Tag Archive | "india"
17 Biggest Buddhas on Earth
Bigger, better, heavier – that seems to be the motto of Asia’s amazing Buddha statues. Our list features actual statues as well as destroyed and planned ones but all have to be taller than 165 ft (50 m). Where does that leave the most famous and sadly destroyed Buddhas of Bamyan? At 55 m, they are some of the shortest! Read on to discover which one tops the list – a hint: it’s a good 500 ft!
Continue reading...Rama’s Bridge: The 30-Mile Sandbank That Divides Two Cultures
Friday, October 16, 2009
Rama’s Bridge, also called Adam’s Bridge, is a 30-mile-stretch (48 km) of 103 sandbanks that form a natural connection between the island of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India and Mannar in northwestern Sri Lanka. Though usually a symbol of connection and peace, this particular bridge has caused controversy galore between Hindus, Moslems, politicians and environmentalists for quite a while now.
Continue reading...Treasures of the Ancient World Carved Into Rock
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
For almost 2600 years from 1280 BCE to the 12 and 13th century CE, rock-cut architecture was all the rage from the Far East and Orient, to Africa and the Middle East. It is the practice of creating buildings by carving solid rock, preferably from the top down. Unlike caves and other natural rock crevices, rock-cut architecture is all man-made. Follow us while we take a tour of the most spectacular tombs and cave dwellings carved into rocks around the world...
Continue reading...The Insane Bull Riders of Tamil Nadu
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tens of thousands throng the streets in the town of Alanganallur, and the hush that falls signals something is happening. Suddenly, a path is ripped through the sea of people by the beast – the juggernaut – all have come to see. Garlanded with flowers and coloured powder (gulal), the bull charges from its human corridor into the open bent on wreaking havoc with horns sharpened to deadly points. The competitors swallow their nerves, ready to leap on the animal already scattering bodies.
Continue reading...World Population Day Special: The Power Of Crowds
Saturday, July 11, 2009
World Population Day is not only a time to reflect on the many ways in which we could improve the lives of the Earth’s 6.7 billion citizens but also a chance to appreciate the power of the people – our energy, determination and ability to achieve when we put our minds together. The following ten images show that even in a crowd, everybody counts.
Continue reading...10 Beautiful Yet Deadly Mega Metropolises
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Any city with a few million inhabitants is bound to have problems: population, pollution, transportation, water quality, sanitation, crime, natural disasters – you name it. A mega metropolis with a population of 10 or even 20 million will have massive ones especially if it is disadvantaged due to geographic location. Let’s take a look at ten of these mega metros around the world and see what’s bothering them most.
Continue reading...11 Impossibly Loaded Bicycles
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Whoever doubts that the humble bicycle is the world’s most versatile vehicle will have to rethink upon seeing these pictures. Regardless whether in China, South America or India, people use bikes not only to get themselves from Point A to Point B, but also a whole load of other stuff. Here are a few pictures of impossible bicycle loads that seem to defy gravity.
Continue reading...Precariously Loaded Trucks
Monday, June 8, 2009
If you have ever travelled in areas of the world where, how should we say, truck limits and loads are not taken that seriously, you might be familiar with the strange, gravity-defying sights that are to follow. We hope you've strapped yourself in properly as you're in for a bumpy ride. Here’s our Top 10 of precariously loaded trucks.
Continue reading...Warning: Sheep Crossing!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The English language is quite unforgiving when it comes to sheep – it turns them into black ones or even casts sheep’s eyes on them. But far from being sheepish, these bovids like to have it their way, literally. As the following pictures show, roads, rivers and even steep, narrow bridges cannot deter a herd of sheep. And those surrounded and stuck better show some patience.
Continue reading...The Rainbow Coloured Skies of India
Thursday, May 7, 2009
India is for many a country of contrasts, extremes and in recent years, upswing. India Shining was the political slogan with which India started the first decade of the new millennium. It has always been a country of colours so, inspired by last week’s article on rainbows, we’ve arranged stunning pictures of Indian mood scapes according to the rainbow spectrum.
Continue reading...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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