India Festival Souvenir Book-2008 (Part 2)

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Assistant Editor’s MessageI have always been fascinated by Indian culture and traditions, and strive to beinvolved with this magnificent heritage in any way I can. When I was given theopportunity to be assistant editor of this year’s India Festival book, I was ecstatic.When I found out that the theme of this year’s book was tourism in India, avast array of ideas came into my mind. I had begun thinking of the rich architecture,picturesque villages, royal palaces, color costumes, variety of foodsand festivals in India. This is an excellent theme, and would definitely fulfillthe task of sharing our amazing culture with others. I had a great joy in editingteenager’s articles about their trips to India. In editing these articles, Iactually learned so much more about the amazing Indian culture from differentperspectives. I was also able to assist editing other articles in the book,and learned so much more about India through these articles. I thoroughlyenjoyed doing this, and I cannot thank enough our India Festival committeemembers this year for giving me this opportunity and doing an overall great job.Sonia ChhedaThank You,Sonia Chheda, Assistant EditorWest Coast Pharmacy★ FOR ALL YOUR HEALTHCARE NEEDS ★8439 N. Florida Ave.Tampa, FL 33604(813) 932-8380Fax (813) 915-8617Toll Free (800) 721-30852919 Swann Ave.Suite 101 BTampa, FL 33604(813) 874-0795Fax (813) 874-08512901 W. Busch Blvd.Suite 601Tampa, FL 33618(813) 990-8300Fax (813) 990-8380Email: westcoastpharmacy1@yahoo.comwww.westcoastpharmacy.netBest Wishes FromNirav, Chandrakant & Kusum Patel“The true source of rights is duty” 27

Jr. Editor’s MessageFor the 21st annual India Festival, it was my pleasure to serve as JuniorEditor for this book. I am proud to have been able to use my interests to helpin the making of the India Festival book. I realized quickly that being appointedas the Junior Editor gave me the opportunity to experience something completelydifferent than that of my time as Chief Editor for my middle schoolnewspaper. I read over submitted articles and essays from those of my owngeneration. On working on this book, I experienced a joy of working as part ofa team of esteemed colleagues and seniors. I believe each one has somethingNeena Shahnew and different that is to be brought to the table. I was amazed to learn thatdifferent people can look at the same thing in various different ways. My own horizons were expandedupon listening to everyone’s views on the same subject.Knowing this festival is attended by over 10,000 people, I felt my responsibility grow. This festival isnot only attended by Indian Americans, but I am aware of people of all backgrounds who look forwardto attending this festival each year without fail. I am very grateful for having been given a chance tomake this contribution.With warm Wishes,Neena Shah, Jr. EditorOther Jr. Editor: Vidhi Shah28 “God turns his back on those who quarrel among themselves”

IndiaA land for all reasons, a land forall seasons…By Nina Nandkishor ShahIndia is the subcontinent betweenPakistan, China, and Nepal in southern Asia.To the north, it is bordered by the world’shighest mountain range, the Himalayas.Further south, plateaus, tropical rainforestsand sandy deserts are bordered by palmfringed beaches. India is divided into 28states and 7 Union Territories.History of India: The country of India isa historical landmark of its own. Hindu relicsare scattered across the country and date asfar back as 1500 B.C. Buddhism beganapproximately 2500 years ago. In many statessuch as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Kashmir,one can find old monuments that are morethan 2000 years old. A millennium of historyof Islam and Moguls in India can be appreciatedin the Delhi-Agra-Uttar Pradesh area.The Rajput Kingdoms’ fight against theIslamic Invasions can be further learnedabout and seen in the Rajasthan vicinity.Landscape: The beauty of the HimalayanMountain Range that borders northern Indiais said to rival that of the mountain ranges inEurope, dubbing the visit to the Himalayas abudget-friendly super Switzerland! Thisopportunity is available in the northern statesof India such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammuand Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh. The state ofMadhya Pradesh is well known for its beautifulrivers and glorious white marble hills. Thestate of Kerala is known for its picturesquebackwaters. In south India, the subtropicalweather allows for vast green forests, mountainsand mountain resorts such as Ooty andKodai Canal. The northeastern states ofAssam, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram displaymountains forests and tribal life withpride.Adventure: Wildlife sanctuaries are generouslyscattered across the Indian subcontinentin every region mentioned above.Additionally, Sasan-Gir is the only place inthe world where anyone can see near extinctIndian lions in the wild. Many northern riversallow for river rafting and ski resorts are plentifulin the Himalayas.Architecture: Exceptional architecturecan be seen in all of the historical placesmentioned above. In addition to those, arethe caves of Ajanta and Ellora. Nalanda,Taxshila, Khajunaho, Minaxi Mandir, Mogulmonuments are said to be unique in structure.Festivals: India has a variety of festivals,large-scaled and small-scaled alike allthroughout the year. The festivals are numerousand include Rath Yatra in Orissa, Ganeshfestival in Maharashtra and Navaratri inGujarat. These three festivals are some of thefestivals that involve the entire state.Seasons: The temperature in India rangesfrom snowy winters in the north to hot subtropicalsummers in the south. The weatherranges from dry deserts in Rajasthan torecord breaking wet monsoons in the easternforests of Cherrapunji.Places to visit in each state:Andhra Pradesh: Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam,Tirupathi, Sri Prasanti Nilayam,VijayawadaAssam: Kaziranga National Park, ManasNational Park, Majuli, Brahmaputra River,Jatinga, Kamahkya TempleBihar: Mahabodhi Temple, MahatmaGandhi Setu, Patna bridge. Bihar has manyarchaeological, monumental and pilgrimagesites.Chhattisgarh: Jagdalpur, Ratanpur,Continued on page 30“To serve is my religion” 29

