On 26th Oct.2023,We set out on a 2-day trip to the sacred city of Pushkar near Ajmer to take a dip in the holy waters of the Sarovar & offer prayers in the Brahma temple located adjacent to the Sarovar!Also we attended the marriage ceremony of our relative at the Serene Aravali Resort! At Pushkar we came to know about some very important landmarks worth paying a visit!Pushkar was full of beautiful architectural heritage & its rich history makes it a must visit place! Here I am sharing some collated information on the Pushkar Teerth with my valued readers !Happy Reading !

ABOUT PUSHKAR :

Pushkar is a city near Ajmer City and headquarters of Pushkar tehsil in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. It is situated at the northwest of Ajmer about 150 km southwest of Jaipur. The nearest airport from Pushkar is Kishangarh about 45 km northeast. Pushkar is about 10 km from Ajmer, connected via Pushkar road (Highway 58) which goes over the Aravalli Range mountains. Ajmer is also the nearest major railway station. It is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs. Pushkar has many temples. Most of the temples and ghats in Pushkar are from the 18th century and later, because many temples were destroyed during Muslim conquests in the area. Subsequently, the destroyed temples were rebuilt. The most famous among Pushkar temples is the red spired Brahma Temple. It is considered a sacred city by the Hindus particularly in Shaktism, and meat and eggs consumption are forbidden in the city .Pushkar is located on the shore of Pushkar Lake, which has many ghats where pilgrims bathe. Pushkar is also significant for its Gurdwaras for Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. One of the bathing ghats is called Gobind ghat built by the Sikhs in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh. Pushkar is famous for its annual fair (Pushkar Camel Fair) featuring trading of cattle, horses and camels. It is held over seven days in autumn marking Kartika Purnima according to the Hindu calendar (Kartik month: October or November).

LEGEND:

Pushkar is believed to be the place where Brahma performed penance for a very long time and therefore is also one of the rare places which hosts a temple to the Hindu Creator God. According to the Padma Purana, once Brahma decided to go to the earth and reaching the area of the present Pushkar, he entered that forest, full of many trees and creepers, adorned with many flowers, filled with the notes of many birds, crowded with groups of many beasts. Brahma was very pleased with the forests and trees and after remaining at Pushkar for a thousand years he threw a lotus on the ground which made the earth tremble to its core. The devas were also shaken and not knowing what had caused the upheaval, went to look for Brahma but could not find him. Vishnu told them the reason for the tremors and took them to Pushkar to meet Brahma. However they could not get a glimpse of him and Vayu and Brihaspati suggested them to meditate according to Vedic rites to be able to see Brahma. After a long time the creator-god became visible to them and asked them why they were so distressed. The devas told him about the tumult caused by his dropping the lotus from his hand and asked the reason for it. Brahma informed them that a demon named Vajranabha who used to take away the life of children was waiting there to kill the gods but Brahma brought about his destruction by dropping the lotus. Since he had dropped the lotus there, therefore that place would be known as Pushkara, a great, sanctifying holy place, giving religious merit.

HISTORY :

Pushkar is near some of the oldest geological structures in India. Microliths near Khera and Kaderi suggest the region was settled in ancient times. The Aravalli hills near it have yielded Mohenjodaro-style artifacts, but the connection is unclear as these items may have been transported later.Sites near it have been sources of ancient Brahmi script inscriptions, considered pre-Ashokan near village Badli. Local excavations have been a source of red ware and painted gray ware confirming ancient settlement. Pushkar is mentioned in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas, suggesting its significance in historical and religious tradition of Hinduism. The city is mentioned in many texts dated to the 1st millennium. These texts are not, however, historical. The earliest historical records relating to Pushkar and Ajmer are found in Islamic texts describing the raids and conquest of northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent.

The region finds mention in Mohammad Ghori’s 1192 CE conquest/ defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan. Thereafter, Pushkar and nearby Ajmer find mention in historical records related to Qutub-ud-din Aibak. It was regained by Hindus under the Chahamanas of Ranastambhapura in 1287, but regained by the Delhi Sultanate in 1301 and remained in Muslim control for many centuries. Akbar made the nearby Ajmer one of the provincial capitals, and it remained a part of the Mughal Empire until 1712 CE. The Muslim rule brought destruction as well as cultural influences. Aurangzeb’s armies destroyed the Hindu temples along the lake. The cattle and camel trading tradition brought merchants from Afghanistan. With the collapse of Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb, Pushkar was regained by Hindus and became a part of Jodhpur State under the Rathores of Marwar who rebuilt the temples and ghats. Several important temples were rebuilt by the Rajputs, Marathas, Brahmans and wealthy Hindu merchants. The Brahma temple was rebuilt by Gokul Parak Oswal, the temple of Saraswati was rebuilt by the Purohit of Jodhpur, the temple of Badri Narayana was rebuilt by the Thakur of Kherwa, the temple of Varaha which had been destroyed by Jahangir was rebuilt by Maharaja Bakht Singh of Marwar and the Maratha Noble Goma Rao rebuilt the Shiva Atmateshwara Temple. In 1801, Pushkar came under British rule and remained a part of the British Raj until 1947.In contemporary times, it has been the venue of the famed annual Pushkar Camel Fair. In 1901, the town was part of the Rajputana Agency had a population of 3,831.

                                                                                                                                                               Festivals and Fairs :

Pushkar Fair :Pushkar fair continues for five days and these five days are a period of relaxation and merry-making for the villagers. This fair time is the busiest time for them, as this is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country. Animals, including over 50,000 camels,are brought from distant places around to be traded and sold. All the camels are washed and adorned, some are shown to form artistic patterns. Some camels, horses, and cows are colorfully decorated.

In addition to the animal trading market, Pushkar in parallel holds:

Festival of folk music and dances, ferries wheels, magic shows, horse and camel races and various other traditional sports and team entertainment competitions. While the Pushkar fair is held around the Kartik Purnima that typically overlaps between late October and early November, other seasons feature other sports and festivals for pilgrims who visit the sacred lake.

Other Fairs :1)Nagaur Fair, 2) Tejaji Fair

A Sikh Gurdwara in Pushkar:

Pushkar is a sacred pilgrimage site for Sikhs as well, according to Gurmukh Singh, with Gurdwaras dedicated to Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. These have historic roots, with the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in the eastern part of the town called Guru Nanak Dharamsala, a name common for Sikh shrines before the 20th-century. The Sikh Dharamshala is a two-storeyed building consisting of a central room, surrounded by a verandah. The second Sikh temple is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh marking his visit after he left Anandpur Sahib. Pandit Parmanand took an oath on the holy cow on behalf of Hindu kings and Muslim priest, Qazi Syyed Wali Hassan took an oath on the Quran which was handwritten by Aurangzeb. They promised that if Guru ji leaves Anandpur Sahib then he will not attack Guru ji and everyone can move out of Anandpur Sahib peacefully.The place he stayed in and the lakefront next to it is now called the Gobind Ghat. It has a memorial inscription and this shrine was built with the sponsorship of the Maratha Empire, after the widespread Hindu-Muslim wars in the final decades of Aurangzeb rule and the collapse of the Mughal Empire. The shrine has an old hand written copy of the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib and a hukumnama believed by Sikhs to have been written by Guru Gobind Singh. Both these have been preserved by a Pushkar Brahmin priest, a descendant of the priest whom the Guru met. The hukumnama is on a bhoj patra, a method of recording letters in the 18th century.

