Busy KOlkata -- KOlkata - West Bengal - India

Kolkata formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and was capital of British India until 1912 .More than 300 years ago, Job Charnock, an English tradesman set up a trading post on the banks of the Ganga along the three-village nucleus. Gradually Europeans started setting up business and trade establishments . A grip which loosened only 250 years later when power was transferred from the British Empire to the Indians.Calcutta has grown, remains a city of contrasts, a mix-up of light and shade.

Climate
Kolkata has a subtropical climate, with summer monsoons. The annual mean temperature is 26.8 °C and monthly mean temperatures range from 20°C to 31°C and maximum temperatures in Kolkata often exceed 40°C during May-June.The lowest temperature hovers around 12°C - 14°C in the winter months of December and January.Winter is short- lasting - about 2 and a half months.

Places to visit

Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial, located in Kolkata is a memorial of Queen Victoria of the United who also carried the title of Empress of India .The structure was designed by Sir William Emerson in an architectural style similar to Taj Mahal . It was built between 1906 and 1921. It is a majestic white marble building surrounded by a sprawling garden.

Indian Museum
The Indian Museum is a multi-disciplinary institution of national standing and is one of oldest museums in the world. This was the first museum of its kind in Asia. It exhibits among others: an Egyptian mummy, the Buddhist stupa , the Buddha' ashes, the Ashoka pillar, fossils, skeletons, mummies, Mughal paintings etc.

Marble Palace
Marble Palace is in North Kolkata and is still residence to a family. The entrance is free, but a ticket must be purchased in South Kolkata .

Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge, also known as the Rabindra Setu, is a bridge over the Hoogli River .The bridge was built between 1937 and 1943 to replace a bridge from 1874 ,and is said to be the busiest bridge in the world. It is 97 metres high and 705 metres long .


Other places
The Maidan , Indian Botanical Garden ,Central Park ,Rabindra Sarobar , and Millennium Park are some of the large parks. The Esplanade adjacent to the Maidan is an inland esplanade .
Dakshineswar Kali Temple ,Kalighat , Birla Temple, Belur Math , Tipu Sultan Mosque , Nakhoda Masjid , St. Paul's Cathedral are some of the notable religious centers of the city.

KaRachI Magic, Karachi - Pakistan (visited: Feb 2006)

About Karachi:

Karachi is the largest and the most populous city of Pakistan. It has an interesting and colorful combination of the old and new. The narrow twisting lanes and alleys of the old city throb with life alongside wide metalled road and elegant modern building. Within the city, talented artisans with age old produce handicrafts of exquisite beauty. Karachi offers a wide variety of pleasant attractions, wide sunny beaches, deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horse racing all year round. Its restaurants cater to a wide choice of Pakistani and western cuisines. Its markets and bazaars offer an endless variety of exciting shopping, including indigenous handicrafts. Particularly rugs and carpets of rare designs and beauty.

Jinnah Mausoleum

The white marble mausoleum with its curved Moorish arches and copper grills resets on an elevated 54 sq. meters platform. The cool inner sanctum reflects the green of a four-tiered crystal chandelier gifted by peoples Republic of China. This mausoleum is a prominent and impressive landmark of Karachi. Near by are the graves of Liaqat Ali Khan, the first prime minister of Pakistan and the Quaid’s sister, Mohtarma Fatima Jinna.

CLIFTON BEACH

Close to the popular seaside of the city is Clifton beach where Karachiites flocks on weekends and holidays. Scattered along the shore are numerous stalls selling handicrafts made from seashells. Clifton has an amusement park with a bowling alley and an aquarium.

FOOD

Pakistani cuisine is based on curry or masala (hot and spicy) sauces accompanying chicken, lamb, shrimps and a wide choice of vegetables. Specialties include brain masala, biryani (seasoned rice with mutton, chicken and yogurt), pilao (similar but less spicy) and sag gosht (spinach and lamb curry).. Western and Chinese foods are also widely available. One can try out the food from BARBE QUE, COPPER and KETTLE and USMANIA restaurant.

SHOPPING

Shopping in Karachi is a delight. There is the SARAFA BAZAAR, a typical oriental market in the city’s old quarter, which is the main market for gold and silver. Among the various colorful shopping areas offering a wide variety of local goods is the ZAINAB MARKET where cotton dresses and handicrafts are available. Shops in the Saddar Co-operative market have a wide collection of handicrafts made from wood and brass. Then there is the FORUM shopping mall. This one is a little expensive place with most of the International brands in. Next to it is the AASHIANA shopping bazaar. Here one can find wide variety of Pakistani Salwars (Traditional Pakistan dress). Do recommend shopping out there. Since prices are not fixed, bargaining is advised. Leather goods and ready made clothes usually have fixed prices but sell at a fraction of what they would cost overseas.

Sun Temple - Konark- Orissa- India

LOCATION: Konark is situated at comfortable distance from the famous religious and tourist centre of Puri (35 K.M.) and the capital city of Orissa, Bhubaneswar (65 K.M.)The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar. The nearest rail station is Puri.
Sun temple has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

History: Sun temple is probably constructed by Narashimhadev I in the mid-13th century. Konark was one of the earliest centres of Sun worshipping in India. It is also called as "Black Pagoda" to distinguish it from the "White temple"-the Jagannath Temple at Puri (a near by famous temple)

The Sun Temple:

Black Pagoda" is well known for its architectural magnificence with images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter. Seven horses drag the chariot with four horses in the left and three in the right.

The base part of the Chariot(Temple) is divided into 3 parts with estonishing piece of carvings.. the lowest section consists of images of horses, animals, dolls etc ... this section is meant for children. The middle section is fot the teen and young generation of people wid erotic type of carvings .. And finally the Upper part having sculptures of Gods and Goddesses is dedicated for the older people...

According to legend , Samba,son of Lord Krishna was cursed by Krishna with leprosy for entering the bathing chamber of Krishna´s wifes. It was decreed that he would be relieved of the curse by worshipping the sun God on the sea coast north east of Puri.

The Black Pagoda doesnot exist in its full structure now. According to the local people there, the temple once had a huge and strong magnet on top of the central structure which disturbed the navigation of the foreign ships sailing towards Calcutta. This made the sailors to destroy it. Because of that the inside part of the temple is totally damaged but still this is a place worth seeing