Taman Ayun Temple

Who knows about Bali, surely know the beach and the temples. Thousands temple are stand on there. The TEMPLE is thrives at Bali. This is caused of the Hindu is the believeble religion for Bali society. Majority of Balinese are Hinduism. If you go to Bali, don't ever forget to see the temples in Taman Ayun Temple, located in Mengwi village, district Badung, Bali, Indonesia. Taman Ayun Temple was built in 1634 by the first king of the Mengwi Kingdom, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Made Agung who have a title Ida Cokorda Sakti Belambangan. These temples are used for praying by the king's family and the followers.

There are some different between the Taman Ayun Temple and the others temple in Bali. While the others temple are oriented to Agung mountain, the temples of Taman Ayun are oriented to Batukau mountain. Although, the  Taman Ayun Temple also has the shades of quiet worship.

Taman Ayun in regional language is "the beautifull park". It's beauty is rised among the temple area of 4 ha and surrounded by canal or pool. If you see them from far, the canals are looked like the water bracelet and the temples are looked like stand on the water. At around the temples is the beautifull flowers and trees which make the area looked so cool.

Taman Ayun areas is consist of three part. The main part is an opened room which use to religion activities and theater. In this place, the visitors enjoy the beautyfull "meru", the temple with the stratified roof that is typical building temple of Bali.

The second part is the main building, the building called "Bale Pelik". This building is decorated by The sculpture, relief, and the statue of Dewa Nawa sanga. Then the others building are for the others Dewa-God-that sacred by Hindu religion.

Beside that, you can enjoy The Mengwi Kingdom heritage which located in 300 metres from the temples. Across the temples is Manusa Yadnya Museum, there are ceremonies show, the ceremony that related with the human life, from born to the dead. The village of Mengwi is located about 18 kilometres from Denpasar -the capital of Bali- towards the northwest side. You can reach the Mengwi with the bus destination Denpasar/Singaraja or Denpasar/Bedugul with the duration about 25 minutes.

If you arrive in Mengwi, you can walk toward the temples area with the distant 250 metres, and the visitor can visit the temples at 08.00-18.00 local time. Happy journey.

The 72 Peaks of The Song Shan Mountains

Many interesting place can be visited in China beside the great wall, there is the most awesome natural view in Henan province where there is one of the holy mountain of Tao it is Song Shan. The Song Shan has 1512 metres height and consist of 72 mountain peaks, and also there are the Budhist temple, pagoda, and keeper manaret. The most interest in this place are Shaolin temple(The training center of kungfu), and another is Zhongyue Miao(the Tao temple). We can reached the place via cable car from the Luoyang station or Zhengzhou station then stop in Baima Si (the oldest temple in China). It located at 64 kilometres between Luoyang and Zhangzhou.

Dengfeng

The Peaks

The beautifull panorama of these mountains are seen at the slope height that very sharp at over the valley. Moreover, there are many trees surrounding area give the interesting impression. Directly underneath the mountain, lies the quaint little town of Dongfang. Used mainly as a base for travellers hiking up the mountain, it may be a little rough around the edges in terms of prettiness, but nevertheless it is still a place to visit.

The Song Shan is the main mountains of the five big mountains and used to called Zhong Hue(Central Peak) of the holy Tao mountain was named by the king Ping Zhou while he moving the capital to the Luoyang in 771 BC. If coming to Song Shan, then there are more places to visit apart from the Shaolin Temple. Why not take a trip to Songyang Academy (Songyang Shuyuan), located at the foot of Taishi Shan. This is one of the oldest academies in China, and in the courtyard are two cypress trees which are believed to have been growing for 4,500 years! Songyue pagoda (Songyue Ta) is nearby and is one of China’s oldest brick pagodas, dating from the Song Dynasty.

Baima Si Temple

The Shaolin Temple (Shaolin Si) is the legendary birthplace of gongfu (kung fu). Because of its fame, it has become a victim in itself over the years; a target of war, the temple has been ruined, rebuilt, destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout the decades. The last fire was in 1928 and since then has seen restoration ever since, especially with the droves of tourists who visit each year.

At the Shaolin Temple, there is much wushu (athletic Chinese martial arts) instead of true gong fu. True gong fu takes years of intense mental and physical study instead of just physical training. Coming here, you enter the temple just past some of the most wonderful stelae, some are delicate works of art from abroad. You can also see the Pilu Pavilion (Pilu Dian) with its famous depressions in the floor, as well as the Guanyin Hall (Guangyin Dian).

Left of Shaolin Temple is a path that will lead you up to Wuru Peak (Wuru Feng). It gets quite busy up here with tourists, but you can escape them by visiting the cave (DAmo Dong) where the Domo Bodhidharma meditated for nine years. Although the signs say it’s only 500m away, it’s really 3km.

