View allAll Photos Tagged average
A handyman isn't your average Joe. He's a vital part of providing a secure and comfortable home for the loved ones. It goes without mentioning that some activity in your home, even the fundamental one, may only be carried out by a specialist. Calling one can take him a life to come, and also the issue only grows worse. Moreover, they may overcharge since they are experts. A handyman does exactly the exact same undertaking for way less in a significantly faster pace so that you could enjoy your house.
Plumbers might take forever to come and resolve a very small escape. Though as little as it might look, it might cost you money in water reduction, and the very long run damages your house with rust, rust, and molds. Plugging a flow by a professional can occasionally become repaired well and make sure that it does not reoccur.
If you have to apply a fresh coat of paint onto a wall, set a piece of furniture or fix a roof, it's more suitable to call at a professional. Although this is something that you do yourself, his specialist advice will guarantee a correct job.
When bulb keeps blowing for no clear motives, it is vital to get it assessed. If a handyman comes over, he might have a look at your wiring and locate the main reason why so many bubs keep blowingoff.
• Fixing cracks.
Crack may show up on the wooden parquet, rugs, wall and follow tiles or even flooring panels. If it comes to getting work done on the ground, taking into account, it's possibly the most employed surface inside your house, calling at a handyman isn't too unreasonable. He'll evaluate the harm done, and make proper recommendations once the issue is small and only concentrated in certain area particularly a cracked tile that he can repair it alone. But when the issue is extensive and due to rotting wood, then they could consult or perhaps bring in an expert to redo the whole floor area.
With time, before noticing, you accumulate a lot of crap in your basement or garage. The sentimentality of every thing at times compels you somewhat into protective manner, and you wish to linger longer on them. Finally, however, you'll be made to locate a handyman to help wash out this area before it turns into a menace.
• Fixing
When some cleaning job requires more muscular and extended hours, it is ideal to locate a handyman. From cleaning gutters into cleanup a newly flooded basement, clearing a room to convert into an area and a whole lot more. They're utilized to those chores and can work diligently to create them speckle and glow.
A professional does so much like; landscaping, furniture building, roof repairs, heating system tune-ups, cabinet resurfacing, barbeque pit upkeep, crown moldings, septic maintenance, installments; from artwork, lighting fixtures, skylight and a whole lot more. Detecting a handyman for all these saves you time and money.
Durham University (legally the University of Durham) is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was the first recognised university to open in England for more than 600 years, after Oxford and Cambridge, and is thus the third-oldest university in England. As a collegiate university, its main functions are divided between the academic departments of the university and its 17 colleges. In general, the departments perform research and provide teaching to students, while the colleges are responsible for their domestic arrangements and welfare.
The university is a member of the Russell Group of British research universities and is also affiliated with the regional N8 Research Partnership and international university groups including the Matariki Network of Universities and the Coimbra Group. The university estate includes 83 listed buildings, ranging from the 11th-century Durham Castle to the 1960s brutalist students' union. The university also owns and manages the Durham World Heritage Site in partnership with Durham Cathedral. The university's ownership of the world heritage site includes Durham Castle, Palace Green and the surrounding buildings including the historic Cosin's Library.
Current and emeritus academics as of 2018 included 15 Fellows of the Royal Society, 18 Fellows of the British Academy, 16 Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences, 5 Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 3 Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts, 2 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering and 2 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Durham graduates have long used the Latin post-nominal letters Dunelm after their degree, from Dunelmensis (of, belonging to, or from Durham).
Among British universities, it had the tenth highest average UCAS Tariff for new entrants in 2021 and the third lowest proportion of state-school educated students starting courses in 2016, at 62.9 per cent (fifth lowest compared to its benchmark.
The history of Durham University spans over 190 years since it was founded by Act of Parliament. King William IV granted royal assent to the Act on 4 July 1832, and granted the university a royal charter on 1 June 1837, incorporating it and confirming its constitution. The university awarded its first degrees on 8 June 1837. It describes itself as the third-oldest university in England (a claim also made by UCL and the University of London) and is listed by the European University Association as one of Europe's oldest hundred universities in continuous operation.
From 1870, the university was divided between Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne, with a fully federal arrangement from 1910 which lasted until 1963 when the Newcastle division separated to become the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. From 1992, the university once again divided with a new campus in Stockton-upon-Tees, until 2017 when the university unified academic activities in Durham.
Durham University owns (as of 2006) a 227.8-hectare (563 acres) estate[3] which includes a UNESCO World Heritage Site,[4] one ancient monument (the Maiden Castle earthworks),[3] five grade-one listed buildings and 68 Grade II listed buildings[3] along with 44.9 ha (111 acres) of woodland.
Durham is a cathedral city and civil parish in the county of Durham, England. It is the county town and contains the headquarters of Durham County Council, the unitary authority which governs the district of County Durham. It had a population of 48,069 at the 2011 Census.
The city was built on a meander of the River Wear, which surrounds the centre on three sides and creates a narrow neck on the fourth. The surrounding land is hilly, except along the Wear's floodplain to the north and southeast.
Durham was founded in 995 by Anglo-Saxon monks seeking a place safe from Viking raids to house the relics of St Cuthbert. The church the monks built lasted only a century, as it was replaced by the present Durham Cathedral after the Norman Conquest; together with Durham Castle it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the 1070s until 1836 the city was part of the County Palatine of Durham, a semi-independent jurisdiction ruled by the prince bishops of Durham which acted as a geopolitical buffer between the kingdoms of England and Scotland. In 1346, the Battle of Neville's Cross was fought half a mile west of the city, resulting in an English victory. In 1650, the cathedral was used to house Scottish prisoners after their defeat at the Battle of Dunbar. During the Industrial Revolution, the Durham coalfield was heavily exploited, with dozens of collieries operating around the city and in nearby villages. Although these coal pits have now closed, the annual Durham Miners' Gala continues and is a major event for the city and region. Historically, Durham was also known for the manufacture of hosiery, carpets, and mustard.
The city is the home of Durham University, which was founded in 1832 and therefore has a claim to be the third-oldest university in England. The university is a significant employer in the region, alongside the local council and national government at the land registry and passport office. The University Hospital of North Durham and HM Prison Durham are also located close to the city centre. The city also has significant tourism and hospitality sectors.
Toponymy
The name "Durham" comes from the Brythonic element dun, signifying a hill fort and related to -ton, and the Old Norse holme, which translates to island. The Lord Bishop of Durham takes a Latin variation of the city's name in his official signature, which is signed "N. Dunelm". Some attribute the city's name to the legend of the Dun Cow and the milkmaid who in legend guided the monks of Lindisfarne carrying the body of Saint Cuthbert to the site of the present city in 995 AD. Dun Cow Lane is said to be one of the first streets in Durham, being directly to the east of Durham Cathedral and taking its name from a depiction of the city's founding etched in masonry on the south side of the cathedral. The city has been known by a number of names throughout history. The original Nordic Dun Holm was changed to Duresme by the Normans and was known in Latin as Dunelm. The modern form Durham came into use later in the city's history. The north-eastern historian Robert Surtees chronicled the name changes in his History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham but states that it is an "impossibility" to tell when the city's modern name came into being.
Durham is likely to be Gaer Weir in Armes Prydein, derived from Brittonic cajr meaning "an enclosed, defensible site" (cf. Carlisle; Welsh caer) and the river-name Wear.
History
Early history
Archeological evidence suggests a history of settlement in the area since roughly 2000 BC. The present city can clearly be traced back to AD 995, when a group of monks from Lindisfarne chose the strategic high peninsula as a place to settle with the body of Saint Cuthbert, that had previously lain in Chester-le-Street, founding a church there.
City origins, the Dun Cow story
Local legend states that the city was founded in A.D. 995 by divine intervention. The 12th-century chronicler Symeon of Durham recounts that after wandering in the north, Saint Cuthbert's bier miraculously came to a halt at the hill of Warden Law and, despite the effort of the congregation, would not move. Aldhun, Bishop of Chester-le-Street and leader of the order, decreed a holy fast of three days, accompanied by prayers to the saint. During the fast, Saint Cuthbert appeared to a certain monk named Eadmer, with instructions that the coffin should be taken to Dun Holm. After Eadmer's revelation, Aldhun found that he was able to move the bier, but did not know where Dun Holm was.
The legend of the Dun Cow, which is first documented in The Rites of Durham, an anonymous account about Durham Cathedral, published in 1593, builds on Symeon's account. According to this legend, by chance later that day, the monks came across a milkmaid at Mount Joy (southeast of present-day Durham). She stated that she was seeking her lost dun cow, which she had last seen at Dun Holm. The monks, realising that this was a sign from the saint, followed her. They settled at a wooded "hill-island" – a high wooded rock surrounded on three sides by the River Wear. There they erected a shelter for the relics, on the spot where Durham Cathedral would later stand. Symeon states that a modest wooden building erected there shortly thereafter was the first building in the city. Bishop Aldhun subsequently had a stone church built, which was dedicated in September 998. This no longer remains, having been supplanted by the Norman structure.
The legend is interpreted by a Victorian relief stone carving on the north face of the cathedral and, more recently, by the bronze sculpture 'Durham Cow' (1997, Andrew Burton), which reclines by the River Wear in view of the cathedral.
Medieval era
During the medieval period the city gained spiritual prominence as the final resting place of Saint Cuthbert and Saint Bede the Venerable. The shrine of Saint Cuthbert, situated behind the High Altar of Durham Cathedral, was the most important religious site in England until the martyrdom of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury in 1170.
Saint Cuthbert became famous for two reasons. Firstly, the miraculous healing powers he had displayed in life continued after his death, with many stories of those visiting the saint's shrine being cured of all manner of diseases. This led to him being known as the "wonder worker of England". Secondly, after the first translation of his relics in 698 AD, his body was found to be incorruptible. Apart from a brief translation back to Holy Island during the Norman Invasion the saint's relics have remained enshrined to the present day. Saint Bede's bones are also entombed in the cathedral, and these also drew medieval pilgrims to the city.
Durham's geographical position has always given it an important place in the defence of England against the Scots. The city played an important part in the defence of the north, and Durham Castle is the only Norman castle keep never to have suffered a breach. In 1314, the Bishopric of Durham paid the Scots a 'large sum of money' not to burn Durham. The Battle of Neville's Cross took place around half a mile west of the city on 17 October 1346 between the English and Scots and was a disastrous loss for the Scots.
The city suffered from plague outbreaks in 1544, 1589 and 1598.
