Hindu Mythology-Samudra-Manthan.

The Asuras were older than their half-brothers the Gods. They acquired great possessions in the three worlds, but they did not sacrifice to each other, because they did not visit holy places, they did not acquire spiritual powers within themselves.

The Gods who did not have great possessions went on making sacrifices, went on dealing truthfully with each other, went on visiting holy places until they had greater and greater spiritual power within themselves.

The Gods and the Asuras knew that they could gain the Amrit, the nector of Life, if they churned up one of the seven oceans that, ring beyond ring, encircles the worlds. They came down to the Ocean of Milk. They took the Mountain Mandara for a churning-pole and the hundred-headed Vāsuki for a churning-rope. They wound the Vasuki around the mountain, and pulling it this way and that way they splashed and dashed the, Ocean up and down and to and fro. And the Ocean of Milk frothed and bubbled as they churned,it was supported by Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of Kurma.

For a thousand years the Gods and the Asuras churned the Ocean of Milk. All that time Vāsuki, from his hundred heads spat venom. The venom bit into the rocks and broke them up; it flowed down, destroying the worlds of Gods and men. Then all creation would have been destroyed in that flood of venom if it had not been for the act of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva took up the venom in the bowl, stored it in his throat. His throat became blue. But by his act, the Gods achieved more spiritual powers than the Asuras.

Still they churned. Then out of the Ocean of Milk came the wish-bestowing cow, Surabhi. Gods and Asuras rejoiced at the prosperity that came with her. Then appeared the Apsaras and Asuras sported with them. The moon was churned up, and Lord Shiva took it and set it upon his forehead.

The Asuras sported with the Apsaras. The Gods, labored at the churning, and the whole Ocean of Milk foamed and bubbled. Then was churned up the gem of gems, Kaustubha, and then white Uchhaibhsravas, the best of steeds.

Now the Gods grew in strength as they labored, they grew in strength, while the Asuras abandoned themselves more and more to pleasures, and they fought amongst themselves on account of the pleasures that all of them sought. And then, seated on a lotus and holding a lotus in her hand, a lovely Goddess appeared. She went to Lord Vishnu; she cast herself on the God, and, reclining there, she delighted the Gods with the glances she bestowed on them.

Asuras, in despair because Good Fortune had gone to the side of the Gods, stood around, determined to seize by force the next good thing that came out of the churning.

And then, behold! there appeared the sage Dhanvantari, and in his hands was the bowl that held the Amrit, the nector of Life. The Asuras strove to seize it; they would drink it all themselves, or else they would fling the Amrit where Vasuki’s venom was dripping on the rocks. Almost they overpowered the Gods in their efforts to seize the Amrit. Then Lord Vishnu changed himself into a ravishing form, he switched to be Mohini. The Asuras went towards where Mohini postured for them. Even then they fought amongst each other. And the Gods took the bowl, and, sharing it, they drank from the bowl of the Amrit.

And now they were filled with such vigor that the Asuras could not overpower them.  They drove them down into hell where they became the Daityas

The Gods were triumphant and the three worlds became filled with radiance and spiritual power.       Indra, seated upon his throne, made a hymn in praise of Devi Laxmi. She granted him his wish, which was that she should never abandon the Gods.

The fourteen Jewels were taken among them as under.

Kamdhenu.                                         The Rishis.

Uchhaishravan Ashva.                        King Bali.

Airavata Elephant.                              Indra.

Jewel Kaustubhmani.                          Lord Vishnu.

Goddess Laxmi.                                  Lord Vishnu.

Divine Nector.                                               The Devatas.

Divine Apsaras.                                   The Devtas./Asuras

Sura the Wine.                                                The Asuras.

Holy Tree Parijat.                                The Yachakas.

Dhanvantary.                                      Lord Vishnu.

Poison.                                                            Lord NeelKanth. (Shiva)

Moon.                                                  Lord Shiva’s Forehead.

The Sacred Conch.                              Lord Vishnu.              

Mohini.                                                Avatar.            

Elephanta Caves.

The Elephanta island is located in Bombay, about 6 mile from Gateway of India.  

Elephanta Island has an area of 4-6 square miles, varying with the tide. In the early 16th century Portuguese navigators named the island Ilha Elefante , Elephant Island in reference to a large stone elephant that was found there; the statue was later moved to Victoria Garden, Bombay. The island's Hindi name, Gharapuri, derives from a small village at its southern end.

Elephanta's famous 8th- and 9th-century cave temples were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1987.

