PROJECT HELPER

 INTRODUCTION

 We certainly know that our universe exists, however, this knowledge alone has not satisfied mankind's quest for further understanding. Our curiosity has led us to question our place in this universe and furthermore, the place of the universe itself. Throughout time we have asked ourselves these questions: How did our universe begin? How old is our universe? How did matter come to exist? Obviously, these are not simple questions and throughout our brief history on this planet much time and effort has been spent looking for some clue. Yet, after all this energy has been expended, much of what we know is still only speculation.

We have, however, come a long way from the mystical beginnings of the study of cosmology and the origins of the universe. Through the understandings of modern science we have been able to provide firm theories for some of the answers we once called hypotheses. True to the nature of science, a majority of these answers have only led to more intriguing and complex questions. It seems to be inherent in our search for knowledge that questions will always continue to exist.

Although in this short chapter it will be impossible to tackle all of the questions concerning the creation of everything we know as reality, an attempt will be made to address certain fundamental questions of our being. It will be important to keep in mind that all of this information is constantly being questioned and reevaluated in order to understand the universe more clearly. For our purposes, through an examination of what is known about the Big Bang itself, the age of the universe, and the synthesis of the first atoms, we believe that we can begin to answer several of these key questions.

THE BIG BANG

One of the most persistently asked questions has been: How was the universe created? Many once believed that the universe had no beginning or end and was truly infinite. Through the inception of the Big Bang theory, however,no longer could the universe be considered infinite. The universe was forced to take on the properties of a finite phenomenon, possessing a history and a beginning.

About 15 billion years ago a tremendous explosion started the expansion of the universe. This explosion is known as the Big Bang. At the point of this event all of the matter and energy of space was contained at one point. What exisisted prior to this event is completely unknown and is a matter of pure speculation. This occurance was not a conventional explosion but rather an event filling all of space with all of the particles of the embryonic universe rushing away from each other. The Big Bang actually consisted of an explosion of space within itself unlike an explosion of a bomb were fragments are thrown outward. The galaxies were not all clumped together, but rather the Big Bang lay the foundations for the universe.

The origin of the Big Bang theory can be credited to Edwin Hubble. Hubble made the observation that the universe is continuously expanding. He discovered that a galaxys velocity is proportional to its distance. Galaxies that are twice as far from us move twice as fast. Another consequence is that the universe is expanding in every direction. This observation means that it has taken every galaxy the same amount of time to move from a common starting position to its current position. Just as the Big Bang provided for the foundation of the universe, Hubbles observations provided for the foundation of the Big Bang theory.

Since the Big Bang, the universe has been continuously expanding and, thus, there has been more and more distance between clusters of galaxies. This phenomenon of galaxies moving farther away from each other is known as the red shift. As light from distant galaxies approach earth there is an increase of space between earth and the galaxy, which leads to wavelengths being stretched.

                                                             In addition to the understanding of the velocity of galaxies emanating from a single point, there is further evidence for the Big Bang. In 1964, two astronomers, Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, in an attempt to detect microwaves from outer space, inadvertently discovered a noise of extraterrestrial origin. The noise did not seem to emanate from one location but instead, it came from all directions at once. It became obvious that what they heard was radiation from the farthest reaches of the universe which had been left over from the Big Bang. This discovery of the radioactive aftermath of the initial explosion lent much credence to the Big Bang theory.

Even more recently, NASAs COBE satellite was able to detect cosmic microwaves eminating from the outer reaches of the universe. These microwaves were remarkably uniform which illustrated the homogenity of the early stages of the universe. However, the satillite also discovered that as the universe began to cool and was still expanding, small fluctuations began to exist due to temperature differences. These flucuatuations verified prior calculations of the possible cooling and development of the universe just fractions of a second after its creation. These fluctuations in the universe provided a more detailed description of the first moments after the Big Bang. They also helped to tell the story of the formation of galaxies which will be discussed in the next chapter.