This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Song Shan N the Shaolin Kung Fu Monastery

Kungfu Center

Shwedagon Pagoda ; The Holiest Symbol in Myanmar (Burma)

Who don't know about this golden pagoda which considered to be the holiest sign in Myanmar or Burma. From the shiny of golden with diamond the pagoda was built from it. Shwedagon pagoda is used to called Shwedagon Paya has a tall 98 metres, this is an amazing creation by the architectur of Burma temple and it is the holiest of Budhist temple in Yangon and all over Myanmar.

Shwedagon pagoda stood up at area with 5 ha over the hill 98 metres at sea level. Exactly, it is at western of Kandawgyi lake, Singuttara hill. Then with this height, we can see this pagoda from almost all over the city. In the pagoda complex, we can find the four footpath which direct us to the pulpit of pagoda. Both south and north entrance has the option of an elevator or stairs, while the west entrance there is escalator there.

The visitor who want to feel the authentic moment in this place, They can entering the east stairs, because it will pass the monastery and some merchant who sell all of monastery need.

If we look for the nearest lane towards the main entrance, we can find it on shwedagon Paya street at the south entrance. This entrance was saved by the two of Chinte (lion- dragon myth) 18 feet in height. Here, we have to remove our shoes and socks before elevate the stairs.

Along passing the stairs, we can see a store which sell flowers (both original and manmade) as dedication, Budhist painting, incense, antique collection, and others. While the sun is bright, we will see an amazing view when we step up towards summit of temple area.

The main building that is being attention center of the visitors of the Shwedagon Temple is the big stupa. The long road of mat was prepared around it to keep the visitor's foot from the heat marmer. This big stupa is really solid and covered with gold in every inch. While the top is sprinkled by diamonds totaling over 2,000 carats.

The main stupa is bolstered by square pedestal that stand up 6,4 metres in height at over the stage. This setting is separated from the others stupa. On this stage, we can see many small stupa and the big one is located at the fourth of cardinal direction. While the middle stupa is at the fourth corner, and so does the 60 of the small stupa are located around the perimeter.

The visitors can visit the temple at 5.00-22.00 am in local time. There are addition of payment for visitors when they wanted to take a picture.

Tiger's Nest Monastery

Tiger's Nest Monastery is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Located several hours outside of Paro, Bhutan (the only city with an airport). Tiger's Nest Monastery stand on the edge of altitude of 3.000 feet. Can you imagine how it was built? how the materials were transported? how amazing this place. Unfortunately, entering this sacred building is forbidden for visitors. But you still can enjoy it and get rather close to the monastery to view it's beauty.

Several years ago, the monastery suffered a large fire,and much burned to the ground. Since then, the reconstruction effort has been immense so that this national symbol can regain to former glory.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba) was built several hundred years ago ( originally built in 1692 and reconstruction in 2004 after a devastating fire) on this sheer cliff face above the valley, and has remained intact (with the exception of the fire) ever since.


On monastery's side is lush green valley which equipped with red rhododendron blossoms, and in the steep hillsides is full of stately pines. But on top, all that you can see is the sensuous soft cotton wool mist that envelopes around you.

Bhutan ; showing after centuries of isolation

Bhutan, nestling in the heart of the great Himalaya, has for centuries remained aloof from the rest of the world. Since its doors were cautiously opened in 1974, visitors have been mesmerised with the environment that pristine, the scenery and architecture awesome and the people hospitable and charming.
Bhutan is a  Himalayan oasis which full of  pine and juniper-scented, algae and emerald green in every inch of the way. It is quite unlike the other hill stations that have sprouted all over the once verdant Himalayan slopes. The vegetation is denser and greener and it is also virgin - the tropical forest floor is piled high with foliage and dead leaves; the tree-canopy is near complete allowing only vertical shafts of sunlight to slice through; cobweb-like algae flutter like buntings in a birthday party; crickets chirp as if to compete with the full-throated calls of a myriad song birds. And then you spot the occasional red-robed monk hurrying on his way to evening prayer at the lamasery.

Landlocked Bhutan, the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon, is roughly the size of Switzerland. It is bounded on the north and northwest by Tibet, with India nudging its remaining borders. Virtually the entire country is mountainous, peaking at the 7554m (24,777ft) Kulha Gangri on the Tibetan border. North to south it features three geographic regions; the high Himalaya of the north, the hills and valleys of the centre, and the foothills and plains of the south. Its great rivers helped sculpt its geography and their enormous potential for hydropower has helped shape the economy.

Hidden away in the Himalayas Bhutan and its people have largely lived a life of isolation from the rest of the world. The Bhutanese have succeeded in maintaining their cultural and spiritual heritage and belief that they live in the last Shangri-La. Western values have little or no impact here in this land of culture and extreme charm which exudes a special feeling of serenity. The people are intensely religious, much in evidence even in urban centres the spinning of prayer wheels the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps are still important features of daily life. Monasteries temples and religious monuments are dotted across the landscape bearing witness to the importance of Buddhism, while red robed monks, young and old, are everywhere mingling freely in towns and village markets.

