Top 6 Famous Traditional Festivals in Myanmar

Myanmar is a Land of Traditional Festivals. There is no single month that does not have a festival all the year round. Traditional Festivals are for merry-making, for preserving traditions, for religious observance, for competition and for commerce. Myanmar life and custom are so inextricably bound up with religion that no account would be complete without a brief description of the principal Myanmar Traditional Festivals.Myanmar is a country featuring many fascinating festivals. If you have the opportunity to travel to this country, you should experience at least one out of five most unusual festivals in Myanmar to learn more about the people and their lives.                    

         
Waso full moon festival

The traditional festival begins on the full moon of April in Myanmar calendar (July), with the duration of 15 days. This is the sacred Buddhist festival because this period is known as the first time the Buddha preached sermons after his enlightenment. This is also the time marking the beginning of the fasting month of Buddhism. The monks are not allowed to go out of the monastery at night but still go out for alms in daytime during the rainy season.  

Kason Festival

To honour Buddha’s birthday, every May sees the country acknowledge this auspicious event with an alternative water-pouring ceremony. This time, the focus of the occasion is the sacred Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha gained enlightenment whilst meditating. During the Myanmar river cruises we can either arrange for you to follow the processions of pilgrims to join in the ritual that ensures these precious fig trees do not succumb to drought or pour scented water in one of the country’s magnificent pagoda complexes.

Thingyan Festival

This Buddhist festival is usually celebrated from 13-16 April over a period of four to five days, leading towards the Myanmar New Year celebration. Water-throwing from any shape or form of vessel or device that delivers water is the distinguishing feature of this festival. Thingyan is comparable to other New Year festivities in Theravada Buddhism.

Kachin Manaw Festival 

How does joining a line of people dressed in their best costumes and dancing a spiritual dance around a totem-like pole sound? At the same time, be in awe at the beautiful traditional costumes and the colorful, traditional Manaw poles decorated in Kachin motifs. This is exactly what happens on the 10th of January in Myitkyina and Putao of Kachin state.

Wagaung Festival 

Held between July and August, Wagaung is a month for alms-giving. Lots are drawn and monks will receive whatever bowl his lot falls. Each donor also draws lots and the lucky donor often receives a sum of money. The winner is overjoyed with his luck and believes he is given another chance to do good deeds of merit. So, he spends his money for yet another alms-giving ceremony.

Water Festival

This is one of the most famous and vibrant festivals of Burma. During the festival, all the countrymen abandon their work bring their nation to a standstill. Water festival is seen as an indication of washing away of sins while welcoming the New Year with a fresh energy. During the season, people also meet each other, visit pagodas, and pay homage to monks.

The Most Famous Temple in Madhya Pradesh

Temples in Madhya Pradesh are very famous by virtue of their historical prominence. The Khajuraho temple for instance in Madhya Pradesh is so famous that people from different parts of the world visit this temple at least once in their life time to get enthralled by the very ancient erotic sculptures found on its walls.

Among many Temples in Madhya Pradesh, the Sun Temple Madhya Pradesh, Kalbhairav Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Kamadgiri Temple and Gopal Mandir are the famous Hindu temples in Madhya Pradesh and draw many devotees from India.            

                           
Mahakaleshwar Temple

Mahakaleshwar temple is the most famous temple of Lord Shiva in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Mahakaleshawar temple is famous for Mahakaleshawar Jyotirling, it is one of the most famous jyotirling among all the 12. Mahakaleshwar temple is considered to be one of the most holiest temple located near the Rudra sagar Jhil(lake). Temple is built up inthe bhumija style of architecture.

Devi Jagadambi Temple

Devi Jagadambi Temple is also known as Jagadambika Temple or Devi Jagadambika temple. It is a cluster of approximately 25 religious places of worship located at Khajuraho, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trimbakeshwar Temple

Trimbakeshwar About 28 km away from the city of Nasik, the Trambakeshwar temple is a Hindu paradise in Trimbak of Nashik District. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, as many other holy pilgrimage points of India, Trambakeshwar is one of 12 sacred Jyotirlingams of Shiva. The temple actually is located at the source of the revered Godavari River which is worshipped by large group of Hindu pilgrims in India. A number of banks of this river are considered sacred bathing places for the pilgrims.

Siddhavat Temple

Siddhvat Temple is one of the temples in Ujjain, where the activities related to funeral and serenity of their ancestors are executed. The opening time of temple is 4 a.m. in the morning and therefore visitors have to wait in line for the vision of God from around 2-3 hours ago the opening time.

Teli Ka Mandir 

Teli Ka Mandir is an Architecture splendor which is located in Gwalior. This is the tallest and most impressive temple within the precincts of the Gwalior Fort. This particular Rajput Temple is an amalgam of the northern and southern architectural styles of India, although many opine that it is closer in design to the temples of Orissa than the South.

Top 5 Modern Architectural Wonders of India

India is a land of unlimited Architectural wonders here we would talk about “The five Wonders of India,” which are worth a visit. Among these wonders, four are considered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These Architectural  wonders include the majestic architectural structures that attract tourists from all over the world.

India is a land of ancient civilization. The excellence in design and architecture can concluded by various art forms of forts and palaces constructed round the country. Here is list of such natural and architectural wonders of India.                

                                                 
Sun temple Konark, Odisha

This incomplete work of Konark, tells the saga of India’s rich heritage, devotion and extreme architectural marvel. The uniqueness’s of this architectural treasure are the beautiful and ornamental inscriptions covering the entire temple, build on the lines of a chariot with 7 horses and 24 chariot wheels along with a 52 ton magnet placed to create the peak of the main temple will leave you wondering how they ever built it.

Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh

This grandest monumental delight is an epitome of eternal love and beauty. The exquisite work of Islamic architecture has mesmerized billions of hearts and is considered as one of the world’s finest architectural treasure. This alluring structure shines magnificently like dream in the backdrop of the serene Yamuna.

Humayun’s Tomb

Located in New Delhi, Humayun’s Tomb was built under the inspection and commission provided by Humayun’s first wife, Baga Begum (Also known as Haji Begum).

