The Wonder that is India

Belarus-Minsk-City Hall / Image Credit Belarus  is a  former constituent republic of the USSR. It was occupied by the Nazis during the World War II. During the period the country lost more than two million people, including most of its large Jewish population. After seven decades as a republic of the Soviet Union, Belarus became independent in 1991, following the downfall of the Soviet Union. After seven decades as a republic of the Soviet Union, formerly known by the name Belorussia, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Alexander Lukashenko has ruled the country with an increasingly iron fist. Travel overview The landscape of Belarus is very diversified. Wide plains, deep forests, thousands of lakes and scenic landscapes lure the nature lovers. The country possesses a wealth of historical monuments including ancient castles and monasteries. History weighs heavily on Belarus, famous for hundreds of archit

Hemis Festival / Image Festival Come  the 10th day of the fifth month of the  Tibetan  calendar  and Hemis Gompa, the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, plays host to one of the most important festivals of Ladakh. For visitors seeking a rendezvous with the unique Ladakh’s culture, the two- day Hemis Festival makes for a great opportunity offering them a matchless spectacle of masked dances, traditional music, religious rituals and ceremonies and a lifetime opportunity to sample the delicious cuisines of Ladakh.  Hemis Festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of the Vajrayana Buddhism in Ladakh. The festival brings out the extroverted side of the famously friendly people of Ladakh. Sitting on a hillock, Hemis Gompa is 40km from Leh and the centerpiece of any visit to Ladakh. During the celebration of the Hemis festival the monastery comes alive with the spectacular mask dance by the lamas to the accompaniment of drums, cymbals and long horn

View of Assandh town from the Stupa / Image credit Assandh in the Karnal district of Haryana has for long been in the shadows of better known Buddhist sites.  The place has the unique distinction of being home to an imposing Buddhist Stupa. With a height of 25 metres and diameter of 75 metres, this colossal structure testifies to the greatness of the ancient Buddhist architecture. The probable date of the establishment of the Assandh stupa is ascribed to the Kushana period (1st-3rd century AD). Kanishka, the greatest of the Kushanas, was a great patron of Buddhism. Several remains bear testimony to the popularity of Buddhism during his reign. The Mathura school of art which is credited with having produced the first images of the Buddha flourished under the Kushana rule.  How to Reach Assandh Air: Nearest airport to Assandh is Delhi, 132 km from this place. Rail: Nearest railway stations to Assandh are Panipat and Karnal which are 39 km and 45 km from this place respectively. Both the

                                     Main stupa, Ratnagiri / Image Credit Along with Lalitgiri and Udayagiri, Ratnagiri is one of the three points of the Buddhist Triangle popularly known as the Diamond Triangle of Odisha. After going through the accounts of the seventh century Chinese traveller we can safely say that Ratnagiri was not only an important entre of Buddhism but also rivalled Nalanda at that time.  Beautiful Stone Murti at Ratnagiri / Image Credit In the eighth century AD, Buddhist art and architecture reached its zenith in Ratnagiri then under the rule of Bhaumakaras who were devout Buddhists. Statue of Buddha and other statues recovered from excavation in Ratnagiri, Odisha by ASI / image credit In the sixth century AD Ratnagiri was a centre of Mahayana Buddhism. Later Vajrayana form of Buddhism began to be practised here.  Votive stupas Ratnagiri / Image credit   The remains of two huge monasteries, a large Stupa, a good number of votive stupas and Buddhist sculptures ha

  Sanghol: Punjab / Image credit A famous archeological site in Punjab, Sanghol is home to one of the most striking Buddhist remains of ancient India. It was a famous entre of Buddhism during the Kushana rule (1st-3rd century AD). An excavation at the site in 1968 had unearthed the remains of an ancient Buddhist Stupa whose presence has led the place to be locally called Uchha Pind ( high site)   Another excavation in 1985 has revealed a large number of Buddhist remains which were the works of craftsmen belonging to the Mathura and Gandhara schools of art which vie for the credit of having produced the first statues of the Buddha. Both the schools flourished under the Kushana rule  ( circa AD 30 to circa 375) . The Kushana rulers were great patrons of Buddhism. The Stupa Built of burnt bricks in the 1st or the 2nd century, the remains of the Buddhist Stupa is a prominent Buddhist attraction of Sanghol. The Stupa has a high raised platform which contains the relics of the Buddhist schol

