THE TAJ MAHAL

 THE TAJ MAHAl

The word Taj Mahal means “crown of palaces” in Urdu. It is a mausoleum made of white marble stone. It is situated at Agra,Uttarpradesh, India. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this mausoleum on thebank of mighty Jamuna being grief stricken as Mumtaj Mahal, his third wife, died during the process of birth of their 14^th child in 1631.The child was named later Gauhara Begum.

The death of his most beloved wife inspired Sahajahan to do something remarkable as will make people remind Mumtaj Mahal in the days to come. The Taj Mahal is the very outcome of that thought made true in deed.

The construction of the Taj Mahal started in 1632 and the main construction was completed in 1648. Rest of the portion of its construction took another 5 years to come to a complete perfection. Twenty thousand laborers labored for 22 years under the supervision of Abdul-ul-Karim Mamur Khan, Makramal  Khan and Ustad Ahmed Lahuri. It is considered that Ustad Ahmed Lahuri was the chief designer of the Taj Mahal. The total cost of Taj Mahal has been estimated to be about 32 million Rupees at that time. It was unfortunate that Soon after completion of the Taj Mahal Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort. Upon the death of Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb buried him in the mausoleum next to his wife Mumtaj.

Tombs of Saha Jahan and Mumtaj

 The traces of influence of Persian architecture is dominant in the very design of the Taj Mahal. Saha Jahan’s use of white marble was a better innovation as the earlier remarkable Mughal constructions were made of red sand stone.

A tomb centers all the construction which is octagonal in shape having approximately 55 meters (180ft) on each of the four long sides. The shape can be compared with one in the lotus design that tops the dome.

There are eight open arches which rest on a terrace of red sand stone. There are slender towers rising from the corners of the terrace. Four smaller domes surround the large dome at the centre of the building. There is an open corridor just inside the outer walls. Those who come to visit the Taj Mahal can see through marble screens into a central room which is above the two graves where the bodies of Saha Jahan and Mumtaj Mahal ,his wife, lie.

LOTUS DESIGN

A beautiful garden surrounds the Taj Mahal and a long pool stretches out in front of the building. The pool reflects the beautiful Taj Mahl in the water. The peeping of the sweet sun rays at dawn make the Taj Mahal assume a golden color rare in human creation. Words fail to capture the beauty of the the Taj Mahal at moonlit nights as well.

Two to four million visitors visit the Taj Mahal annually. Indian citizens pay lower entrance fee than the foreigners. Taj Ganj also known as Mumtazabad, a small town to the south of the Taj Mahal with bazaars (market) serves the need of the visitors here.

The campus is kept open from 6 am to 7 pm with the exception on Fridays. On Fridays the complex is kept open from 12 pm to 2 pm for prayer on the mosque here.On the previous and following two days on full moons the complex is kept open for visitors at night as the Taj Mahal assumes a superb look in the moon beam. Visitors are allowed to carry 5 things (transparent water bottles, video cameras, still cameras, small lady’s purse and cell phones for security reasons) during night time visit.

Taj Mahal at a moon-lit Night

The Taj Mahal has conquered geographical boundary and racial shortcomings with its spectacular aesthetic beauty and made open a field of cosmopolitan fraternity in diversity and it has been a rare instance of awe striking love from a husband for his wife.

Mumtaj as a wife has been glorified no doubt but the other two wives of Emperor Saha Jahan have remained almost unattended and uncared for. 

The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.

Do Saha Jahan and Mumtaj share the sublimity of their conjugal love with the same gravity still today lying at the center of the Taj Mahal after the lapse of so many years in human history? Be whatever it may, we are indebted to Shah Jahan for the exquisite architectural edifice finished with unprecedented beauty that he dreamt of and made it  come true.After a lot of hardship of 20 thousand labourers for  long 22 years it came to a perfect completion for the generations to come.. 

NIAGARA FALLS

Niagar Falls

Niagara Falls is actually a straddle of three falls collectively.It is situated at the border of Canadian province of Ontario and U.S state of New York and constitute the Niagara Gorge at the southern end.

