Sanskrit is the language of Devas they say in India. The rishis and munis who laid the foundation to Hinduism wrote the holy Vedas and Upanishads in Sanskrit. ‘The Rig Veda’ which is the oldest and the most well preserved documentary of Vedas is written in Sanskrit and is dated as early as 1500 BCE. Sanskrit also shows its influence in many of the European and Asian languages. Some of the words we use in English language which are borrowed from Sanskrit are:

ASHTA, “eight”=L. OCTO, Ger. ACHT (OCTAGON,

BHRAATHRA, “brother, fraternity” > L. FRATER (BROTHERHOOD

DUR, “door”.

GO, “cow”

MANU, “man”

NAS, “nose” (NOSTRIL, NASAL)

For more such detailed derivations please refer to

http://www.geocities.com/sanskritpuns99/sanskrit.html

Vedas and Upanishads are considered sacred texts of Hinduism.

Vedas

There are four Vedas, the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism. They also had a vast influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed about 1500 B.C., and codified about 600 B.C. It is unknown when it was finally committed to writing, but this probably was at some point after 300 B.C. 

The hymns of the Rig Veda are considered the oldest and most important of the Vedas, having been composed between 1500 BC and the time of the great Bharata war about 900 BC. More than a thousand hymns are organized into ten mandalas or circles of which the second through the seventh are the oldest and the tenth is the most recent. The Hindu tradition is that even the Vedas were gradually reduced from much more extensive and ancient divine revelations but were perverted in the recent dark age of Kaliyuga. As the only writings from this ancient period of India, they are considered the best source of knowledge we have; but the ethical doctrines seem to have improved from the ancient hymns to the mystical Upanishads. Hymns of Rig Veda are widely famous.

The hymn to liberality is a breath of fresh air:

The riches of the liberal never waste away,
while he who will not give finds none to comfort him.
The man with food in store who,
when the needy comes in miserable case
begging for bread to eat,
Hardens his heart against him -
even when of old he did him service -
find not one to comfort him.6

Sama Veda

The Sama Veda contains the melodies or music for the chants used from the Rig Veda for the sacrifices; almost all of its written verses are traceable to the Rig Veda, mostly the eighth and ninth books and most to Indra, Agni, or Soma. These are considered the origin of Indian music and probably stimulated great artistry to make the sacrifices worthwhile to their patrons who supported the priests. The Sama Veda helped to train the musicians and functioned as a hymnal for the religious rites.

The animal sacrifices did not use the Sama chants, but they were used extensively in agricultural rites and in the soma rituals for which the plant with inebriating and hallucinogenic qualities was imported from the mountains to the heartland of India. By this time the priests were specializing in different parts of the sacrifices as professional musicians and singers increased. The singing was like the strophe, antistrophe, and epode of the Greek chorus and used the seven tones of the European scale. By the tenth century BC the Aryans had invaded most of northern India, and once again trade resumed with Babylon and others in the near east. As the sacrifices became more complex, the priestly class used them to enhance their role in the society. Many considered this musical portion the most important of the Vedas.

Yajur Veda

Though also following many of the hymns of the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda deviates more from the original text in its collection of the ritual formulas for the priests to use in the sacrifices, which is what yaja means. It explains how to construct the altars for new and full-moon sacrifices and other ceremonies. The Yajur Veda has two collections or samhitas called White and Black, the latter being more obscure in its meanings.

Atharva Veda

The latest and fourth Veda is in a different category. For a long time many referred to only three Vedas, by which complete ceremonies could be conducted with the Rig hotr reciting, the Sama udgatri singing, and the Yajur adhvaryu performing the ritual. Even later the Atharvan Brahmin’s part was often performed unaccompanied by the other three priests. Also much of it draws from the customs and beliefs of pre-Aryan or pre-Vedic India. The Atharva Veda is much longer than the Sama and Yajur and only about a sixth of it is from the Rig Veda.

The Atharva Veda is primarily magical spells and incantations. The line between prayer and magic and between white and black magic is usually drawn by ethical considerations. The bheshajani are for healing and cures using herbs to treat fever, leprosy, jaundice, dropsy, and other diseases. The Aryans looked down on doctors and medicine, probably because the natives were more skilled in these than they. Other more positive spells were for successful childbirth, romance, fecundity, virility, etc.

Below is a hymn for perfect health  

. From thy eyes, thy nostrils, ears, and chin–the disease which is seated in thy head–from thy brain and tongue I do tear it out.
2. From thy neck, nape of the neck, ribs, and spine–the disease which is seated in thy fore-arm–from thy shoulders and arms I do tear it out.
3. From thy heart, thy lungs, viscera, and sides; from thy kidneys, spleen, and liver we do tear out the disease.
4. From thy entrails, canals, rectum, and abdomen; from thy belly, guts, and navel I do tear out the disease.
5. From thy thighs, knees, heels, and the tips of thy feet–from thy hips I do tear out the disease seated in thy buttocks, from thy bottom the disease seated in thy buttocks.
6. From thy bones, marrow, sinews and arteries; from thy hands, fingers, and nails I do tear out the disease.
7. The disease that is in thy every limb, thy every hair, thy every joint; that which is seated in thy skin, with Kasyapa’s charm, that tears out, to either side we do tear it out.

Upanishads

The term Upanishad means literally “those who sit near” and implies listening closely to the secret doctrines of a spiritual teacher. Although there are over two hundred Upanishads, only fifteen are mentioned by the philosophic commentator Shankara (788-820 CE). These fifteen and the Maitri are considered Vedic and the principal Upanishads; the rest were written later and are related to the Puranic worship of Shiva, Shakti, and Vishnu. The oldest and longest of the Upanishads are the Brihad-Aranyaka and the Chandogya from about the seventh century BC.

The Brihad-Aranyaka has three Aranyaka chapters followed by six Upanishad chapters. The first chapter of the Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad describes the world as represented by the horse-sacrifice. The primordial battle between the gods and the devils accounts for the evil found in the senses, mind, and speech, but by striking off the evil the divinities were carried beyond death. The priest chants for profound aspiration, one of the most famous verses from the Upanishads:

From the unreal lead me to the real!
From darkness lead me to light!
From death lead me to immortality!12

The primary message of the Upanishads is that this can be done by meditating with the awareness that one’s soul (atman) is one with all things. Thus whoever knows that one is Brahman (God) becomes this all; even the gods cannot prevent this, since that one becomes their soul (atman). Therefore whoever worships another divinity, thinking it is other than oneself, does not know.

The soul is made of everything; as one acts, one becomes. The doer of good becomes good; the doer of evil becomes evil. As is one’s desire, such is one’s resolve; as is the resolve, such is the action, which one attains for oneself. When one’s mind is attached, the inner self goes into the action. Obtaining the consequences of one’s actions, whatever one does in this world comes again from the other world to this world of action (karma).

I would like to end this piece of writing about Vedas and Upanishads with a hymn from the Atharva Veda about Mother Earth:

High Truth, unyielding Order, Consecration,
Ardor and Prayer and Holy Ritual
uphold the Earth, may she, the ruling Mistress
of what has been and what will come to be,
for us spread wide a limitless domain.

Untrammeled in the midst of men, the Earth,
adorned with heights and gentle slopes and plains,
bears plants and herbs of various healing powers.
May she spread wide for us, afford us joy!

On whom are ocean, river, and all waters,
on whom have sprung up food and plowman’s crops,
on whom moves all that breathes and stirs abroad -
Earth, may she grant to us the long first draught!

To Earth belong the four directions of space.
On her grows food; on her the plowman toils.
She carries likewise all that breathes and stirs.
Earth, may she grant us cattle and food in plenty!

On whom the men of olden days roamed far,
on whom the conquering Gods smote the demons,
the home of cattle, horses, and of birds,
may Earth vouchsafe to us good fortune and glory!

Bearer of all things, hoard of treasures rare,
sustaining mother, Earth the golden-breasted
who bears the Sacred Universal Fire,
whose spouse is Indra – may she grant us wealth!

Limitless Earth, whom the Gods, never sleeping,
protect forever with unflagging care,
may she exude for us the well-loved honey,
shed upon us her splendor copiously!

Earth, who of yore was Water in the oceans,
discerned by the Sages’ secret powers,
whose immortal heart, enwrapped in Truth,
abides aloft in the highest firmament,
may she procure for us splendor and power,
according to her highest royal state!

On whom the flowing Waters, ever the same,
course without cease or failure night and day,
may she yield milk, this Earth of many streams,
and shed on us her splendor copiously!

May Earth, whose measurements the Asvins marked,
over whose breadth the foot of Vishnu strode,
whom Indra, Lord of power, freed from foes,
stream milk for me, as a mother for her son!

Your hills, O Earth, your snow-clad mountain peaks,
your forests, may they show us kindliness!
Brown, black, red, multifarious in hue
and solid is this vast Earth, guarded by Indra.
Invincible, unconquered, and unharmed,
I have on her established my abode.

Impart to us those vitalizing forces
that come, O Earth, from deep within your body,
your central point, your navel, purify us wholly.
The Earth is mother; I am son of Earth.
The Rain-giver is my father; may he shower on us blessings!