Sakka visits Buddha at Indasala Cave / Image credit A visit to the Indasala Cave or Indrasala Cave (35 km north-west of Nalanda) in Bihar is easily managed as a day-trip from Gaya or Rajgir. Set at the base of a cliff of sheer rocks in the Giriyek Mountain in the midst of a serene and tranquil landscape, Indasala Cave is a famed Buddhist site to the east of Rajgir. Its claim to fame lies in its being the place where the Buddha is said to have delivered one of his most thought provoking sermons which are recorded in the Sakkapanha Sutta.  According to the Buddhist accounts, Sakka, an inquisitive person who was searching answers for his questions, came  to the cave where the Buddha stayed for some time and asked his eight questions which were fittingly answered by the Buddha .   It was during his stay at Indasala Cave that the Buddha uttered verses 206, 207 and 208 of the beautiful Pali text, Dhammapada (Verses on the Virtues). Added to this, the Indasala Cave also played host to Buddhas

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood / Image Source One of the most intriguing cities in the world, the elegant St Petersburg is known for wonderful architecture and great squares. Built in 1703 by Peter the Great, as Russia’s “Window to Europe”, this former Russian capital is synonymous with several revolutions. Major highlights of the St. Petersburg city tour include the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the imposing façade of St. Isaac's Cathedral, and the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, known for its huge collections of arts.  The Admiralty  Built to feed Peter the Great's ambition of making Russia into a naval power, Admiralty building is a major highlight of any visit to St Petersburg. What makes Admiralty a compelling attraction is its ever glistening 61m-high (200-ft.) spire topped by a weather vane in the shape of a ship. Formerly a fortified shipyard, the edifice is now used as a naval academy. Here you will find at the nexus of three main avenues of St. Peters

Garni Temple / Image Temple It's the outstanding cultural and historical legacy, combined with Armenia’s dramatically beautiful landscape that makes this Christian country so compelling for the traveller. Explore the amazing cultural and natural delights on your trip starting from Yerevan, the country's undisputed cultural capital. In addition to the landmarks of Yerevan you can see Garni Temple, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastic complex of Geghard and the scenic Lake Sevan, the second largest alpine lake in the world. One of the highlights of your tour should be a visit to the charming mountain town of Dilijan. Yerevan Very few modern cities in the world can rival the history of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Considered to be one of the oldest living cites in the world, Yerevan was founded in 782 BC by the King of Urartu. Large numbers of cafés lining its leafy boulevards have made Yerevan earn the sobriquet of the City of Cafes.  With the snow-capped peak of Mt. A

Baku, Capital of Azerbaijan / Image credit Though an underrated destination, Azerbaijan has a wealth of tourists’ attractions. Nestled between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Azerbaijan is known for its sublime beauty, peerless treasures, thousands of years of history and mystical intrigue which ensure that even the most jaded of visitor will be awed by the enchanted magic of the country.  Maiden Tower, Baku, Azerbaijan / Image tower Today, Azerbaijan has established as an exotic travel destination. The place is an assault on your senses. A land of exquisite natural beauty Azerbaijan is known for its wonderful cuisines and its gleaming skyscrapers coexisting with the walled Old City of Baku- now a UNESCO-listed world heritage site. The 12th century Maiden Tower (QizQalasi) is a famous attraction in Baku. From the Baku Boulevard (also known as Seaside National Park) you can have a wonderful spectacle of the Caspian Sea reflecting city lights at night. The city boasts a wide

Sofia is the beguiling capital of Bulgaria. A compact mix of the tradition and the modern, the city has been a huge drawcard for travelers for its beauty. With a history of more than 2000 years that is reflected in several architectural attractions in its possession, Sofia is also a base to explore the Bulgaria's beautiful hinterland.   This blend of old and new worlds makes for a fascinating exploration of the city's streets. For tourists, its world-class museums, beautiful churches and street life are reason enough to visit. Following are the things to do in Sofia.  Aleksandâr Nevski Cathedral   Aleksandâr Nevski Cathedral  / Image Credit One of the iconic emblems of Bulgaria, the massive Aleksandâr Nevski Cathedral is set in a large cobbled square. Built between 1882 and 1912 in memory of the 200,000 Russian soldiers who laid down their lives for Bulgaria’s independence during the Russo-Turkish War, this awe-inspring church is characterized by golden domes and incense- fragr