Pushkar Holi :

Holi takes place in March and it is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. It represents the triumph of good over evil and the coming of springtime. Holi celebrations happen all over India and involve huge jubilant street parties. During Holi, Bhang (ancient Indian cannabies) is served in Pushkar, which is known to have some of the best Bhang in India.

Important landmarks of Pushkar:

1) Pushkar Sarovar :

Pushkar Lake is a sacred lake of the Hindus. The Hindu scriptures describe it as “Tirtha-Guru” [Thirtha Raj]– the perceptor of pilgrimage sites related to a water-body and relate it to the mythology of the creator-god Brahma, whose most prominent temple stands in Pushkar. The Pushkar Lake finds mention on coins as early as the 4th century BC. Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats (a series of steps leading to the lake), where pilgrims throng in large numbers to take a sacred bath, especially around Kartik Poornima (October–November) when the Pushkar Fair is held. A dip in the sacred lake is believed to cleanse sins and cure skin diseases. Over 500 Hindu temples are situated around the lake precincts! The prime attraction of Pushkar is the Pushkar Lake which is considered sacred like the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. Pushkar has become a place of Hindu pilgrimage because of this holy lake. Legend has it that this lake was consecrated to Brahma, the creator of the universe when a lotus dropped from his hand into the vale and a lake emerged in that place.

2)Brahma Temple,Pushkar (Jagatpita Brahma Mandir)

The most important temple in Pushkar is the temple of Brahma, one of the holy trinity of Hinduism. The temple enshrines a life-size idol of Brahma. The temple is one of very few existing temples dedicated to the Hindu creator-god Brahma in India and remains the most prominent among them.The temple structure dates to the 14th century, with later partial rebuilding. The temple is made of marble and stone slabs. It has a distinct red pinnacle (shikhara) and a hamsa bird motif. The temple sanctum sanctorum holds the image of four-headed Brahma and his consort Gayatri (goddess of vedas). The temple is governed by the Sanyasi (ascetic) sect priesthood. On Kartik Poornima, a festival dedicated to Brahma is held when large numbers of pilgrims visit the temple, after bathing in the sacred lake.

Ajmer is the nearest tourist attraction that lies outside the city boundaries of Pushkar. Located 27 Kms away from Ajmer, there is Kishangarh, famous for its miniature paintings, more popularly known as Bani Thani.

Savitri Mata Temple :Its located on the Ratnagiri hills dedicated to Lord Brahma’s wife Savitri !There is a ropeway for reaching the temple !

Sunset Point located at the southern end of the Pushkar lake, Sunset Point is one of the famous attractions in Pushkar. It is also a place where many artists show their talent in front of the visitors.

Old Pushkar – Old Pushkar lake is rebuilt and is located around 5 km from Pushkar Lake. According to the ancient texts, Old Pushkar has equal cultural and religious significance for the pilgrims.

Serene Aravali Spa & Resort ,Pushkar :

We reached the resort on our two-day Pushkar trip to attend our relatives’ wedding & all related ceremonies such as Haldi, Mehandi,Ladies Sangeet ,Baraat procession,Marriage Solemnizing rituals & the sad part ,Vidai !We immensely enjoyed all the ceremonies taking part in all of them as Resort team managed them so efficiently!

Located amidst the dryland & beautiful Aravali hills,the Resort is an Oasis with beautifully laid out wooden cottages& serene surroundings away from the hustle & bustle of the city to refresh our mind,body & soul!We had a great time in the Spa & the refreshing swimming pool in the resort!We will always cherish the beautiful memories!

Mesmerizing views of the Resort in the moonlit night !Quite a magical experience!

My dear readers may kindly point out any incorrect information in my above writeup needing any corrections! I am truly indebted to Wikipedia & for the invaluable information on the subject !Happy Reading !

On conclusion of our exciting tour of the Dudhwa National Park, described by me in my last blog ,we decided to pay a visit to the bordering Nepalese town Dhangadhi distt. Kailali (30 kms from Palia Kalan,distt. Lakhimpur-khiri,UP)& explore some Official buildings ,market places exhibiting colourful dresses, handloom & textiles products! We also got a chance to visit the Haat Bazzars organised by farmers displaying their agricultural produces ,spices & handicrafts for sale!This was a very colourful & beautiful sight with local people purchasing items of their day to day needs !We enjoyed the place enormously despite the short visit which I am sharing with my valued readers !Incidently its the 10th Foreign Country that I have set my foot upon apart from my motherland India of which I am a proud citizen !

Dhangadhi (Nepali: धनगढी) is a sub-metropolitan city and the district headquarters of Kailali District in Sudurpashchim Province of Nepal. It shares a border with Uttar Pradesh, India in the south, Godawari and Gauriganga Municipality in the North, Kailari Rural Municipality in the east and Kanchanpur District in the west. Dhangadhi is a sub-metropolis divided into 19 wards. It has a population of about 147,181 and thus is the 10th biggest city of Nepal. It has an area of 261.75 km2 (101.06 sq mi). It is one of the major cities of Far – West Province of Nepal along with Mahendranagar.

Dhangadhi was established in 1976. It became the first sub-metropolitan city in the far-west after it was upgraded to a sub-metropolis from municipality status on 18 September 2015 as the village development committees Fulbari and Urma were merged into Dhangadhi and later ward no 9 and 11 of former Attariya Municipality were also merged. There is a fable. Rana Tharu of Dhangadhi used to bury their wealth in the ground due to the fear of robbers. That is why the name of Dhangadhi remained Dhangadhi.

Economy :

Dhangadhi is the economic center of Far-Western Nepal and the one of the developing cities of Nepal. It is one of the trading centres of Sudurpashchim Province. The city has health care facilities, a number of parks, private schools, colleges, and internet service providers. There are medical, engineering, and management colleges that are affiliated to Tribhuvan University and Far Western University.The city attracts migrants from the surrounding area, moving to the city for educational and health services.

The city has many commercial banks such as regional office of Nepal Rastra Bank, National Commercial Bank, Agricultural Development Bank, Everest Bank, Nabil Bank, Bank of Kathmandu, Nepal Credit and Commerce Bank, Siddharth Bank, Machhapuchhre Bank, Kumari Bank, Nepal Bangladesh Bank and Kanchan Development Bank.

A number of haat bazaars are held each week in different parts of the town, where farmers from the rural hinterland set up stalls to trade agricultural products, spices and handicrafts.Every year Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizes Sudurpashchim Mahotsav in Dhangadhi on the month of Mangsir (mid Nov. to mid December).Main crops are rice & maize.

About Dhangadhi (Credit: wiki travel):

Dhangadhi city is one of the western gates of Nepal. It is situated in the Far-Western Development Region and shares border with Uttar Pradesh state, India. Dhangadhi with the population 104,047 people (2011 Nepal census) is the 9th biggest city of Nepal. It is a capital of Kailali District, which comes under the province of Seti. Dhangadhi is the main hub for the Far-Western Region.

