Bengali (or Bangla) is the second most widely spoken language in India after Hindi. It happens to be the seventh most spoken language in the world. If you are considering visiting the state of West Bengal, then these Bengali numbers 1 to 100 will come in handy. These Bengali numbers will certainly come in handy when in Kolkata or any other place in Bengal. Important point to remember is that Bengali is also spoken in Bangladesh hence these numbers will be useful if you are planning to visit Bangladesh as well.
These Bengali numbers can be used for haggling or simply trying to understand what you are being sold or told in a shop or street seller. It will also be useful when ordering something in a restaurant or eating street food. This will indicate the listener that you have done your homework when comes to Bengali numbers.
Please note that these Bengali numbers are similar to Hindi numbers and if you were to say the Hindi version, it will be well understood but nonetheless, it’s wise to make an effort to speak in Bengali. Also note that Tamil numbers in West Bengal will not work as they are very different.
Bengali numbers 1 to 100 in English:
1 – Ek 2 – Dui 3 – Teen 4 – Cha 5 – Panch 6 – Chhoy 7 – Sat 8 – Aá¹h 9 – Noy 10 – Dosh
Luxury Staycation is the newest trend that
allows you to have a lavish staycation during your next holiday. You get to
experience a luxurious and comfortable life With the luxury hotels in the UAE.
It has a lovely ambiance and is as modern as it can get. The Dubai hotels are one of the most
visited places in the UAE for everyone who wants to take a break from typical
daily life. These hotels are situated at prime locations in Dubai, making
reaching your destination easier. These hotels provide excellent services and
amenities like spas, restaurants, swimming pools and many leisure activities
which make staycations very relaxing and enjoyable for your next holiday. You
will be impressed by the beauty of the city and also experience great
hospitality.
1. Atlantis, The
Palm
Image Resource:
unsplash.com
This hotel and resort provide you with a lot
of luxurious services and amenities. The hotel has a fantastic facade that
resembles the shape of a palm tree. It has a beautiful lobby decorated with
gleaming marble floors and pink columns. It also has restaurants, bars, and
lounges that offer numerous food options, like a great selection of fresh
seafood, steaks, and vegetarian dishes.
2. Le Royal Meridien
Beach Resort & Spa
This hotel also has a natural and comfortable
atmosphere with a fantastic sea view. It has an extensive beachfront view and
offers excellent services in pools, restaurants, bars, lounges, and facilities
for recreation. The hotel also provides an outdoor pool for guests who enjoy
refreshing swimming in the cool water.
3. Lapita, Dubai Parks
& Resorts
This hotel is well known for its traditional
natural atmosphere of the desert. It provides a lot of fun and memorable
experiences that keep you refreshed and satisfied. The hotel is situated in a
tranquil area away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It has a fantastic
sea view and a concierge lounge, so you may have an enjoyable staycation
experience in Dubai.
4. SLS Dubai Hotel
& Residences
This hotel has a lovely tranquil atmosphere,
warm desert ambiance, and comfortable scenery. The hotel overlooks the Burj
Khalifa and provides excellent services. It is one of the best hotels in Dubai,
with services like restaurants and bars, swimming pools, lounges, and spas that
offer numerous spa treatments. The hotel also has a fitness centre to relax
during your staycation.
5. Form Hotel, Al
Jaddaf
This hotel also has a very comfortable
atmosphere with a relaxing desert ambiance. It provides many facilities like
swimming pools and spas that offer relaxing massages. The hotel is well
equipped with reception services and provides several facilities for recreation
like pool tables, tennis courts, and more.
6. Caesars Palace
Dubai
This luxury hotel is well known for its
luxurious and luxurious services. It has a fantastic facade with a large
Egyptian pyramid that leads to a vast garden. It also provides many facilities
such as restaurants, bars, lounges, and swimming pools, providing numerous
activities during the staycation trip. The hotel also offers a great view of
the beautiful desert.
7. Mandarin
Oriental
This hotel is built in the traditional Arab
style with a lot of luxury and elegance. It has a large lobby area decorated with
marble floors and elegant columns embellished with intricate carvings. The
hotel also has facilities for recreation like a gymnasium, tennis courts, and
gyms where you can relax during your staycation with your family or friends.
8. The Palm
This hotel is located in the most modern and
beautiful area of Dubai called the Palm. The hotel provides a large pool for
swimmers to swim and relax in the water. It also has restaurants, lounges,
bars, changing rooms, and a restaurant where you can enjoy your favourite
cuisine. It has stylish rooms with all modern amenities and offers many
services that make you enjoy every single moment of your staycation.
9. Waldorf Astoria
Dubai The Palm
This hotel provides many services, including a
swimming pool, restaurant, and bars. You can relax during your staycation by
spending time at the swimming pool. The hotel also has a spa that offers unique
treatments for relaxation. Your next holiday will be outstanding in Dubai with
these fantastic hotels waiting for you to stay there comfortably.