Bishops of Durham
Owing to the divine providence evidenced in the city's legendary founding, the Bishop of Durham has always enjoyed the formal title "Bishop by Divine Providence" as opposed to other bishops, who are "Bishop by Divine Permission". However, as the north-east of England lay so far from Westminster, the bishops of Durham enjoyed extraordinary powers such as the ability to hold their own parliament, raise their own armies, appoint their own sheriffs and Justices, administer their own laws, levy taxes and customs duties, create fairs and markets, issue charters, salvage shipwrecks, collect revenue from mines, administer the forests and mint their own coins. So far-reaching were the bishop's powers that the steward of Bishop Antony Bek commented in 1299 AD: "There are two kings in England, namely the Lord King of England, wearing a crown in sign of his regality and the Lord Bishop of Durham wearing a mitre in place of a crown, in sign of his regality in the diocese of Durham". All this activity was administered from the castle and buildings surrounding the Palace Green. Many of the original buildings associated with these functions of the county palatine survive on the peninsula that constitutes the ancient city.
From 1071 to 1836 the bishops of Durham ruled the county palatine of Durham. Although the term "prince bishop" has been used as a helpful tool in the understanding the functions of the bishops of Durham in this era, it is not a title they would have recognised. The last bishop to rule the palatinate, Bishop William Van Mildert, is credited with the foundation of Durham University in 1832. Henry VIII curtailed some of the bishop's powers and, in 1538, ordered the destruction of the shrine of Saint Cuthbert.
A UNESCO site describes the role of the bishops in the "buffer state between England and Scotland":
From 1075, the Bishop of Durham became a Prince-Bishop, with the right to raise an army, mint his own coins, and levy taxes. As long as he remained loyal to the king of England, he could govern as a virtually autonomous ruler, reaping the revenue from his territory, but also remaining mindful of his role of protecting England’s northern frontier.
Legal system
The bishops had their own court system, including most notably the Court of Chancery of the County Palatine of Durham and Sadberge. The county also had its own attorney general, whose authority to bring an indictment for criminal matters was tested by central government in the case of R v Mary Ann Cotton (1873). Certain courts and judicial posts for the county were abolished by the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873. Section 2 of the Durham (County Palatine) Act 1836 and section 41 of the Courts Act 1971 abolished others.
Civil War and Cromwell (1640 to 1660)
The city remained loyal to King Charles I in the English Civil War – from 1642 to the execution of the king in 1649. Charles I came to Durham three times during his reign of 1625–1649. Firstly, he came in 1633 to the cathedral for a majestic service in which he was entertained by the Chapter and Bishop at great expense. He returned during preparations for the First Bishops' War (1639). His final visit to the city came towards the end of the civil war; he escaped from the city as Oliver Cromwell's forces got closer. Local legend stated that he escaped down the Bailey and through Old Elvet. Another local legend has it that Cromwell stayed in a room in the present Royal County Hotel on Old Elvet during the civil war. The room is reputed to be haunted by his ghost. Durham suffered greatly during the civil war (1642–1651) and Commonwealth (1649–1660). This was not due to direct assault by Cromwell or his allies, but to the abolition of the Church of England and the closure of religious institutions pertaining to it. The city has always relied upon the Dean and Chapter and cathedral as an economic force.
The castle suffered considerable damage and dilapidation during the Commonwealth due to the abolition of the office of bishop (whose residence it was). Cromwell confiscated the castle and sold it to the Lord Mayor of London shortly after taking it from the bishop. A similar fate befell the cathedral, it being closed in 1650 and used to incarcerate 3,000 Scottish prisoners, who were marched south after the Battle of Dunbar. Graffiti left by them can still be seen today etched into the interior stone.
At the Restoration in 1660, John Cosin (a former canon) was appointed bishop (in office: 1660–1672) and set about a major restoration project. This included the commissioning of the famous elaborate woodwork in the cathedral choir, the font cover and the Black Staircase in the castle. Bishop Cosin's successor Bishop Lord Nathaniel Crewe (in office: 1674–1721) carried out other renovations both to the city and to the cathedral.
18th century
In the 18th century a plan to turn Durham into a seaport through the digging of a canal north to join the River Team, a tributary of the River Tyne near Gateshead, was proposed by John Smeaton. Nothing came of the plan, but the statue of Neptune in the Market Place was a constant reminder of Durham's maritime possibilities.
The thought of ships docking at the Sands or Millburngate remained fresh in the minds of Durham merchants. In 1758, a new proposal hoped to make the Wear navigable from Durham to Sunderland by altering the river's course, but the increasing size of ships made this impractical. Moreover, Sunderland had grown as the north east's main port and centre for shipping.
In 1787 Durham infirmary was founded.
The 18th century also saw the rise of the trade-union movement in the city.
19th century
The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 gave governing power of the town to an elected body. All other aspects of the Bishop's temporal powers were abolished by the Durham (County Palatine) Act 1836 and returned to the Crown.
The Representation of the People Act 2000 and is regarded as the second most senior bishop and fourth most senior clergyman in the Church of England. The Court of Claims of 1953 granted the traditional right of the bishop to accompany the sovereign at the coronation, reflecting his seniority.
The first census, conducted in 1801, states that Durham City had a population of 7,100. The Industrial Revolution mostly passed the city by. However, the city was well known for carpet making and weaving. Although most of the mediaeval weavers who thrived in the city had left by the 19th century, the city was the home of Hugh MacKay Carpets’ factory, which produced the famous brands of axminster and tufted carpets until the factory went into administration in April 2005. Other important industries were the manufacture of mustard and coal extraction.
The Industrial Revolution also placed the city at the heart of the coalfields, the county's main industry until the 1970s. Practically every village around the city had a coal mine and, although these have since disappeared as part of the regional decline in heavy industry, the traditions, heritage and community spirit are still evident.
The 19th century also saw the founding of Durham University thanks to the benevolence of Bishop William Van Mildert and the Chapter in 1832. Durham Castle became the first college (University College, Durham) and the bishop moved to Auckland Castle as his only residence in the county. Bishop Hatfield's Hall (later Hatfield College, Durham) was added in 1846 specifically for the sons of poorer families, the Principal inaugurating a system new to English university life of advance fees to cover accommodation and communal dining.
The first Durham Miners' Gala was attended by 5,000 miners in 1871 in Wharton Park, and remains the largest socialist trade union event in the world.
20th century
Early in the 20th century coal became depleted, with a particularly important seam worked out in 1927, and in the following Great Depression Durham was among those towns that suffered exceptionally severe hardship. However, the university expanded greatly. St John's College and St Cuthbert's Society were founded on the Bailey, completing the series of colleges in that area of the city. From the early 1950s to early 1970s the university expanded to the south of the city centre. Trevelyan, Van Mildert, Collingwood, and Grey colleges were established, and new buildings for St Aidan's and St Mary's colleges for women, formerly housed on the Bailey, were created. The final 20th century collegiate addition came from the merger of the independent nineteenth-century colleges of the Venerable Bede and St Hild, which joined the university in 1979 as the College of St Hild and St Bede. The 1960s and 70s also saw building on New Elvet. Dunelm House for the use of the students' union was built first, followed by Elvet Riverside, containing lecture theatres and staff offices. To the southeast of the city centre sports facilities were built at Maiden Castle, adjacent to the Iron Age fort of the same name, and the Mountjoy site was developed, starting in 1924, eventually containing the university library, administrative buildings, and facilities for the Faculty of Science.
Durham was not bombed during World War II, though one raid on the night of 30 May 1942 did give rise to the local legend of 'St Cuthbert's Mist'. This states that the Luftwaffe attempted to target Durham, but was thwarted when Cuthbert created a mist that covered both the castle and cathedral, sparing them from bombing. The exact events of the night are disputed by contemporary eyewitnesses. The event continues to be referenced within the city, including inspiring the artwork 'Fogscape #03238' at Durham Lumiere 2015.
'Durham Castle and Cathedral' was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Among the reasons given for the decision were 'Durham Cathedral [being] the largest and most perfect monument of "Norman" style architecture in England', and the cathedral's vaulting being an early and experimental model of the gothic style. Other important UNESCO sites near Durham include Auckland Castle, North of England Lead Mining Museum and Beamish Museum.
Historical
The historic city centre of Durham has changed little over 200 years. It is made up of the peninsula containing the cathedral, palace green, former administrative buildings for the palatine and Durham Castle. This was a strategic defensive decision by the city's founders and gives the cathedral a striking position. So much so that Symeon of Durham stated:
To see Durham is to see the English Sion and by doing so one may save oneself a trip to Jerusalem.
Sir Walter Scott was so inspired by the view of the cathedral from South Street that he wrote "Harold the Dauntless", a poem about Saxons and Vikings set in County Durham and published on 30 January 1817. The following lines from the poem are carved into a stone tablet on Prebends Bridge:
Grey towers of Durham
Yet well I love thy mixed and massive piles
Half church of God, half castle 'gainst the Scot
And long to roam those venerable aisles
With records stored of deeds long since forgot.
The old commercial section of the city encompasses the peninsula on three sides, following the River Wear. The peninsula was historically surrounded by the castle wall extending from the castle keep and broken by two gatehouses to the north and west of the enclosure. After extensive remodelling and "much beautification" by the Victorians the walls were removed with the exception of the gatehouse which is still standing on the Bailey.
The medieval city was made up of the cathedral, castle and administrative buildings on the peninsula. The outlying areas were known as the townships and owned by the bishop, the most famous of these being Gilesgate (which still contains the mediaeval St Giles Church), Claypath and Elvet.
The outlying commercial section of the city, especially around the North Road area, saw much change in the 1960s during a redevelopment spearheaded by Durham City Council; however, much of the original mediaeval street plan remains intact in the area close to the cathedral and market place. Most of the mediaeval buildings in the commercial area of the city have disappeared apart from the House of Correction and the Chapel of Saint Andrew, both under Elvet Bridge. Georgian buildings can still be found on the Bailey and Old Elvet most of which make up the colleges of Durham University.
A diagram showing average cotton production in 2000-2009 in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. / Диаграмма, показывающая объемы производства хлопка за 2000-2009 годы в Афганистане, Таджикистане, Туркменистане и Узбекистане.
English version here.
How to set up a web-based lightweight system monitor on Linux
If you would like to use this photo, be sure to place a proper attribution linking to xmodulo.com
Pushkar (Hindi: पुष्कर) is a town in the Ajmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated 14 km northwest of Ajmer at an average elevation of 510 m and is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage site) for devout Hindus. According to Hindu theology, the pond at the Katas Raj temple Near Choa Saidan Shah in Chakwal District of Pakistan has a theological association with Shiva; it was formed by the tears of Lord Shiva which he is believed to have shed after the death of his wife, Sati. The story goes that when Sati died, Shiva cried so much and for so long, that his tears created two holy ponds – one at Pushkara in Ajmer in India and the other at Ketaksha, which literally means raining eyes, in Sanskrit. It is from this name that the word Katas is derived. It is often called "Tirth Raj" – the king of pilgrimage sites – and has in recent years become a popular destination for foreign tourists.
Pushkar is one of the oldest existing cities of India. It lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake. The date of its actual origin is not known, but legend associates Brahma with its creation.
