Bollywood actor Gagan Malik calls on Minister Jupally
During the interaction, they discussed various issues, including popularising the prestigious Buddha Vanam globally, attracting Buddhist countries to set up cultural centres in Buddhavanam, and preparations for an upcoming pilgrimage of about 100 Buddhist monks from Thailand to Buddhavanam via Gulbarga in October this year. Buddhavanam, a first-of-its-kind Buddhist Heritage Theme Park, is located at Nagarjunasagar on a 274-acre site in Nalgonda district in the State.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Bollywood actor Gagan Malik calls on Minister Jupally
Noted Bollywood actor and Buddhist activist Gagan Malik called on Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao at the Begumpet Tourism Plaza here on Monday. He was accompanied by Mallepalli Lakshmaiah, Special Officer of the Buddhavanam Project. During the interaction, they discussed various issues, including popularising the prestigious Buddha Vanam globally, attracting Buddhist countries to set up cultural centres in Buddhavanam, and preparations for an upcoming pilgrimage of about 100 Buddhist monks from Thailand to Buddhavanam via Gulbarga in October this year. Buddhavanam, a first-of-its-kind Buddhist Heritage Theme Park, is located at Nagarjunasagar on a 274-acre site in Nalgonda district in the State.
India.com
14 hours ago
- India.com
5 Motorcycle Rides From Varanasi So Beautiful, They Feel Like A Movie Scene
The Most Scenic Motorcycle Rides to Take from Varanasi City Among the oldest cities worldwide that exist today Varanasi serves as both a religious center and an entry point to Indian landscapes of extraordinary beauty. The ancient city located beside the holy Ganges River serves as an excellent base for motorcycle riders who want to explore various terrains. Tourists can discover numerous routes surrounding Varanasi because the city offers ranges from forested landscapes to rivers with twists to historical sites and peaceful rural areas. Seven mesmerizing motorcycle tours depart from Varanasi which offer different attractions to discover. 1. Varanasi to Sarnath – A Spiritual Sojourn Distance: Approximately 13 km Visitors come to Sarnath because it served as the location where Buddha gave his initial sermon following his enlightenment. Along the journey you will pass through peaceful farm roads that display fields alongside tiny religious establishments. The brief journey of this route features both rural serenity and essential Buddhist landmarks which include the Dhamek Stupa and Ashoka Pillar. People needing an escape from urban life should visit this serene destination since it remains close to the city. 2. Varanasi to Chunar Fort – A Journey Through History Distance: Approximately 40 km Completely embedded in historical importance and mythological aura Chunar Fort holds its elevated position above a Ganges River overlook. Traveling from Varanasi to Chunar presents magnificent Ganges river views and traditional town stops during the route. Upon arrival at the fort you will experience breathtaking views of the environment while still able to see remnants of historic structures. History enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers will find the combination of historical landmarks and natural landscapes at this route that should be experienced by everyone. 3. Varanasi to Rajgir – Exploring Ancient Wisdom Distance: Approximately 250 km (one way) Rajgir functioned as the royal capital of Magadha until it became a sacred ground revealing both Buddhist and Jain historical legacies. Visitors traveling from Varanasi to Rajgir will navigate through declining hills and productive agricultural regions of Bihar. Furthermore you will pass through interesting local markets and rustic villages combined with extensive farmlands which make up the scenery. The important places to see upon arriving in Rajgir include the Vishwa Shanti Stupa and Gridhakuta Hill as well as the hot springs. This long ride rewards travelers with both cultural richness and scenic splendor. 4. Varanasi to Mirzapur – Discovering Waterfalls and Wildlife Distance: Approximately 65 km Located about 65 kilometers from Varanasi you can reach Mirzapur which is famous for its natural attractions comprising both waterfalls and forested terrain. The journey to Mirzapur follows verdant country landscapes while the road passes the well-known Vindhya mountain range. People visiting this region should prioritize visiting the three main attractions which are the Dudhwa Falls combined with Wyra Dam together with Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Varanasi to Allahabad (Prayagraj) offers everyone a chance to step away from urban pressures and spend time in nature. 5. Varanasi to Allahabad (Prayagraj) – Confluence of Rivers and Cultures Distance: Approximately 125 km The sacred Indian city of Allahabad exists today as Prayagraj due to its important position where the Ganges meets Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers. Communities live along the Grand Trunk Road between Varanasi and travelers can see both busy towns and farming fields with sections of forests. When visiting Prayagraj one must see the Sangam site along with seeing the Anand Bhawan Museum and visiting Alfred Park. The journey mixes together religion, cultural sites and beautiful nature while maintaining a smooth flow. Tips for Motorcycle Riders: Review the current conditions of weather and roads so you know they are safe before leaving. Protective equipment must never be left behind since proper gear consists of helmets combined with gloves and functional jackets. Carry enough water with you particularly in summer months to remain hydrated because temperatures become too hot. Be sure to note down potential fuel stops at petrol stations because remote areas typically offer scarce fuel supply. People visiting religious sites need to show proper respect for traditional customs that exist in the area. Wrapping Up The religious center of Varanasi functions beyond its spiritual dimension to provide launchpad access to memorable motorbike journeys. The diverse travel choices in Varanasi cover historic paths along with peaceful lake destinations to satisfy all kinds of preferences. All motorcycle journeys available in these locations create enduring memories for those who travel alone or with companions. Get on the road because Varanasi points to unmatched exploration and discovery through its open environment.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