Atop a large hill, they occupy some 54,800 square feet. The main temple is a long hall stretching 90 feet, carved into the rock on the walls and ceiling of the cave are rows of columns and crossbeams. The plan of the temple is such that important points are laid out in the form of a mandapa. A series of sculptured panels lining the walls of the cave portrays images from  mythology, the most celebrated of which is the 20-foot,  high Trimurti,  the famous three-headed Shiva posture in the role of destroyer, preserver, and creator emerging from a mountain.

Other sculptures depict Shiva crushing Ravana with his toe, the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Shiva bringing the Ganges to earth by letting her flow through his hair, and Shiva as the embodiment of cosmic energy, dancing to drums.

A linga is housed in a sanctuary at the western end of the temple. When the island was ceded to the Portuguese by the Sultan of Ahmedabad in the 16th century, it ceased to be a place of worship, and the caves and sculptures were damaged by Portuguese soldiers. In the 1970s the temples were restored and preserved, and the island became a popular tourist site. 

Akshaya Tritiya.

The main legend is from Mahabharata.

When Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna gave Draupadi a bowl called the Akshaya Pathram.

The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes and this bowl is said to have given infinite food to the Pandavas.

This is why this day is considered to be a good time to bring home Goddess Lakshmi, in any form, gold, silver or platinum. Valuables that are acquired on this day are said to be replenished endlessly.

There is also another legend associated with the day, also known as Akha Teej, in North India.

This is celebrated as the birthday of Parshurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu marking the beginning of Golden Age. Parshuram is the son of Jamadagni and Renuka.

One day, when Jamadagni got angry with his wife Renuka, he commanded Parshuram to kill her.

Obeying his father's command, he killed his mother. In return, when Jamadagni offered his son a boon, he got his mother back to life.

Associated with the Mahabarata, is another story behind the origin of the day.

It was on this day that the Pandavas unearthed weapons that clinched them their victory over the Kauravas.

It is also believed that Goddess Vijaya Chamundeshwari killed an Asura on this day.

It was also on this day that Ved Vyasa, along with Lord Ganesha, is believed to have started writing the Mahabharata.

And according to the puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga, which is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in Hindu religion, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and preceding the Dvapara Yuga.

The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parasurama and Rama respectively

ParsuRam Jayanti.

I am proud of my Friend Colleague Prashanth for his say that every being is a cosmic being.

Cosmic energy if it is inert dormant has to be developed electrified enlarged by penance and meditation. One has to be blessed by an Idol an ideal a Guru whom he keeps worshipping while meditating and prove to be worthy of his blessing.

Dynasty of Lord Parasurama 
In the dynasty of the Ailas was a great king named Gadhi. His daughter Satyavati was chaste and beautiful. The king was approached by sage Ruchika for the hand of his daughter.

King Gadhi did want to refuse a Brahman, but at the same time did not consider him a fit match for his daughter. So he fixed a dowry for his daughter, of at least one thousand horses, brilliant as the sunshine, with one ear black and the other white. The great sage understanding the mind of the king, procured this from Varuna, the demigod of the ocean, and thus was married to Satyavati. 

Soon Satyavati and her mother both approached sage Ruchika and requested him to perform a yajna  so that they could have a son. The great sage performed the yajna and prepared two oblations, one for his wife, Satyavati and one for her mother. Since he was a Brahman, he instructed his wife to eat the oblation prepared to induce Brahmanical qualities in the child.

The oblation for the mother-in-law was prepared with Ksatriya mantra since she belonged to the ruling class. 

The mother of Satyavati thinking that the oblation for her daughter was superior to her, requested it from her daughter and ate it, while Satyavati ate the oblation prepared for her mother.

When the great sage Ruchika found out about this, he first declared that while Satyavati would have a fierce son on Ksatriya qualities, her mother would have a learned son of Brahmanical qualities. However, appeased by his remorseful wife, he later decreed that while Satyavati would have a Brahmanical son, the son of this son would be a fierce warrior. 

Thus was set the stage for the appearance of Lord Parasurama. In accordance with the decree of sage Ruchika, Satyavati had Jamadagni as a son, who was a gentle pious Brahman. The mother of Satyavati, the wife of King Gadhi had a son, who though born in a ksatriya family would later become a great Brahman rishi called Vishwamitra. 

The chaste Satyavati later became the sacred river Kausika, to purify the entire world. Her son Jamadagni married Renuka, the daughter of Renu. He had several sons headed by Vasuman. The youngest of his son was called Rama. Because of his fondness of parusa (metal chopper) as a weapon he was later called Parasurama.

