Hill of junagadh

Girnar (also known as 'Girnar Hill') is a collection of mountains in the JunagadhDistrict of Gujarat, India. The tallest of these rises to 945 meters (3600 feet),the highest peak in Gujarat. The first peak of Girnar has a collection of Digambar and Shwetamber temples. The Shwetambar temples are more intricately carved but are more modernin terms of history. It is claimed that there are exactly 9,999 steps from thetrailhead to the last temple on the highest peak, but the actual number is roughly 8,000. Reach Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach Ahmedpur Mandvi is probably one of the finest beaches in India on the coastline of Gujarat. It is heaven for the water sports freaks. There is waterscooting, skiing, surfing, Para sailing, and speed boat trips. It has beautiful blue waters, bubbly birds, soft sands and the captivating colorful fishing hamlets. Reach Chorwad Beach Chorwad Beach is one of the most popular excursions from Junagadh. It isone of the main attractions of this place is the spectacular view of the rocky shores. The tourists also enjoy a ride on country boats as well. Reach Veraval Beach Veraval is located at a distance of 6 kilometers from the Somnath town andVeraval is supposed to be the fortified royal town of the dynasty of Junagarh. The fort in Veraval lies alongside the Veraval Beach and though the very many thick and impressive walls have been pulled down but still the impressive veneer of the Veraval fort near the Veraval Beach remains intact. The Veraval Beach is provided with benches and a jogging track which can be utilized by the morning joggers and also go for safe swimming.
                                                

Ran of the katchh

                            It's best to head out into the Rann of Kutch only in the early morning or evening, otherwise the salt can be blinding. The full moon is the best time of month to see it, and cultural programs are usually held at Dhordo then. A moonlight Rann camel safari is magical. For a real cultural extravaganza, visit during the month-long Rann Ustav , which usually begins in mid-late December.

Tapi the Rivar

The Tapti River ( Hindi ताप्ती, Marathi तापी, Gujarati : તાપ્તી ) ancient original name Tapi River ( Sanskrit : तापी ), is a river in central India . It is one of the major rivers of peninsular India with a length of around 724 kilometres (450 mi). It is one of only three rivers inpeninsular India that run from east to west - the others being the Narmada River and the Mahi River . The river rises in the eastern Satpura Range of southern Madhya Pradesh state, and flows westward, draining Madhya Pradesh's Nimar region, Maharashtra 's Kandesh and east Vidarbha regions in the northwest corner of the Deccan Plateau and south Gujarat, before emptying into the Gulf of Cambay of the Arabian Sea , in the Surat District of Gujarat. The river, along with the northern parallel Narmada river, form the boundaries between North and South India. The Western Ghats or Sahyadri range starts south of theTapti River near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Tapti (Tapi) River empties into the Gulf of Khambhat near the city of Surat in Gujarat. Prakasha Barage on Tapti River, at Prakasha Name The Tapi River originates in the Betul district from a place called Multai . The Sanskrit name of Multai is Mulatapi, meaning origin of Tāpī Mātā or the Tapti River. Tāptī is the daughter of Surya , theSun God and his wife, Chhaya . Tapti is also known as sister of Lord Shani. The Tapi River in Thailand, was named after India's Tapti River in August 1915. ↑Jump back a section River basin and tributaries Tapti river at Haripura in Surat district . The Tapi River basin encompassesan area of 65,145 km², which is nearly two percent of the total area of India. The basin lies in the states of Maharashtra (51,504 km²), Madhya Pradesh (9,804 km²) and Gujarat (3,837 km²). The basin lies mostly in the northern and eastern districts Maharashtra state, including Amravati , Akola , Buldhana , Washim , Jalgaon , Dhule , Nandurbar , and Nashik districts, but also includes the Betul and Burhanpur districts of Madhya Pradesh and the Surat district of Gujarat.

NARMADA - The lifeline of Gujarat

traditional divider between North India and South India. Narmada River is a major river in peninsular India that flows from east direction to west direction, along with two other rivers like the Tapti River and Mahi River. On the peak of Amarkantak Hill in Madhya Pradesh, Narmada River rises. It traverses the first 320 kilometres (200 miles) course around the Mandla Hills, which form the head of the Satpura Range; then moves towards Jabalpur passing through the `Marble Rocks`, it enters the Narmada Valley between the Vindhya mountain range and Satpura mountain ranges, and moves westwards towards the Gulf of Cambay. Narmada River flows through several states of the country including Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh before merging into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat`s Bharuch District.