Kailash-Mansarovar yatra resumes after five years: history of a storied pilgrimage
After a five-year hiatus triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and extended due to tensions between India and China, the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra has resumed in 2025. This year, the Ministry of External Affairs chose 750 pilgrims who would be making the storied pilgrimage: five batches of 50 yatris will cross into Tibet through the Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand, and 10 batches of 50 pilgrims will make the longer but relatively easier journey through the Nathu La pass in Sikkim. The first batches of pilgrims on both routes are currently on their way. With an elevation of 6,638 metres, Mount Kailash (Gang Rinpoche in Tibetan) is located in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, near the tri-junction of India, Tibet and Nepal. To its south on the Tibetan plateau are two lakes: the freshwater Manasarovar (Mapam Yumtso) and saltwater Rakshastal (Lhanag Tso). Both lakes and the towering mountain in their background are significant in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Tibetan Bon traditions. 'For Hindus, [Kailash] is the home of the Hindu god Shiva… for Jains it is where their first leader was enlightened; for Buddhists, the navel of the universe; and for adherents of Bon, the abode of the sky goddess Sipaimen,' Alice Albinia wrote in her award-winning book Empires of the Indus: The Story of a River (2008). Four major rivers — the Yarlung Tsangpo (which later becomes the Brahmaputra), the Indus, the Sutlej, and the Karnali (later known as Ghaghra, a major tributary of the Ganga) — trace their to origins 'the watershed of this iconic mass of rock,' Albinia wrote. Despite its age-old sacredness, however, the Kailash-Mansarovar complex was not a popular pilgrimage site till 'as recently as the early 1900s…,' wrote Tibetologist Alex McKay in his book Kailas Histories: Renunciate Traditions and the Construction of Himalayan Sacred Geography (2015). 'The actual mountain was visited only by the occasional renunciate and not by ordinary Indian pilgrims. Indeed early Hindu and Buddhist texts clearly stated that Kailas was a heavenly place that could only be visited by advanced spiritual practitioners,' he wrote. This changed after 1904, when Tibet officially opened up to British subjects (including Indians), and courtesy the efforts of a certain Charles Sherring, then the district collector of Almora. Sherring in 1905 undertook an inspection of the Kailash-Mansarovar complex, and in his report recommended improving the pilgrimage route. In 1906, he would go on to publish a book, Western Tibet and the British Borderlands, about the sacred mountain which had a stunning photograph of Kailash on its cover. According to McKay, this book was an attempt to mainstream the beliefs of a small sect of Shaivite renunciates among the larger Hindu population, which Sherring hoped would drive pilgrim traffic and bring revenue and employment opportunities to his district. This is also why Sherring recommended the Lipulekh route, which passes through Almora, as the easiest path from the plains to the Kailash. Over the years, the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage grew in popularity: in 1930, some 730 Indian pilgrims had reportedly made the journey to the holy mountain. The numbers would remain in the hundreds till the Chinese annexation of Tibet in 1950, following which Kailash was first closed to Europeans in 1951, and then to Indians in 1959. The pilgrimage opened up once again in 1981, in no small part due to the efforts of Subramanian Swamy, then an MP from the Janata Party. 'In April 1981, Swamy discussed the issue with Deng Xiaoping, and arrangements were finalised during the visit to India by the Chinese Foreign Minister in July of that year. Two months later, the first batch of a total of 60 Indian pilgrims set off for Kailas via Almora and the Lipulekh pass; Subramanian Swamy was among them,' McKay wrote. Pilgrims typically travel to and circumambulate Mansarovar, a 90-km walk that takes between three to five days to complete. Some then circumambulate Mount Kailash, a much more arduous 52-km trek that takes around three days to complete. C M Bhandari in his book A Journey to Heaven, Kailas-Mansarovar (1998) described his pilgrimage in 1997. The Tseti camp, on the western shore of Mansarovar, was the starting point for the circumambulation of the lake, after which pilgrims travelled to Huore, some 30 km to the north. Then they reached the Seralung monastery to the south of Huore, before travelling to Trugo Gompa, on the southern shore of the lake, and returning to Tseti. The Kailash trek began on the southern side of the mountain, at Tarchen. Pilgrims typically travel clockwise around the mountain, always keeping Kailash to their right. The trek passes through Dirapuk, Dolma La, Zutul Puk, and finally culminates in Tarchen. According to Bhandari, pilgrims must acclimatise to the high altitude before reaching Tibet. 'The arrangement via the Indian route allows almost 10 days of gradual climb from about 3,000 feet at Dharchula to 14,000 feet at Navidhang. This helps the body to get used to trekking in mountains at high altitudes,' he wrote. This year, yatris will stay at Dharchula for one night, then acclimatise at the village of Gunji for two nights, spend two more nights at Navidhang, before journeying through Lipulekh. In Tibet, pilgrims will be spending around a week before returning to Lipulekh. Due to the construction of motorable roads, the amount of trekking on the Lipulekh route has reduced considerably, down from 27 km in 2019 to only one km this year on the Indian side, Pooja Garbyal, additional secretary of tourism at Uttarakhand, told The Indian Express. On the Nathu La pass route, which first opened in 2015, the journey is even easier: pilgrims travel the entire 1,500 km from Nathu La to Mansarovar by car or bus. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More