Parsuram is the sixth Incarnation of lord Vishnu, belongs to the Tretayug, and is the son of Jamadagni and Renuka. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Lord Shiva, from whom He learned the methods of warfare and other skills. Dharani is his wife an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi.

King Kartavirya Sahastr-arjuna, took away the holy cow Surbhi forcibly, and the King's sons killed Jamadagni in Parshuram's absence. Furious at their unrighteous act, He killed all sons of the King and also went on killing all corrupt Haihaya Kings and warriors on the earth 21 times.

He then conducted the Ashvamedha sacrifice, done only by sovereign Kings and gave the entire land He owned to priests who performed the sacrifice.

He is Immortal who stopped the advancing ocean back, thus saving the lands of Maharashtra - Karnataka - Kerala coastline and it is known as Parsuram Kshetra.

He has been a Guru to Bhishma, Dronacharya and later also to Karna. He taught Karna the extremely powerful Brahmastra. But He also cursed that the knowledge would be useless to Karna, predicting much in advance that Karna will join the unrighteous Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra war. Such was His love for Righteousness.

Parshuram is a martial Shraman ascetic. However, unlike all other Incarnations, Parshuram lives on earth even today. The Kalki Purana states Parshuram will be the martial guru of Sri Kalki, the 10th and final Incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is He who instructs Kalki to perform a long penance unto Shiva to receive celestial weaponry.

He created a temple of worship right after He resurfaced Kerala from the sea. He placed statues of various Deities in 108 different places and introduced martial arts to protect the temple from the evil.

Parshuram is known as an avesha avatar, in other words he was born into the soul of a man rather than by direct descent. It is for this reason that he is not widely worshiped in this format, although there are several temples dedicated to Parshuram. The majority of such temples are situated on the Indian coast.

There is a major festival known as Parshuram Jayanti that celebrates this deity. The festival takes place during April of the Western calendar, or on the third day of the bright half of the Hindu month Vaishakh. There is a giant parade and the festivities are hosted by the Brahmins resident in Jammu city.

One story that relates to this avatar involves the anger of his father Jamadagni. Based on his rage, he asked Parshuram to slay his wife Renuka, Parshuram's mother. In obedience and devotion to his father, this deed was done. However, when offered a reward for his obedience, he requested his mother be given back her life. From this story comes the recognition of this avatar with parental devotion.

Another tale tells of Kartavirya Sahashrarjun, who was a kshatrya (warrior king), murdering Parshuram's father. Due to this deed, Parshuram made a vow to obliterate all warrior kings. However, in fear the kshatrya fled the district until being urged back on the grounds that Parshuram must depart. He was then exiled to the mountain Mahendra because of his misconduct.

A third story tells of Parshuram's intention to visit Shiva. Apparently he was stopped by Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu deity en route. Parshuram responded by hurling his axe at Ganesha, who allowed it to sever a tusk as the axe had been gifted by Shiva.

he knew most of the vidyas by the age of eight and was able to converse with animals. Although there are numerous references and stories pertaining to Parshuram, his main purpose was reportedly to rid the planet of wrongness, especially formed by powerful kings who mistreated their status.

Japan-The Geisha.

Geisha girls entertain men, at parties in restaurants or tea-houses.                                                                                            The Japanese word geisha means "art person," and singing, dancing, and playing the flute.                           They excel in flower arranging, performing the tea ceremony, or calligraphy.                                             Geisha provides an atmosphere of chic and gaiety for her wealthy clientele.                                                             Geisha are dressed in traditional kimonos and delicately mannered and have a knowledge not only of the past but also of contemporary gossip.

The geisha system is thought to have emerged in the 17th century to provide a class of entertainers set apart from courtesans and prostitutes, who plied their trades respectively among the nobility and samurai. The geisha system was traditionally a form of indentured labor, although some girls, attracted by the glamour of the life, volunteered.

Usually, a girl at an early age was given by her parents for a sum of money to a geisha house, which taught, trained, fed, and clothed her for a period of years. Then she emerged into the society known as karyu-kai, the flower of the willow world  and began earning money to repay her parents' debt and her past keep.

The most sought-after geisha could command large sums from their customers. Besides providing entertainment and social companionship, geisha sometimes maintained sexual relationships with their clients.