Golden Temple

Most sacred place of worship for the Sikhs, located in Amritsar, Punjab. Also called Harmandir Sahib or Court of the Lord. The foundation of the Golden Temple was laid down by a Muslim saint Mian Mir.
It is mostly made out of marble but it is gold plated with real gold which covers most of the outside portion. The water that surrounds the Golden Temple is known as the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar) and the water of the pool is said to have special properties.

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

The temples at Khajuraho are known for their integration of sculpture and architecture, with structures adorned with detailed relief designs and scenes on their facades depiciting the four Hindu tenets of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

Most Important National Festival of Kerala

Festivals in Kerala are always celebrated with much pomp and show. The festive seasons display the best of Kerala’s rich culture and heritage. You will not want to miss the vibrant colours, exotic fragrances, scintillating music, and century long traditions that set each festival apart from the other.

Kerala hosts almost all Hindu, Christian and Muslim festivals with the same enthusiasm and charm. Festivals of Kerala are famous also because they involve various aspects of day to day life such as temple, boat, bamboo etc.                        

           
Onam

Onam, the national festival of Kerala, is undoubtedly the king of festivals in the state. It is the largest ted day harvest festival celebrated in the month of Chingam in Malayalam Calendar and August-September in English Calendar. There is an old legend associated with Onam. Once a generous king named Mahabali ruled Kerala and perfect harmony and prosperity prevailed during his reign.

Vishu

Among the various Hindu festivals in Kerala, Vishu occupies a unique position in more than one respect. As symbol of the unostentatious Malayali, Vishu is free from the usual pomp and show and merry-making associated with other festivities.

Kerala Boat Festivals

Kerala is famous for its backwater rides, the main highlights of the state. The beautiful river, lakes and Arabian Sea are all the part of these backwater rides, where you can also visualise the boat festivals of Kerala. Boat Festival is enhanced with different sizes of the boats, where you can see the team spirit among participants, great enthusiasm among the riders and people cheering each other all around the place.

Easter

Easter is celebrated worldwide to signify the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the Christians in Kerala account for about 23% of the state’s population, Easter is observed with the same fervour as in the west and is marked by four distinct periods.

Thrissur Pooram

Kerala is land of temples and temple festivals. If you visit Kerala during the period of January to April, you can watch numerous festivals related to famous temples throughout the state. Thrissur pooram is the most famous among them. This wonderful and vibrant festival, celebrated in the Malaylam month of Medam or generally in April or May, attract even foreign tourists at Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur, Kerala.

Most Popular Holiday Destinations in Europe 2015

Looking for the best family destinations in Europe? So are we! We are currently planning the upcoming family vacation in Europe and there are so many choices for the top family destinations in Europe that it can be very difficult to decide. Europe is jam packed of fabulous places and attractions and choosing which is best can be mission impossible.

The best family holiday destinations in Europe. If you are planning your own family holiday in Europe or just want some inspiration, you are going to love these nominations for the best places for family holidays destinations in Europe.

2015 is all about holidays destinations in Europe as the pound remains strong against the euro, new travel routes open up more exciting places to add to your bucket list and Brits look to going off the beaten track and exploring lesser-known regions of popular holiday destinations. We've rounded up six of the hottest places to visit in Europe this year.                

                                     
Athens

Athens is considered the cradle of western civilization. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments a rare historical palimpsest, evident everywhere in the city. The contemporary urban scenery of the sprawling city reflects its exciting history, its multi-cultural modern personality as well as the infrastructure and facilities. In other words, Athens is a must destination that combines modern urban innovation with history, culture and natural beauty throughout the year.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik may boast a remarkable history it is the site of the world’s first parliament, thought to have been established in 930 AD but the city today holds its past and future in even balance. Its modernism is striking, from the clean lines of its buildings to its experimental music scene to its status as one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the world.

Rome, Italy

There are many museums in Rome to visit. Few of them are Galleria Borghese, Capitoline Museums and the Vatican Museums. Rome has few world famous destinations like the Colosseum and Vatican Musesum attracts 4 million and 4.2 million tourists every year respectively.

Faroe Islands, Denmark

Steeped in Viking legend and touched with a rugged beauty like nowhere else in Europe, the Faroe Islands burst forth from the wild swells of the Norwegian Sea in a medley of snow-dressed cliff tops and chiseled rocks draped in meadows of green, tunneled through with cave systems galore. What’s more, visitors here in March 2015 will be able to witness a total solar eclipse.

5 Best Christmas Holiday Places in Europe

Christmas is coming! The cold outside fits perfectly with a cup of mulled wine and a good story. They say children are the happiest during winter holidays, but let`s face it: deep down the soul a child is always playing hide and seek.  The magic of Christmas holiday lies in small things: candies, toys and other gifts for all your loved ones, frozen noses, warm thoughts and a piece of happiness. If you want to spice up the atmosphere, here are the vibrant Christmas holiday destinations in Europe.

Christmas holiday in Europe is synonym with snow, time-honored traditions, Gothic churches with fabulous choirs, and charming medieval squares brought to life by colorful Christmas stalls. Some cities celebrate Christmas holiday in grand style, others with peculiar customs and yuletide nostalgia aplenty, but some of them are simply at their finest during this time of the year.        

           
Rovaniemi, Lapland

With its otherworldly frosty landscape, brightly-lit Christmas trees and elaborate ice sculptures, there’s no doubt Rovaniemi is the most christmassy holiday place on Earth. And the fact that Santa Claus lives only 8 km away clears up any doubt.

London, Great Britain

London is a perfect "Christmas city", with a lot of decorations, lights, Christmas trees, Christmas markets and ice rinks. Famous British traditions! Start your observation from Trafalgar Square, and you will find there a beautiful Christmas Tree, which is an every year present from Norway, over 20 meters high and 50-60 years old.

Prague, Czech Republic

The names of the city's most attractions Wenceslas Square, Bethlehem Chapel are good indicators of how festive a Prague Christmas is. Even if it's 10 degrees below zero, this 700-year-old medieval city will warm you with its celebrations. Christmas markets, like the one in Old Town Square, are filled with decorated wooden stalls selling hand-made puppets and other toys and gifts.