The Big Bang theory provides a viable solution to one of the most pressing questions of all time. It is important to understand, however, that the theory itself is constantly being revised. As more observations are made and more research conducted, the Big Bang theory becomes more complete and our knowledge of the origins of the universe more substantial.

THE FIRST ATOMS

Now that an attempt has been made to grapple with the theory of the Big Bang, the next logical question to ask would be what happened afterward? In the minuscule fractions of the first second after creation what was once a complete vacuum began to evolve into what we now know as the universe. In the very beginning there was nothing except for a plasma soup. What is known of these brief moments in time, at the start of our study of cosmology, is largely conjectural. However, science has devised some sketch of what probably happened, based on what is known about the universe today.

Immediately after the Big Bang, as one might imagine, the universe was tremendously hot as a result of particles of both matter and antimatter rushing apart in all directions. As it began to cool, at around 10^-43 seconds after creation, there existed an almost equal yet asymmetrical amount of matter and antimatter. As these two materials are created together, they collide and destroy one another creating pure energy. Fortunately for us, there was an asymmetry in favor of matter. As a direct result of an excess of about one part per billion, the universe was able to mature in a way favorable for matter to persist. As the universe first began to expand, this discrepancy grew larger. The particles which began to dominate were those of matter. They were created and they decayed without the accompaniment of an equal creation or decay of an antiparticle.

As the universe expanded further, and thus cooled, common particles began to form. These particles are called baryons and include photons, neutrinos, electrons and quarks would become the building blocks of matter and life as we know it. During the baryon genesis period there were no recognizable heavy particles such as protons or neutrons because of the still intense heat. At this moment, there was only a quark soup. As the universe began to cool and expand even more, we begin to understand more clearly what exactly happened.

After the universe had cooled to about 3000 billion degrees Kelvin, a radical transition began which has been likened to the phase transition of water turning to ice. Composite particles such as protons and neutrons, called hadrons, became the common state of matter after this transition. Still, no matter more complex could form at these temperatures. Although lighter particles, called leptons, also existed, they were prohibited from reacting with the hadrons to form more complex states of matter. These leptons, which include electrons, neutrinos and photons, would soon be able to join their hadron kin in a union that would define present-day common matter.

After about one to three minutes had passed since the creation of the universe, protons and neutrons began to react with each other to form deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen. Deuterium, or heavy hydrogen, soon collected another neutron to form tritium. Rapidly following this reaction was the addition of another proton which produced a helium nucleus. Scientists believe that there was one helium nucleus for every ten protons within the first three minutes of the universe. After further cooling, these excess protons would be able to capture an electron to create common hydrogen. Consequently, the universe today is observed to contain one helium atom for every ten or eleven atoms of hydrogen.

While it is true that much of this information is speculative, as the universe ages we are able to become increasingly confident in our knowledge of its history. By studying the way in which the universe exists today it is possible to learn a great deal about its past. Much effort has gone into understanding the formation and number of baryons present today. Through finding answers to these modern questions, it is possible to trace their role in the universe back to the Big Bang. Subsequently, by studying the formation of simple atoms in the laboratory we can make some educated guesses as to how they formed originally. Only through further research and discovery will it be possible to completely understand the creation of the universe and its first atomic structures, however, maybe we will never know for sure.

AGE OF THE UNIVERSE

We now have something of a handle on two of the most important quandaries concerning the universe; however, one major question remains. If the universe is indeed finite, how long has it been in existence? Again, science has been able to expand upon what it knows about the universe today and extrapolate a theory as to its age. By applying the common physical equation of distance over velocity equaling time, which again uses Hubbles observations, a fairly accurate approximation can be made.