In the 1920s there were as many as 80,000 geisha in Japan, but by the late 20th century their number had dwindled to only a few thousand, almost all confined to Tokyo and Kyoto, where they were patronized by only the wealthiest businessmen and most influential politicians. This decline in numbers was chiefly due to the easier availability of more casual forms of sex in postwar Japan; bar hostesses have taken over the geisha's role with the ordinary Japanese businessman.

When a geisha marries, she retires from the profession. If she does not marry, she usually retires as a restaurant owner, teacher of music or dance, or trainer of young geisha.

Earth Day. 22-04-2012.

Earth Day. 22-04-2012.

Joyful joyful we adore our Earth in all its wonderment
Simple gifts of nature that all join into a paradise
Now we must resolve to protect her
Show her our love throughout all time
With our gentle hand and touch
We make our home a newborn world
Now we must resolve to protect her
Show her our love throughout all time
With our gentle hand and touch
We make our home a newborn world

It is the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

1.      We have to educate ourselves.  How can we solve the problem if we don't know what the problem is? Information on green thinking, environmentalism and sustainable living is everywhere these days. Why not start with like our very own guide for How to Go Green?

2.      Transport. One of the biggest impacts we have on the planet is a direct result of the way we move ourselves around. You might consider walking, biking or using mass transit, at least a few days a week. Let the cars sleep.

3.      Energy. Many of the most effective ways to cut carbon emissions are also the cheapest. Turn lights off when you go out, install energy efficient bulbs and appliances, insulate your home, and keep an eye on consumption.

4.      Water

Every drop of tap water we use also requires energy to filter, purify and transport, and that means fossil fuel emissions. And for those of you in dryer areas, you know only too well that water is becoming an ever-scarcer resource. Fortunately it's pretty easy to do something about--install water-saving shower heads and aerators, turn the tap off when you're brushing your teeth, switch to more efficient appliances, or collect rainwater for use in the garden.

5.      Food.  More and more people are getting interested in sustainable food systems. To bring it back to basics, there are four principles that can help guide you to greener meals: eat local, eat seasonal, eat organic, and finally, eat less meat.

6.      Waste. Waste is still a big deal. Every item thrown away has taken energy and resources to manufacture and transport, and it will take even more energy and resources to process and dispose of, whether through landfill or recycling. So the old adage still rings true: reduce, reuse, recycle. And don't forget to compost!

7.      Threads. Organic cotton, and other alternative fabrics like hemp, flax or bamboo are becoming increasingly common, as are high-end fashion items from recycled materials. And then, of course, there are the trusty vintage and thrift stores  everywhere--style never goes out of fashion.

8.      Personal care. hemp-based, goat milk lip blusher may be the greenest product of its kind on the market.  Use nature organic products as beauty items.

9.      Plastic bags, bottles, plastic waste has to be recycled. Our planet, our home is being neglected. Climate change continues unabated. It seems there's a new ecological disaster happening almost daily. This Earth Day it's time to mobilize the planet from the ground up to send a message that the Earth won't wait

Jyotindra Dave-Gujarati Writer and Humorist

Humor King Gujarati Writer Jyotindra Dave.(1901-1980).

At public functions Jyotindra Dave’s funny smiling frame provoked a sense of humor and amusement. Humor is that quality of the imagination which gives to the idea an incongruous  fantastic turn, and tends to excite laughter or mirth in his narration of events in his speech or found in his expressions in his books.

Humor is a quality that makes something laughable or amusing, funny  to see the humor of the situation, which intends to induce laughter or amusement by Jyotindra Dave who was skilled at crafting humor, depending upon our ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is amusing, comical, incongruous, or absurd.  

Jyotindra narrated humor as hāsya as one of the fine attributes of literature,emotional response which is inspired in the mind of the reader by specific description, the emotions could generate fun and laughter, while reading the description of a singular event.

Jyotindra Dave’s name is synonymous with humor wit satire and laughter found in his books.

Not that there was paucity of humor, wit and laughter-provoking writers in Gujarati literature,but Jyotindra Dave’s works were of unique healthy innocent fun that readers used to enjoy from his prose.  His ‘Rang Tarang” in six parts is one of his master-piece works that has sent entire Gujarati lovers of literature in India and abroad in peel of laughter for many decades and his wit and humor has survived him.

He was the recipient of Ranjeet-Ram Gold medal for his humor wit and fun.

There have been many other writers on this field but Jyotindra Dave has been a class by himself unparallel for the present.  Some of his other works are:

Vad ane Teta.

Ame Badhan.

Jyotindra Taranga.

Nazar-Lambi ane Tunki.

