Gurdwara Data Bandi Chor Sahib

 

         Gurdwara Data Bandi Chor Sahib   

Gurdwara Data Bandi Chorh Sahib, situated in Gwalior, is associated with the imprisonment of Guru Har Gobind Sahib in Gwalior Fort and his celebrated release in which he managed to win the freedom of 52 Rajas (Kings) who had long suffered imprisonment in the Fort. 

Pilgrims from all over the country visit this Gurdwara to pay homage to Guru Hargobind.

 the safe return of the sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind from detention from Gwalior Fort in about October 1619. The day coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali , ("the festival of lights"). This concurrence has resulted in a similarity of celebrations amongst Sikhs and Hindus. 
        

        History

who was an admirer of Guru Hargobind, requested the Guru to accompany them to Delhi telling him that Emperor Jahangir wanted to meet him. Guru Sahib accepted the invitation and soon reached Delhi. However Guru Hargobind was a man totally assured of himself who by his mere appearance and evident holiness charmed Jahangir and his wife Noor Jahan (said to be the real power in Jahangir's Darbar.) . But the same evil men who had plotted the arrest and torture of Guru Arjan hatched a plot aimed at similar fate for Guru Hargobind. In this well told version Jahangir falls terribly ill, his Astrologers predictions end with Guru Hargobind seemingly a prisoner in Gwalior Fort whose prayers are the only cure for Jahangir. The Sikhs, after the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan, fear the worst, but the Guru is not worried in the least, even as the same powerful Hindu Courtier Chandu Shah planned his death. 

There are at least three other versions of the Stay of Guru Hargobind at Gwalior Fort.

In the following version the Emperor without meeting the Guru calls for his release on others' recommendations, drops a huge fine he had imposed and doesn't get upset by the Guru's, (who he has not met) outsmarting him and causing him a considerable loss of 'Royal' face by his clever adaptation of the wording of the Emperor's orders by adding 52 tails or ribands to his cloak to outwit the Emperor. 

                         Maybe as some say he had wanted to avoid killing the young Guru outright and schemed to have Guru Hargobind die from some 'friendly fire' while hunting a ferocious man eating tiger. And to think they called him Jahangir the Just. 

                                                Alternative version I

The cause of detention, it is said, was that fanatical Muslim officers, particularly those under the influence of the Naqshbandi cult, were alarmed by the Guru's new policy of militarization. They poisoned the mind of Jahangir, who, otherwise, about that time had a soft corner for the Guru. (One wonders why he would have a soft spot for the Guru, unlike his subordinates). He was summoned to Delhi and was asked to pay a fine of rupees two lakhs which had been imposed on his father and which the latter had refused to pay.

According to Sikh chronicles, the detenition was for a period of 40 - 60 days. 60 days seems more likely. The persuasive efforts of Bhai Jetha at Jahangir's court and maybe the exercise of influence with the Emperor by the Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir, a friend of Guru Arjan, brought an early end to his detention. The release came in the nature of a general amnesty which also brought the end of the imprisonment of the 52 Rajas who had been kept there. The Guru came to be known as 'Bandi Chhor' The Grand emancipator. (This version gives no reason for the Guru having anything to do with the Rajas' release.)    

Alternate version III, minor difference with version I, maybe missing - release

Mughal rulers used this fort as a prison for chiefs and nobles of status. Emperor Jahangir ordered the incarceration of Guru Hargobind here at the instigation of the Guru's detractors. However, when the Sufi Saint Mian Mir and other sympathizers interceded, the Emperor ordered the Guru's release. When the imprisoned nobles heard of his release, they looked up to him for his assistance as a man of God, pious as well as brave. Guru Hargobind refused to be released unless the other internees were also let out. The emperor agreed to release as many of them as could come out holding the fringe of the Guru's robe. 

This earned for the Guru the epithet Data Bandi Chhor, lit. the munificent liberator. Chroniclers differ about the dates and duration of the Guru's detention. But it appears that it was only for a few months sometime between 1617 and 1619.

A shrine bearing the name was established inside the fort. It was looked after by Muslim priests until the Sikhs acquired possession and established a Gurdwara after the Independence in 1947. The original shrine in the form of a marbled platform is still maintained near the entrance to Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor Patshahi 6 Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, as it is now named. The present building complex spread over six acres was constructed under the supervision of Sant Jhanda Singh and Utam Singh Mauni of Khadur Sahib during the 1970s and 1980s. The principal building is a six-storey edifice near the old shrine. 

Albania

                Albania

in southern Europe, located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Strait of Otranto, the southern entrance to the Adriatic Sea Albanians refer to themselves as shqiptarë—often taken to mean “sons of eagles,” though it may well refer to “those associated with the shqip (i.e., Albanian) language”—and to their country as Shqipëria.