The two primary measurements needed are the distance of a galaxy moving away from us and that galaxys red shift. An unsuccessful first attempt was made to find these distances through trigonometry. Scientists were able to calculate the diameter of the Earths orbit around the sun which was augmented through the calculation of the Suns motion through our own galaxy. Unfortunately, this calculation could not be used alone to determine the enormous distance between our galaxy and those which would enable us to estimate the age of the universe because of the significant errors involved.

The next step was an understanding of the pulsation of stars. It had been observed that stars of the same luminosity blinked at the same rate, much like a lighthouse could work where all lighthouses with 150,000 watt light bulbs would rotate every thirty seconds and those with 250,000 watt light bulbs would rotate every minute. With this knowledge, scientists assumed that stars in our galaxy that blinked at the same rate as stars in distant galaxies must have the same intensity. Using trigonometry, they were able to calculate the distance to the star in our galaxy. Therefore, the distance of the distant star could be calculated by studying the difference in their intensities much like determining the distance of two cars in the night. Assuming the two cars headights had the same intensity, it would be possible to infer that the car whose headlights appeared dimmer was farther away from the observer than the other car whose headlights would seem brighter. Again, this theory could not be used alone to calculate distance of the most far-away galaxies. After a certain distance it becomes impossible to distinguish individual stars from the galaxies in which they exist. Because of the large red shifts in these galaxies a method had to be devised to find distance using entire galaxy clusters rather than stars alone.

By studying the sizes of galaxy cluster that are near to us, scientists can gain an idea of what the sizes of other clusters might be. Consequently, a prediction can be made about their distance from the Milky Way much in the same way the distance of stars was learned. Though a calculation involving the supposed distance of the far-off cluster and its red shift, a final estimation can be made as to how long the galaxy has been moving away from us. In turn, this number can be used inversely to turn back the clock to a point when the two galaxies were in the same place at the same time, or, the moment of the Big Bang. The equation generally used to show the age of the universe is shown here:

                                      ( distance of a particular galaxy) / (that galaxys velocity) = (time)

                                                                              or

                                     4.6 x 10^26 cm / 1 x 10^9 cm/sec = 4.6 x 10^17 sec

This equation, equaling 4.6 x 10^17 seconds, comes out to be approximately fifteen billion years. This calculation is almost exactly the same for every galaxy that can be studied. However, because of the uncertainties of the measurements produced by these equations, only a rough estimate of the true age of the universe can be fashioned. While finding the age of the universe is a complicated process, the achievement of this knowledge represents a critical step in our understanding.

NOW WHAT?

In summary, we have made a first attempt at explaining the answers that science has revealed about our universe. Our understanding of the Big Bang, the first atoms and the age of the universe is obviously incomplete. As time wears on, more discoveries are made, leading to infinite questions which require yet more answers. Unsatisfied with our base of knowledge research is being conducted around the world at this very moment to further our minimal understanding of the unimaginably complex universe.

Since its conception, the theory of the Big Bang has been constantly challenged. These challenges have led those who believe in the theory to search for more concrete evidence which would prove them correct. From the point at which this chapter leaves off, many have tried to go further and several discoveries have been made that paint a more complete picture of the creation of the universe.

Recently, NASA has made some astounding discoveries which lend themselves to the proof of the Big Bang theory. Most importantly, astronomers using the Astro-2 observatory were able to confirm one of the requirements for the foundation of the universe through the Big Bang. In June, 1995, scientists were able to detect primordial helium, such as deuterium, in the far reaches of the universe. These findings are consistent with an important aspect of the Big Bang theory that a mixture of hydrogen and helium was created at the beginning of the universe.

In addition, the Hubble telescope, named after the father of Big Bang theory, has provided certain clues as to what elements were present following creation. Astronomers using Hubble have found the element boron in extremely ancient stars. They postulate that its presence could be either a remnant of energetic events at the birth of galaxies or it could indicate that boron is even older, dating back to the Big Bang itself. If the latter is true, scientists will be forced once again to modify their theory for the birth of the universe and events immediately afterward because, according to the present theory, such a heavy and complex atom could not have existed.

