The Largest Wooden Temple

Todai-ji temple in Nara-Japan



It is definitely a very serene place. This is one of the most famous temples in Japan with the largest wooden building in the world. It also holds the largest Buddha statue in Japan which is made of bronze and copper. Located in Nara Park in Central Nara it is considered the landmark of Nara which dates back to 742. It was built by Emporor Shomu in faith of stopping an epidemic that spread during the time. In 798 the entire temple compound was completed.

Entrance to the temple is through the 13th century great southern gates called the Nandaimon with two massive guardian statues called the Nio kings guarding it. These statues are more than 8 meters tall and were erected in 1203 under the direction of Abbot Shunjobo Chogen. The beautifully carved details in these statues are very impressive. After entering through these gates proceed towards the main hall known as Daibutsuden where the big bronze Buddha statue is located. This hall was many times destroyed by earthquakes and fires. The present wooden building that stands was constructed in 1709 is only two thirds of the original size. The original building is said to have had two 100 meter high pagodas which was also destroyed by earthquakes. However, don’t be alarmed to see people trying to squeeze through one of the very small holes at the bottom of the rear pillars in the Daibatsuden. The locals believe if a person can squeeze through these pillars that there will be a place in haven for them. I, myself tried and failed!!! So, I believe I am not fortunate enough to go to haven.

The large Buddha statue known as the Daibatsu is in the Daibutsuden, has gone through much trauma over the years. The head was knocked down by an earthquake and the arms were melted by a fire. Only parts of the original Daibatsu that stands today. The present Daibatsu was re-constructed in 1692. This enormous seated Buddha statue is 15 meters tall (total height with the lotus 30mtrs) and the most prominent aspect being the 966 intricately placed bronze balls held as hair. This statue is considered to be one of the greatest creations in Japan for that era. The original statue was completed in 752 and was ceremoniously opened by an Indian monk, standing on a platform painting the Buddha’s eyes with a big paint brush with colorful strings flowing down so that the Emperor Shomu, his wife Empress Komyo and the reigning Empress Kogen along with other dignitaries were also able to participate in the opening ceremony by holding on to the strings. Hundreds of monks attended this ceremony. The gigantic brush is yet preserved to date. During this period this temple was so powerful politically that the capitol was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 to minimize the interferences in political affairs.

When you come out of the Daibutsuden at the bottom of the steps the Octagonal Lantern which is known to have inscriptions that dates back to the original temple can be sighted. Then to the west of the Daibutsuden is the Kaidanin which was constructed in 754. This was Japan’s first and principle ordination hall. Then there is the Hokke-do which is known to be the oldest structure at Tidaiji was believed to be built during 740 and 747.

A very well known ceremony in this temple is the the Shuni-e (Omizutori) ceremony. This ceremony is held in the Nigatsu-do hall. It is in March and it is a ceremony where people can repent their sins. However, when the Omzutori ceremony was first held in 752 it was to pray for good health and against epidemics and natural disasters. It is a very large event that is held in the temple. There are many ceremonies celebrated during the year. If you plan your visit accordingly you can be a part of one of these ceremonies. The festival of ten thousand lanterns being one of my favorites is held in mid August.

World's Biggest Carnival- Brazil

Carnival of Rio


Just a few days more for the world’s biggest carnival! It is officially scheduled to start on the 12th of February this year and go on for four days. Well, it is not just a carnival. It is based on history, culture, music, dance, fun, glamour and most of all you can dress up to be a different person of liking. Communities come together with all differences kept aside. The rich, the poor, the gay, all celebrating together, something of this magnitude of celebration is not seen anywhere else in the world. This is the time of year the poor in Brazil gets to celebrate without any reservations. The entire city is non-stop partying till the beginning of lent which is Ash Wednesday. The fever of celebration starts from early January. The dance movements, the music, the costumes, the floats are all well designed and the preparations are done throughout the year. It is an experience to look forward to with around 500000 tourists pouring in to the city ready to be indulged on the festivity of partying and just to be embraced by this magnificent celebration which is considered to be the biggest artistic events in the world. However, I have to warn you if you don’t like crowds and noise it is definitely not the place to be as most of Brazil is celebrating during this time of year.