A visitor travelling by air can directly reach Dhangadhi, a hub city in the Far-West region of Nepal. There are daily two flights from Kathmandu and it takes approximately 1 and a quarter of an hour to reach here. Air fare for foreign nationals to Dhangadhi- around NPR2000 and For Nepali Nationals- air fare- NPR11000.The two Airlines which are operating flights to and from Dhnagadhi are Buddhaair and Yetiair

By road:

There are several bus services that link the Far-West cities like Dhangadhi with Kathmandu. Dhangadhi is approximately 680kms away from Kathmandu. It takes nearly 14 to 16 hours from Kathmandu, the capital city, to reach these provincial towns. Starting the journey from Kathmandu, on the way to the Dhnagadhi, visitors come across several places of interest: Chitwan National Park (approximately 3 hour – drive from Kathmandu), Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha (3 hour-drive from Chitwan National Park), and Bardia National Park (7 hour-drive from Lumbini).

Visitors coming from India can enter Dhangadhi through border entry points, which is only 5km the city. From Dheli it takes approximately a 8-hour drive to reach the border entry point. The Dhangadhi entry point is open from 5 am to 8 pm for all modes of tranportation. The main bus park in Delhi where you can board a bus for the Far-West is Inter State Bus Terminal( ISBT) at Anand Vihar. From Lucknow (a city in India), you can board a bus at Kesharbagh Bus Station.

Get around:

In Dhangadhi there are several public bus lines, but the easiest way go get around in the town is just to take a rickshaw. Dhangadhi town is a starting point for any trip in the Far-Western Region. To get to the hilly areas in the Far West is possible to do by public bus. The main bus station is located on the main road near the Jalsa Hotel. You can also book a car through one of the local travel agencies who will normally give you a good deal as well. Make sure you get a 4WD vehicle if heading for the mountains.

In Dhangadhi there is Tourism Information Centre, where you can get assistance in arranging transportation as well as for planning of your trip. Tourist Information Centre is located on L.N. Chowk in Dhangadi Opening hours Monday – Friday, and Sunday (10:00 – 17:00) You can reach by phone at . +977-091-521900

Places worth visiting :

1)Jokhar Lake – Located on the eastern outskirts of Dhangadi, Jokhar is a wetland, often frequented by people seeking relaxation, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It has diverse species of flora and fauna even in such a close proximity of the urban sprawl. You can enjoy boating here or trek around the adjoining jungle, famous for its nursery with traditional Ayurvedic herbs.

2)Mohana Bird Watch – Approximately 1.7 km west of Dhangadhi city, lies the Mohana River Corridor, a habitat of 111 species of birds (resident and migratory), five protected species of reptiles and amphibians (golden monitor lizard, Burmese rock python, Bengal monitor, elongated tortoise, and Indian flapshell turtle), and 12 species of mammals.

3)Behada Baba Temple ,4)Naina Devi temple ,5) Shivpuri Dham, 6)Laxminarain temple ,7)Botanical gardens ,8) Dhangarhi premier League(Local Cricket Club),9)Aircraft Museum

Activities :

Bird Watching – Mohana River Corridor located just 1.7km away from Dhangadhi is an attractive place for birdwatchers. It is a home for more than 100 species of birds. The best time for bird watching at Mohana River is morning time between 6am and 7am.

Cycling – In Dhangadhi there is a possibility to experience Nepalese rural life, enjoying wonderful flat land landscapes. It is one of the best experiences to roam around on a bicycle. It takes just 30 minutes to get to the Jhakor Lake. A nice cycle tour one can undertake by morning bike at dawn to the Mohana River or to one of the nearby villages.

Tharu Cultural Experience – The Rana Tharu live in the southwestern corner of Nepal. Ethnically, their background is Rajput. Legend has it that after the Mughals invaded India in the 16th century, a Mughals king wanted to marry one of their women. The women and children fled east and settled in this forested region while their men stayed behind to fight the Mughals. When the women heard that all their men had been killed, they married the slaves who had attended them on their travels, and settled permanently in their new home. The swamps kept outsiders away, and the Rana Tharu developed resistance to malaria. Over the next four centuries, their own unique culture and language emerged. Exploring the surrounding villages on foot or by bullock cart is one of the best ways to experience rural life in Nepal and absorb the simplicity of a farming community. You can enjoy the rhythms of the madal (musical instrument), watch the unique ethnic dances or even join the dancers.

Buy:

In Dhangadhi there is a group of 30 women, who are involved in handicraft trade to support their families. Some products you can see and buy by visiting the group. The contact person is Mrs. Rajkumar Mahatau

stay :

Dinesh Cottage, Bandevi Tole 1, Dhangadhi, Kailali, Nepal, ☎ +977-091-520361/526007. NPR1400. 

Devotee Hotel, Dhangadhi-5, Hasanpur, Kailali District, ☎ Tel : +977-91-521618, 523918, NPR1800. 

Saathi Hotel, L.N. Chowk Dhangadhi, Kailali District, ☎ +977-91-521350,523488,

Jalsa Hotel, Ratopul- 04, Dhangadhi, Kailali, Nepal, ☎ +977-91-523959, 523977,  

Rubus Hotel, Shivamarg, Baiya-behadi, Dhangadhi-2, Kailali, Nepal, ☎ +977-91-521260/524890/526390,

Shree Jagadamba Hotel, Dhnagadhi, Kailali, Nepal (Bishalnagar area), ☎ +977-91-523590, NPR600-2000. 

Religion:

In terms of religion, 93.9% were Hindu, 1.8% Christian, 1.7% Buddhist, 1.5% Muslim and 1.0% Prakriti. In terms of literacy, 75.2% could read and write, 2.1% could only read and 22.6% could neither read nor write.

What is the first religion of Nepal?

According to the 2011 census, 81.3% of the Nepalese population is Hindu, 9.0% are Buddhist, 4.4% are Muslim, 3.0% are Kiratist (indigenous ethnic religion), 1.4% are Christian, 0.1% are Sikhs, 0.1% are Jains and 0.7% follow other religions or no religion.

Which is the oldest religion of Nepal?

Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal go back more than two millennia. In Lumbini, Buddha was born, and Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu is an old and famous Shiva temple of Hindus. Nepal has several other temples and Buddhist monasteries, as well as places of worship for other religious groups.

Best time to visit Dhangadhi :Owing to the greenery the place is mostly hot & humid. Best time to visit is October to March being pleasant weather.

Note:I am grateful to Wikipaedia &Wiki travel for invaluable information on Dhangadhi

During our 5-day tour(13 to 17 July) to Gola Gokaran Nath,I & wife Anupama alongwith our relatives,paid a visit to the Dudhwa National Park located on the Indo-Nepal border of Lakhimpur distt. of Uttar Pradesh,India. It was an unplanned visit to the park made in haste without consulting the Official website 0f the Park.Sadly the Tiger Safari was closed till 15th November.Nevertheless we visited the Office Campus,took some photos & made note of the complete timetable of the Jungle safari activities as a preparation for our next visit to the Park.We had some excursion of the surrounding areas enjoying the lush greenery.Having saved some time, we decided to visit Dhangadi-the nearby border town of Nepal.I will describe the visit in my next blog for my valued lovely readers.

