Root Bridges
From the series “The Most Dangerous Bridges in the World”
Locals have risen to eminence in this amazing craft. Year by year, Root Bridges only become stronger; they don’t need any repair. The height and low weight are among distinctive features of these small constructions - the average bridge isn’t more than 25 kg. It’s surprising that such a bridge can withstand several adults. Despite the above mentioned features of ‘living bridges,’ passing through them doesn’t cease to be dangerous. A fragile network of live roots can literally explode under foot at any time. Given the fact that these bridges are very narrow and there are no railings, a loss of balance will inevitably lead to a fall. ... Complete sights collection
Gulmarg Gondola
From the series “The Longest Ski-Lifts and Cable Trams in the World”
The thing is that before the opening of Gulmarg Gondola, travelers were delivered to the mountains by helicopters. The fee for such a service was very high, therefore only the wealthiest tourists could afford to rest at that Himalayan resort. Gondola was constructed by specialists of the famous French company, Pomagalski. Opening of the first section was held in 1998. The starting point of the route is Gulmarg station situated at an altitude of 2,700 meters above sea level. The first section of the lift takes passengers to the Kongdoori Station (3,100 meters), and the second to the Afarwat Station (4,114 meters). Tickets for the first and second phase of the lift vary and cost about 2.7 USD and 4.6 USD respectively. ... Complete sights collection
Bhangarh Fort
From the series “The Most Mysterious Buildings (Houses, Palaces, Castles) in the World”
According to one legend, the fort witch cursed Singh, who was hopelessly in love with a princess living in the fortress. Exactly one year after his death, the war began. During it, all inhabitants of the fort, including a beautiful princess, were killed. According to another legend, Guru Balu Nath has lived there. Peaceful life of the hermit was suddenly disrupted by construction of the city. Hermit came to the people of the city asking to leave these places, but no one took seriously his request and construction of the fort continued. When the shadow of the huge building fell on a house of hermit, he left that once graceful and calm place. After a year the fort was empty and all local people have fallen victims to the war.
Locals believe that today the ruins of this once majestic fort are home to thousands of souls of dead people. An attempt to surround the fort with armed patrols to debunk its notoriety failed, as there was not a single person in the whole country who would venture to guard the cursed place. Mysterious Fort Bhangar never ceases to attract curious tourists, but they visit it only at the daytime, when the mystical fort is filled with sunlight. ... Complete sights collection
Mahabalipuram
From the series “Famous Sunken Towns”
According to researchers, the age of these buildings is about 6,000 years. They have managed to survive to these days solely by the fact that many thousands of years the ancient city of Mahabalipuram had been flooded. Importantly, the city of the same name exists on the Coromandel Coast, and now its age is about 2,500 years. According to scientists, thousands of years ago the inhabitants of the beautiful city escaped and then founded a new settlement, which borrowed the main character of its predecessor, its name.
Despite the fact that in 2004 part of the buildings at the coast was reconstructed, the study of submarine areas hasn’t stop for many years. Scientists have discovered the ruins of massive prehistoric buildings that stretch for many kilometers inland. If you believe another beautiful legend, then 6 beautiful temples should be hidden under water. It’s is likely that modern researchers have found them. ... Complete sights collection
Harappa
From the series “Famous Sunken Towns”
According to the most current and most logical version, the ancient city refers to Harappa civilization. It impresses with its impressive scale, as the ruins are 8 kilometers long, and their average width is about 3 kilometers. After thousands of years, constructions of the ancient city are still there; among them you can easily discern the stairs, walls of huge stone buildings and other related facilities. The scale of the ancient city is its most distinguishing feature making to refute any version of its origin associated with natural forces. ... Complete sights collection
Highway Leh-Manali
From the series “Most Spectacular Mountain Roads”
For motor vehicles the road is open only 4 months of the year. It attracts a lot of tourists at this time. Coaches constantly ply on the dangerous road and the most courageous travellers prefer to rent a car to drive on their own. It is recommended to move down the road at a speed of no more than 30 km/h and in some parts of the path you can develop a speed of 15 km/h only.