The theories about the origin of the very name of this mighty water falls is not beyond controversy. According to Bruce Trigger, an Iroquoian scholar, the name Niagara has been derived from the name of the locally residing native called the "Niagagarega" in the seventeenth century. Another scholar George R Stewart has opined that the name of the falls has derived from he name of the Iroquois town "Ongniaahra" which means 'point of land cut into two parts' 

The three water falls are called Horse Shoe Falls as they form the shape of a horse shoe.The Bridal Veil Falls, a small one, is located on the side of America separated from other falls by Luna Island. The boundary line drawn in 1819  has been disputed for natural erosion.

Niagara hydro-electric plant.

The mighty and enormous waterfalls has long been recognized as a potential source for power generation. In this connection a five member committee headed by Sir William Thomson deliberated on the expansion of Niagara hydro electric project on the basis of seventeen proposals in 1890 but none of he proposals was sought t be adopted for power generation and the proposals ended in smoke.

Later the invention of alternating current by Nekola Tesla made the generation and transfer of electricity easier. In continuation of this process in 1893 Washington Electric started generating the world's first large AC powerplant and it started power generation in the month of August in 1895.

The year 1950 stands important as a treaty was signed between the U.S and Canada for limited use of water for power generation to preserve the natural beauty of Niagara Falls. It was decided that both the countries will be careful enough to ensure "unbroken curtain of water" flow especially at day time during the tourist season expanding from the beginning of April to the last of October. The most powerful two hydroelectric companies on the Canadian side are now in operation are Sir Adam Beck 1 and 2and on American side Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant Lewiston Pump Generating companies are generating power. The joint production of hydroelectric companies aforementioned amount to 4.4 gigawatts of power. 

Through the Welland canal ships can bypass NIagara Falls and the canal was improved and incorporated into the Saint Lawrence Seaway in midway of 1950s.

There runs  Niagara River Recreation Train that runs a distance of 35 km from Fort Eric to Fort George and offers a unique scope seeing natural beauty around. On the Canadian side Whirlpool  Aero car was built in 1916 to take the passengers over the Niagara Whirlpool.

There are two international bridges for closer view of the falls and those bridges connect the the cities of Niagara Falls ,Ontario-Canada and Niagara Falls New York-U.S.A. Doubtlessly it can be said that the bridges have added a unique scope of enjoying the superb beauty Nature has preserved for the people universally.

There is an observation tower in the Canadian side named Skylon Tower which offers the highest overhead view of Niagara Falls and it also offers the distant view of Toronto on the opposite side. 

Skylon Tower

 The explorers, travellers, authors and above all the people all over the world have been attracted at Niagara Falls for beauty and it has become a source f inspiration for multifarious reasons.But during 1970s visitors had a limited access to Niagara Falls and mostly they had to pay for a mere glimpse as industrialization was expanding up to goat island. So a proposal for a park was submitted to Lord 

Dufferin, the governor-general of Canada. In this connection a survey team for promotion of the falls described in the report that it was "sacred obligation to mankind" to restore the beauty of Niagara Falls and in subsequent time Niagara Reservation State Park cam into being. Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park was also established in thr province of Ontorio. There are a good number of hotels of international standard for the visitors world wide.In fine it can be said that Niagara Falls will go on quenching the thirst of nature lovers in the days ahead

                                                                                  

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

The Statue of Liberty

 The Statue of Liberty , made of copper, was a gift to the people of the United States from the people of France as a gift in the observance of the centenary of liberation of the United States and the colossal neoclassical sculpture was founded on Liberty Island in New York Harbour. It was designed by Frederic Bartholdi. The statue represents a robed female figure representing the idea(  Libertas - the Roman goddess of liberty) of  liberty. The statue was completed in France on July in 1884 and it was taken to the United Nations in 1885. It was a public funding project for both the donor and the donated nations.  