Some worth-knowing facts for the visitors of the Dudhwa National Park :

The Dudhwa National Park is a national park in the Terai belt of marshy grasslands in northern Uttar Pradesh, India. It stretches over an area of 490.3 km2 (189.3 sq mi), with a buffer zone of 190 km2 (73 sq mi) . It is part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in the Kheri and Lakhimpur districts.The park is located on the Indo-Nepali border in the Lakhimpur Kheri District, and has buffers of reserved forest areas on the northern and southern sides. It represents one of the few remaining protected areas of the diverse and productive Terai ecosystem, supporting many endangered species, obligate species of tall wet grasslands and species of restricted distribution.The Park had 26,000 visitors in the year 2022 which speaks volumes of the popularity of the Dudhwa national Park.

History:

Dudhwa became a tiger reserve in 1979. The area was established in 1958 as a wildlife sanctuary for swamp deer. Thanks to the efforts of Billy Arjan Singh the area was notified as a national park in January 1977. In 1987, the park was declared a tiger reserve and brought under the purview of the ‘Project Tiger’. Together with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary it forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Climate :

Like most of northern India, Dudhwa has an extreme humid subtropical with dry winters (CWa) type of climate. Summers are hot with temperatures rising up to 40 °C (104 °F). During winters from mid-October to mid-March, temperatures hover between 20 &30 °C (68& 86 °F). The months of February to April are ideal for visiting the park.

Prevalent winds are westerly. The hot wind Loo blows strongly from mid-April up to end of May. Monsoon starting in mid-June and lasting up to September accounts for 90% of the rainfall of 150 cm (59 in). Temperatures range from between a minimum of 9 °C (48 °F) in winter to a maximum of up to 45 °C (113 °F) in peak summer.

Habitat :

The area of the park falls within the Upper Gangetic plains and is a vast alluvial plain ranging in altitude from 150 m (490 ft) in the farthest southeast to 182 metres (597 ft) in the extreme north. The park’s mosaic of high forest interspersed with grasslands is characteristic of the Terai ecosystems in India and the area is, probably, the last prominent remnant of this type of ecosystem. The forests, especially the sal forests, have always been very dense and can be categorized into northern tropical semi-evergreen forest, northern Indian moist deciduous forest, tropical seasonal swamp forest and northern tropical dry deciduous forest. The main flora comprises sal, asna, shisham, jamun, gular, sehore and bahera. The grasslands comprise about 19% of the park. The wetlands constitute the third major habitat type and include the rivers, streams, lakes and marshes. While many of the major wetlands are perennial with some amount of surface moisture retained round the year, some dry up during hot summer.

The park is home to one of the finest forests in India, some of these trees are more than 150 years old and over 70 ft (21 m) tall.

Fauna:

Major attractions of Dudhwa National Park are the tigers (population 58 in 2014) and swamp deer (population over 1,600). Billy Arjan Singh successfully hand-reared and reintroduced zoo-born tigers and leopards into the wilds of Dudhwa. Some rare species inhabit the park. Hispid hare, earlier thought to have become extinct, was rediscovered here in 1984.In March, 1984 Indian rhinoceros was reintroduced into Dudhwa from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam and Nepal. The other animals to be seen here include swamp deer, sambar deer, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, sloth bear, honey badger, jackal, Viverrinae, jungle cat, fishing cat and leopard cat.

Dudhwa National Park is a stronghold of the barasingha. Around half of the world’s barasinghas are present in Dudhwa National Park. Smaller than the sambar deer, the barasinghas have 12 antlers that collectively measure up to 100 cm (39 in). One can spot herd of these rare animals passing through open grasslands. These animals are smaller than sambar deer and weigh around 180 kg (400 lb). Due to their slightly woolly, dark brown to pale yellow cloak, the grasslands acts as the perfect camouflage.

Birds:

Dudhwa National Park has a rich bird life with over 350 species, including a range of migratory birds that reside here during the winter. It includes among others, painted storks, black and white necked storks,sarus cranes, woodpeckers, barbets, kingfishers, minivets, bee-eaters, bulbuls and varied birds of prey .There are also drongos, barbets, cormorants, ducks, geese, hornbills, bulbuls, teal, woodpeckers, heron, bee-eaters, minivets, kingfishers, egrets, orioles, painted storks, owls.

The marshlands are habitat for about 400 species of resident and migratory birds including the swamp francolin, great slaty woodpecker, Bengal florican, painted stork, sarus crane, several owl species, Asian barbets, woodpecker and minivets. Much of the park’s avian fauna is aquatic in nature and found around Dudhwa’s lakes such as Banke Tal. The white-rumped vulture and red-headed vulture, both Critically Endangered vulture species have been sighted in the park.

Landscape:

The Dudhwa National Park is made up of rivers, shallow lakes known as ‘taals’ which provide adequate supplies of fresh water to the park throughout the year. As a result, the area boasts of lush green forests that support the diverse ecosystem. The river Sharda River kisses the boundary of Kishanpur Wild Life Sanctuary close by, while Geruwa, Suheli and Mohana streams, all tributaries of the Ghagra river, flow through the Park. Some of the important shallow lakes are Bankey Taal, Kakraha Taal and Amraha. The land is fertile and the Park is surrounded by rich farmlands yielding 3 to 4 crops in a year. The encroaching agricultural land, along with a railway track which runs through the park can be seen a major threats to the park in the future. The only approach to the park is by a dual bridge across the river Sharda which works as a common one way bridge for road as well as the railway track. Once the new bridge, which under construction, is completed, the commercial traffic into the park will be affected further.

The forest is in the foot-hills of the Himalyas with the flat land covered by spreads of grasslands, swamps and dense forests of tall sal trees. The area is an extremely fertile vast alluvial plain. This mix of ecosystems plays a key role in sustaining a large number living species. The swamps and vast grasslands with tall, yellow grass provide a natural habitat for tigers, deers, rhino etc while dense forests support a variety of other animals and birds also.

Enjoying a joyride on a special heritage train through the Dudhwa National Park:

The nearest railheads to Dudhwa National Park are Dudhwa (4 kms), Palia (10 kms) and Mailani (37 kms), though the most convenient way would be to travel to Lucknow and then reach Dudhwa by road or train. Lucknow-Sitapur-Lakhimpur-Gola-Mailani-Palia-Dudhwa (NER) (270 km approx.)

Uttar Pradesh’s first joyride train on the 107 km-long meter-gauge route between Mailani (Lakhimpur Kheri) and Bichia (Bahraich) via Dudhwa Tiger Reserve was innauguated on 8/01/22. The heritage special train (05319\20) that is designed to run on over 100-year-old meter gauge railway line would runs thrice a week on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“The train (05319) would depart from Bichia at 1:45pm and reach Mailani at 5:55pm. Similarly, the train (05320) would depart from Mailani at 7am and reach Bichia at 11:30am .The fare of the train is around Rs 265 for AC Coach & Rs 55/-for Sleeper

The wide glass windows of the Vistadome coaches enables passengers to enjoy the scenic view of the Dudhwa National Park to the maximum. The coaches have the capacity of 60 passengers with seats which can rotate up to 180 degrees and coaches are equipped with wi-fi connectivity, pantry, modular toilets, LED destination board, multitier luggage racks, CCTV cameras and appliances like microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, bottle cooler etc, said the official.