10. Raffles The
Palm
This hotel is known for its fantastic
architecture with a lot of luxury and elegance. You will be impressed by the
design of the tower that resembles a lotus flower. It provides many facilities
and amenities such as restaurants, lounges, and bars that provide numerous food
options when staying there comfortably. It also has a beautiful view of the
city skyline and a fantastic sea view.
11. Avani Ibn Battuta
Hotel
This hotel will give you a sense of luxurious
pleasure. It provides many facilities like restaurants, bars, and lounges where
you can enjoy your favourite food and beverages. The hotel also has an outdoor
pool surrounded by palm trees and other greenery, giving it a wonderful
ambiance. The hotel is situated in a tranquil area away from the hustle and
bustle of the city.
12. FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Hotel
Image Resource:
unsplash.com
A staycation in Dubai will be perfect with a
cruise around the Palm. This hotel is situated at the top of one of the
islands, and you can enjoy your stay here in luxury and comfort. The hotel has
a very soft and relaxing ambiance, making you want to stay there for a long
time. It provides excellent services like spas and swimming pools. You can also
enjoy delicious food in the numerous dining options available at this beautiful
hotel.
13. The St. Regis
Downtown, Dubai
This hotel provides many recreation
facilities, including swimming pools, restaurants, and bars. You can enjoy a
lot of conveniences such as shops, bars, and lounges while you are staying here
during your Dubai staycation. The hotel also has a restaurant where you can
have delicious dishes cooked using local ingredients.
14. Crowne Plaza Dubai
Marina
This hotel has a charming atmosphere with a
lot of tranquillity and elegance. It has a vast swimming pool and spa where you
can relax after a tiring day. The hotel is situated in a tranquil area of
Dubai, free from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will be delighted to
find several services and amenities while you are staying here during your
staycation.
15. JA The Resort
This resort provides facilities for recreation
like swimming pools and spas. You can enjoy many food options as the hotel has
several restaurants and bars where you can have delicious cuisine that you may
not find in Dubai. The hotel is situated in a tranquil area away from the rest
of the city so you can enjoy your staycation here peacefully. The hotel is
spacious and comfortable, with all the amenities you need for an enjoyable
staycation in Dubai.
Dubai is a place you can visit for a beautiful
staycation. Numerous hotels provide many facilities and activities to keep you
relaxed and entertained. You can enjoy the city's beautiful scenery by going in
for desert safaris organised during your staycation. Your next holiday will be
full of fun and adventure as Dubai has something to offer you from every corner
of the world.
Do you want
to learn Tagalog numbers? Are you looking to polish up on your basic Tagalog numbers
to use them every now and then? Tagalog or Filipino numbers as they are often
called are easy. Numbers should be the first thing one should learn when trying
to learn a particular language. Numbers are called numbers “mga numero ng” in
Tagalog.
So here are
the Tagalog Numbers 1-10
One1isa
Two2dalawa
Three3tatlo
Four4apat
Five5lima
Six6anim
Seven7pito
Eight8walo
Nine9siyam
Ten10sampu
If you want
to learn rest of the Tagalog numbers from 1 to 100 then you can learn them from
here. If you are interested in buying Tagalog numbers in a book format you can
one here.
Indian food or Indian cuisinecovers a wide diversity of regional cuisines indigenous to India. The cuisines differ extensively from each other because they use locally available ingredients such as herbs, fruits, spices and vegetables. These cuisines are also influence by various factors such as cultural and religious believes. Indian food uses a whole combination of flavors- sour, spicy, sweet and hot making Indian food unique and exciting. The interaction of India with various cultures and groups in the continent has led to the diversification of regional foods and flavors found in India today.
Ingredients that make up Indian food
Indian staple foods include: whole –wheat flour, rice, pearl millet (bajra), lentils such as masoor, urad, moong and toor. Pulses are also common, such as lobiya, rajma and channa.
The most commonly used and important spices include: Black mustard (sarso), cumin (scars), cardamom (elaichi), chili pepper (mirch), turmeric (haldi), garlic (lehsun), coriander (dhania), ginger (adrak), asafetida (hing) and garam masala. Rose petal essences, nutmeg, saffron and cardamon are mostly used to flavor sweet dishes.
The most regularly used leaves for flavoring Indian food include: Mint, fenugreek, coriander and bay leaves. South Indians are well known for using roots and curry leaves to flavor food.
Most Indian foods are cooked in peanut oil (in Western and Northern India), coconut oil (along the Western Coast), mustard oil (eastern India) and vegetable oil which is the most common.
Indian cuisine is divided into different regional cuisines, some of which include:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Mainly consists of sea food and fruits.
Haryana: Dairy products are widespread in this cuisine. Pakora, churma, besan masala, kadhi and badhua are some of the common dishes.
Andhra Pradesh: The staple food is rice which is rich in spices and is eaten with a range of lentil soups and curries. Yogurt is usually taken together with the meals to counter the spiciness of the food.
Assamese: Known for its minimal use of spices but uses herbs for flavors. Fresh or dried vegetables and fruits make a large proportion of the meal.
Arunachal Pradesh: Rice, leafy vegetables, fish and meat are the staple foods. Rice beer is very popular in this cuisine.