Krakow, Poland

If you want to make a white Christmas holiday and be surrounded by cultural treasures, you can draw an X on the map near Krakow. Beside the old customs we all know that when it comes to spending Christmas, Poland has a specific tradition, unique and maybe a little bizarre.

Rovaniemi, Finland

You'll definitely find your Christmas spirit in what's widely considered to be Santa's official hometown. Rovaniemi's Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle has plenty of snow, ice, elves and boutiques. Here in Lapland, it's also easy to get in touch with nature.

Top 6 Holy South Indian Temples

The Southern states of India, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, are primarily known for two things, logic-defying movie stunts and breathtaking temples. For those of you who do not know, temples are the holy places where you can worship God and see him in all his beauty and feel his presence in the very air you breathe.

There are many temples all over South India, but some of them are very famous based on their history, architecture, power of God, and its existence. Although this article is about some of the best temples, there are yet many temples to be seen in South India when one goes on pilgrimage. Below is a list of such temples one should not miss visiting them, and the top 6 south Indian temples are.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, situated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is dedicated to the protector of the Universe, Lord Vishnu. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, which can be found all around India. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple gave the city of Thiruvananthapuram its name, as the city’s name translates to “the Holy Abode of Anantha Padmanabha”.      

Meenakshi Temple

One of the ancient temples and an ancient place of south India Madurai is a place famous for its historical temples. Madurai is famous for its Goddess temple Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwar. There are many big and small towers (gopurams) in this temple and it is a common practice of this temple where the Goddess is worshiped before worshiping the Lord, hence the devotees visit the Ashta Sakthi Mandapam.

Konark Sun temple

One of the most worthy example of immensely fine craftsmanship, the Konark Sun temple in Orissa, was putatively built by Narsimhadeva of Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple has been designed in the shape of a very huge chariot of the Sun God with intricately carved 12 pairs of wheels and 7 pairs of horses.

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is located on the Tirumala hills near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and is one of the most sacred temples for vaishnavites. According to legends, Lord Vishnu came down to Earth as Venkateswara to woo back his consort Goddess Lakshmi after a feud.

Jambukeswarar Temple

ambukeswarar Temple is one of the most revered temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple was built 1800 years ago by the Kocengannan, who was one of the Early Chola Kings. The temple is one of the five major Shiva Temples, Panchabhoota Sthalams which represents the element of water.

Thanjavur Temple

Thanjavur emerged as the stronghold of Tamil culture in the eleventh century, with Chola King Raja Raja I at the helm. The Cholas built more than 70 temples in Thanjavur, with the most outstanding one being the Brihadeswara Temple (known as the Big Temple).

Most Important Krishna Temple in india

The Sri Krishna Temple is one of the most important and the richest temple in the whole of South India. Dedicated to Lord Krishna , the temple is also known by the name of Guruvayurappan. It signifies the name of the deity meaning the lord of Guru and Vayu. The deity of Lord Krishna Temple is said to forgive the sins of his devotees who come to worship him in the temple. The Deity placed in the temple is over 5000 years old.

You can find a temple of Lord Krishna Temple with Radha or Rukmani. He is often known as the lord who plays the flute. Lets take a look at the most popular temples of Lord Krishna Temple that are well known worldwide for the history or association with His life.              

Dwarkadish temple

Dwarka is located on the west coast of Gujarat and is considered as a holy pilgrimage for devotees. Dwarka is the place where Lord Vishnu slew the demon Shankhasura. Also known as Jagat Mandir, Dwarkadish is around 2,500 years old temple. Do not forget to visit the temple of Rukmini (Krishna's wife who was believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi).

Guruvayur Temple

Also known as the ‘Bhooloka Vaikunta’ or the abode of Lord Vishnu on Mother Earth, the Guruvayur temple, dedicated to Shri Krishna Temple is situated in Kerala. The temple is also known as Dwarka of Dakshin Bharat (South India) as it is one of the most famous temples in India. The idol of Sri Krishna Temple in the temple is believed to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself.

Jagannath Temple

This temple has lord Krishna idol with Subhadra and Balbhadra, his siblings which are made of wood. It is built in 11th century during Eastern Ganga Dynasty king, Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga. It is situated in Puri and is one of the most sacred places of worship in India. This temple is quite famous for its Rath Yatra which takes place every year.

ISKCON Temple

ISKCON Temple is located at Hari Krishna Temple Hill, in the East of Kailash area of New Delhi. It was built as recently as 1998 and is one of the most lavish and grand temples of the city. Says Dina Nath Das, the brain behind the entire show "it is important temple to present the story of human evolution to the people, in the right manner.

Jugal Kishore Temple

Located in Mathura city (birthplace of Lord Krishna), you can visit this peaceful holy pilgrimage and find solace. Jugal Kishore Temple is one of the most popular and the oldest temples of Lord KrishnaTemple in Mathura. Jugal Kishore temple is also known as Kesi Ghata temple as Lord Krishna killed the demon Kesi and took bath on this ghat. An aarti to Yamuna Devi is offered every evening here.

Most Famous Classical Dance of Assam

Dances of Assam have been the most important and most long standing tradition in Assamese culture. Assam has people belonging to many tribes, and each tribe have their own unique dance. Some tribe have dances for different occasions as well. The best places to witness their dances are in the many festivals taking place throughout the year. People of Assam consider their dances more than just a medium of expression, more than a medium of entertainment, dances are a part of their religion and believes. Apart from famous folk dances like Bihu Dance, the classical dance of Assam named Sattriya Dance which is one of the eight distinguished Indian classical dance.

The best manifestation of the culture and tradition of a particular place. The best example to this statement can be seen in the various ethnic dance forms that are prevalent in the different corners of Assam. The state is home to a number of indigenous tribes and races, each of which has its own fairs and festivals. This has led to the propagation of innumerous dance forms throughout the region. The different dance forms in the state can be broadly categorized under two headings, classical dances and folk dances.                                                  

                       
Sattriya Dance

Bihu dance is the most important folk dance of Assam. It receives its name after the famous Bihu festival of Assam of which, it is the main attraction. The dance is performed by both young men and young women. The dance is performed accompanied by Bihu folk music based on love theme which are generally dominated by men, though there are songs that are sung by women as well, Bihu dance is characterized by quick dance movements, swift hand steps and rhythmic swaying of the hips. Different tribes have made slight variation in the dance and have named it after their tribe like Garo Bihu Dance, and Khasi Bihu Dance.