In this manner we can see that the research will never be truly complete. Our hunger for knowledge will never be satiated. So to answer the question, what now, is an impossibility. The path we take from here will only be determined by our own discoveries and questions. We are engaged in a never-ending cycle of questions and answers where one will inevitably lead to the other.

DEEP THOUGHTS

It is extremely difficult to separate this subject of science from daily existential pondering. Everyone at some point in time has grappled with the question of why we are here? Some have found refuge in the sheer philosophic nature of this question while others have taken a more scientific approach. These particular wanderers have taken the question to a higher level, concentrating not only on human existence but the existence of everything we know as real.

If you sit and try to imagine the whole of the entire universe it would be mind-boggling. However, science has now told us that the universe is, in fact, finite, with a beginning, a middle, and a future. It is easy to get caught up in the large scale of the issue in discussing years by the billions, yet, this time still passes. As we travel through our own lives here on Earth, we also travel through the life of our universe.

In this chapter, we have made some attempts to explain this journey. It is odd that we will never truly know how it began. We can only speculate and give our best guess. Through our own devices we have been able to produce evidence that these guesses are close to the truth. But centuries from now, will the human race compare us to those who once thought of the Earth as the center of the universe?

The main treasure found on the 6th day was a one foot (12 angulams) height golden idol of Lord Mahavishnu and a 30 kg golden ‘anki’. This golden idol of Lord Vishnu is believed to be the replica of the ‘utsava vigraham' used in the temple. The golden idol of Padmanabhaswamy studded with more than 1000 previous stones is valued to around Rs. 500 Crore. Another golden idol of Lord Sree Krishna was also found which weighs around 5 kg.

Golden Coins, Ornaments, and Human figurine

Several golden coins were also unearthed yesterday which are believed to be issued during the reign of Krishnadeva Rayar in the 16th century AD. Numerous golden ornaments which were used to adorn the main deity were also found in the Vault marked A. Ornaments studded with emeralds were also found on Saturday. Numerous golden human figurine weighing 1 kg, golden bangles, golden rope, are other interesting treasure found in the Vishnu Temple.

Golden Coconut Shells

Another interesting finding was two coconut shells made of pure gold. One of this golden coconut shell was students with rare antique stones including emeralds and rubies.

Cellar B To Open on Monday

Cellar B is the remaining one secret vault which is yet to be inventoried. It is said that this cellar haven’t been opened for more than 100 years. The remaining articles in Cellar A will be inventoried on Monday afternoon and Cellar B will be opened only after that.

ASSIGNMENT: POPULATION PYRAMIDS

A diagram that shows the percentage of the total population of a state in five-year age categories is known as a population pyramid. On a pyramid, the percentage of Males is graphed on the left side of the vertical axis and that for Females is graphed on the right side of the axis. The shapes of population pyramids reveal three types of population growth. There is the 1. Rapidly growing population = broad base – e.g. developing countries, 2. Stable population = narrow base - rich developed countries, 3. Declining population = very thin base and large chest - highly affluent nations.

Assignment:

Go to the website - http://www.census.gov/ftp/pub/ipc/www/idbsum.html. This is the US Census Bureau’s website containing summary demographic data for several countries of the world. In the column reserved for Query, select Jamaica and click on “submit query”. When the population data for Jamaica opens up, print the summary data on the 2000 population. Repeat the process to print the population data for Italy. You will need only the data on the 2000 population for the two countries for this assignment. Calculate proportions of the total population for all the 5-year age categories for people in the two countries then use the graph sheet given to you in class, or any graph sheet to construct the respective population pyramid for the 2 countries. Use ONLY 2 different colors or shades; one for the male section and the other for the female section of each pyramid.

How to compute percentages for the “Cohorts or 5 year-age groups”

1. Collect data on a country’s population that is already classified into males/females and also into 5-year age categories e.g. 0-4, 5-9, 10-14 etc.

