The History of Buddha Park in Vientiane

The Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan or Spirit City, is a collage of concrete moulded statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities and other bizarre figures, 25k outside of Vientiane, Laos. It’s a large collection of all shapes and sizes, a theme park of religious imagery but one that includes rabbits, insects, skulls and a giant pumpkin along with hundreds of other curiosities.

The main attractions of this park are the reclining Buddha and the giant pumpkin. This giant pumpkin is a 3 storey structure. The entrance to this structure is through a demon mouth. On each floor you have external galleries which consist of internal chambers. Theses internal chambers are filled with various statues. If you climb all the way up, you get a magnificent view of the entire park.                      

               
The Buddha Park as Xieng Khuan, which means 'Spirit City'. Forget the typical Buddha images seen in temples across Southeast Asia; the Buddha Park near Vientiane contains over 200 sometimes-menacing statues portraying Buddhist and Hindu lore.A 390-foot-long reclining Buddha is the crown jewel of the collection. The religious-themed statues are spread over a peaceful lawn and certainly capture the main attractions of all visitors.A three-story dome allows visitors to enter through the gaping mouth of a demon and then climb staircases through the dark, dusty structure from 'Hell' to 'Earth' and eventually emerging at 'Heaven' on top of the dome for a spectacular view of the park.

Buddha Park was built in the year 1958 by Bunleua Sulilat, a spiritual leader in turn sculptor who emigrated to Thailand during the Communist occupation. In Thailand, he created a park similar to the Buddha of Vientiane, Sala Kaew Ku Park Park.The Buddha Park is full of bizarre sculptures and constructions, all of them made in reinforced concrete. Some of these sculptures were built thanks to the donation of a benefactor, whose name was engraved on a plaque at the base of the work. Buddha Park not only there are sculptures of Buddha, but there are also anthropomorphic sculptures, animals, gods and demons.

According to the folklore, this park consists of a Savan, located at one end of the park, where the spirits of noble people are present. These spirits are considered to bring harmony to all. There are various statues of Buddha; Avalokiteshvara a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas and is portrayed in different cultures as either male or female. There are numerous sculptures of Buddha, and Hindu Gods and mythological figures including Shiva, Vishnu and Arjuna.

The best way to get to the Buddha Park is by local bus. Take bus number 14 at the Vientiane Central Bus Station just opposite the Morning Market. The buses leave every 15 minutes from 6:00 am until 3:45 pm and the last bus from the Buddha Park back to the city center is at 4:45 pm. The cost is 6,000 kip and takes about 45 minutes. Another means to visit the Park is to hire a Tuk Tuk. A two way trip that lasts half a day costs under 200,000 kip ($25 USD).

Most Popular Ancient Greek Temple of Zeus

The massive temple of Zeus, the most important building in the Altis, standing in its very centre, is the largest temple in the Peloponnese, considered by many to be the perfect example of Doric architecture. It was built by the Eleans from the spoils of the Triphylian war and dedicated to Zeus. Construction began c. 470 and was completed before 456 BC, when an inscribed block was let into the east gable to support a gold shield dedicated by the Spartans in commemoration of their victory at Tanagra. The architect was Libon of Elis; the sculptor of the pediments is unknown.

Built not as places of mass worship, but rather as homes for the deities, Ancient  Greek temples were symbols of a Ancient Greek city’s status, culture and achievement. Though the earliest ancient Greek temples would have been made of wood or mud brick, by around the 6th century BC the stone and marble structures which have come to epitomise these temples began to appear, with the best examples such as the Parthenon being built in the 5th century BC.

Ancient Greece, temples were not places of worship but monuments dedicated to the beloved gods and goddesses. Many important ancient greek temples are located in Greece and other countries, such as Italy, which were then part of the ancient Greek empire.                                      

   
Temple of Olympian

The Temple of Olympia Zeus in Athens it does not take much imagination to realize that this was one gigantic temple. Construction began in the 6th century BC during the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisaged building the greatest temple in the ancient world, but it was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD some 638 years after the project had begun.

Temple of Apollo Epicurius

The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae is not the first to occupy the site artifacts have been discovered that date to the seventh century B.C., and votive offerings from far earlier it was completed a handful of years before the Parthenon, making it the oldest remaining temple from Classical Greece. Its isolated location at 3,710 feet above sea level on Mount Kotilion in the Peloponnese was instrumental in its preservation through the centuries; it simply would have been too much work to loot the temple's stone and use it to build new places of worship in developing population centers.