Bihu Dance

Dance forms in India know no boundaries of caste and creed as they depict oneness of the nation. They may have originated in different states of the country but all of them symbolize the joy and liveliness of a certain event. Bihu is a popular folk dance associated with the state of Assam in India and it is performed generally during the Bihu festival. There are primarily three Bihu festivals that are popular in Assam namely Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu and the Bihu dance is performed during the Rongali Bihu.

Bhaona Dance

This dance form is basically performed in the village Namghars and Satras, in order to promote the Vaishnavite culture tourism in Assam. It is actually a theatrical depiction of the one-act play Ankiya Nat, initiated by Sankardeva. An integral part of the dance is the Sutradhara, who recites the slokas, sings, dances and explains the various stages of Bhaona in detail. Another form of dance included in Bhaona is the Natuwa or Cali dance.

Bodo's Bagurumba Dance

Bodo community has many folk dances to boast. Among them the best and the most attractive is the Bagurumba dance. This is mainly a formation dance with slow steps and outstretched hands. About a score of girls dressed in most colourful attire perform this dance to the accompany- merit of Bodo traditional musical instruments. A tourist in Assam can see this dance in the Bodo inhabited areas of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Darrang and Sonitpur districts.

Information About The Fasting Rules of Ramadan

The most basic tenant of the Ramadan fast is not eating or drinking (even water) between dawn and evening, according to local sunrise and sunset times. Ramadan 2015 will be 14 hours here in Nigeria and it will involve long fasts for American and other Muslims in the Northern Hemisphere. Near the Arctic Circle, for example, the fast will last around 22 hours. In Australia, in the Southern Hemisphere, the fast will last around 12 hours.

Ramadan fasting rules is one of the main pillars of Islam. It is obligatory upon every Muslim who is physically and mentally fit. Also, fast is obligatory for the people who have reached puberty and are not traveling during the time of fasting rules. Women must not fast during menstruation and during postpartum bleeding. It is also not obligatory for a pregnant lady to fast.    

Balanced diet

Those observing the fast should have at least two meals a day the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) and a meal at dusk (Iftar).Dr Mahroof says your food intake should be simple and not differ too much from your normal diet. It should contain foods from all the major food groups. fruit and vegetables, bread, cereals and potatoes, meat, fish or alternatives, milk and dairy foods, foods containing fat and sugar,Complex carbohydrates are foods that help release energy slowly during the long hours of fasting rules.

Having Pre-Dawn Meal

This is very important to start the fast. If you fast without eating anything in sahur, your fast will not be valid. There are immense rewards and blessings in taking sahur. The best time for sahur is the last half hour before dawn or the time for Fajr prayer.

Wholesome foods

Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, should be a wholesome, moderate meal plan that is filling and provides enough energy for many hours.“Suhoor should be light and include slow digesting food like pitta bread, salad, cereal (especially oats) or toast, so that you have a constant release of energy,” Dr Mahroof says.“It’s important to have some fluids with vitamins, such as fruit juice or fruit. Some people have isotonic drinks (such as Lucozade) to replace any lost salts.”

Iftar Or Break-Fast

Break your fast (iftar) immediately after sunset. You must not delay your iftar. You can have iftar, when the disk of the sun goes below the horizon and disappears completely.

Eating Or Drinking

If you eat or drink accidentally or due to forgetfulness, it will not nullify your fast and you can continue fasting rules. However, intentional eating or drinking for any reason makes your fast invalid.

Most Popular Classical Dance of Assam

Assam has an age-old strong tradition of music and dance. The heritage of Classical dance in Assam goes back a long time in history.   In Bharata's Natya Sastra (2nd century B.C.) the name of ‘Pragjyotishpura' (modern Assam) indicates that the dance ‘Odramagadhi' was practiced here. Supposedly when the Chinese traveler ‘Hiuen Tsang' visited the Kamrupa king Bhaskarvarmana in the 7th century, he was entertained with music and dances every day for one month.

Dance culture of Assam also represent another facet of Assam rich culture. There are two well known dance form in Assam, namely the Bihu Dance and the Sattriya Dance. Bihu dance is mostly performed during the Bihu festival and Sattriya Dance is a classical form of dance often termed together with the most popular classical dance of India like Kathak, Bharatnatyam etc.      

Bihu Dance

Bihu is the most popular folk dance of Assam. The people of Assam are very proud of it and rightly so. Except Bhangra no other folk dance in India can compete with the rythmic exuberance of Bihu. Bihu dances performed by young boys and girls characterised by brisk stepping, flinging and flipping of hands and swaying of hips represents youthful passion, reproductive urge and 'Joie-de-vivre'.

Sattriya Dance 

Sattriya Dance is the art form that epitomises the dance culture of Assam. It was recently recognised as a classical dance form and it is among the finest of the classical dances of India. An Assamese religious reformer, Sri Shankardev, preached a unique philosophy of a new Vaishnavism and from it grew the particular dance.

Oja-Pali Dance

Oja-Pali is a classical dance form of Assam, representing the rich tradition and cultural heritage of the state. Oja and Pali are actually the groups of chorus singers and dancers, with Oja as the leader and Palis as his assistants. A total of three or four Palis may be required for the dance and the principal one among them is called the Daina Pali. Apart from dancing, they also sing and play small cymbals, relating stories from the Epics and the Puranas.

Bodo's Bagurumba Dance

Bodo community has many folk dances to boast. Among them the best and the most attractive is the Bagurumba dance. This is mainly a formation dance with slow steps and outstretched hands. About a score of girls dressed in most colourful attire perform this dance to the accompany- merit of Bodo traditional musical instruments. A tourist in Assam can see this dance in the Bodo inhabited areas of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Darrang and Sonitpur districts.

Bhaona- Bhoana Dance

Bhaona- Bhoana was first created by Srimanta Sankardev. He is considered as the great saint of Assam who tried to unite all the people irrespective of cast and creed. He was born in 1449 at Bardowa, Nagaon in Assam. Bhaona is a religious ritual in which roles of different God and Demons (Ashuras) are performed by the people wearing masks.