    

    Because of its location on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, Albania has long served as a bridgehead for various nations and empires seeking conquest abroad. In the 2nd century bce the Illyrians were conquered by the Romans, and from the end of the 4th century ce they were ruled by the Byzantine EmpireThey have lived in relative isolation and obscurity through most of their difficult history, in part because of the rugged terrain of their mountainous land but also because of a complex of historical, cultural, and social factors. 

  

Albania was declared independent in 1912, but the following year the demarcation of its boundaries by the great powers of Europe (Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia) assigned about half its territory and people to neighbouring states. Ruled as a monarchy between the World Wars, Albania emerged from the violence of World War II as a communist state that fiercely protected its sovereignty and in which almost all aspects of life were controlled by the ruling party That shift reflected the country’s continuing orientation toward the West, and it accorded with the Albanian people’s long-standing appreciation of Western technology and cultural achievements—even while retaining their own ethnic identity, cultural heritage, and individuality.

                                                                

                                                             Land of Albania

Albania’s immediate western neighbour, Italy, lies some 50 miles (80 km) across the Adriatic Sea. Albania has a length of about 210 miles (340 km) and a width of about 95 miles (150 km).

                  

                    Relief

The North Albanian Alps, an extension of the Dinaric Alps, cover the northern part of the country. With elevations approaching 8,900 feet (2,700 metres), this is the most rugged part of the country. It is heavily forested and sparsely populated South of the central mountain region is a series of northwest-southeast-trending mountain ranges with elevations up to 8,200 feet (2,500 metres). Composed of limestone rock, the ranges are separated by wide valleys. Unlike the Alps and the central region, which are covered with dense forests, Stretching along the Adriatic coast over a distance of nearly 125 miles (200 km) and penetrating some 30 miles (50 km) into the interior are the low, fertile plains of western Albania.

                                                

                                                             

                                                           Drainage

the Seman, Shkumbin, and Vjosë, all of which drain the central part of the western plains. Albania also has many lakes, the most important of which are Lake Scutari (known in Albania as Lake Shkodër) in the northwest and Lakes Ohrid and Prespa along the eastern border.

Uttrakhand

       Uttrakhand

Located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain ranges, it is largely a hilly State, having international boundaries with China (Tibet) in the north and Nepal in the east Uttarakhand was formed on the 9th November 2000 as the 27th State of India, when it was carved out of northern Uttar Pradesh. The state is divided into two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon, with a total of 13 districts. The winter capital and largest city of the state is Dehradun, which is also a railhead.

Uttarakhand borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north; the Sudurpashchim Province of Nepal to the east; the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south and Himachal Pradesh to the west and north-west. It is often referred to as the "Devbhumi" (lit. 'Land of the Gods')^[26] due to its religious significance and numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres found throughout the state. In 1816, most of modern Uttarakhand was ceded to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli. Although the erstwhile hill kingdoms of Garhwal and Kumaon were traditional rivals, the proximity of different neighbouring ethnic groups and the inseparable and complementary nature of their geography, economy, culture, language, and traditions created strong bonds between the two regions, The natives of the state are generally called Uttarakhandi, or more specifically either Garhwali or Kumaoni depending on their region of origin. 

Etymology

However, the region was given the name Uttaranchal by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led union government and Uttarakhand state government when they started a new round of state reorganisation in 1998. Chosen as per BJP claims for its allegedly less-separatist connotations, since the proposed state name Uttarakhand had been used exclusively in all major statehood protests. The name change generated widespread controversy among many activists and citizens who saw it as a political act meant to hijack credit from the activist party The name Uttarakhand remained popular in the region, while Uttaranchal was promulgated only through official usage. The bill was passed by the Parliament and signed into law by then President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in December 2006, and since 1 January 2007 the state has been known as Uttarakhand.

History

Though initially, it was believed that due to harsh climate and mountainous terrain, this was a barren and uninhabited land. But after various excavations and the study of ancient literature, it is now established that the history of Uttarakhand goes back to Stone Age. The region formed a part of the Uttarakuru Kingdom during the Vedic age of Ancient India. Among the first major dynasties of Kumaon were the Kunindas in the second century BCE who practised an early form of Shaivism. Ashokan edicts at Kalsi show the early presence of Buddhism in this region.  There are also archaeological remains that show the existence of early Vedic (c. 1500 BCE) practices in the area

 By the medieval period, the region was consolidated under the Garhwal Kingdom in the west and the Kumaon Kingdom in the east. During this period, learning and new forms of painting (the Pahari school of art) developed.^[38] Modern-day Garhwal was likewise unified under the rule of Parmars who, along with many Brahmins and Rajputs, also arrived from the plains.^[39] In 1791, the expanding Gorkha Empire of Nepal overran Almora, the seat of the Kumaon Kingdom. . In 1803, the Garhwal Kingdom also fell to the Gurkhas. After the Anglo-Nepalese War, this region was ceded to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli and the erstwhile Kumaon Kingdom along with the eastern region of Garhwal Kingdom was merged with the Ceded and Conquered Provinces.