Narmada River is considered very holy by the Hindus. It is believed that just the sight of the river cleanses one of all sins. It is closely associated with Lord Shiva believed to be descended from the sky. As a result, the river represents an important pilgrimage site, and one of the highest acts a pilgrim can perform is to walk from the sea to the source of the river, in the Maikal Mountains and back along the opposite bank, a process that takes approximately two years to complete. The town of Maheshwar is particularly an important pilgrimage site along the route of the river. The Narmadeeya Brahmins worship the Narmada as Mother Goddess. Reva is another name of the river. History shows that the Aryans settled on the banks of the Narmada as they expanded eastwards.

Origin of Narmada River
The place of origin of Narmada River is an open pool known as Narmada Kund. There are various beautiful temples around Narmada Kund such as Sri Shuryanarayan temple, Siddheswar Mahadev temple, Annapurna temple, Shri Ram Janki temple, Shiva temple, Kartikey temple, Vangeshwar Mahadev temple, Eleven Rudra temple, Guru Gorakhnath temple, Durga temple, Shiv Pariwar, Sri Radha Krishna temple, etc. The spot of origin of River Narmada is regarded as a sacred ground. Basically, Narmada Kund is an open pond that is lying at the initial point of this river. Several temples dedicated to many Gods and Goddesses surround Narmada Kund. Tourists from far and wide come to visit this place.

History of Narmada River
The history of Narmada River is closely associated with the place Amarkantak and Narmada Kund. In Indian Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shatapatha Brahmana and Vashishtha samhita, Amarkantak and its rivers have been mentioned. However, there is hardly mention of Narmada River in Vedic literature. History of near about 3000 years has remained in dark after the era of Mahabharata. Nearly 6000 years back, Suryavanshi King Mandhata founded a town in Riksh Parvat`s valley and named it Mandhata. Queen of Purukutsa, son of Mandhatri, gave the name Narmada to the river.

Geography of Narmada River
Geography of Narmada River includes Narmada Valley. The narrow valley of the Narmada lies below the Vindhyachal scarps. Narmada River flows across this narrow valley and this valley covers the southern region of Dhar District`s Manawar tehsil and the southeastern part of Kukshi tehsil of the district. The width of the valley is 15 to 30 kilometers. The height of the river ranges from 275 metres to 150 metres. The height varies in northern part of Manawar tehsil to that of the southwest low plain of Nisarpur. In the western side of the Narmada Valley, Khalghat and Bakaner lie. It is wider and comparatively fertile. Towards westwards, Narmada valley comprises several hills that are the originating point of a number of streams. These streams join Narmada River resulting in few stretches of alluvium deposit. Valleys of Narmada River are historically as well as economically significant. History states that Chalukya emperor Pulakeshin II defeated emperor Harshavardhan of Kannauj on the banks of Narmada River.

Tributaries of Narmada River
At Hoshangabad, Narmada River has some striking ghats constructed on its banks. Its longest tributary is the Tawa River. It joins Narmada River at Bandra Bhan in Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh. This river broadens out in Bharuch District after traversing through Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Below Bharuch city it forms a 20 kilometre wide estuary where it enters the Gulf of Cambay. The water of the river is used not only for feeding the drought prone areas of states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, but also for navigation as well.

Course of Narmada River
The course of Narmada River begins with its starting point at a very small tank called Narmada Kund situated on Amarkantak hill in Shahdol district of eastern Madhya Pradesh. The river flows down from the Amarkantak hill range at the Kapildhara falls over a tall cliff and roams down the hills flowing through a distorted course and crossing the rocks and islands up to the ruined palace of Ramnagar. The river traverses further between Ramnagar and Mandla in the southeast direction. Course of River Narmada is relatively straight with deep water and there are very less rocky hindrances.

Geology of Narmada River
The geology of Narmada River valley says it a graben. A graben means a layered block of the earth`s crust that dropped down comparatively to the blocks on either side due to ancient spreading of the earth`s crust. Narmada River`s watershed consists of northern slopes of Satpura mountain ranges, as well as the vertical southern slope of the Vindhya mountain Range. The Narmada valley is regarded as very important for paleontological studies.

Religious Significance of Narmada River
The religious significance of Narmada River lies in its origin. The river is one of the most sacred of the five holy rivers of India; the other four sacred rivers of India are Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari and Kaveri. People have this belief that a dip in Narmada River washes away all the sins. There are references of Narmada River in Ramayana, Mahabharata and Indian Puranas. Rewa Khand of Vayu Purana and of Skanda Purana is entirely dedicated to the story of origin and importance of Narmada River.

