Colorful streets of India....

India has always been exalted and remembered fondly as the country of colors. Color is the most important element of India. From bright colorful clothes to beautiful and creative paintings, pottery and handicrafts. From mouth watering Indian cuisines to the seasons and festivals, it all reflects the distinctive and rich culture and colorful spirit of the people of India. In India, the color red represents something quite different: Purity. That’s contrary to Western cultures where the color white is used to symbolize purity.


Red also stands for purity and is the preferred color for a bride's garment. Indian brides traditionally wear red gowns and once married their foreheads are adorned with a red dot or tikka, the symbol of commitment. Because the wedding represents the beginning of a union of two individuals, the color red also symbolizes fertility and prosperity. Red is dynamic and constantly breathing fire in the eyes of the beholder. It incites fear and is the color associated with one of the most revered goddesses in Hindu mythology - Durga. Her fiery image is enhanced by her red tongue and almost red eyes.

The color green represents the harvest or a new beginning and, as in America, green is symbolic of nature. In India green is also the color used to honor Islam.

White is the absence of color, and is the only color widows are allowed to wear. It is the acceptable color at funerals and ceremonies that mark death in the family. It reflects the basic quality of the color itself, in principle; white, as a color, repels all light and colors and therefore, when a widow wears white, she disconnects herself from the pleasures and luxuries of active and normal participation in society and life around her.

Turmeric, for instance, while being used for cooking in both the north and the south, is also used in ceremonies offering prayers and marriages. Yellow symbolizes sanctity and is an essential herbal ingredient applied on the body and face by women in the sub continent

Black in India has connotations with lack of desirability, evil, negativity, and inertia. It represents anger and darkness and is associated with the absence of energy, barrenness, and death. Black is used as a representation of evil and is often used to ward off evil.

The colors of India have mesmerized rulers, outsiders, and visitors - perhaps more so because of the stories and legends that bind its people, its culture, and its beliefs. The "rani" pink of mystical Rajasthan, the pastel hues of southern India, the joyous, bright hues of the northern frontier, and the balmy bright colors of the east offer a kaleidoscopic insight into an almost perfect blend of history and modernism.

The color blue, for instance, is associated with Lord Krishna, perhaps one of the most favored gods in India. And, as is obvious for any agricultural economy.

In India, a festivals of colors if celebrated named as Holi(http://meghanaunleashed.blogspot.com/2009/07/holi-festival-of-spring-scientific.html). Also Rangloi (http://meghanaunleashed.blogspot.com/2009/06/rangoli-beautiful-collage-of-colors.html) a collage of colors is made on festivals to decorate the houses.

Interesting Facts about India

Mark Twain said ‘India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.

• India is the largest democracy in the world.
• Although modern images & descriptions of India often show poverty, India was one of the richest countries till the time of British in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus was attracted by India's wealth and was looking for route to India when he discovered America by mistake.
• Every major world religion is represented in India. Additionally, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism all originated in India.
• India never invaded any country in her last 100000 years of history.
• The world's first University was established in Takshashila in about 700 B.C. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century C.E. was one of the great achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
• According to the Geological Institute of America, up until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds to the world. Kohinoor, the jewel in the crown of the British monarch, is from India.
• The concept of the number zero was created in India by the sage Aryabhatta. The place value system and the decimal system were also developed in India in about 100 B.C. Algebra, trigonometry and calculus originated from India.
• The Vishnu Temple in the city of Tirupathi built in the 10th century, is the world's largest religious pilgrimage destination. Larger than either Rome or Mecca, an average of 30,000 visitors donate $6 million (US) to the temple everyday.
• Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. Charaka, the father of medicine, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
• India is one of the largest exporters of computer software products. It exports soft wares to over 90 countries.
• Christians and Jews have been living in India since 52 A.D. and 200 B.C. respectively.
• Varanasi, also known as Benaras, was called "the Ancient City" when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C., and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.
• The art of Navigation was developed along the river Sindhu over 6000 years ago. In fact, the word Navigation comes from the Sanskrit word Navgatih
• The largest employer in the world is the Indian Railways, employing over a million people.
• Yoga has its origins in India and has existed for over 5,000 years.
• Chess was invented in India. The game of snakes & ladders was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. When many cultures were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindh Valley, known as the Indus Valley Civilization.
• India is the largest English speaking country in the world.
• Sushruta is regarded as the father of surgery. Over 2600 years ago Sushrata & his team conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, urinary stones and also plastic surgery and brain surgeries. Anesthesia was used in Indian medicine long before it was adopted into modern medicine.

Queen Victoria Market – Largest Open Air Market in Southern Hemisphere

The Queen Victoria Market is an historic Melbourne landmark and a Melbourne institution dating back to more than 130 years ago and is said to be the largest open air market in southern hemisphere. This market is spread in 7 hectares.
Officially opened in March 1878 as the Queen Victoria Market, it had operated even before that time as a motley market of goods and produce. It is one of the major Melbourne’s tourist destinations. Queen Victoria market turns in into Modern Arabic Night Bazaar which offers a more relaxed and a leisurely family day on Sunday’s.