The Pitons, St. Lucia

 

    The Pitons, St. Lucia

Petit Piton is 743 m (2,438 ft) high and Gros Piton is 798.25 m (2,618.9 ft) high; they are linked by the Piton Mitan RIDEG. IN  the near the town of souafrica.  The Pitons are located on either side of Jalousie Bay. The Pitons are located between the towns of Soufrière and Choiseul on the southwestern coast of the island in the electoral districts of three and ten. 

Flora and fauna

. A survey has revealed 168 species of finfish, 60 species of cnidaria, including corals, eight mollusks, 14 sponges, 11 echinoderms, 15 arthropods, and eight annelid worms. The dominant terrestrial vegetation is tropical moist forest grading to subtropical wet forest, with small areas of dry forest and wet elfin woodland on the summits.  The Gros Piton is home to some 27 bird species (five of them endemic), three indigenous rodents, one opossum, three bats, eight reptiles, and three amphibians. Gros Piton can be climbed without ropes or mountaineering experience. One can hike to the summit and come back down to sea level within several hours. Local guides are provided by the National Park and are included with your entry fee. They are trained by the government to have basic knowledge of the languages common among tourists and of the medical procedures required in case of common accidents The islands of Dominica, Martinique, Barbados, and St. Vincent can be seen from its peak.

In popular culture

Both mountains are an attraction for hikers although the Gros Piton peak is more popular since it is an easier climb and tours are offered by The Soufrière Foundation, a non-profit group that is dedicated to helping preserve the Pitons Management Area. Petit Piton lies towards the middle of Soufrière Bay, south of Soufrière and north of Gros Piton Saint Lucia's local brand of beer made by the Windward & Leeward Brewery is named after the Pitons.

Lapland, Finland

Lapland, Finland                   

 IN the area of Lapland in 100,366 square kilometres to the one-third of the total area of Finland.
 on the shore of the Bay of Bothnia of the top of Finland is more than 500 kilometres on the shore  at the southernmost municipality of Lapland. shore of the Bay of Bothnia.

the Lapland's cold and wintry climate t has become associated with Christmas in some countries coupled with the relative abundance of conifer trees such as pines.. notably the United Kingdom, TO the  Lapland Lapland has also become a major tourist destination for the world-class celebrities as well as royalty.
.  

Geography

 on the Finnish side of the border and is the highest point in the region's highest point is on Halti in Finland..  Lapland is known as Forest-Lapland. Lake Inari, the many fens of the region and the Salla-Saariselkä mountains are all part of Forest-Lapland. Fell-Lapland lies in the fells of the Scandinavian Mountains. on top of soil types in Lapland in the Forest are sand in the conifer forests.. IN  home of Santa Claus (Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas) since 1927,  developed the Santa Claus Village attraction to encourage tourism.  It has been suggested the inselberg plains were formed in the Late Cretaceous or Paleogene period by pediplanation or etchplanation.^[17] Relative to southern Finland Lapland stands out for its thick till cover. The bedrock of Lapland belongs to the Karelian Domain occupying the bulk of the region, the Kola Domain in the northeast around Lake Inari and the Scandinavian Caledonides in the tip of Lapland's northwestern arm.

       

Climate

The snow cover is usually thickest in early April. Soon after that the snow cover starts to melt fast. in Kilpisjärvi on 19 April 1997 and it was 190 cm.^[27 The annual mean temperature varies from a couple of degrees below zero in the northwest to a couple of degrees above zero in the southwest (Kemi-Tornio area). 

History

Lapland was to become a Grand Principality and part of the inheritance of the proposed king of Finland. Lapland Province was separated from Oulu Province in 1938 The Germans used scorched earth tactics in Lapland before they withdrew to Norway. 40 to 47 per cent of the dwellings in Lapland and 417 kilometres (259 mi) of railroads were destroyed, 9,500 kilometres (5,900 mi) of roadways were mined, destroyed or were unusable, and 675 bridges and 3,700 kilometres (2,300 mi) of telephone lines were also destroyed.  Large hydroelectric plants and mines were established and cities, roads and bridges were rebuilt after the destruction of the war. In the late 20th century the economy of Lapland started to decline, mines and factories became unprofitable and the population started to decline rapidly across most of the region.

Oshino Hakkai, Oshino, Yamanashi, Japan

            

Oshino Hakkai, Oshino, Yamanashi, Japan

The ponds were originally known as the Fujisan Nemoto Hakko Eight is a significant number in Buddhism, and making a circuit of the eight ponds was a major part of Mt.IN THE 1868, when the new government on the took measures to reduce the immense wealth and power of the religious ablutions at the ponds gradually ceased. 