A land for all reasons....Continued from page 29Mallhar, Kuraghat Dam, Belpan, KhadiaDam, Kabir Chobutara, Bailadila, Barsoor,Bodhghat Saath Dhara, Memory Pillars ofGama Wada, Danteshwari Temple, BhilaiSteel Plant, Maitry Baugh, Ganga MaiyaTemple, Uwasaggaharam Parshwa Teerth.Goa: Bom Jesus Cathedral, MangueshiTemple, Shantadurga. Goa is famous for itsexcellent beaches, churches and Hindu temples.Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat,Rajkot, Porbandar, Junagadh, Jamnagar,Palitana, Bhavnagar, Gondal. Gujarat is hometo many forts, temples and beaches.Haryana: Golden DragonHimachal Pradesh: Shimla, Manali,Dharamshala, Dalhousie, KasauliJammu and Kashmir: Jammu is notedfor its landscape, ancient temples, Hindushrines, castles, gardens and forts. Kashmir-Dal Lake, Srinagar Phalagam, Gulmarg,Yeusmarg, Mughal Gardens.Jharkhand: Ranchi, Tagore Hill, KankeDam, War Cemetery, Betla National Park,Mc Cluskieganj, Hazaribagh WildlifeSanctuary, Netarhat, Rajrappa, Parasnath,Deoghar.Kamataka: Yana, Jog Falls, Shivagange,Tekal Kamataka has numerous protectedmonuments, famous waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries,national parks and bird species.Kerala: Kerala has 42 rivers, coastalregions, backwaters, Nilgiri, Malabar highlands.Madhya Pradesh: Innumerable monuments,temples, stupas, forts, palaces, nationalparks, mountain ranges, rivers and forestsare found.Maharashtra: Ajanta, Ellora, TuljabhavaniTemple, Mahalakshmi temple, Pune,Ganesh Chaturthi. Home to the city ofMumbai, with its Bollywood fame.Manipur: Imphal, Paona Bazar,Khwairanbam Bazar, Keibul Lamjao, LoktakManipur is famous for its rich culture, rarewildlife, flowers and sportsmanship.Meghalaya: Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills,Garo Hills, Cherrapunji, Nongpoh,Nongstoin, Tura, ShillongMizoram: Champai, Dampa, PhawngpuiNagaland: Kohima, Intaki WildlifeSanctuaryOrissa: Torch of Buddhism, Viharas,Chaityas, Sun-Temple. Home to many tribalcommunities.Punjab: Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ludhianaand various villages. Punjab is renowned forits cuisine, culture and history.Rajasthan: Thar Desert, Jaipur, FortMadhorgarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer,Bikaner, Mount Abu, Pushkar. Rajasthan literallymeans “Land of the Kings.”Sikkim: Darjeeling, KalimpongTamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore,Mahabalipuram, Chidambaram, Kanchipuram,Ootacamund, Madurai, Rameswaram,Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, Auroville,Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, KodaikanalTripura: Agartala, Deotamura, Kumarghat,Pilar, Udaipur, Unakoti, Jampui Hill,Dumboor LakeUttar Pradesh: Himalayan foothills,Gangetic Plain, Vindhya Mountain Range,Taj Mahal, Varanasi, Agra, Mathura, Jhansi,Prayag, Sarnath, Ayodhya, Dudhwa NationalParkUttarakhand: Uttarkhand is home tomultiple glaciers, wildlife preserves, skiingand trekking sites, mountains and rivers.West Bengal: Kolkata’s numerous palatialmansions30 “Non-violence is made of sterner stuff”