2. Take one category (i.e. males) then pick the cohorts in turn and compute the percentages that each 5-year age-group makes of the total population. For example, if the males aged between 0-4 were 32,000 of the population of a given state and the total population for the state (for the year) is 3,000,000 then the percentage for males aged 0-4 will be computed as: 32,000/3,000,000 x 100 = 1.06%

3. Repeat the process in 2 above and calculate the percentages for all 5-year age group categories for both males and females in turn.

4. Look for a graph sheet/paper then draw a central axis/line in the middle. Create a scale for the percentages of the population at the bottom of the axis (scale should not exceed 0-10%). After this, plot percentages of the population for 5-year age groups for males on the left hand side of the middle line on the graph and plot the percentages for females on the right hand side of the axis.

5. Use different shades or colors (of your choice) to show the portion of the graph for males and females.

Divide the pyramids into three sections by extending the lines marking the top boundaries of 10-15 year-olds and 60-65 year olds across the pyramid. This will create three sections:

a) 0 – 15 year olds = representing children, economically dependent group, b) 15 – 65 year olds, representing productive, working group who form the

labor force of a country and …

c) 65+ year olds representing senior citizens or retirees who are also

economically dependent on the country’s work force.

Hand in the graph sheet showing the two pyramids you have constructed, the paper on which you worked out the percentages of the total population for the various 5-year age groups, and your answers to the questions below:

1. Which of the two countries has a more rapidly growing population?

2. Which country has a declining population?

3. Which of the three broad age groups (0-14, 15-65 and 65+) in (a) Jamaica and b) Italy paid more taxes in the year 2000?

4. Give 2 reasons why there are fewer males than females in the senior citizens’ age group (above 65 years) for Italy.

5. Why do you think the pyramid for Jamaica has a very thin top? What reasons can we give to explain why the shape of the pyramid is so thin at the top?

6. What account for a large concentration of senior citizens in Italy’s population? Explain.

7. Why is it important for a country to have more people within the 16-64 year group?

8. Identify the main population problem facing the (a) Jamaica and (b) Italy; and propose two relevant population control measures or policies that can be adopted to solve the population problem you identified.

9. Which country has a work force with a heavier tax burden and why is this so?

10. Calculate the dependency ratios for the 2 countries and comment on them.

There are many different ways to graphically present population data. The most important demographic characteristic of a population is its age-sex structure, and the use of an age-sex pyramid, also known as a population pyramid, is considered the best way to graphically illustrate the age and sex distribution of a given population.

An age-sex pyramid consists of two horizontal histograms joined together. It displays the percentage or actual amount of a population broken down by gender and age. The five-year age increments on the y-axis allow the pyramid to vividly reflect both long-term trends in the birth and death rates, and shorter-term baby-booms, wars, and epidemics.

The fertility rate of a population is the single most important influence on the shape of a population pyramid. The more children per parent, the broader will be the base of the pyramid. The median age of the population will also be younger. While mortality will also have an influence on the shape, it will be far less important an influence than fertility, but somewhat more complex. One would assume that lower mortality rates in a population would result in an older age distribution. However, just the opposite is true: a population with lower mortality rates will display a slightly younger age distribution. This is due to the fact that any disparities in the mortality rates of a population are more likely a result of variations within the younger age groups, usually infants and children.

There are generally three types of population pyramids created from age-sex distributions: expansive, constrictive and stationary. Examples of these three types of population pyramids appear at the end of this report. Definitions of the three types follow.

1.Expansive population pyramids show larger numbers or percentages of the population in the younger age groups, usually with each age group smaller in size or proportion than the one born before it. These types of pyramids are usually found in populations with very large fertility rates and lower than average life expectancies. The age-sex distributions of Latin American and many Third World countries would probably display expansive population pyramids.

The following figure is an example of such an age-sex pyramid. This pyramid of the Philippines shows a triangle-shaped pyramid and reflects a high growth rate of about 2.1 percent annually.