Best time to visit the Dudhwa National Park :

Its open for the visitors from 15 Nov. to 15 Jun. but the ideal time to spot & explore some of the amazing animal life between Feb. & April. One can enjoy the Wildlife Safari. The best part of this National Park is the Jungle Safari. The park looks spectacular from Nov. to May.One can explore the National Park through the Jungle Safari. The other attracting feature of Dudhwa is the Bird Festival for which Visitors come from various parts of the country to visit the national park. This is the among the best destinations of India where one can spot Elephants, Tigers and Rhinos . Nearly nineteen percent of the park is covered with grasslands. The wetlands of the park highly dominated by lakes, streams, rivers and marshes.

Note :I am indebted to the Wikkipaedia for the invaluable information & some photos of the Dudhwa National Park which I am sharing here with my readers !Happy reading!

I & wife Anupama proceeded on a 5-day tour(13 to 17th July)to Gola Gokarannath, Distt. Lakhimpur Kheeri, UP ,India (also called the Chhoti Kashi) to offer our prayers to the Mahadeva in the shiv temple!We have been to the the town so many times but this was a special occasion of the Hindu festival Sawan Shivratri!Its believed that the sacred month of sawan is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva for success,marriage & wealth !We visited the Shiv temple on 15/7/23, offered our prayers & sought the blessings of the Lord Shiva !

Here I am giving a descriptive account of the dates & timings of the pooja,kawad yatra & other celebrations of the Sawan Shivratri festival for my valued readers!Happy reading !

Sawan Shivratri 2023 Prayers, Kawad Yatra Jal arpan Date & Time, Shrawan Shivratri Puja Vidhi :

The Auspicious Festival of Sawan Shivratri 2023 has arrived and all the Shiv Bhakts will perform the Puja on 15th July 2023. It is to inform you that Sawan Shivratri 2023 is celebrated every year in the Shravan Month and devotees offer the Gangajal to Shivling. So we decided to come up with details regarding it such as Jal Shivratri 2023 Date & Time, Puja Vidhi and more. You should know that this festival and specially Shravan Month holds special place in the Hindu Religion and Millions of Devotees from all over the India perform Jal Abhishek on Kawad Yatra 2023 End Date which is 15th July 8:00 PM Onwards to 16th July 10:00 PM. During these auspicious hours, all of you can offer Gangajal to the Shivling and chant the Mantra to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. So if you are also going to offer the Gangajal then you should read the Sawan Shivratri Puja Vidhi 2023 and perform the rituals. Apart from this, you should also send greetings to your family members through the Sawan Shivratri 2023 Prayers mentioned here. 

Sawan Shivratri 2023 Prayers:

The Holy Month of Shravan is going on as per Hindu Calendar in which Chaturdashi is falling from 14th July and 15th July 2023. All the Shiv Bhakts should Offer Gangajal to the Shivling and seek blessings of Lord Mahadev on this auspicious day. Moreover, there will be two Shivratris in this Shravan Month in which first one is on 14, 15 July and Second Shivratri is on 14, 15 August 2023. You should know that Kawad yatra 2023 was started by Millions of Devotees to collect the Gangajal from Uttarakhand and they perform the journey to celebrate this auspicious day. This year Sawan Shivratri 2023 starts from 15 July Evening to 16th July Evening and devotees can offer Gangajal to shivling during these hours. You can perform the Puja and then send Sawan Shivratri 2023 Wishes to your friends, family, relatives and others. They will also get the blessings of Lord Shiva along with you while performing the rituals.

Sawan Shivratri 2023 Jal Date & Time:

Festival	Sawan Shivratri 2023 or Jal Shivratri 2023
God Revered	Lord Shiva
Total Devotees	15 Million +
Sawan Shivratri 2023	15 & 16 July 2023
Falling on	Chaturdashi of Shravan Month
Religion	Hinduism (Shaivisim)
Jal Shivratri Start Time (Chaturdashi)	15th July 2023 @ 8:32 PM
End Time	16th July 2023 @ 10:08 PM
Shivratri Parana Time	5:34 AM to 3:54 PM
How to Celebrate	Offer Gangajal at shivling, seek blessings of Shivji
Sawan Shivratri 2023 Puja Vidhi	Offer Gangajal to Shivling,chant Shivamantra & prayers

KAVAD YATRA 2023:

Kawad Yatra 2023 End Date Jal Shivratri

• The Kawad Yatra is one of the most famous Religious Yatra in India among Hindu Devotees in which more than 15 Million people participate.
• This Year Kawad Yatra started with the beginning of Shravan Month and now the devotees will finally celebrate the Sawan Shivratri.
• You should know that Kawad Yatra 2023 End Date or Jal Shivratri Date is 16 July 2023.
• From 15th to 16th July 2023, Sravan Shivratri will be celebrated by Shiva Devotees and all of them will offer Gangajal on Shivling .
• Timings and Puja Vidhi are discussed here so all of you should read it and seek the Blessings of Lord Shiva.
• Also Send the Sawan Shivratri 2023 Wishes from the Section below to your Friends and Family Members.

Sawan Shivratri 2023 Wishes :

• May Lord Shiva bring the most positive Changes in your Life and bring the best of you so that you can succeed in life. Happy Sawan Shivratri 2023 Wishes to you and your Family.
• On this auspicious Day, May Lord Shiva fulfil all of your Wishes and make your Dreams come true.
• May Sawan Shivratri 2023 make your day better and gives you all the good news that you may wish to hear. Happy Shravan Shivratri 2023 Wishes to you and your Family.

सावन शिवरात्रि २०२३ मनोकामनाएं :

• हम महादेव से प्रार्थना करते हैं की आपकी सारी इच्छा को पूरा करे और आपकी ज़िन्दगी खुशियों से भर दे|

• श्रावण शिवरात्रि के इस महा अवसर पर भगवान् शिव आपकी सभी मनोकामनाएं पूरी करे| आपको सावन शिवरात्रि 2023 की हार्दिक बधाई हो|
• जल अभिषेक करते कांवड़ियों की भगवन शिव सभी मनोकामना पूरी करते हैं, सच्चे दिल से शिव की पूजा अर्चना करे एंव अपने दिल की बात उनको बताये|

Sawan Shivratri 2023 Date & Puja Vidhi:

The Sawan Shivratri Date is falling on 15th July 2023 to 16th July 2023 and all the devotees will celebrate this huge festival. More than 15 Million Kawadiya have taken part in the journey by barefoot to offer Ganga Jal to the Shivling. If You are also Shiva Devotee then you should do the Vrat and then perform the Puja as per Timings to seek Blessings of Lord Shiva in this Holy Month of Shravan. Moreover, Kawad yatra 2023 is also ending on this date and all of them who have collected from Holy River Ganga will offer it to Shivlinga. Make sure you perform rituals as per the Sawan Shivratri 2023 Puja Vidhi discussed below. Simply Offer the Ganga Jal to the Shivling and do the Abhishek of Shivling. Now, chant the Shiva Mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”and seek the Blessings of Lord Shiva. Various other things such as Bel Pathar, Bhang, Honey, Desi Ghee and Sugarcane Juice are offered to Shivling. As  per history in Treta Yuga, Ravana Pandit offered Ganga Jal to Lord Shiva which reduced the Effect of Poison Lord Shiva had.