Modern Tourism in IndiaSki in HimalayasAuliAway from usual activities such as visitingtemples and palaces skiing in Himalayas hasits own charm in modern India. Auli is themost popular ski resort in Garhwal Hills. Anirresistible snowy mountain top of Auli withconiferous and oak forests has its uniquebeauty, in the Chamoli district ofUttarakhand, near famous pilgrimage placeof Badrinath. Auli has now become a leadingtourist spot. While its slopes summon daringand brave skiing enthusiasts, its immaculatenatural beauty and its alpine atmosphereentice many tourists. A haven for those whowant to escape the humdrum of everydaylife, conquer their fear of heights, savornature in its purest form or just throw snowballsat each other.Adi Shankaracharya blessed Auli by hisdivine footsteps in the 8th century. One canvisit Temple of Adi Shankaracharya inJoshimath. Before Auli was developed as a skiresort, its slopes were the training ground forpolice force of Indo-Tibetan border petrol.Auli offers a panoramic view of Himalayanpeaks like Nanda Devi (7817 meters), Kamet(7756 meters), Mana Parvat (7273 meters)and Dunagiri (7066meters) Auli offers perfectskiing conditions.Seasonal skiers haveclean stretches ofabsolutely virgin slopes tosport on. A 3 kilometerslong slope ranging from aheight of 2519 meters toCompiled byNimisha Chheda3049 meters is its major attraction. A 500 mlong ski-lift and an 800 m long chair-lift linkthe upper and lower slopes, and snow beatersand snow-packing machines maintain thesmoothness of the slopes. Skiers can enjoyalmost 20 km of slopes, which provide excellentopportunities for cross-country, slalomand down-hill skiing events. The best time tovisit Auli is November to March. Auli holdsSkiing festivals including the National championshipsorganized by the Winter GamesFederation of India during the months ofFebruary and March.Auli is 16 km from Joshimath. Bus or taxi cantake tourists from there. Most popular way istaking a cable car service to reach Auli.Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun 273km from Joshimath and 17 km fromRishikesh.Contact information: Tourist Bureau Gopeshwar, Tel.: 01372-252468.Tourist Bureau Joshimath, Tel.: 22781.Rishikesh (Yatra Office), AGM (Tourism), Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.,Tourist Information Centre, Email: yatra@gmvnl.com, yatraoffice@sancharnet.in .“Our fear paralyses our thinking power” 31

32 “To loose patience is to loose the battle”

Ayurveda and Yoga Retreatsin IndiaAyurveda and Yoga are two part of Indianculture that has roots in ancient Indian Vedas,namely Atharvaveda that dates back toaround 5000 years. The most famous compilationsof Ayurveda are Charaka Samhitawritten by Maharishi Charaka and theSushruta Samhita by Maharishi Sushrutawhich concentrate on internal medicine andsurgery respectively. The Astanga Hridayamis a more concise compilation of earlier textsthat was created about a thousand years agoby Maharishi Vagbhata. Ayurveda and Yogaare sister sciences of ancient India that stillfind their way in modern world. WhileAyurveda deals more zealously with healthrelated problems, yoga deals with purifyingthe mind, but in reality they compliment eachother. Ayur means life. Veda means knowledge.Ayurveda means “knowledge of life.”At the heart of Ayurveda lies the concept of 3‘doshas’: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These doshasare present in everyone and the predominanceof one over another determines onesbody type and constitution. Balancing thethree harmoniously will promote a healthybody and mind.Kerala is the Ayurvedic capital where thisart through its holistic approach rejuvenatethe senses and cure diseases. Here Ayurvedictreatments with the use of herbal oils andtherapies will make tension and fatigue easeout of the body. Besides these, other destinationsthat too are equally beneficial areRishikesh in Uttaranchal and Goa while thevarious health resorts extended all over SouthIndia nurture with their medicinal herbs,plants and trees that form the main ingredientsof Ayurvedic therapies. Panch Karma,Abhyanga, Swedana are some of the mostpopular regimes that will cater to your mind,body and senses.Abhyanga: Abhyanga is Ayurveda's principalhealing tool and the mother of all massages.It is a whole body massage given withherbal oils customized to your body type todetoxify, nourish and revitalize the body tissues(Dhatus). Abhyanga has much deeperand more far reaching effects than ordinarymassage using mineral oils and lotions.Abhyanga achieves deepest healing effects bynaturally harmonizing Mind Body & Spirit.This massage is usually given by two therapistsfor one hour and is usually followed byan herbal bath or medicated steam bath(Sweda). It is one of the most rejuvenatingtreatments of Ayurveda.It helps improves blood circulation, rejuvenatesthe whole body, removes cellulite,beautifies the skin, works as anti aging, helpssleep better, promotes vitality, reduces Vataimbalance, stress and toxins.Shirodhara: Shirodhara, as the name suggestscontinuously pours medicated warmoil/herbal decoctions/medicated milk/buttermilkon the forehead for 20 to 30 minutes.This procedure often induces a completelyrelaxing and rejuvenating mental and physicalstate. It deeply revitalizes the central nervoussystem. It helps anxiety, depression, epilepsy,hypertension, diabetic neuropathy, hemiplegia,paraplegia, strengthens the sensoryorgans, insomnia, pre-mature graying of thehair & hair loss, mental retardation, paralysis,and stress.Netra Tarpana: It is a special treatmentin which the eyes are bathed in pure medicatedghee (refined butter). This treatment isrecommended for 8 to 15 minutes. It helpsrelieve the strain due to constant glaring tothe computer & TV screen, refractive errorsof the eyes, chronic conjunctivitis cornealulcer, dry eye syndrome, eye diseases due toaggravation of Vata and Pitta toxins, glaucoma,helps in preventing early formation ofcataract, improper co-ordination and loss ofmovement of the eye balls, pain and burningsensation in the eyes.Continued on page 35“Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacities” 33