Thanks to centuries of isolationism, its small population and topographical extremes, Bhutan's ecosystem is virtually intact, and boasts the most varied habitats and a rich array of animal and plant species. Under Bhutanese law, 60% of the kingdom will remain forested for all time. There is currently a remarkable 72% forest cover and an astonishing array of plants; more than 5500 species, including over 300 medicinal strains. There are 165 species of mammals, including many rare and endangered animals such as the golden langur, snow leopard and red panda. So far, 770 species of birds have been recorded, including the rare and endangered black-necked crane.

Despite the huge potential of its natural resources, Bhutan emerged as one of Asia's poorest countries, shunning the 'profit at all costs' mentality of the rest of the world. With one foot in the past and one in the future, it strolls confidently towards modernisation on its own terms.

The Baha'i Lotus Temple

The Baha'i temple is the most recent architectural marvel of the Baha'i faith or Baha'i religion, it is located in Kalkaji, south of Delhi. The Baha'i temple shaped like a half opened Lotus flower, this temple is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. This temple is opened to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and peace tranquility. The Baha'i temple is a marvel of modern architecture, which can seen from several spots in south Delhi.

It's a lotus flower shape signifies purity and peace, a representation of the Manifestation of God, for the people of India. This ancient symbol has been applicated to the modern and contemporary form in the structure of the Bahai House of Worship which considered as a sanctum sanctorum from all races, religious backgrounds and culture from around the world. It represents the Baha'i faith, - an independent world religion; divine in origin, its embracing in all scope, broad in its outlook, scientific in it method, humanitarian in its principles, and dynamic in the influence.

The Grand Structure of Bahai Temple

In the raising of the House of Worship in New Delhi, it is combination between traditional Indian means of construction were employed coupled with the most modern Western engineering design. Fariborz Sahba, Canadian architect of Iranian origin, spent 10 years for designing and project management, with the team's help are about 800 engineers, technicians, artisans and workers brought to the reality one of the most complicated constructions in the world. Rising pure and unsullied above stagnant, muddy waters, the Indians have seen this flower as a profile which teaching them to be free from material preoccupations.

There are six of the baha'i temples on the world. All of them are join in one basic design concept which representate about the diverse of humanity in unity. The structure of the baha'i temple is consist of three layer which every layer is consist of nine petals, and every springing from a podium, its elevating every building surround it. The two of three layers are curve inward, its embracing the inner dome; the out layer curves outward to form canopies over the nine entrances. The petals are constructed of reinforced white concrete cast,in place are clad in white marble panels, performed to surface profiles and patterns related to the geometry. Translating the geometry of the design, in which there are virtually no straight lines, into the actual structure presented particular challenges in designing and erecting the framework.

It is so difficult to understand but architecture, caused of how difficult the construction is. But within that, the Baha'i temple is so beautiful and pure, it will accompany you in sadness and your lonely.

In the heart of New Delhi, the capital of India, a lotus-shaped outline has etched itself on the consciousness of the city’s inhabitants, capturing their imagination, fuelling their curiosity, and revolutionising the concept of worship. This is the Baha'i, Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, or better known as the “Lotus Temple”. With the dawning of every new day, an ever-rising tide of visitors surges to its doorsteps to savour its beauty and bask in its serenely spiritual atmosphere.

Since the Baha'i temple has been dedicated to public worship in December 1986, this Mother Temple of the indian has seen millions of people cross its threshold which making it one of the most visited place in India.

As an evocative symbol of beauty and purity, and a representative of divinity, the lotus flower remains unsurpassed in Indian iconography. Rising up pure and unsullied from stagnant water, the lotus represents the manifestation of God. The architect used this ancient Indian symbol to create a beauty design and apparent simplicity, belying the complex geometry underlying its execution in concrete form. Twentieth-century architecture has been characterised by a high degree of technological prowess; however, it has been, by and large, unexceptional in aesthetic value. The Lotus Temple provides one of the rare exceptions with its remarkable fusion of ancient concept, modem engineering skill, and architectural inspiration, that making it the focus of attention amongst engineers and architects in the world over. Without the sophisticated equipment, but the extremely complex design has been considered to be the highest order of engineering ingenuity of traditional workmanship. No wonder, then, that the Lotus Temple, is become a symbol of faith and human endeavour in the path of God, and also became the recipient of accolades and world-wide acclaim.So, find your desire, and happy journey.

About The Baha'i Faith
The Baha'i Faith or religion is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder, Baha'ullah (1817-1892), is regarded by Baha' as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.

The central theme of Baha'ullah's message is that humanity is the only one race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society. The massanger, Baha'u'llah said, has set in motion historical forces that are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization . The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is to accept the fact of their oneness and to assist the processes of unification.

One of the purposes of the Baha'i Faith is to make this massage possible. A community of Baha'i's faith,is amount five million Baha'is, representative of manner of nations, races and cultures on earth, they are working to prove Baha'u'llah's teachings practical effect. Their experience will be an encouragement to all who share their vision of humanity as one global family and the earth as one homeland.