The Earth on which they circumscribe the altar,
on which a band of workmen prepare the oblation,
on which the tall bright sacrificial posts
are fixed before the start of the oblation -
may Earth, herself increasing, grant us increase!

That man, O Earth, who wills us harm, who fights us,
who by his thoughts or deadly arms opposes,
deliver him to us, forestalling action.

All creatures, born from you, move round upon you.
You carry all that has two legs, three, or four.
To you, O Earth, belong the five human races,
those mortals upon whom the rising sun
sheds the immortal splendor of his rays.

May the creatures of earth, united together,
let flow for me the honey of speech!
Grant to me this boon, O Earth.

Mother of plants and begetter of all things,
firm far-flung Earth, sustained by Heavenly Law,
kindly and pleasant is she. May we ever
dwell on her bosom, passing to and fro!…

Do not thrust us aside from in front or behind,
from above or below! Be gracious, O Earth.
Let us not encounter robbers on our path.
Restrain the deadly weapons!

As wide a vista of you as my eye
may scan, O Earth, with the kindly help of Sun,
so widely may my sight be never dimmed
in all the long parade of years to come!

Whether, when I repose on you, O Earth,
I turn upon my Right side or my left,
or whether, extended flat upon my back,
I meet your pressure from head to foot,
be gentle, Earth! You are the couch of all!

Whatever I dig up of you, O Earth,
may you of that have quick replenishment!
O purifying One, may my thrust never
reach Right into your vital points, your heart!

Your circling seasons, nights succeeding days,
your summer, O Earth, your splashing rains, your autumn,
your winter and frosty season yielding to spring—
may each and all produce for us their milk!…

From your numberless tracks by which mankind may travel,
your roads on which move both chariots and wagons
your paths which are used by the good and the bad,
may we choose a way free from foes and robbers!
May you grant us the blessing of all that is wholesome!

She carries in her lap the foolish and also the wise.
She bears the death of the wicked as well as the good.
She lives in friendly collaboration with the boar,
offering herself as sanctuary to the wild pig….

Peaceful and fragrant, gracious to the touch,
may Earth, swollen with milk, her breasts overflowing,
grant me her blessing together with her milk!

The Maker of the world sought her with oblations
when she was shrouded in the depth of the ocean.
A vessel of gladness, long cherished in secret,
the earth was revealed to mankind for their joy.

Primeval Mother, disperser of men,
you, far-flung Earth, fulfill all our desires.
Whatever you lack, may the Lord of creatures,
the First-born of Right, supply to you fully!

May your dwellings, O Earth, free from sickness and wasting,
flourish for us! Through a long life, watchful,
may we always offer to you our tribute!

O Earth, O Mother, dispose my lot
in gracious fashion that I be at ease.
In harmony with all the powers of Heaven
set me, O Poet, in grace and good fortune!9

To read more about Vedas and Upanishads please click the following link:

http://san.beck.org/EC7-Vedas.html#2

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/upan/index.htm

Everything about Sanchi can be desribed in a single word, simply splendid. Be it the beautiful descriptions on the four gates of the stupas or the famour Ashoka pillar or even the remains of the educational institute, everything in this place radiates a calmness invoking the divine presence. I spent some wonderful hours on a winter sunday morning watching my mind completely bewitched by the radiance of Sanchi. Now, a world heritage centra, Sanchi stupa is a grandeur in itself! The historians say that though Sanchi stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka, it’s hardly mentioned in any of the doctrines. Stupa was built by emperor Ashoka around third century BC. And Lord Buddha lived In 5th century BC. Its believed that Lord Buddha never visited Sanchi.

The Hill of Sanchi is situated about 9 kilometres south-west of Vidisha in Madhaya Pradesh, India. Crowning the hilltop of Sanchi nearly 91 metres in height, a group of Buddhist monuments commands a grand view even from a distance. It is unique not only in its having the most perfect and well-preserved stupas but also in its offering a wide and educative field for the study of the genesis, efflorescence and decay of Buddhist art and architecture for a period of about thirteen hundred years, from the third century B.C. to the twelfth century, A.D., almost covering the whole range of Indian Buddhism. This is rather surprising, for Sanchi was not hallowed by any incident in Buddha’s life; not is it known to have been the focus of any significant event in the history of Buddhist monachism. Hiuen Tsang, who so meticulously recorded the details connected with Buddhist monuments, is silent about it. The only possible reference to it is contained in the chronicles of Sri. Lanka, according to which Mahendra, son of Asoka and his queen Devi, daughter of a merchant of Vidisa, (modern Besnagar near Bhilsa or Vidisha) whom Asoka had married during his halt there on his way to Ujjayani as a viceroy, is said to have visited his mother at Vidisa, and the latter took him up to the beautiful monastery of Vedisagiri built by herself. Mahendra had stayed there for a month before he set out for Sri Lanka.

The foundation of the great religious establishment at Sanchi destined to have a glorious career as an important centre of Buddhism for many centuries to come, was probably laid by the great Maurya emperor Asoka (circa 273-236 B.C.), when he built a stupa and erected a monolithic pillar here. In addition to his marriage with a lady of Vidisa, the reason for his selection of this particular spot may be due to the fact that the hilltop served as an ideal place for giving a concrete shape to the newly aroused zeal for Buddhism in the emperor, who is said to have opened up seven out of the eight original stupas erected over the body relics of Buddha and to have distributed the relics among innumerable stupas built by himself all over his empire. By its quietude and seclusion ensuring a proper atmosphere for meditation, combined with its proximity to the rich and populous city of Vidisa, Sanchi fulfilled all the conditions required for an ideal Buddhist monastic life. The dedicatory inscriptions at Sanchi unmistakably show that the prosperity of the Buddhist establishment here was, to a great extent, due to the piety of the rich mercantile community of Vidisa. The nearness of the city, the strategic situation of which – at the confluence of two rivers, the Betwa and the Bes, as well as on two important trade routes resulted in a great overflow of wealth, was in no small measure responsible for the flourishing condition of Sanchi even when the empire of the Mauryas was a thing of the past.

After a temporary setback following the break-up of the Maurya empire, when the stupa of Asoka was damaged, the cause of the Buddhist establishment of Kakanaya was taken up with a feverish zeal by the monks and the laity alike, not a negligible percentage of the latter being formed by visitors of Vidisa for trade and other purposes. The religious fervour found its expression in vigorous building activity about the middle of the second century B.C., during which the Sungas were ruling and which saw the stone encasing and enlargement of the stupa of Asoka, the erection of balustrades round its ground, berm, stairway and harmika, the reconstruction of Temple 40 and the building of Stupas 2 and 3. The same intense religious aspiration and creative forces continued unabated in the next century as well, when, during the supremacy of the Satavahanas, new embellishments, in the form of elaborately-carved gateways, were added to Stapas 1 and 3. See below gateways pillar relief.

The political vicissitude which northern India went through immediately before and after the Christian era, when the Scytho-Parthians and Kushans invaded and annexed a large part of the land, had perhaps its repercussions at Sanchi as well, resulting in a slackening of structural activities. The establishment of a foreign power in the Malwa region under the Kshatrapas, engaged in chronic warfare, hardly provided any incentive for the dormant workshop. However, like the contemporary Buddhist centres of north and south-east India, Sanchi freed itself, during the period, from the earlier aniconic tradition, but its contribution to the evolution of the image of Buddha was nil, and it depended for such images on imports from Mathura.

After a prolonged period of stagnation and lassitude under the Kashtrapas, there was a revival of sculptural activity at Sanchi during the reign of the Guptas who, after conquering the Kshatrapas (circa A.D. 400), provided peace and prosperity essential for the growth of artistic pursuits. The discovery a few images in Mathura, sandstone executed in the early Gupta tradition, proves that Mathura continued, even in the fourth century A.D., to meet the demand of the clientele of Sanchi. But soon afterwards the local art of Sanchi once more came to the fore, and to this period belong the four images of Buddha seated under canopies against the berm of Stupa 1 facing the four entrances. But even in the best days of the Guptas the figures of Buddha from the ateliers of Sanchi fell short, in standard and number of their counterparts at such Buddhist centres as Sarnath.

The Gupta period, which ushered in a new epoch in the history of Indian temple-architecture, saw at Sanchi as well as resuscitation of structural activity. In Temple 17 which has withstood the ravages of time, we find one of the earliest Gupta temples noted for their well-balanced proportion, restraint in ornamentation and elegance.

After the glorious days of the Guptas centrifugal forces became once more rampant. And then came the shock of the Hana invasions, which resulted in the seizure of a large part of western and central India by that tribe. But that occupation was short lived, to be shattered by Yasodharman’s victory over their chief Mihirakula in the first half of the sixth century.

On the ashes of the Gupta empire rose a number of small kingdoms, none of which was powerful enough to bring any large part of India under its aegis, till Harshavardhana (A.D. 606-647) achieved some sort of political unity in northern India. His espousal of the cause of Buddhism brought a fresh lease of life to that religion. The vestiges of the seventh and eighth centuries, which saw at Sanchi the building of several monasteries and temples, reveal a prosperous condition of the Buddhist community at the place. The number of the images of Buddha made during the period was fairly considerable; executed in late Gupta tradition, they, however, lack the charm and grace of their prototypes and are almost lifeless and mechanical.