Find The Best Food Festivals Around The World

One of the most popular food festivals in the world, the Maine Lobster Festival is to seafood what Hollywood is to divorce even the ones you never heard of are worth talking about. Maine Lobster Festival has been running for more than 60 years. These delicious crustaceans pull in the crowds with thousands of boiled lobsters cooked in the world’s largest steamer.

Everyone loves eating food. Foodies all over the world are curious about different food cultures of different countries. In a world where you can have a full English breakfast followed by a French inspired brunch and an Italian dinner with some wine to go with it, food festival has always been an excellent door to exploring local cuisine. The popularity of food festivals has been growing each year and with many new ones getting scheduled every year, a best food aficionado can loads to choose from.

Valencia, Spain

Having a bunch of tomatoes thrown at you isn’t most people’s idea of a good time.But the harvest surplus has to be put to some use. La Tomatina hails back to the 1940s, where it kicked off as a food fight in a local eatery.The food fight grew and grew, and now around 30,000 visitors home in on the village Bunol each year to lob kilos of squishy fruit at each other.

San Francisco, United States

San Francisco street food festivals is a festival like no other as over 50,000 people come to taste the best food the bay area has to offer. The reason it’s one of a kind even though the festival is only 5 years old is down to the feel of the festival. Street food is gaining rapidly as a business and it’s no longer considered to be cheap’ as there are some quality stalls that offer food as good as some Michelin star restaurant would.

Gilroy, California 

One of the biggest food festivals in the United States, this pungent party in Gilroy, California celebrates the mighty aromatic known as garlic. Discover garlic cooking demonstrations, garlic braiding classes and a spectacular array of garlic-infused healthy food, including garlic ice cream, garlic pop corn and garlic mussels.

Sydney, Australia

Mention food festivals in Australia and you’ll most likely get a discussion about the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. And, yes, we know it’s fabulous.But here is where that Melbourne and Sydney rivalry comes in. We all know Melbourne is the foodie city, but Sydney is giving it a run for its money and with a little glamour added for good measure.

Galway, Ireland

Easily the most famous food festival of Ireland and also the oldest oyster festival in the world, Galway Oyster festival is known for vast platters of shellfish, pints of the famous Guiness beer and great live music. Started in September 1954 by Brian Collins, the festival includes beer as well as Oyster tasting which offers some great varieties of oyster.

Most Popular Jewish Wedding Dance

Jewish wedding dance can include a number of traditional Jewish wedding dances interspersed between contemporary and secular music. The bride and groom often decide what to include based on how traditional the Jewish wedding festivities will be.

Jewish people divide themselves into Askhenazi Jews (descended from Eastern European Jews), African Jews (Ethiopian, Nigerian, Ugandan Jews, also not of the aforemention major ethnic backgrounds) Sephardic Jews from Iberia (Spain and Portugal), Indian, Bukharan, Persian, Iraqi, Yemenite Jew, and Mizrahi (Eastern or Middle Eastern Jews [not of Spanish/Portuguese or Sephardic origin]).    

                                                                                                     
Trends

Jewish weddings are often ripe with customs passed down from generation to generation, and dances are no exception. Contemporary couples may choose to devote a portion of their Jewish wedding reception music to participating in classic dances. They may base this upon their own wishes, the desires of their parents, or the ratio of guests who will understand how to engage in these dances.

Gladdening of the Bride

The traditional Jewish dance, the "Gladdening of the Bride" is performed at the end of the Jewish wedding reception. For this dance, there is no specific song that is used. Any different traditional Jewish wedding instrumental music is played, as long as it is upbeat and lively. For this dance, the guests form a circle on the dance floor, and the bride sits in the center of the circle. The guests dance around her in a circle, singing praises about her.

Mezinke Tanz

The Mezinke Tanz is another dance performed at a Jewish wedding reception when the last son or daughter in the family is getting married. For this dance, the mother is given a crown of flowers to wear on her head, and the parents sit in chairs in the middle of the dance floor and all of the guests dance around the joyous family. The Mezinke Tanz is classic danced to the song "Di Mezinke Oysgegebn," which translates to, “Away the Youngest Daughter.” A very special occassion is a "double mezinke" when both sets of parents have married off their last child.

Hora

During the Hora, the bride and groom are lifted above the shoulders of guests. Sitting upon chairs, they may wave handkerchiefs at each other or hold onto the ends of a single handkerchief. A large circle of guests is formed around them, dancing clockwise or counterclockwise. Foot movements include kicks and grapevine-like steps. Weaving and bopping up and down may also occur. The circle of friends and family often alternate between a large loose circle and coming in close to the couple and out again.

Most Famous Krishna Temples in India

The Sri Krishna Temple is one of the most important and the richest temple in the whole of South India. Dedicated to Lord Krishna Temple, the temple is also known by the name of Guruvayurappan. It signifies the name of the deity meaning the lord of Guru and Vayu. The deity of Lord Krishna Temple is said to forgive the sins of his devotees who come to worship him in the temple. The Deity placed in the temple is over 5000 years old.

You can find a temple of Lord Krishna Temple with Radha or Rukmani. He is often known as the lord who plays the flute. Lets take a look at the most famous temples of Lord Krishna that are well known worldwide for the history or association with His life.                    

         
Vrindavan Temple

It is believed that Lord KrishnaTemple spend his childhood in this city. After King Akbar visited the city, he ordered to build 4 temples of Lord Krishna (Madana-mohana, Govindaji, Gopinatha and Jugal Kisore). Located near Mathura, you can visit famous Lord Krishna temples like Banke Bihari Temple, Krishna Balaram Mandir, ISKCON, Govindaji Temple, Madana Mohana Temple to name a few.

Jagannath Temple

nlike other Shri Krishna Temple idols, the Jagannath temple has idols of the Lord and his siblings- Balbhadra and Subhadra - made of wood. Their figures look incomplete. Built by Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in the 11th century, the Jagannath temple in Puri is one of the most sacred places of worship. The temple is also hugely famous for its annual Rath Yatra, which draws millions of tourist year on year.