Bihari: Common dishes include dalpuri, meat saalan, litti chokha, malpua and balushahi.
Daman and Diu: Mainly consists of sea food. Lapsee, puri, potaya and dhakanu are popular during festivities. Western foods are also available.
Dadraand Nagar Haveli: Roti, rice, fish, crab and vegetables are the most common foods. Buttermilk, herbs and fruits also make up the diet.
Gujurat: It is a vegetarian cuisine. Made up of a variety of vegetables; this can be spicy or sweet depending on the region.
Chhattisgarh: Uses foods that are not available in other parts of India such as bamboo vegetable, bamboo pickle, mushrooms, and squirrels. The staple food is rice
Goa: There are intense flavors in Goa because it has a tropical climate. Staple foods are fish and rice often served with coconut milk. Bread accompanies most of the meals.
Eating habits of India and Indians
A healthy breakfast is regarded as a very important meal in the Indian diet. Preferences vary regionally though most Indians prefer to drink coffee or tea (chai) together with breakfast. South Indians have a preference for dosas and idlis together with various chutneys while North Indians favor parathas, roti and a vegetable dish together with pickles and some curd.
Lunch usually consists of two or more varieties of vegetables and other items such as parathas, naan or kulcha. In East and South India, rice is the main dish while whole wheat rotis is the main dish in North and West India. Desserts are also eaten after meals in some parts of India.
Dinner is deemed as the main meal. Families often come together for ‘evening breakfast’ to drink tea, eat snacks and have family conversations.
Many Indians normally eat desserts after meals to help in digestion which include: jalebi, gulab jamun, rasgulla, Kheer, chikki, barfi, mysore pak, shrikhand, sandesh, kuju katli and rabri. Most of them are made with sugar and condensed milk but the desserts vary depending on the regions. Indians lay great emphasis on eating healthy diets. It is no doubt that the Indian cuisine is intriguing and an amazing experience to those who have not tasted the Indian cuisine before.
Who has not
heard of William Shakespeare. Everyone at school has read his plays as part of their
school curriculum. He was pure literary genius. He was able to use words in a
way in which showed his great talent. He even invented words some of which
include dwindle, monumental, sanctimonious, castigate and frugal. Some of phrases
used in his plays are used a lot in day to day spoken English and many people don’t
even know about it. Some of which include A wild goose chase (Romeo and Juliet),
The be-all and the end-all (Macbeth), All that glisters is not gold (The
Merchant of Venice), In my heart of hearts (Hamlet), It’s Greek to me (Julius
Caesar) and A heart of gold (Henry V).
I have always liked William Shakespeare plays
and some his quotes. Here’s a list of the top 10 William Shakespeare quotes
about life and love.
1. All the
world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: They have their
exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts. (As You
Like It, Act II, Scene VII)
2. Love will
not be spurred to what it loathes (The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act 5, Scene 2)
3. My bounty
is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more
I have, for both are infinite. (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, scene 2)
4. To be, or
not to be: that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the
slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of
troubles, and by opposing end them. To die: to sleep. (Hamlet, Act III, Scene I)
6. Men at
some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our
stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings. (Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene II)
7. Be not
afraid of greatness: twas well writ. Some are born great, some achieve
greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. (Twelfth Night: Act II,
scene 4)
8. Love
looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted
blind. (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1, scene 1)
9. My bounty
is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I
have, for both are infinite. (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, scene 2).
10. The web
of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together. All's Well That Ends
Well. (Act 4, Scene 3)
What do you
think of these quotes from William Shakespeare? Did you like then? Do you have
a favourite then feel free to post in the comments below?
I want to talk about an Indian term called
Antarvasna. The world Antarvasna relates to the inner desires and feelings
related to sex and sexuality. India is the country that has given birth to the 11th
century Kamasutra, the book of sexuality or sexology. However there has been no
mention of anatomy and physiology of different parts of reproductive organs
specially the female parts in any of these literary works. However texts of the
medieval period do mention the various female parts and the function of these
organs in the enjoyment of sex (Rao 2004). Some of the functions, role has been
mentioned in the Bhavaprakasa of ayurveda and Paururavamanasijasutra parts of
the Kamasutra. The text proves that Indians actually knew about these areas of
female anatomy and sexuality since the text has been shown to be from the third
century A.D. Other Indian texts of sexuality include; Jayamangala, Ratirahasya,
Smaradipika and Anangaranga.
The famous book of Kamasutra was introduced
to teach the readers about the science of sexuality. It was supposed to induce
antarvasna, the inner (antar) desires/sexuality (vasna). The word Vasna in
Hindi/Sanskrit denotes inner desire for sex while antar is the inner feelings.
The Kamasutra is an India book of desires. Hence the Kamasutra is all about
inducing antarvasna, the inner (antar) desires to engage in sex (vasna).
The Kamasutra (Kamasutra, comprising of the
word Kama, "the desire" and Sutra, "the aphorism" or
literally "the aphorisms of desire" is an Indian writing between the
fourth century and seventh century, attributed to Vatsyayana.