After the death of Harsha, northern India once, more became a prey to the ambitions of different dynasties. The Pratiharas, who had established themselves in the Malwa region by the eighth century, were followed by the Paramaras in the next century. But Sanchi seems to have been hardly affected by these political changes, as the existence of a number of medieval monasteries and temples testifies to a period of continued prosperity. Temple 45, for example, which is now a mere shell bereft of its original splendour, has the same architectural pompousness and exuberance of decoration as would characterise the contemporaneous north Indian architecture. From the find of such images like Vajrasattva and Marichi, it is abundantly clear that Vajrayana did extend its roots here as well.

It is not known how end came to the Buddhist establishment at Sanchi. No Buddhist monument can be assigned to the thirteenth century A.D. on the other hand, to this period belong a number of Brahmanical plaques containing representations of Vishnu, Ganega, Mahishasuramardini, etc. We do not know if the Buddhists deserted the place or gradually lost their vital forces to maintain their individuality thus succumbing to the all absorbing force of Brahmanism, which was one of the potent causes of the extinction of Buddhism in the land of its birth.

View of Stupa 3 with carved gateway 1st Century A.D.
The relics of Sariputra and Maha Moggalana, the two foremost disciples of the Buddha, were found by Colonel Cunningham in 1851 in this stupa, enshrined at the centre of at the centre of the dome on the level of the terrace.From the fourteenth century onwards, Sanchi was left deserted and unnoticed, till in the year 1818 General Taylor brought it to public attention by discovering its ruins, of which he found Supas 1, 2 and 3 intact. The great interest which this discovery created accounts to a large extent for the immense damages suffered by the monuments at the hands of amateur archaeologists and treasure-hunters. In 1822, Captain Johnson, Assistant Political Agent in Bhopal, opened up Stupa 1 from top to bottom on one side, thus leaving a great breach which resulted in the collapse of the. West Gateway and a part of the enclosing balustrade. Stupa 2 was also partially destroyed. Alexander Cunningham, together with Captain F. C. Maisey, excavated Stupas 2 and 3 in 1851 and found relic caskets within. They also sank a shaft at the centre of Stupa 1, which, however, failed to yield any relies. These operations coupled with the depredations of villagers and the growth of vegetation, wrought havoc to the stupas. The pillar of Asoka was broken into pieces by a local zemindar to be utilized as a sugarcane press.On the gates of the stupas are inscribed Buddha’s many incarnations. And each of these four gates has a tale to tell. These comprise a few tales from the jataka stories. When our guide explained to us the meaning of the symbols, we were spellbound. here’s one of the story I liked :

One of the interesting stories depicted in the gateways:When prince Siddhartha realized about the miseries of the world, he decides to abandon the palace and move to the forest for search of truth. In order to avoid any disturbance to son Rahul and wife Yashodhara (who in turn may cause emotional turbulence to Siddhartha and result in giving up his search for truth), he commands his servants to carry the horse on which he is seated so as to avoid the sounds of the horse’s shoe made on the smooth floor of the palace. The picture on the gateway shows four servants carrying the horse on which the prince is mounted and on returning the horse is empty. 

To read more of the stories, please follow the below link

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/2686/sanchi_stupa.htm

Buddhism is divided into two main divisions- theravada and Mahayana. When the stupa was being built, the followers were mainly Theravada. They worshipped the abstract form of Buddha. Among the four gates, not one of them has the statue of Buddha. Instead Buddha is represented by
1. Bodh tree
2. two parallel lines
3. full moon
4.UmbrellaOnly the insides of the stupa contains idols of Buddha, supposed to be erected by the Mahayana followers. 

After the decline of Buddhism in India these stupas were lost in thick jungles around Sanchi. In the early nineteenth century renovation work began under the guidance of british officers. The question of repairs and preservation was not, at all considered till 1881, when Major Cole took up the work in right earnest and succeeded, in the course of the next three years, in clearing off vegetation, filling in the breach in the dome of Stupa 1, setting up its fallen West and South Gateways and a part of its railing and restoring the gateway in front of Stupa V. The other monuments, however, were left uncared for and no attempt was made to expose the structures lying buried under debris. This work was later on undertaken creditably by Sir John Marshall, Director General of Archaeology in India, who, between the years 1912 and 1919, brought the monuments to their present condition. His work entailed a large-scale clearance of jungle, excavation and thorough conservation of the edifices, which included the complete dismantling and rebuilding of the south-west quadrant of Stupa 1, setting up of its balustrades and erection of the crowning members, reconstruction of the dome, balustrade and crowning members of Stupa 3, resetting of the out-of-plumb pillars of Temple 18 repairs to the perilously decayed Temple 45, rebuilding of the retaining wall between the Main Terrace and Eastern Area, re-roofing and repairs of Temples 17, 31 and 32 and provision of an effective drainage. The site was next turfed and Planted with trees and flowering creepers. A small museum was also built to house the loose antiquities found in the course of these operations.

Five reasons why you should visit Sanchi:

1. World heritage centre

2. Very well maintained

3. Accomodation facilities are good.

4. Well connected by buses

5. Scenic beauty

How to Reach Sanchi by Air: The nearest airport is Bhopal the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is an important domestic airport in central India, which is served by several airlines. Regular flights connect Bhopal to key Indian cities like: Delhi, Mumbai and so on.How to Reach Sanchi by Road: Sanchi is located close to important cities in Madhya Pradesh. A good network of roads connects Sanchi to Bhopal (46kms), Vidisha (10kms), Indore (232kms).How to Reach Sanchi by Rail: The nearest Railhead from Sanchi is also located at Bhopal. A well-laid rail network links Bhopal to several Railway Stations in India. so you can reach Bhopal from any part of the country.

Accomodation in Sanchi:

Unit Category No. of Rooms Tariff (Rs.)   Single Double Extra Person Gateway Cafeteria Tel: (07482) 266743 E-mail: gcsanchi@mptourism.com Aircooled 2 490 590 100 Facilities Restaurant
Unit Category No. of Rooms Tariff (Rs.)   Single Double Extra Person Gateway Retreat Tel: (07482) 266723 E-mail: grsanchi@mptourism.com AC 10 1290 1290 200 Aircooled 6 890 890 150 Facilities - - - -

Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.

Head Office Paryatan Bhavan, Bhadbhada Road, Bhopal – 462 003. Tel.: +91-755-2778383/2774340,42,43,44 Fax: +91-755-2779476/2774289 E-mail: info@mptourism.com

Bhopal
Palash Residency,
Near 45 Bungalow, T.T. Nagar,
Bhopal – 462 003.
Tel.: (0755) 2766750,2553006/66/76.
Fax: (0755) 2577441.
E-mail: bhopal@mptourism.com

Tourist Office,
Railway Station, Bhopal.
Tel.: (0755) 2746827
E-mail: tobhopal@mptourism.com

The nearest city from Sanchi is Bhopal, which is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh and a modern city. The region has a rich heritage of handicrafts that has earned worldwide renown.Muslin is a traditional craft in Bhopal. The ace craftsmen of Bhopal weave some finest qualities of muslin, which are hot favorite with those who go for shopping in Bhopal. You may also choose to pick up the exquisite Zardozis, embroidered Indian garments, leather works and Jutis (shoes) while shopping in Bhopal.There several numbers of shopping joints and bazaars in Bhopal that substitutes for the lack of shopping opportunity in Sanchi.

Some favorite shopping hotspots are the Chowk and the New market. There are numerous private shops as well as outlets of Mriganayani, the Government emporium.

ABC’s of entertaining:

Whether you’re planning to throw your first dinner party, or you’ve been hosting gatherings for years, this primer will remind you of all the little details that add up to a spectacular occasion.

A is for Attitude.Are you into formal or casual entertaining? Do you like modern or country style? Are you a person who likes to be prepared or spontaneous? Know your personal style, and do what feels comfortable to you.

B is for Budget.Your first step when planning a party should be to make a realistic budget. When the bills come in after the big event there won’t be any surprises.

C is for Corporate Entertaining.This can include office parties, taking clients to dinner or inviting employees or supervisors to your house. Learn how this entertaining differs from personal events.

D is for Decorations.Balloons, streamers, props and other party supplies help to set the stage for a festive atmosphere. So do flowers and centerpieces. Either purchased or homemade, these items enhance the beauty of your table and other rooms used by your guests. Don’t forget this very important piece of party planning.

E is for Etiquette.Entertaining is all about creating an enjoyable experience for your guests and yourself. But without attending to proper social etiquette, you may unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings.

F is for Family gatherings.Grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles – don’t forget to invite the whole clan!

G is forGames and other party entertainment.

H is forHolidays – for celebrating old traditions, and creating new ones.

I is forInvitations. They can be electronic, formal or fun, but don’t forget to include the nature of the party (birthday, holiday, brunch, etc.,) date, beginning and ending times, location, and guest of honor, if appropriate.