Triju Sukh.

Jibh.

Aga Khan.

The Aga Khans are the Spiritual Leader of the Ismailias and the Khoja-community.

The First Aga Khan, Hasan Ali Shah (1800-1881). The Shah of Iran had appointed  Hasan Ali Shah as the First Aga Khan, and 46^th  Imam in the year 1818, both of the posts he held  from 1818 to 1881 till his death.  After his death his son succeeded  him as the second Aga Khan.

Hasan Ali  at the relevant time was the governor of the Iran province of Kerman and was high in the favor of Shah of Iran. The title Aga Khan chief commander was granted to Aga Hasan in 1818 by the Shah. But thereafter, under the next Shah of Iran Mohammad Shah, however felt his family honor slighted and rose in revolt in 1838 but was defeated and fled to India.

He helped the British in the first Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42) and in the conquest of Sindh (1842-43) and was granted a pension. After he had settled in Bombay, he encountered some opposition from a minority of his followers, who contested the extent of his spiritual authority and in a lawsuit challenged his control over the community's funds, but he won his case in 1866.

The term Khoja is not a religious designation but a purely caste distinction that was carried over from the Hindu background of the group. Thus, there are Sunnite Khojas and Shi'ite Khojas. Other Nizari Isma'ilis share the same beliefs, practices, and even language with the Khojas. However, one cannot enter the caste except by birth.

Khojas live primarily in India and East Africa. Every province with large numbers of them has an Isma'ili council, the decisions of which are recognized as legal by the state. As Nizari Isma'ilis, Khojas are followers of the Aga Khan.

The Imam in Muslim Religion.

The Imam is the head of the Muslim community.   Mention of the Imam is found in the Qur'an several times to refer to leaders and to Abraham. The origin and basis of the office of imam was conceived differently by various sections of the Muslim community. The sharp difference resulted into the split into Sunnite and Shi'ite Islam.

Among Sunnites, imam was synonymous with khalifah, designating the successor of Muhammad, who assumed his administrative and political except religious functions.

The Imam has to be appointed and obeyed, provided he maintained the ordinances of Islam. Political disagreement over succession to his office after the death  in year 661, of Ali, the fourth caliph and Muhammad's son-in-law, propelled the Shi'ite imam with a separate course of development.  The partisans of Ali attempted to preserve leadership of the entire Muslim community among the descendants of Ali.

In Shi'ite Islam, the imam became a figure of absolute spiritual authority and fundamental importance. Ali and the successive imams, who are believed by Shi'ism to be the sole possessors of secret insights into the Qur'an given them by Muhammad, under Neo-platonic influences of the 9th-10th centuries AD became viewed as men illumined by the Primeval Light, God, and as divinely appointed and preserved from sin. They alone, and not the general consensus of the community essential to Sunnite Islam, determined matters of doctrinal importance and interpreted revelation. With the historical disappearance ghaybah of the last imam.

There has been no consistency in the number of Imams, among the major sects, Sab'iyah Isma'ilis acknowledge 7 imams and Ithna 'Ashari (Twelvers) 12.

The title imam is also given to the specially trained Muslims who lead prayers in the mosques.

Most accounts of the story say that al Mahdi went into hiding as a child around the age of 5 years in about 13th Century. It said he has been ‘in hiding’ in caves ever since but will supernaturally return just before the Day of Judgment. According to the Hadith the criteria for the Hidden Imam are:

• He will be a descendant of Muhammad and the son of Fatima
• Will have a broad forehead and pointed nose
• Will return just before the end of the world
• His appearance will be preceded by a number of prophetic events during 3 years of horrendous world chaos, tyranny and oppression
• Will escape from Madina to Mekkah, thousands will pledge allegiance to him
• Will rule over the Arabs and the world for 7 years
• Will eradicate all tyranny and oppression bringing harmony and total peace
• Will lead a prayer in Mekkah which Jesus will be at his side and follow him.

Remarkably, the 12th Imam theory plays heavily into the world’s current concerns with Iran. The Shiite Muslim President of Iran, Ahmadinejad, is deeply committed to the Islamic Messiah, al Mahdi. There have been many through the years claiming to be the Hidden Imam but Ahmadinejad believes he is yet to come. He claims that he is to personally prepare the world for the coming Mahdi. In order to save the world, it must be in a state of chaos and subjugation. Ahmadinejad claims he was “directed by Allah to pave the way for the glorious appearance of the Mahdi”. This apocalyptic directive includes some very scary proclamations.