The Kamasutra is a standard treatment of
the Hinduism. It has been translated for the first time in English in 1876 by
Richard Francis Burton. But the book did not become legal in the United Kingdom
in 1963.
The central theme of the Kamasutra
The Kamasutra provides information on
privacy in ancient India. It evokes successively "the three goals of
life", "the advice of common sense", "the behavior of the
city", "the choice of a wife", "the duties and privileges
of the wife ", " the courtesans and methods occult " in addition
to all practices more directly related to sexuality. Like all pieces of the
India ancient structure can also be read as an allegory of the union (yoga) to
the Divine.
Often richly illustrated with miniatures,
he provides seduction advice for a harmonious life in the couple, including
through various intimate positions (although 64 positions have been the
popularity of the work they do, however, that a chapter of book itself) to the
origin to the Indian aristocracy.
The Kamasutra is not only devoted to
intimacy, also a lifestyle that a person had grown to know. It covers for
example the use of music, food, perfumes etc. In addition, the book also gives
advice to women and couples and indicates that men were not held in the sexual
relationship only, but should also control the kisses, caresses, bites and
scratches. It describes a number of positions, but also the behavior to be
performed by the partners in place to let their imagination.
Besides the treatise of Vatsyayana there
are other similar works on the same subject are India. These include;
1. The Ratirahasya, or secrets of love.
2. The Panchasakya, or the five arrows.
3. The Smara Pradipa, or the light of love.
4. The Ratimanjari, or the garland of love.
5. The Rasmanjari, or the sprout of love.
6. The Anunga Runga, or the stage of love;
also called Kamaledhiplava, or a boat in the ocean of love.
Rao BR. 2004. Influence of Tantra on
ayurveda and Kamasutra. Bull Indian Inst Hist Med Hyderabad. 34(1):41-9.
Are you travelling to India with your kids? If yes then why not give them something to read about India before you go? This way they will get to know India better! Even better give them something to listen. My book “All about India: Introduction to India for Kids” is now available in audio format on Amazon, Audible and iTunes. The book has been narrated by theatre artist Linda Roper. I am sure they will love the soft British accent.
This book is similar to my other book “India For Kids” and covers everything that a child or any traveller to India would want to know about India. This version is however is slightly more detailed and children of advanced reading age will find it particularly useful.
Introduction to India – A brief introduction to the book and India.
Capital of India – Detailed information about the capital of India.
People of India – This chapter covers what the people of India is about.
Ancient history of India – Introduction to the history of India.
Modern history of India – Introduction to current and modern India.
Culture of India – Introduction to the culture of India.
Religions of India – This chapter talks about Hinduism other religions of India.
Languages of India – India has lots of languages and this chapter looks at what they are.
Geography of India – Many don’t know where India is so this chapter looks at the geography of India.
India’s neighbour – The chapter looks at India’s various neighbours.
Festivals of India – India is known as the land of festivals. This chapter looks at the popular festivals of India.
Overview of Indian food – India is known for its food. This chapter looks the types of Indian food.
What do Indians eat? – The chapter talks about the types of food eaten by Indian people.
Bollywood, the Indian film industry – India makes a lot movies and this chapter talks about India’s film industry.
Basic Hindi – This chapter has some basic Hindi for children and adults to practice.
Quiz questions on India – Some questions based on this book. See how many children can remember.
The book has lots of beautiful pictures and is a visual feast on India and its culture and food and everything else about India. Anyone of reading age and beyond will find it useful. The audio format of this book would be useful to those who find it easier to listen. Click on the link below to find out more.
Maithili is one of the
3 accents of Bihar; Maithili, Magahi, and Bhojpuri of the Bihari linguistic
processess. Approximately addressing, we might allege that Maithili is best
spoken northernmost of Bihar and eastward of the river Gandak. Whilst around
the east - it has covered near the Ganges River and is uttered in regions of
southern Bihar. Magahi also absorbs South Bihar, east of the River Son, and the
northerly of the two tablelands of Chota Nagpur. Bhojpuri absorbs the southerly
tableland of Chota Nagpur and the the country north and south of the Ganges
River as far west as, say, Benares. Maithili is also spoken by the Madhesis of
Nepal. Maithili and Magahi are a good deal more intimately affiliated to each
other than either is to Bhojpuri. So, the Maithili could nearly be addressed as
an isolated linguistic communication. The model anatomy of the nomenclature is
that languages spoken in the Madhubani section of the Darbhanga territorial
dominion, and in the adjacent part of the district of Bhagalpur. Maithili is
verbalized in its most avid pureness by the Brahmanas of the north of the
Darbhanga and Bhagalpur districts, and by those of western Purnea.
