ANCIENT PILGRIMAGE PLACES AROUND DWARKA – GUJARAT

Historically speaking, Dwarka is a part of Prabhas Kshetra as described in Skanda Puran. It is a larger area that extends till Somnath in the east. So, you can find many small but ancient places arounSaturn’s ring system, made of seven rings, comprise dust, rock and ice particles. While some particles are as small as a grain of sand, some are almost as big as tall buildings.d Dwarka that you can visit from Dwarka.

Bet Dwarka

Beyt Dwarka is located on an island off the coast of Okha, 35 km away from Dwarka. You need to take a boat to reach Bet Dwarka. This is most popular of the places around Dwarka.

Mul Dwarka is believed to be the first place where Sri Krishna and his party stopped when they came from Mathura. It lies about 75 km from Dwarka at a place called Visavada closer to Porbandar.

There is a small temple complex here. There are temples dedicated to Shiva as Neelkanth Mahadev and Siddheshwar Mahadev. There is a pair of temple one dedicated to Ranchor Rai – as Krishna is known in Saurashtra and another to Shiva. These temples are made in typical Nagar style temple architecture and Panch-Ratan sub style and they are as they must have been built. There are spaces for people to sit inside the temple.

 Mul Dwarka a very small but extremely peaceful group of temples.

The interesting feature here is a 13th CE L shaped stepwell called Jananvyapi. Does that remind you of Jnana Vapi well in Varanasi? There are covered pavilions around this stepwell. I could see the sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu and Surya placed in niches leading to the stepwell.  A pavilion on top would be kept cool by the waters of the Vav or stepwell.

There is another Mul Dwarka which is closer to Somnath. It can be safely assumed that the landscape of this coastal region would have changed many times over a course of thousands of years and Mul Dwarka may have changed places. Another argument can be that people created a Mul Dwarka wherever Sri Krishna stopped on his way from Braj Bhumi.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is located at a distance of about 16 km from Dwarka. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. There is another Nagesh Jyotirlinga at Jageshwar Dham in Uttarakhand. I would never know which one is the real, but now that I have visited them both, I have ticked it off my list.

It is small temple recently built by the Gulshan Kumar of T-Series fame. The original temple must have been very small. It is a rather simple temple in red next to an ancient pond that I found full of turtles. I could see the old steps leading to the base of the pond but they have obviously been out of use in the longest of time. There is an old tree that must have sheltered the original temple structure when the new building was not there. Walk around and you can feel the age-old energy in the place.

Outside the temple is a giant Shiv Murti in a sitting pose. Last I saw such a huge Shiv Murti was at Char Dham in Namchi, Sikkim. It is quite a rage with visitors as no photography is allowed inside the temple. Shiv Murti is a perfect place to take photos as well as selfies.

Indreshwar Mahadev Temple where Arjun had kidnapped Subhadra. It is a small colorful temple with a Shivalinga at the core. The original temple was again somewhere in the temple complex with a cave where Arjuna supposed to have meditated.

Not too far from here is a Kund or Pond, where Arjuna and Subhadra got married. The lady at Indereshwar temple guided us for this, but we could not locate this.

The Most Iconic Buildings Around The World..........Part II

                    Sydney Opera House
Even if you’ve never been to Sydney or to the opera, you know what this building looks like. It’s one of the most unique and beautiful buildings of the 20th century and beyond.

 Space Needle  - This architectural marvel can be found in Seattle, Washington. The height of it isn’t the impressive part – it’s how ridiculously thin it is. And It’s got a flying saucer on top of it! I’m pretty sure it’s the only reason to come to Seattle, but boy is it a good one!

 Burj Khalifa

We may not be able to pronounce this thing or remember its name, but we sure as hell know about that almost-one-kilometer tall tower in Dubai. Those people do architecture right.

  

The Most Iconic Buildings Around The World

Architecture can be quite fascinating. Just try to imagine your design shaping an entire skyline, and maybe even reaching the status where everyone around the world can identify your building. Of course no one would know it’s actually yours, let alone recognize you on the streets. But you’d know, and that’s what matters.
If you’re thinking of picking up the noble profession of designing buildings, here’s a few where they went beyond the “square with a triangle on top” thing most architects do and created a truly unique building.