In the latter case the situation is complicated not by poor quality of the highway and steep climbs but by the plenty of trucks that climb the mountain very slowly. Serious traffic jams are constantly formed on the mountain highway and every day one can see the overturned buses and trucks on its roadsides. All these dangers do not bother numerous tourists, who are attracted by the opportunity to visit the picturesque mountains and experience the adrenaline rush after successfully overcoming the next sharp turn of Manali-Leh highway. ... Complete sights collection
Diwali
From the series “Most Enchanting and Vibrant Festivals”
Festival is held in late October. According to one version, Diwali is a legacy of ancient pagan holidays that take place after the summer harvest. Modern Diwali is the five-day festival of lights celebrated completely in all the cities of India and across the world where large Hindu communities exist. Each region of India has its own traditions of the festival. During the holiday people everywhere put their affairs in order, say prayers as well as "purify" their houses with the fire – turn on beautiful oil lamps and candles.
Activities that take place in the streets are of main interest to visitors. Here you can see fabulous floral and candle arrangements created by the best masters. At nightfall, in city squares perform their skills fire dancers – artists of Fire theatre, who come to India from different countries. Recently, the festival of Diwali is accompanied by a grandiose fireworks display. The most interesting shows are held in major cities across the country. ... Complete sights collection
Holi Festival
From the series “Most Enchanting and Vibrant Festivals”
The fact is that to remain clean in the days of the celebration is possible for just a few moments only. Participants traditionally pour each other with water and sprinkle with coloured talc. No one can avoid participation in this extraordinary event, so going out without a supply of water and coloured powder is simply meaningless. The powder is sold everywhere during the holiday and in urban markets as well.
Entire country celebrates Holi which lasts five days. Along with the colourful talc festival has several other important characters such as "Thandai" drink. It is a cooling drink usually made of fresh fruit juice with hemp leaves. This original drink can be enjoyed in every stalls. It is sold everywhere. At nightfall people light huge bonfires. This action symbolizes the burning of Holika, the evil spirit. The Holi festival became an international event long ago. Adherents of different faiths across the globe take an active part in the festival. ... Complete sights collection
The Sentinelese
From the series “Wildest Tribes Avoiding Civilization”
In 1960, a group of researchers were lucky enough to successfully land on the island. This important expedition has brought a bit of knowledge about the Sentinelese. Currently humanity has only this limited information. The researchers have brought the tribe the coconuts, few pigs and the red and green plastic bucket as a gift.
The coconuts were eaten immediately, and the pigs were killed and buried. Regarding the bucket, the red one has aroused the interest of the Indians immediately, and the green remained ignored. The researchers failed to determine the population of the tribe. But it is known that more than 40 people live on the island. Sentinelese are the skillful hunter-gatherers, they produce excellent spears and arrows, which confirms the skills of metalworking. They guard their territory, and coastal areas. In 2006, fishermen have perished by their arrows fishing in the forbidden territory. ... Complete sights collection
Ladakhi
From the series “Wildest Tribes Avoiding Civilization”
Large buckweat and bean field processing as well as the processing of wheat and root crops requires a lot of physical efforts. So even children are actively involved in the work. Ladakhi culture and a way of thinking are similar to Tibetan culture. They are mostly Buddhists, but some of them have a religion largely borrowed from Hinduism. Ladakh are actively engaged in trade, that’s why they can’t be called absolutely isolated.
Isolated remains their rich culture based on monogamy and brotherly polyandry. There are no someone else’s children in a family. They are all considered common and inherit from their parents in order of seniority. The eldest son of the family must divide his conjugal rights with his younger brothers. Like many years ago, fertile land continues to be the main value for the Ladakhi tribe nowadays. ... Complete sights collection