Maithili Language
Maithili is unmatched
of the 3 accents of Bihar; Maithili, Magahi, and Bhojpuri of the Bihari
linguistic processess. Approximately addressing, we might allege that Maithili
is best spoken northernmost of Bihar and eastward of the river Gandak. Whilst
around the east - it has covered near the GangesRiver and is uttered in regions
of southern Bihar. Magahi also absorbs South Bihar, east of the River Son, and
the northerly of the two tablelands of Chota Nagpur. Bhojpuri absorbs the
southerly tableland of Chota Nagpur and the the country north and south of the
GangesRiver as far west as, say, Benares. Maithili is also spoken by the
Madhesis of Nepal.
Maithili and Magahi
are a good deal more intimately affiliated to each other than either is to
Bhojpuri. So, the Maithili could nearly be addressed as an isolated linguistic
communication. The model anatomy of the nomenclature is that languages spoken
in the Madhubani section of the Darbhanga territorial dominion, and in the
adjacent part of the district of Bhagalpur. Maithili is verbalized in its most
avid pureness by the Brahmanas of the north of the Darbhanga and Bhagalpur
districts, and by those of western Purnea.
History of Maithili
During the British
rule it is customary among western linguists to refer to Maithili as 'Bihari',
a few words on this term are in order. The earliest usage of the term 'Bihari
(literally, the language of Bihar) is found in some British referrals wherein
the explanation offered the following reasons for adopting this name to
designate three dialects - Bhojpuri, Maithili and Magadhi [Magahi]:
1. It is a local name,
like the names of other languages as Bengali and Punjabi.
2. The extension of
the name to cover all the dialects of Eastern Hindustan has a parallel in the
case of Marâthï, which has been extended to cover the Dakhani dialect of Berär,
while it means literally only the dialect of the Maräthä country.
3. There is a
historical propriety in the name, as the work Bihar is derived form the
Buddhist Viharas or monasteries once so thickly spread over that region; and.
Bihari in its most ancient form was the language of the early Jains and
Buddhists.
4. Bihari has a
prescriptive right to the dignity of assuming a general character, for the only
one of all the dialects of Eastern Hindustan which possesses any literature is
Maithili, a dialect of north Bihar.
That the choice was
unfortunate has been felt ever since. Most modern writers on Maithili have resented
it and have so indicated.
What is most
interesting is that several linguists grouped Maithili and Bhojpuri together as
dialects of a common Bihari while even thought they were two cultural and
linguistic as well as literary traditions, and even said that Bhojpuri
"belongs rather to the united Provinces than to Bihar, and all its
associations and traditions point to the west and not to the east.
There never was in the
past nor exists today a language called Bihari. There is no mention of it in
any literature, any document or any record. There is not a single individual
who speaks or writes in the Bihari language. It has no script, no literature, no
actual existence. It is surely a creation of some strange mind and lives in
philological works of scholars who thoughtlessly decided to copy the
classification still existing today.
The Maithili language
is spoken in the state of Bihar and neighbouring country of Nepal. It is not
considered as a separate language from Hindi however those who speak the
language would prefer to be called a separate language from Hindi.
Maithili language is
one of the former languages of India. It has the dialect of Hindi and hence
many consider that it has been derived from the Hindi language. It belongs to
the Indo-Aryan group just like all other Indian languages. It is spoken primarily
in the state of Bihar and in the Nepal Terai region. It took a long time for
this language to attain the official status in Indian languages list. This was
because people did not consider it significantly different from that of Hindi.
There were a lot of petitions to give an official status to help education and
literature work in this language. Finally the petitions were all paid due
respect and the language attained its official status in the year 2003.
The name for this
language was derived from the origin of this language. This language originated
in the state of Mithila, which had a great history in the literature, and epics
of India. Mithila was one of the ancient continents in the world and this
clearly shows how ancient the language Maithili is. The entire Mithila used the
language Maithili in both written and oral form. Works rich in the languages
were released and attained global familiarity. Despite the large group of
speaking population, the language did not dominate North India equal to that of
the Hindi language.
The most famous poet
of our nation Vidyapati wrote his literature works in Maithili language. His
poems and thoughts added beauty to this language and raised its power over more
than what it originated to be. While oral communication was easier and poets
used tunes to enhance the sweet nature of the language, written communication
was in Maithili script. This is most similar to the Bengali script. Since all
of the state were grouped as one in the ancient India, it is common for them to
have followed the same writing script.
Maithili is often
mixed with Bhojpuri and Maithili songs are made which is very popular amongst
the people of Bihar. Today Maithili song concerts draw large crowds.
At present, Maithili
speaking population could be sparsely found in the state of Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Orissa. Since Maithili belonged to most of
eastern India, it flourished better. If it had been a central Indian language
then it would have been long dominated by the fast sweep of the Hindi language.
Though we have not yet excavated the real branches of Maithili, many literature
proofs show that Maithili had Hindi in its branches. This means that the origin
of Hindi was Maithili language. Census reports show that around 22 million people
speak Maithili languages in India and around 25 million people in the world.