J is forJellies, jams, and other prepared food items you can purchase from specialty suppliers to add gourmet touches to your meals and save you time in the preparations

K is for Kids.Look here for advice on throwing parties for children, and teens, and for tips on how to entertain or involve them when you host adult parties.

L is for Lists,an indispensable tool when planning a gathering. You need lists of things to do; shopping lists for grocery items, decorations and party supplies; and schedules for timing everything just right.

M is forMopping, dusting, vacuuming and all the other chores you need to do to make your home clean and tidy before your guests arrive, and after they go home.

N is forNecessary items such as place settings, linens, flatware, glassware. Be sure to add them to your checklists.

O is forspecial Occasions and theme parties. You’ll need to put all the pieces together from food, to decorations, to music, to decorations to create a party with a theme

P is for Presentation.You can have a very simple menu, but if it is well presented, your guests will know you’ve gone ‘all out’ for them.

Q is for Quality.Strive for the highest quality you can afford. As long as you have enough for everyone, you don’t need excessive quantity.

R is for Recipes.Wonderful recipes and menu planners are available through About.com guides and throughout the worldwide web.

S is for Simplicity.As Paul Burrell, author of In the Royal Manner: Expert Advice on Etiquette and Entertaining from the Former Butler to Diana, Princess of Wales says, “simplicity is the key to elegant entertaining.

“T is for Tables and chairs.Be sure you have enough chairs for all your guests, and don’t forget to think about traffic flow when laying out your food and setting the table. Remember to make a seating plan, despite the challenges it may present. And always use Placecards.

U is forUtensils, and strainers, and pots and pans and all the other equipment from A-Z that helps you in the kitchen. A collection of the right kitchen tools, and the knowledge of how to use them, can save you time and allow you to be more ambitious when planning your menu.

V is forVegetarians and others with special diets. It could be religious restrictions, allergy problems, other health concerns, or food preferences for other reasons. Always find out whether your guests have special dietary needs before planning your menu.

W is forWine, beer, punch, coffees, teas, cocktails and other beverages. Make sure there’s enough to go around and there’s plenty of ice in the freezer.

X is foreXtra touches. There are many ways to show your guests you care whether it’s sending them home with a favor, making up packages of leftovers, putting fresh flowers in a guest bedroom, or sending copies of photos taken during the event.

Y is for YOU.Make sure you take time to pamper yourself before the first guest arrives. You want to feel fresh, relaxed and ready to be the gracious host.

Z is for

Zydeco, classical, blues, rock, reggae, jazz or whatever is your musical preference. Just don’t forget how important music is for setting the mood.

 Fragrance, warmth, attention to details and friendly smile on the face of host and hostess is all a guest needs to be comfortable and happy. Here are some sure-shot tips to entertain guests at home:

I never knew why a small piece of land like Kerala was called Gods own country until I visited this Elysium! The splendid beauty of Kerala took my breath away and I was quickly imbibing the calmness around. The best past of Kerala is that as soon as you step on this land everything surrounding you radiates peace. People living in the backwaters with only the basic needs satisfied beam with joy as the house boat passes by. The kids wave at you and chant welcome to kerala.  One may wonder how people can even survive in these areas, with few needs they are actually more than happy to be away from the greedy city dwellers. You can see women washing clothes, children riding cycles and men moving in their boats or fishing. In fact why should one despair in God’s own country. There are hills, valleys, beaches and backwaters and each one of them is beautiful. Kerala is not just some small piece of land, it’s an experience!A coastline that stretches for 600kms, virgin beaches, lush greenery, a highly literate people, and a treasure trove of rich and varied art forms all make up the fascinating land of Kerala. Enclosed by the Arabian Sea, the Lakshadweep Sea, and the towering Western Ghats, this paradise on earth has something to offer to everybody. Located at the southernmost tip of India, Kerala has become one of the most sought after travel destinations in recent times. Kerala at a glance itself is inviting and alluring, tickling our knowledge buds to know more.The state of Kerala has the highest percentage of literacy in India. The capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram.

A very progressive state Kerala is very well connected by all modern transport facilities and is therefore easily accessible. A communist government is at the helm of affairs in the state. Kerala may be divided into fourteen Districts which fall under Kerala’s three prominent historical regions namely, Travancore (Southern Kerala), Kochi (Central Kerala), and Malabar (Northern is not just a visual treat but is also home to a rich and diverse flora and fauna thus becoming an ideal getaway for nature lovers.

There are 10,035 species of plants, 102 species of mammals, 476 species of birds, 202 species of freshwater fishes, 165 species of reptiles and 89 species of amphibians.Art includes colorful and beautiful dance forms, like Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial art forms in the world. Festivals are an integral part of the life of the people .

The most popular Festival is Onam, which heralds the beginning of the Malayalam New Year. The distinctive flavors and the mouthwatering cuisine is a gourmet’s delight. 

Ranked among the most exotic locations of the world this tropical paradise is truly God’s own country!Fourteen districts make up the state ofKerala. This area includes 9400sq.km of land under forests and 1941sq.kms of wetlands. The cultivated area amounts to 2.292 million hectares (mh).The western coastal belt of Kerala is home to a vast chain of interconnected canals, estuaries, lakes and rivers. This network of interconnected waterways is popularly referred to as the Backwaters of Kerala.Lake Vembanad, Kerala’s largest waterbody lies between Alappuzha and Kochi and is more than 200 sq.km in area. All the waterways in Kerala put together add up to 8% of the total number of waterways found in India. (Measurement in terms of length).Kerala is home to forty four rivers and the largest river is the Periyar River which is nearly 244kms long.

The total area under forests is 11,125.59sq.kms which includes wildlife sanctuaries. The forest cover is mainly to be found on the Western Ghats, also called the Sahayadri. Bordering Kerala on the eastern side it has now been classified as one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots of the world.Biodiversity areas are those areas that are biologically rich but no longer possess their previous abundance in terms of habitat.They play an important role in conservation and protection of endangered species of plants and animals. Forests cover nearly 28.88% of Kerala’s landmass.

The forests may be divided into:·  Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests ·  Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests ·  Mountain Sub Tropical and ·  Plantations. Talliparamba, Mallapuram, Kozhikode, Alappuzha have been classified as Industrial Growth Centers of Kerala.

There are many kinds of industries in Kerala, the Tourism Industry being one of the most important.Other industries include seafood and marine products, textiles, and spices. The industrial policy of Kerala is designed to capitalize on the strengths of the state.Kerala is rich in natural resources and filled with the goodness of nature. A variety of wildlife and plants make this area one of the most holistic and beautiful area of the world.The innumerable meandering rivers and lush greenery is ideal for rejuvenating both body and soul.How to reach Kerala is a commonly asked question.

Getting to Kerala has never been as easy. A modern and progressive state with a cosmopolitan look, Kerala is accessible quite easily. Well connected by all major systems of transport, Kerala is now one of the most sought after travel destinations in the world. Cochin is the main sea-port opening out into the Arabian Sea. Traveling to Kerala is a whole new experience, educative and enriching, rejuvenating and fulfilling. Here’s wishing you a very warm welcome to a beautiful land and its equally beautiful people.An important tourist destination among Indians and foreigners, Kerala is very well connected by:

How to Reach Kerala by Airways: There are three airports in the state located at Thiruvnanthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode to of which are International Airports. The Karipur Airport, Kozhikode plays host to domestic airlines while the Thiruvnanthapuram International Airport and the Cochin Airport, Nedumbasherry operate both domestic and international flights.

How to reach Kerala by Roadways: A very strong communication network makes Kerala easily accessible from all parts of the country. Kerala is directly connected by road to both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. National Highway no.47, 17, 49, and an extensive system of metalled roads connect Kerala to the rest of the country. Buses, tourist taxis, and autos are the main modes of road transport.

How to reach Kerala by Railways: There are 200 railway stations in Kerala connecting places both within and outside Kerala. One can avail of Super-Fast, and express trains to reach ones chosen destination. The train services link the state to all the important cities of India including the four metropolitan cities namely, New-Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and ChennaiPublic ferry services, speed-boats and even houseboats or ‘ketuvallams’ are other popular modes of transport in the vast network of waterways especially in the Backwaters of Kerala.This tropical paradise is right here for the taking. All you have to do is to pack your bags and get started on a great and refreshing trip.These Districts of Kerala are as follows:

An amazing race of people, following a unique lifestyle-the perfect blend of traditional, time-honored practices and progressive, innovative trends.

·  Kerala Food: A delectable cuisine, unique to the region which involves the locally available ingredients such as coconuts, seafood, rice etc.