The Market is probably best known for its huge variety of fresh produce. Almost 50% of the Market area is dedicated to the sale of fresh produce, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, chicken, seafood and delicatessen products. Almost one thousand traders sell everything from exotic Australian fruit and vegetables and local and imported gourmet foods, meat, fish and poultry to hardware, Manchester, clothing and authentic Australian artifacts and souvenirs.
From farm fresh to clothes, shoes, electronics, toys, jewelry, kitchen, pets care every thing one can find in Victoria Market and at very reasonable prices.


Aside from the variety of wares offered at the Queen Victoria Market, buskers and street entertainment is a market feature, particularly on Sundays when Queen St is closed and becomes a place of cafes, carnival rides and other activities. There is also a food court caters to every visitors taste. The best feature of Queen Victoria Market is that it’s not lost its tradition and also but has adopted the modern features also.
Ah!! On Friday, Saturday and Sunday this market offers are wide variety of wines for wine lovers. You can buy wine in bottles or in bulk,later bring back your bottles for refilling. It's good for the environment and good for your budget. Queen Victoria market offers the widest range of organic produce available in Melbourne.

In 2003, the roofs of the market was equipped with 1,328 solar photovoltaic panels, covering 2000 square meters and generating 252,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, the largest such renewable energy installation in the City of Melbourne. The grid has been considered as the largest urban grid-connected solar photovoltaic installation in the Southern Hemisphere upon completion

It is very much centrally located, and within walking distance from either the Elizabeth St exit of Melbourne Central Railway Station or Flagstaff Station on the corner of Latrobe and William Sts. No visit to Melbourne is complete without visiting Queen Victoria Market. Enjoy some pictures of Queen Victoria Market along with this post.

Give Yourself A Kool Image With Clogs

Holland is a country with a rich historical and traditional heritage. The Dutch themselves are very traditional people. Holland would not be Holland without the famous tulips, windmills, cheese and wooden shoes. Wooden clogs are considered by many as a form of Dutch traditional dress. Many think that all Dutch people wear clogs, which is why Dutch are sometimes called ‘cloggies’. But that's not right! Only a "few" people in Holland wear wooden shoes, about 5000, maybe more, maybe less, so only a small part of the population. And almost all the people wearing wooden shoes are farmers or people in a nursery. In Dutch, clogs are known as klompen. Dutch wooden shoes are famous all over the world and wearing them will make you stand out from any crowd! The Dutch have been wearing them for over 700 years and millions of farmers, children, artisans, working people and gardeners still wear them every day, keeping up a beautiful tradition!
Clog means a type of shoe or sandal made predominantly out of wood. Nowadays, "clogs" also means comfortable slip-on shoes. They are associated with the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden (though Swedish clogs do not resemble Dutch clogs)


Some features of wooden shoes are:
• Cheap footwear.
• Wooden shoes are easy to clean.
• Wooden shoes are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
• Wooden shoes are safe; they protect the entire foot, not just the toes.
• Wooden shoes keep your feet dry, for instance when you're gardening. The wood absorbs perspiration and your feet are always surrounded by fresh air inside the wooden shoes. That's why wooden shoes are worn by thousands of construction workers, farmers, fishermen, road workers, factory workers and artisans all around the world.
• There are also a lot of people who wear wooden shoes because you can get in and out of them easily without wasting a lot of time.
• The orthopedic form wooden shoes support your feet.
• They make an excellent gift or souvenir and they are great for garden and home decoration!
• You can even decorate your garden and home with these fascinating clogs.
• Due to them being made of solid wood, Dutch clogs have been given rating which passed the EU CE standards with flying colors.

The Fairy Parade…

This is a truly memorable natural wildlife experience. At sunset witness hundreds of Little Penguins even known as Fairy Penguins waddle ashore onto the island’s Summerland Beach and pose for the visitors along the way! The Penguin Parade is located on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia, only 140 kilometers south-east of Melbourne. It is part of Phillip Island Nature Park. The area is a reserve designed to protect and promote awareness of Little Penguins. This delightful event is commonly known as the "penguin parade".

The Parade is open every day of the year. The best time to visit is at sunset/dusk if you wish to see the actual "penguin parade". This is when the penguins cross Summerland Beach to return to their sand-dune burrows. After a day fishing for food in the waters surrounding Phillip Island, the penguins make their way across Summerland Beach in groups. This delightful event is commonly known as the "penguin parade". This unique "parade" can be experienced from environmentally friendly observation boardwalks and viewing stands.

Visitors can see these little Penguins from 2m. You then get to walk along with them - or rather on boardwalks above them - and watch them toddle and squawk to find their burrows in the dunes. The Penguins are protected. So not to disturb them, you are not allowed to take pictures of them. The Little Penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world and only 33cm tall. They has dark feathers are not black but a deep, rich blue. Their color camouflages them from above and below the surface of the ocean. It is an unbelievable sight. Penguins are fantastic swimmers but it’s quite a struggle for them to waddle across the sand dunes. Many pause, look around. Some older ones struggle, others squabble…

Needless to say everyone loves it...