Buckingham Palace
Well, you’d need quite a bit of luck to be hired for a job like this, but it’s possible! If they ever plan to rebuild it, that is. Don’t see why they should, but don’t let your dreams be dreams.

Taj Mahal
This temple is also one of the Earth’s architectural wonders, so I guess it had to stand out somehow to avoid confusion, right?

Empire State Building
This building was famous before it was climbed by King Kong, and it’s still shaping the New York skyline like nothing else.

Leaning Tower of Pisa
Proving how you don’t need to do a perfect job in order to make an impact, this tower pulls in loads of tourists every year. And of course they all have to make a silly picture while they're there.

 The Shard

This building pops out of the ground in London like, well, a huge shard of glass. The name wasn’t exactly very inventive. It’s a beautiful, beautiful building though.

St. Basil’s Cathedral
The typical Red Square cathedral in Moscow is so unique it’s only ever confused with the castle from Disneyland.

The second largest planet in our solar system, Saturn ...........Part II

Owing to its fast rotational speed of 6,200 mph (9,977.9 kmph), Saturn bulges out at the equator, and flattens out at the poles, giving it an oblate shape.

Saturn doesn’t have a solid surface. A giant gaseous planet, it is mostly composed of hydrogen and helium, with small traces of methane, ammonia, acetylene, ethane, propane and phosphine.

The planet is believed to have a small, rocky core, surrounded by thick liquid metallic hydrogen layer and then another liquid layer of helium-filled molecular hydrogen. This layer slowly transforms into gas as altitude increases.Since it is mostly made of gas, Saturn is the least dense planet in our solar system. So, if there was a swimming pool big enough to hold all the planets, Saturn would float on water. In comparison, Earth and Mercury would sink the fastest.

One of the windiest planets, the wind speed around Saturn’s equator can go up to 1,118 mph (1,800 kmph). Compare that to Earth’s mightiest winds, which can attain a maximum speed of 250 mph (400 kmph).

The planet has 53 marked moons, along with nine more which are awaiting confirmation of discovery. Its largest natural satellite is the Titan, which is larger than the planet Mercury. Only Jupiter has more moons (63) than Saturn.

While Saturn itself might not be able to support life, its Titan and Enceladus moons might be able to provide a favorable habitat for microbial life, as inferred by scientist after studying their chemical compositions.

Along with Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter, Saturn is one of the five planets which you can see with t he naked eye. However, to observe its rings, you need to use a telescope.

Cooler than most other planets, Saturn has an average temperature of -350° F (-212° C). The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth is -129° F (-89° C).

In 1610, Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei was the first to see Saturn through a telescope. Seeing the rings, he thought that they were the “ears,” or “handles” of the planet, or probably its moons

 Since Saturn spins on a tilt, it has seasons. The summers on the planet last for nearly eight Earth years.

The planet is known for its incredibly high atmospheric pressure – strong enough to squeeze gas into liquid. No human spacecraft created to date would be able to withstand such pressure.

The planet was named after the Roman god of farming, Saturn (illustrated), and is denoted by the god’s tool, a sickle.

It has 1.1 times more gravitational pull than Earth. For example, if an athlete jumps 10 ft (3 meters) in the air here, he will be able to make it to a maximum height of 9.4 ft (2.8 meters) on Saturn.

The second largest planet in our solar system, Saturn

The second largest planet in our solar system, Saturn has a radius of 36,183.68 miles (58,232 km). Just how big is that? If Earth was the size of a nickel, Saturn would be as big as a basketball in comparison. In fact, around 750 Earths could fit comfortably inside the ringed planet.

Saturn is not the only one in our solar system with celestial rings around it. Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune also have them, however, they are considerably fainter and not visible prominently.

Saturn’s ring system, made of seven rings, comprise dust, rock and ice particles. While some particles are as small as a grain of sand, some are almost as big as tall buildings.