·  Performing Arts: An interesting combination of dance, music, theater and mythology. Apart from the famous folk dances viz. Kathakali, Koothu and Mohiniyattom, a tradition of ritual arts are such as Theyyam, Kummattikkali and Mudiyettu has also been kept alive

·  Kerala Music: Like the rest of South India, Kerala’s classical music is essentially Carnatic, raag – taal based music. It is also famed for Sopanam. Music is an integral part of the every day life. There are the traditional folk songs for occasions such as marriages and childbirth and also the devotional songs such as Ayyappanpattu and Maripattu. A number of musical instruments including wind and string instruments, percussions are played and practiced in Kerala

·  Kerala Painting: Other than the unique art of body painting for specific dance forms such as Kathakali, Kerala has a rich style of oil paintings. While the state identifies with the rest of India in its use of henna to paint parts of the body such as hands and feet, Kerala has also its singular art forms of floor drawings and paintings (Kalamezhuthu).

·  Kerala Handicrafts: Among the variety of handicrafts produced in Kerala, the more renowned are sandalwood items, woodcraft, handlooms and metal work (especially brass and copper).

·  Kerala Martial Arts and Sports: Sports and Martial Arts take prime importance in the life of a Malayali. Not only are sport competitions (such as rowing competitions) part of the Festival customs, there is, in Kerala, a tradition of martial arts training. Many of these are holistic physical development systems and are tauht in combination with ayurveda, accupressure, herbalism etc.

·  Malayalam Literature: Though the origins of are generally traced to Tamil, due to its affinity to the classical language, Malayalam has evolved and is a vast ocean as it stands today. The prose, poetry and plays are appreciated by critics worldwide.

 ·  Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham): The Malayalis use a calendar called the Kollavarsham in which the year starts from Onam in mid September.

·  Festivals of Kerala: Kerala is the land of high festivities and cheer. A number of Festival like Onam, Vishu and Thiruvathirai are celebrated. They are usually marked by family get together, cheer and festivity.

For Hotel reservations in Kerala, please click the below linkhttp://www.keralahotelsandtours.com/hotels-and-resorts-in-kerala-india/index.html

For more information about Kerala, please follow the below linkhttp://www.keralatourism.org/

Five reasons why you should visit Kerala

1. God’s own country, you dont want to miss this one!

2. Culture and festivals are world famous.

3. Cuisine is mouth watering.

4. Spas and ayurvedic centres highly recommended

5. House boat experience here is unique.  

Life sometimes needs a pinch of adventure to make it sound more meaningful. And there is no better place than India. The reason for adventure industry to grow so rapidly is the sudden interest in the world that has drawn thousands to this amazing landscape. This country has a wide variety of flora and fauna. The landscapes in the palins differ from that of the plateaus which makes trekking the most interesting hobby in this yet to be fully explored haven. You will feel close to nature! I have started by writing about the places that I have been in Karnataka. They are relatively easier treks compared to Himalayan treks and excellent for beginners.  So come discover some of the avatars of adventures while trekking.

1. Kabini  

Nestled in the southern fringes of the Nagarhole National Park, the Kabini River Lodge is a perfect getaway for nature lovers. The breathtaking locale with the tranquil backwaters of the River Kabini presents an ideal setting for a long-awaited vacation. Once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, Kabini River Lodge is today rated by the British Tatler’s Travel Guide as one of the top 5 wildlife resorts in the world. Kabini is pure elephant country as one can see numerous herds at a time. However, the blaze of the elusive tiger always haunts you as you roam through the verdant jungle here. Once widely known for the mass elephant-trapping operations called ‘Khedda’, Kabini stands as the one of the brightest beacons for wildlife preservation in India today.

2.Kabini River Lodge has a colonial style architecture equipped to accommodate 50 persons at a time. Fourteen spacious, colonial style double rooms with modern amenities, six twin-bedded cottages in sylvan surroundings and five tented cottages with attached modern bath ensure that your stay here is in comfort. (But there is no A/c, or T.V. in any of the accommodation). All these in a well maintained 54-acre campus, surrounded on three sides by the bend of the River Kabini, giving it a paradise like look.

Apart from the luxurious living areas, the Viceroy’s building houses our well-equipped bar. There is also a large, charming room exclusively for seminars, meetings with multimedia projector and other conferencing facilities. Our communal dining area called the Ghol Ghar (circular, open-to-sides gazebo) overlooks River Kabini and is the perfect place for guests to share their experiences of the day with each other.

The main wildlife viewing activity here is the exciting safaris on open-top jeeps into the famed Nagarhole National Park. Our first ride into the Park is at the crack of dawn and we visit the park again at 4.30pm. A boat ride on the River Kabini would sure be a treat to your eyes, as many elephants tend to congregate on the banks in the evenings. You could be sure to see as many as 150-200 elephants on a summer evening. Guests can choose between the traditional, circular boat (made of bamboo and buffalo hide) and the regular motorboat for the river cruise. Elephant rides lasting about 45 minutes are also part of our package at Kabini. In the evening, movies on wildlife are shown in our audio-visual hall. We could also start a campfire and barbeque at the Ghol Ghar in the night.

Options from Bangalore To Kabini:
1. If you are travelling by your own car, all you have to do is reach Mysore and them follow the detailed route sketches. Incidentally, your driver can stay free of cost at our comfortable dormitory.

2. You can hire a taxi for the to and fro journey, including a night’s halt at Kabini. This will cost around Rs.3,500/- by ordinary Ambassador car. For more than a night’s halt, the taxi fare will be Rs.1,250/- extra per day. You may contact Sathya Sai (Tel: 6641140) or Clipper (Tel: 5592023) for taxi service.

3. Another alternative is to take a train ride of 2 – 2 1/2 hours from Bangalore City to Mysore, and from there proceed by car/bus to Kabini. Express trains leave Bangalore at 06.30, 07.15, 10.55, 14.25, 11.20, 14.10, 16.20 & 18.05 hrs. No prior reservations are required.

Mysore to Kabini :

1) If you have arrived by train, you can ask for a taxi to meet you at the station for your onward journey to Kabini. Skyway (Tel: 0821-426642) & Seagul (Tel: 0821-539732) are reliable taxi operations in Mysore. They charge around Rs.1250/- for a one-way drop.

2) Guests from Ooty may follow Bandipur, Gundulpet, Begur, Nugu dam & Hand Post Circle for a shorter route that is quite bumpy, or come via Mysore, which is a better road.

3) Guests from Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Madras etc., may enter via Bangalore.

4) Guests from Trivandrum, Cochin & Calicut can come via Mananthavadi, along the Mysore Mananthavadi road.

5) Guests from Mangalore & Madikeri could come via Hunsur, H.D. Kote and Hand Post Circle.

2. Doddamakali: 

JLR’s Doddamakali Camp is situated 6km upstream from Bheemeshwari. This place is as remote, rugged and as primitive as any place could be. Hugging the River Cauvery, the Camp is absolutely protected and riparian—sylvan in solitude and great for bird sightings.

This place is an ideal locale for corporate team building and out outdoor exercises. Keeping the potential of the Camp in mind, JLR recently entered into collaboration with iDiscoveri Education to run this Camp as an Experiential Learning Centre for corporate groups. Being close to Bangalore, yet difficult to access, Doddamakali was the preferred location to offer corporate houses for their off-sites and outdoor training needs.

This Camp has 8 luxurious tented cottages with attached bath. However, there is no electricity here. We provide a few hurricane/ solar lamps, which add to the close-to-nature experience of the place. Located sufficiently away from any habitation, Doddamakali offers complete peace and tranquility.

Sit back under the gazebo and tuck into a buffet lunch or dinner, among other hungry souls like you. While breakfast is generally a quiet affair, as you savour the view and the natural ambience along with the food, the evening barbecue by the riverside is more spirited and lively. As twilight dissolves into the night, a bonfire is lit and while you recline on a lawn chair or swing leisurely in a hammock, preparations are afoot for the barbecue – of grilled chicken, fish or vegetables.

Hammocks are fixed outside each tent and hut for those who would like to laze or read a book in the open. A safe tumbling net is provided for guests to have a rollicking time.

Our hospitable naturalists and staff, ever willing to cater to your needs, will help you discover the subtle facets of nature – in its own mysterious ways.

Mammals that are spotted around the Camp include leopard, elephants, wild pigs, sambar, spotted deers, the highly endangered grizzled giant squirrel, Malabar giant squirrel and jackals.

Reptiles that can be sighted are marsh crocodile, turtles (Leith’s Soft Shelled Turtle, an endemic species is found in these waters), chameleon, python, cobra, russell’s viper and banded krait. However, the Mahseer fish is the main attraction of the waters of River Cauvery

Over 200 species of birds have been identified around the camp. Among the water-based birds, you can spot the grey-headed fishing eagle, spot billed duck, small pied kingfisher, black-bellied river tern, osprey, and many more. There are also a number of rare land-based birds such as the honey buzzard, tawny eagle, pied crested cuckoo, etc.

 To reach Doddamakali, you have to go past Halagur and drive through metal road and reach Shimshapura village. Halgur is a small town past Kanakpura on the Bangalore-Kanakapura road. From Shimshapura, you have to either walk down or negotiate through winding road in a 4WD jeep. We suggest you stay at Doddamakali, if you are interested in real wilderness and are prepared to rough it out.

Devbagh

It was somewhere between 1882 and 1883, when India’s first Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore stayed at Karwar. His brother Satyendranath Tagore, I.C.S., was the district judge of North Kanara, and Rabindranath was only 22 years old then.