The well-known carnivals take place in Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Olinda (North of Brazil) and in Salvador. However, out of all these the most popular one is the one at Rio de Janeiro. It starts with the crowning of the King Momo who is also known as the Fat king. He is given a giant silver and gold key by the City Mayor.

There are dance schools in every neighborhood in Rio. They play a big role in the carnival. Celebrations are well organized and are carried out by these dance schools. If you like to participate you need to sign up with a dance school. Each dance school has dance movements, costumes, floats, bands, songs with lyrics unique to them. They practice well in advance as it is a competition among the dance schools. Rio carnival concentrates mainly on Samba music and dance movements. The main parades are on Sunday and Monday. The parade is been judged by 40 judges in ten categories and the winner is announced on Tuesday. Therefore, you are expected to give your best to the dance school you are with. You find people dancing to Samba music on the streets from the beginning of the year. As much as it is fun for tourist it is a pride and joy for the Brazilians. It is a feeling that they can’t put into words when they participate in the parade. It is their passion and it comes free to them and anyone and everyone is welcome to participate.

It is no longer a street carnival as the parade is held now at a place called the Sambodrome stadium which is built for this purpose and can accommodate the people that visit each year. Whereas in other cities like Salvador, the parade is held in the streets and sometimes it goes on for weeks.

Costumes are big part of the parade. It glamorizes the entire parade along with the dance and music. A lot of money is spent on these unique costumes. They are beautifully tailored with beads, sequins, mirrors, feathers, diamantes, and anything that shows off. Every day the costumes differ and each school can have more than twenty or thirty different outfits. You have to choose a costume and order your costumes well in advance with the dance school you are planning to participate with if you wish to take part in the parade. The costume is the ticket to participate in the parade and you have to be at the school meeting point two hours before and find the others that are in similar outfits. The meeting point is announced before hand and can be checked with the president of the relevant group. You have to be there well in advance before the gates for your school parade closes. The entire parade around the stadium takes about 45 minutes. It is breathtaking experience and something you will not experience anywhere else. So many people dressed in different costumes that are gorgeous next to you dancing away having fun. Just smile, shake your body to the rhythm, sing and go with the flow with a lot of energy and most importantly just enjoy the atmosphere around you! If you are a spectator you are promised to be awed by the entire event. Be ready to enjoy and have fun!!

Sunny Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Dolphin Cove- Jamaica



Let’s visit a fun place now and take a break from history. If you are in love with sea creatures like dolphins, sharks and stingrays you better make a visit to this great fun loving place. It is an interesting day trip if you are in Ochi Rios or in Montego Bay areas. A place you must not forget your swimsuit, sun block and a big hat. This place allows you to play and swim with dolphins, stingrays and even pet sharks.
The place has a rustic atmosphere which is welcoming. There are a few attractions to choose to spend your day, dolphins being the main one. It is well worth the time and money as you can swim, pet, play and even kiss the dolphins. There are friendly instructors to guide you and help you. If you do not feel comfortable getting into the water with dolphins and not a great swimmer you can simply pet them from the shore and have a close view of these amazing creatures. The second attraction that really caught my attention was the stingrays. They are these unique sea creatures that you really feel afraid at the look of it but as you pet and snorkel with them you really start to admire them. There are many of them and I was told that they are been trained before they are been allowed to swim with people. The down side of this place is taking of photographs are prohibited and only photos taken by their own cameramen can be purchased at the end of the day. Another unique experience is the shark show. There are white sharks you can pet and hold for an attractive sum of money. Or if you are not a risk taker just watch the shark show from the deck. But watch out there are pirates on the deck!!
Other attractions include a jungle trail which is also entertaining for kids as you can pet snakes, iguanas and beautiful parakeets. Also large spiders and enormous cobwebs could be spotted on the way. Then comes the speed boat rides. It is a thrilling experience too. If speed boats are not your favorite water sport why not try out the kayaking. If you are exhausted with all these activities you have an option of lying down in the sun and just enjoying the beautiful weather or try out a nice Jamaican jerk chicken or steam fish with cocktails made with Jamaican rum to beat the burning sun.
Don’t forget those souvenirs which seem to crowd every part of Jamaica. Since Jamaica is a tourist destination you just cannot escape the souvenir shops. T-shirts, caps, slippers, towels, ornaments, jewelry, all have these funny slogans and the Jamaican flag colors. Oops! Also don’t forget the photos.