Temple of Hephaestus

The Temple of Hephaestus, dedicated to the god of metal-working and craftsmanship, is located in Athens, Greece. The temple was designed by Ictinus, one of the Parthenon’s architects. The Temple of Hephaestus is the best-preserved ancient Greek temple in the world.

Temple of Zeus at Cyrene

Cyrene was the most important monuments of the five Greek colonies in present-day Libya. High up from the rest of the city, lies the Temple of Zeus, dating back to the 5th century BC. It was destroyed during a Jewish rebellion in 115 AD, and was restored 5 years later by the Romans on order of Emperor Hadrian. In 365 AD an earthquake reduced the temple to rubble once more and it was not rebuilt until modern times by British and Italian archaeologists. This temple is larger than the Parthenon, a reflection of the wealth and importance of Cyrene in the ancient Greek world.

Most Popular Tourist Places in France

France is the world’s most popular tourist attractions France, a country with world-beating art and architecture. It is home to the Europe’s popular landmark the vertiginous Eiffel Tower. The Musee d’Orsay is home to impressionist and post-impressionist art while the Louvre Museum is home to several masterpieces, including the ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Liberty leading the people’, etc. Visit the fairyland destination of Mont Saint-Michel or learn about the volcanic eruptions at Vulcania.

Palace of Versailles

One of the best known tourist attractions in France, few places better showcase the opulence and grandeur of the French monarchy better than the Palace of Versailles. There’s a huge amount to see here, from stunning architecture to fabulous furniture, art and antiques and of course the magnificent gardens. Audio headsets are available as are guided tours probably a good idea given the sheer scale of the place.

Louvre Museum

the former royal palace of French Kings, the Louvre is an incomparable museum that ranks among the top European collections of fine arts. Many of Western Civilization's most famous works are found here including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci, the Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese, and the 1st-century-BC Venus de Milo sculpture. The collection owes its wealth to the contributions of various kings who lived in the Louvre.

Loire Valley Châteaux

Traveling through the Loire Valley feels like turning the pages of a children's storybook. Throughout the enchanting countryside of woodlands and river valleys are fairy-tale castles complete with moats and turreted towers. The entire area of the Loire Valley, a lush area known as the "Garden of France," is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral, devoted to the Virgin Mary is one of the most beautiful churches in the world. It was inaugurated in 1260 and has been well preserved till today. The church has been a major pilgrimage tourist destination since the Early Middle Ages. Chartres Cathedral is highly praised for its sculpture, much celebrated stained glass as well as its high gothic style.

Musee d’Orsay

The Musee d’Orsay exhibiting the world’s famous art is constructed upon the site of the former Gare d’Orsay railway station. The museum is home to the world’s biggest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art. The exhibits at the museum are broadly categorized under six heads: Painting collection, Sculpture collection, Objects d’art collection, Photographic collection, Graphic arts collection, and Architecture.

Funny Facts About on South Africa

South Africa, Africa's southernmost nation, is also Africa's largest and most developed economy. Diamond and gold strikes in the late 19th century began transforming this land of African tribespeople, Boer farmers, and British traders into an industrial colossus. Today South Africa produces high tech equipment and is a world leader in the output of gold and diamonds. On South Africa's high grassland plateau, or veld, lies its premier city, Johannesburg (usually shortened to Jo'burg). Johannesburg and its satellite cities are home to more than 8 million people generating 9 percent of all economic activity in Africa.

South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. Exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and african culture offer the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. Here are the quick facts to get you started.South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by northern neighbours Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It encompasses the independent mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland and is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the warm Indian Ocean on the east giving the country its spectacular range of biodiversity.      

Geography

South Africa, on the continent's southern tip, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and by the Indian Ocean on the south and east. Its neighbors are Namibia in the northwest, Zimbabwe and Botswana in the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland in the northeast. The kingdom of Lesotho forms an enclave within the southeast part of South Africa, which occupies an area nearly three times that of California.The southernmost point of Africa is Cape Agulhas, located in the Western Cape Province about 100 mi (161 km) southeast of the Cape of Good Hope.