Varanasi is considered the holiest of the seven holy cities in India. It is also the oldest city which is known to be continuously inhabited anywhere in the world. Earlier known as Kashi and then Benaras or Banaras, the pilgrimage center is situated on the banks of the Ganga (Ganges) the holiest of the 7 holy rivers of Hindu religion. The city is of religious importance to Jains and Buddhists in addition to being the salvation ground of Hindus. Sarnath, the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon is situated close to Varanasi. The city has seen its days of glory and also destruction at the hands of invaders. Today, it stands out in the world map as the center of Indian philosophy, spirituality, mysticism and Indian religious beliefs. Besides the temples, tourists are attracted to 84 Ghats of Varanasi where people make ablutions on the banks of the rivers.
People often travel to the city of Varanasi from all over India and the world as well since it is well connected to every place by an international airport, Railways station and national highways. It is situated at a distance of 320 km from the state capital Lucknow and 790 km from Indian Capital Delhi.
Delhi to Varanasi by Air
After the construction of Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi has been well connected to Delhi by air with numerous flights operating between the two cities. The Airport is situated in Babatpur at a distance of 18 km from the heart of city of Varanasi. Those who expect an easy, comfortable and quick journey to Varanasi can opt for the air travel. A daily direct flight from Varanasi to Delhi is available around the year.
The domestic terminal at the Varanasi airport has incorporated all modern techniques and is well equipped with escalators and high-tech system of handling the baggage of visitors. Due to many senior citizens and people with disability visiting the pilgrimage center, the airport has wheelchairs arrangement made to meet their requirements. In an amazing gesture, the airport authorities have special assistance provided in handling of baggage for people with special needs and senior citizens absolutely free.
Varanasi: The most holiest of places for the Hindus
An international terminal connecting the airport to international destinations has been opened in 2012. The cost of air ticket is approximately 3000/-INR for a flight between Delhi and Varanasi. Once outside the airport, there are number of prepaid taxis and auto rickshaws where spot bookings can be done to get to Varanasi. There are also buses plying from the airport to different hotels and center points of Varanasi for those who do not prefer taxis or auto rickshaws. As a bonus, tourist can shop for handicrafts, ethnic jewelry and other goodies in the airport, besides eating at the fast food joints available there.
Delhi to Varanasi by Train
Traveling from Delhi to Varanasi by train is approximately a 9 hour journey, which is the reason why many prefer overnight journey. Those who do not wish to enjoy the sights along the rail route can embark on the train from Delhi in the night and wake up in the city of destination early next morning. Most of the pilgrims traveling from Delhi to Varanasi find traveling by trains to be one of easiest, cheapest and best way of transport though one has to be careful about the thefts which have been reported often. The holy city of Varanasi is a major junction of the Indian Railways, for which tickets can be booked online and through electronic reservations.
Manikarnika Burning Ghat, Varanasi India
The approximate cost of the tickets per adult from Delhi to Varanasi is
First class air conditioned coach – 2400/- INR
2 tier air conditioned coach – 1275/- INR
3 tier air conditioned coach – 825/- INR
Sleeper Class – 320/- INR
The two railway stations situated in Varanasi are the Varanasi Junction with the IRS code of BSB and Mughal Sarai Junction with IRS code MGS. Varanasi junction is located in the center of the city whereas the Mughal Sarai is at the distance of nearly 15 km from Varanasi. Many of the super fast trains traveling from Delhi to Kolkata make a stop at the Mughal Sarai railway station, which is preferred by travelers.
Delhi to Varanasi by Road
Varanasi has an excellent network of roads connecting it to different cities. It lies between the National Highway NH2 connecting Delhi to Kolkata. This is considered the convenient way to travel to Varanasi from Delhi for people preferring traveling by road which is approximately an 11 hour journey.
A number of sleeper, semi-sleeper, deluxe, AC, Volvo and non AC buses ply between the city of Varanasi and Delhi every day. The tickets can be booked online in advance through various websites. Taxi can be booked to travel between Delhi and Varanasi though it is not going to be cheap. Getting to Varanasi and back to Delhi can cost anywhere between 13,000/- INR – 18,000/- INR depending on the type of car you choose. Here’s how to book your train tickets.
A wonderful palace built in Tudor style
architecture commonly known as Bangalore Palace stands in the centre of
Bangalore (Bengaluru) city, which is one of the three famous palaces belonging to the
Wodeyar dynasty. The other two are the Mysore Palace and Fern Hill Palace of Ooty.
There is the misconception among many people that the palace was constructed by
King Chamaraja Wodeyar, whereas the fact is it was built by Rev. Garrett, the first principal of the Central
High School which was later bought by the Chamaraja Wodeyar for a sum of
40,000/- rupees in 1873 and renovated later. Initially sprawling on 454 acres
of land, the palace has lost much of its gardens and
beauty to the development taking place around it.
The palace attracts tourists not only for
its assorted collection of rare arts and paraphernalia from the history of
India, but also for its amazing wood carvings, paintings, turreted parapets, fortified
towers, gothic windows, and much more. The palace grounds serves as a venue for
big important events like exhibitions, trade shows, trade fairs and other
public events including music concerts music concerts performed by artists who
come from all across the globe. One of the most distinctive events that took
place here was the great music gig named Eddfest, by Metallica in 2007, which
is the biggest paid music event to take place in India to date.