Dunn’s Fall- Jamaica



A few minutes away from Dolphin Cove is another popular attraction is the climbing of the Dunn’s river falls. With water icy cold and gushing down the rocks it definitely is a must. It is not a just the climb that is interesting. On the way to the top you can do these fun things like dive in backwards to a pool of water or slide down the fall with the speed of water or even stand under the gushing water for a shoulder massage. It is recommended to climb the falls with rubber sole water shoes but bare feet will do too. The water shoes can be either rented or purchased at the top of the water fall near the entrance. You make your way down to the beach by steps and start climbing back to the top of the fall. There are guides to take you and assist you to climb. The entire party holds hands and follows the guide. Mind you it is slippery and the force of the water might push you down. But it is fun and exciting!! So don’t miss out on this experience. Anyways, by the time you leave Jamaica you will be saying “no problem mon” or “everything is everything” with a happy smile.

The Gift of Land and Sea

Mont Saint Michel- FRANCE



Well now I am planning to travel to the very well known and much written destination Mont Saint Michel in France. One of my favorite destinations. With so much history written on this beautiful place which has chapels to ramparts to churches it is indeed a breathtaking place. The history goes back to 16th October 708 A.D. It stands gloriously in the middle of the ocean known to be the gift of land and sea. The Mont has served not only as a religious place, that served as a retreat to pilgrims and devotees, but also served as an very important role in many wars fought that dates back to William the Conqueror. Mont Saint Michel stood as a symbol of resistance during the One Hundred Years’ war. The guardrooms, the ramparts and the English bombards are evidence to the role the Mont played during the wars though out its history.
On entering the main street it leads to the Abbey on top of the rock. There are two main stairways. The great outer staircase, that leads from the village to the monastery, and the inner staircase which leads from the guardroom to a terrace known as Gautier’s Leap. Then there is the lace stairway that leads to the top of the chevet, from which there is a panoramic view of the entire bay. The Mont has gone through many architectural reforms like Romanesque to flamboyant Gothic. The Romanesque Church which was completed in 1084 said to have taken almost hundred years to construct. Then the crypt of Our Lady of Thirty Candles was built. Pillars and arches were introduced that gave birth to galleries and windows to give natural light. The entrance to the Romanesque abbey was on the northwest side of the island which as completed early years of the 12th century. The Mont’s height of fame was during the Abbacy of Robert de Thorigny 1154 to 1186. It was politically, materially, and intellectually thriving during his period. However, the end of this era also brought the end of the age of Romanesque architecture and the reign of the Dukes as Normandy was conquered by the French king Phillip Augustus.
Unlike the English Dukes, with the kings of France having very less to do with the election of Abbots or the life in the Mont, Abbots started to build more elaborate and flamboyant buildings towards the end of the 12th century. Three stories of chambers in the western and eastern sides with more space and light now known as the Marvel was built during the first forty years of the 13th century. Great change in architecture was taking place all over Europe and the Mont also did its part to the architectural style Gothic. It is a masterpiece with beautiful decorative features specially seen in the cloisters in the upper storey which were used by the monks for their recreation. Upper storey also has the refractory and the knights’ chamber where monks worked and studied and the scriptorium where the copyist and illuminators workshop are in the second level. Also on the second level is the guests’ room. This has elegant ribbed vaulting and columns that brings in the light to show of the beauty of the stylized foliage. This turns out to be one of the most elegant gothic piece of work done during the Middle Ages. The undercroft where the food was received and the almonry where the poorest pilgrims where accommodated are on the lowest level.
A walk down the rampart and the town is a must. The small village had inns, taverns where pilgrims could stay. There are yet some of the houses that exist from those days and some restored. With so much history to offer a visit to Mont St. Michel is something you will not regret!!

A small note to the readers- Please write a few words about a place you really enjoyed visiting with a picture if you wish. It will give an opportunity for other readers to know about a glorious place that they never imagined. It does not matter whether it is small country side place or a place in a busy city. All that matters is how passionate you are about the place. Please invite other friends to contribute to the site too. Thanks you hope you enjoy reading about different destinations.