 The rings are big in size but really small in thickness. Some of Saturn’s main rings could cover the distance between Earth and moon, however, their thickness is less than a mile.

       Approximately every 14 years, Saturn’s rings seem to disappear when they align with the line of slight from Earth. The phenomenon is called "ring crossing."

          While a day on Saturn is just 10 hours and 39 minutes long, a Saturn year lasts for 10,759.22 days, or 29.4 Earth years.

Neurons ripple while brains rest to lock in memories

Memories resonate in the mind even when it's not aware of processing them. New research from Rice University and Michigan Medicine takes a step toward understanding why these ripples hint at the bigger picture of how brains sort and store information. Researchers led by Caleb Kemere of Riceand Kamran Diba of Michigan Medicine have developed a tool to form quantitative models of memory. Their strategy analyzes waves of firing neurons that race in an instant across the hippocampus and beyond in animals while they're active and, significantly, while they rest. The researchers' work employs hidden Markov models commonly used in machine learning to study sequential patterns. Their models demonstrated that minimal data harvested from the brain during periods of rest can be used to explore big ideas about how memories form and are retained.

15 Zodiac Signs That Would Make The Best Couples.......Part I

There are certain things that help you understand someone – their favorite food, what their favorite movies are, what their childhood was like… but knowing your astrological compatibility runs much deeper than any of those things. It’s actually possible to figure out who your soulmate is just by dating someone that was born in a certain month, and ultimately can help you find that one person that you’ve been waiting for.

1. Libra and Leo
Both of these signs like to complement each other, and are good communicators. They both love social gatherings, and also adore romance and experiencing each other as lovers. They both feel free to express themselves – the Leo demands attention, and the Libra will love to constantly flatter that ego.

2. Aries and Aquarius
There’s never a dull moment with these two! This relationship is very exciting and adventures – they love each other, but also love their freedom. These two can be a highly creative couple, and are often rooted in mutual admiration.

3. Aries and Cancer

An Aries is bold and fiercely independent – sure to have a good head on their shoulders. A Cancer will be attracted to that high energy and enjoy the challenge, as well as bringing out the best in the Aries. An Aries can actually teach a Cancer how to become independent.

4. Pisces and Aries
These two can be very good for each other – they’re both romantics at heart who can share a deep and lasting love, which encourages each other to be their best. Pisces will be sensitive, and their trustworthiness will get them a long way in relationships. Aries is a leader with a lot of initiative, and they’ll pursue the Pisces without hesitation. They’ll also take on the role of protector.

 5. Taurus and Cancer

These signs have a mutual understanding for each other . The cancer is loyal and affectionate, and will show strong emotional support. Both Taurus and Cancer value home and family, stability, being nurtured and staying in more than socializing . You’re both also probably foodies! Cooking and Netflix is the key to love, after all.

6. Taurus and Capricorn
These two have love and respect for each other, with almost telepathic understanding. The Taurus will admire their partner’s work ethic, strong ambition, and hilarious nature while the Capricorn will be grateful for the other’s sensible nature. Luckily, these practical signs are on the same wave length on most things.

What makes a halo around the sun or moon?...... Part II

Halo around the sun, seen from Sweden on April 24, 2014, and captured by Fotograf Goran Strand.

Moon halo captured by Aaron Robinson in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on January 30, 2015.

            Abhinav Singhai captured this sun halo above wheat fields in November, 2014.

Jean Marie Andre Delaporte captured this image of a halo around the sun in Normandy, France, in April, 2014.

Solar halo seen May 14, 2013, in Monmouth, New Jersdy, as captured by EarthSky Facebook friend Stacey Baker-Bruno. 

Halos around the sun or moon are caused by high, thin cirrus clouds drifting high above your head. Tiny ice crystals in Earth’s atmosphere create the halos. They do it by refracting and reflecting the light. Lunar halos are signs that storms are nearby.

What makes a halo around the sun or moon?........Part I

We get many messages throughout each year from people who’ve just spotted a large ring or circle of light around the sun or moon. Scientists call them 22-degree halos. Why? Because the ring has a radius of approximately 22 degrees around the sun or moon.

People always ask, what causes these gigantic rings?