Jal Shivratri Puja Vidhi:

• In the Jal Shivratri Puja Vidhi, you have to offer Ganga Jal in Kawad to Lord Shiva and Chant Om Namah Shivaya.
• You can also offer Bel Pathar, Sugarcane Juice, Bhang and other fruits during the Offerings.
• Also offer Shiva Parivar in the nearest Mandir to complete the Puja as per rituals.
• Also Chant Maha Mrityunjay Mantra 108 Times to celebrate the Auspicious Festival and to seek blessings.
• Make sure you bathe and stay clean during the offerings to Lord Shiva.

Frequently Asked Topics on Sawan Shivratri 2023

When is Sawan Shivratri 2023 Date & Time?

Sawan Shivratri 2023 Date is 15 July and Jal Shivratri 2023 End Date is 16 July 2023.

What is Sawan Shivratri 2023 Puja Vidhi?

Sawan Shivratri Puja Vidhi includes Ganga Jal to Shivling and chanting Shiva Mantra.

What are the Items offered in Sawan Shivratri 2023 Puja?

You can Offer Bel Pather, Bhang, Datura, Milk, Honey, Sugarcane Juice, Desi Ghee, Fruits and Curd on Shivling.

NOTE : I am very much grateful & indebted to Krishna Iyer for the precious information on the dates ,timings of pooja ,pooja vidhi & the timings of Kawad yatra 2023

SEPARATION MARRIAGES OR WEEKEND MARRIAGES:A GROWING TREND

Separation Marriage is a form of marriage in which a couple is legally married but live separately. Unlike when couples live separately because they do not get along, there are many positive reasons for separation, such as seeking a better lifestyle while respecting each other’s lives and values. A weekend marriage, in which the couples live in one of their homes on weekends share each others feelings & responsibilities ,make planning for future life & finances! It is also included in a separate marriage, although they may live in completely separate residences. In a separate marriage, the couple lives within a distance that allows them to see each other by mutual decision.Weekend or separation marriage means the feeling of being single after getting married.This gives them a sense of freedom. People believe that emotional attachment remains with this, but at the same time, you get such a partner, whom you can trust blindly.

Article 752 of the Japanese Civil Code clearly states that “husband and wife shall live together and cooperate and support each other,” thus establishing the obligation of husband and wife to live together. However, this law states that temporary and unavoidable separation, such as moving to a distant location alone because of the job or returning home for childbirth, does not violate this provision.The key to calling it a “separation marriage” is that “both parties agree to it”.For the time being, no legal problems are expected to arise in the case of a separation marriage, since there will be no problem of one party making a unilateral decision and the other disagreeing with it.

In Japan, many people have a negative image when they hear the word “separation. ” & that a couple is living separately, they may think: “Isn’t that a sign that they’re on the verge of divorce?” or “Maybe the couple isn’t really getting along…” The fact that a couple is living apart from each other may give rise to unwarranted speculation. Along with the change of time, now a lot of change is being seen in the thinking of the people. The best example of this is Japan. Yes, of course, you read right. These days the trend of weddings has started changing in Japan. Weekend marriage is now trending in Japan. The surprising thing is that people in Japan live in their homes even after marriage. Not only this, people do not stay together even after being in one city.

Forms of Separated Marriage:

1)The couple lives in the same apartment building & spend time together: For example, the couple may rent separate rooms in the same apartment building or live nearby. A couple may live close to each other and have dinners and or spend the weekends and holidays together.

2)The couple spend only weekend together :In this style, the couple basically lives separately on weekdays and together only on weekends. This is also called a “weekend marriage.”

Reasons for choosing a separation marriage :Because they are worried about living together from the begining. For example, if they get married only a short time after they have known each other & the couple is not sure if they will be able to get along well if they live together, they may choose a separation marriage. In such a case they may choose to have a weekend marriage first, and then move on to live together later. In some cases, couple may live separately for a set period of time & then move in together, while in other cases, they may continue to live separately for a long period of time.

Advantages of  Separation Marriage :

1)You can cherish your own time.

A major advantage of a separated marriage is that you can cherish your time alone without worrying about the rhythm of your partner’s life. An increasing number of couples are choosing to live apart because they want to devote more time to their work.

2)You are less likely to feel differences in values.

No matter how much you love each other, differences in values are bound to occur. Especially when living together, you may feel uncomfortable with small differences in lifestyle. When married, it is easy to find minor differences in values in each other’s lives. However, in a separation marriage, by not living together, it is difficult to feel small differences in values.

3)People get a feeling of being single.
However, the people here, of course, live separately from each other after marriage. But they respect each other’s feelings. Along with respecting each other’s feelings, they make plans for the future. Apart from this, people also do financial planning together. A woman says that she loves her husband very much but their lifestyles are very different. She gets up at 4 in the morning and her husband sleeps till 8 in the morning. We both live comfortably without compromising our freedom. 4)The couple lives separately in their own homes, maintaining their own lifestyle and prioritising what’s important to them – whether that’s their job, social life, hobbies or childcare!

But living separately has its disadvantages :
1)A Japanese woman says that she does not get the help of her husband in raising her child. Along with this, I have to do all the household work alone.

2) Both men and women need to be financially strong in a weekend marriage! It means that both need to earn to feel financially strong.

3) Some people have different logic on weekend marriage. They say that even after marriage, if you have to do all the work from washing clothes to cooking, then what is the use of marriage?

Conclusion:

Separation marriages are marriages in which the spouses live in separate residences and continue their married life together. More and more couples are intentionally living separately in order to maintain good marital relations, not with the intention of getting a divorce, but with mutual consent. Some people may say, “If they are married, why take the trouble of having a separate marriage?  However, couples who intentionally choose to live apart from their spouses say that they are able to deepen their bond and respect their own lives because of their “Separation marriages”. A serious debate is needed to study the positives & negatives of this novel concept.

My valued readers may kindly participate by commenting ,giving their opinions & views on “The future of Separation Marriages trend “ for a healthy debate on this issue pertaining to the important Institution of life- Marriage.In anticipation for your much valued response…

My dear readers may kindly point out any incorrect information in my above writeup needing any corrections! I am truly indebted to Wikipedia & for the invaluable information on the subject !Happy Reading !

RULES OF LONGEVITY :

Recently I read a very inspiring book- IKIGAI-‘The Japanese Secret to a long & happy Life’ authored by Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles which had a great influence on me.This writetup of mine is inspired by the great insights in the book to “long & happy living”.It provides us with life changing tools to discover our purpose in life leaving behind urgency ,nurturing friendships & following our passions in life.It guides us in bringing meaning & enthusiasm to our everyday life making it full of energy & glow.I am presenting here some of the finer points in my own words for my valued readers . Happy Reading .