Guruvayur Temple:

The Dwarka of the South, this temple of Lord Krishna is very famous in India. It is said that the idol of Lord Krishna in this temple is even worshiped by Lord Brahma (Creator of the Universe). Located in Kerala, the temple owns 36 mighty elephants. Even brides and grooms visit Guruvayur temple to solemnize their marriage.

Bankey Bihari Temple

The Bankey Bihari is dedicated to Shri Krishna who is seen standing in the Tribhanga posture. Popular for Jhoolan and Janmashthami celebrations, the Bankey Bihari temple was built by Swami Haridas. Banke Bihari is believed to be a late riser and doesn’t wake up before 9am. The Mangal Aarti in the temple is sung only during Janmashtami.

Jugal Kishore Temple

Jugal Kishore Temple Situated near Kesi Ghat, the construction of Jugal Kishore temple was completed in 1627. Shri Krishna had killed Kesi, the horse demon at this spot, and hence it is also known as the Kesi Ghat Temple. Mughal ruler Akbar is said to have visited this temple in 1570.

Most Popular Honeymoon Places In Africa

The South African honeymoon places is perfect for the couple looking for solitude and pampering after many months of hectic wedding planning. In South Africa, honeymoons places can be spent in any number of exotic locations, so the only decision newlyweds need to make is whether to stay in one place or several. Whether you are looking for a honeymoon places where you can witness some of the world’s most captivating wildlife encounters, spend the night under the stars or stay where the celebrities feel at home, the best round up of Africa’s top honeymoon destinations  has something for everyone.  If you think of any other romantic destinations in Africa.

The most popular honeymoon places in South Africa include Cape Town, a city splendidly displayed against the backdrop of Table Mountain. The city itself and the area surrounding it offers a host of unique activities and experiences on offer. The Garden Route, with its sandy beaches and rugged mountain scenery is another favorite with honeymooners visiting the part of the world. In addition to these two areas, which are located in the southern part of South Africa, the Big Five safari
areas also offer incredible honeymoon places.              

Zanzibar, Tanzania

African romantic destinations have the coastal or historical appeal of Zanzibar, a white-sand archipelago off the coast of Tanzania whose historic district of Stone Town is one of East Africa's few remaining ancient cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Curious couples should consider heading to Nungwi, a quiet touristy village on the northern tip of Unguja Island where they can spend their post-nuptial days relaxing next to the turquoise waters, cruising through vibrant mangroves, and exploring the delightful "ghost islands" that appear during low tide.

Mombasa, Kenya

The ultimate in beach seclusion, you may want to consider the Tijara Beach. It’s completely exclusive with only 8 guests staying at the retreat at any one time. There  are just 4 comfortable cottages dotted with the stunning gardens with uninterrupted views of the ocean from every room.

Mozambique

An underexplored region of Africa attraction, this former Portuguese colony has some of the best beaches in the continent, due to the position of the island of Madagascar, which creates a strait of warmer waters just off the coastline. Mozambique has a tropical climate that guarantees sunshine all year round, ideal for couples looking to escape to sunny destinations.

Namibia

An off-the-beaten track destination, ideal for couples in search of a true African experience without overcrowding. This former German colony is divided into five distinct geographical areas, each featuring characteristic flora and fauna: a perfectly varied holiday in one of the most striking landscapes of the continent, including the Kalahari desert, where you will be able to experience the most beautiful of African sunsets.

Most Popular Cultural Dance of Bharatanatyam

Bharatnatyam is one of the most popular classical Indian Cultural  dances. Bharatnatyam is more popular in South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Bharatnatyam Cultural dance is almost 2,000 years old. It is believed that Bharatnatyam was revealed by Lord Brahma to Bharata, a famous sage who then codified this sacred dance in a Sanskrit text called the Natya Shastra. The Natya Shastra is one of the fundamental treatises on Indian drama and aesthetics. Natya Shastra divides dance into two distinct forms- nritta, and nritya. In nritta, focus is on mastery of abstract hand gestures and movements, whereas the cultural dancer employs a complex system of hand signals and body language to depict emotional expressions in nritya.

Bharatanatyam is a classical cultural dance style of South India that combines artistic expression with a sense of spirituality. There are highly trained dancers who perform precise hand gestures, use intricate footwork, vivid facial expression, and fluid movement. The Bharatanatyam cultural dancers wear traditional costumes consisting of specially made saris, jewelry and hair ornaments, and specifically applied facial and body make-up. The dancers generally dance to a traditional south Indian Carnatic orchestra consisting of voice, strings, percussion, and flute.                                                                  

       
Kathakali

Kathakali originated from the state of Kerala. One of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up code. Characters are categorized according to their nature. This determines the colors used in the make-up. The faces of noble male characters, such as virtuous kings, the divine hero Rama, etc., are predominantly green.Characters of high birth that have an evil streak, such as the demon king Ravana, are allotted a similar green make-up, slashed with red marks on the cheeks.

Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam comes from one of the southern states of India, Kerala. A Mohiniyattam dancer immediately reminds you of this scenic beauty in her cultural dance. The movements are beautiful and lyrical and they are always in an unbroken chain, from one movement very gently and gracefully merging into another. Though the movements are swaying and gentle the presentation comes out with a tremendous and strong impact leaving the spectator in an atmosphere of grace, charm, vitality and a forceful vivacity.

Garba

Synonymous with the state of Gujarat in Western India, Garba dance is a customary affair that goes hand in hand with the navratras (nine nights of worshiping goddess Amba, a part of goddess Durga). The performance is undertaken with dancers dancing in circle with sticks in hand and while doing so they clash each others sticks to create a harmonious sound. Quite jovial in nature and proceedings, Garba is a community dance form that is celebrated openly in the society.

Manipuri

Manipuri dance is purely religious and its aim is a spiritual experience. Development of music and dance has through religious festivals and daily activities of the Manipuri people. Not only is dance a medium of worship and enjoyment, a door to the divine, but indispensable for all socio-cultural ceremonies. From the religious point of view and from the artistic angle of vision, Manipuri Classical Dance Form of dance is claimed to be one on the most chestiest, modest, softest and mildest but the most meaningful dances of the world.