While Christians look for Jesus’ 2nd coming, the Jews await the Messiah and Muslims await the 12th Imam. However, of the three, Allah’s designated Mahdi is the only one who demands a violent path to conquer the world. Mr. Ahmadinejad, and his cabinet, say they have a ‘signed contract’ with al Mahdi in which they pledge themselves to his work. What does this work involve? In light of concerns over Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly stated Israel should be wiped off the map. He spoke to the United Nations in September ’05. During that speech he claims to have been in an aura of light and felt a change in the atmosphere during which time no one present could blink their eyes. Iran’s PM is also said to have spoken in apocalyptic terms and seems to relish conflict with the West whom he calls the Great Satan. This is while he proclaims he must prepare the world for the coming Mahdi by way of a world totally under Muslim control. He is working hard to bring about the world-wide horrors that must be in place for their al Mahdi to bring peace. 

Indian Rivers-Sacred Godavari.

Godavari is a sacred river rises from Trambakeshvar Nasik and flows eastward across the Deccan Plateau, along the Maharashtra-Andhra Pradesh border and across Andhra Pradesh state, turning southeastward for the last 200 miles of its course before reaching the Bay of Bengal. There it empties via its two mouths: the Gautami Godavari to the north and the Vasishta Godavari to the south. Its total length is 910 miles, and it has a drainage basin of 121,000 square miles.

From its source to the Eastern Ghats, the Godavari River flows through gentle, somewhat monotonous terrain, along the way receiving the Darna, Purna, Manjra, Pranhita, and Indravati rivers. Upon entering the Eastern Ghats region, however, the river flows between steep and precipitous banks, its width contracting until it flows through a deep cleft only 600 feet wide, Gorge.

On either side wooded hills rise almost vertically from the waters. Having passed through the Eastern Ghats, the river widens again, traversing wide plains, the low islands in its stream being used for tobacco growing. At this point the Godavari flows placidly. Just above the town of Rajahmundry, a dam was constructed on the river in 1948 to provide irrigation and hydroelectric power.

The upper reaches of the Godavari are dry in winter and spring, making it virtually useless for irrigation. At its mouths, however, the development of a navigable irrigation-canal system, linking its delta with that of the Krishna River to the southwest, has made the land one of the richest rice-growing areas of India.

The Godavari, throughout its entire length, is sacred to the people.

18th April 2012 is World Heritage Day.

18^th April every year is being celebrated as World Heritage Day.

It is a list of various areas or objects inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List. The sites are designated as having "outstanding universal value."  This convention, which was adopted by UNESCO in 1972, provides a framework for international cooperation in preserving and protecting cultural treasures and natural areas throughout the world. India is a signatory to this treaty.

All sites on the list are under strict legal protection by the government of the nation in which they are situated. They are of three types.

Cultural sites include historic buildings, town-sites, archaeological sites and works of sculpture and painting in monuments.

Natural sites have record of earth’s geological geographical, ecological biological progress.

Mixed sites contain both places of natural and cultural significance.

The Taj Mahal.

The Golden Temple.

Ruins of Hampi, Karnataka.

Konark Sun Temple at Orissa.

Nalanda University.

Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

Jaisalmir Fort.

Red Fort Delhi.

Dhola Veera site.

Meenakshi Temple.

Ajanta Ellora Caves.

Fatehpur Sikkri.

Jagannath Temple.

Chaar Minar Hyderabad.

Siddi Saiyad Jali Ahmedabad.

Sun Temple Puri. And many more.

Ayur Veda Medicine- Shilajit-an elixir.

                      Shilajit –an Elixir.

It has bitter taste, an unpleasant odor and bears resemblance to black tar.

It has anti-anxiety, rejuvenating and aphrodisiac properties and is a panacea for many ills.

It was praised by Aristotle, prized by Genghis Khan. Foreigners have adopted it better than us.

Shilajit consists of ancient plant matter transformed over millions of years into a black substance that oozes from the rocks of the Himalayas.

Scientific analysis shows shilajit contains more than 85 minerals and fulvic acid, an antioxidant heavily touted these days by supplement marketers as a source of organic plant nutrient. Shilajit is advised to be taken starting with a rice grain- to pea-sized portion dissolved in warm milk or hot water, taken three times daily for general well-being.

Clinical studies on animals have shown positive results in memory and anti-stress enhancement, as well as antioxidant, anti-diabetic and immune-enhancing properties.

