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Agra all set to celebrate 350 years of Taj Mahal Agra: With
the 350th anniversary celebrations of the Taj Mahal just a month away,
hectic preparations are on to spruce up the world's most famous monument
of love. A team of surveyors of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
is here to plan a cultural extravaganza, which they feel will help promote
tourism. "A lot of extra work is being done and still needs to be done.
ASI is having an ambitious programme and we have got lots of funds also.
We have to equip ourselves for massive activities in the coming years,"
C. Babu Rajiv, ASI Director General, said. Union Ministry of Art and
Culture and the UP government have planned a series of musical galas
on full moon nights beginning September 27 and stretching over six months
to mark the anniversary. Visitors to the Taj will be able to witness
the moonlit majestic white marble monument and a reflection of its dome's
perfect shape in a rectangular pool. Kerala's snakeboats ready for annual festival (Go to Top) Alleppey (Kerala): People here are all geared up for Saturday's annual snake boat festival. The Nehru snakeboat race, named after the country's first prime minister Jawaharalal Nehru, is a gala event for the locals and the foreign tourists who throng the venue. Snakeboat, or "chundanvallam", races as they are known in local parlance, are very popular in Alleppey, dubbed as the Venice of the East for its backwaters. Nineteen boats with nearly 100 rowers would literally slither through the backwaters as they vie for glory. "Winning the Nehru Trophy is a sign of pride and show of strength. We all have been practicing hard for the past 12 days, each time with around 120 oarsmen. We are very hopeful and confident of winning the title this time," said R. Vishakhan, captain of the United Boat Club. Three boats run at a time in each of the three heats and the fourth and final race is run between the toppers of the three heats. The oarsmen row the boats to the rhythmic beat of drums accompanied by folk songs. Thousands of people, including domestic and foreign tourists, turn up for the boat race. Authorities say all necessary arrangements for the hugely popular race had been made. "The banks of the backwaters where the Nehru Trophy Boat Race will be conducted, will be attended by thousands of people. We have made all necessary arrangements," said K.M. Ramanandan, chairman of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race organisation. Snake boats are long and narrow country boats, originally designed to transport soldiers to the war front with speeds of about 50 km an hour. But these days they are used exclusively for boat races. The construction of a boat takes nearly two years and costs over 40,000 US dollars to build a boat usually over 50-metres long. Meghalaya a true paradise of the Northeast (Go to Top) Shillong: Tucked away in the north-eastern corner of the country, Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful hill states in the country. Be it the azure sky with hints of cottony clouds or the sound of the whispering pines or the salubrious weather or the exotic flora and fauna of the state, Meghalaya is a traveller's delight. One of Meghalaya's-oft visited places is the Shillong Peak, the highest point in the state, is perched at a height of 1965 metres above sea level. The peak offers a panoramic view of the capital city Shillong. Originally developed as the summer getaway and the capital of East Bengal and undivided Assam during the British colonial era, Shillong still retains some of that fading charm from that bygone era. Nestled between tall pines and undulating green grass the 18 hole Shillong Golf Course is considered to be the "Gleneagles of the East" at the United States Golf Association Museum and is featured in the International directories of Golf Courses of repute. "Well it is very inexpensive. I believe it's the world's most inexpensive golf course club in the world. You get good caddies. Its a beautiful course", William O'Brien a golf enthusiast was quoted as saying. And for those who wish to find spiritual solace, Shillong is dotted with cathedrals and churches. There
is one cathedral dedicated to Mary and is considered as one of the city's
landmarks. And if you wish to spend your time, in a shop-till-you-drop
spree the Police Bazaar and Bara Bazaar are the best places to go souvenir
hunting. One can choose from items like shawls and other handicrafts
in all shapes and sizes. Nature has showered this tiny state Meghalaya
with its bounty. The state is dotted with cascading waterfalls, many
at the backdrops of lush green vegetation the best known being the Bishop
falls, Nohkalikai, and the Sweet Spread Eagle. Meghalaya is also a paradise
for the scientifically oriented and curious botanists. Located 15 miles
from Shillong, the sacred forest of Mawphlang, has been preserved since
time immemorial. The rich species of flora and fauna in this sacred
grove are rimmed by a dense growth of Castanopsis kurzii trees, forming
a protective hedge, which halts intrusion of Pinus kasia a local pine
species, which dominates all areas outside the sacred grove. Patric
Lyngdoh, the Caretaker of Mawphlang Sacred Forests said, "The sacred
forest groves which we usually find on the outskirts of many villages
here in Khasi hills are the forest which has been consecrated usually
to preserve them. And they are consecrated in order to ensure that they
are not desecrated or destroyed in any way." Travelling in Shillong
in not a very big problem. Yellow-top taxis are available for inter
city tour of the city. Accommodation prices vary from Rs. 250 to Rs
2500. Although Meghalaya can be visited at any time of the year but
the best time remains the summer. |
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