Pushkar has many temples. Most of the temples are not very old because MANY TEMPLES WERE DESTROYED DURING MUSLIM CONQUESTS in the area. Subsequently, the destroyed temples were rebuilt. The most famous among all is the Brahma Temple built during the 14th century CE. Very few temples to Lord Brahma exist anywhere in the world. Other temples of Brahma include Bithoor in Uttar Pradesh, India; Khedbrahma in Gujarat, India; village Asotra near Balotra city of Barmer district in Rajasthan; Uttamar Kovil (one of the Divya Desams) near Srirangam, Tamil Nadu; Mother Temple of Besakih in Bali, Indonesia; and Prambanan in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The Pushkar lake has 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters.
Pushkar is also famous for its annual fair (Pushkar Camel Fair) held in November.
ETYMOLOGY
Pushkar in Sanskrit means blue lotus flower. Hindus believe that the gods released a swan with a lotus in its beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform a grand yagna. The place where the lotus fell was called Pushkar. Pushkar word may be derived from word 'Pushkarni'means- lake. It may be derived from word Pushpa means flower and Kar means hand.
HISTORY
Pushkar is one of the oldest cities of India. The date of its actual founding is not known, but legend associates Brahma with its creation.
According to legend, Brahma was in search of a place for Mahayagna and he found this place suitable. After a long time, Brahma came to known that a demon, Vajranash, was killing people here so the Lord intoned a mantra on a lotus flower and killed the demon. During this process the parts of flower fell on three places which were later known as Jyaistha, Madhya and Kanistha Pushkar. After this Brahma performed a yagna to protect this place from demons. The consort of Brahma, Saraswati, were needed to offer Ahuti for the yagna but she was not there that time so Gayatri, a Gurjar girl, was married to brahma and performned yagna. This act made first wife of Brahma, Saraswati, angry and she cursed Brahma saying that he would be worshiped in Pushkar only.
The Mahabharata says that while laying down a programme for Maharaja Yudhishthara’s travel, “Maharaja after entering the Jungles of Sind and crossing the small rivers on the way should bathe in Pushkara". And, as per Vaman Purana, Prahlada on his pilgrimage to holy places visited Pushkarayana.
A Gurjara Pratihara ruler of Mandore, Nahadarava, restored this tirtha in the seventh century. He got the place cleared and the lake restored by making an embankment on the side of the river Luni. He rebuilt old palaces and built twelve dharmashalas (resting places) and ghats on three sides of the lake.
According to Rajputana Gazetteer Pushkar was held by Chechi Gurjars until about 700 years ago.Later Some shrines were occupied by Kanphati Jogis.
There are still priests from the Gurjar community in Pushkar temple, known as Bhopas.
The sage Parasara is said to have been born here. His descendants, called Parasara Brahamanas, are found in Pushkar and the surrounding area. The famous temple of Jeenmata has been cared for by Parasara Brahmans for the last 1,000 years.
It is also the venue of the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. In 1901, the town was part of the Rajputana Agency had a population of 3,831.
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 most busy time for them, as this is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country. Animals, including over 50,000 camels, are brought from miles around to be traded and sold. Trading is brisk as several thousand heads of cattle exchange hands. All the camels are cleaned, washed, adorned, some are interestingly shorn to form patterns, and special stalls are set up selling finery and jewellery for the camels. Camels at the Pushkar fair are decorated with great care. They wear jewellery of silver and beads. There are silver bells and bangles around their ankles that jangle when they walk. An interesting ritual is the piercing of a camel's nose. It has more than 400 temples including the only one temple in India dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe.
According to Indian mythology, after visiting all the Hindu pilgrim towns and temples (Four Dhams), if Pushkar is not visited for worship, then salvation is not achieved. According to the Hindu calendar Pushkar Fair commences in Nawami (ninth day of fortnightly phases of moon) and ends in Purnima (Full Moon) in the month of Kartika (October or November according to the lunar calendar). In Pushkar, one of the biggest Cattle Fair is also held for trading purposes and the best cattle in all categories are awarded. Countless people in their colourful attire gather to take a dip in the Holy Lake and pray to the deities. The whole town comes alive with vibrant folk music and dances, magic shows, horse and camel races and various other traditional entertainment competitions.Pushkar, with more than 12 local fairs and festivals of 10–15 days duration is a year round destination. It is a mellow town by the great lake of Pushkar amidst the perfume of jasmine and rose flowers. About 4,000 to 6,000 visitors from all over the world come to Pushkar everyday.
PUSHKAR LAKE
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 Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe when a lotus dropped from his hand into the vale and a lake emerged in that place.
BRAHMA TEMPLE
The most important temple in Pushkar is the Temple of Lord Brahma, one of the holy trinity of Hinduism. The temple enshrines a life-size idol of Lord Brahma.
SAVITRI TEMPLE
This temple that is located at the top of the Ratnagiri Hill is dedicated to Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma. The temple houses a statue of Goddess Savitri.
WIKIPEDIA
DAY 2 And the FINALE of The American Speedfest Weekend at Brands Hatch showcasing some impressive and High Powered Machinery Ready to do Battle out on Track to see who can become the Victor of each of their Respective Classes. Lets see what Happened and Who was the First to Cross the Finish line to take Victory.
Angelo American Formula 5000's-(Race 2 Results)
With A Very Fast Paced and Quick Qualifying Session Yesterday it was time for the Drivers to head out and take part in their Race to see who could achieve Victory.
In First Place and taking the Victory was (Greg Thornton) in his Chevron B24 with a Best Lap Time of 47.660 and an Average Speed of 88.84mph. An Incredible Victory for A Top Class Driver in Formula 5000 Racing.
In Second Place was (Neil Glover) in his Chevron B37 with a Lap Time of 48.128 and an Average Speed of 87.96mph. Another Class Example of How to Handle to Torque and Power Output of these V8 Monsters.
Finally In Third Place was (Mark Campfield) in his Chevron B24 with A Lap Time of 48.227 and an Average Speed of 86.31mph. Very Fast Paced and A Fantastic Effort By Mark to Stay in Tight Amongst The Leading Two Cars.
A Brilliant Display of Driving and Skill shown by the Angelo American Formula 5000's Drivers and Some Incredible Racing to Watch.
Congratulations to Greg, Neil and Mark for putting on one Hell of a Race and to all the other Drivers Racing as well.
Bernie's Sports and V8's-(Race 3 Results)
Bernie's V8'S Showcasing some of the Best V8 Machinery from the Past 30 Years. During Qualifying a Very Fierce Battle was Taking Place at the Front of the Grid but Lets See Who came out Victorious Amongst the Competitors.
In First Place was (James Plant) in his Austin Healey 106 with A Lap Time of 53.293 with an Average Speed of 79.92mph around the Indy Circuit. A fantastic British Car being Driven Hard for the Victory was a Wonderful site to be hold. An Incredible Drive by James.
In Second Place was (Simon Cripps) in his MGB V8 Roaster with A Lap Time of 53.398 and an Average Speed of 79.97mph. Incredibly Fast and Very Close to James in Terms of Pace. A Super Driver and a very Super Car to go with it.
In Third Place was (Michael Saunders) in his Ford MK1 Escort Mexico with A Lap Time of 53.280 and an Average Speed of 79.67mph. A Mighty Drive by Michael to Achieve that Third Place with some Good Battles taking place thought the Field. A Very Well Done to Michael.
A Brilliant End to The Bernie's V8's at Brands Hatch and some Super Driving from James Simon and Michael with all Three of them Being very Close to One Another Thought the Race. Congratulations on the Victories and a Very Well Done to everyone Else for also Putting on some Fantastic Battles thought the Pack.
Legends Cars Championship-(Race 6 Result)
The Little Pocket Rockets were back again for Another Day of Exciting Racing on the Indy Circuit. With Qualifying Yesterday Showing a very Packed Grid Lets See who Managed to take that All important Victory that Will Decide the Winner.
In First Place was (John Mickel) in his Legend Ford Coupe with A Lap Time of 55.997 and an Average Speed of 76.05mph. A Storming Drive by John showcasing what it Really Means to be a Legends Car Driver with his Incredible Skills and Determination Lap after Lap.
In Second Place was (Miles Rudman) in his Legend 34 Coupe with a Lap Time of 55.82 and an Average Speed of 75.98mph. A String and Very Quick Drive from Miles Keeping Pace with John and making sure he did not get away easily with that Victory. Fantastic Drive.
In Third Place was (Will Gibson) in his Ford Coupe 34 with A Lap time of 55.361 with an Average Speed of 75.97mph. An Awesome Drive from Will to Keep up with both Miles and John and to see his Car flying Around the Circuit was a Truly Spectacular site as was the rest of the field. Well Done Will.
An Awesome Day of Legends Racing showcasing a lot of High Speed Battle's Thought the Field and Some Very Competitive Racing This Year between Drivers. Good Luck in the Championship all And Keep Working Hard to Achieve Greatness this Season.
NASCAR Whelan Euro Series-(Race 2 Result-Pro)
Euro NASCAR-Pro was up Next and after putting on a Thunderous thunderous Display Yesterday in Qualifying it was time to see what Each Driver could do during the Race and who would be brave enough to make those all important overtakes to take the Victory in Euro NASCAR.
In First Place was (Loris Hezemans) in his Ford Mustang -Hendricks Motorsport) with A Lap Time of 50.145 and an Average Speed of 70.29mph. Amazing Speed and a very Tricky Circuit to Race in a Nascar Congratulations Loris on a Stunning Victory.
In Second Place was (Gianmarco Ercoli) in his Chevrolet Camaro-CAAL Racing with a Lap Time of 50.174 and An Average Speed of 70.26mph. Another Very Quick and Fantastic Drive from Gian to Grab Second Place and a Good Example of Fast Paced Car Control. Congratulations Gian.
In Third Place was (Sebastiaan Bleekemolen) in his Ford Mustang-Team Bleekemolen with A Lap Time of 50.519 and an Average Speed of 70.24mph. Fantastic to see all three drivers really going for it and pushing their machinery to it limits as well as seeing them race in such close formation during the Race. Congratulations Sebastiaan a Very well Deserved Third Place.
An Amazing Set of Victories in Euro NASCAR PRO showcasing some of he Best Drivers from Around the world competing for as Victory and the eventual Championship Win. Good Luck Everybody and Keep Racing Hard all Year Long.
Euro NASCAR 2 Series-(Race 2 Result 2)
Euro NASCAR 2 was up next and Some Young Rookies shown Yesterday In Qualifying just What They have in them to be Promoted to NASCAR Pro as well as some new faces joining the Series. After Qualifying Yesterday lets see how the Drivers Did and Who Took the Victory.
In First Place was (Tobias Dauenhauer) in his Ford Mustang-Hendricks Motorsport with A Lap Time Of 50.242 and an Average Speed of 85.46mph. Congratulations Tobias a very well controlled and Fast Race Pace from you to take the Overall Victory.