It maintains vigor, vitality and power at optimum levels.  It restores youthful vigor to the whole body. You start to feel the difference You will find yourself much younger, having extra stamina and more energy.  Shilajit re-builds and regenerates from within. This will clearly reflect on your skin. It will start looking glowing.

Mind well that Shilajit is to be taken in small doze in mixture with other medicine under a Vaidya’s supervision.

Charlie Chaplin-the Comedy King.

Charlie Chaplin. (1889-1977)

Charlie Chaplin was born on 16^th April 1889.  To-day is his 123 Birth-day.

Chaplin was the son of Charles and Hannah Chaplin, music-hall performers, and he first appeared on stage at age eight in a clog-dancing act. Because his father died soon after, and his mother was often in and out of mental institutions, Chaplin's early life was a dreary succession of boarding schools and orphanages, interspersed with occasional stage engagements and periods when he lived in the streets.

When Chaplin was 17 his older half brother, then working for the Fred Karno Company, found a place for him in the troupe. Chaplin's film career began in December 1913 at $150 a week. He never returned to the stage.

Chaplin hit upon his famous costume--derby hat, tight frock coat, baggy trousers, out-sized shoes, moustache, and cane--while making his second picture, Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914), though the full pathos and significance of the tramp character had not yet been realized.

His note-worthy films are:

The Gold Rush.

Modern Times.

Monsieur Verdoux.

The Kid.

The Great Dictator.

The Circus.

A Woman of Paris.

A King in New York.

City Lights.

The Pilgrim.

He was married four times--to three of his leading ladies, Mildred Harris (1918), Lita Grey (1924), and Paulette Goddard (1936), and, in 1943, to Oona O'Neill, daughter of the playwright Eugene O'Neill--and his first two divorces produced sensational headlines, as did a paternity suit in 1944.

There were headlines also when, in 1942, Chaplin called for a second front in the war against Germany; his political stance was attacked, in part, on grounds that he had never become a U.S. citizen. His film Monsieur Verdoux (1947), a mordant version of the Bluebeard story, angered the American Legion, among others. Pressed by the United States government for back taxes and linked by politicians and newspaper columnists with allegedly subversive causes, Chaplin left the country in 1952. Informed that his reentry rights would be questioned by the U.S. Department of Justice, he surrendered his reentry permit at Geneva in 1953. Thereafter, Chaplin and his family lived at Corsier-sur-Vevey, near Vevey,Switzerland.

In 1957 he produced in London A King in New York, a comedy laden with sermons against the House Committee on Un-American Activities, inane television commercials, and other aspects of American life. The film brought fresh accusations of pro-communism, which Chaplin specifically denied. In 1966 he wrote, directed, and appeared briefly in A Countess from Hong Kong, starring Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren. In 1972 he returned to the United States to receive a special award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His autobiography was published in 1964.

Social Worker Maharaj Ravishankar.

Ravishankar Maharaj.  (1884-1984).

In recognition of the social services rendered by Ravishankar Maharaj, Department of Post and Telegraph, Government of India, in the year 1986 issued a commemorative stamp depicting him as a freedom fighter and national leader.

Ravishankar Vyas, known as the Maharaj in Gujarat and all over India, was a true Gandhian, a leading freedom fighter and a humble servant of the people.

Born to a peasant Brahmin family of Radhu Village of Kaira District, Gujarat, Ravishankar dropped out of school just after the sixth standard and engaged himself to assist the parents, Nathiba and Pitamber Shivram Vyas in agriculture work.

          

Those were the days when the freedom movement of India was at the turning point towards independence from the British imperialism. MK Gandhi’s leadership was emerging in Champaran, Bihar, Mk Gandhi was ready to lead another Kisan movement in Kaira, Gujarat.

Ravishankar inspired by MK Gandhi’s ideas also joined the non-violent battle of the peasants of Kaira with courage and enthusiasm. His short-term association with MK Gandhi brought a drastic change in his vision of life. Therefore, by going from village-to-village in the Kaira district, he collected fact-based information regarding problems and difficulties of farmers proving himself to be a restless, tireless and a great constructive worker of his time.

          

The Gujarat region was the centre of activities pertaining to the national liberation movement of India in these days and strategies for all future program were also decided from there. Ravishankar Vyas was selected, who were given the responsibility to decide strategy in making the Non-Cooperation Movement as an unprecedented and successful movement under the  guidance of Vallabhbhai. He accomplished this task in launching of the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930.

          

Ravishankar Vyas participated in Borsad movement and Bardoli Peasants’ Agitation, and Quit India Movement and suffered imprisonment for ten years.