Economy

Economy A lesser known fact on South Africa Tribes is that it has achieved steady economic growth in gross domestic product (GDP) since the late 90s. The country, regarded as an emerging market, has a well developed financial sector and active stock exchange. Financial policies have focused on building solid macroeconomic structures. The country’s central bank is the Reserve Bank.

Tourism

Tourism Since the demise of apartheid, international tourist arrivals have surged, making tourism one of the fastest growing sectors. The tourism industry is well-established with an exciting sector of emerging entrepreneurs. The country is strong on adventure, sport, nature and wildlife travel and is a pioneer and global leader in responsible tourism.

Education

The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a pioneer of tertiary distance education and is the largest correspondence university in the world, with 250,000 students. South Africa’s matric pass rate has improved from 49% in 1994 to 70% in 2004, but students receiving university exemptions have remained at 18%.
The first MBA program outside of the US was started by the University of Pretoria in 1949.

National Symbols

National Symbols of South Africa is a multi-lingual country and there are 11 official languages including: English, Afrikaans, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. Composed by Enoch Sontonga in 1899, the Xhosa hymn 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika is South Africa's national anthem.

Top 5 Most Popular Fort of India

India is known for its historical grandeur which still subsists in forts and palaces across the country.ndia is a land of ancient forts and monuments,which describe its deep manifested past. Two forts in India are UNESCO world heritage sites the Agra fort and the Red fort. Forts and Palaces of India are the country’s treasured,present the magnamity of the Royal Kingdoms of India. Types of Ancient Indian Forts are Jal durg,Giri durg and Vana durg. Qila Mubarak a historical monument in Bathinda is the oldest surviving fort in India.

History has its pages written in the Forts of India. Forts of Indian present the magnamity of the Royal Kingdoms which India used to have. Today these stand as a reminder of the past and the Grandeur it had.There are a number of famous forts in India,while Rajasthan has the most number of forts, Some of the major forts of India are Hari Parbat Fort, Rohtasgarh Fort, Bekal Fort and Uparkot Fort.          

Jaisalmer Fort

One of the finest and well-maintained forts in India is the Jaisalmer Fort in Thar Desert in the State of Rajasthan. We can say that Rajasthan is the fort capital of India, if we look at the total number of forts in the country. The forts of Rajasthan are in very good condition and are the prime tourist locations for people visiting India and Rajasthan. The massive yellow sandstone structure is tawny lion color during the day and turns honey-gold as the sun sets. This transition of color camouflages the fort making it appear a part of the great That desert which is why it is also known as the Golden Fort.

Chittaurgarh Fort

Chittaurgarh Fort is the largest fort of India and the grandest in the state of Rajasthan. It is situated on the left bank of the Berach river. It is also called as Water Fort, The fort had 84 water bodies inside, out of which only about 22 exist today. This living testimony represent the bravery of Maharana Pratap Singh and the great Rajput rulers of Rajasthan.

Red Fort

One would usually not think of the Delhi based Red Fort as one the fort and famous destinations, but its significance in history and the current status of one the sight-seeing spots in the capital, ensures that it makes the cut. The fort is also known as Lal Qila and is situated in the heart of the old city, overlooking the charmingly chaotic streets of Delhi with rickshaws, busy shoppers at Chandi Chowk and the largest bird hospital of Asia.

Golconda fort

The famous Golconda fort located at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, built by Kakatiya kings. The heritage monument is known for its rich history and a majestic and imposing grand structure. Golkonda was once renowned for the Magnificent diamonds found on the south-east at Kollur Mine near Kollur lake. The awesome Golconda Fort is famous for its military architecture and One of the most wonderful monuments in India.

Agra Fort

Built during the reign of Emperor Akbar the Great, Agra Fort is considered the most important fort in the whole of India. Although the history of Agra goes back 2,500 years, it wasn’t until the famous Mughal ruler came to power, that Agra became a city of great importance.

Top Most Valentine's Day Resorts in Rome

Valentine's Day Resorts, Rome proves to be one of the most favorite destination in Italy. So why not spend this romantic day in an unusual, original, charming way! Let’s start our Valentine's Day Resorts tour from RomanticaMente Festival at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, where you can enjoy a cultural journey on critical historical nature of feelings.