In Second Place was (Simon Pilate) in his Chevrolet Camero-DF1 Racing with a Lap Time of 50.209 and An Average Speed of 85.12mph. A Very Quick and Capable Drive from Simon showcasing some very quick Car Control at High Speed and keep the Race right up to Tobias in First Showing just how Competitive Driving one of these cars is. Congratulations Simon.
In Third Place was (Advait Deodhar) in his Ford Mustang-CAAL Racing with A Lap Time of 50.328 and an Average Speed of 85.07mph. A Mighty Drive and a Very Strong Mind seen while Watching Advait Race showing his True Potential during the Race and Keeping up well with both Second and First Placed Drivers. Congratulations Advait.
A Super End to the Day of Euro NASCAR Racing and seeing both Pro and Class 2 Races really showed just how Capable thease Cars are. Congratulations to al of the Drivers as well as the Top Three Drivers from Each Class. Good luck In the Remainder of Your Season. And Remember Go Big or Go Home.
Pick Up Truck Championship-(Race 2 Result)
Pick Up Trucks were up next and from Yesterdays High Speed Qualifying it was shaping up to be A Race that would be Fought very Fiercely Between drivers for the Victory. With Light Weight Space Frames and A Lot of Horse Power Under the Bonnet it was time to see who was the Bravest and the Fastest Around the Indy Circuit. Lets See what Happened.
In First Place was (George Turiccki) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with A Lap Time of 52.606 and an Average Speed of 63.76mph. Really Fast From George and Leaving most of the Field in the Dust with his Experience and Driving Skills behind the Wheel of His Pickup Truck. Congratulations George. A Well Deserved Victory.
In Second Place was (Allen Cooper) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with A Lap Time Of 52.808 and an Average Speed of 63.73mph. Allen Keeping very close with the Leader George thought the Race and constantly was putting pressure on him right up to the end. An Awesome Drive from Allen and a very well controlled Pickup out there. Congratulations Allen.
In Third Place was (Reece Jones) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with A Lap Time of 52.784mph and an Average Speed of 52.784mph. Incredible Drive Reece showing a Very Determined Mind and a Focus that could be seen within his Driving Ability. Congratulations Reece.
Pickup Truck Racing Showcasing some of the Best of Speedfest at Brands Hatch with The Top Three in George Allen and Reece being so close together towards the end of the Race. Congratulations to all of the other Drivers who also showed some Fantastic Fighting thought the Field. Keep Working Hard and Good luck in the Rest Of The Season.
Speedfest Silhouettes-(Race 2 Result)
The FINALE To the Weekend had to be the Mighty Fast and Quick action Paced Speedfest Silhouettes showing off some of the fastest Machinery on track with Modified Aero and very Fast Determined Drivers. During a Lightening Fast Qualifying Session Yesterday Let's see who is going to be the one taking home the victory and Tasting that Champagne at the End of The Day.
In First Place was (Ray Harris) in his Ginetta G40R with a Lap Time of 50.721 and an Average Speed of 73.71mph. A Lightening Fast Drive from Ray to take the Victory and that Ginetta was looking very Beautiful out on track indeed. Congratulations Ray.
In Second Place was (Mike Thurley) in his Ginetta G40 with A Lap Time Of 51.086 and an Average Speed of 73.57mph around the Indy Circuit. Very Fast and Right on the Heels of Ray in his much more Powerful R Variant. An Incredible Charge for Victory Mike and a Sterling Drive. Congratulations Mike.
In Third Place was (Ian Hales) in his Vauxhall Tigra with A Lap Time of 51.199 and An Average Speed of 73.45mph. A Super Effort and Drive from Ian and his Skill behind the wheel is what Really Helped put that Car into Third Place A Well Deserved Position. Congratulations Ian.
Super Silhouettes showing some very Determined and Quick Drivers out there and the Incredible Cars that they have built and Race are a true sight to be hold. Congratulations to Ray, Mike and Ian for putting on some superb Driving skills thought the Race as well as to all the other Drivers fighting it out thought the field. Good Luck in the season and Looking forward to seeing who can Take the Championship Crown.
This Brings an End to American Speedfest8 at Brands Hatch for
the 2021 Season. Another Year of Hight Speed High Action and Adrenalin Filled American Racing. Congratulations to all of the Race Winners and Participants in this Years Speedfest and I look forward to Seeing you all do Battle Again Next Year. Until then........GO BIG OR GO HOME.
The Bundi Palace is situated on the hillside adjacent to the Taragarh Fort and is notable for its lavish traditional murals and frescoes. The Chitrashala (picture gallery) of the palace is open to the general public.
____________________________
Bundi is a city with 104,457 101,000 inhabitants (2011) in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan state in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris. It is the administrative headquarters of Bundi District.
GEOGRAPHY
The town of Bundi is situated 35 km from Kota and 210 km from Jaipur. It is located at 25.44°N 75.64°E and an average elevation of 268 metres. The city lies near a narrow gorge, and is surrounded on three sides by hills of the Aravalli Range. A substantial wall with four gateways encircles the city. The town of Indragarh and nearby places are famous for the renowned temples of Bijasan Mata and Kamleshwar. The Indargarh step well is considered as one of the most attractive places in the Bundi district, especially during the rainy season.
DEMOGRAPHICS
In the 2001 Indian census, Bundi had a population of 88,312. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bundi has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 75% and female literacy of 57%. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age. In the 2011 Indian census Bundi has a population of 104,457 people.
HISTORY
In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by various local tribes. Bundi and the eponymous princely state are said to derive their names from a former Meena tribe man called Bunda Meena. Bundi was previously called “Bunda-Ka-Nal", Nal meaning “narrow ways”. Later the region was governed by Rao Deva Hada, who took over Bundi from Jaita Meena in 1342, and established a princely state Bundi, renaming the surrounding area called Hadoti, the land of great Hada Rajputs.
MUGHAL ERA
Rao Surjan (1554–85) given Ranthambore Fort to Akbar in 1533. He was subsequently rewarded by Akbar with additional territory which expanded his kingdom. Both he and his successors entered the service of the Mughals and became one of their closest allies. From this time the rulers of Bundi bore the title of "Rao Raja".
One of the most notable rulers was Rao Ratan Singh Hada (1607–31) who saw service during the reign of the Emperor Jahangir. When Mughal Prince Khurram rebelled against his father, and gained the support of 22 Rajput princes, Rattan Singh stayed loyal to Jahangir. He defeated Prince Khurram at the battle of Burhanpur during which two of his sons were badly wounded. As a reward for his service Jahangir gave Ratan Singh many honours. With his 14 year old son Madho Singh having proven himself during the suppression of the rebellion as a courageous warrior Ratan Singh carved out of Bundi in 1580 sufficient land to create for Madho Singh the independent principality of Kota. Part of Kota was later used to create the separate Jhalawar State in 1838. Despite the loss of land to the new kingdom Ratan Singh retained sufficient territory and revenues to begin construction of the Garh palace.
Rao Chhattra Sal (1632–58) built the temple of Keshavarao at Patan and Chattra Mahal at Bundi. He saw service with the Mughal forces in the Deccan and was trusted by Dara Shikoh with governorship of Delhi, a rare privilege for a Rajput. He remained loyal to Shah Jahan and Dara Shikoh during the rebellion of Aurangzeb despite many temptations and died fighting at the head of his troops at the battle of Samurgarh in 1658 along with his youngest son Bharat Singh. Rao Bhao Singh (1658–78) the eldest son of Chhattar Sal succeeded his father to the throne of Bundi. When after the defeat of Dara Shikoh and his imprisonment of Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb became the Mughul emperor he dispatched troop under the command of Atmaram Gaur and Barh Singh Bundela to conquer Bundi. When they failed Aurangzeb made peace with Bhao Singh. Bhao Singh became sufficiently reconciled to Aurangzeb that he fought for him against Shivaji and at one time served as governor of Aurangabad. When his own son died during his lifetime he adopted Kishan Singh, the son of his brother Bhim Singh. When Kishan Singh too died early his 15 year old son Anirudh Singh (1682 to 1696) succeeded Bhao Singh on the throne.
Anirudh Singh served Aurangzeb in the Deccan and in the northwest under Prince Muazzam where he died. He was succeed by his eldest son Budha Singh, whose service to Muazzam (later Emperor Bahadur Shah I) in the war of succession to the Mughul throne saw the Bundi become dominate over Kota those ruler had backed the losing side.
During the reign of Rao Budh Singh (1696 to 1735) despite him being married to the sister of Jai Singh II of Jaipur, a bitter feud broke out between Bundi and the Kachwaha rulers of Amber (later called Jaipur) which led to him being expelled from his kingdom by surprise attack by the Kachwaha forces in 1702. He regained and lost his kingdom four times before he died in exile while Jaipur and Kota annexed large portion of his territory. It wasn’t until 1739 before the Bundi rulers were able to regain control of their kingdom after enlisting the aid of the Maratha general Malhar Rao Holkar who kept the estate of Patan for his services.
Relations became uneasy with Mewar after Prince Ajit Singh the heir to the Bundi throne killed Rana Ari Singh of Udaipur during the annual Aheria (Bundi’s ritual spring hunt) in 1773. Through claimed to be an accident Mewar historical records consider that it was an assassination which removed an unpopular ruler.
According to an ancient prophecy made by a dying sati it was said that if the rulers of Bundi and Mewar should ever meet at the event one of the two would die. According to legend, over the centuries such a meeting took place four times and on each occasion one of the rulers was killed by the other. Mewar sources indicate that there was only one other occasion when a Mewar ruler died when in 1531 Maharana Ratan Singh II of Mewar, accompanied Prince Surajmal of Bundi on a hunt. The two men despised each other. During the hunt the Maharana attacked Prince Surajmal which ended with both dying within minutes of each other.
BRITISH ERA
In 1804 Rao Raja Bishan Singh (1773–1821) gave valuable assistance to Colonel Monson in his disastrous retreat before Holkar, in revenge for which the Maratha Empire and Pindaris continually ravaged his state and forced the kingdom to pay tribute up to 1817 This led to Bishan Singh signing a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company on 10 February 1818, which bought him under its protection. Bishan Singh was responsible for the creation of the pleasure palace of Sukh Niwas on the outskirts of Bundi.
