PUSHKAR

Went on a weekend trip with family to Pushkar in Rajasthan. Had a lovely 7 hour drive from Delhi halting on the way for coffee and snacks.                                         Utsav, Angad and Kartik with Anita at the Dhaba

Entered Pushkar around 3 and headed for the Green House Resort where we were staying. A very nice tented accommodation with all luxuries and comforts.

The Greenhouse Resort is about 7 kms outside Puskar and is located on the foothills of the Aravalis. The resort has made extensive use of drip irrigation to really green up the place and there is an abundance of flowers and plants though the area is very dry and arid. The morning woke us up with the chatter of Babblers – very noisy birds, If you are lucky,  peacocks can be spotted in the fields. Mornings in December are crisp and chilly and the air is absolutely clean.

Pushkar is a holy city. It is a pilgrimage spot and scores of devotees visit Pushkar daily . A rough estimate of the no of temples in Pushakar is 500 temples!!

View of the Temples surrounding the Pushkar Lake

The most prominent place in Pushkar is the Puskhar Lake or Sarovar as it is called. The Sarovar is surrounded by temples, the most prominent of them being the Brahma Temple built in the 14th century,  one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is believed that Lord Brahma along with all the Gods and Goddesses performed a special ceremony here. Legend also has it that the Sarovar Lake was formed miraculously when a lotus fell from the hands of Brahma. ( The pity is that the lake is now completely dry),Very few temples to Lord Brahma exist anywhere in the world. Other temples of Brahma include those at Besakih in Bali, Bithoor in Uttar Pradesh, India, village Asotra near Balotra city of Barmer district in Rajasthan and Prambanan in Indonesia. The Pushkar lake 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

During our holiday in London , we had spent an interesting afternnon at the Trafalgar Square . This is a popular place for tourists who seemed to be swarming all over the place.

Anita in front of the main fountain.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

Another not be missed tourist spot is Trafalgar Square in central London. It is dominated by the Nelson's Column in the centre.

Chapel Bridge, Lucerne

Chapel Bridge, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The Chapel Bridge is a landmark in Lucerne. This wooden bridge . is a 204 m (670 ft) long bridge crossing the Reuss River in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland. It is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. This covered bridge was constructed in 1333.
This picture is a veiw of the bridge from the left bank of the river Reuss.

Church of St. Leodegar - Lucerne

Lucerne Cathedral - Front Door, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

One striking feature of the Lucerne Cathedral is it's impressive main door .The intricately carved main door of the Cathedral has the figures of the two patron saints of Luzern: on the left is St Leger, a French bishop who was blinded with a drill (which he is holding), and on the right is St Maurice, the martyred Roman soldier-saint.

Organ at the Church of St Leodegar (Lucerne Cathedral)

Lucerne Cathedral , originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

This impressive and massive organ in the Church has 6000 pipes with the bass pipe being over 33 ft tall. The organ is bedecked in ornaments and has a machine to mimic the sound of rain and a special register for thunder and rain.

Church of St. Leodegar (Lucerne Cathedral)

Lucerne Cathedral, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The Interiors of the cathedral are beautifully done up with intricate carvings. St. Leodegar's white stone interior is generously furnished with gilt statuary and altars.

Lucerne Cathedral

Lucerne Cathedral, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The Main Pulpit is an impressive rich wooden structure that blends in beautifully with the interiors of the church.

Lucerne Cathedral

Lucerne Cathedral , originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

View of the alter at the Lucerne Cathedral. Note the elaborate carving on the alter which dates back to the 1630's.
This is the most important renaissance church in Switzerland

Lucerne Cathedral

Lucerne Cathedral, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The Altar at the Lucernce Cathedral.

Lucerne Cathedral

Lucerne Cathedral, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The Lucerne cathedral known as The Cathedral of St. Leodegar is recognised by its twin needle towers. The cathedral was originally built in 735, and modified in 1633 with a Renaissance style. The cathedral is known locally as Hofchile, or in German as Hofkirche.

Lucerne Lake

Few destinations can match the appeal, charm and beauty of Lucerne and its famous lakes. The lake named Vierwaldstättersee, or the "Lake of the Four Forested Cantons is the fourth largest lake in the country. A trip on the lake on one of the various cruises that operate is an enjoyable and relaxing experience.The lake spreads from the city into the mountains and is about 114 sq kms in size.

The lake is bordered by numerous villages that date back a few centuries. The mountains and countryside that surround the lakes are fabulous walking destinations.
The lake abounds in nature and water birds. The white swans near the shore in Lucerne city add grace and are a pleasing sight for the eyes.

Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

Lucerne has a charm few cities of this world have and the Lucerne Lake is an integral part of the city. A trip on the lake gives one some of the most beautiful views

FROM THE GLACIER EXPRESS

On our visit to Switzerland this summer, we took the Glacier Express from Brig to Chur. An important element of holidaying in Switzerland is a trip on the Glacier Express. This great sightseeing train takes you through the Alps in Switzerland on an 8 hour trip that passes through some of of the most breathtaking sights. The train has huge panoramic glass windows that give you a fantastic view of the surroundings. We did the run from Brig to Chur in 7 hours drinking beer and enjoying the sights.

The train passes some of the highest points of the mountains on its trip. As we were travelling in summer, there was no snow on the tops except the last bit that was drying up.
The Swiss countryside is beautiful and green with coniferous trees.

An interesting mountain side captured on my camera through the train window.

Another view of the mountain peaks visible from the train

Holidaying in Brig

We were in Brig for our summer holiday some time back. Great place to just lounge around, take in the fresh air and simply relax. The cobble stone town square with eating places all around is a lively place in the evenings.

This restaurant served us some great Swiss cheese dishes with some excellent wine

Coblestone town square

Chur, Switzerland

Chur, Switzerland, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The postal office in Chur stands prominently in the town. The building with sculptures on its facade.

Statues in Chur

Chur Statues, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

One of the many statues that one can see in Chur

Chur, Switzerland

Chur, Switzerland, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The romantic and historical part of Chur is to the East. The Cathedral Church of St luzius is also located in this area. This was built in the 11th century
Picture above shows stairway leading to the cathedral

Chur, Switzerland

Chur, Switzerland, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

Chur, the Alpine city is the starting point of mountain trips and train travel through the Alps. One of the oldest cities in Switzerland, it has a population of 35,000 inhabitants. Chur is almost completely surrounded by the Alps

Brig

Brig, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

Views of Brig, Switzerland

Brig

Brig1929s, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The front of the Stockalper has a large green lawn sloping downwards which has the palace on one side and more gardens and swiss homes on the other sides.
This pole with a face stands on one side overlooking the lawns and has the Swiss alps as a backdrop.

Brig at Night

Street at Night, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

Main shopping street in Brig at night ater closing hours

Brig at Night

Brig at Night, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

The cobbled square in Brig is equally lively at night with vacationers relaxing with a glass of wine at the various restaurants . The weather in July is perfect with a slight nip in the air.

Brig House

Swiss House, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

One of the beautiful buildings of Brig, Switzerland. Note the lovely flowers on each window sill

Stockalper Palace, Brig

Stockalper Palace, Brig, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

Took a break this July and visited Brig. The Stockalper Palace in Brig is one of the most important baroque palaces in Switzerland . The palace was built in 1678 by Kaspar Stockalpar, a silk merchant of Brig.

Swiss Town Square

Swiss Town Square, originally uploaded by PRAVINECHESTER.

Brig , a graceful town is an ideal place to start your holiday in Switzerland. Just an hour from Zermatt, one can board the Glacier Express from here for an 8 hour journey through the beautiful Alps.
This shot is of the main town square where you can sit at any of numerous restaurants and enjoy your glass of wind and some great Swiss cheese.

Lake Orta, Italy

West of Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore) in Northern Italy lies a beautiful lake named Lake Orta or Lago di Orta. This picturesque lake is a favourite holiday destination for Italians and is an inspiration for poets since ages. It is without doubt the most romantic lake in Italy.

Lake Orta, known by the Romans as Lake Cusius, lies to the west of Lake Maggiore enclosed in a circle of hills and mountains. It is the highest of the large pre-Alpine lakes

Within the lake is the San Giulio Island ( Isolo di San Giullio). The ancient basilica of San Giulio (4th Century) stands on the small island and is it's most prominent building. Legend has it that the island was the home of dragons and serpents . In 390, St Julius visited the island and defeated the serpents. The Basilica was built in his memory.

View of the hills from the lake
http://www.pravinechester.com/1_20_Borgomanero.html

Italian Town of Borgomanero

40 Kms Northwest of Milan's Malpensa Airport is the Italian town of Borgomanero. The town is located amidst low hills and surrounded by lakes where Italians love to spend a lazy weekend.

View of the Town from the nearby hills

14th Century Building

15th Century Church

This picture of the chapel and village on a nearby hill was taken from my hotel window.

http://www.pravinechester.com/1_20_Borgomanero.html

The Western Ghats

The Western Ghats in Maharashtra

Some views of the foothills in areas surrounding Nashik in Maharashtra. The hot summer turns the hills an interesting brown.