Fascinated by the beach and the abounding sea, Rabindranath, with his party on one moonlit night, set out on a rowing boat from one end of the beach. Crossing the point of confluence of the Kali River with the sea, they sailed on along the meandering river, upstream. On their way back, they glided down with the current until they reached the mouth of the river. The party got off the boat there, and walked back home on the milky white sands of the beach. It was now far into the night. The sea was calm and so were the casuarinas. That night, even when everything around him slept, something kept Tagore awake. He wrote “Prakritir Pratishoota” or ‘Nature’s Revenge’, a dramatic poem, and his very first play.

As Tagore reflected later, this poem was the genesis of his whole literary career, and the inspiration of Karwar remained in all his later literary works.

This is the place that we invite you to discover.

Devbagh is a mesmerizing experience for all beach lovers. Building sandcastles, collecting colourful seashells, chasing small crabs on the sands, swimming in the sea… will all bring back your childhood days! Not to forget the endless sessions of beachcombing, beach-volleyball, or just plain lazing on a hammock watching the shimmering sea. Relax on the beach and behold a glorious sunset as the lighthouse flashes across the distant horizon to guide ships to the port.

Wander off to the nearby Devbagh village and watch the fishermen land their daily catch – mackerel, prawns and pomfret among many others. Now it is the turn of the womenfolk to sort and carry them in baskets to the local market for sale. If you dare, set off in catamarans to see the casting of the nets in the ocean. In case you want to try your hand at angling, get into a native two-man dugout along with a local fisherman and enjoy yourself.

Bustling with activity, the fishing harbour is definitely worth a look too. Here one can see numerous trawlers filled with fish entering one by one, and porters busily loading the catch on to waiting trucks. Visit the nearby processing plant and enter its deep-freeze chamber. Experience a temperature of minus 40C Get a whiff of the polar air!

To follow on Tagore’s footsteps, cruise up the Kali River from the point where river meets sea. Watch the dolphins as they gracefully dive into the azure waters. Bordering the resort are clusters of mangrove, the salt loving trees that stand on stilts, with their pneumatophores or breathing roots jutting out. This is also an excellent spot for bird watching.

Off the coast of Karwar and visible from Devbagh, are four other islands: Kumaragarh, Oyster-rock, Anjudeep and Sanyasi. The Sanyasi Island, especially, has myths woven around it. It is said that in ancient times, a sage sought refuge on this island for penance. In spite of being totally isolated from the rest of humanity, he managed to survive and lived on to a ripe old age. Today, though uninhabited, the belief remains that the island can still support life. We can arrange to ‘strand’ you there a la Robinson Crusoe, with a Man Friday from our side. When you get down at Oyster-rock, surprise awaits you: you come face to face with one of the oldest and cutest lighthouses you may have ever seen – built during the British Raj. Learn the art and science of lighthouse keeping.

If you feel that you should move around and look around Karwar, there are lots of them waiting to be discovered…

By Air-
You can fly to Dabolim Airport (Goa) and take a taxi. Devbagh is just 2 ½ hours from there.

By Train-
Karwar is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Cochin and other important places through the Konkan Railway. Fast trains do not stop at Karwar; so one has to alight at Madgaon (Goa) or at Ankola and then reach Karwar by road. However, there are quite a few slower trains that stop at Karwar.
The journey between Mangalore & Karwar takes not more than 4 hours. Visitors from Chennai can enter via Mangalore. For details, kindly enquire with the Railway authorities.
Travelers from Bangalore and Hyderabad should get off at Hubli and proceed by road to Karwar. The road between Hubli & Karwar, is one of the best in Karnataka and passes through thick jungle.

By Bus-
Overnight deluxe bus services are available from Bangalore. Buses also ply between Madgaon and Karwar at regular intervals.

Five reasons why you shouldn’t miss out this great experience:

1. It’s a rejunuvation therapy.

2. The facilities are excellent.

3. The safaris are well oraganised and chances that you may run into a herd of elephants is high.

4. An excellent place for bird watching.

5. Nature at it’s very best.

“Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted;
nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed,
and some few to be chewed and digested:
that is, some books are to be read only in parts,
others to be read, but not curiously, and some few
to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. ”
~ Francis Bacon ~  

A life is wasted if one doesn’t turn the pages of the great books. They say ‘Library is a hospital for the mind’. Good books are like wise counselors and constant friends who are always at our disposal. With literary giants like Shakespeare, Homer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Vladimir Nabokov who have changed the face of literature; it’s a shame that books nowadays are bought for furniture alone. A book can be an excellent companion in a coffee shop, while traveling, on a couch on a rainy afternoon with some good music. I have known people who buy books before they start a new journey to read through the trip. And I also am closely associated with book clubs which gather now and then to exchange vies about reading. Reading has now emerged more than just a hobby; it’s a part of lifestyle. In my post today I would share with you some of best known books in the world, without reading these any life is incomplete.  

William Shakespeare :Shakespeare is the foremost literary talent of his own Elizabethan Age and, even more impressively, as a genius whose creative achievement has never been surpassed in any age.Shakespeare’s life is unusually well-documented: there are well over 100 references to Shakespeare and his immediate family in local parish, municipal, and commercial archives and we also have at least fifty observations about Shakespeare’s plays (and through them, his life) from his contemporaries. The structure of Shakespeare’s life is remarkably sound; it is the flesh of his personal experience, his motives, and the like that have no firm basis and it is, of course, this descriptive content in which we are most interested.Widely famous for his tragic and comical dramas which not only have influenced other writers but also painters and dramatists, actors and poets. Shakespeare was so thoroughly a dramatist that it is virtually impossible to disengage what is dramatic in his work from what is not. This is true even of so lyric a form as the sonnet. His Sonnets bristle with suggestive confrontation, and though their story—if indeed there is one—eludes us, we cannot refrain from tracing in the sequence of verses the drama of a strange triangle.What is true of Shakespeare the dramatist is true of Shakespeare the poet. A wholeness of sensibility infuses his writing. Theatrical and even melodramatic as his situations are, they are couched in words…Some of his best known works are: Hamlet, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night. William Shakespeare quotes such as “To be, or not to be” and “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” form some of literature’s most celebrated lines. Other famous Shakespeare quotes such as “I ‘ll not budge an inch”, “We have seen better days” ,”A dish fit for the gods” and the expression it’s “Greek to me” have all become catch phrases in modern day speech. Furthermore, other William Shakespeare quotes such as “to thine own self be true” have become widely spoken pearls of wisdom.I here by quote from Romeo and Juliet one of my favorites:

Juliet:

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”

Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet meet and fall in love in Shakespeare’s lyrical tale of “star-cross’d” lovers. They are doomed from the start as members of two warring families. Here Juliet tells Romeo that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention, and that she loves the person who is called “Montague”, not the Montague name and not the Montague family. Romeo, out of his passion for Juliet, rejects his family name and vows, as Juliet asks, to “deny (his) father” and instead be “new baptized” as Juliet’s lover. This one short line encapsulates the central struggle and tragedy of the play.To read more Shakespeares plays visit the below link:http://absoluteshakespeare.com/index.htm    

Homer:Very little is known about the author of the Iliad (c. 800 b.c.e.; English translation, 1616) and the Odyssey (c. 800 b.c.e.; English translation, 1616). The ancient Greeks attributed both to Homer, a bard who probably lived late in the ninth century b.c.e. Both long-standing tradition and linguistic analysis of the two epics indicate that their author was a native of Ionia in western Asia Minor.For all practical purposes, Western literature begins with the Iliad. The Epic of Gilgamesh, while at least 1,000 years older, is neither as well-known nor as influential as Homer’s work. We still use expressions like “Achilles’ heel,” “Trojan horse,” or “the face that launched a thousand ships,” all with roots in the Iliad or the mythic cycle on which it is based, nearly 3,000 years after the poem was written. And at least in terms of the number of copies to survive from antiquity, the poems of Homer are second only to the Bible in popularity.Although “Iliad” means “the story of Ilion,” or Troy, the poem has much more to say about Achilles and Hector than it does about Troy. As the first word of the Greek text suggests (“Rage! Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’s son Achilles”), this poem has a lot to do with anger. Honor, glory, and fate are also frequent themes.Among the things for which the Iliad is most famous are its use of epithets, or formulaic phrases to describe an individual, an object, or even some events. Also noteworthy is the poem’s masterful use of similes.For more than 1,500 years the Iliad and the Odyssey set the standard by which epic poetry, if not all poetry of any kind, was judged. The epic form in poetry has not been widely practiced since the appearance of John Milton’s Paradise Lost in 1667, but the story of the fall of Troy has remained a perennial favorite to the present day.One can make a strong argument that the Iliad seems to celebrate war. Characters emerge as worthy or despicable based on their degree of competence and bravery in battle. Paris, for example, doesn’t like to fight, and correspondingly receives the scorn of both his family and his lover. Achilles, on the other hand, wins eternal glory by explicitly rejecting the option of a long, comfortable, uneventful life at home. The text itself seems to support this means of judging character and extends it even to the gods. The epic holds up warlike deities such as Athena for the reader’s admiration while it makes fun of gods who run from aggression, using the timidity of Aphrodite and Artemis to create a scene of comic relief. To fight is to prove one’s honor and integrity, while to avoid warfare is to demonstrate laziness, ignoble fear, or misaligned priorities.To be sure, the Iliad doesn’t ignore the realities of war. Men die gruesome deaths; women become slaves and concubines, estranged from their tearful fathers and mothers; a plague breaks out in the Achaean camp and decimates the army. In the face of these horrors, even the mightiest warriors occasionally experience fear, and the poet tells us that both armies regret that the war ever began. Though Achilles points out that all men, whether brave or cowardly, meet the same death in the end, the poem never asks the reader to question the legitimacy of the ongoing struggle. Homer never implies that the fight constitutes a waste of time or human life. Rather, he portrays each side as having a justifiable reason to fight and depicts warfare as a respectable and even glorious manner of settling the dispute. The following quote is from the Book 1 of Iliad “ Rage—Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles,
murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and birds,
and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end.
Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed,
Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles.”  For a complete read of Iliad and odyssey follow the below link:http://www.online-literature.com/homer/iliad/  