 That vista is the striking “Diamond Fuji” phenomenon, which can only be seen from certain places setting sun aligns perfectly with the peak of Mt.in the sun of the caldera as the Fuji. it is even take some home in a bottle in the  water in the Waku Pond is especially clear and clean, and visitors are encouraged to drink..

                                               Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan

don't miss taking a walk along the nearby cherry tree-lined river with views of the blossoms in combination with Mount Fuji in a few days later than around Lake Kawaguchiko).  a Fujikko tourist buses also make in the a stop at Oshino Hakkai in Further. 

the village of goverment  at the one public elementary school and one public in junior high school operated.

.  a village has not high school. The density of 391,8 persons per km2 in total area of the village is 25.05 square kilometres

. In the humid summers and hot in  winters relatively mild. . The average annual rainfall is 1804 mm with September as the wettest month  While you enjoy those, you can take in the gorgeous views of Mount Fuji, whether you're there in time for fall foliage or cherry blossoms.

which can only be seen from certain places due to the position of the Earth. The water in the Waku Pond is especially clear and clean, and visitors are encouraged to drink it and even take some home in a bottle

Khatu Shyam

                     Khatu Shyam
 

IN the KhatuShyam is a manifestation Hinduism the of son of Ghatotkacha..  He was the son of sired by Bhima through one of his wives of the Jagadamba and Ghatotkacha.  he is the explained to Barbarika to the battle the head of the bravest Kshatriya needed to be sacrificed.

   IN the but also declared that Barbarikaʼs devotees would be blessed and all only granted him the boon but also declared that Barbarikaʼs in granted by simply pronouncing his name from the bottom and all their wishes granted by simply pronouncing his name from the bottom of their hearts. THE placed by the atop a hill overlooking the battlefield. When the victorious Pandava brothers argued amongst to the who was responsible for the victory in the battle was over.  to the prevent total destruction, Barbarik sacrificed his head for the cause, and the war commenced A dip in this pond cures a person from  the war commenced with his act of honor.

                                                                            

Barbarik's Head Found in Khatoo Village

to the temple and install the head therein in thethen had a dream where he was inspired to build a temple the Roopsingh Chauhan, king of Kharein. this is the to only slightly different version of this legend. Roopsingh Chauhan was the ruler of Khatu. he is once had a dream in which the deity instructed to the take his image out of the earth in the  His wife, Narmada Kanwar., it yielded the in the temple is the idol of was duly enshrined.

Temple Construction

the old temple in nobleman known as Diwan Abhaisingh renovated in 1720 ad  of Marwar. The idol is made of rare stone. the sanctum sanctorum are covered with gold sheet of the family deity of many families.Immediately, fountains of blood appeared from the Shiva Lingam. The soldiers ran away, terrified. see the mark of the on the Lingam. The "Shyam Kund" is a holy pond near the temple from where the 'Sheesh' of baba shyam came out. In this kund devotees take bath and do worship of khatu naresh

   

Sintra, Portuga

                            Sintra

The town constitutes three Miguel, São Martinho, and São Pedro de Pennaferrim) and is within the much larger Sintra An area of former royal summer residence, Sintra possesses a beauty that was celebrated by Lord Byron in his poem Childe Harold’s Sintra was designated a in 1995. On one the of mountain peaks is the. a 16th-century monastery and partly an imitation of a by her young German On the extensive grounds of the castle, Ferdinand created the Parque da Pena, a series of  the park is throug out the incorporates natural elements in adapting to the area’s rugged terrain rather than reshaping it.in the old-town of the Sintra Although damaged in the earthquake in 1755 the palace it was restored in 21st century more than 400,000 tourists visited to the  painstakingly restored. World Heritage site, any of various areas or objects inscribed on the The sites are designated as having “outstanding universal value” under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. 

                                              

Designating World Heritage sites

this are cultural, natural, and mixe types of sites.. Natural heritage sites are restricted to those natural areas that 1)provide excellent examples of ongoing ecological and biological evolutionary processes,2) furnish outstanding examples of Earth’s record of life or its geologic processes,3) furnish habitats for rare or endangered animals or plants or are sites of exceptional biodiversity. The ratio of cultural to natural sites on the World Heritage  List is roughly 3 to 1  Several new sites are added to the list The ratio of cultural to natural sites on the World Heritage at the middle of each year.

                                           The Nubian preservation campaign 

Aerial archaeological surveys were carried out by UNESCO in collaboration with the governments of the U.A.R. and Sudan in 1960. made ground surveys of the many islands of the Second Cataract and of sections of the east and west banks of the In addition, the mission recorded and excavated a considerable number of sites.