Best Compliments 2008India FestivalfromKshemal Mankodi M.D.andMeesha Mankodi M.D.Sachi Mankodi ESQ.Esha MankodiRk28959 State Road 54Westbrook Professional ParkWesley Chapel Fl, 33543(813) 994-4749kNOW OPEN YOUR FRIENDLYNEIGHBORHOOD PHARMACYSEVEN HILLS PHARMACYVikas Ghiya, R. Ph, B.A.M.S.With Best Compliments fromMegha, Jay, Harsha & Vikas Ghiya• No Waiting• Free Pickup & Delivery of Prescriptions• We Compound• Beat All Competitor’s Price•Same Caring Pharmacist All The Time• Accept All Major insurances includingWorker’s Comp and Auto Insurances1248 Mariner Spring Hill, FL 34609Ph: (352) 684-8477 • Fax: (352) 684-6877Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm • Sat: 10am-2pmwww.sevenhillspharma.comemail: info@sevenhillspharma.comBest WishesFROMWishing our entire community,A Happy Festive Season&A Prosperous New YearWarm Regards,Harsh & Aarti MehtaNarendra PatelManager4600 34th Street South Tel. 727-866-0706St. Petersburg, FL 33711 Fax 727-866-3426Low Daily & Weekly RatesClose To Beaches, I-275 & RestaurantsCable T.V., Phone & PoolPASCO PHARMACY5445 James St.New Port Richey, FL 34652CURLEW PHARMACY30226 US Hwy 19 N. (Home Depot Plaza)Clearwater, FL 33461PASCO PHARMACY1933 N. Pinellas Ave. (Sweetbay Plaza)Tarpon Spring, FL 34689pascopharmacy.com(727) 455-447334 “All true art must help the soul to realise its inner self”

Ayurveda and Yoga....Continued from page 33Sweda: To balance the doshas and ailmentsof a person, Sweda or medicatedherbal steam bath opens the pores and flushesand cleanses the system through the skin.It is usually very effective when taken afterAbhyanga. It helpsreduces pain in the body,eliminates toxins, promoteslightness, reducesstiffness, beautifies theskin, removes theCellulite.Navarakizhi: It is ahighly effective antiaging/rejuvenation massageusing a special typeof rice that is cooked, and dipped into herbalwarm milk, then skillfully massaged simultaneouslyby two therapists all over the body. Ithelps paralytic strokes, strengthens tissues,body ache, emaciation, debility monoplegia,osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis.One should take an Ayurvedic tour andsurrender oneself to the most exotic way topamper oneself. Ayurveda is truly holistichealth care, rooted in the understanding thata person is a complete and living entity, neverjust a collection of physical parts. Ayurvedasees each of us as an extension of MotherNature. We arise from and exist in our environment,and it has a real effect on us. Tosupport a full and healthy life, Ayurvedaoffers detoxification, rejuvenation, diseaseprevention, longevity therapies, cleansing,deep relaxation, anti-aging, weight & inchloss, while also offering guidance in the areasof nutrition and exercise. The package comprisesof traditional Ayurvedic treatments,along with Yogic exercises, a balanced dietand individual health counseling & a completehealth profile. Usually, the package istailor-made to meet the specific health needsof each person.National Geographic has named Kerala asone of the must see paradise in the world.Paul Mc Cartney called it as 'truly God's ownland' after a two-month stay in Kerala; it is situatedbetween the Arabian Sea and theWestern Ghats. Itoffers serene backwaters,hill stations, pristinebeaches, exoticwildlife, colorful festivals,magical Ayurvedaretreats, tantalizingcuisine. Kerala hashundred percent literacyrates, lowest infantmortality rates and theIndia’s cleanest state.Ayurveda Resorts in South India: AngsanaSpa Bangalore, Ayurvedagram Health Resort,Golden Palms Spa Resort, Soukya Bangalore,Taj Fisherman's Cove, Kayaloram LakeResort, Aranya Nivas, Coconut Lagoon,Agastya Ayurveda Garden, Taj Residency,Malabar House, Marari Beach Resort, MarariBeach Resort, Spice Village, Surya SamudraResort, Taamra Spa, Taj Malabar, Taj GardenRetreat, Taj Green Cove Resort,Somatheeram resort, ManaitheeramAyurvedic Resort, Ayurvedic Natural HealthCenter, Kerala Beach Health Resort,Ayurveda Retreat, Beach and Lake AyurvedicResort, Zamorin's Health Retreat.Contact: Kerala Tourism DevelopmentCorporation Limited.Mascot Square, Thiruvananthapuram695 033Kerala. Phone: 91-471-2316736,2725213Fax: 91-471, 2721254E-mail: centralreservations@ktdc.com“Suffering opens the eyes of understanding” 35

