Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting or removing water marks are liaIble to prosecution.

Some people find new years eve day important for traditional reasons party, celebration, resolution and new start, others cause its the start day of most spectacular annual rally on the planet. "Paris - Dakar"

Honestly I would love to join race not as a participant or even in the category of amateur cause 80% if I'm not wrong of participants are amateurs racers, but the best and most risky and dangerous option as a follower.

As a follower you are cut of the all safety which is "Dakar" organization making available radio-communication etc. As a follower you are completely depending on your own, so for something like that one need trustable group of at least three till four "four wheelers" determination and adventurers spirit.

What could be better than, scorpions in your shoes, ever fear if all be allright, hostile locals and travel though the spectacular scenery from south Europe through Sahara to the black Africa. If you think you are that one let me know and lets go!

This year route Dakar 2006 is 28th edition that will take place from the 31st of December to the 15th of January 2006 will this time take off from the capital of the Portugal Lisbon.

Once the Mediterranean Sea crossed, the rally caravan will head to Dakar going through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Guinea (that hasn’t been visited by the Dakar since 1986) and finally to the capital city of Senegal (Africa).

"Each year, the fascination and pull of the Dakar are stronger than ever, as is its capacity to inspire dreams and passion for adventure and the desert. The 2006 vintage is no exception to the rule. No less than 747 vehicles will be lining up in Lisbon for the 28th edition, among which 240 motorcycles, 187 cars and 80 trucks, topped up by 240 registrations in the Assistance category. After the 695 competitors in the 2005 edition, 2006 will be a new benchmark.

With 40 nations represented, the Dakar this year confirms once more its international stamp, even if the French still make up the largest contingent with 33% of registrations followed by the Spanish, Belgians, Dutch and Italians. Another trend is gaining ground. Each year, the Dakar is opening up a little more to women, and this time 23 will be lining up in Lisbon: 8 bikers and 15 in Car and Truck categories.

First-timers will also be thick on the ground - 38% on motorcycles and 8% in cars, a real freshers’ ball.

Once again this year, Amaury Sport Organisation had to deal with a spate of requests. The maximum enrolment quotas were reached as early as June, forcing the organisation to close registrations in order to ensure that the race took place in proper conditions, both from a sporting point of view and so as to preserve the friendly atmosphere of the bivouac.

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting is liaIble to prosecution.

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting or removing water marks are liable to prosecution.

Gurupurnima is the most important day in the year where we praise our Gurudev and thank Him from the bottom of our hearts for everything that He is giving to us.

Devotees from all around the world gathered to celebrate this special day at Bhakti Marga's Shree Peetha Nilaya Ashram in Germany.

The day started with Pada Puja followed by Guruji performing puja to His personal Deities as well as Mahavatar Babaji and Sri Ramanuja Acharya. During the day we celebrated with a Bhajan Mala: devotees gathered in groups by country to sing a total of 108 Bhajans devoted to Guruji. It was truly inspiring to see the countries coming together to practice and then perform for the rest of the world!

In the evening, Pada Abhishek to Guruji's feet was offered, where devotees could come and offer their love for Him.

Guruji ended the day giving prasad and blessings to everyone, and then more singing and dancing went on, as usual, into the early morning hours.

paramahamsavishwananda.com

bhaktimarga.org

Angelokastro (Αγγελόκαστρο, "Castle of Angels" or "Angelos' castle") is one of the most important fortified complexes on Corfu. It is situated at the rocky shores on the north-west coast of Corfu. The fortress was built on a natural promontory which gave an excellent defensive position, due to the sheer inclines to the north, west and south, and provided a view of almost entire south Adriatic.

The origin of its name is not completely clear, with some historians mentioning that in 1214 Michael I Komnenos Doukas, Despot of Epirus, sometimes called Michael Angelos, annexed Corfu to Epirus and following his death, Michael II Komnenos Doukas, often called Michael Angelos in narrative sources, further fortified the area and named it after himself and his father: Angelokastro. The Despots were related to the Komnenoi dynasty of Byzantine emperors.

It can be reasonably assumed that since Byzantium lost its dominion over southern Italy in 1071 AD, the Komnenoi must have paid a lot of attention to the castle since Corfu by default became the frontier to the west of the Byzantine Empire between the 11th and 12th centuries, serving to separate and defend Byzantium from its dangerous foes to the west. After the Crusaders took Constantinople in 1204, Corfu fell into the hands of a variety of invaders until 1267 when it was occupied by the Angevins of Naples. Shortly thereafter the Angevins took over Angelokastro. The takeover is documented in a rare manuscript of the time confirming the change of ownership of the castle. The manuscript is the oldest written reference to the castle.

In 1386, the castle came under the ownership of the Most Serene Republic of Venice. Throughout the period of the Venetian rule the castle enjoyed great prominence because it offered protection to the locals from foes such as the Genoan pirates to the west as well as the Turks to the east.

The Venetians, being the prominent maritime power of the era, used it to monitor the shipping lanes in the southern Adriatic and the Ionian sea. The Castellan of the castle was appointed by the city of Corfu and was a nobleman whose family name was included in the Venetian originated Libro d'oro (Golden Book), a list of the aristocratic families of Corfu.

In 1403, a Genoese pirate fleet made an attempt to occupy Angelokastro. The Genoan pirates burned and pillaged the surrounding area. Then they attempted to occupy the castle. After furious battles with the Corfiot garrison, they were ultimately repulsed.

In August of 1571, the Turks made another of many attempts at conquering Corfu. Having seized Parga and Mourtos from the Greek mainland side they attacked the Paxos island, killing, looting and burning. Subsequently they landed on Corfu's southeast shore and established a large beachhead all the way from the southern tip of the island at Lefkimi to Ipsos in Corfu's midsection of the eastern part of the island. These areas were thoroughly pillaged and burnt as in past encounters.

The Turks also attacked Angelokastro at that time trying to establish a beachhead at the northwestern part of the island, but the garrison at Angelokastro stood firm. These Turkish defeats both at the city castle in the east and Angelokastro in the west proved decisive and the Turks abandoned their attempt at conquering Corfu.

With the advent of modern warfare the castle's importance declined and gradually it fell into a state of disrepair. The passage of time did to the castle what no aspiring conqueror could.

i thought about doing a picture series of the stuff i carry in my bag everyday, but for now these are some of the things that are my essentials. I had to take meds for the total knee replacement, but I am pretty good to go now!

A mule on a steep slope

Malaga Raisin Production System in La Axarquía, Spain

The raisin production in Axarquía has gone through centuries and di erent civilisations until today, maintaining most of its characteristics. The cultivation of Muscatel grapes in the mountainous areas of Málaga is very important in the agricultural economy, as it is developed on steep slopes without any other agricultural alternative.

Maintaining this grape-growing system and its sun-drying transformation process is essential to maintain the landscape, as it prevents erosion and deserti cation processes and it is an example of how the people in this area relate with their territory and their cultural traditions.

Photo credit must be given Editorial use only. Copyright © Beatriz Moreno Escalona

The monument includes a late 16th century artillery fort, superseded by and partially incorporated into a mid 17th century bastioned artillery defence, called the Citadel, with associated outworks. The monument also includes a series of alterations and additions made to the Citadel during subsequent centuries, and a statue of George II erected in 1728. The monument is situated on the eastern part of Plymouth Hoe, a limestone cliff overlooking the strategically important entrance to the Cattewater in Plymouth Sound on the south west coast of Devon.

Historical sources provide the context for the construction of the late 16th century artillery fort between 1592-1598 in response to a perceived threat of attack by sea from the Spanish. Although the Armada had been defeated in 1588, fears that Spain would attempt to invade England again led to a strengthening of English defences. The construction of the fort at Plymouth was part of these works. Situated at the east end of the Hoe, it protected the entrance to the important sheltered anchorage of the Cattewater and the harbour in Sutton Pool. Contemporary plans show this fort consisted of two parts: a roughly triangular fort with two bastions pointing to the north and west to defend against landward attack from the Hoe, and the lower fort containing the main armament in ramparts of earth and stone, called bulwarks, along the shore. The stone walls of this fort were about 4m high, and 1.4m thick at the base, accompanied by an outer ditch 6m wide. Guns were mounted on timber staging on earth platforms. The main fort contained the captain's lodgings, barracks, a storehouse, stables, guardhouse, powderhouse and the medieval Chapel of St Katherine on the Hoe, an important landmark for shipping. Parts of this fort have been revealed by partial excavation.

The late 16th century artillery fort was partially incorporated into the mid 17th century Citadel. Although much of the walling around the main area of the earlier fort was demolished as the Citadel was constructed, the lower fort, at the south eastern end of the main 16th century fort was retained. Within the Citadel, the south curtain wall from and including the Cumberland Battery to Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion follows the line of the dividing wall between the 16th century main fort and its lower fort. The Citadel's curtain wall between Prince Edward's Bastion and Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion may also preserve the line of the earlier main fort's east wall. The base of the point of Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion and the sides of Piper's Platform contain some original 16th century stonework and the wall running south east from Piper's Platform towards Fisher's Nose continues the line of the 16th century lower fort wall. Beyond this monument, further walling of the 16th century lower fort is likely to survive along the coastal margin by the blockhouse at Fisher's Nose.

The mid 17th century Citadel was constructed between 1665-1675 in response to another perceived threat of war, this time with the Dutch, rivals for overseas trade with the colonies. Charles II wished to secure Plymouth as a naval base, whose town and hinterland was large enough to victual a large number of ships, and which had a large sheltered anchorage. The Citadel was situated at the east of the Hoe on the site of the late 16th century fortress, retaining the earlier lower fort at its south east end. Designed by Sir Bernard de Gomme, the King's Engineer General, the original plan had been for a regular five bastioned fort to the west of the Elizabethan fort, but was adapted to incorporate as much as possible of the earlier fort and to maintain defence of the Cattewater while it was being built. The resulting Citadel was constructed as a six bastioned walled fortification. The wall was backed by an earth rampart. Beyond the wall was a broad flat-bottomed ditch except on the south east side where it was adjoined by the lower fort. The surface against the outer side of the ditch was levelled to create a covered way, protected by a raised outer lip from which a long outer slope, called a glacis, descended to the surrounding ground surface. Within the ditch, a triangular outwork, called a ravelin, protected the main entrance to the north; the covered way outside the ditch was enlarged on the east and west to create two assembly points for troops, called place d'armes. Beyond this monument, a small rock cut harbour was constructed to the south of the lower fort to supply ships under cover of the Citadel.