 Vladimir Nabokov: I read Lolita first time when I was sixteen and instantly fell in love with it. Nabokov writes this poetry of love and hate in an exceptional manner. Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov was born on April 23, 1899, in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Nabokovs were known for their high culture and commitment to public service, and the elder Nabokov was an outspoken opponent of antisemitism and one of the leaders of the opposition party, the Kadets.  Having already fled Russia and Germany, Nabokov became a refugee once more in 1940, when he was forced to leave France for the United States. There he taught at Wellesley, Harvard, and Cornell. He also gave up writing in Russian and began composing fiction in English.

In his afterword to Lolita he claimed: “My private tragedy, which cannot, and indeed should not, be anybody’s concern, is that I had to abandon my natural idiom, my untrammeled, rich, and infinitely docile Russian tongue for a second-rate brand of English, devoid of any of those apparatuses–the baffling mirror, the black velvet backdrop, the implied associations and traditions Ñ which the native illusionist, frac-tails flying, can magically use to transcend the heritage in his own way.” [p. 317] Yet Nabokov’s American period saw the creation of what are arguably his greatest works, Bend Sinister (1947), Lolita (1955), Pnin (1957), and Pale Fire (1962), as well as the translation of his earlier Russian novels into English. He also undertook English translations of works by Lermontov and Pushkin and wrote several books of criticism. Vladimir Nabokov died in Montreux, Switzerland, in 1977.  

Below is the first paragraph in Lolita and my favourite one:

“Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta. She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita. Did she have a precursor? She did, indeed she did. In point of fact, there might have been no Lolita at all had I not loved, one summer, a certain initial girl-child. In a princedom by the sea. Oh when? About as many years before Lolita was born as my age was that summer. You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, exhibit number one is what the seraphs, the misinformed, simple, noble-winged seraphs, envied. Look at this tangle of thorns. “  

 Gabriel García Márquez :

was born in 1928 in the small town of Aracataca, situated in a tropical region of northern Colombia, between the mountains and the Caribbean Sea. He grew up with his maternal grandparent – his grandfather was a pensioned colonel from the civil war at the beginning of the century. He went to a Jesuit college and began to read law, but his studies were soon broken off for his work as a journalist. In 1954 he was sent to Rome* on an assignment for his newspaper, and since then he has mostly lived abroad – in Paris, New York, Barcelona and Mexico – in a more or less compulsory exile. Besides his large output of fiction he has written screenplays and has continued to work as a journalist.

The Nobel Prize in Literature 1982

“for his novels and short stories, in which the fantastic and the realistic are combined in a richly composed world of imagination, reflecting a continent’s life and conflicts”One Hundred Years of Solitude is his Nobel Prize winning book. Published in 1967 as Cien años de solidad, this novel is considered García Márquez’s masterpiece, the breakthrough work that put him on the literary map. It was written in eighteen months of solitude, where García Márquez locked himself into his room with paper and cigarettes, writing day and night while his wife took care of family affairs. Translated into thirty some languages, winner of four international prizes, One Hundred Years of Solitude is certainly one of the most remarkable books ever written, a tale that spans generations, told against a backdrop where the absurd can seem logical and the sensible ludicrous.The story would be about two frustrated lovers and the long time between their second courtship, and in 1986 Love in the Time of Cholera was unveiled to the anxiously waiting world. It was amazingly well received, even pulling Thomas Pynchon out of seclusion to write a review for the New York Times. There was no question that Gabriel García Márquez had become a writer with universal and lasting appeal.
By now one of the most famous writers in the world, he eased into a lifestyle of writing, teaching, and political activism. With residences in Mexico City, Cartagena, Cuernavaca, Paris, Barcelona, and Barranquilla, he finished the decade by publishing The General in his Labyrinth in 1990, and two years later Strange Pilgrims was born. In 1994 he published his most recent work of fiction, Love and Other Demons. This was followed in 1996 by News of a Kidnapping, a journalistic work detailing the atrocities of the Colombian drug trade. 

Few excerpts from One hundred years of solitude: 

 It was as if God had decided to put to the test every capacity for surprise and was keeping the inhabitants of Macondo in a permanent alternation between excitement and disappointment, doubt and revelation, to such an extreme that no one knew for certain where the limits of reality lay. It was an intricate stew of truths and mirages that convulsed the ghost of José Arcadio Buendía with impatience and made him wander all through the house even in broad daylight. 

“A trickle of blood came out under the door, crossed the living room, went out into the street, continued on in a straight line across the uneven terraces, went down steps and climbed over curbs, passed along the Street of the Turks, turned a corner to the right and another to the left, made a right angle at the Buendía house, went in under the closed door, crossed through the parlor, hugging the walls so as not to stain the rugs, went on to the other living room, made a wide curve to avoid the dining-room table, went along the porch with the begonias, and passed without being seen under Amaranta’s chair as she gave an arithmetic lesson to Aureliano José, and went through the pantry and came out in the kitchen, where Úrsula was getting ready to crack thirty-six eggs to make bread. “

!  Five reasons why you should read:

1. It’ better than watching TV.

2. Food for thought.

3. You are introduced to a whole world of interesting ideas.

4. You will never feel alone.

5. You will begin to talk more sensibly. 

The word ‘yoga’ is derived from the ancient Sanskrit language, meaning ‘union/joining’. Yoga can be defined in a broad sense as ‘ a Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility’. Most of us think that yoga means only physical exercises and this is not true. It requires both the mind and the soul to unite in order to experience bliss. What was practiced before thousands of years by wandering sages in the holy mountains of Himalayas is made available to us through Patanjali’s yoga sutras. And so ‘Patanjali’ is called as the father of yoga school of philosophy. Patanjali has divided the practice of yoga into eight steps. The first Yama : non-killing, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and non-receiving of any gifts. Next is Niyama : cleanliness, contentment, austerity, study, self surrender to God. Then comes Asana or posture; Pranayama or control of Prana; Pratyahara or restraint of the senses from the objects; Dharana or fixing of the mind on a spot; Dhyana or meditation and Samadhi or super consciousness.  Yoga is also called as ‘Raja yoga’ and ‘Ashtanga yoga’.  Raja Yoga is so-called because it is primarily concerned with the mind. The mind is traditionally conceived as the “king” of the psycho-physical structure which does its bidding (whether or not one has realized this). Because of the relationship between the mind and the body, the body must be first “tamed” through self-discipline and purified by various means. We often skip the first two steps in the Raja yoga and directly pursue the third. Patanjali has explained the importance of Yama and niyama without which it is not wise to proceed. As already told, Yama and niyama for the development of morale in an individual. Self control is a direct result of following these steps which thus becomes easy for the next steps. In the practice of Asana, a series of physical and mental exercises have to be undergone everyday until certain higher stages are reached. A yogasanais a posture in harmony with one’s inner consciousness. It aims at the attainment of a sustained and comfortable sitting posture to facilitate meditation. Asanas also help in balancing and harmonizing the basic structure of the human body, which is why they have a range of therapeutic uses too. Asanas basically perform five functions:
• Conative,
• Cognitive,
• Mental,
• Intellectual and
• Spiritual. The asanas being the main yogic instrument of balancing the body, they consist of various physical postures, which are designed to release tension, improve flexibility and maximize the flow of vital energy. The purpose of the asanas is to create a flow of positive energy so that our concentration is directed within ourselves and the mind is able to perceive (parokshya jnana) the effects of our purposive action. That is cognitive action.