36 “The platform of service is as big as the world”

Kerala backwaters and spiceplantations“The beauty revealed by Kerala's nature isunmatched. Its beautiful landscapes, terrains,the flora and fauna impart the real pleasuresof experiencing unadulterated nature.”In the land of coconut, Kerala is the paradisefor the travelers. The intricate coconutgroves, thelush greeneryof thevalleys andthe splendidsightatop thehills arealluring.For its immense natural beauty, the NationalGeographic chose it among the 50 'ParadiseFound' on earth. Tucked away in the southwestcorner of India, Kerala is a narrow stripof land between Arabian Sea and the WesternGhats.The serene and tranquil backwaters ofKerala are the biggest tourist attractions ofKerala. They are a chain of interconnectedwaterways of five large lakes fed by 44 riversin Kerala. Traveling through lush green vegetationon the shimmering backwaters is anunforgettable experience. The backwaters ofKerala provide ideal settings to relax andexplore the natural beauty of Kerala.Houseboats moving slowly in the wide networkof 900 km channels, lakes, deltas andlagoons with pristine and calm waters, coolrefreshing air loaded with the fragrance ofnature, chirping birds flying in the sky andwild animals playing along the shores impartsthe feeling of paradise. The most excitingthing for the tourists visiting Kerala backwatersis Kettuvallom, the traditional gianthouseboats measuring up to 80 ft in length.The houseboats have excellent on board facilitiesincluding well-decorated bedroom withattached toilets and a separate dining area.On the deck of the houseboat one can rest atease at night and enjoy the beautiful view ofthe starry sky and explore the verdant andbeautiful countryside during the day. It isheavenly experience while traveling on ahouseboat, passing through the green lushcountryside, swaying coconut palm trees andemerald fields. Unique species of aquatic lifesuch as crabs, frogs, kingfishers, water birds,darters, otters and turtles live in and alongsideof the backwaters.Kerala is abundant in backwaters andalmost every district of Kerala is gifted withscenic backwaters stretches. The largest backwaterstretch here is the Vembanad Lake,covering an area of 200km 2 which flowsthrough districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam andKochi and drains into the Arabian Sea nearthe Kochi port. The Ashtamudi Lake (meanslakes with eight arms), which covers a largepart of Kollam district in the south, is the secondlargest backwater stretch in the state andregarded asthe gatewayto the Keralabackwaters.The mostpopularbackwatersdestinationsin Keralainclude Kumarakom backwaters, Alappuzhabackwaters, Kochi backwaters, Kollam backwaters,Kozhikode backwaters, Trivandrumbackwaters, Kottayam backwaters and manymore like them. Best time to visit Kerala’sbackwaters is from October to March.Regular ferry services connect most locationson both banks of the backwaters.ThekkadyLocated in Idukki, the drive to Thekkadyitself is enchanting as the road winds throughtranquil countryside, rich plantations & thickContinued on page 39“The true source of rights is duty” 37