By the end of 1667 most of the defensive works had been completed, as had the impressive main gateway, though the interior still required the completion of the ramparts and construction of the buildings needed to house the garrison. Work finished on the Citadel in 1675.

The walls of the Citadel enclose an area approximately 280m east-west by 270m north-south, and survive as an almost complete circuit meeting either side of the northern main entrance. The walls are constructed of limestone quarried from the ditch supplemented by limestone from the two nearby quarries of Lambhay and Tinside. Dartmoor granite was used for the quoins on the corners of the bastions, for the sides of the gun ports, called embrasures, and for the cordon, a rounded horizontal moulding running around the exterior face of the Citadel just below the embrasures. There were also granite corbels or moulded supports for sentry boxes close to the top of the bastions, one of which survives on the north east point of Prince of Wales' Bastion. Originally there were stone sentry boxes on the top of the walls at various points around the Citadel. The only portion of wall which has not survived to its original height is along Prince of Wales' Curtain where it was lowered in the 1890s. The walls are capped with turf, except between Bath's Bastion and Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion where it is capped with asphalt above the later casemates.

The walls form six bastions and one demi-bastion linked by sections of curtain wall; of these only Prince George's Bastion to the north west and King Charles' Bastion to the south west are of regular design. Prince of Wales' Bastion to the north east is truncated because of the steep slope of the ground to the east. Bath's Bastion is extended to link with the line of the earlier fort. The curtain wall from Prince Edward's Bastion towards Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion also links with or possibly follows the line of the earlier fort. The other bastion and the demi-bastion follow the line of the earlier fort. There are several large water tanks, now disused, within Prince George's and King Charles' Curtain walls. Originally there were probably five entrance ways, called sallyports, through the walls. The sallyports have granite doorways or lintels, decorated in each corner above their arched entrance. One sallyport is in the west wall facing the Hoe with a plain arched entrance; another to the south west has a later doorway; one faces south into the lower fort, now facing the Queen's Battery, and another faces south east to Piper's Platform. There was probably a sallyport facing north east before the Prince of Wales' Curtain was taken down. The Queens Battery is a tenaille, a low wall enclosing the area between Cumberland Battery and Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion in front of the curtain wall, it was constructed to provide extra cover for the curtain wall above the lower fort and also gave access to the lower fort.

The ramparts were constructed of earth and stone immediately behind the inner face of the walls and provided platforms for the guns for the defence of the Citadel. The ramparts survive as steep turfed banks and are approximately 8m to 12m thick and 4m to 5m high. Gently sloping inclines or paths up the ramparts' inner faces provided access for the guns and gun carriages; these are now tarmacked but were originally cobbled, as survives in a small area on one incline. Four inclines survive in all: to the west of the main entrance, to King Charles' Bastion, to Bath's Bastion and to Prince Edward's Bastion. Originally there was an incline east of the main entrance and two more between King Charles' Bastion and Prince George's Bastion. The north side of the incline to Prince Edward's Bastion forms three wide shallow steps.

On the ramparts, the gun ports, called embrasures, are backed by granite paved gun platforms, a rectangular area paved with large granite blocks, on which a gun on its carriage would stand. There were embrasures around King Charles' Bastion to the south west, Prince George's Bastion to the north west, Prince Edward's Bastion to the south east and Prince of Wales' Bastion to the north east, and along the west curtain. On the wall facing the ramparts between Cumberland Battery and Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion is a rectangular stone plaque which was probably a name plate for the battery or curtain wall. On King Charles' Bastion four traversing guns were positioned, their metal racers surviving. Similar racers for another traversing gun survive on Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion. Both Bath's Bastion and Queen's Battery have grooves in the granite where the racers for a traversing gun have been. The full length of Cumberland Battery is paved with granite forming interlocking wedge shapes, reflecting its use also as a saluting battery. The positions of former merlons (the solid part of a parapet, between two embrasures) can be seen where the parapet has been made good upon their removal. The brick sills of the former embrasures remain, well weathered, each opposite the earlier phase of wedge shaped granite platforms. Remains of paved gun platforms also survive on the Queen's Battery.

There are four surviving magazine stores on the inner edge of the ramparts, a short length of high wall against which ammunition may have been stored. However the lengths of these walls and the fixing positions for lean to roofs and racking suggest that these may have been side-arms sheds, or stores for ramrods, sponges, traversing staves and ropes. The one along Prince Edward's Bastion is wider than the other three, which are between Prince George's Bastion and King Charles' Bastion. The only section of the ramparts which has been removed, during the 1890s, is along Prince of Wales' Bastion and Curtain wall. The ramparts between Bath's Bastion and Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion were not completed in 1665-1670, when only some masonry arches and piers were built.

The main entrance to the Citadel is in the north wall. It was designed by Sir Thomas Fitch or Fitz, an associate of Sir Christopher Wren. Flanking the arch are paired Ionic pilasters with carved motifs between them. The keystone is adorned with the coat of arms of John Grenville, Earl of Bath. Above the arch is a large niche which probably displayed a statue of Charles II until the early 19th century, when it appears to have fallen and never been replaced; the niche now contains a small pile of four cast-iron spherical mortar bombs. Above the niche is the date 1670 and to either side, a Corinthian column and carved motifs of trophies of arms. The pediment bears the royal coat of arms in relief. Between the large niche and the royal arms is a rectangular stone tablet inscribed `Carolus secundus dei gratia magnae brittaniae franciae et hiberniae'. Originally a guardroom occupied the floor over the arch, later taken down, leaving the decoration above the arch fronting a facade. The interior face of the entrance displays the royal coat of arms above the archway.

EH Listing

The Pageant Gardens inside Warwick Castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument in recognition of its status as a "nationally important" archaeological site or historic building, and is a Grade I listed building. It is built on a sandstone bluff on a bend of the River Avon in Warwick Warwickshire. The river, which runs below the castle on the east side, has eroded the rock the castle stands on, forming a cliff and natural defences.

An Anglo-Saxon burh was established on the site in 914; with fortifications instigated by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great. The burh she established was one of ten which defended Mercia against the marauding Danes. Its position allowed it to dominate the Fosse Way, as well as the river valley and the crossing over the River Avon. Though the motte to the south-west of the present castle is now called "Ethelfleda's Mound", it is in fact part of the later Norman fortifications, and not of Anglo-Saxon origin.

Following the Norman Conquest William the Conqueror built a castle on the site of the burgh. The castle's position made it strategically important in safeguarding the Midlands against rebellion as William advanced with his army northwards. William appointed Henry de Beaumont, the son of a powerful Norman family, as constable of the castle and in 1088, Henry de Beaumont was made the first Earl of Warwick.

During the 12th century, King Henry I was suspicious of Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick. To counter the earl's influence, Henry bestowed Geoffrey de Clinton with a position of power rivalling that of the earl.

The original wooden motte-and-bailey castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. During the Hundred Years War, the facade opposite the town was refortified, resulting in one of the most recognisable examples of 14th century military architecture. It was used as a stronghold until the early 17th century, when it was granted to Sir Fulke Greville by James I in 1604. Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. It was owned by the Greville family, who became earls of Warwick in 1759, until 1978 when it was bought by the Tussauds Group.

In May 2007 Tussauds was purchased by Merlin Entertainments who continue to operate the castle on a lease, having sold the freehold to Nick Leslau's Prestbury Group in July 2007.

An important part of the Indian culture, significance and importance are many... traditionally prepared by mixing powdered and burnt betel nut with turmeric.. unique to India and India only.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindoor

Red and yellow colured vermilion / sindoor are placed outside a temple. The ring finger is always used to touch the sindoor and apply on forehead.

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting or removing water marks are liable to prosecution.

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting is liaIble to prosecution.

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting is liaIble to prosecution.

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting is liable to prosecution.

Gurupurnima is the most important day in the year where we praise our Gurudev and thank Him from the bottom of our hearts for everything that He is giving to us.

Devotees from all around the world gathered to celebrate this special day at Bhakti Marga's Shree Peetha Nilaya Ashram in Germany.

The day started with Pada Puja followed by Guruji performing puja to His personal Deities as well as Mahavatar Babaji and Sri Ramanuja Acharya. During the day we celebrated with a Bhajan Mala: devotees gathered in groups by country to sing a total of 108 Bhajans devoted to Guruji. It was truly inspiring to see the countries coming together to practice and then perform for the rest of the world!

In the evening, Pada Abhishek to Guruji's feet was offered, where devotees could come and offer their love for Him.

Guruji ended the day giving prasad and blessings to everyone, and then more singing and dancing went on, as usual, into the early morning hours.

paramahamsavishwananda.com

bhaktimarga.org

On the pavement of the Raekoja plats (Town Hall square) in Tallinn there is a stone disk with compass bearings and the text "Raekoja platsil asus vana Tallinna nullpunkt". The text translates as "Zero point of old Tallinn was located on the Town Hall Square". That is the place determining house numbering direction in all streets of Tallinn.

Town Hall Square is also the starting point of the oldest streets in Tallinn: Apteegi, Dunkri, Kinga, Kullassepa, Saiakang, Vanaturu kael, Voorimehe, Raekoja.

Tallinn, Estonia, 2018

Pride and Prejudice: on Raphael Perez's Artwork

Raphael Perez, born in 1965, studied art at the College of Visual Arts in Beer Sheva, and from 1995 has been living and working in his studio in Tel Aviv. Today Perez plays an important role in actively promoting the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) art and culture in Tel Aviv, and the internet portal he set up helps artists from the community reach large audiences in Israel and abroad. Hundreds of his artworks are part of private collections in Israel and abroad, and his artworks were shown in several group exhibitions: in Tel Aviv Museum of Art, "Zman Le'Omanut" art gallery, Camera Obscura, The Open House in Jerusalem, Ophir Gallery, The Haifa Forum and other private businesses and galleries.

In 2003-4 his paintings and studio appeared in a full-length movie, three student films and two graduation films.

Raphael Perez is the first Israeli artist to express his lifestyle as a Gay. His life and the life of the LGBT community are connected and unfold over hundreds of artwork pieces. His art creation is rare and extraordinary by every Israeli and international artistic standard. His sources of inspiration are first and foremost life events intertwined in Jewish and Israeli locality as well as influences and quotes from art history (David Hockney, Matisse). This uniqueness has crossed international borders and has succeeded in moving the LGBT and art communities around the world.