The Statue carries a part of a broken chain in her leg, in her right hand she holds a lighted torch (46 meter long) and in her left hand she holds a book ( tabula anasta - a tablet evoking the law) and on the tablet the date of the American  Declaration of Independence ( 4 July, 1776) is inscribed. The statue is an icon of freedom and a symbolic welcome to the immigrants to the United States from abroad.

• The statue was under the administration of the United States Lighthouse Board up to 1901.  
• Then the  Department of War administered the statue up to 1933.
• From then on 1933 the National Park Service has been in charge of  administering the statue.
• In 1980s the authority felt the urge of restoration of the statue for its deterioration for natural reasons.
• It was closed from 1984-86 and the torch along with internal parts of it was replaced.
• Then for security reasons it was kept closed after the September 11 attack in 2001. It was reopened to a limited number of visitors in 2009.
• On 15 October in 1924 Fort Wood and the Statue of Liberty within it was made a National Monument by Presidential Proclamation.



Ferry  to carry  to the Statue of Liberty

• In 1956 the name of the island was changed to Liberty Island and Ellis Island was also transferred to the National Park authority and it became a part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.  On July 5 in 1986 the United Nations designated the Statue of Liberty as a World Heritage  Site and the newly restored statue was reopened to the public on 5 July 1986 for the celebration of her centennial.

• It was decided that for a year long upgrading project from October 29, 2011 the statue would remain closed but the Liberty Island would remain open to the visitors during the restoration.
• The height of the Statue of Liberty is 151 ft (46 meter)
•  The thickness of the copper sheet the statue is made of is 2.4 mm.
• The Statue of Liberty is situated at a distance of 1 km from the landing port. There is a ferry service in operation to carry the visitors there comfortably. Visitors have to pay for the tip.
• For a long span of time the Statue of Liberty has been a land mark as a token of love and a recognition of liberty to an elevated plane with mutual understanding between the two nations. Standing at the entrance it  touches the hearts of the immigrants worldwide and creates a scope of universal fraternity.

THE EIFFEL TOWER

The world famous Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice 320 meter( the same height of a 80 story building) tall tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was named after an engineer Gustav Eiffel and his company designed and built the tower as an entrance arch to the World's Fair in 1989 to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution which took place in1789.

In reacting to his criticism comparing it with the  Pyramid Gustav Eiffel declared-" My tower will be the tallest edifice ever erected by man. Will it not also be grandiose in its way? And why would something admirable in Egypt become hideous and  ridiculous in Paris"?The foundation of this edifice started in 1817 and the structural  work came to completion in March 1889. Since lifts were not yet in operation just after the construction, people had to ascend on foot and it took over an hour to reach the permissible top. The tower met an incredible success and long queues formed to make the ascent. Ticket valued a francs for the first level, 3 for the second and 5 for the top respectively during the exhibition.

     It was conditional for Eiffel to dismantle the tower in 1909 (after twenty years of construction)  but it was allowed to stand as usual as the tower was proved very helpful to jam the German communications in the First World War by fitting powerful radio transmitters at the top of the tower. It was a cause of serious hindrance to the German force to advance on Paris and contributed to the victory of the French army for that time.When built, the first level contained two restaurants: an "Anglo-American Bar", and a 250 seat theatre. A 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) promenade ran around the outside.
    On the second level, the French newspaper Le Figaro had an office and a printing press, where a special souvenir edition, Le Figaro de la Tour, was produced.  On the third level there were laboratories for various experiments and a small apartment reserved for Gustav Eiffel to entertain guests visiting Eiffel Tower. This apartment has now been made open to the public, complete with period decorations and lifelike models of Gustave and some guests.
     Upon the German occupation of Paris in 1940 the French cut the lift cables to compel Adlof Hitler to climb up the stairs to the top but Adlof Hitler did not climb the tower and so there goes a saying that-'Hitler conquered France but the Eiffel Tower remained unconquered'.

   Later Hitler ordered General Detrich Von Choltitz to demolish the Eiffel Tower but the general disobeyed Hitler's order. It is presumed that Hitler was made to persuade that the tower would be immensely helpful for communication.