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Kerala backwaters...Continued from page 37jungles. The wild life sanctuary, lies on theWestern Ghats and is approximately 4000-5000 ft above sealevel,60 km fromIdukki, 190 km fromCochin and 114 kmsaway from Kottayam.It is open throughoutthe year, but the bestseason is fromSeptember to March.Thekkady recollects the images of elephantsand enchanting spice hills scentedplantations. Periyar forest in Thekkady is oneof the finest wild life reserves in India. Thesanctuary is centered on the large (24 sq km)artificial lake formed by a dam across thePeriyar River. The main attraction is a boattrip over this man-made lake of Thekkady.The forest departmentwould alsoarrange elephantrides and trekkinginside the sanctuary.One can seedeers, monkeys,and tigers, herdsof elephants andother exotic flora and fauna here. For themore adventurous, trekking into the junglewould be an exciting thing to do. There areregular bus services from the major townsand cities in Kerala to Thekkady. PlantationEco-Tours are arranged from the DistrictTourism Information Office at Thekkady inKumily. Tours cover cardamom, pepper, coffeeand tea plantations, tea factories, tribalsettlements and the surrounding hill regions.Pepper still remains the king of Kerala'sspices, but the state also has a very rich producein cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, gingerand turmeric. The pepper plant growsbest in a warm and humid climate. Berriesmature and are ready for harvest in about 180to 200 days. Black pepper is produced by sundrying the mature pepper berries for 3 - 5days after they are separated from the spikesby threshing and white pepper by rettingmature berries in clean water for 5 - 7 days,removing the outer skin and drying the seedafter thorough washing. The state is the spicecapital of the world. Over twelve varieties ofspices including ginger, garlic, cardamom,vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, cloveand nutmeg is cultivated in Thekkady and itsneighboring villages.Thekkady: Facts: State: Kerala, District:Idukki, Language: Malayalam, Tamil, Hindiand English, Best time to Visit: September tomarch. Altitude: 4000- 5000ft. above sea levelNearest Airport is Madurai (Tamil Nadu)140 kms, Kochi (Nedumbassery - 185 km),Thiruvananthapuram (265 kms). Nearest railwaystation is Kumarakom 114 kms. Maduraistation is about 136 kms. An excellent roadnetwork from kumily (4 kms) links tothe all major towns and cities inIndia.MunnarMunnar is situated at the confluenceof three mountain streams -Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni andKundala, 1600 m above sea level. Munnaralso has the highest peak in south India,Anamudi, which is over 2695 meters tall.Breathtakingly beautiful, a haven of peaceand tranquility, Munnar is the idyllic touristdestination in Kerala. Set at an altitude of6000 ft. in Idukki district, Munnar was thefavorite summer resort of British rulers incolonial days. Munnar offers unendingexpanse of tea plantations, pristine valleys andmountains, exotic spices of flora and fauna inits wild sanctuaries and forests and aroma ofspice scented cool air. Visiting Tea factory willexpand knowledge of Tea making and one canContinued on page 41“To serve is my religion” 39

40 “Non-violence is made of sterner stuff”

Best Wishes toIndia Festival 2008BAY AREAINTERNAL MEDICINEAND GERIATRIC CARE, P.A.Dr. Kirit and Raju PatelDr. Vijay and Ramila PatelDr. Samir and Shilpa ShahDr. Hemant and Hetal DesaiDr. Piyush and Lopa DalalTYRONE FAMILY& GERIATRIC CARE700 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg727-384-5959PINELLAS MEDICAL CLINIC7047 66th St., N., Pinelles Park727-545-8887FIRST AVENUEMEDICAL CLINIC3527 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg727-321-5066NORTH EAST MEDICAL CLINIC3701 4th St., N., St. Petersburg727-896-151542 “To loose patience is to loose the battle”

National Parks of IndiaCompiled by Asha KharodBy the time you must have figured outtheme of India Festival Book. Most of ushave visited some National Park in US.Generally we take some time off in our busyschedule to relax and get refreshed in wilderness.When I was growing up in Indiatourism was not that much developed.Concept of vacation was to visit your hometown attend some wedding or family gatheringin summer. So I have not seen anynational park in India but Iwas curious about it. So Ithought let us have someinfo at our hand so nexttime when I visit India Ican make some plans to goto one of this parks.Hopefully this will be aresource for all of you also.It is difficult to write aboutall National park (As of2007 India have 96National Parks) and now adays there are manyresources available on web (Google knowseverything!). Just this article is to get youexposed to some of the parks.Corbett National ParkCorbett National Park is India’s oldest andfirst National Park. You will be wanderingwith its name. Why Jim Corbett? This parkcame to existence under British rule. JamesCorbett was legendary hunter and conversationalistwho helped setting up this park.Park is located in the newly created state ofUttaranchal. It lies in the foothills ofHimalayas with in districts of Nainital, PauriGarhwal, Almora and Binjore. Park is famousfor his project tiger. It is a haven for tiger aswell as spotted deer, wild boars, sambar, langur,monkeys etc. It is known for his bird’ssanctuary. It has 580 species of birds. It is ahome of flora and Fauna. Park is closed duringmonsoon season. You can take elephantsafari and enjoy forest like maharaja or youcan take jeep. It has many things to offer likebidwatching, fishing, camping, trekking andencounter with tiger too!!Kaziranga National ParkThe Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary housesworld’s largest population of one-horned rhinocerosesas well as many mammals liketigers, elephants, panthers and bears. It is inheart of Assam one of last areas in easternIndia. As soon as someone says Assam heavyrain (cherapunjee) and elephants carryingContinued on page 45“Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacities” 43