This is the first time we meet an Israeli artist who expresses all of his emotions in a previously unknown strength. The subjects of the paintings are the everyday life of couples in everyday places and situations, along with the aspiration to a homosexual relationship and family, equality and public recognition. Perez's works bring forward to the cultural space and to the public discourse the truth about living as LGBT and about relationships, with all of their aspects – casual relationships and sex, the yearning for love, the everyday life and the mundane activities that exist in every romantic relationship – whether by describing two men in an intimate scene in the bathroom, the bedroom or the toilet, a male couple raising a baby or the homosexual version of the Garden of Eden, family dinners, relationship ups and downs, the complexity in sharing a life as well as mundane, everyday life competing with the aspiration to self realization – through Perez's life.

Perez's first artworks are personal diaries, which he creates at 14 years of age. He makes sure to hide these diaries, as in them he keeps a personal journal describing his life events in the most genuine way. In these journals he draws thousands of drawings and sketches, next to which he alternately writes and erases his so-called "problematic texts", texts describing his struggle with his sexual orientation. His diaries are filled with obsessive cataloging of details, daily actions, friends and work, as well as repeating themes, such as thoughts, exhibits he has seen, movies, television, books and review of his work.

When he is done writing, Perez draws on his diaries. Each layer is done from beginning to end all along the journal. In fact, the work on the diaries never ends.

This struggle never ends, and when the emotion is passed on to paper, and it ends its role and becomes meaningless in a way, the visual-graphic side becomes dominant, due to the need to hide the written text, according to Perez. In books and diaries this stands out even more – when he chooses to draw in a style influenced by children's drawings, the characters are cheerful, happy, naïve and do not portray any sexuality, and when he tries drawing as an adult the sketches became more depressed and somber. During these years Perez works with preschool children, teaching them drawing and movement games. Perez says that during this period he completely abandoned the search for a relationship, either with a woman or a man, and working with children has given him existential meaning. This creation continues over 10 years, and Perez creates about 60 books-personal journals in various sizes (notepads, old notebooks, atlases and even old art books).

In his early paintings (1998-1999) the transition from relationships with women to relationships with men can be seen, from restraint to emotional outburst in color, lines and composition. Some characters display strong emotional expression. The women are usually drawn in restraint and passiveness, while a happy and loving emotional outburst is expressed in the colors and style of the male paintings.

"I fantasized that in a relationship with a woman I could fly in the sky, love, fly. However, I felt I was hiding something; I was choked up, hidden behind a mask, as if there was an internal scream wanting to come out. I was frustrated, I felt threatened…"

His first romance with a man in 1999 has drawn out a series of naïve paintings dealing with love and the excitement of performing everyday actions together in the intimate domestic environment.

"The excitement from each everyday experience of doing things together and the togetherness was great, so I painted every possible thing I liked doing with him."

From the moment the self-oppression and repression stopped, Perez started the process of healing, which was expressed in a burst of artworks, enormous in their size, amount, content and vivid colors – red, pink and white.

In 2000 Perez starts painting the huge artworks describing the hangouts of the LGBT community (The Lake, The Pool) and the Tel Avivian balcony paintings describing the masculine world, which, according to him, becomes existent thanks to the painting. Perez has dedicated this year to many series of drawings and paintings of the experience of love, in which he describes his first love for his new partner, and during these months he paints from morning to night. These paintings are the fruit of a long dialogue with David Hockney, and the similarity can be seen both in subjects and in different gestures.

In 2001 Perez creates a series of artworks, "Portraits from The Community". Perez describes in large, photorealistic paintings over 20 portraits of active and well-known members of the LGBT community. The emphasis is on the achievements that reflect the community's strong standing in Tel Aviv.

As a Tel-Avivian painter, in the past two years Perez has been painting urban landscapes of central locations in his city. Perez wanders around the city and chooses familiar architectural and geographical landmarks, commerce and recreation, and historical sites, and paints them from a homosexual point of view, decorated with the rainbow flag, which provide a sense of belonging to the place. His artworks are characterized by a cheerful joie de vivre and colors, and they also describe encounters and meetings. The touristic nature of his paintings makes them a declaration of Tel Aviv's image as a place where cultural freedom prevails.

Perez's Tel Aviv is a city where young families and couples live and fill the streets, the parks, the beach, the houses and the balconies – all the city's spaces. The characters in his paintings are similar, which helps reinforcing the belonging to the LGBT community in Tel Aviv. The collective theme in Perez's artwork interacts with the work of the Israeli artist Yohanan Simon, who dealt with the social aspects of the Kibbutz. Simon, who lived and worked in a Kibbutz, expressed the human model of the Kibbutznik (member of a Kibbutz) and the uniqueness of the Kibbutz members as part of a group where all are equal. Simon's works, and now Perez's, have contributed to the Israeli society what is has been looking for endlessly, which is a sense of identity and belonging.

Perez maps his territory and marks his boundaries, and does not forget the historical sites. Unlike other Tel Avivian artists, Perez wishes to present the lives of the residents of the city and the great love in their hearts. By choosing the historical sites in Tel Aviv, he also pays tribute to the artist Nachum Gutman, who loved the city and lived in it his whole life. In his childhood Gutman experienced historical moments (lighting the first oil lamp, first concert, first pavement), and as an adult he recreated the uniqueness of those events while keeping the city's magic.

Like Gutman, Perez has also turned the city into an object of love, and it has started adorning itself in rich colors and supplying the energy of a city that wishes to be "the city that never sleeps", combining old and new. Perez meticulously describes the uniqueness and style of the Bauhaus houses and balconies along the modern glass and steel buildings, all from unusual angles in a rectangular format that wishes to imitate the panorama of a diverse city in its centennial celebrations.

Daniel Cahana-Levensohn, curator.

Interview with the painter Raphael Perez about his family artist book

An interview with the painter Raphael Perez about an artist's book he created about his family, the Peretz family from 6 Nissan St. Kiryat Yuval Jerusalem

Question: Raphael Perez, tell me about the family artist book you created

Answer: I created close to 40 artist books, notebooks, diaries, sketch books and huge books. I dedicated one of the books to my dear family, a book in which I took a childhood photograph of my family, my parents and brothers and sisters.. I pasted the photographs inside a book (the photograph is 10 percent of the total painting) and I drew with acrylic paints, markers and ink on the book and the photograph, so that the image of the photograph was an inspiration to me Build the story that includes page by page..

Question: Tell me when you were born, where, and a little about your family

Answer: I was born on March 4, 1965 in the Kiryat Yuval neighborhood in Jerusalem

I have a twin brother named Miki Peretz and we are seven brothers and sisters, five boys and two girls

Question: Tell us a little about your parents

Answer: My parents were new immigrants from Morocco, both immigrated young.

My mother's name before the wedding was Alice - Aliza ben Yair and my father's name was Shimon Peretz,

My mother was born in the Atlas Mountains and was orphaned at a young age and was later adopted by my father's family at the age of 10, so that my mother and father spent childhood and adolescence together....

They had a beautiful and happy relationship but sometimes when they argued my mother would say "even when she was a child she was like that..." This means that their acquaintance and relationship dates back to childhood..

Question: What did your parents Shimon and Aliza Peretz work for?

Answer: My father, Shimon Perez, born in 1928 - worked in a building in his youth and then for thirty years worked as a receptionist at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem... My father's great love was actually art, he loved to draw as a hobby, write, read, solve crossword puzzles and research Regarding the issue of medicinal plants, as a breadwinner he could not fulfill his dream of becoming an artist, in order to support and feed seven children. But we are the next generation, his children are engaged in the world of creativity and education, a field in which both of my parents were engaged during their lives. My father died at the age of 69

My mother, Alice Aliza Perez, born in 1934, worked as an assistant to a kindergarten teacher, and later took care of a baby at home. She is a woman of wholehearted giving and caring for children and people, a warm, generous and humble woman.. and took care of us in our childhood for every emotional and physical deficiency.. My mother is right For the year 2023, the 89-year-old is partly happy and happy despite the difficulties of age.. May you have a long life..

My mother really loved gardening and nature and both of them together created a magnificent garden, my parents have a relatively large garden so they could grow many types of special and rare medicinal plants and my father even wrote a catalog (unpublished) of medicinal plants and we even had botany students come to us who were interested in the field... today they They also grow ornamental plants, and fruit trees...

Question: A book about the brothers and sisters

Answer: My elder brother David Perez repented in his mid-twenties.. He was a very sharp, opinionated, curious and very charismatic guy who brought many people back to repentance, and also helped people with problems through the yeshiva and the synagogue to return to the normal path of life, he died young at the age of 56

Hana Peretz: My lovely sister, raised eight children, worked in the field of education, a kindergarten teacher, and child care.

She has a very large extended family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren...

My brother Avi (Abraham) Peretz studied in Israel at the University of Philosophy and Judaism, he married a wonderful woman named Mira Drumi, a nurse by profession, and together they had three wonderful children, when they moved to the United States in their mid-twenties, where my brother Avi Peretz completed his master's degree in education, worked in the field Education and for the last twenty years is A conservative rabbi

The fourth brother is Asher Peretz - a great man of the world, very fond of traveling and has been to magical places all over the world, engaged in the creation of jewelry with two children.

I am Rafi Peretz english raphael perez the fifth and after fifteen minutes my twin brother was born

My mother still gets confused and can't remember who was born first :-)

My twin brother Miki micky - Michael Peretz, a beloved brother (everyone is beloved), a talented industrial designer, he has three children, his wife Revital Peretz Ben, who is a well-known art curator, active and responsible for the art field in Tel Aviv, they are a dynamic and talented couple, full of talents and action

The lovely little sister Shlomit Peretz - has been involved in the Bezeq telephone company for almost three decades, and is there in management positions, raising her lovely and beloved child.

The art book I dedicated to my family is colorful, rich in details, shows a very intense childhood, happy, cheerful, colorful, ... We were taught to be diligent and to be happy in our part and to see the glass half full in life, to have emotional intelligence and to put the relationship and love at the center with self-fulfillment in work that will interest you us and you will give us satisfaction.

Each of us is different in our life decisions and my family is actually a mosaic of the State of Israel that includes both religious and secular people from the entire political spectrum who understand that the secret to unity is mutual respect for each other... when my mother these days is also the family glue in everyone's gatherings on Shabbat and holidays..