As per WHO ,Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world-85 yrs for men & 87.3% for women. It has the highest ratio of Centenarians in the world,more than 520 in every million people.Japanese are always busy occupying themselves with their duties & tasks.In addition to a healthy diet & an integrated health system in which people go to the Doctor for regular checkups to prevent diseases.Longevity in Japan is closely tied to its culture .The sense of community and the fact that they keep active until the very end are the key elements of their happy prosperous lives .There is a purpose in their lives wherein they keep busy even if there is no need to work !This principle guides them to make things of beauty for the community & for themselves.They keep & maintain vegetable gardens !They belong to all neighbourhood associations where they care for each other.They are passionate about everything they do,even little things -celebrate all the time with music ,dance & songs.They reconnect with nature regularly to recharge themselves after getting tired or spent.Their diet contains lot of vegetables & fruits on daily basis thus accounting for their 30% calorie intake.Grains comprise of White rice & noodles!They consume little sugar in the form of cane sugar & juice.They eat fish & pork three times a week for their necessary protein intake as per body requirement.

The Japanese follow the principle of “Eat less & live longer”

Calorie restrictions will extend life span with adequate nutrition(superfoods with high nutrition value)has powerful effect against obesity ,type 2 diabetes,inflammation ,hypertension &reduces metabolic risk factors associated with cancer.An alternative to following 80% diet rule on a daily basis is to fast for one or two days each week.They utilize the use of antioxidants in the form of green tea ,ginger/cinnamon tea.The antioxidants are molecules that slow the oxidation process iin cells neutralizing the free radicals that cause damage & accelerate ageing. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant helping us in living longer strengthening the immune system.It slows the onset of Alzhimers, prevents osterporosis & fights heart diseases. Calorie restriction reduces levels of IGF-1(its a protein in the blood that plays a significant role in the ageing process) in the body of humans & animals.

Ageing process & advice on how to slow it down? Our neurons start to age in our twenties although this process is slowed by intellectual curiosity & desire to learn ,dealing with new situations, learning something new everyday, playing games & interacting with other people seem to be essential antiageing strategies for the mind.A more positive outlook in this regard will yield better mental benefits .Stress is accused of killing longevity where the body wears down(degenerates) much faster during periods of crisis causing health problems.

Anti-ageing attitude :

1)Serenity in the face of a setback can keep you young as it lowers anxiety & stress levels-stabilizes behaviour,2)Many centenerians had lives that were difficult at times but they knew how to approach these challenges with a positive attitude & not be overwhelmed by the obstacles they faced .3)The search for meaning or purposeful life becomes a driving force that allows us to achieve our goals.

The secret of longevity is depicted through the attitude of two Japanese who were interviewed regarding their outlook towards life: 1)JEANNE CALMENT(122 yrs age):It may have been her sense of humour.On her 120th Birthday, she said,”I see badly ,I hear badly,I feel bad,but everything is fine” 2)Walter Browning (114 yrs age)He said, “that if you keep your body & mind busy ,you will live a long life.”You never stop learning as you grow old & trembling in your anatomies, you may awake at night listening to to the disorder of your veins.Keep learning.”

The effects of stress on human body & how to manage it ?

Stress is a natural response to the information recieved by the body as potentially dangerous or problematic.Theoritically its a useful as it helps to survive in hostile surroundings & in course of our evolution,this response is used to deal with different situations & flee from the predaters.It has a degenerative effect overtime causing irritability,insomnia ,anxiety & high BP.The absence of needed harmones release cause depression.Some means of reducing the stress are Yoga ,meditation & breathing excercises such as Kapal bhati & Alom vilom.The essence is to reduce & manage stress.

Rules for Longevity & a happy life :

1)Keep your stomach 80%full only & stop taking snacks between meals ,2)Eat sweets once a week, 3)Avoid spending time with toxic people, surround yourself with friends as friends are like good medicines. 4)Do not spend too much time on computer or mobile,5)To build resilience into our lives we shouldnt fear adversity because each setback is an opportunity for growth.6)Dont worry & keep your heart young.Laughter is important,there is no secret to it !The trick is to live life to the fullest.7)Stay active ,dont retire & never give up.Keep doing useful work for others & help them out even after our professional activity has ended.8)Live in the moment without regretting the past & fearing the future.9)Being thankful for each & everything:happiness grows.10)Follow yr mission to find the purpose of your life for longevity.

Incidently its my Birthday today(I have turned 64 yrs old ) & am sure I deserve many nice wishes & hearty blessings from you all for a long, happy & purposeful life ahead! Thank you all for the same in advance.

I uploaded this family photo(I am at extreme right) for denotatation purpose only.

NOTE PLEASE :I am very grateful to the writers of the book- IKIGAI-‘The Japanese Secret to a long & happy Life’ authored by Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles for the invaluable insights to a long ,happy & purposeful living through the great book which we should all have in our book-shelf.

On 27th Nov.’22 ,I posted my 100th blog on my site ‘Travel and Share’ & recieved the above congratulatory notification from WordPress.com.It was a special feeling as the achievement couldn’t have been possible without the continued encouragement of my extraordinary readers & 350 followers who have supported me throughout this blogging journey of 3 years! Coincidentally my 100th blog was posted on the 3rd Anniversary of my blogging journey! Thank you so much my lovely readers💕Happy Reading !

On this happy occasion I am feeing a bit nostalgic over the thought that my further posts will resume only after our next travels which will take some time! Meanwhile I will like to follow my co-bloggers & like/comment on their beautiful creations💖

On 11/9/22 ,We visited the Doge’s Palace & the Correr museum located in the historical St Mark’s Square ,Venice. The museums depict the rich history of Venice .The amazing wealth of the Venetian city state is on full display in this museum. Its a worthy experience if you travel to Venice. There is so much history behind every piece of art work and artefact that you can spend many hours going through them. There are also guided tours offered by local guides, who can give you in depth history lessons.The correr museum has a beautiful collection of ancient maps, paintings and artefacts in the Napoleontic wing of the San Marco square. Some of the ancient maps are unique and date back to the 15th century !Enjoyed the mesmerising tour full of beautiful works of art & artefacts of the bygone era.

DOGE’S PALACE :

The Doge’s Palace (Italian: Palazzo Ducale; Venetian: Pałaso Dogal) is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice in northern Italy. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic. It was built in 1340 and extended and modified in the following centuries. It became a museum in 1923 and is one of the 11 museums run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.

HISTORY :
In 810, Doge Agnello Participazio moved the seat of government from the island of Malamocco to the area of the present-day Rialto, when it was decided a palatium duci (Latin for “ducal palace”) should be built. However, no trace remains of that 9th-century building as the palace was partially destroyed in the 10th century by a fire. The following reconstruction works were undertaken at the behest of Doge Sebastiano Ziani (1172–1178). A great reformer, he would drastically change the entire layout of the St. Mark’s Square. The new palace was built out of fortresses, one façade to the Piazzetta, the other overlooking the St. Mark’s Basin.

As well as being the ducal residence, the palace housed political institutions of the Republic of Venice until the Napoleonic occupation of the city in 1797, when its role inevitably changed. Venice was subjected first to French rule, then to Austrian, and finally in 1866 it became part of Italy. Over this period, the palace was occupied by various administrative offices as well as housing the Biblioteca Marciana and other important cultural institutions within the city. By the end of the 19th century, the structure was showing clear signs of decay, and the Italian government set aside significant funds for its restoration and all public offices were moved elsewhere. In 1923, the Italian State, owner of the building, entrusted the management to the Venetian municipality to be run as a museum. Since 1996, the Doge’s Palace has been part of the Venetian museums network.