Bihu

Assam is the representative of the entire North Eastern region of India. A naturally gifted part with hills and mighty rivers, the essence of Assam comes in full bloom in form of the Bihu dance which is closely associated with the most popular social festival by the same name. Incidentally, there are three Bihus in Assam, but the dance performance finds a prominent place during the Rongali Bihu celebrated in mid April to mark the advent of the new year.

Facts About on Akshardham Temple of Gujarat

The Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar is one of the largest and most prominent temples in the entire state of Gujarat. Located in Gandhinagar city, the famous Akshardham temple is a place, which consists of a number of things under one roof like art, education, architecture, exhibitions and research. It is truly an architectural masterpiece.

Established in the year 1992, the Akshardham temple was built in the dedication of Lord Swaminarayan. The credit for laying the foundation of the famous Akshardham temple at Gandhinahar goes to the Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The highlights of the Akshardham temple consist of the seven feet long idol of Lord Swaminarayan, the chief deity at the Akshardham temple.

The Swaminarayan temple of Gandhinagar is a modern complex, built in traditional Indian architectural style from 6000 metric tons of long lasting pink sandstone, from Rajasthan, and carved by expert artisans from Bansipahadpur.                                                                    

It stands tall with a height of 108 feet and 6000 tones of stone were used in its construction. The magnum opus monument in rock is built according to the Vaastu Shastra (architectural treatise) and not even an inch of steel has been used. The main shrine contains a 1.2 ton gold plated idol of Lord Swaminarayan. The 7 foot high idol is built in a sitting posture, with his right hand raised in abhay mudra. He is accompanied by two other idols of his disciples on both sides. Swami Gunatitanand is on his right and Swami Gopalanand on his left.

Hall

Hall 1 called (Sahajanand) exhibits and uses imaginative settings for showing and illustrating the life of Lord Swaminarayan. The exhibition showcases 'travel in time' through a video show, a fiber-optics cosmos, miniature recreation of Chapala village, three 'sound-n-light' shows.

Hari Mandap

Hari Mandap which is the Main Floor has been the Prime tourist attraction of Swaminarayan Temple where devottees start their day with prayers and meditation, work or study honestly and spend hours in serving other visitors. In addition, five principal vows are being followed here that include No Adultery, No Alcohol, No Stealing, No Meat and No Impurity of body and mind. By following these moral purity and spiritual thoughts it is believed that one can add a deeper brilliance to all the social services performed for betterment of life.

Prasadi Mandap

Prasadi Mandap is where one can see the garments, articles and other holy relics used by Lord Swaminarayan. The scientifically restored and honorably displayed holy relics provide satisfaction to the spiritual thirst of the devotees and visitors visiting the Scared temple.

Vibhuti Mandap

Vibhuti Mandap which is the Upper Floor presents the divine philosophy and personality of Lord Swaminarayan by the way of his own sacred scriptures The Vachanamrut. Here there are many people who are involved in voluntary services and if one wishes to can also involve himself/herself in such services.

Most Visited Tourist Spots in Beijing

Beijing the capital of China, is undoubtedly one of the most visited places in the world, with hundreds of millions of tourists Spots every year. The city's long history and glorious culture endow the city with a great number of tourists attractions and historical sites.Beijing is a city for all seasons. You can always find something for you no matter what time you are in Beijing and and whatever your interests are. There are actually hundreds of tourists scenic spots and historical sites in Beijing. Some are walkable. Some are a little far from the city center.

Beijing is vibrant with amazing attractions, Forbidden City, the most magnificent palace in China; Ming Tombs, an imperial tomb cluster for thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); Great Wall, one of the seven wonders of the world; Temple of Heaven, the worshipping site for the emperors; Summer Palace, the grandest imperial garden in China; Sacred Way, a divine road reflecting the pomp and dignity of emperors; Tiananmen Square, The largest square in the world; Lama Temple, a noted temple dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism; Beihai Park, a centuries-old park with marvelous scenery; Hutong, a carrier and mirror of Beijing folk culture.                                              

                         
Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is the largest typical red tourism spot of worldwide, and the symbol of China. Tiananmen Square, in the very heart of Beijing, is the largest city squares in the world, and can hold one million people for public celebration or gatherings.Tiananmen Square is the site of numerous parades and other celebrations, which great cultural significance because it was on the rostrum of Tiananmen Gate that Mao ZeDong declared the People's Republic of China on October 1st 1949. It is the national typical red tourism spot and rank top of the sixteen tourist spots in Beijing.

Beihai Park

Beihai Park is one of the oldest surviving imperial gardens in Beijing. Laid out at the beginning of the 10th century, this beautiful open space takes its name from nearby Lake Beihai (North Lake) and offers many good reasons to pay a visit. Among the most important structures are the Round Fort dating from the Yuan period of 1271-1368; the spectacular Hall of Enlightenment, built in 1690 and home to a one-and-a-half-meter-tall Buddha carved from a single block of white jade; and a large black jade vase from the early 12th century.

Lama Temple

The Yonghe Lama Temple (Palace of Peace and Harmony), located in the northeastern part of Beijing, is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The temple was built by Chinese Culture emperors who harbored a deep fascination for the Tibetan version of Buddhism. Over the years, many Tibetan and Mongolian monks lived and taught here, and there are still monks in residence today. The temple contains a 26 meter (85 foot) tall statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of white sandalwood.

Beijing Capital Museum

The particular interest is the excellent Beijing Capital Museum, one of the country's leading art museums. Opened in 1981, the museum boasts a vast collection of artifacts including ancient items of porcelain and bronze, traditional calligraphy and artwork, along with many fine statues from Chinese and other Asian cultures. Other highlights of its collection of more than 200,000 important cultural artifacts - many originating from in and around Beijing - include the huge stele of Emperor Qian Long, weighing more than 40 tons, standing nearly seven meters in height, and containing ancient scripts and writings.

Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is one of the world’s great palaces, ranking right up there with the Kremlin, Buckingham Palace and Versailles. It is unarguably the most popular tourist attraction in Beijing, with the crowds to prove it. It was the seat of the Chinese government for many centuries, and thus was off limits to commoners. Today it is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the Middle Kingdom’s heritage. There really is no way to avoid crowds here, but visitors might want to check out the halls on each side to learn more about the country. Most people walk right up the middle to see the big halls and ignore the treasures off to the side.