Forests and Sanctuaries along Narmada River
Along the Narmada River, there are various forests and sanctuaries. Some of the best hardwood forests of India are also found along this river. The teak trees along this river are much older as compared to the ones in the Himalayas.

Anthropological Sites along Narmada River
The anthropological sites along Narmada River are considered of great interest among the tourists as well as the historians. The extensive caves of Bhimbhetka are located in a dyke structure of the Narmada valley at about 45 km northeast of Bhopal. These caves lie between Bhopal and Hoshangabad highway and depict pre-historic rock shelter paintings. These paintings are considered a priceless chronicle in the history of India, which are sculpted on the summit of the Vindhyan heights.

Narmada River development was planned for keeping the banks and water of the river clean and usable for resource needs. The early background and dispute of River Narmada have emerged with many advanced plans for the development of the basin. Explorations for using the Narmada waters had began around the time of independence, when Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission or the CWINC came up with several storage schemes.

The navigation along the River Narmada is at its best nowadays. The main tributaries of River Narmada like Hallon, Banjar, Barna River and Tawa are the main source of water, irrigation and other resource based activities in the central India.

Narayan sharovar

Narayan Sarovar is also called ‘Narayansar’ and it is a tourist place about 2 kms away from Koteshwar and about 163 kms away from Bhuj. Narayan Sarovaris situated on the coastal highway. Narayan Sarovar and Bhuj connect with each other by S. T. bus services. The main attraction of Narayan Sarovar is its temples which are surrounded by a wall. Narayan Sarovar is one of the main four lakes in India (Man Sarovar , Pampa Sarovar , Bindu Sarovar ) described in Shrimad Bhagwat. This approving with the story of the lake found by Alexander and perhaps lasting till the change of the route of the riverIndus was in part become recognized by the earthquake of 1819. There is a temple of Adinarayan in the village of Narayan Sarovar nearby the lake. Seven stone temples are in a covered courtyard approached from the lake by flights of stone-steps and bordered by a strong wall. The wife of Rao Desalji (1718-1741), Vagheli Mahakunvar built the temples of Lakshminarayan, Trikamray, Adinarayan, Govardhannath, Dwarkanath andLakshmiji in the style of Dwarka temples in 1734. The temple of Trikamray is same in style and shape like Koteshwar. It is 72 feet long, 681\2 feet wide and 61 feet high and it has three sidecovered buildings with a large one in thecentre, all cap with domes resting on twelve feet high pillars. The stone and wood frames at the entrance are luxuriously stamped. The doors are plated with silver in which flowers, fruits, leaves and creepers are with much proficiency. The shelter of the God stands on a base and is supported on four silver pillars with fine spiral flutes and handsomely fixed friezes, bases and shafts. There are three Guphas besides these temples: Ram Gupha, Lakshaman Gupha and Shesh Gupha. A fair is organized on 11th to 15th Kartik (November-December) every year. Narayan Sarovar has good services of lodging and boarding

Bards/Animal

More Than 1,000 Dead Birds Fall From Sky in Arkansas-January 2 *. Dead fish cover 20-mile section of Arkansas River-January 2 *. Hundreds of dead blackbirds found in Louisiana-January 3 *. 10,000s of Birds found dead in Manitoba-January 3 *. Thousands of Birds fall from the sky in South America-January 3 *. Dead Birds Found In Kentucky-January 4 *. 100 tons of dead fish wash up on Brazil's shores-January 4 *. Hundreds of dead birds found inEast Texas-January 5 *. Dead birds in Sweden, millions of dead fish in Maryland, Brazil and New Zealand-January 5 *. 40,000 crabs found dead on England beaches-January 6 *. Thousands of marine animals found dead in MATO GROSSO DO SUL/AMAZON Region-Febuary 4 *. Thousands of dead fish have washed up at Sebastian Inlet State Park Florida-Febuary *. Millions of small fish including anchovies, sardines and mackerel were found dead at King Harbour area at Redondo Beach, California-March *. Thousands of dead fish wash upin Florida-March *. Hundreds of dead fish found in Midland,Texas-March *. Hundreds of dead fish and frogsin Marquette Lagoon-April *. Dead birds fall into Kansas yard-April *. Dead fish found in Cedar Creek, Texas-April *. Dead fish float up in 36 lakes in the state of Connecticut-April *. Thousands of dead fish are hauled away in Lakeside,NY-April *. Dead fish wash up in San Tan Heights pond - May *. Dead fish found in Valsad district of south Gujarat, India - May *. Dead fish found in Taal Lake, Philippines - May *. E - Coli outbreak, Germany - June *. Dead Fish, Suva,Fiji - August