Bishan Singh when dying of cholera entrusted James Tod with guardianship of his 11-year old son, Ram Singh. Maharao Raja Ram Singh (1821–89) grew up to be a much respected ruler who initiated economic and administrative reforms as well as establishing schools for the teaching of Sanskrit. On the throne for 68 years he was described as a grand specimen of the Rajput gentleman and "the most conservative prince in conservative Rajputana." His rule was popular and beneficial; and though during the mutiny of 1857 his attitude was equivocal, he continued to enjoy the confidence of the British, being created G.C.S.I. and a counsellor of the empire in 1877 and C.I.E. in 1878. He was succeeded by his adopted son Raghubir Singh (1889–1927), who was made a K.C.S.I. in 1897 and a G.C.I.E. in 1901. His reign was blighted by two disastrous famines which despite his best attempts to alleviated saw the population of his kingdom reduced from some 258,000 to 171,000 by 1901 due to death and immigration. Raghubir Singh supported the British during the World War I.[citation needed]
Maharao Bahadur Singh (1945–77) also supported the British and served in the Burma campaign where he earned the Military Cross for his gallantry before succeeding to the throne. He was a guest at the 1947 wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
ACCESSION TO INDIA
At the time of the partition of India in 1947, the British abandoned their suzerainty over the princely states, which were left to decide whether to remain independent or to accede to the newly independent Dominion of India or to Pakistan. The ruler of the state of Bundi decided to accede to India, which later became the Union of India. This brought the internal affairs of Bundi under the control of Delhi.
RULERS
The hereditary rulers of Bundi used the title ‘Rao’ before being granted the prefix ‘Raja’ by the Mughals. A Raja is a ruler of exalted rank but inferior to Maharana or Maharawal.
- Rao Deva (1343 to 1342).
- Rao Napuji.
- Rao Hamuli (1384 to 1400).
- Rao Birsingh (1400 to 1415).
- Rao Biru (1415 to 1470).
- Rao Bandu (1470 to 1491).
- Rao Narayan Das (1491 to 1527).
- Rao Suraj Mal (1527 to 1531).
- Rao Surtan Singh (1531 to 1544).
- Rao Raja Surjan Singh (1544 to 1585).
- Rao Raja Bhoj Singh (1585 to 1608).
- Rao Raja Ratan Singh (1608 to 1632).
- Rao Raja Chhattar Sal Singh (1632 to 1658).
- Rao Raja Bhao Singh (1658 to1682).
- Rao Raja Anirudh Singh (1682 to 1696).
- Rao Raja Budh Singh (b. ... - d. 1739) (1696 to 1735).
- Rao Raja Dalel Singh (b. 1729 - d. 1804) (1735 to 1749).
- Rao Raja Umaid Singh (1749 to 1770) and again (1773 to 1804).
- Rao Raja Ajit Singh (b. ... - d. 1773) (1770 to 1773).
- Rao Raja Bishen Singh (b. ... - d. 1821) (1804 to 14 May 1821).
- Maharao Raja Ram Singh Sahib Bahadur (b. 1811 - d. 1889) (1821 to 28 Mar 1889).
- Colonel HH Maharao Raja Shri Sir Raghubir Singh Sahib Bahadur (b. 1869 - d. 1927) (12 April 1889 to 28 Jul 1927).
- Major HH Maharao Raja Shri Sir Iishwari Singh Bahadur (b. 1893 - d. 1945) (8 Aug 1927 to 3 Apr 1945).
- Col. HH Maharao Raja Shri Bahadur Singh Bahadur (1945 to 1977).
- HH Maharao Raja Ranjit Singh (b. 1920 - d. 1977) (1977 to 07-01-2010).
COAT OF ARMS
Bundi’s coat of arms is a shield depicting Garuda, the mount of Vishnu, flanked by winged griffins. The shield is flanked by bulls representing dharma or righteousness; it is crowned by a warrior emerging from flames, signifying the creation-legend of the ruling Chauhan clan, which was supposedly created from fire.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
- The Taragarh Fort, or 'Star Fort' is the most impressive of the city's structures. It was constructed in AD 1354 upon the top of steep hillside overlooking the city. The largest of its battlements is the 16th century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a particularly large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or 'Thunder from the Womb'. The fort is a popular tourist viewpoint of the city below. The fort contains three tanks which never dry up. The technique with which they were built has been long since lost but the tanks survive as a testament to the advanced methods of construction and engineering in medieval India.
- The Bundi Palace is situated on the hillside adjacent to the Taragarh Fort and is notable for its lavish traditional murals and frescoes. The Chitrashala (picture gallery) of the palace is open to the general public.
- The largest of Bundi's baoris or stepwells is the intricately carved Raniji ki Baori. Some 46 m deep, it was built in 1699 by Rani Nathavatji. The steps built into the sides of the water-well made water accessible even when at a very low level. The baori is one of the largest examples of its kind in Rajasthan.
- The Nawal Sagar is a large square-shaped artificial lake in the centre of Bundi containing many small islets. A temple dedicated to Varuna, the vedic god of water, stands half-submerged in the middle of the lake. the lake feeds the numerous bavdis in the old city by creating an artificial water table.
- The Nagar Sagar twin step wells are identical step wells crafted in pristine masonry on either side of the main spine of Bundi town. The kunds (pools) are currently full of waste from the ancient vegetable market in the vicinity.
- The Dabhai Kund also known as the jail kund, is the largest of the kunds in Bundi. Though slightly overgrown, it is well worth a visit for the spectacular carvings on the numerous steps leading down to the water level.
THE STEPWELLS
There are over 50 stepwells in Bundi, of which only a handful have been maintained. They used to be the only source of water for the town until a piped water system was introduced. After that these stepwells were abandoned and the monuments fell into disrepair. Most of the former stepwells inside the town have become garbage dumps, and are slipping out of the public consciousness.
FESTIVALS
Festivals of Bundi
1. Kajali Teej
2. The Gangaur Festival
3. Bundi Festival - started by Rajmata Sahiba Daulat Kanwar Of Dugari & Shri Madhukarji Gupta which was inaugurated by Shreeji Arvin singhji Mewar & Kunwar Shivam Singh Dugari in !998.
WIKIPEDIA
The spotted ratfish has a very distinct appearance compared to other fish. The average female is about three feet (38 inches) long, much bigger in comparison to the smaller male. These fish have a smooth and scaless skin that is a silvery-bronze color, often with sparkling shades of gold, blue, and green. The speckled white spots along their back contributes to their name. Dark edges outline both the caudal and dorsal fins; whereas, the pectoral fins have a transparent outline. The ratfish’s pectoral fins are large and triangular, which extend straight out from the sides like airplane wings. They have a venomous spine located at the leading edge of their dorsal fin. The tail of the ratfish constitutes for almost half of their overall length and closely resembles a pointed rat-like tail. The body of this fish is supported by cartilage rather than bone, making it go limp when removed from the water. It has a duckbill shaped snout and a rabbit like face. Their mouth is small and contains forward directed, incisor-shaped teeth, that act as plate-like grinding teeth. One of their most mesmerizing features is their large emerald green eyes which are able to reflect light, similar to eyes of a cat.The spotted ratfish can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They can most commonly be found between the Pacific Northwest and the British Columbia. The range of depths in which this fish is found extends from 0 – 3,000 feet below sea level. Near 115° N. longitude and further north, the spotted ratfish lives close to the shore. On the southern end of their range, they live in deeper waters. Ratfish tend to move closer to shallow water during the spring and autumn, then to deeper water in summer and winter. Spotted ratfish can most commonly be found living near the bottom of sand, mud or rocky reefs of the ocean floor.The spotted ratfish swims slowly above the seafloor in search for food. Location of food is done by the sense of smell. Spotted ratfish are particularly drawn to crunchy foods like crabs and clams. Besides crabs and clams, the spotted ratfish also feeds off of shrimp, worms, small fish, small crustaceans, and sea stars. As the spotted ratfish is out hunting for prey, they must also keep a lookout so that they don’t become prey for other sea creatures such as: the soupfin sharks, dogfish sharks, pigeon guillemots, and Pacific halibut. Their usual hunting period is at nighttime, when they move to shallow water to feed.Like other sharks, spotted ratfish are oviparous. Their spawning season peaks during the spring to autumn months. During this time, the female releases up to two fertilized eggs into sand or mud areas of the seabed every 10 to 14 days. The extrusion process can last anywhere from 18 to 30 hours and the actual laying can last another four to six days. The egg sack is leather-like, five inches long, and has a filament connected to it which is used to attach itself to the ocean floor when it is let go by the mother. It is not unheard of to see a female ratfish swimming around her newly laid eggs, in hopes to prevent predators from finding them. Development of the egg can take up to a year, which can be harmful because the eggs are sometimes mistaken as inanimate objects by divers. When the young finally hatch, they are about 5.5 inches in length and continue to grow, reaching 11.8 inches in length their first year.-The ratfish is not typically eaten by humans being as it is not commercially caught for human consumption. As they swim gracefully about the ocean, the ratfish can be seen doing barrel rolls and corkscrew turns, as if they were flying. The root meaning of the ratfishes scientific name, Hydrolagus colliei, comes from the Greek words hydro, meaning water, and lagus, meaning hare.
DAY 2 And the FINALE of The American Speedfest Weekend at Brands Hatch showcasing some impressive and High Powered Machinery Ready to do Battle out on Track to see who can become the Victor of each of their Respective Classes. Lets see what Happened and Who was the First to Cross the Finish line to take Victory.
Angelo American Formula 5000's-(Race 2 Results)
With A Very Fast Paced and Quick Qualifying Session Yesterday it was time for the Drivers to head out and take part in their Race to see who could achieve Victory.
In First Place and taking the Victory was (Greg Thornton) in his Chevron B24 with a Best Lap Time of 47.660 and an Average Speed of 88.84mph. An Incredible Victory for A Top Class Driver in Formula 5000 Racing.
In Second Place was (Neil Glover) in his Chevron B37 with a Lap Time of 48.128 and an Average Speed of 87.96mph. Another Class Example of How to Handle to Torque and Power Output of these V8 Monsters.
Finally In Third Place was (Mark Campfield) in his Chevron B24 with A Lap Time of 48.227 and an Average Speed of 86.31mph. Very Fast Paced and A Fantastic Effort By Mark to Stay in Tight Amongst The Leading Two Cars.
A Brilliant Display of Driving and Skill shown by the Angelo American Formula 5000's Drivers and Some Incredible Racing to Watch.
Congratulations to Greg, Neil and Mark for putting on one Hell of a Race and to all the other Drivers Racing as well.
Bernie's Sports and V8's-(Race 3 Results)
Bernie's V8'S Showcasing some of the Best V8 Machinery from the Past 30 Years. During Qualifying a Very Fierce Battle was Taking Place at the Front of the Grid but Lets See Who came out Victorious Amongst the Competitors.
In First Place was (James Plant) in his Austin Healey 106 with A Lap Time of 53.293 with an Average Speed of 79.92mph around the Indy Circuit. A fantastic British Car being Driven Hard for the Victory was a Wonderful site to be hold. An Incredible Drive by James.
In Second Place was (Simon Cripps) in his MGB V8 Roaster with A Lap Time of 53.398 and an Average Speed of 79.97mph. Incredibly Fast and Very Close to James in Terms of Pace. A Super Driver and a very Super Car to go with it.