Interesting Facts About Bahai Temple of South America

The Baha'i House of Worship in Chile was announced in 2001 and the winning design by Siamak Hariri – of the Canadian architecture firm Hariri Pontarini Architects, was chosen from 185 design entries.  The design requirement was that it be a domed structure with nine entrances that would welcome people from all directions to the praise of God.The building is made up of nine translucent "wings," that appear as floating over a large reflecting lily pool. During the day the sunlight will filter through the wings, and at night will emit a warm glow from the interior lighting.                        

The Bahá’i Temple of South America, situated in a seismic zone on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, uses light for its spiritual and design inspiration. Its billowing, structurally robust form won a two phase international competition requesting a nine sided, domed structure with nine entries requirement for the design of Bahá’i Temples.Baha'i Houses of Worship are distinctive buildings, open to everyone, where visitors can simply pray and meditate in a serene atmosphere, or at certain times listen to the holy scriptures of the world's religions being recited and sung. An integral concept of each House of Worship is that they will,in due course, provide a spiritual center around which agencies and institutions of social, humanitarian, and educational service will be established for the surrounding population.            

     
Designer's statement Light is the fundamental connecting force of the universe. The Bahá'í Temple of South American tour, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, employs both translucent stone and the newest glass technology as the means of generating and manifesting both the physiological and spiritual delights of natural light embodied in architecture.Set against the stirring background of the Andean mountain range, the new Bahá'í Temple is to be a crystallizing of light-as-expression, an evanescent structure of white alabaster and glass: a place of pure luminescence. During the day, it is the soft undulating alabaster and glass skin of the Bahá'í Temple which forms its outer expression.

The Bahá'í temple will be open to all without charge, and the services will include readings from the sacred temple of all the world's religions. At a time when many recent headline news stories, particularly from the Middle East, show the tremendous damage that occurs from acts of religious fanaticism and intolerance, it is also important, for the future of an increasingly globalizing world, to consider news stories that highlight the beneficial effects of religion at its best, inspiring people to nobler acts of service and inclusivity.

The Bahá’í temple Born out of an international competition with over 180 entries from 80 countries, the Bahá’í temple of South America tour is a nine sided structure with nine entrances that symbolically welcome all people from all directions of the earth to join in prayer and meditation. Its form and materiality break new ground, drawing on the power of light as inspiration. Nine gracefully torqued wings of cast glass and translucent stone billow like sails, projecting a sublime, ethereal luminescence. Visually light, the building is structurally strong.

The Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois is one of only seven Baha’i temples in the world. Each temple has their own distinctive design but they all have an area of gardens which surrounds a nine-sided structure covered by a single, majestic dome. The Baha’i Faith is an independent world religion that supports unity of all people and religions. This photograph shows the unique characteristics of this dome accompanied with a beautiful garden.

Guide To Family For African Safari Tours

Going on a family safari in Africa will be one of the most rewarding and exciting vacations you'll ever take. But, taking your family on safari in Africa isn't cheap so you want to pick the right safari tour, and country, in order to get the most out of it. This article will help you plan the right safari for your family and offers tips on keeping the children happy en route, as well as specific family-friendly safari recommendations.

The best place to go on a family safari is South Africa , especially for families with young children. The roads are excellent which means you can rent your own car and thus set your own schedule. Flexibility is key when you have little children. You can make stops when you want, return to your hotel when they tire and plan the length of your own drives around the wildlife parks.South Africa also has plenty of smaller, private wildlife parks where you can see a lot of animals in a short amount of time. These private game parks often have comfortable accommodations with swimming pools and buffet lunches and dinners. The Garden Route and Eastern Cape in South Africa Destinations is filled with beaches and game parks in close-proximity, a winning combination with children.                                                                          

Best Safari Tours in africa

River's Edge Safari Tours

River's Edge is now even wilder with the addition of three new animal habitats which opened on Saturday, June 7, 2014. Purina Painted Dog Preserve will feature a species that hasn't been seen at the Zoo since the 1950s—the painted dog, or African wild dog. Sun Bear Forest and Andean Bear Range will be the new homes for Malayan sun bears and Andean bears.

Sunway Safaris Tours

Looking for a quality small group safari vacation in Southern Africa at an affordable price, with knowledgeable guides and likeminded travellers? Sunway has been creating memories for adventurous Africa travellers for more than 20 years.We specialise in value for money small group camping safaris and accommodated tours that include natural wildlife safaris, walking and trekking holidays, cultural tours, safari holidays and overland journeys. Please visit the African Destinations page for more information on the different countries we visit.

Extreme Zoo Safari Tours

From the rarest to one of the most venomous and the tallest to the smallest, meet the most extreme animals in the Zoo! Your guide will introduce you the largest venomous snake in the world, the largest lizards in the world and other intriguing reptiles at the Herpetarium. Compare your jump to one of the longest leapers in the world at the Primate House. See the rarest and biggest exotic cats at Big Cat Country, and discover creatures great and small at Red Rocks.

Kenya & Tanzania Safari tours

kenya and Tanzania: the very words evoke a bygone era of romance and adventure seas of golden grass swaying beneath a far-off blue horizon, great herds of migrating wildebeest and zebra traversing the savanna amid rocky outcrops and spreading acacia trees, nights spent gazing into crackling campfires under skies crowded with stars, days on safari beholding the timeless drama of predator and prey, the circle of life, unfolding rhythmically on one of earth’s last, great wild stages.This experience of Africa at its most primal still exists and is waiting to be discovered once more, on the Ultimate Kenya & Tanzania Safari.

Namibia Wildlife Safari tours

Namibia is soul-stirring. Here on the southwest edge of Africa, orange sand dunes rise a thousand feet high against a cobalt sky. The coastal desert is washed by the relentless ocean, while inland the sun bakes the plains into a cracked puzzle of dried mud, pocked with grass and thornbush. There is water here, too, though its presence is subtle. It is the source of life in the stark Etosha salt pan, whose waterholes attract fantastic numbers of game, including feline predators. Springbok, oryx, kudu and dik-dik run to elude them, in a great and ancient desert dance.