The personification of the flower couple paintings by the Israeli painter Raphael Perez

Raphael Perez, also known as Rafi Peretz, is an Israeli painter who

explores his personal and sexual identity through his flower paintings. He created a series of flower paintings from 1995 to 1998, when he was in his early thirties and still in relationships with women, despite feeling gay. His flower paintings reflect his emotional turmoil and his struggle with his sexual orientation. He painted two flowers, one blooming and one wilting, to represent the contrast and conflict between his heterosexual relationships and his true self. He also painted single flowers or two flowers in their prime, to express his longing for a harmonious relationship that matches his nature. He chose sunflowers, white lilies, and red lilies as symbols of expression, purity, and joy, respectively. He painted from real flowers, using different styles and light to create drama and mood. Perez’s paintings of the flower couples are minimalist and focused on the theme of the complex relationship. He omitted any background or context, leaving only the canvas and the drawing of the flower couples. In some of the paintings, he added a very airy abstract surface with thin oil paints that give an atmosphere of watercolors. He also made drawings of flowers in ink, markers and gouache on paper. Later on, he created large acrylic paintings of flowers and still life. Perez’s flower paintings are not mere illustrations or decorations. They are autobiographical and psychological expressions of his inner state and his struggle with his sexuality. He wanted to reveal his loneliness, distress and concealment through these paintings, and to connect with people who are in a similar situation. He deliberately chose only two flowers and no more to intensify the engagement in the charged and complex relationship. Perez also painted and drew couples of men and women with charged psychological states, as well as states of desire for connection and realization of a heterosexual relationship that did not succeed. He used hyperrealism and expressive styles to convey his frozen and calculated state, as well as his mental stress. He used harsh lighting to create contrast and drama, with one side very bright and the other side darker. Perez was influenced by some of the famous artists who painted flowers, such as Van Gogh, who also used sunflowers as a symbol of expression. He also used white lilies and red lilies to convey freshness, cleanliness, purity, color, joy, movement, eruption, and splendor. Perez also painted some single flowers or two flowers in their prime, to show his aspiration for a future where he will have a harmonious relationship. Today, he is 58 years old and in a happy relationship for 10 years with his partner Assaf Henigsberg. He is surrounded by female friends and soulmates and not conflicted with heterosexual relationships as he used to be. He occasionally paints flowers in pots to symbolize home, stability, and peace. Sometimes I paint flowers in pots, which represent home, stability, and solid ground for me. I don’t paint just a couple of flowers, but pots full of flowers that overflow with life. This means that we also have a supportive network of family, friends, and peers around us. We live in a rich, supportive, and protective world. These paintings are a personification of my psychological state, when I had no words to express my feelings to myself. The painting began In 35 years of my creation (starting in 1998), you can read more about how my art and style evolved over time. Perez’s flower paintings are a unique and extraordinary artistic creation that reveals his personal journey and his sexual identity. His work is honest, expressive, and emotional, as well as beautiful and vibrant.

The characteristics of the naive painting of the painter Raphael Perez

A full interview with the Israeli painter Raphael Perez (Hebrew name: Rafi Peretz) about the ideas behind the naive painting, resume, personal biography and curriculum vitae Question: Raphael Perez Tell us about your work process as a naive painter? Answer: I choose the most iconic and famous buildings in every city and town that are architecturally interesting and have a special shape and place the iconic buildings on boulevards full of trees, bushes, vegetation, flowers. Question: How do you give depth in your naive paintings? Answer: To give depth to the painting, I build the painting with layers of vegetation, after those low famous buildings, followed by a tall avenue of trees, and behind them towers and skyscrapers, in the sky I sometimes put innocent signs of balloons, kites. A recurring motif in some of my paintings is the figure of the painter who is in the center of the boulevard and paints the entire scene unfolding in front of him, also there are two kindergarten teachers who are walking with the kindergarten children with the state flags that I paint, and loving couples hugging and kissing and family paintings of mother, father and child walking in harmony on the boulevard. Question: Raphael Perez, what characterizes your naive painting? Answer: Most naive paintings have the same characteristics (Definition as it appears in Wikipedia) • Tells a simple story to absorb from everyday life, usually with humans. • The representation of the painter's idealization to reality - the mapping of reality. • Failure to maintain perspective - especially details even in distant details. • Extensive use of repeating patterns - many details. • Warm and bright colors. • Sometimes the emphasis is on outlines. • Most of the characters are flat, lack volume • No interest in texture, expression, correct proportions • No interest in anatomy. • There is not much use of light and shade, the colors create a three-dimensional effect. I find these definitions to be valid for all my naive paintings Question: Raphael Perez, why do you choose the city of Tel Aviv? Answer: I was born in Jerusalem, the capital city which I love very much and also paint, I love the special Bauhaus buildings in Tel Aviv, the ornamental buildings that were built a century ago in the 1920s and 1930s, the beautiful boulevards, towers and modern skyscrapers give you the feeling of the hustle and bustle of a large metropolis and there are quite a few low and tall buildings that are architecturally fascinating in their form the special one Also, the move to Tel Aviv, which is the capital of culture, freedom, and secularism, allowed me to live my life as I chose, to live in a relationship with a man, Jerusalem, which is a traditional city, it is more complicated to live a homosexual life, also, the art world takes place mainly in the city of Tel Aviv, and it is possible that from a professional point of view, this allows I can support myself better in Tel Aviv than in any other city in Israel. Question: Raphael Perez, are the paintings of the city of Tel Aviv different from the paintings of the city of Jerusalem? Answer: Most of the paintings of Jerusalem have an emphasis on the color yellow, gold, the color of the old city walls, the subjects I painted in Jerusalem are mainly a type of idealization of a peaceful life between Jews and Arabs and paintings that deal with the Jewish religious world, a number of paintings depict all shades of the currents of Judaism today In contrast, the Tel Aviv paintings are more colorful, with skyscrapers, the sea, balloons and more secular motifs Question: Raphael Perez, tell me about which buildings and their architects you usually choose in your drawings of cities Answer: My favorite buildings are those that have a special shape that anyone can recognize and are the symbols of the city and you will give several examples: In the city of Tel Aviv, my favorite buildings are: the opera building with its unusual geometric shape, the Yisrotel tower with its special head, the Hail Bo Shalom tower that for years was the symbol of the tallest building in Tel Aviv, the Levin house that looks like a Japanese pagoda, the burgundy-colored Nordeau hotel with the special dome at the end of the building, A pair of Alon towers with the special structure of the sea, Bauhaus buildings typical of Tel Aviv with the special balconies and the special staircase, the Yaakov Agam fountain in Dizengoff square appears in a large part of the paintings, many towers that are in the stock exchange complex, the Aviv towers and other tall buildings on Ayalon, in some of the paintings I took plans An outline of future buildings that need to be built in the city and I drew them even before they were built in reality, In the paintings of Jerusalem, I mainly chose the area of the Old City and East Jerusalem, a painting of the walls of the Old City, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the El Akchea Mosque, the Tower of David, most of the famous churches in the city, the right hand of Moses, in most of the paintings the Jew is wearing a blue shirt with a red male cord I was in the youth movement and the Arab with a galabia, and in the paintings of the religious public then, Jews with black suits and white shirts, tallitas, kippahs, special hats, synagogues and more I also created three paintings of the city of Haifa and one painting of Safed In the Haifa paintings I drew the university, the Technion, the famous Egged Tower, the Sail Tower, well-known hotels, of course the Baha'i Gardens and the Baha'i Temple, Haifa Port and the boats and other famous buildings in the city Question: Raphael Perez, have you created series of other cities from around the world? Answer: I created series of New York City with all the iconic and famous buildings such as: the Guggenheim Museum, the famous skyscrapers - the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, Lincoln Center, the famous synagogue in the city, the Statue of Liberty, the flags of the United States and other famous buildings Two paintings of London and all its famous sites, Big Ben, famous monuments, the Ferris wheel, Queen Elizabeth and her family, the double bus, the famous public telephone, palaces, famous churches, well-known monuments I created 4 naive paintings of cities in China, a painting of Shanghai, two paintings of the city of Suzhou and a painting of the World Park in the city of Beijing... I chose the famous skyline of Shanghai with all the famous towers, the famous promenade, temples and old buildings, two Paintings of the city of Suzhou with the famous canals, bridges, special gardens, towers and skyscrapers of the city Question: Raphael Perez What is the general idea that accompanies your paintings Answer: To create a good, beautiful, naive, innocent world in which we will see the innovation of the modern city through the skyscrapers in front of small and low buildings that bring the history and past of each country, all with an abundance of vegetation, boulevards, trees Resume, biography, CV of the painter Rafi Peretz and his family Question: When was Raphael Perez born in hebrew his name rafi peretz? Answer: Raphael Perez in Hebrew his name Rafi Peretz was born on March 4, 1965 Question: Where was Raphael Perez born? Answer: Raphael Perez was born in Jerusalem, Israel Question: What is the full name of Raphael Perez? Answer: His full name is Raphael Perez Question: Which art institution did Raphael Perez graduate from? Answer: Raphael Perez graduated from the Visual Arts Center in Be'er Sheva Question: When did Raphael Perez start painting? Answer: Raphael Perez started painting in 1989 Question: When did you start making a living selling art? Answer: Raphael Perez started making a living selling art in 1999 Question: Where does Raphael Perez live and work? Answer: Since 1995, Raphael Perez has been living and working from his studio in Tel Aviv Question: In which military framework did Raphael Perez serve in the IDF? Answer: Raphael Perez served in the artillery corps Question: Raphael Perez, what jobs did he work after his military service? Answer: Raphael Perez worked for 15 years in education in therapeutic settings for children and taught arts and movement Question: How many brothers and sisters does Raphael Perez, the Israeli painter, have? Answer: There are seven children in total, with the painter 5 sons and two daughters, that means the painter Raphael Perez has 4 more brothers and two sisters Question: What do the brothers and sisters of the painter Raphael Perez do? Answer: The elder brother David Peretz Perez was involved in the field of religious studies, the sister Hana Peretz Perez is involved in the field of education, a kindergarten teacher and child care, the brother Avi Peretz Perez who is in the United States today is a conservative rabbi but in the past was involved in education and therapy, the brother Asher Peretz Perez is involved in the fields of creativity and jewelry The twin brother Mickey Peretz Perez is a well-known industrial designer and seller. The younger sister Shlomit Peretz Perez works in a managerial position at Bezeq. Question: Tell me about the parents of the painter Raphael PerezAnswer: The painter Raphael Perez's parents are Shimon Perez Peretz and Eliza Alice Ben Yair, they were married in 1950 in Jerusalem, both were born in Morocco and immigrated to Israel in 1949, Shimon Peretz worked in a building in his youth and later as a receptionist at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, Eliza Alice Peretz dealt in child care Kindergarten, working in kindergartens and of course taking care of and raising her seven children

@sandymillin

Important dog business, you say?