Attractions of Bangalore Palace
The Bangalore palace attracts tourists not
only for its outer beauty but also for its sophisticated interiors and great
collections of arts. Initially the interiors of the palace were closed to
visitors but it has been made open to the public for a fee since June 2012. Some
of the things that have caught the attention of visitors are:
·Two valuable gifts - bench of
bright colored tiles and a fountain, from Don Alphonso, the King of Spain. It
said to be a creation of the great deco ceramist Seville.
·An exquisite dining table with
mother of pearl inlay and Chinese lacquer work which is believed to belong to
Sir Mirza Ismail, a great Diwan of Mysore.
·Photographs and paintings of
famous people connected to the Wodeyar dynasty
·Large acres of sprawling lawns
in heart of busy city wide spreading lawns and beautiful gardens.
·Intricate and elaborate
interiors of wood which is boasts of some excellent carvings, floral motifs,
ceilings covered with relief paintings and beautifully decorated
cornices/ledges.
·A large open courtyard on the ground floor with has granite seats which
have been decorated with fluorescent blue ceramic tiles
·An fabulous ballroom for
special events
·Coat of arms with an emblem of two headed bird,
an emblem of Wodeyars. It is believed to be presented by the British to the
then ruler Chamraja Wodeyar X
·A grand dressing mirror with frames
made of pure gold
·A chemically preserved elephant
head
·An ancient refrigerator made of
wood
·Rare collection of paintings by
Raja Ravi Varma.
·The Durbar hall or assembly
hall of king, with decorated stained glass windows, yellow colored walls and a sofa
set to match the walls.
·A horse hoof leg shaped
weighing chair which was used to weight Jockeys by the Wodeyars who were
passionate about horse-racing.
·Common things used by the
dynasty like dressing tables, chairs, lamps, combs, stools made from real
elephant and bullocks legs, vase made of elephant trunk, empty perfume bottles
and other things which gives clues to the lifestyle of the people of past.
Visiting the Palace
The Bangalore palace is conveniently
located, as it is just 30 minutes drive from airport. It is located from just
3-4 km from city railway station, 2 km from Yeshwantpur, and just 1 km from
Cantonement Railway Station. Tourists can get there easily by either by bus or
auto-rickshaws as it boasts of good connectivity with all places of
Bangalore.
Bangalore has pleasant weather all around
the year, so the city can be visited whenever it is convenient for the tourist.
The palace remains open to the tourists
from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except on Sundays.
Entry fee
Indian tourists – Rs. 230/-
Foreign tourists – Rs 460/-
Extra payment of Rs. 1485/- for video
recording and Rs. 685 for photography will be collected separately.
1.Shalu I know a little about India, but
can you tell us a little more about the demographics of India, i.e. location,
population, primary language, size, etc.
India with its capital at New Delhi is
located in the south of the Asian continent. It is so big that is dubbed as the
Indian subcontinent. In Fact, it’s the seventh largest country in the world.
India has borders with 7 countries namely Pakistan, Burma, China, Bangladesh,
Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal lies in the
west and the east respectively. The population of India is 1.2 billion and
rising, the second most populous country after China. There are 17 official
languages of India and Hindi is the most prominent. English is used
extensively. The main religion of India is Hinduism while Islam occupies a
major space. Other religions include Sikhism, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism
and Zoroastrianism.
2.Some people think ethics only count when
someone else is watching or listening.How is ethical behavior viewed in India in other words are ethics a big
part of decision-making?
Ethics is big in India mainly in personal
and family affairs. Children are taught morality and some schools even have
“Moral Science” as a subject. We are taught how to talk and respect elders,
behave in public, help the needy and so on. In fact, the Indian way of life and
behavior revolves around “karma” and attaining “mokhsa” or nirvana in other
words free form the recycle of birth.
3.What is the biggest ethical challenge in
the Indian workplace?
India is one of the most corrupt counties
in the world. In fact, it’s so bad in some places; you have to bribe the
officer-in-charge in order to get some work done. I remember paying a bribe to
get my marriage certificate. The biggest challenge in the Indian workplace is
eliminating bribery, corruption and shear laziness.
4.Favoritism at work is one of my most
searched queries; does the Indian workplace deal with favoritism at work and
what issues are most prevalent in the Indian workplace?
Favoritism and nepotism is rife in Indian
workplace. We don’t deal with it, we live with it. It will take another 50
years to get rid of this practice. Bribery is one of the major issues we have
to deal with. Although more and more people are being punished for taking
bribes and things are getting more transparent but we are a long way away from
a bribe-free society. Employees arriving late especially in government
establishments is another issue but some administrators are cracking down on
this.
5.You wrote a post about bhang sales
(marijuana), is it an ethical issue for the Indian government to support bhang
sales?
I don’t think it’s an ethical issue but a
cultural one. Consumption of Bhang or marijuana is somewhat ingrained in Indian
society. The government of India facilitates the sale of bhang especially
during some festivals and some places so that tourists and occasional bhang
users do not fall in the trap of drug dealers.