              Astana / Image credit Rising from Central Asia’s remote, open steppes, Astana has been hailed as the fastest growing capital in the world for many years. Known for its space-age skyscrapers and monuments dominating the skyline, the glittering capital of Kazakhstan is still devoid of hordes of tourists, which will not be the case in future.  Here are 4 Reasons why you should put Astana to the top of your bucket list.  Climate-sensitive Futuristic Buildings              Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center / image credit With extremes of the climate, Astana brims with futuristic buildings, several of which are designed by the renowned British architect Norman Foster. One of his masterpieces is Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre, a transparent and towering tent-shaped steel structure soaring 150 meters into the Astana skyline. Inside the structure you can find a beach resort featuring swathes of sands imported from Maldives. Khan Shatyr’s quilted fabric roof provides relief from A

Located in one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, Ladakh, which literally means the ‘Land of Passes‘,  is a site of immense significance for the Buddhists. Flanked by awe-inspiring snow-clad capped peaks of the Himalayas the centuries-old monasteries of Ladakh attract seekers of spiritual enlightenment from all over the world.  Namgyal Tsemo Gompa  Namgyal Tsemo Gompa / Image Credit:  commons.wikimedia.org Located in the close proximity to the Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa is known for its three storied statue of  Maitreya ( Chamba) Buddha in a sitting posture.  Thikse Gompa           Thiksey Gompa, Leh / Image Credit:  commons.wikimedia.org Located 25km south of Leh, the capital of Ladakh, on a craggy peak, Thikse Gompa is architecturally, artistically and visually spectacular. The 12 story edifice consists of several temples from where you can have a wonderful views of the valley dotted with white stupas. Not to be missed while you in Ladakh is the Thikse festival which i

The headquarters of the Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala comes lauded as the sacred abode of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and has been the seat of the Tibetan Government in exile since 1960. Perched on the Dhauladhar mountain range, the hillside town is located at an altitude of 1,457 m in the lap of nature surrounded by magnificent dense deodar, conifer and pine forests.  Divided into two distinct parts - Upper Dharamshala, more famously known as McLeod Ganj , and Lower Dharamshala, Dharamshala is a convenient base for leisurely walks and treks into the Dhauladhar mountain range. Prayers on stones outside the Tsuglagkhang Complex  Image Credit : commons.wikimedia.org For many, the principal reason to visit Dharamshala is to experience the spiritual life of Tsuglakhang complex , the Dalai Lama's residence, the Buddhist temples and Tibetan institutions located in it. During the aggression of Tibet by China in 1959, many Tibetan refugees fled from Tibet and c

Topchanchi Located 37 km from Dhanbad, Topchanchi Lake is an artificial reservoir excavated in 1915 to supply water to Jharia. Occupying an area of 214 acres, the place is a famous picnic spot.  Maithon Dam  Maithan This is one of the most popular excursions from Dhanbad. One of the dams under control of the Damodar Valley Corporation, Maithon Dam is an engineering and architectural marvel. 48 km from Dhanbad, Maithon Dam is visited for its beautiful artificial lake that captivates picnickers in a large number.  Panchet Dam   Located 54 km from Dhanbad, Panchet Dam in Jharkhand is another dam under control of Damodar Valley Corporation. The dam is a major sightseeing attraction.  Bokaro 47 km from Dhanbad is located India’s biggest steel complex of Bokaro. Apart from the steel plant of Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), other places of attractions in Bokaro are City Park and Garga Dam.

It can be said with absolute certainty that those travelling to Ukraine will be richly rewarded if they visit the following places on your next trip to the country. Lviv                                         Rynok Square in Lviv / Image Source    45 miles from the Polish border, Lviv is rightly called Ukraine's cultural capital and a popular city break. The UNESCO-listed Old Town at the centre of the city is famous for magnificent Gothic and Renaissance monuments and churches, fascinating museums and relaxed atmosphere. Though Lviv is the seventh largest city in Ukraine, it is cut above many when it comes to historical, architectural and cultural attractions. Lviv is famous for its restaurants offering lip-smacking dishes, and great nightlife. Lviv Rynok Square, Korniakt Palace, Armenian Cathedral, the Mannerist Boim Chapel are some of the many sights of Interest in the city which was founded in 1256. You can find some beautiful castles on the outskirts of city. Chernivtsi