          

He established Rashtriya-shala at Sunav, Gujarat, making the youth self-reliant with a sense of duty and values. He worked day and night at the time of a natural calamity that came in the form of floods in 1927 in the Central Gujarat and earn the title of Maharaj.

          

Ravishankar Maharaj associated himself with the Sarvodaya and the Bhoodan movements and concentrated his entire energy on practical and beneficial work for the welfare of the down-trodden people of Gujarat. Organizing relief works for the aid of the victims of natural calamities like cyclones, floods and draughts in villages, in making permanent arrangements for the implementation of relief work in view of the repeated onslaught of such natural calamities, and his noteworthy work for the common men and particularly rural masses became the source of inspiration for those concerned about reconstruction and rebuilding India. 

          

Ravishankar Maharaj as a social reformer, worker and leader, was a real Gandhian and highly respected among the people of Gujarat. The Maharaj breathed his last on July 1, 1984 at the age of 100.   Zaverchand Meghani’s famous novel ‘Mansaai na Deeva’ is based on the life of Ravishankar Maharaj.

Khyber Ghat.

This 36 miles passage connects Kabul with Peshawar. The pass has historically been the gateway for invasions of the Indian subcontinent from the northwest. The name Khyber is also applied to the range of broken hills and spurs of the Spin Ghar  Range. On either side of the connecting ridge are the sources of two small streams, the beds of which form the Khyber gorge. This narrow gorge forms the Khyber Pass; it winds between cliffs of shale and limestone, 600-1,000 feet high, and enters the Khyber Hills from the Shadi Bagiar opening, a few miles beyond Jamrud, Pak,  and continues northwestward for about 33 miles. Just beyond the old Afghan fort of Haft Chah, it opens onto the barren Lowyah Dakkah plain, which stretches to the Kabul River.

After a steep ascent at its southern entrance, the pass rises gradually to Fort Ali Masjid, where the Khyber River  leaves the pass to the south. For 5 miles from Ali Masjid the pass becomes a defile not more than 600 feet wide, flanked by imposing and precipitous walls. From Zintara village on northward, the pass becomes a valley a mile or more wide, with forts, villages, and scattered cultivation plots. About 10 miles west of Ali Masjid lies Landi Kotal fort and cantonment,  this is the highest point in the pass and is also an important market centre with an alternate route back to Peshawar. There the summit widens out northward for 2 miles. The main pass, however, descends from Landi Kotal through Shinwari territory to Landi Khana, where it runs through another gorge and enters Afghanistan territory at Towr Kham, winding another 10 miles down the valley to Lowyah Dakkah.

The Khyber Pass is threaded by a caravan track and by a good hard-surface road. The railway through the pass connects Jamrud with Landi Khana, near the Afghan frontier; the line, with its 34 tunnels and 94 bridges and culverts, revolutionized transportation in the area. The pass may be skirted by a road fork that enters the hills about 9 miles north of Jamrud and emerges at Lowyah Dakkah.

Few passes have had such continuing strategic importance or so many historic associations as the Khyber Pass. Through it have passed Persians, Greeks, Mughals, Afghans, and the British, for whom it was the key point in control of the Afghan border. In the 5th century BC Darius I the Great of Persia conquered the country around Kabul and marched through the Khyber Pass to the Indus River.

Two centuries later Hephaestion and Perdiccas, generals of Alexander the Great, probably used the pass. Buddhism flourished in and around the Khyber when it was part of Ashoka's kingdom, Buddhist remains include Kafir Kot, Shopla stupa also called the Khyber Top, and the stupa near Ali Masjid. The pass was used by Mahmud of Ghazna, Babur, Nader Shah, and Ahmad Shah Durrani and his grandson Shah Zaman in their invasions of India.

Ranjit Singh, the Sikh ruler of the Punjab, extended his kingdom as far as Jamrud in the early 19th century.The Pashtun Afridi people of the Khyber area always resisted foreign control, and numerous punitive expeditions were undertaken against them by the Mughals and the British. The first British advance northward into the Khyber took place in 1839, and during the First Anglo-Afghan War the pass was the scene of many skirmishes with the Afridis. The Treaty of Gandamak, which was signed during the Second Anglo-Afghan War in 1879, left the Khyber tribes under British control. In 1897 the Afridis seized the pass and held it for several months but were defeated in the Tirah expedition of 1897. The British became responsible for the safety of the pass, which is now controlled by the Pakistani Khyber Agency.