Thursday, September 23, 2010

Temples of delight in Thailand

There are no full moon parties in Isaan, perhaps Thailands' least touristy region. Instead you'll find sleepy villages, Khmer architecture, and a boutique hotel right on the Mekong
After hacking through undergrowth for a couple of hours, we emerged sweaty, muddy and bedraggled at the 25m-high Tok Haew Narok falls, which (please excuse yet another reference to The Beach in a Thailand article) are the ones Leonardo DiCaprio leapt from in the film. We scrambled down to swim in the turquoise pool below it.
My guide – called Apple – and I were following a challenging 8km trail through the Khao Yai national park, a huge tract of monsoon forest and a Unesco world heritage site two hours north of Bangkok. On the western edge of the Isaan region, it is home to tigers, bears, leopards, deer, gibbons, hornbills and elephants.
The Isaan region covers a huge swathe of north-east Thailand stretching to the Mekong river, Laos and Cambodia. It is the country's least visited area – as close to the "old Thailand" as you can get, and a welcome change from the tour group- and backpacker-choked northern destinations of Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle.
Boutique hotels are few and far between, a steaming broth of noodle soup replaces the banana pancake breakfast, and pedicabs rather than taxis or tuk-tuks are the main mode of transport. I encountered sleepy, small rural towns that depend on farming, not tourism, despite the fact that this area is not only a stunning natural wilderness, but also full of fantastic Khmer temples.
Just like those in Cambodia (including Angkor Wat), the 182 Khmer sites in Isaan were built by the God Kings of Angkor, who at the height of their supremacy, from the ninth to the 13th century, extended their empire into Burma. Many of the finest examples of Khmer architecture are to be found on Issan's Khorat Plateau, clustered around Buriram, Surin and Khorat provinces. I explored many of them and, more often than not, I had them pretty much to myself.
The jewel in the crown was undoubtedly Phimai, 60 miles north-east of Khorat, less than three hours from Bangkok. The temple complex is right in the heart of the otherwise humdrum little town of Phimai, and entering it is like walking into a secret, mythical garden. The whole complex is dominated by an exquisite prang (tower), the iconic corn-on-the-cob-like Khmer structure – in fact, some claim that Angkor Wat was modelled on Phimai.
Apple and I sat, cocooned in a soporific tropical haze, transfixed, as the sandstone of the temple absorbed the last rays of the weakening sun, and were joined by a group of novice monks in saffron robes, who imparted spiritual wisdom about Lampard and Rooney.
The next morning we were up at dawn for a two-hour drive east across the flat, dusty landscape of the Khorat Plateau to another great Thai Khmer monument, Phanom Rung. Although Isaan is a vast region, distances between the Khmer temples are short, and all the main sites can be seen in a couple of days.
Phanom Rung is perched atop an extinct volcano, with panoramic views of the surrounding plain, and I climbed up steps worn down by centuries of visiting Buddhist pilgrims to a promenade overlooking the exquisite sandstone tower of the main temple, with its labyrinth of hidden chambers.
A few miles on was the Meuang Tam complex, based on the design of Angkor Wat, but with four L-shaped ponds covered with colourful lotus flowers.
I ventured east next, towards the Mekong valley, into rural landscapes full of paddy fields broken up by palm trees – Thailand is the world's largest rice exporter and much of the crop is grown in Isaan.
Isaan hot is a different kettle of spice from regular Thai hot as I found out when I ordered larb moo (minced pork salad) in a small roadside restaurant.
Several hours later we had made it to Khong Jiam, a somnolent river town, beautifully located on a peninsula where the blue waters of the river Mun are overwhelmed by the bubbling chocolate that is the Mekong. After staying in many basic rural lodges during our journey, I was overjoyed to find a boutique hotel here, the Tohsang Khong Jiam, right on the bank of the Mekong, with enchanting views of the mountains of Laos on the other side.
Leaving Kong Jiam to head back to Bangkok, we stumbled upon Wat Tham Khuha Sawan, which overlooks the town and the river. In complete contrast to the bewitching Khmer temples, this modern temple, built in 1978, has a surreal theme park feel to it, with a mish-mash of flamboyant architectural styles. A huge elephant protects the Buddha images below, and the main stupa's golden spires wink conspiratorially in the dazzling light. There is a dreamlike bell tower, topped with fierce nagas (mythical serpent deities) and golden spires. In Isaan, always prepare for the unexpected.
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Monday, September 6, 2010