In Third Place was (Michael Saunders) in his Ford MK1 Escort Mexico with A Lap Time of 53.280 and an Average Speed of 79.67mph. A Mighty Drive by Michael to Achieve that Third Place with some Good Battles taking place thought the Field. A Very Well Done to Michael.
A Brilliant End to The Bernie's V8's at Brands Hatch and some Super Driving from James Simon and Michael with all Three of them Being very Close to One Another Thought the Race. Congratulations on the Victories and a Very Well Done to everyone Else for also Putting on some Fantastic Battles thought the Pack.
Legends Cars Championship-(Race 6 Result)
The Little Pocket Rockets were back again for Another Day of Exciting Racing on the Indy Circuit. With Qualifying Yesterday Showing a very Packed Grid Lets See who Managed to take that All important Victory that Will Decide the Winner.
In First Place was (John Mickel) in his Legend Ford Coupe with A Lap Time of 55.997 and an Average Speed of 76.05mph. A Storming Drive by John showcasing what it Really Means to be a Legends Car Driver with his Incredible Skills and Determination Lap after Lap.
In Second Place was (Miles Rudman) in his Legend 34 Coupe with a Lap Time of 55.82 and an Average Speed of 75.98mph. A String and Very Quick Drive from Miles Keeping Pace with John and making sure he did not get away easily with that Victory. Fantastic Drive.
In Third Place was (Will Gibson) in his Ford Coupe 34 with A Lap time of 55.361 with an Average Speed of 75.97mph. An Awesome Drive from Will to Keep up with both Miles and John and to see his Car flying Around the Circuit was a Truly Spectacular site as was the rest of the field. Well Done Will.
An Awesome Day of Legends Racing showcasing a lot of High Speed Battle's Thought the Field and Some Very Competitive Racing This Year between Drivers. Good Luck in the Championship all And Keep Working Hard to Achieve Greatness this Season.
NASCAR Whelan Euro Series-(Race 2 Result-Pro)
Euro NASCAR-Pro was up Next and after putting on a Thunderous thunderous Display Yesterday in Qualifying it was time to see what Each Driver could do during the Race and who would be brave enough to make those all important overtakes to take the Victory in Euro NASCAR.
In First Place was (Loris Hezemans) in his Ford Mustang -Hendricks Motorsport) with A Lap Time of 50.145 and an Average Speed of 70.29mph. Amazing Speed and a very Tricky Circuit to Race in a Nascar Congratulations Loris on a Stunning Victory.
In Second Place was (Gianmarco Ercoli) in his Chevrolet Camaro-CAAL Racing with a Lap Time of 50.174 and An Average Speed of 70.26mph. Another Very Quick and Fantastic Drive from Gian to Grab Second Place and a Good Example of Fast Paced Car Control. Congratulations Gian.
In Third Place was (Sebastiaan Bleekemolen) in his Ford Mustang-Team Bleekemolen with A Lap Time of 50.519 and an Average Speed of 70.24mph. Fantastic to see all three drivers really going for it and pushing their machinery to it limits as well as seeing them race in such close formation during the Race. Congratulations Sebastiaan a Very well Deserved Third Place.
An Amazing Set of Victories in Euro NASCAR PRO showcasing some of he Best Drivers from Around the world competing for as Victory and the eventual Championship Win. Good Luck Everybody and Keep Racing Hard all Year Long.
Euro NASCAR 2 Series-(Race 2 Result 2)
Euro NASCAR 2 was up next and Some Young Rookies shown Yesterday In Qualifying just What They have in them to be Promoted to NASCAR Pro as well as some new faces joining the Series. After Qualifying Yesterday lets see how the Drivers Did and Who Took the Victory.
In First Place was (Tobias Dauenhauer) in his Ford Mustang-Hendricks Motorsport with A Lap Time Of 50.242 and an Average Speed of 85.46mph. Congratulations Tobias a very well controlled and Fast Race Pace from you to take the Overall Victory.
In Second Place was (Simon Pilate) in his Chevrolet Camero-DF1 Racing with a Lap Time of 50.209 and An Average Speed of 85.12mph. A Very Quick and Capable Drive from Simon showcasing some very quick Car Control at High Speed and keep the Race right up to Tobias in First Showing just how Competitive Driving one of these cars is. Congratulations Simon.
In Third Place was (Advait Deodhar) in his Ford Mustang-CAAL Racing with A Lap Time of 50.328 and an Average Speed of 85.07mph. A Mighty Drive and a Very Strong Mind seen while Watching Advait Race showing his True Potential during the Race and Keeping up well with both Second and First Placed Drivers. Congratulations Advait.
A Super End to the Day of Euro NASCAR Racing and seeing both Pro and Class 2 Races really showed just how Capable thease Cars are. Congratulations to al of the Drivers as well as the Top Three Drivers from Each Class. Good luck In the Remainder of Your Season. And Remember Go Big or Go Home.
Pick Up Truck Championship-(Race 2 Result)
Pick Up Trucks were up next and from Yesterdays High Speed Qualifying it was shaping up to be A Race that would be Fought very Fiercely Between drivers for the Victory. With Light Weight Space Frames and A Lot of Horse Power Under the Bonnet it was time to see who was the Bravest and the Fastest Around the Indy Circuit. Lets See what Happened.
In First Place was (George Turiccki) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with A Lap Time of 52.606 and an Average Speed of 63.76mph. Really Fast From George and Leaving most of the Field in the Dust with his Experience and Driving Skills behind the Wheel of His Pickup Truck. Congratulations George. A Well Deserved Victory.
In Second Place was (Allen Cooper) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with A Lap Time Of 52.808 and an Average Speed of 63.73mph. Allen Keeping very close with the Leader George thought the Race and constantly was putting pressure on him right up to the end. An Awesome Drive from Allen and a very well controlled Pickup out there. Congratulations Allen.
In Third Place was (Reece Jones) in his Pickup Truck 2000 with A Lap Time of 52.784mph and an Average Speed of 52.784mph. Incredible Drive Reece showing a Very Determined Mind and a Focus that could be seen within his Driving Ability. Congratulations Reece.
Pickup Truck Racing Showcasing some of the Best of Speedfest at Brands Hatch with The Top Three in George Allen and Reece being so close together towards the end of the Race. Congratulations to all of the other Drivers who also showed some Fantastic Fighting thought the Field. Keep Working Hard and Good luck in the Rest Of The Season.
Speedfest Silhouettes-(Race 2 Result)
The FINALE To the Weekend had to be the Mighty Fast and Quick action Paced Speedfest Silhouettes showing off some of the fastest Machinery on track with Modified Aero and very Fast Determined Drivers. During a Lightening Fast Qualifying Session Yesterday Let's see who is going to be the one taking home the victory and Tasting that Champagne at the End of The Day.
In First Place was (Ray Harris) in his Ginetta G40R with a Lap Time of 50.721 and an Average Speed of 73.71mph. A Lightening Fast Drive from Ray to take the Victory and that Ginetta was looking very Beautiful out on track indeed. Congratulations Ray.
In Second Place was (Mike Thurley) in his Ginetta G40 with A Lap Time Of 51.086 and an Average Speed of 73.57mph around the Indy Circuit. Very Fast and Right on the Heels of Ray in his much more Powerful R Variant. An Incredible Charge for Victory Mike and a Sterling Drive. Congratulations Mike.
In Third Place was (Ian Hales) in his Vauxhall Tigra with A Lap Time of 51.199 and An Average Speed of 73.45mph. A Super Effort and Drive from Ian and his Skill behind the wheel is what Really Helped put that Car into Third Place A Well Deserved Position. Congratulations Ian.
Super Silhouettes showing some very Determined and Quick Drivers out there and the Incredible Cars that they have built and Race are a true sight to be hold. Congratulations to Ray, Mike and Ian for putting on some superb Driving skills thought the Race as well as to all the other Drivers fighting it out thought the field. Good Luck in the season and Looking forward to seeing who can Take the Championship Crown.
This Brings an End to American Speedfest8 at Brands Hatch for
the 2021 Season. Another Year of Hight Speed High Action and Adrenalin Filled American Racing. Congratulations to all of the Race Winners and Participants in this Years Speedfest and I look forward to Seeing you all do Battle Again Next Year. Until then........GO BIG OR GO HOME.
The Bundi Palace is situated on the hillside adjacent to the Taragarh Fort and is notable for its lavish traditional murals and frescoes. The Chitrashala (picture gallery) of the palace is open to the general public.
____________________________
Bundi is a city with 104,457 101,000 inhabitants (2011) in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan state in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris. It is the administrative headquarters of Bundi District.
GEOGRAPHY
The town of Bundi is situated 35 km from Kota and 210 km from Jaipur. It is located at 25.44°N 75.64°E and an average elevation of 268 metres. The city lies near a narrow gorge, and is surrounded on three sides by hills of the Aravalli Range. A substantial wall with four gateways encircles the city. The town of Indragarh and nearby places are famous for the renowned temples of Bijasan Mata and Kamleshwar. The Indargarh step well is considered as one of the most attractive places in the Bundi district, especially during the rainy season.
DEMOGRAPHICS
In the 2001 Indian census, Bundi had a population of 88,312. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bundi has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 75% and female literacy of 57%. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age. In the 2011 Indian census Bundi has a population of 104,457 people.
HISTORY
In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by various local tribes. Bundi and the eponymous princely state are said to derive their names from a former Meena tribe man called Bunda Meena. Bundi was previously called “Bunda-Ka-Nal", Nal meaning “narrow ways”. Later the region was governed by Rao Deva Hada, who took over Bundi from Jaita Meena in 1342, and established a princely state Bundi, renaming the surrounding area called Hadoti, the land of great Hada Rajputs.
MUGHAL ERA
Rao Surjan (1554–85) given Ranthambore Fort to Akbar in 1533. He was subsequently rewarded by Akbar with additional territory which expanded his kingdom. Both he and his successors entered the service of the Mughals and became one of their closest allies. From this time the rulers of Bundi bore the title of "Rao Raja".
One of the most notable rulers was Rao Ratan Singh Hada (1607–31) who saw service during the reign of the Emperor Jahangir. When Mughal Prince Khurram rebelled against his father, and gained the support of 22 Rajput princes, Rattan Singh stayed loyal to Jahangir. He defeated Prince Khurram at the battle of Burhanpur during which two of his sons were badly wounded. As a reward for his service Jahangir gave Ratan Singh many honours. With his 14 year old son Madho Singh having proven himself during the suppression of the rebellion as a courageous warrior Ratan Singh carved out of Bundi in 1580 sufficient land to create for Madho Singh the independent principality of Kota. Part of Kota was later used to create the separate Jhalawar State in 1838. Despite the loss of land to the new kingdom Ratan Singh retained sufficient territory and revenues to begin construction of the Garh palace.
