Deccan Odyssey-A Luxurious Train Travel With A Difference
November 30, 2007
If you thought one can enjoy luxury only on the business class airlines then think again. You can savor cultural extravaganza and a 5 star luxury treatment all in one that too on wheels. Does that perk your interest?
Well, it’s the Deccan Odyssey which makes the western belt of India extremely proud. It takes the travelers through Maharashtra and Goa in exorbitant luxury and style.
At one point, you will think and wonder, are you truly interested in the scenic beauty outside the window or would you rather explore the unparalleled richness and magnanimous décor of this train.You can enjoy all the amenities that you would expect in any 5 star hotel like a gym, a business centre with complete communication facilities of fax and email, along with a beauty salon and spa.The dining experience is truly divine as you are attended to by extremely courteous staff. Don’t get fooled by their traditional attire because it makes you feel that they have stepped in from an ancient era. Actually, their costumes and mannerisms made me feel like royalty.
The selection of menu is complete with a blend of international and Indian cuisine and of course, their traditional Konkani delicacies.So if you are planning to visit Maharashtra then experience this magical journey in true Maratha style. This package consists of 8 days and stops at various cultural and tourist hotspots like Kolhapur, Ajanta, Ellora and Goa. The cost of all-inclusive package can range from $2,400 per person for a shared deluxe suite, up to $8,000 for a single person staying in the presidential suite.
Mark my words when you experience your voyage on the Deccan Odyssey as it is an experience to brag about to everyone.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Secrets Behind Sleeping-Learn How Sleep Affects Every Miniscule Functioning Of The Body
November 28, 2007
There is more to sleep than just relaxing, de-stressing and rejuvenating the body.
Sleep Helps Memory: Long-term memories are formed during sleep when the brain replays recent experiences. According to researchers at the University of Lubeck in Germany, shut-eye helps to strengthen memory content and also the sequence in which they are experienced.
Sleep Is Helpful For The Heart: Sleep is crucial for a healthy heart. Lack of it leads to hypertension and this further leads to higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine state that normal people who are persistently deprived of proper sleep also suffer increased risk of hypertension.
Sleep Affects Dental Care: A journal of Periodontology study shows that the amount of sleep one gets can significantly affect the teeth. Researchers speculate that sleep shortage impairs the body’s immune system, something that can lead to bad teeth.
Sleep And Body Clock: An altered gene may explain why some people prefer late nights. This gene affects the body’s circadian cycle-the clock that keeps metabolism, digestion and sleep pattern in sync. These night owls compensate by staying in bed longer and still experience more insomnia than the rest.
Varying Sleep Hours: Some people can survive on very little sleep, while others require many hours to function normally. Some can still perform relatively well when sleep deprived. This is because of their genes. In one study from the University of Surrey, some people struggled to stay awake after two days of no sleep. The researchers looking into this and gave the participants the opportunity to sleep normally. The found that some that some participants spent more time in slow-wave sleep, the deep sleep. Excerpt of this article taken from TNN.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Buried Treasure Brings Bad Luck To Its Seekers-The Legend Of The Cursed Kingdom
November 26, 2007
The grand empire of King Jaipal of Baitool, Kerala, India stood mighty on hundred twenty acres of land. King Jaipal wanted to see Lord Brahma and wanted to acquire Brahma Gyaan (Knowledge of the universe).
The descendant of Narsingha thought that getting a glimpse of God was as easy as acquiring a piece of land. The saints, sages, and ascetics of his land were summoned to perform this task. Some of them declined while others failed. Enraged, King Jaipal forced them to do laborious tasks like digging a pond and grinding grains.
The saints who were once engrossed in meditation and spiritual practices were now slaves, whipped and tortured. Many suffered and died a painful death. The King stood on top of his fort and watched without flinching.
A great sage, Swami Mukundrajji when he heard of such heinous acts, visited the fort. With his immense power, he single-mindedly stopped all the sufferings. All the activities that they carried out by the saints, started getting completed automatically. The lake that was partially dug was suddenly filled with water. He then gave King Jaipal the vision of God and the next instant, he cursed him and his kingdom. Soon Jaipal died.
Today, the kingdom still lands but in a depilating condition. The beautiful cravings and archways have attracted many people. Those who have taken such pieces as souvenirs have suffered immense bad luck. In the end, they were forced to return the figurines back to its original source.
Many people have found gold and copper coins dating to that era and taken them home. It is said that some have turned deaf, some blind and others maimed for stealing them. Every stone surrounding the fort is cursed. The locals are afraid to visit this place at night as they hear strange cries. Some say it is the moaning sound of the tortured sages.
There is a buried treasure hidden somewhere in the fort. The dynasty after Jaipal was Gond who took over the kingdom but their generation too did not last long. The locals have said that King Jaipal had a stone called Paras which turned iron into gold by its mere touch. Jaipal used to take from his subjects iron pieces and rods instead of food grains and money as taxes. It is said that once an elephant was bound with iron chains and dipped into the pond adjoining the fort and when it was pulled out, the chains had turned into gold.
Many fortune hunters have come seeking for this stone and the lost treasure chest but none have ever returned. The dungeons have swallowed them. Finally after forty-five years, the authorities have sealed the tunnels as the count of missing people increased.
The ruined fort continues to display the intact emblems of the Gond dynasty, along with intricately carved murals, enticing people to grab them. The curse still formidably holds strong defiantly against all modern practices and beliefs.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