Cuisine too will be the star of this original Festival through its Love Menu by the Masterchef Spyros Theoridis. You can avail of this opportunity to visit this beautiful modern building made by one of the world's greatest contemporary architects, Renzo Piano, designer of this temple of the contemporary culture of the city of Rome. You can take advantage of guided tours or simply visit to the Auditorium Arte’s temporary exhibitions.most enamored couples may want to take advantage of a little alone time. If you are Looking for that special place to celebrate Valentine’s Day Resorts this year then go to the holy and romantic region of rome.

Medici Hotel & Resort

The Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici Hotel & Resort is located in the most vital financial and commercial area of the Capital, at the centre of a strategic point that includes the congress and business district of EUR, the New Roman Trade Fair, Fiumicino and Ciampino International Airports, while the city centre and the most important shopping centres are just a few kilometres away.Sheraton Golf Rome Luxury Hotel offers a welcoming connection with comfort, pleasure and relaxation, whether you are on a business trip or on vacation.

UNA Hotel Roma

UNA Hotel Roma is located in the heart of the capital, near the Fori Romani, the Colosseum and at walking distance from Termini Train Station. The 4 star hotel’s architectural style takes inspiration from the Art Deco, and the terrace at the top of the sixth floor offers a splendid view over the roofs of Rome, the Vatican, and the Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral. UNA Hotel Roma is an ideal structure for businessmen and for those who want to visit the city.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Celebrate this Valentine's Day at a Millennium Hotels and Resorts location in the US. We'll take care of the details while you focus on your love. Whether you want Eskimo kissing in Anchorage, fireside snuggling in Boston, shopping with your honey in Chicago or soaking up some sun in Scottsdale - there's a romantic spot waiting for you across America.

Pocono Palace Resort

Pocono Palace Resort is close to Shawnee Gallery, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, and Terra Greens Golf Club. Additional area attractions include Great Bear Golf Club and East Stroudsburg University.All inclusive and room-only rates are available at this resort. All-inclusive rates include meals and beverages at onsite restaurants. Charges may apply for dining at some restaurants, special dinners and dishes, some beverages, and other amenities.

The Great French Traditions For Valentine’s Day

As you get to know French Traditions culture better, you might wonder what the customs and history of French Traditions Valentine's Day are. Actually, you might be surprised to find out that Valentine's Day might possibly have started in France.Valentine’s Day is, for many people, the most romantic day of the year, a time at which couples all over the world celebrate the wonder of love by collectively spending millions of dollars, euros, pounds and other currencies on Valentine’s gifts. Many countries have their own particular traditions and customs on February 14 and here’s a selection.

The French Traditions like to think of themselves as the most romantic people in the world.the French have taken to their love for their own cuisine; restaurants famously do a roaring trade on February 14, a day also considered the best time for a marriage proposal.It’s been said that the first Valentine’s Day card originated in France when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his life while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. Today, Valentine’s Day cards remain a popular tradition in France and around the world.

The origin of the Valentine’s Day is believed to have a strong connection with France. All over France and England, there was a popular notion that the members of the avian species start the process of mating around the middle of the second month of the year. It was for this very reason that lovers all over the region started exchanging romantic notes around this time, as they began to consider it as an auspicious period.

History of Valentine's Day in France

History of Valentine's Day Festival has a strong association with France. It is said that during the Middle Ages, there was a popular belief in France and England that birds began to mate halfway through the second month of the year. For this reason lovers saw the day special and considered it auspicious to exchange love letters and tokens of love on Valentine's Day. During fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, French Traditions and English poets and litterateurs too stressed on this idea and created a romantic image of the day in the minds of the people.Valentine's Day Cards too are said to have originated in France.

Valentine's Day Traditions in France

A French Traditions Valentine's Day custom that is now illegal is the "une loterie d'amour," which was eventually banned by the French government because its practice got too uncontrollable.During "une loterie d'amour," single men and women would enter houses that faced opposite each other and call to one another until they had paired off. If a man was not particularly happy with his chosen partner, he would simply leave the undesirable match for another woman.

Today, the French Traditions celebrate Valentine's Day like people in many other countries by exchanging cards, small gifts, and words of affection. Fresh flowers are also a popular item to send or receive on this holiday guide.It is said that the first modern Valentine's Day card was sent by a Frenchmen. Supposedly, Charles the Duke of Orleans sent the first modern Valentine's Day card, along with poems and other love letters, to his wife from his cell in the Tower of London after being captured by the British at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.