Rao Chhattra Sal (1632–58) built the temple of Keshavarao at Patan and Chattra Mahal at Bundi. He saw service with the Mughal forces in the Deccan and was trusted by Dara Shikoh with governorship of Delhi, a rare privilege for a Rajput. He remained loyal to Shah Jahan and Dara Shikoh during the rebellion of Aurangzeb despite many temptations and died fighting at the head of his troops at the battle of Samurgarh in 1658 along with his youngest son Bharat Singh. Rao Bhao Singh (1658–78) the eldest son of Chhattar Sal succeeded his father to the throne of Bundi. When after the defeat of Dara Shikoh and his imprisonment of Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb became the Mughul emperor he dispatched troop under the command of Atmaram Gaur and Barh Singh Bundela to conquer Bundi. When they failed Aurangzeb made peace with Bhao Singh. Bhao Singh became sufficiently reconciled to Aurangzeb that he fought for him against Shivaji and at one time served as governor of Aurangabad. When his own son died during his lifetime he adopted Kishan Singh, the son of his brother Bhim Singh. When Kishan Singh too died early his 15 year old son Anirudh Singh (1682 to 1696) succeeded Bhao Singh on the throne.
Anirudh Singh served Aurangzeb in the Deccan and in the northwest under Prince Muazzam where he died. He was succeed by his eldest son Budha Singh, whose service to Muazzam (later Emperor Bahadur Shah I) in the war of succession to the Mughul throne saw the Bundi become dominate over Kota those ruler had backed the losing side.
During the reign of Rao Budh Singh (1696 to 1735) despite him being married to the sister of Jai Singh II of Jaipur, a bitter feud broke out between Bundi and the Kachwaha rulers of Amber (later called Jaipur) which led to him being expelled from his kingdom by surprise attack by the Kachwaha forces in 1702. He regained and lost his kingdom four times before he died in exile while Jaipur and Kota annexed large portion of his territory. It wasn’t until 1739 before the Bundi rulers were able to regain control of their kingdom after enlisting the aid of the Maratha general Malhar Rao Holkar who kept the estate of Patan for his services.
Relations became uneasy with Mewar after Prince Ajit Singh the heir to the Bundi throne killed Rana Ari Singh of Udaipur during the annual Aheria (Bundi’s ritual spring hunt) in 1773. Through claimed to be an accident Mewar historical records consider that it was an assassination which removed an unpopular ruler.
According to an ancient prophecy made by a dying sati it was said that if the rulers of Bundi and Mewar should ever meet at the event one of the two would die. According to legend, over the centuries such a meeting took place four times and on each occasion one of the rulers was killed by the other. Mewar sources indicate that there was only one other occasion when a Mewar ruler died when in 1531 Maharana Ratan Singh II of Mewar, accompanied Prince Surajmal of Bundi on a hunt. The two men despised each other. During the hunt the Maharana attacked Prince Surajmal which ended with both dying within minutes of each other.
BRITISH ERA
In 1804 Rao Raja Bishan Singh (1773–1821) gave valuable assistance to Colonel Monson in his disastrous retreat before Holkar, in revenge for which the Maratha Empire and Pindaris continually ravaged his state and forced the kingdom to pay tribute up to 1817 This led to Bishan Singh signing a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company on 10 February 1818, which bought him under its protection. Bishan Singh was responsible for the creation of the pleasure palace of Sukh Niwas on the outskirts of Bundi.
Bishan Singh when dying of cholera entrusted James Tod with guardianship of his 11-year old son, Ram Singh. Maharao Raja Ram Singh (1821–89) grew up to be a much respected ruler who initiated economic and administrative reforms as well as establishing schools for the teaching of Sanskrit. On the throne for 68 years he was described as a grand specimen of the Rajput gentleman and "the most conservative prince in conservative Rajputana." His rule was popular and beneficial; and though during the mutiny of 1857 his attitude was equivocal, he continued to enjoy the confidence of the British, being created G.C.S.I. and a counsellor of the empire in 1877 and C.I.E. in 1878. He was succeeded by his adopted son Raghubir Singh (1889–1927), who was made a K.C.S.I. in 1897 and a G.C.I.E. in 1901. His reign was blighted by two disastrous famines which despite his best attempts to alleviated saw the population of his kingdom reduced from some 258,000 to 171,000 by 1901 due to death and immigration. Raghubir Singh supported the British during the World War I.[citation needed]
Maharao Bahadur Singh (1945–77) also supported the British and served in the Burma campaign where he earned the Military Cross for his gallantry before succeeding to the throne. He was a guest at the 1947 wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
ACCESSION TO INDIA
At the time of the partition of India in 1947, the British abandoned their suzerainty over the princely states, which were left to decide whether to remain independent or to accede to the newly independent Dominion of India or to Pakistan. The ruler of the state of Bundi decided to accede to India, which later became the Union of India. This brought the internal affairs of Bundi under the control of Delhi.
RULERS
The hereditary rulers of Bundi used the title ‘Rao’ before being granted the prefix ‘Raja’ by the Mughals. A Raja is a ruler of exalted rank but inferior to Maharana or Maharawal.
- Rao Deva (1343 to 1342).
- Rao Napuji.
- Rao Hamuli (1384 to 1400).
- Rao Birsingh (1400 to 1415).
- Rao Biru (1415 to 1470).
- Rao Bandu (1470 to 1491).
- Rao Narayan Das (1491 to 1527).
- Rao Suraj Mal (1527 to 1531).
- Rao Surtan Singh (1531 to 1544).
- Rao Raja Surjan Singh (1544 to 1585).
- Rao Raja Bhoj Singh (1585 to 1608).
- Rao Raja Ratan Singh (1608 to 1632).
- Rao Raja Chhattar Sal Singh (1632 to 1658).
- Rao Raja Bhao Singh (1658 to1682).
- Rao Raja Anirudh Singh (1682 to 1696).
- Rao Raja Budh Singh (b. ... - d. 1739) (1696 to 1735).
- Rao Raja Dalel Singh (b. 1729 - d. 1804) (1735 to 1749).
- Rao Raja Umaid Singh (1749 to 1770) and again (1773 to 1804).
- Rao Raja Ajit Singh (b. ... - d. 1773) (1770 to 1773).
- Rao Raja Bishen Singh (b. ... - d. 1821) (1804 to 14 May 1821).
- Maharao Raja Ram Singh Sahib Bahadur (b. 1811 - d. 1889) (1821 to 28 Mar 1889).
- Colonel HH Maharao Raja Shri Sir Raghubir Singh Sahib Bahadur (b. 1869 - d. 1927) (12 April 1889 to 28 Jul 1927).
- Major HH Maharao Raja Shri Sir Iishwari Singh Bahadur (b. 1893 - d. 1945) (8 Aug 1927 to 3 Apr 1945).
- Col. HH Maharao Raja Shri Bahadur Singh Bahadur (1945 to 1977).
- HH Maharao Raja Ranjit Singh (b. 1920 - d. 1977) (1977 to 07-01-2010).
COAT OF ARMS
Bundi’s coat of arms is a shield depicting Garuda, the mount of Vishnu, flanked by winged griffins. The shield is flanked by bulls representing dharma or righteousness; it is crowned by a warrior emerging from flames, signifying the creation-legend of the ruling Chauhan clan, which was supposedly created from fire.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
- The Taragarh Fort, or 'Star Fort' is the most impressive of the city's structures. It was constructed in AD 1354 upon the top of steep hillside overlooking the city. The largest of its battlements is the 16th century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a particularly large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or 'Thunder from the Womb'. The fort is a popular tourist viewpoint of the city below. The fort contains three tanks which never dry up. The technique with which they were built has been long since lost but the tanks survive as a testament to the advanced methods of construction and engineering in medieval India.
- The Bundi Palace is situated on the hillside adjacent to the Taragarh Fort and is notable for its lavish traditional murals and frescoes. The Chitrashala (picture gallery) of the palace is open to the general public.
- The largest of Bundi's baoris or stepwells is the intricately carved Raniji ki Baori. Some 46 m deep, it was built in 1699 by Rani Nathavatji. The steps built into the sides of the water-well made water accessible even when at a very low level. The baori is one of the largest examples of its kind in Rajasthan.
- The Nawal Sagar is a large square-shaped artificial lake in the centre of Bundi containing many small islets. A temple dedicated to Varuna, the vedic god of water, stands half-submerged in the middle of the lake. the lake feeds the numerous bavdis in the old city by creating an artificial water table.
- The Nagar Sagar twin step wells are identical step wells crafted in pristine masonry on either side of the main spine of Bundi town. The kunds (pools) are currently full of waste from the ancient vegetable market in the vicinity.
- The Dabhai Kund also known as the jail kund, is the largest of the kunds in Bundi. Though slightly overgrown, it is well worth a visit for the spectacular carvings on the numerous steps leading down to the water level.
THE STEPWELLS
There are over 50 stepwells in Bundi, of which only a handful have been maintained. They used to be the only source of water for the town until a piped water system was introduced. After that these stepwells were abandoned and the monuments fell into disrepair. Most of the former stepwells inside the town have become garbage dumps, and are slipping out of the public consciousness.
FESTIVALS
Festivals of Bundi
1. Kajali Teej
2. The Gangaur Festival
3. Bundi Festival - started by Rajmata Sahiba Daulat Kanwar Of Dugari & Shri Madhukarji Gupta which was inaugurated by Shreeji Arvin singhji Mewar & Kunwar Shivam Singh Dugari in !998.
WIKIPEDIA
before I spam you wit bunch of pics from Tico in white suit, I tease you with this. I was hoping that rain to stop so I could get some skateboard pics but it's still wet outside. :/ Maybe next week?
So, I got a shelf. (gasp!)
On this shelf, my dollies tend to sit. Usually they sit on perfectly neat line. Sometimes they end up doing... something. I tend to pile stuff there so it get crowded and then I get all creative. Usually it involves Minttu making silly stunts. But these 2 are definatelly my clowns! They look super dorky together, makin me smile when I pass them. My lil dolls love to pile up on top of poor Tic. Tico is too softy to disaprove.
Random fact. If I would want Tico to be in scale of my minis, he would acctually be about same size as Sakarias (= minifee sized). Means, that Unto should actually be taller than him. :D
Just before the eruption of Strokkur, erupting every 4-8 minutes and reaching on average 15-20 m (65 ft) into the air.
Last night as I was cooking dinner I found a place to pause because I saw the potential of this building. It had rained earlier in the day, after a rain a mist frequently forms in the valley to the west. Although this is an HDR averaging the 5 exposures it's pretty much what was in the viewfinder. It's the second night in a row I stopped dinner for sunset.
I think on average I drank at least 4 cups a tea a day in India. I really dont like milk in my tea and it was always such a shock to everyone. Even when you say black tea in India they still load it with sugar...I went back to her house a few days after this and the first thing she said to me was "black tea?"