6.What are the main uses of bhang by the
people of India?
It’s used in “bhang lassi” or bhang
milkshake during the Hindu festival of Holi. I am not aware if there are any
medical uses of bhang but I have read and heard that it’s used for depression
and cancer.
7.Bootlegged cd’s, movies, and video games
are illegal and viewed by most Americans as unethical.How does India deal with bootleggers and is
bootlegging a major problem?
Bootlegging is a big problem in India.
Bollywood is the biggest film industry in the world and large numbers of the
sales of CD’s and DVD’s are pirated. Unfortunately, it’s sold openly in many
places and it’s not considered as unethical by the sellers and most buyers are
perhaps not aware of it. There are periodic raids on illegal workshops and the
police are trying to crack the bootleggers.
8.Most Americans have heard about the
unethical treatment against women in India; I even wrote an article addressing
how women have resorted to using “women only trains”, in your opinion what
needs to be done for women rights in your country?
India is highly male dominated society. Women
is often subjected to abuse, ill treatment and dowry system is rife. Unfortunately,
female infanticide still prevails. Although laws protect women and majority of
the time, law is on the side of women but more is still required. Women need to
be given reservations in government jobs which will uplift the status of women
and will make them financially independent. But to be honest, I think it’s
getting better, we’re not the Middle East. Indian women are getting better at
fighting for their rights.
9.You left a comment on my article “Should
your house stay inspection ready for a surprise visitor?”, You stated it is
very common for people to come by for a visits at any time.Is surprise visiting anyone at any time
acceptable by most Indians?
Visitors in particular relatives often turn
up without warning. You just have to play along and allow them to stay in your
house as long as they want (sometimes for months or years). Most Indians are
not surprised to see visitors at their doorsteps without being warned of their
arrival.
10.Thank you Shalu for your honest candor and
being the first international blogger to be part of this series.I know from reading your blog (Travel guide
to India) you are a proud Indian citizen.Is there anything you would want people to know about India?
Here some facts you might have not known
about India;
India is one of the few countries that
launch satellites. It was India where zero, the number system, algebra, trigonometry,
decimal system, and calculus were invented. Chess and “snakes and ladders “were
invented. India has the most number of offices in the world.
When you think about the sexiest beaches in the world, what thoughts come into your mind? You might imagine a tropical paradise with clear aqua blue water and white sandy beaches. Others may envision palm trees and beautiful scenery in every direction. Well, the sexiest beaches can certainly exist in any geographical location in the world. They come in all shapes and sizes too. If you are a traveler and romantic then you might wish to visit the following sexiest beaches in the world in the near future.
White Beach in Boracay, Philippines
Boracay is an island that is known for having the most gorgeous beaches in the Philippines. White Beach is certainly the most attractive one and it is featured in many advertisements for Boracay. The entire island is roughly 5 miles in length, so you could walk across the sands of White Beach in just a few hours and enjoy all the beauty that it has to offer. This beauty includes the classic clear blue water and white sandy beaches that was discussed. There are also lots of water sports and other beach activities available too.
Coral Islands of Maldives
Most people have never heard of Maldives before, but it is a tropical nation which consists of over one-thousand coral islands. It lies in the Indian Ocean about 200 miles south of the subcontinent and country of India. As for beaches, you could really take your pick because they are all gorgeous on these islands. There are many private beaches on these islands too, so you could arrange the perfect romantic getaway where you and your partner could have a beach all to yourself. Meanwhile, you will get all the luxurious accommodations of a five-star resort that you can imagine.
Haad Rin Beach on Ko Phangan Island in Thailand
Aside from the white powdery sand and aqua blue water, Haad Rin Beach hosts all-night parties which attract thousands of people from around the world every month. Whether you want to go for a romantic getaway or a wild party at an exotic location, this beach has all the essentials. You’ll find dancers, fire eaters, several beachside bars, techno music and so much more. Older couples might feel out of place here because this beach certainly attracts a lot of younger adults. But if you are in the mood for a thrilling beachside experience underneath the stars and moon, then schedule your trip to Haad Rin Beach.
Grand Case on Saint Martin Island
There are several islands in the Caribbean, but Saint Martin island has it all. You’ll find a variety of European cultural elements to experience, such as the food, buildings, people, and history. In the small coastal town of Grand Case, there are gourmet bistros established all along the beach. This used to be a fishing village until it was transformed into a culinary lover’s dream. You can relax in front of the turquoise waters while eating some of the best French food that you ever tasted.
Red Beach in the Greek Island of Santorini
Red Beach is located on the Greek island of Santorini. Greece may have a lot of beautiful beaches, but Red Beach stands out because of its geographical features. For one thing, it is shaped just like a crescent moon which is certainly exotic and unusual for a beach. There used to be a lot of volcanic activity that took place on this island back in ancient times. This helped form a lot of the redness that you see on the beachside cliffs. The Agean Sea in front of the beach has clear aqua blue waters and is in close proximity to clubs. Red Beach does like to attract topless bathers, so you might get lucky and see a few.