Explore the majestic splendor of Vietnam temples

Vietnam is located on the South China Sea, and is bordered with China to the north. It is a varied country in value of topography, with towering mountains, sticky jungles, and striking beaches. With a fascinating history to modern day Vietnam, planning Vietnam vacations and booking the flights to Vietnam will definitely have a series of experiences to pick from.
The most dominant religion of Vietnam is Buddhism, even though the history of Vietnam contains a heavy Hindu influence. Since Temples are the vital element of the Buddhism and Hinduism culture and religion therefore, Vietnam is occupied widely with such attractively decorated, olden times and inspiring that are the part of Vietnam tours. So, book your seats in flights to Vietnam and explore the majestic beauty of these awesome temples.
In addition, you will also discover Vietnam temples in palaces and pagodas. There is yet a combination of rock temple and lighthouse at the edge of the Duong Dong River on Phu Quoc Island close to the Mekong Delta shore. Few of the most striking temples in Vietnam are present in the antique royal capital of Hue. These temples have received equal appreciation from the locals as well as the international visitors of the Vietnam flights. One of the striking is the Meu Temple.
The number of Temples in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are limitless. Almost all vacation packages and tour operators offering the flights to Vietnam include at least a photo stop at the Hanoi’s Temple of Literature. In 1076, the first university was originated in this historic temple. It was an impressive Imperial university dedicated for the aristocrats, nobles, and family of the king. Here you will observe 82 stone bars engraved with the names of graduates dating back as far as 1484. The tourists on the leisure and exploratory voyage never miss the trip to the temple during their travel through flights to Vietnam.
Some other famous temples in Hanoi are the Ngoc Son, present on an island in the middle of one of Vietnam’s stunning lakes. Acknowledged as the Jade Mountain Temple or Temple in the Lake, it was initially constructed in the fourteenth century. It is devoted to some of the ancient scholars and national heroes of the country. Explore the charisma of Vietnam temples by taking one of the flights to Vietnam.
The temples found in Ho Chi Minh City bear the heavy influences from China and India. The Hindu Mariamman Temple was constructed by the Tamil Nadu traders on the eastern shore of India. With its complicated carving tower, it is devoted for numerous deities.

Flashbacks From Here and There: Temples of Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Grown into a city, Narayanghat was a raucous dirty place. Heavy traffic belching pollution, ground over a bridge across the Narayani River that Gina used to ford with some peril from uprooted trees that rushed down with the current.
On the main street we found the house of her Nepali friend's uncle where we were invited to stay. In keeping with male tradition, he held sway over the household.
We were greeted by his daughter-in-law, a pretty, sad-eyed young woman gracefully molded into a bright sari. She led us upstairs to the living quarters and left us to summon others of her family and to bring us tea.
Her younger brother, husky, good-looking young man wearing shorts and a black T-shirt emblazoned with "BOO," immediately made us feel at home. He had just returned after six years in Russia, where he learned the language and now was a doctor.
Her husband came in with their 2-year-old son who belted me in the eye while he was being introduced to us. Gina tried to hold the kid who almost ripped off her glasses. She found it humorous. "Male dominance is instilled from childhood," she said. "Great," I thought. "He tries it again I'll return the favor."
Male children are pampered, Gina said later. It is different with female children. Male dominance is instilled from childhood.
The daughter-in-law floated around the household in the background, seemingly serene, cleaning, cooking, washing, serving, keeping her unruly son in check.
With sweet words. She seemed to be barely acknowledged, even by her husband. She had trained to be a microbiologist. "She was only the daughter-in-law, whose job was to produce children, preferably male, and to serve the family," Gina said. "If she produces more children, her status in the family will rise."
Gina reveled in speaking Nepali and chatted away with the people we met as if they were long lost friends.
Our hostess was a tiny, merry, wrinkled lady who moved about unobtrusively. Gina and she hit it off like long-lost-friends. Gina reveled in speaking Nepali again.
We went to look for her school and the house she had lived in. She said everything seemed different. We found the school, a drab, mildewed, two-story concrete survivor, empty for the day but still in use. The classrooms looked much the same despite the passage of three decades, Gina said.
Because it was surrounded by newer buildings, her former house and the school were hard to find. The school was a drab, mildewed survivor, with bare-bones classrooms but looking the same as they did three decades ago, Gina said.
Gina's apartment was in a small stuccoed building. It seemed uninhabited and forlorn. A messy, muddy puddle obstructed the front door. A curtain-less window with a gourd on the sill looked out over the dirt road to the river.
A tailor had his shop across the street. There was a moment of uncertainty. Then they recognized each other. He had opened the shop as a young man shortly before Gina arrived. His beard now was streaked with gray. He insisted we have a Coke in his shop. He had four sewing machines, and people working for him, and evidently was doing well. He told Gina her landlord had passed away.
We bought pineapples and bananas from street vendors for the tailor and his family and returned to the household. We were served snacks in the living room where a video of "The Lion King" was playing on the TV. One plate contained a pile of boiled boar bits that after our first tentative bite, were quickly made to disappear.
That night there was a festival commemorating the dearly departed. We were on the dark main street as a clang of drums and cymbals approached. Bobbing kerosene lanterns splashed wavering light on the shadowy male marchers who whirled and danced as the shouted a rhythmic chant. Our host was among them, thumping vigorously on a small drum.
Later, Gina asked our happy host what it all meant. "It has been going on for generations," he said. "We don't even know why we do it anymore. But we do it. It's just a tradition."
Later we went to bed in the room that had been prepared for us. Half asleep I was aware of someone arranging a mosquito netting over me. We woke shortly after dawn to see two cow heads floating past our window. That seemed strange since we were on the second floor. We learned later they were attached to long sticks that were draped with cloth. Each was carried by a marcher who looked out through slits in the cloth. Below each carved head was a portrait of a deceased person. It was a festive, yet solemn day, a mix of solemnity and holiday cheer.
Everyone was cordial when we left. The daughter-in-law embraced Gina who in return, gave her a little present. Touched, she said to Gina, "I like you very much."