National Parks of India...Continued from page 43logs comes to our mind. You will experienceboth here. It has unique flora and beautifulswamplands with abundance of water liliesand lotus. In Airing, the rhinos, the elephantsand other wild life wander freely so at everystep you may come across varied species offauna. It has many varieties of snakes includingRock Pythons. Park is located on bank ofBrahmaputra so you have choice of river rafting,fishing etc. The park, although flat innature, is set against a backdrop of hills. Thetea gardens of Hathkhuli, Difalu are alsoworth visiting. Assam has bewildering tribalculture. You will see why we say India haslots of diversity.Bandipur National ParkThe Bandipur National Park is establishedby him Mysore maharaja in 1931 in foothills• Interventional toAlternative Management• Spinal cord stimulation• Acupuncture• Nerve conduction study/EMG• At Trinity Professional CenterGRANDOPENING!FREE SCREENINGTired of drugs? Trying to avoid surgery?Failed back syndrome?THE SOLUTIONS IS HERE!of the Nilgiris. It is 80 km from Mysore andsimilar distance from Ooty. BandipurNational Park in Karnataka became one ofthe first of India’s Tiger Reserves and southernmostof the nine reserves for project tiger.Park is rich with teaks, rosewood, bamboos,Mathis and famous sandalwoods. It has opendry jungle to tropical mixed deciduous jungles.This park is haven for wildlife loversGir Forest National ParkLast I would like to talk about Gir forestNational Park. I have special attachment forthis park because Iam originally fromthis area. The Girnational park issituated in thewestern state ofGujarat. It got itsnational park statusin 1965. It isfamous for itsAsiatic lions. AnAsiatic lion whichwas once acrossthe Asian continentis now foundonly in Gir forest which covers 1412.13 sq.kms. There are 6 routes in park. Sasan area ismain place to see lions. Gir does not havedense forest and mainly consists if dry deciduous,thorny and scrub type of vegetation.Within the lion sanctuary, there are numeroussettlements of maldharis. There are niceplaces for pilgrimage and sulphur springs atTusi Shyam and Kankai Mata. Gujarat statetourism has nice tour packages.With journey to these parks I hope you gotglimpses of National Parks in India. A total of166 National Parks have been authorized. Soduring your next visit to India enjoy wild lifeand diverse culture of India“Suffering opens the eyes of understanding” 45

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Andaman Nicobar IslandsFloating in splendid isolation, east of theIndian mainland is the archipelago of 572emerald islands, known as Andaman &Nicobar Islands. It is located in the IndianOcean, in the southern reaches of the Bay ofBengal, near Myanmar and Indonesia. Itcomprises two island groups - the AndamanIslands and the Nicobar Islands which separatethe Andaman Sea to the east from theIndian Ocean. The capital of this territory isthe Andamanese town of Port Blair. Theseislands attract the one who seeks absolutepeace and tranquility in the lap of MotherNature. Its spectacular wealth of velvet blueof the sea, coral gardens, golden beaches,lush green forests attracts ardent devotees ofthe spirit of adventure, from all over theworld. The sea around the islands offersexcellent scope for adventure water sports.The rare flora and fauna, underwater marinelife and corals, crystal clear water and mangrove-linedcreeks, offer a dream-view of therare gifts of nature. The clean roads as well asunpolluted fresh air attract any nature lover.One can also sight the tribes of these islands.Adventure tourism like trekking, islandcamping, snorkeling, scuba diving are themajor attractions for diverse tourists here. Avisit to these islands is a memorable lifetimeexperience.Andaman archipelago tops the tourist listof holiday destinations in many ways; natureas it’s most pristine, adventure most thrillingand there is always a beach to greet you atany edge. The first mapping of the twin archipelagostook place in the 2nd century BC, byGreek mathematician and geographerPtolemy. Though the two island groups werehome to various Negrito and Mongoloidtribes for centuries, they remained largelyuntouched by the outside world until thedays of the British Raj. Today, the Andamanand Nicobar islands shelter no less than fiveaboriginal tribal groups in the richness of itsecology and beauty.Compiled by Dr. Gaurangi PatelThe best part with an adventure holiday inAndaman’s is that, there is so much to explorefrom the sleeves of what is aptly described asa tropical paradise. Sparkling white chastebeaches, crystal clear lagoons studded withprofusely colored corals; azure warm seaswith an undisturbed, exotic marine life;palm-fringed islands; pervade serenity on allover the 700 km stretch. However, much ofthe isles still remain almost virgin forestlandthrough which chintzy-feathered birds andmonkeys swing; bordering marvelous beachesare floating planktons, through whichschools of fish dart and glide. Don't get afraidto see giant robber crabs that climb palmtrees for coconuts!Andaman Water Sports ComplexThis unique complex offers all possibleaqua-sport facilities like Water-skiing, Sailboats, Windsurfing, Speed Boats etc., andsafe water sports like Paddle Boats, RowBoats etc. There is a sea water swimmingpool and a change room. There is also aMemorial for the Battle of Aberdeen foughtbetween Britishers and Andamanee aboriginalsin 1859.Nearby is a Amusement Parkwith Rollercoaster, Pleasure rides etc. and achildren Traffic Park is adjacent to it.Scuba diving: Andaman waters offer afascinating world of under-water marine life,varieties of colorful fishes, rarest of the coralreefs in the world, mysterious remains ofsunken ships, etc. All these can be exploredthrough Scuba diving.Andaman & Nicobar Scuba Diving Societysituated at Wandoor provides Scuba Divingvarious opportunities. Private divers are alsoavailable.Snorkeling: One can enjoy the underwatermarine life and view the rarest varietiesof corals by snorkeling near the AndamanWater Sports Complex, Corbyn's CoveTourism Complex, Mahatma Gandhi MarineContinued on page 49“The true source of rights is duty” 47