God of Wings
Description: Urbanus is a genus of butterflies in the order Lepidoptera, subdivision Bombycina, superfamily Papilionoidea (still being called Hesperioidea by some entities), family Hesperiidae and subfamily Eudaminae. They possess a wingspan of approximately 38-48mm, averaging at, seemingly mostly, 46mm. The subject portrayed is SEEMINGLY a male, but there are no guarantees on this information as it is based on very tiny visual details and I might be mistaken.
Synonyms to this taxon include:
Goniurus procne (Plötz, 1880)
Teleus procne.
The larvae are polyphytophagous.
According to Cesar of Insetologia, the identification is suggested as U. procne because:
"All should occur in the Ceará state (www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v11n4/pt/fullpaper?bn019110420...), I can't discard anything from here;
U. simplicius' (www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/urbanus_simplicius_live1.htm) highlight seem to be due to the patterns on the second pair of wings;
In BugGuide (bugguide.net/node/view/1379402/bgimage), someone comments about a clearer mark beneath the club of U. teleus (www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/urbanus_teleus_live1.htm), differentiating them from U. procne (www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/urbanus_procne_live3.htm), which in your specimen seems absent;
I could also note the same trait of U. teleus in U. tanna (www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/urbanus_tanna_live.htm), not being, however, evident in all specimens;
In U. tanna, the fringe of the second pair of wings is more highlighted, more clear, which merges with the previous characteristic indicating this is a U. procne." - www.insetologia.com.br/2018/09/borboleta-urbanus-no-ceara...
They are located from Argentina, North through Central America and Mexico to Southern Texias. Strays can be rarely found up to Southern New Mexico, Southern Arizona and Southern California. They have a very wide distribution in Brazil, South America.
U. procne possess brown wings. The forewings possess two thin, longitudinal white stripes, the one distal from the body being shorter. Scent scales on the costal fold on the leading edge of the forewings are characteristic to the males. The brown spot close to the costa is separated from the inner stripe on the underside of the hindwings. Adults are tailed. Eggs are laid by the female on the host plants; when born, the larvae will feed on the leaves. When young, the larvae will live in a nest made of a folded leaf. Larvae are green with a reddish "neck" and a large dark head, varying in a darker coloring throughout instars and can reach around 35mm by the last instar. When older, the larvae are red-brown with a finely stippled white and broken white mid-dorsal line. The head is large with a constricted "neck" and narrow pronotum. They will hide during the day on the base of the plant and will feed during night. The pupa is made inside a loose cocoon, hidden and camouflaged in leaf litter. (books.google.com.br/books?id=qMwOAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA32&...)
The pupa is dark brown and can be found here:
www.thedauphins.net/brown_longtail_life_cycle_study.html
Eggs are rounded and whitish-yellow. The egg-adult process takes around 40 days.
In Southern Texas there are three broods throughout the year. Host plants include Cynodon dactylon ((L.) Pers., 1805) (Poaceae: Chloridoideae: Cynodonteae) ("Bermuda grass"), Sorghum halepense ((L.) Pers.) (Poaceae: Panicoideae: Andropogogoneae: Sorghinae) ("Johnsongrass") and most of the Gramineae family.
Their habitats include grassy openings in tropical and subtropical primary or secondary forests. The species is suffering decline in the lower Rio Grande Valley, requiring security, monitoring and conservation. Seemingly, they are not under threat due to their very wide distribution, but they are rare in some of those areas like and, especially, the periphery.
Further sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbanus_procne
Identified by Cesar of Insetologia, the link was posted along this post.
PROJECT NOAH (Português): www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1757255752
SERVICE: C - … Slightly below average
It was pleasant, but slow. What gets it downgraded was that no one could figure out how to serve me a glass or bottle of wine.
I was at al Macarone only because I was killing time while waiting for my lawyer to acknowledge the fax I sent at the place next door. I wasn’t in a good mood and a glass of wine would have been nice to take the edge off.
Bottles of wine were on top of one counter. There was a poster advertising the wine on the wall. It came as a complete shock to anyone that they even had wine. Then they couldn’t answer how much it was or figure out how to ring it up. Really?
So I settled for a cola, the sugar rush amplifying that afternoon's anxiety.
"The average human has a horse power output around 1/10 of a average horse."
-- See comments by stemag1 (scroll down)
"Horse packing--using horses (and sometimes mules) as a form of conveyance for supplies and goods--was once a cornerstone of human transportation. Filled with precisely drawn illustrations and written instructions on the many types of required hitches, cordage, ropes, splices, and knots, this practical guide expertly covers all aspects of a formerly commonplace skill. It includes fine explanations of general packing rules and background on pack organization; records of endurance; the diseases that can strike pack animals and how to avoid them; cargo slinging; and much more. For anyone interested in the storied history of pack transportation, or for those who still travel with pack animals and want to d
Your average tofu scramble with onion, garlic, a little curry, but instead of fried potatoes this time, I added spinach, yellow peppers, and English cucumber. Finished with a few squirts of Sriracha sauce. Tasty!
CMA CGM container vessel Columba in the Solent Heading for Southampton Docks
Vessel's Details
Ship Type: Container ship
Year Built: 2011
Length x Breadth: 363 m X 44 m
Gross Tonnage: 131332, DeadWeight: 128760 t
Speed recorded (Max / Average): 15.6 / 12.4 knots
Flag: United Kingdom [UK]
Call Sign: 2DBC9
IMO: 9410789, MMSI: 235077448
Darchen - Chiu Monastery - Manasarovar Lake - Tibetan Plateau - Tibet Autonomous Region - China
With jeep on the road.
Chiu Gompa Monastery or Ji'wu temple in Western Tibet:
It is located a short distance from the small town of Darchen at the base of Mt. Kailash. It is about a 900 km drive from Lhasa and usually takes about four days.
Western Tibet is remote, rugged, windy, and cold. It is much more rural than Central and Eastern Tibet. The people of this rugged area dress in long thick robes to protect themselves from the constant wind and cold. The woman all wear the distinctive fuchsia scarves around their heads.
intothemiddlekingdom.com/2012/09/16/chiu-gompa-monastery-...
We pass:
Lake Manasarovar is a freshwater lake in the Tibet 940 kilometres from Lhasa. To the west of it is Lake Rakshastal; to the north is Mount Kailash.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Manasarovar
The Tibetan Plateau, is a vast elevated plateau in Central Asia or East Asia, covering most of the Tibet Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province in western China, as well as part of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir state of India. It stretches approximately 1,000 kilometres north to south and 2,500 kilometres east to west. With an average elevation exceeding 4,500 metres , the Tibetan Plateau is sometimes called "the Roof of the World" and is the world's highest and largest plateau, with an area of 2,500,000 square kilometres (about five times the size of Metropolitan France). Sometimes termed the "Third Pole", the Tibetan Plateau is the headwaters of the drainage basins of most of the streams in surrounding regions. Its tens of thousands of glaciers and other geographical and ecological features serve as a "water tower" storing water and maintaining flow. The impact of global warming on the Tibetan Plateau is of intense scientific interest.
HDR from a series of time-averaged images used to simulate the effect of a long exposure in bright light.
(public domain, screen capture video from the V3 web camera on the southern rim of Kilauea Volcano's summit caldera)
------------------------------------------------
Mt. Kilauea is the world’s most active volcano. It sits atop the Hawaii Hotspot in the central Pacific Ocean and had a decades-long eruption from 1983 to 2018. Eruptive activity started up again in December 2020 and continued into 2025. Kilauea lavas are basaltic in composition, but the physical appearance of Kilauea’s output varies. Many of Kilauea’s eruptions occurred along its East Rift Zone, a fracture system extending ~eastward from the summit vent area. Seen here is lava erupting at the summit of Kilauea Volcano from 4:15 to 4:16 PM, local time, on 9 November 2025. This is the end of "episode 36", which started at 11:15 AM. "Episode 1" of the current eruption series started on 23 December 2024.
------------------------------------------------
Info. from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) & United States Geological Survey (USGS):
Episode 36 of the ongoing Halemaumau eruption ended abruptly at 4:16 PM Hawaii Standard Time on November 9 after just under 5 hours of continuous fountaining.
The north vent stopped erupting at approximately 3:38 PM Hawaii Standard Time. The south vent dropped from 1000 to 500 feet (300-150 meters) around 3:48 PM Hawaii Standard Time and held steady for a while. The south vent slowly declined and eventually stopped erupting at approximately 4:16 PM Hawaii Standard Time, marking the end of the episode. South vent fountains reached heights of about 1,200 feet (360 meters) and north vent fountains reached heights of about 750 feet (230 meters). The episode 36 fountains lasted for just over 5 hours and produced an estimated 10-11 million cubic yards (8-9 million cubic meters) of lava. The combined average eruption rate was over 650 cubic yards per second (500 cubic meters per second) from the dual fountains, which is the highest effusion rate recorded during this eruption. Lava flows from the fountains covered about 60-80% of the floor of Halemaumau crater.
Volcanic gas emissions have greatly decreased. Lava flows from this episode on the floor of Halemaumau within the southern part of Kaluapele (Kilauea caldera) may continue to exhibit slow movement or incandescence as they cool and solidify over the coming days.
The Uekahuna tiltmeter recorded just over 23 microradians of deflationary tilt during this episode, following the beginning of fountaining at 11:19 AM this morning. The end of the eruption was coincident with a flattening of summit tilt and a decrease in seismic tremor intensity. Past episodes have been followed by rapid inflationary tilt, and we expect that change to occur soon.
Most episodes of Halemaumau lava fountaining since the eruption started on December 23, 2024, have continued for around a day or less and have been separated by pauses in eruptive activity lasting generally at least several days.
--------------------------------
Locality: Halemaumau Crater, southwestern corner of Kilauea Crater (Kilauea Caldera), southeastern Hawaii, central Pacific Basin
--------------------------------
Info. at:
A diagram displaying average annual stream flow at different points of the Alazani river (Georgia / Azerbaijan) in 1966-1990.
CN M397 heads through Durand, MI slow with 612 axles. This is one of the few times that I have not seen M397 work Durand Yard.
The annual average temperature is 78 °F (26 °C). From October to April the temperature is between 78 °F (26 °C) and 82 °F (28 °C) during the day and between 57 °F (14 °C) and 62 °F (17 °C) at night. The rest of the year temperatures may go over 100 °F (38 °C) during the day and between 70°F (21 °C) and 85 °F (29 °C) at night. Los Cabos, Mexico / A temperatura média anual é de 26ºC). De out-abr a temperatura está entre 26°C e 28°C durante o dia, e entre 14° C e 17°C durante a noite. O resto das temperaturas ano pode passar por cima de 38°C durante o dia, e entre 21°C e 29°C durante a noite. Los Cabos, México.