Nick Ellena, a retired reporter with the Enterprise-Record who covered Butte County government for decades, shares his memories of his world travels in this column.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Temple and its different conception

 



The word temple is a polysemous word that means different thing to different people. It was derived from the latin word “templum” meaning, a sacred place or a place of worship. In the history of temple, the first temple was built by Solomon in 957 BC and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BC; while the second temple was destroy by the Romans in 70 AD. As it was said earlier that temple means different thing to different people. We can then analyses the different meaning ascribed to the word temple.
Temple could be referred to as a place of worship. The JUDAISM viewed it as synagogue which is a place of worship and communal centre of a Jewish congregation. In another way round, it could also be understood as a place of worship for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where sacred ordinances such as marriage are executed. It could also be a meeting place where fraternal order holds their meetings and perform their rites.
Temple could also be seen as an institution or building considered as a guardian of, or reservation for a particular activity and lastly, temple could be understood to be a place where something holy or divine is thought to dwell. That is, the body of a holy person. Therefore, what temple means to one person maybe different from the meaning given to it by another person. 

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Banteay Srei – citadel of the women

Banteay Srei - Cambodia
Photography – George Mann
Banteay Srei is a 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Located in the area of Angkor in Cambodia, at 13.5989 N, 103.9628 E, it lies near the hill of Phnom Dei, 25 km (15 miles) north-east of the main group of temples that once belonged to the medieval capitals of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom.
Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a “precious gem”, or the “jewel of Khmer art.

Mumbai – City of Renowned Hindu Temples

Mumbai is a city with a milieu of places of worship belonging to different religions and thoughts. It is also a place where there are many Hindu temples which have a worldwide recognition and are visited by pilgrims from far and wide. Some of these temples are dedicated to the Patron Goddess of the city while others have Ganesha or Krishna as their main deity.

Mumbai – City of Renowned Hindu Temples

Mumbai is a city with a milieu of places of worship belonging to different religions and thoughts. It is also a place where there are many Hindu temples which have a worldwide recognition and are visited by pilgrims from far and wide. Some of these temples are dedicated to the Patron Goddess of the city while others have Ganesha or Krishna as their main deity.

