and Archaeological studies from Government of India departments visit:  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) website – http://asi.nic.in/ and Geological Survey of India (GSI) website – http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/

Related NEWS Clips:

The National News:  Jurassic Park of India (Indroda Dinasaur and Fossil Park – Gujarat)

NTDTV News:  Dinosaur Eggs Found In India (Pariyar-Tamil Nadu)

Reuters:  Huge Dinosaur Eggs Found In India (Pariyar-Tamil Nadu)

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Indian bloggers voted this post as “Top post on IndiBlogger” Site! thank you 🙂

Image credit: “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Indroda_eggs.JPG”

Sources: Google search, YouTube, Wikipedia, Times of India, NTDTV, The National , NDTV, BBC, DNA news, and others links mentioned in the post.

~ Maha Kumbh (Holy Dip) 2013: Largest Human Gathering On The Earth!

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Maha Kumbh 2013 synopsis =>

[(100 million Devotees) + (2 Months) + ($220 million investment)] = [(Spiritual Quest & Salvation) + (635000 job creation) + ($ 2.2 Billion Revenue)]

100 million Hindus across India and the World will take a “Holy Dip” called Maha Kumbh Mela ( Big Holy Gathering) at Holy River “Sangam” (Confluence) of three rivers Ganges-Yamuna-Mythical Saraswati at Allahabad (also known as Prayag) , East of India, in State of Uttar pradesh. Well, this figure is bigger than many country’s population! See here interesting Comparison of various events of same level across the world and how Kumbh Mela is biggest gathering of human on the earth. Actually, Maha Kumbh celebration has got bigger in size and logistics in comparison to 2001. Even Maha Kumbh draws attention of Harvard University Scientists to study  logistic and economic impact under the case study titled “Mapping  India’s Kumbh Mela .  Visit  Harvard Global Health Institute’s Kumbha Mela Resource Page for relevant documents and reports. Also see how Kumbh Mela is like meeting to Eras!

How Kumbh Mela Benefit Society:  

 As per the Guardian report, Kumbh Mela Festival is a Proof that Crowds can be Good for you! Article  has mentioned various social,mental and personal benefits of Maha Kumbha and how it actually improves mental and physical well-being of a visitor. A research publication “Participation in Mass Gatherings Can Benefit Well-being: Longitudinal and control data from a North Indian Hindu Pilgrimage Event” can be found for details. Further analysis of the study  also shows how Kumbh Mela Improves Pilgrim’s health!

Maha Kumbh as a Foreigner’s perspective:

Socio-Economic Impact of Maha Kumbh on Local Economy:

Hinduism has established a Socio-Economic Ecosystem by celebrating various religious festivals  for whole year! The scale and economics of Maha Kumbh Mela has mind-blowing figures. According to ASSOCHAM-India Report there will be at least 10 times more revenue generation on capital investment (arrangements and temporary infrastructure), see data below:

  • Pilgrims and tourist (expected): 100 milions (in next 2 months)
  • Jobs (temporary) creation locally: 635,000
  • Investment by government: $220 million USD
  • Expected Revenue generation: INR 12000 Crores  (~ $ 2.2 billion)

About Foreign Tourist:

  • Foreign Tourists (Expected) – 1 million
  • Number of tourists also opting for Tour Packages for visiting other tourist destinations – 500,000
  • Amount (Expected ) of expenditure per tourist – $ 500
  • Total Revenue from Tour Packages = 500,000 X 500 = $ 250 million

BBC report the economics of India’s Kumbh Mela  has provided following arrangements for pilgrims and tourists:

  •  Temporary tent city – 20000 Sq Km
  • Food Grain Procured – 30000 Tonnes
  • Toilets built- 40000
  • Total length of water pipes laid – 550 Km
  • Policeman on Duty – 30000

Significance of Maha Kumbh :

Every 12 years, according to particular planet position,  there is such big gathering at four places in India , Ujjain, Nashik, Allahabad, Haridwar with rotation. Hindus join together to one of these places to offer prayers and take a holy dip in the holy river at that place. Pilgrims do prayers and holy dip between next 50 to 55 days according to auspicious  star position of Jupiter and Sun. Depending upon Jupiter position in various zodiac signs , the place and date of Maha Kumbha are pre-defined, more on this read “timing” here. Even tough you can take dip at any time and date, but there are some auspicious days marked according to planetary position in Hindu calender.  This year the auspicious dates to take holy dips are : Jan- 14, 27. Feb – 6,10,15,17,21 and 27. More information here 

The religious importance and mythological story and significance can be found at following links:

Other Global Media Coverage:

Videos of Maha Kumbh 2013:

NDTV-India : Kumbh Mela Festival Begins in Allahabad

Another NDTV report on kumbh mela

– CNN-IBN (India) :What is Relevance of Kumbh Mela in Modern Society?

CNN-IBN: Is Kumbh Mela is greatest celebration of Indian Diversity?

CNN-IBN full coverage of Maha Kumbh videos 

– NBS NEWS : Foreign Devotees Take A Dip at Holy Maha Kumbh

BBC: Economics of Kumh Mela

More BBC coverage on Maha Kumbh 2013 : One, Two , Three

Al Jazeera English : Hindus gather for Kumbh Mela Pilgramage

Image credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hindu_public_prayer_in_Haridwar.jpg
Sources: Wikipedia, Google Search, Youtube and other links mentioned in the hyper-links.