When the earlier two actions are fused, our mind’s discriminative faculty guides these organs to perform the asanas more correctly. The resultant rhythmic energy flow and awareness leads to a mental state of pure joy (ananda). Physical postures, therefore, end up affecting the various interrelated channels (nadis) of the mind-body complex. And ultimately the performance of a perfect yogasana leads to the absolute intellectual absorption of the mind on a single task (dharana), which in turn leads to the fusion of the individual spirit with the Divine Self (dhyana).Various Categories of Yogasanas
Consummate mastery over the entire gamut of asanas is no doubt time-consuming, but what is of vital importance is the will to remain in the present moment and to let both the mind and body relax completely.The various categories of asanas are:

• Standing Asanas,
• Forward Bending Asanas,
• Supine Asanas,
• Inverted Asanas,
• Abdominal and Lumbar Asanas,
• Twisting Asanas,
• Back Bending Asanas and
• Balancing Asanas.Before Pranayama, a practice of purifying is necessary states Lord Shankaracharya, one of the greatest philosophers of ancient India. ‘Stopping the right nostril with the thumb through the left nostril fill in the air according to capacity; then without any interval throw the air out through right nostril closing the left one. Again inhale through the right nostril and eject through the left according to capacity. This when practices a number of times purity of the nerves is attained’ Lord Shankara states. The further steps of yoga can be achieved only through the guidance of a Guru. I refrain from giving any further information about them. I have listed a few books that may be helpful in reaching the realms of yoga. The best books on yoga:

1. BKS Iyengar’s ‘Light on yoga’

2. The complete works of Swami Vivekananda volume 2

3. Cool yoga tricks 

Five reasons why you should learn yoga1. It makes life more meaningful and less mechanical.

2. You wont need no counsellors or therapists.

3. Makes you feel younger and live longer.

4. Believed to correct sleeping and eating disorders

5. Your concentration will improve. 

If you are in love with love then this is your destination. Khajraho. World heritage centre, situated in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh state. Once a capital to the Chandela clan of Rajputs, now a splendor of art Khajraho has always attracted students of love. After the decline of the Chandela dynasty in 13th century, the temples were left under dense date palm trees cover for many years, which gave the city of Khajuraho its name, Khajur in Hindi means a Date. In the ancient times it was known as Vatsa. In 1838, a British army engineer, Captain T.S. Burt rediscovered them. The whole village consists of three groups of temples separated by a few kms. 1.The western group 2.The eastern group 3.The southern group.

 Khajraho is widely famous for it’s sculptures depicting all walks of life : war, art, sex, mythology. Sexual erotic figures comprise only about 10% of the sculptures. Hindu dieties and various episodes in epics are carved along the walls. In Hinduism its believed that there are two paths to ‘moksha’ or ‘self realization’. Bhog and yog. The path of materialism and the path of renunciation. And the sculptures of Khajraho provide an insight to the path of materialism. The sculptures have a characterstic feature which remains one of its kind and draws the world’s attention – the sculptor has not only explicitly carved the poses but has added life to them by giving each one of the stone sculpture a emotion. There is a famous sculpture which depicts a maiden bending down, her face shows a frown, eyes bent and fingers trying to remove a thorn pricked to her feet. And another stone image, where a damsel is writing a letter to a loved one, face looks apprehensive and eyes dreamy. Never have I seen such emotions caught and carved so beautifully.

When I spoke to a few foreign tourists about Khajraho, they confirmed to me that this place has a stange aura around it. They have visited Khajraho repeatedly to rediscover the celebration of love.  

Five things why you should visit Khajraho:

1. It is well connected.

2. Hotels meeting your budget

3. A feast to your eyes and also lens of the camera

4. Brass, iron and stone sculptures are famous.

5.  good food and nice weather

How to get there:

Khajuraho Airport (HJR) Tel:”+91 7686” 740-415 is located 5kms from the city, and is served by Air India (fomerly Indian Airlines) [http://www.indian-airlines.nic.in/index.asp] offering flights from [[Delhi]], [[Varanasi]] and [[Mumbai]], Jet Airways [http://www.jetairways.com/] offering flights from [[Delhi]] and [[Varanasi]] and Kingfisher offering flights from [[Varanasi]]. If one is not prepared for a 5 hr bumpy ride from Jhansi to Khajuraho, then plane is the best mode.

From the end of 2008 Khajuraho Airport will also be an International Airport with connections to the Middle-East, Singapore, Bangkok.

===By taxi/bus===
[[Satna]] and [[Jhansi]] both are connected to Khajuraho by regular bus service. It takes around 3 hours to reach [[Khajuraho]] from [[Satna]] or [[Jhansi]] by taxi, and 5-6 hours by bus. There are daily bus services with [[Satna]], [[Jhansi]], [[Harpalpur]], [[Chhatarpur]], [[Mahoba]], [[Sagar]],[[Jabalpur]], [[Bhopal]], [[Indore]], [[Gwalior]], [[Panna]], [[Agra]], [[Allahabad]] and [[Varanasi]].
<br>
Khajuraho To Satna (117km, 4hrs), Harpalpur (94km), Jhansi (172km )and Mahoba (61km). Khajuraho is located 600km (11hrs journey) south West of Delhi. There are bus services from Agra (12 hrs), Gwalior (9hrs) and Jhansi.

Taxis are recommended because the condition of buses is not good, and the is ride gruelling.

By train

Indian Railways[4], state owned railways, has connectivity from all over India. Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) (225km) and Satna (Madhya Pradesh) (117km) are the convenient railheads to Khajuraho. Satna is on Allahabad-Mumbai main line while Jhansi is on the Delhi-Bangalore mainline.

It takes around 6 hours to reach Jhansi from Delhi by train. The nearest rail junction is Harpalpur (94 km) and Mahoba (63 km).

The best way to reach Khajuraho is to get Dakshin Express from Delhi (22:50 hrs) and reach Jhansi by 05:00 hrs. Take an auto and reach the street where the travel agent offices are located (one can reach by paying 20/-rs. Get a good deal with a taxi person. It is possible to get one for Rs.2500/- (tell him that you wont give him accomodation at khajuraho) and you can reach Khajuraho in 3 hrs. Get into your hotel, fresh up and visit Western Group of temples. Watch the Light and sound show in the evening. Next day visit the eastern and other group of temples and reach hotel by 1500 hrs. Travel back to Jhansi and rech by 1900 hrs and get Goa express (21:20) and reach Kopargaon at 10:00 hrs next day to visit The Great Shirdi Sai Baba Temple and evening proceed to Aurangabad to visit Ajanta and Ellora

Where to stay

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Hotels

• Hotel Jhankar Ph: (+91)-(07686) 274 063, 274 194 E-mail: mptjhankar@sancharnet.in Price Range: Rs.1190
• Hotel Payal Ph: (+91)-(07686) 274 064, 274 076 E-mail: mptpayal@sancharnet.in Price Range: Rs.690-1190
• Hotel Rahil Ph: (07686) 274 062 E-mail: mptrahil@sancharnet.in, Dormitory Beds Rs.90, Single Room Rs.490

[edit] Budget

• Hotel Best Western Greenwood
• Hotel Greenwood Opposite Airport Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 505
• Hotel Surya Jain Temple Road Tel: (+91)-(07686) 274 145 , 274 572 fax (+91)-(07686)-274 538 E-Mail: hotel_surya2001@yahoo.co.in [6]
• Hotel Zen Jain Temples Road, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 228
• Hotel Bharat Lodge – owned by the popular Paradise Restaurant management.
• Hotel Yogi Lodge – The cheapest and best, very clean, Good breakfast, everything made-to-order, Address: opposite to the Western group of Temples Tel: (+91)- (07686)-274 158, 244 158
  Email: yogi_sharma@yahoo.com Price Rs.80-250
• Hotel Gem Palace Jain Temple Road Tel: (+91)-(07686)-244 100
• Hotel Surya Jain Temple Road Tel: (+91)-(07686) 244 145
• Hotel Jain Jain Temples Road Tel: (+91)-(07686) 242 352
• Hotel Sunset View Tel: (+91)-(07686) 244 077
• Hotel Casa Di William Tel: (+91)-(07686) 244244

[edit] Mid Range

• Hotel Khajuraho Ashok Ph: (+91)-(07686)-274 024
• Kairali Ayurvedic Health Spa Opposite Khajuraho Airport, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-272 219 / 274 757
• Ken River Lodge Village: Madla, Near Panna National Park Tel: (+91)-(07732) 275 235 Price: Around $55
• Holiday Inn,Khajuraho Tel: (+91)-(07686)-272 301, Price: Around $45
• Hotel Taj Chandela, Chhatarpur, Khajuraho 471 606 Tel: (+91)-(07686) 272 355-64 Fax: (+91)-(07686) 272 365-66 Email:chandela.khajuraho@tajhotels.com, Price: Around $60
• Hotel Jass Oberoi Pass Road, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-2723 44, 2Km from airport, Price: Around $65

[edit] Splurge

• The Grand Temple View,opp. Circuit House, Khajuraho – 471606. Tel: (+91) (07686)- 272 111, (+91) -(07686) 272 333 Fax:(+91)- (07686) 272 123 Email:khajuraho@thegrandhotels.net, Price: Around $160
• Hotel Clarks Khajuraho Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 038, fax (+91)-(07686)- 274 257 1 Km from airport, Price: Around $100
• Hotel Radisson, By Pass Road, Khajuraho, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-272 777 Email: reservations@radissonkhajuraho.com, Price: Around $70
• Usha Bundela, Usha Bundela Temple Road Tel: (07686) 272 386/87, Fax: (+91)+(076

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8