Mumbai – City of Renowned Hindu Temples

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Mumbai is a vibrant and lively city which is always on the move. Over the centuries it has become home to many visiting communities and cultures. Mumbai is well known as the land of Opportunities. During the 60s & 70s, it was said that any person seeking a job would have at least five offer letters in a day at a time. Such was the availability of employment opportunities in Mumbai.
Migration to Mumbai was mainly from the Konkan area and the southern part of the country. There was a growing textile, manufacturing and engineering industry in the city which attracted a large work force from all parts of the country. This migrant population also brought along their customs and traditions with them.
Most of the population which came to Mumbai belonged to the Hindu faith and hence, there are numerous Hindu temples across the city. Some of them have attained world renowned stature and attract visitors from all parts of the globe.
Some of the famous Mumbai Temples could be listed thus:
Mumbadevi Temple: This temple is dedicated to the Patron Goddess of Mumbai, Mumba Devi. The English word Bombay is said to have been originated from this name only. The original temple of the goddess was built by the Kolis, who belong to the fishermen trade and are considered to be the original residents of this city. It was built in the area where the present day Victoria Terminus stands.
But in 1737, it was destroyed and rebuilt in Bhuleshwar. The Kolis are followers of the Mother Earth and the Goddess at this temple personifies this image. The original deity did not have any marked features on her face. But the present day Goddess is dressed in a beautiful robe, with a silver crown on her head, gold necklace around her neck and a shining nose stud. In front of the shrine is the carrier of the Goddess i.e. the Tiger. This is a six centuries old temple which is one of the most visited attractions in Mumbai.
Walkeshwar Temple: This temple is one of Mumbai’s ancient Hindu pilgrimage sites which is dedicated to Lord Valukeshwar (the Sand Lord). The original Walkeshwar Temple was built by the Silharas in 1050 AD. According to the Hindu mythology, this temple stands at the site where Lord Rama formed a Shivalinga (Phallus) from sand and performed his prayers. It is also said that the original temple contained the Lingams, the one ferried by Laxman from Benares and the one which was created by Lord Rama.
It is also said that the Banganga Tank which is located near the temple was also created by Lord Rama when he fired an arrow to get water. Today devotees immerse themselves in this tank to get their bodies and souls purified.
Siddhivinayak Temple: This is one of the most visited religious places in Mumbai. This 200 year old temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is said to be the God of Wisdom and is always invoked first before any prayers. He is said to drive away all hurdles and difficulties of his devotees. Siddhivinayak Temple is located in Prabhadevi and has a Ganesha idol made of black stone which is two and a half feet long and two feet wide. On either side of the idol, the Goddesses of Wealth and Prosperity, Riddhi-Siddhi are engraved.
Mahalaxmi Temple: There were three temples dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Kali which stood to the north of Malabar Hill which were totally destroyed by invaders. Several decades later when the British decided to connect the Mahalaxmi area to Worli by building the Breach Candy, it was destroyed by several ferocious tides which swept away the structure. After many such failed attempts, the Goddess Laxmi appeared in a dream to Ramji Shivji, a contractor. She asked him to remove the three statues from the sea and establish them in a proper shrine. After Ramji did as bidden by the Goddess, the task of Breach Candy was completed successfully.
The Mahalaxmi Temple in Breach Candy has the deities of Mahalaxmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati; all of whom are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth, Mahalaxmi.
ISCKON Temple: One of the most important landmarks of Mumbai is the ISCKON or the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple which is located at Juhu. This temple is dedicated to the Lord Raasbihari or Krishna. It is managed by the ISCKON and is situated on a sprawling 4 acres of prime land. This temple was built in 1978 and attracts a lot of crowd from all parts of the globe.
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Shooting suspect, victim have history of bad blood

Radio India owner Maninder Gill has now been charged in a targeted shooting at a wedding over the weekend after turning himself in to police in Surrey, B.C.
One man suffered a non-life threatening bullet wound his upper thigh after shots were fired in the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple on Saturday afternoon. Police say the gunplay began after an argument between two men, who were known to each other.
The temple was hosting a wedding ceremony attended by hundreds at the time.
Multiple witnesses told CTV News on Saturday that the victim was local businessman Harjit Atwal, who had a long-standing dispute with Gill over a series of inflammatory broadcasts made on his radio station.
An arrest warrant was issued for Gill, 47, who turned himself in to RCMP on Monday. He is now charged with pointing a firearm, possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes, two counts of discharging a firearm with intent and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Gill-Atwal dispute hits the courts
In a civil lawsuit filed Aug. 3 at B.C. Supreme Court, Atwal and two other men accuse Gill, Radio India, and several radio station employees of defamation.
The suit says that in a Punjabi-language broadcast on May 14, Radio India described Atwal as "an expert in uttering threats against people."
The broadcast also implied that Atwal's sons are both involved in stealing cars, and that Atwal is part of the militant Khalistan movement, which has often resorted to violence in a bid to create a Sikh homeland.
A second broadcast on May 21 asserted that Atwal, "has been charged by the police in many beating incidents."
On the same day, a third broadcast described Atwal as "a Khalistani rascal," and said that he incites fights at Sikh temples and has served a year in jail for a shooting.
It goes on to say that," one of Harjit Atwal's wives has left him because of his actions and became a homosexual while the other is half of his age."
Atwal contends in the lawsuit that none of the claims made by Radio India are true, and were intended to "cause serious harm, stress, embarrassment, insult and ridicule."
None of the allegations in the suit have been proven in court.
Police have acknowledged that Gill has come to them asking for protection, but won't say what triggered Saturday's violence. 
Past troubles at the same temple
The temple, considered one of the largest in North America, made headlines in 1997 when a power struggle between traditionalist and moderate Sikhs escalated into violence.
The ideological clash was over the use of tables and chairs in the temple dining hall.
The temple was also the focus of two hotly contested temple elections, the second of which was ordered after voter irregularities were discovered.