There’s an old weather saying: ring around the moon means rain soon. There’s truth to this saying, because high cirrus clouds often come before a storm. Notice in these photos that the sky looks fairly clear. After all, you can see the sun or moon. And yet halos are a sign of high, thin cirrus clouds drifting 20,000 feet or more above our heads.

Eliot Herman wrote on May 5, 2018: “This shows the change that occurred over 7 minutes as a lunar halo emerged. It then persisted for about 40 minutes and disappeared with increasing clouds. Although it appears the halo is forming from an odd shape what is actually illuminated is the edge of the clouds just before the halo formed as the clouds drifted in front of the moon. But it does have a nice illusion of an odd-shaped halo then becoming round.”

These clouds contain millions of tiny ice crystals. The halos you see are caused by both refraction, or splitting of light, and also by reflection, or glints of light from these ice crystals. The crystals have to be oriented and positioned just so with respect to your eye, in order for the halo to appear.

That’s why, like rainbows, halos around the sun – or moon – are personal. Everyone sees their own particular halo, made by their own particular ice crystals, which are different from the ice crystals making the halo of the person standing next to you.

If you see a halo, notice this! Because moonlight isn’t very bright, lunar halos are mostly colorless, but you might notice more red on the inside and more blue on the outside of the halo. These colors are more noticeable in halos around the sun. If you do see a halo around the moon or sun, notice that the inner edge is sharp, while the outer edge is more diffuse. Also, notice that the sky surrounding the halo is darker than the rest of the sky.

A moon halo in Mandan, North Dakota, by Marshall Lipp. February, 2015.

Sun halo and sundogs. Captured 37,000 feet up, over Bhopal, India, on October 3, 2015.

Doug Waters in New Bern, North Carolina, caught this photo on February 4, 2015. He wrote: “High cirrus clouds from an approaching weather system presented the perfect opportunity for a halo to form around the sun, which appeared to be pierced by the contrail of a passing airliner.”

Jupiter and full moon witin lunar halo on February 3, 2015. Seen from Estonia by EarthSky Facebook friend Jüri Voit.

9 Most Memorable Priyanka Chopra Red Carpet Looks.

People are used to seeing Bollywood actresses in traditional dresses and saris, but Priyanka Chopra is happy to break that stereotype. Of course she has nothing against showing up to an event or a premier in a beautiful sari, but she’s also very much into fashion and is always happy to experiment with different dresses and try on various styles. Today we thought we’d take a look at some of the most memorable red carpet looks that Priyanka Chopra has graced us with.

1. Golden Globes 2017 
Priyanka wore this gorgeous sparkly dress to the Golden Globes, and it was a perfect look for the occasion. It felt like her dress was a literal representation of the event.

2. Emmys 2017
This white dress Priyanka wore to the 2017 Emmys with a feathery mermaid tail it really made her stand out on the red carpet. She looked absolutely stunning in it.

3. Emmys 2016
The year before, however, she wore a red dress. Many would think that it would blend in with the red carpet, but Priyanka did anything but blend in. She stood out like the star that she is and the adorable photos of her swishing and swirling in that dress were all over the internet for months.

4. Met Gala 2017
Met Gala is just the right even to make bold fashion choices and Priyanka did not disappoint. This trench coat dress was a big hit at the Met last year.

5. Oscars 2016
The lacy white dress Priyanka wore to the Oscars in 2016 gave us some serious Beyonce vibes, and she looked absolutely incredible in it.

6. Oscars 2017
It seems like Priyanka has a theme for Oscars, because in 2017 she also wore a white form fitting dress, except this time it was more structured and futuristic looking.

7. Sony Guild Film Awards 2015

Is that a black leather dress or does it just look like it? We’re not sure. The only thing we know is that Priyanka looked incredibly hot in a very cool vampy way at the Sony Guild Film Awards in 2015.

8. Stardust Awards 2016
This semi traditional outfit Priyanka wore to the Stardust Awards was a public favourite. It’s just the right combination of traditional clothing with a modern twist. No wonder she left the event with the Global Icon of the Year Award.