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Andaman Nicobar...Continued from page 47National Park, Havelock and other islandson all days from dawn to dusk dependingon weather.For a memorable underwater adventureexperience, plan a visit to the Jolly BuoyIsland. Renowned for its breathtakingunderwater coral gardens and their nativemarine life, the Jolly Buoy is dolled up withcrescent beaches that are ideal for snorkelingand sea-bathing. Another such spot at astone's throw is the Cinque Island, afavorite with anglers, swimmers and divers.Here you can have the pleasure to see thenesting grounds of the famous Olive Ridleyturtles as well as water monitors and saltwatercrocs.Baratang IslandThe Island is reached after crossing thegrand Andaman Trunk road covered withdense forests. During the road journey youcan see one of the famed tribes ‘THEJARAWAS’. The most attractions for thetourists in this Island are mud volcano andlime stone cave. Mud volcano or muddome is used to refer to formations createdby geologically excreted liquids and gases.A cave is a natural underground void largeenough for a human to enter. Caves areformed by geologic processes. These mayinvolve a combination of chemical processes,erosion from water, tectonic forces,microorganisms, pressure and atmosphericinfluences. Most caves are formed in limestoneby solution.Happy Diwali and Prosperous New YearSunMed Primary CareInternal Medicine / GeriatricsMemory Disorder InstituteDrs. Pritesh & Payal PatelNiraj & MaheerDrs. Tarak & Mamta ChoksiRiya & KrishaLUTZ OFFICE:18928 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Suite 101Lutz, FL 33548P: 813-909-1146F: 813-909-4334NEW PORT RICHEY OFFICE:1838 Health Care Drive, Bldg. #2, Unit 2Trinity, FL 34655P: 727-375-8528F: 727-372-7040“To serve is my religion” 49

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Incredible IndiaRe-creation of a village of Rajasthan fromolden times, Chokhi Dhani Village, is createdto experience the real Rajasthani culture. It isset up just like a village fair, which has ongoingshows and mini-rides like any park inAmerica. The difference, however, is thatChokhi Dhani Village mimics an old villageof Rajasthan with rich warmth and rusticcharm. It is a time machine, which goes backto olden times of village life in Rajasthan.Camels were common way of transportationthen; I experienced the thrill especially whenI rode a camel as it rose from the ground andsettled back down. It was a learning experienceat “Panghat”, which showed ancient wayof pulling water out of the well and how a villagelady sitting onthe ground and cookingin a hut. It wasstriking to see howvillage style huts representMevar cultureremains cool in thesummer heat of thedesert without anyAC. Cottage style hutstake you back in time withtypical ethnic décor withmodern amenities withcharm of its own. It wasamazing to watch a ladywith seven pots on herhead dancing on thetunes of desert. Potter By Sonia Chhedadance and Ghoomer arepopular folk dances of Rajasthan. Experienceof having a meal was unique and unforgettable.It was a sitting on the ground dinner inan open round shaped area where I was pamperedwith different authentic dishes servedon my plate made out of leaves. I could notleave without looking at the handicrafts inNational Haat bazaar. I truly felt as if I hadtaken a trip back to the olden days in India,and I could truly appreciate the fascinatingculture of India.After having that once in a lifetime experience,I could not forget to visit the wellknownTaj Mahal. Seeing the Taj Mahal inperson was definitely a memorable and overwhelmingexperience. Pictures in books ofthe Taj Mahal do not give justice. I stood as amere ant in the shadows of the colossal TajMahal. The stories behind it are epic andtruly illustrate the deep complexity andmeaning behindIndia that I waseager to discover.Indian architectureis truly extraordinary.After all, it isIncredible India.“Our fear paralyses our thinking power” 51