~ SANSKRIT Language: Scientific Base, Computer Programming Usage and Free Online Resources

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Sanskrit ( means ‘Refined Speech”) is one of the oldest languages on the earth. Sanskrit  is mother of many languages in India and outside (Ref). Sanskrit learning and speaking also helps to improve pronunciation and broaden one’s linguistic skills. Sanskrit is also studied in UK , Irland, Harvard-USA and New Zealand and some other countries in the world apart from Indians. A New Zealand school teacher says Sanskrit helped their kids to learn English! See an discussion on benefits of learning sankrit, a western perspectives.

Hollywood Movie Matrix and Sanskrit Connection!

Sanskrit at British Schools (NDTV report): Kids say Sanskrit is helping them to pronounce difficult words and understanding the world better!

See another clip here : British School Kids Chanting Sanskrit Mantras

Sanskrit ( Indian Language) and European languages have common root. Even many English words actually have Sanskrit origin. Watch this ThinkingallowedTV discussion about Sanskrit – The most Scientific, ancient , Spiritual Language

How To Use Sanskrit In Daily life: Surprised to see a foreigner in love with Sanskrit. I found this Youtube play list .Also find more videos here and his interpretation.

Sanskrit as Computer Programming Language and for Artificial Intelligenece:

Recent reserch shows that Sanskrit is useful for computer software programming. NASA research paper demonstrates how Sanskrit can be used for computer in publication – Knowledge representation in Sanskrit and Artificial Intelligence. Also, see interesting fact that NASA to use Sanskrit as computer language Article discussed that using Sanskrit message can be sent by the computer in least number of words! More similar views on this by a scribed user here. Sanskrit usage is also published in a scientific paper where they used it in Computer simulation concept . Find various articles on Sanskrit usage as programming language for computer :

Learn Sanskrit Online in English (Free):

Stephen Thomson Introduces the Sanskrit Alphabet (Learn more about Sankrit courses in UK )

Learn Sanskrit Alphabets from an American Teacher (Also visit American Sanskrit Institute-US )

See how: Sanskrit Calligraphy explained by American Professor

Learn and Read Sanskrit in English (Part 1/6)

Part 2/6  , Part 3/6 , Part 4/6 , Part 5/6 ,  Part 6/6

Free Sanskrit Resources:

Online Sanskrit Certification Programme:

Buy Books and CDS :

Image credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit

Sources: Google, YouTube, Wikipedia and other links mentioned in the post.

~ Colourful and Incredible India

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Indian tourism department “Incredible India”  showcased colourful side of India in its videos with various innovative and creative ways.See such colourful and incredible videos which exhibited the shades of India in Globalization.

1. Incredible India 2013:

Clip shows the Incredible India 2013 promo where a foreign lady traveller try to ‘find what she seek’ from her journey to India. She also learned famous Indian ‘head shake’ (sign of agree/nice/satisfied/ Okay/happy) and how to reserve seat in  crowded bus!! 😀

2. I AM INDIA :

Famous ‘I am India’ campaign is a part of various other inspiring projects of Bharatbala productions   on India, an organization founded by Ganapathy Bharat commonly known as Bharatbala and music given by famous Indian musician Ram Sampath . “I am India” video chants a beautiful Sanskrit verse from Bhagavad Gita –

//Karmanye Vadikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kada Chana, Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurma Tey Sangostava Akarmani //

English transition: Line 1–“You have right to perform your Karma/Action/Deeds, but you don’t have right over Fruits (end result) of the Actions/Deeds” . Line 2 – “Don’t let the Fruit (outcome) be the purpose of your actions/deeds and never be associated /attached to not doing your duty”.

Here in this clip they are showing how India is rising through collective (good) Karma /Action.  It is starts with quote “A man’s Karma is to forever turn the wheel of life towards a better future for all” and concludes with beautiful message – Let good Karma of all citizens becomes their Dharma (Religion) then “the wheel of dharma is the unstoppable energy of life”

Another interesting thing in I am India clip is about workers/citizens are holding a Wheel (which is actually wheel from Indian flag ). This wheel is Ashoka chakra (spinning wheel) from famous Ashoka pillar  built by mighty  king Ashoka Maurya or Ashoka the Great (304 BCE – 232 BCE) and represents India’s glory and prosperity in his era. It was one of the golden eras in Indian history. The lion capital of Ashoka was adopted as National Emblem of India in 1950 after India’s independence from British rule. India ( Bharat  or Hindustan  called at that time)  was a great country with prosperity, power , wealth, knowledge and wisdom, trade  and happiness. Clip showcases India’s vision and journey  to acquire same status, glory and prosperity in this new millennium.

3. COLOURS OF INDIA

See colourful shades of India below.

A. India in Pink

B.India in Blue

C.India in Green

D.India in Golden/Yellow

E.India in Red

Watch more videos and TV commercials at Bharatbala Productions and India YouTube channel

Sources: Youtube, Wikipedia, google search and other links mentioned in post.