Sony 55/1.8

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Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting is liaIble to prosecution.

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting is liaIble to prosecution.

Important legal note.

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So little time

Spotted in London Tube

Volta Redonda, RJ - Brasil - 14/02/2016 - Raulino de Oliveira - Gol de Diego Souza.

Campeonato Carioca 2016. Jogo Fluminense x Tigres..

FOTO DE MAILSON SANTANA/FLUMINENSE FC.

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IMPORTANTE: Imagem destinada a uso institucional e divulgação, seu uso comercial está vetado incondicionalmente por seu autor e o Fluminense Football Club..

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Gurupurnima is the most important day in the year where we praise our Gurudev and thank him from the bottom of our hearts for everything that He is giving to us.

Devotees from all around the world gathered to celebrate this special day at the Shree Peetha Nilaya, Bhakti Marga Centre and Ashram, in Germany.

The Day started with Pada Puja followed by Guruji performing puja to His personal Deities. During the day we celebrated with Bhajan Mala, with all devotees from around the world singing 108 Bhajans devoted to Guruji.

In the evening there was Pada Abhishek to Gurujis feet where devotees could come and offer their love for Him.

Guruji ended the day with blessings and thanks, and a special request to all that the life of all living creatures is to be respected by living and promoting a life of pure vegetarianism.

Please visit our website www.bhaktimarga.org

The Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is an important example of Tamil architecture achieved during the Chola dynasty. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples".

This is one of the largest temples in India and one of India's most prized architectural sites. Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 AD. Brihadeshwara Temple, also popularly known as the 'Big Temple', turned 1000 years old in 2010.

Thanjavur Periya Kovil stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The vimana (or temple tower) is 66 m high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kumbam (Kalasha or Chikharam, the apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is carved out of a single rock and it weighs around 80 tons. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The entire temple structure is made out of granite, the nearest sources of which are close to Tiruchirappalli, about 60 km to the west of Thanjavur.

HISTORY

The temple had its foundations laid out by the Tamil emperor Arulmozhivarman, popularly called Rajaraja Chola I,

in 1002 CE, as the first of the great Tamil Chola building projects.

The Brihadeshwarar Temple was built to grace the throne of the Chola empire in compliance to a command given to him in his dream. The scale and grandeur is in the Chola tradition. An axial and symmetrical geometry rules the temple layout. Temples from this period and the following two centuries are an expression of the Tamils (Chola) wealth, power and artistic expertise. The emergence of such features as the multifaceted columns with projecting square capitals signal the arrival of the new Chola style.

The Brihadeshwarar Temple was built to be the royal temple to display the emperor's vision of his power and his relationship to the universal order. The temple was the site of the major royal ceremonies such as anointing the emperor and linking him with its deity, Shiva, and the daily rituals of the deities were mirrored by those of the king. It is an architectural example showcasing the pure form of the Dravida type of temple architecture and representative of the Chola Empire ideology and the Tamil civilisation in Southern India. The temple "testify to the brilliant achievements of the Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting."

CONSTRUCTION

The wish to build a mammoth temple like this is said to have occurred to Raja Raja while he stayed at Sri Lanka as an emperor.

The esteemed architect and engineer of the temple was Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan as stated in inscriptions found at the temple. The temple was built per ancient texts called Vaastu Shastras and Agamas. He is the ancient ancestor of the doyan of Vaastu Vedic architecture, the late Dr. V. Ganapti Sthapati of Chennai and Mahabalipurim (architect of the 133' granite Thiruvalluvar statue at the tip of south India). Members of his family still live and practice the ancient art and science. The American University of Mayonic Science and Technology was initiated by Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati to perpetuate the same form of architectural principles used by Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan to build the Brihadeeswarar temple. The temple was built using a measure of 1 3/8-inch called an angula (24 units equalling 33 inches called a hasta, muzam, or kishku). This is the same measure found in ancient Lothal and other sites in the Indus Valley dating back 4000 - 6000 years. This same measure is used to build structures compliant with the Vaastu Shastras and Agamas today. While some builders use a different measure this is considered a standard due to its antiquity.

This temple is the first building fully built by granite and finished within 5yrs [1004AD – 1009AD]. The solid base of the temple raises about 5 metres, above which stone deities and representatives of Shiva dance. The huge kalasam or Vimanam (top portion of the shrine) is believed to weigh 81.28 tonnes of single stone block and was raised to its present height by dragging on an inclined plane of 6.44 km. The big Nandi (bull), weighing about 20 tonnes is made of a single stone and is about 2 m in height, 6 m in length and 2.5 m in width. The presiding deity of lingam is 3.7m tall. The prakaram (outer precincts of the temple) measures 240m by 125m. The outer wall of the upper storey is carved with 81 dance karanas – postures of Bharathanatyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu. The shrine of Goddess was added by Pandyas during the 13th century, Subramanya Shrine by Vijayanagara rulers and the Vinayaka shrine was renovated by Maratha rulers.

TEMPLE COMPLEX

The temple complex sits on the banks of a river that was channelled to make a moat around the complex's outer walls, the walls being built like a fortress. The complex is made up of many structures that are aligned axially. The complex can be entered either on one axis through a five-story gopuram or with a second access directly to the huge main quadrangle through a smaller free-standing gopuram. The massive size of the main Vimanam (Shikhara) is ca. 60 meters high, with 16 elaborately articulated stories, and dominates the main quadrangle. Pilaster, piers, and attached columns are placed rhythmically covering every surface of the Vimanam.

The gopuram of the main entrance is 30 m high, smaller than the vimana. It is unusual in the dravidian architecture where the gopurams are generally the main towers and taller than the vimana.

MAIN TEMPLE

A first rectangular surrounding wall, 270 m by 140 m, marks the outer boundary. The main temple is in the center of the spacious quadrangle composed of a sanctuary, a Nandi, a pillared hall and an assembly hall (mandapas), and many sub-shrines. The most important part of the temple is the inner mandapa which is surrounded by massive walls that are divided into levels by sharply cut sculptures and pilasters providing deep bays and recesses. Each side of the sanctuary has a bay emphasising the principle cult icons. The karuvarai, a Tamil word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, is the inner most sanctum and focus of the temple where an image of the primary deity, Shiva, resides. Inside is a huge stone linga. The word Karuvarai means "womb chamber" from Tamil word karu for foetus. Only priests are allowed to enter this inner-most chamber.

In the Dravida style, the Karuvarai takes the form of a miniature vimana with other features exclusive to southern Indian temple architecture such as the inner wall together with the outer wall creating a pradakshina around the garbhagriha for circumambulation (pradakshina). The entrance is highly decorated. The inside chamber housing the image of the god is the sanctum sanctorum, the garbhagriha. The garbhagriha is square and sits on a plinth, its location calculated to be a point of total equilibrium and harmony as it is representative of a microcosm of the universe. In the center is placed the image of the deity. The royal bathing-hall where Rajaraja the great gave gifts is to the east of the hall of Irumudi-Soran.

The circumambulation winds around the massive lingam in the garbhagriha and is repeated in an upper story, presenting the idea that Chola Empire freely offered access to the gods.

The inner mandapa leads out to a rectangular mandapa and then to a twenty-columned porch with three staircases leading down. Sharing the same stone plinth is a small open mandapa dedicated to Nandi, Shiva's sacred bull mount.

TEMPLE DEITIES

The "moolavar" or prime deity of the Brihadeeswarar Temple is Shiva. All deities, particularly those placed in the niches of the outer wall (Koshta Moorthigal) like Dakshinamurthy, Surya, Chandra are of huge size. The Brihadiswarar temple is one of the rare temples which has idols for "Ashta-dikpaalakas" (Guardians of the directions) – Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirṛti, Varuṇa, Vāyu, Kubera, Īśāna – each of whom was originally represented by a life-sized statue, approximately 6 feet tall, enshrined in a separate temple located in the respective direction. (Only Agni, Varuṇa, Vāyu and Īśāna are preserved in situ.)

ADJOINING STRUCTURES

Surrounding the main temple are two walled enclosures. The outer wall is high, defining the temple complex area. Here is the massive gopuram or gateway mentioned above. Within this a portico, a barrel vaulted gorpuram with over 400 pillars, is enclosed by a high wall interspersed with huge gopurams axially lined up to the main temple.

FEATURES

Another widely held belief is that the shadow of the gopuram (pyramidal tower usually over the gateway of a temple) never falls on the ground. The temple is said to be made up of about 130,000 tons of granite. The Kumbam itself, a 60 ton granite stone carved in one piece, on top of the main gopuram is believed to have been taken to the top by creating an inclined slope to the height of 66m to the top of the gopuram. The prevailing belief is that a mud-slope, which starts at about three miles from the temple site, from Thirukoilore (birthplace of Raja raja's mother) near Sri Virateshvara swamy temple. Elephants might have been used to drag the stone up the slope. This was claimed to be the only part of the gopuram, which does not cast a shadow that fall on the ground, at least not within the temple premises.

MURALS

The temple has Chola frescoes on the walls around the sanctum sanctorum potryaing Shiva in action, destroying demonic forts, dancing and sending a white elephant to transport a devotee to heaven. These frescoes were discovered in the 1940s and portray the mythological episodes of the journey of Saint Sundarar and the Chera King to heaven, the battle scene of Tripurantaka (Lord Siva) with Asuras (demons). The Chola artists have proved their mettle by portraying even the Asura women with a sense of beauty. Some of the paintings in the sanctum sanctorum and the walls in the passage had been damaged because of the soot that had deposited on them. Owing to the continuous exposure to smoke and soot from the lamps and burning of camphor in the sanctum sanctorum over a period of centuries certain parts of the Chola paintings on the circumambulatory passage walls had been badly damaged. The Tanjore Nayak kings replaced them with a few paintings of their own, about 400 years ago. The Archaeological Survey of India, for the first time in the world, used its unique de-stucco process to restore 16 Nayak paintings, which were superimposed on 1000-year-old Chola frescoes. These 400-year-old paintings have been mounted on fibre glass boards, displayed at a separate pavilion.

TEMPLE PERSONNEL

The temple was consecrated in 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola I & in 2010 a celebration commemorated the temple's thousandth anniversary. The temple maintained a staff of 1000 people in various capacities with 400 being temple dancers Besides the Brahmin priests, these included record-keepers, musicians, scholars, and craftsman of every type as well as housekeeping staff. In those days the temple was a hub of business activities for the flower, milk, oil, and ghee merchants, all of whom made a regular supply of their respective goods for the temple for its poojas and during festival seasons. Moreover as evidenced by the inscriptions that found in the compound wall of this temple, the temple had always been serving as a platform for the dancers who excelled in the traditional dance form of Bharatnatyam. vallamuthu minnadi generation worshipped this temple.

MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS

Built in the year 1010 CE by Raja Raja Chola in Thanjavur, Brihadeeswarar Temple popularly known as the 'Big Temple' turned 1000 years old in September 2010. To celebrate the 1000th year of the grand structure, the state government and the town held many cultural events. It was to recall the 275th day of his 25th regal year (1010 CE) when Raja Raja Chola (985–1014 CE) handed over a gold-plated kalasam (copper pot or finial) for the final consecration to crown the vimana, the 59.82-metre tall tower above the sanctum.

BHARATHANATYAM YAJNA

To mark the occasion, the state government organised a Bharathanatyam Yajna, classical dance show under noted dancer Padma Subramaniam. It was jointly organised by the Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India (ABHAI) and the Brhan Natyanjali Trust, Thanjavur. To mark the 1000th year anniversary of the building, 1000 dancers from New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Singapore, Malaysia and the US danced in concert to the recorded 11 verses of divine music Thiruvichaippa (ninth of Thirumurai) composed by Karuvur Thevar (the guru of Raja Raja Chola) named Tiruvisaippa. The small town turned into a cultural hub for two days beginning 26 September 2010 as street performers and dancers performed throughout the town.

WIKIPEDIA

Bonkers determined to do something very important, probably visit the litter box, from his spot on the bed in Kitahiroshima in June of 2019.

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Hai Phong travel ,Hai Phong city tours,Hai Phong tours,HaPhong Vietnam.

Hai Phong is a large city with an important seaport in Vietnam.Hai Phong near Quang Ninh Province to the North,Hai Duong province to the West and Thai Binh province to the South.

Climate:because of proximity to the East Sea,Hai Phong `weather is the affected by inter-tropical monsoons.The annual average temperature varies between 23 and 24 degree.

Tourism: Hai Phong has many temple and pagodas ,mausoleums and shrine such as ancient Du Hang Kenh,Nghe temple .Hnag Kenh communal house...Hai Phong has famous historical Bach Dang river where the nataional heroes defeated three Chinese feudal invasions.

The third victory the Yuan-Mongolians was known all over the world. Many of the teakwood pointed spikes have been discovered in this river.Haiphong is on tourism route: Hanoi - Haiphong - Halong Bay.Do Son beach, located 20 km from Hai Phong ,is the sand strip for bathing.However during the monsoon season,the Redriver`alluvial sands cause the water to turn yellow .From Doson Tourist can visit the National Cat Ba part and continue to Bai Tu Long bay and Ha Long bay ( Quoang Ninh Province ).

Ha Phong is also famous for many festivals,of which Choi Trau fetival(Do Son buffalo-fighting festival) in Do Son District is unique.

Transportation:

Haiphong is served by an important transportation network of sea routes, roads, railways, and airlines.

Road: The National Highway No. 10 links Haiphong to the provinces of Quang Ninh, Thai Binh and Thanh Hoa. Haiphong is 102km from Hanoi.

Ailines:there are conecting daily flights with Ho Chi Minh city and Ha Noi,depart Cat Bi Airport .

Railway: there are trains from Ha Noi to Ha Phong and vice versa.

Boat:Daily ferries from the Dock on Ben Binh st for other destination.The Ferry run fron Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island several time a day.The hidrofoil boat run between Hai Phong Cat Ba and Hai Phong Hon Gai .The high speed-aircondition Thong Nhat boat leave daily from Haii Phong to Cat Ba .

Contact: Mr Toan

Mobil:+84912597199

Yahoo:toantravelvn

Skype:minhtoanvn

Email:vietnamadventure@hotmail.com

Enjoy your trip in Vietnam !

Laon Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon) is a Roman Catholic church located in Laon, Picardy, France. It is one of the most important examples of the Gothic architectural tradition of the 12th and 13th centuries. The cathedral predates those of Sens and Notre Dame of Paris, ranking with them in importance. It is the seat of the Bishop of Laon. The church has been listed among the Monuments Historiques since 1840.

The current cathedral is built on the site of an earlier edifice commenced under the episcopacy of Gerfrid (774 - 800). That Carolingian cathedral was consecrated on 6 September 800 in the presence of the emperor himself.

The Carolingian building was replaced under Bishop Élinand (1052–1095). The present new building was inaugurated with the second coronation of the future King Philip I. This cathedral was torched during the Easter Insurrection on 25 April 1112. During the revolt Laon's unpopular Bishop Waldric (in French Gaudry) was killed, despite taking the precaution of hiding in a barrel in the cellar of the episcopal palace. The cathedral was not destroyed, however, and after a repair programme lasting two years it was rededicated in 1114 under Bishop Barthélemy de Jur.

The present Laon Cathedral dates from the 12th and early 13th centuries, an early example of the Gothic style that originated in Northern France. It was built half a century after the first example of Gothic architecture, the Abbey Church of St. Denis, was erected. The former cathedral was burned out and damaged during the communal insurrection in 1112, then occasioned by the revocation of the commune's charter. The present reconstruction began with a choir in about 1160 and was finished as far as the east side of the transept by 1174. In a second campaign, which started about 1180, the nave was built, and completed after 1205. Then the choir was replaced by the greatly lengthened present choir in 1215. The cathedral was structurally completed by 1230.

The building is cruciform, and the choir terminates in a straight wall instead of in an apse. Of the seven planned towers flanking the façades, only five are complete to the height of the base of the spires, two at the west front, with life-size figures of sixteen oxen beneath the arcades of their upper portion, meant to pay homage to a local legend about a church that once occupied the site, explaining that the oxen appeared to help move the heavy stones. There are two more towers, one at each end of the transept, and a square central crossing tower that forms a lantern illuminating the crossing. If all seven towers were completed, at the time of construction, Laon would have more towers than any other cathedral built at the time. The ambition of the planners of Laon Cathedral gave some insight on what cathedral planners of the time were aiming for - a new take on space.

Nave in four tiers, with clerestories, triforium and tribune under sexpartite vaulting.

The west front, then with three porches, the centre one surmounted by a fine rose window of 1210, ranks next to that of Notre Dame de Paris in the purity of its Gothic style. Because of the use of white stone in the interior, however, the luminosity is remarkably greater than at Notre-Dame. The cathedral has stained glass of the 13th century and a chancel screen of the 18th century. Although the cathedral suffered some damage during the French Revolution and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, it escaped both World Wars unharmed.

On June 25, 1940, Laon Cathedral was visited by Adolf Hitler.

The famous medieval artist Villard de Honnecourt made detailed drawings of one of the towers of Laon, ca. 1230.

Composer Pierre Dumage was organist of the cathedral in 1710–19 (Wikipedia).

Apparizioni e altre manifestazioni mariane

From the history of our parish

1.10.2008

Twenty-eighth October 1888 was for our ancestors, then living in the suburbs of Bratislava called New Town, solemn day, the day of consecration new temple. But this day is solemn and important for us and will be important also for future generations. Our grandfathers built and because church leaders dedicated the temple on that day not only for themselves and for their children, but for all future generations. Those who build Blumentál physically, but spiritually primarily through your prayers, we left a wonderful legacy: church dedicated to the Assumption, the church, which has one hundred and twenty years invites believers can confidently say that the whole city that it glorified God, bring the sacrifice of Christ, purify your soul and implore the gifts of the Spirit for themselves and for their loved ones.

Celebration of consecration

The parish priest Jozef Poeck completed his work, who has devoted many years of his life, as we wrote about in previous figures. For believers Bratislava Nové Mesto parish is 118 years after its establishment saw to it that the faithful have a decent temple, whose tall slender tower towered over the entire eastern part of the city. Blumental Church was until recent times the only dominating this site. As he writes in his book Pozdech pastor, consecration of a new church in Bratislava expected not only residents of suburban New City but the entire Bratislava. Dedication of the temple designated day for 28 October on the feast of St. Simon and Jude, which that year fell on the October last Sunday.

Building a new church was of great interest of the Cardinal John Simor and the highest church dignitary of the Archdiocese of Esztergom, to which at that time belonged Bratislava. He himself a considerable amount contributed to its construction and it is no wonder that himself this new tabernacle of God sanctified .

Bratislavans prepared Cardinal decent adoption. Cardinal-Primate arrived in Bratislava on 27 October At the main station hailed him a great multitude of believers who lined the streets along which he passed to the Primate's Palace. There he has always stayed when visiting Bratislava (the Town palace bought in 1903 for their needs), and even there that day to receive the representatives of the city, various offices, army officials, townspeople and professional groups. The whole city was decorated and lit.

Newly built temple consecration ceremonies began 28 morning at nine. Ceremony was attended by about 30,000 believers (Bratislava at that time had about 70 000 inhabitants). We can imagine where it is today around our church could gather such a large crowd? At that time, however, surrounding the church was not built like today. 9.00 h in the morning on day dedication Blumentálu rozozvučali the bells of all the churches in Bratislava and the Cardinal-Primate, accompanied by church officials came to the new temple. Assisted prelates Cardinal Dr. Francis Horecký and Charles Rimel, Bratislava canons. Accompanied were prelate Dr. Jozef Danko, honest deacons Anton Leek and Joseph Urge, canon Graeff, and other dignitaries, priests and religious. Ceremony was also attended by Dr. Julius Machovič, notary stool Archbishop of Esztergom and the archbishop's office director Dr. John Black, who later became Archbishop of Esztergom. Bishop became a member of another parade Dr. Rimley. Ceremony was attended by prominent city officials, representatives of various agencies and states, armies, and large numbers townspeople simple people of God.

The ceremonies began before the temple gate, then svätiteľ Cardinal Simor escorted entered the church, where the ceremonies continued sanctification anointing altars and the temple walls. To save the remains of the altar stone martyr Adalbert and Gerhard. First Mass in our church served Baltizár bishop and the first sermon delivered svätiteľ Cardinal Simor. The church preached three preachers: Jesuit P. Emil Volbert German, and two Franciscans, one Slovak and one Hungarian. The ceremonies lasted until one o'clock in the afternoon. After the solemn procession returned to the Primate's Palace, where Cardinal Simor for invited guests was given a formal dinner. It goes without saying that it is attended by a priest Poeck, without whose selfless work would not stand this temple.

In connection with the consecration of Blumentálu mentions the event, which was to become the pastor Poeck fatal. On the way to the Primate's Palace was stampeded horses pulled the carriage in which he sat, and as pastor writes Pozdech only by God's providence remained alive.