BRIDGE OF SIGHS :

The Bridge of Sighs (Italian: Ponte dei Sospiri) is a bridge in Venice, Italy. The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone, has windows with stone bars, passes over the Rio di Palazzo, and connects the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. It was designed by Antonio Contino, whose uncle Antonio da Ponte designed the Rialto Bridge. It was built in 1600.

The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge’s English name was bequeathed by Lord Byron in the 19th century as a translation from the Italian “Ponte dei sospiri”,from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells.

MUSEO SAN MARCO (MUSEO CORRER) :

 Museo Correr is a museum in Venice, northern Italy. Located in the St  Mark’s Square, it is one of the 11 civic museums run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia. The museum extends along the southside of the square on the upper floors of the Procuratorie Nuove. With its rich and varied collections, the Museo Correr covers both the art and history of Venice.

HISTORY :

The Museo Correr originated with the collection bequeathed to the city of Venice in 1830 by Teodoro Correr. A member of a traditional Venetian family, Correr was a meticulous & passionate collector, dedicating most of his life to the collection of both works of art &documents or individual objects that reflected the history of Venice. Upon his death, all this material was donated to the city, together with the family’s Grand Canal palace which then housed it.The nobleman also left the city funds to be used in conserving & extending the collections & in making them available to the public.

The period when he was gathering his collections was a very particular one, as the Republic of Venice had fallen in 1797 and for decades thereafter the city would be under foreign rulers and out of real necessity, many Venetian families were eager to sell off their valuable collections. Several collections ended up being bought by foreigners, but in the early decades of the 19th century there were still many pieces on the market. An insatiable collector, Correr, from his youth bought all sorts of objects and dedicated all his resources in putting together an incredible amount of material. Correr would reveal himself to have a sharp eye, putting together a collection that was undoubtedly very original. He was explicit about his intention that the collections should be made available to the public, and the museum was finally open in 1836. Over the years, the contents of the museum would be catalogued and organized to provide scholars with a study facility and the general public with the opportunity to see the best from each individual collection. Subsequent bequests, donations and acquisitions would be added to the collection, ultimately leading to various pieces being housed on other venues.

My dear readers may kindly point out any incorrect information in my above writeup needing any corrections! I am truly indebted to Wikipedia & for the invaluable information on the subject !Happy Reading !

Yesterday I received this notification of my completing 3 years with WordPress.com & felt very happy achieving the milestone in my blogging journey. I am very very grateful to all my readers & 350 followers(WP.Com followers=348,Email=2) for extending the much-needed support making the journey till date such a memorable one.Hoping for the continued support in the future too.

By now I have posted 100 blogs & am overwhelmed with the lovely response of my dear readers.In these 3 years, I have written on many Indian destinations(having visited most of the states) and also on some foreign destinations having visited 9 countries.My son Abhimanyu & dear Akanksha(who are staying in Netherlands)have been instrumental in fecilitating & promoting our visits to foreign destinations making this blogging journey such a memorable one.My wife Anupama has always been beside me throughout this amazing journey.

Thanking you again all my dear💕readers & Wishing you all a beautiful 💖life ahead !

ST. MARKS SQUARE :

On 10/9/22,We visited the magnificient St Mark’s Square facing onto the Grand Canal ,Doge’s Palace,St Marks Basilica,Correr Museum & the St Mark’s Campanile.The St Mark’s Basilica stands out in splendour with its awesome architecture & sculptures.The view of the Clocktower is breathtaking!The square is a historically significant place with exquisite buidings created by the master artisans showcasing their amazing talents.The place in the heart of Venice radiates a magical atmosphere with its mesmerising affect on its visitors.From the Clocktower we can get beautiful views of the colourful Gondolas in the canal.Beautiful Rialto Bridge is a must visit location in the Venice city.

SAINT. MARKS SQUARE :

Piazza San Marco, often known in English as St Mark’s Square, is the principal public square of Venice, Italy, where it is generally known just as la Piazza. All other urban spaces in the city are called campi. A remark usually attributed to Napoleon calls the Piazza San Marco “the drawing room of Europe”. The square is dominated at its eastern end by St Mark’s Basilica.

SAINT MARK’S BASILICA :

The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark (Italian: Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco), commonly known as St Mark’s Basilica (Italian: Basilica di San Marco), is the cathedral church of the Catholic Patriarchate of Venice; it became the episcopal seat of the Patriarch of Venice in 1807, replacing the earlier cathedral of San Pietro di Castello. It is dedicated to and holds the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist, the patron saint of the city. The church is located on the eastern end of Saint Mark’s Square, the former political and religious centre of the Republic of Venice, and is attached to the Doge’s Palace. Prior to the fall of the republic in 1797, it was the chapel of the Doge and was subject to his jurisdiction, with the concurrence of the procurators of Saint Mark de supra for administrative and financial affairs.

SPENDING SOME QUALITY MOMENTS POSING FOR PHOTOS IN THE MARK’S SQUARE

The Piazzetta dei Leoncini is an open space on the north side of the church named after the two marble lions (presented by Doge Alvise Mocenigo in 1722), but now officially called the Piazzetta San Giovanni XXIII. The neo-classic building on the east side adjoining the Basilica is the Palazzo Patriarcale, the seat of the Patriarch of Venice.
SAINT MARK’S CLOCKTOWER :

St. Mark’s Clocktower , completed in 1499,is above a high archway where the street known as the Merceria (a main thoroughfare of the city) leads through shopping streets to the Rialto, the commercial and financial centre. To the right of the clock-tower is the closed church of San Basso, designed by Baldassarre Longhena (1675), sometimes open for exhibitions.

The Clocktower is visible on the left beside the St Marks Basilica.

SAINT MARK’S CAMPANILE :
Standing free in the piazza, is St Mark’s Campanile (1156–73 last restored in 1514), rebuilt in 1912 com’era, dov’era (“as it was, where it was”) after the collapse of the former campanile on 14 July 1902. Across the piazza in front of the church are three large mast-like flagpoles with bronze bases decorated in high relief by Alessandro Leopardi in 1505. The Venetian flag of St Mark used to fly from them in the time of the republic of Venice and now shares them with the Italian flag.

Worth visiting places with great architecture & sculptures are the Doge’s Palace & the Correr Museum( I will soon describe them in my next blog)

GRAND CANAL :

One end of the canal leads into the lagoon near the Santa Lucia railway station and the other end leads into the basin at San Marco; in between, it makes a large reverse-S shape through the central districts (sestieri) of Venice. It is 3.8 km long, and 30 to 90 m wide, with an average depth of 5 metres. The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century, and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon.The churches along the canal include the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. Centuries-old traditions, such as the Historical Regatta [it], are perpetuated every year along the Canal.

THE RIALTO BRIDGE :

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. Connecting the sestieri of San Marco and San Polo, it has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge in 1173, and is now a significant tourist attraction in the city. Grand Canal is the main waterway of Venice. It is lined on each side by palaces and spanned by the Rialto Bridge.

My dear readers may kindly point out any incorrect information in my above writeup needing any corrections! I am truly indebted to Wikipedia & for the invaluable information on the subject !Happy Reading !