    Th Eiffel Tower made of puddle iron weighs 7,500 tonnes(structure). For the maintenance of the tower  50 to 60 tonnes of paint is needed after the lapse of 7 years.

      Gustov Eiffel chose to engrave the names of notable people, scientists and engineers and they numbered 70.The height of the tower varies up to 15 cm depending on the gravity of temperature of the weather.There are  two restaurants at the tower : Le 58 tour Eiffel, on the first floor 311 ft (95 m) above sea level; and the Le Jules Verne, a gastronnica restaurant on the second floor, with a private lift and other facilities.  

  The tower since the beginning of the 20th century up to 1950s has been used for radio transmission. In 1909 a permanent under ground radio station was established and it still exists today and at present both radio and television broadcast their signals from the top of this renowned tower world wide. Gustav Eiffel will go on inspiring the people around the globe to know the unknown, see the unseen and conquer the unconquered in the days to come. He is our inspiration.

COX'S BAZAR

Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar is the longest (120 km long) sea beach in the world. Bangladeh is proud of it. Cox's Bazar is a town and one of the district head quarters on the south of Bngldesh. It is a fishing port as well. Touists who come here can experience a wonderful have a wonderful experience of walking along miles of golden sands strewn with conch shells and towering cliffs along with slapping sound of surfing waves along the beautiful coast. The present Cox's Bazar derives her name from the very name of captain Hiram Cox, a naval captain of the then colonizing British East India Company in this subcontinent. Formerly Cox's Bazar was named as Palongkee. It was once also named as Panwoa which means 'yellow flower'. Compassionate Cox was especially mobilized to subjugate the century long conflict among the local Rakhaens and the Arakan refugee intending to settle there.Captain Cos touched by the plights of the people made a significant progress in rehabilitating the Arakan refugees but his premature death stood in the way of smooth complition of the task. Cox's Bazar can be a great attraction for the tourists from home and abroad for the following opportunities to enjoy:

Sun Bathing

• Shark free water bathing and swimming in warm water.
• Boating on the sea is really thrilling.http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhv98h_bangladesh-beaches-islands-package-holidays-dhaka-bangladesh-travel-guide_travel 
• Stand by sea shore offers a unique scope of sun bathing.
• Th sun rising and setting behind the rippling waves reflecting the rays is simply captivating.
• Local handmade products by the Rakhyne families can be a good purchase.
• Himchori, picnic spot some 30 km south of Cox's Bazar has been a great attraction for the tourists to visit.
• Laboni beach very close to Cox's Bazar is amply liked  by the tourists.
• Ramu, a Buddhist populated village, is about 16 km from Cox's Bazar is remarkable for handicrafts and homemade cigars.
• A large Buddhist monastery ,Aggameda Khyang, is a place revered by  lot of Buddhists of this locality. Round timber columns hold the structure of the sanctuary on it. There is an assembly hall with a repository of large and small Buddha images of bronze and there are a number of old manuscripts.
• Innani Beach is a stony beach and has been very attractive  for its calmness and serenity.
• Tourists can also visit Maheskhali(268 km from Cox's Bazar), Sonaadia Island(7 km north west of Cox's Bazar) 
• Route to reach Cox’s Bazar: There is an airport at Cox’s Bazar with an easy travel by air from Dhaka. Road communication is also good.

  • Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, an abode of endangered animals is around 50 km from Cox's Bazar town. There abound elephants, Royal Bengal Tigers, crocodiles.bears,chitas and different kinds of birds. 

  

  Hotel

  •  Hotels to reside: There are a number of hotels of international standard to reside comfortably by prior booking. 
  • Cox's Bazar with the advent of time has become one of the best tourist attractions in south east Asia. Efforts are on to add new innovative up-gradation of facilities for the tourists from home and abroad.  
  • It can doubtlessly be said that Cox's Bazar will put an indelible stamp of sweet recollection in your mind. Have a try!