Celebrations dedication of the temple after years

Believers of this site for years to commemorate the big day solemn consecration of the temple worship, after which they were folk festivities. The annual celebration of the dedication of the temple waving their spiritual and secular. The spiritual part was solemn character, Mass serve senior dignitaries and preachers coming festive. Worship enriched various choirs and ensembles; secular part called. Forgive was associated with folk festivals and party. That day came not only parishioners, but people from all over the city from the nearer and wider surroundings. At that time, around the church still extremely suitable for such celebrations. Open space provide plenty of room for a variety of stalls, attractions, festivals roundabouts... spestrovala brass band from Záhorska Bystrica.

Pozdech pastor remembers that when he wrote his memories, older parishioners at these festivities still remember, as young as yourself to participate in them. Such spectacular folk festivals disappeared after the First World War.

Great was the celebration of consecration Blumentálu in the twenty-fifth anniversary. Although the history of the temple twenty-five years is not much, because the church is built on centuries, writes pastor Pozdech: every believer adhesions with its parish church, where baptism was received into the bosom of the Church, there is divested of their sins, receive the Savior, there is a double promises connects life inextricably to a man with a woman and introduces a new family, there priest begs for mercy for those who embarked on the path of eternity...

Spiritual program began a day before the big feast solemn litanies. In the anniversary Mass celebrated by the parish priest Evariast Czaykowski and preached prelate A. Gaibl. Ceremony was attended by celebrities Bratislava, led by mayor.

In 45 Blumentálu anniversary of the dedication of the restored organ.

In December r. Opened in 1941 Blumentálska fare lecture hall. On that occasion was solemn litany in our church Nuncio Msgr. Dr. Joseph Burzio, who repeatedly took part in the celebrations in Blumentáli. In Slovakia, had to r., 1945. Farewell to Mons. Burzio held on Blumentálska fare.

On the 60th year anniversaries were scheduled to work on the renovated church interior, upgraded lighting should be introduced electric heating, had to return the original painting, restore the altars, and an altar of Our Lady of Lourdes. Estimated costs were two to two and a half million dollars. A Committee made ​​the collections and 4 April 1948 launched the work. On how to fix Blumentálu continued, we have news.

The celebration of the centennial anniversary of the consecration and stodesiateho Blumentálu would know what to say - then- pastor VDP. John Frog and long-time parish administrator VDP. Stephen Herényi. Written reports we have .

www.blumental.sk/casopis-blumental/2008/10/z-historie-nas...

Trajan, 98 – 117

Sestertius circa 112-114, Æ 23.55 g. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI P P Laureate and draped bust r. Rev. PORTVM TRAIANI Bird’s eye view of the Portum Traiani with three ships at anchor. In exergue, S C. C 306. BMC p. 205 note *. RIC 632. CBN 773 var. Woytek 470v3 (these dies).

Very rare and undoubtedly the finest specimen known of this important issue.

An untouched green patina and a finely detailed reverse composition. An

unobtrusive area of porosity on neck, otherwise extremely fine

In the Roman world a large percentage of the trade goods – ranging from the basics for survival to absurd luxury items – reached their destination by ship. Since the city of Rome was considerably inland, ships docked at Ostia, a safe harbour at the mouth of the Tiber on the western shore of the Italian peninsula. From there, goods made their way to Rome, usually up the Tiber. Maximizing space at Ostia was critical to the survival of Rome, a city which at some points in history was home to perhaps a million people. This involved more than just maintaining the harbour, but expanding its capacity whenever possible. The original harbour was improved significantly in a construction project begun by Claudius and completed by his successor, Nero. New docks were excavated to the north along the Tiber, which were linked to the harbour by two canals. However, they silted up easily. Thus, Trajan created a second port, further inland, which could be accessed directly from the old Claudian port. Not much remains of the Claudian port, but the docks from Trajan’s hexagonal port are still well preserved on the Torlonia estate. Also discernible is the large canal that linked Trajan’s port with the Tiber, where goods were unloaded from seafaring ships onto smaller vessels, including barges, which would move them up the Tiber to Rome.

NAC84, 981

An important contest

derek.broox.com/photos/bock-fest-2019/36186/

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting is liaIble to prosecution.

Kushinagar, Kusinagar or Kusinara is a town and a Nagar Panchayat in Kushinagar district of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh located around NH-28, being 52 km east to Gorakhpur city. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death. Outside India, it is an International Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre. The followers of the Buddhism, especially from Asian Countries, wish to visit this place at least once in their lifetime.

ETHYMOLOGY

According to one theory, Kushwati was capital of Kosala Kingdom and according to Ramayana it was built by King Kush, son of Rama, protagonist of the epic Ramayana. While according to Buddhist tradition Kushawati was named prior to the king Kush. The naming of Kushwati is believed to be due to abundance of Kush grass found in this region.

DEMOGRAPHICS

As of 2011 India census, Kushinagar had a population of 22,214, with 3462 households. Males constitute 52% (11,502 Men) of the population and females 48% (10,712 Women). Kushinagar has an average literacy rate of 78.43%, higher than the national average of 74%, male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 72%. In Kushinagar, 11% of the population is under 10 years of age. Schedule Caste (SC) constitutes 5.03% while Schedule Tribe (ST) were 2.39% of total population in Kushinagar Nagar Panchayat.

HISTORY

The present Kushinagar is identified with Kushawati( in pre-Buddha period ) and Kushinara (in Buddha period). Kushinara was the capital of Mallas which was one of the sixteen mahajanpads of the 6th Century B.C. Since then, it remained an integral part of the erstwhile empires of Maurya, Shunga, Kushana, Gupta and Harsha dynasties.

In medieval period, Kushinagar had passed under the suzerainty of Kultury Kings. Kushinara continued to be a living city till the 12th Century A.D. and was thereafter lost into oblivion. Padrauna is believed to be ruled over by a Rajput adventurer, Madan Singh in the 15th century A.D.

However, modern Kushinagar came into prominence in the 19th Century with archeological excavations carried out by Alexander Cunningham, the first Archeological Surveyor of India and later followed by C.L. Carlleyle who exposed the main stupa and also discovered a 6.10 meters long statue of reclining Buddha, in 1876 A.D. Chandra Swami, a Burmeses Monk, came to India in 1903 and made "Mahaparinirvana Temple" into a living shrine.

After independence, Kushinagar remained the part of district Deoria. On 13 May 1994, it came into being as a new district of Uttar Pradesh.

GEOGRAPHY

Kushinagar is situated at 53 km east from Gorakhpur on the National Highway -28, lies between latitude 26° 45´ N and 83° 24´ E. Gorakhpur is the main railway terminus for Kushinagar while air strip of U.P. Civil Aviation is available in Kasia, 5 km. from Kushinagar.

TOURISM

PARINIRVANA STUPA

The reclining Nirvana statue of the Buddha is inside the Parinirvana Stupa. Statue is 6.10 metres long and is made of monolith red - sand stone. It represents the "Dieing - Buddha" reclining on his right side with his face towards the west. It is placed on a large brick-pedestal with stone-posts at the corners.

NIRVANA CHAITYA (MAIN STUPA)

Nirvana Chaitya is located just behind the Main Parinirvana Temple. It was excavated by Carlleyle in the year 1876. During excavations, a copper-plate was found, which contained the text of the "Nidana-Sutra" which concluded the statement that plate had been deposited in the "Nirvana-Chaitya" by one Haribala, who also installed the great Nirvana Statue of Buddha in the temple front.

RAMABHAR STUPA

Ramabhar Stupa, also called a Mukutbandhan-Chaitya, is the cremation-place of Buddha. This Site is 1.5 km east of the main Nirvana Temple on the Kushinagar-Deoria road.

MATHA KUAR SHRINE

A Colossal statue of Lord Buddha is installed, which is carved out of one block which represents Buddha seated under the "Bodhi Tree" in a pose known as " Bhumi Sparsh Mudra " (Earth touching attitude). The inscription at the base of statue is datable to the 10th or 11th Century A.D.

OTHER MAJOR PLACES

Indo-Japan-Srilanka Temple: Indo-Japan-Srilanka temple is a marvel of Buddhist architectural grandeur of modern times.

Wat Thai Temple: It is a huge complex built in a typical Thai-Buddhist architectural fashion.

Ruins & Brick Structures: These are located around the main Nirvana Temple and Main Stupa. These are the remains of various monasteries of different sizes constructed from time to time in the ancient period.

Several museums, meditation parks and several other temples based on architecture of various eastern countries.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Kushinagar comes under Kushi Nagar (Lok Sabha constituency) for Indian general elections. Current Member of Parliament from this constituency is Rajesh Pandey of Bharatiya Janata Party who defeated R. P. N. Singh of Indian National Congress in Indian general elections, 2014.

Current Member of legislative assembly (MLA) from Kushinagar Assembly constituency is Brahma Shankar Tripathi of Samajwadi Party who is also minister in Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Following are some initiatives by district administration:

1. The Buddha Relic Distribution Site has been added as a new pilgrim spot on the Kushinagar Tourist Map. The site is located in Village Anirudhawa, at a walking distance from the main Mahaparinirvana Temple and 50 meters, right behind the Thai Temple.

2. The Buddha Ghat was constructed on the banks of the river Hiranyavati - Buddha was cremated on its bank - right behind the Ramabhar Stupa. It is said that Buddha's body wa's given the last bath in this river.

3. Work also started on The Buddha's Last Meal site at Pavanagar, village Satheeau, Fazilnagar, about 20 km before Kushinagar while approaching from Bihar. This is the spot where as per the Mahaparinirvana Suttra, Chunda the goldsmith offered Sukar-maddava, eating which the lord became sick.

4. Work also started at the Kakuttha River, Buddha took his last bath in this river. This is on the Main National Highway 28 at a bridge while approaching Kushinagar from Bihar after the Buddha's Last Meal site.

5. Pampor Stupa. A new Buddhist site was excavated at Village Pampor. The excavation revealed the remains of an old Buddhist Stupa. Rahul Sanskrityan the legendary Buddhist scholar from India is said to have identified Pampor as the famed Pava Kingdom of ancient India. Some decorated bricks were discovered from the site which has been handed over to the local museum at Kushinagar.

WIKIPEDIA

Sunday walk in Ierapetra, Crete, November 3, 2019

Marrakech known as the "Red City", is the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history. The city of Marrakesh is the capital of the mid-southwestern economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

Like many North African cities, the city of Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city (the médina) and an adjacent modern city (called Gueliz) for a total population of 1,070,000.[1] It is served by Ménara International Airport (IATE code: RAK) and a rail link to Casablanca and the north.

Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna.[2] The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians. By night food stalls open in the square turning it into a huge busy open-air restaurant.

Prior to the advent of the Almoravids in the 11th century, the area was ruled from the city of Aghmat. The Almoravid leader, Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar decided Aghmat was becoming overcrowded and chose to build a new capital. He decided to build it in the plains near the Tensift River. He chose the site of Marrakech, because it was in neutral territory between two tribes who were vying for the honor of hosting the new capital.[citation needed] Work started in May 1070, but Abu-Bakr was recalled to the Sahara to put down a rebellion in January 1071 and the city was completed by his deputy and eventual successor Yusuf ibn Tashfin. The city experienced its greatest period under the leadership of Yaqub al-Mansur, the third Almohad sultan. A number of poets and scholars entered the city during his reign and he began the construction of the Koutoubia Mosque and a new kasbah.

Prior to the reign of Moulay Ismail, Marrakech was the capital of Morocco. After his reign, his grandson moved the capital back to Marrakech from Meknès.

For centuries Marrakech has been known for its "seven saints". When sufism was at the height of its popularity, during the reign of Moulay Ismail, the festival of the seven saints was founded by Abu Ali al-Hassan al-Yusi at the request of the sultan. The tombs of several renowned figures were moved to Marrakech to attract pilgrims in the same way Essaouira did at that time with its Regrega festivals. The seven saints (sebaatou rizjel) is now a firmly established institution, attracting visitors from everywhere. The seven saints include Sidi Bel Abbas (the patron saint of the city),Sidi Muhammad al-Jazuli, Sidi Abu al-Qasim Al-Suhayli, Cadi Ayyad ben Moussa,Abdelaziz al-Tebaa and Abdallah al-Ghazwani.

Marrakech was dominated in the first half of the 20th century by T'hami El Glaoui, "Lord of the Atlas", and Pasha of Marrakech. The poet of the city was Mohammed Ben Brahim and his favorite place was café Al-Masraf. The poems and songs of Ben Brahim are still known by heart by many Marrakshi.

Vienna's Charles' square has been one of the city's most important hubs for centuries, a place of contradictions, a high-density urban space. But also an underrated place, which holds many secrets in itself. The area in front of the city walls has always been a field of hope for new urban uses. Here are some of the most important cultural institutions, including the Musikverein (Society of Friends of Music), the Künstlerhaus (House of Artists) or the Secession. Nowhere else do so many paths intersect, nowhere else in Vienna so many people change every day. The Karlsplatz is also a gateway to the "underworld" of the city.

The term "Karlsplatz" is relatively young. It arose 110 years ago in 1898 with the vaulting of the Wien River and the idea of ​​getting the area under control of urban planning. Previously, the area was a natural landscape, which was transformed step by step to the cultural landscape. Here "the mills clattered at the rushing brook" and the dead were buried. Here stood the cannons of the Turks, but here also the power of the Habsburgs was demonstrated with the Karlskirche. And - here was the most beautiful bridge in Vienna.

For 100 years the Karlsplatz has been a field of experimentation of the modern age. Since the Wilhelminian era, urban planning concepts and visions have been concentrated here, as well as conflicts. Much remained provisional, Karlsplatz was always unfinished and thus a residual area for utopias. So it always remained an open place with a lot of potential for the future.

Some quotes:

Architect Otto Wagner: "Karlsplatz is not a place, but an area."

Hans Weigel 1967: "Karlsplatz is the real heart of Vienna."

Newspaper "Kurier" 1977 on the occasion of the subway construction: "Chaosplatz (a place of chaos)"

The Karlsplatz clockwise:

National symbol Charles' church

According to a vow of Emperor Charles VI on the occasion of the plague epidemic of 1713, Karlsplatz owes its "landmark". The Saint Charles' church by Fischer von Erlach is one of the most important Baroque churches north of the Alps, a monument to the claim of the Habsburgs.

Turkish guns

From here, the besiegers brought their guns against the Carinthian gate in 1529 in position. On the Karlsplatz also the Ottoman elite unit of the Janissaries was stationed.

Dissected corpse

Medical history was written in the Holy Spirit Hospital. At the beginning of the 15th century, a corpse was dissected here in Vienna for the first time.

1,500 people

The Freihaus was around 1800 with 25,000 square meters, the largest tenement house outside the city - with 31 stairs, shops, schools, a library and a chapel.

Secession as "Krauthappel (head of lettuce)"

Built as a stage for the Secessionists around Gustav Klimt, the Secession was to become the property of the community after 10 years. But things turned out differently, as in the tourist office, which was planned only as a temporary building.

Wild animals

Bears, wolves, aurochs and reptiles romped in the riparian forest before the settlement of Karlsplatz. Today you can find stone martens, bats and kestrels.

Bridge over the Vienna

For a long time the "Stone Bridge" from the 15th century led over the river Wien. On the opening day of the new "Elisabeth Bridge" on April 23, 1854, Empress Elisabeth moved to the city.

Cesspool

Almost half of the city's faeces and sewage was disposed of via the small river Vienna - this was compouned by the risk of flooding. In 1897/98, the river between the Grain market and City Park was vaulted.

Artist house

In the area of ​​the Künstlerhaus, you came upon the remains of monumental Roman tombs that stood along the important Limes road.

First museum after 1945

The Wien Museum was opened here in 1959, making it the first new museum building in the Second Republic. Otto Wagner had already planned a splendid city museum on this site.

Der Wiener Karlsplatz ist seit Jahrhunderten eine der wichtigsten Drehscheiben der Stadt, ein Platz der Widersprüche, ein Stadtraum mit hoher Intensität. Aber auch ein unterschätzter Ort, der viele Geheimnisse in sich birgt. Immer schon war das Areal vor den Stadtmauern ein Hoffnungsgebiet für neue urbane Nutzungen. Hier befinden sich einige der wichtigsten Kulturinstitutionen, darunter der Musikverein, das Künstlerhaus oder die Secession. Nirgendwo sonst kreuzen sich so viele Wege, nirgendwo sonst in Wien steigen täglich so viele Menschen um. Der Karlsplatz ist aber auch ein Tor zur „Unterwelt„ der Stadt.

Die Bezeichnung „Karlsplatz„ ist relativ jung. Sie ergab sich vor 110 Jahren 1898 mit der Einwölbung des Wienflusses und der Idee, die Fläche städtebaulich in den Griff zu bekommen. Zuvor war das Gebiet eine Naturlandschaft, die Schritt um Schritt zur Kulturlandschaft transformiert wurde. Hier „klapperten die Mühlen am rauschenden Bach„ und wurden Tote begraben. Hier standen die Kanonen der Türken, hier wurde aber auch mit der Karlskirche die Macht der Habsburger demonstriert. Und – hier befand sich die schönste Brücke Wiens.

Seit 100 Jahren ist der Karlsplatz ein Experimentierfeld der Moderne. Hier konzentrieren sich seit der Gründerzeit städtebauliche Leitbilder und Visionen, aber auch Konflikte. Vieles blieb provisorisch, immer war der Karlsplatz unfertig und somit eine Restfläche für Utopien. So blieb er stets ein offener Ort mit zahlreichem Potential für die Zukunft.

Einige Zitate:

Architekt Otto Wagner: „Der Karlsplatz ist kein Platz, sondern eine Gegend.”

Hans Weigel 1967: „Der Karlsplatz ist das eigentliche Herz von Wien.”

Tageszeitung „Kurier” 1977 anläßlich des U-Bahn-Baus: „Chaosplatz”

Der Karlsplatz im Uhrzeigersinn:

Nationalsymbol Karlskirche

Einem Gelübde Kaiser Karls VI. zufolge anlässlich der Pestepidemie von 1713 verdankt der Karlsplatz seine „landmark„. Die Karlskirche Fischer von Erlachs ist eine der wichtigsten Barockkirchen nördlich der Alpen, Monument für Machtanspruch der Habsburger.

Türkische Geschütze

Von hier aus brachten die Belagerer anno 1529 ihre Geschütze gegen das Kärntner Tor in Stellung. Auf dem Karlsplatz war außerdem die osmanische Eliteeinheit der Janitscharen stationiert.

Sezierte Leiche

Im Heiligengeistspital wurde Medizingeschichte geschrieben. Anfang des 15. Jahrhunderts sezierte man hier in Wien erstmals eine Leiche.

1.500 Menschen

Das Freihaus war um 1800 mit 25.000 Quadratmetern das größte Mietshaus außerhalb der Stadt – mit 31 Stiegen, Geschäften, Schulen, einer Bibliothek und einer Hauskapelle.

Secession als „Krauthappel”

Als Bühne für die Secessionisten rund um Gustav Klimt erbaut, sollte die Secession nach 10 Jahren in den Besitz der Gemeinde übergehen. Es kam anders, wie beim Verkehrsbüro, das nur als temporäres Gebäude geplant war.

Wilde Tiere

Bären, Wölfe, Auerochsen und Reptilien tummelten sich im Auwald vor der Besiedelung des Karlsplatzes. Heute kann man Steinmarder, Fledermäuse und Turmfalken vorfinden.

Brücke über die Wien

Über den Wienfluss führte lange die „Steinerne Brücke„ aus dem 15. Jahrhundert. Am Eröffnungstag der neuen „Elisabethbrücke” am 23. April 1854 zog hier Kaiserin Elisabeth in die Stadt.

Kloake

Fast die Hälfte der Fäkalien und Abwässer der Stadt wurde über die Wien entsorgt – hinzu kam die Hochwassergefahr. Im Jahre 1897/98 wurde der Fluss zwischen Getreidemarkt und Stadtpark überwölbt.

Künstlerhaus

Im Bereich des Künstlerhauses stieß man auf die Überreste monumentaler römischer Grabbauten, die entlang der wichtigen Limesstraße standen.

Erstes Museum nach 1945

1959 wurde hier das Wien Museum eröffnet, somit war dies der erste Museums-Neubau der Zweiten Republik. Auf diesem Areal hatte bereits Otto Wagner ein prunkvolles Stadtmuseum geplant.

www.oepb.at/wien/karlsplatz-geschichte.html

Important legal note.

All images are copyright and must not be re posted or water marks removed, anyone found reposting is liaIble to prosecution.

Important: Now you finger crease the seam allowances toward the outside because this way you'll leave the 1/4" edge free when joining the next two strips.

this one is supposed to say 3.11, not 3.10 I messed it up. sorry.