2.Constrictive population pyramids display lower numbers or percentages of younger people. The age-sex distributions of the United States fall into this type of pyramid.

In the United States, the population is growing at a rate of about 1.7 percent annually. This growth rate is reflected in the more square-like structure of the pyramid. Note the lump in the pyramid between the ages of about 35 to 50. This large segment of the population is the post-World War II baby boom. As this population ages and climbs up the pyramid, there will be a much greater demand for medical and other geriatric services.

3.Stationary or near-stationary population pyramids display somewhat equal numbers or percentages for almost all age groups. Of course, smaller figures are still to be expected at the oldest age groups. The age-sex distributions of some European countries, especially Scandinavian ones, will tend to fall into this category.

Germany is experiencing a period of negative growth (-0.1%). As negative growth in a country continues, the population is reduced. A population can shrink due to a low birth rate and a stable death rate. Increased emigration may also contribute to a declining population.

Population projections, or percentages of population growth or decline over periods of time, can also be plotted and displayed on a pyramid along with the current or historical population figures, thus allowing for easy comparison of future or historical trends. This type of pyramid is especially dramatic when large, consistent increases or decreases occur.

As an example, in the figure given at the beginning of this encyclopedia entry, the age-sex distribution of the population of Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) is given for 1995, 2005, and 2020 (the last being a demographic projection). The changes indicate that the population pyramid is becoming less expansive over time.

After some time , I am after a small bang with my blog .I am here with my next post with a public happening , everything below are solely my own opinion ,no bad ideas ,just read the disclaimer at the very bottom of my webpage after reading this . . .This is about a temple in Southern kerala , the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple which is one of the most famous Lord Vishnu Temples in South India which was built in the 16th century by the rulers of Travancore area 

You all are familiar with this , especially south Indians . Precious stones , kilograms of pure jewellery ,vigrahas , gold and silver estimated to be worth of thousands of crores have been found in the secret underground vaults of sri padmanabhaswami temple in southern India , A seven-member team appointed by the court including retired judges is still conducting an inventory of the vaults.The stock-taking process was ordered by the Supreme Court following a petition filed by an advocate T.P. Sundararajan over mismanagement of the temple affairs adding that the present people in charge are incapable of managing the assets of the temple . The temple has around 6 underground chambers named A , B , C , D , E , F . The first day's evaluation revealed treasures worth around 20000 crore as estimated by the team . On second day it came around 50000+ crores and still it's going on 

"Treasures included very old gold chains, diamonds and precious stones which cannot be valued in terms of money," says Malayala Manorama,

The treasure contains ‘Kashi necklaces’ worth several crores, believed to be worn by kings of Travancore.Crowns, jewels and precious stones were also listed.The seven-member committee, aided by Fire Force, Rescue Force and PWD officials, entered the underground chamber, armed with oxygen masks.Three sets of crowns and an idol of Padmanabha Swamy have been listed.A large collection of ‘Saratpoli mala’, numbering 1,000,was also found. They are studded with gems called ‘aval’. Nearly a tonne of ‘aval’ was found.One of these chains was reportedly 18-foot long.‘Swarna dhandu’ in huge numbers and ‘pathakam’ have also been listed in this chamber.The chamber was feared to be filled with poisonous fumes due to which it was oxygenated first. The members who entered the chamber were provided with oxygen masks.

The committee has already opened the ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘F’ chambers while the ‘E’ chamber could not be opened on Wednesday, as it required the presence of the ‘nambi’. This chamber and chamber ‘B’ on Today. The whole exercise began on Monday with the committee members opening the ‘C’ chamber which contained gold items, including golden umbrellas, pots,‘varps’ and silver pots. On Tuesday, the ‘D’ and ‘F’ chambers were opened.Precious stone-studded thrones and crowns have been found among the innumerable valuables stacked in these chambers. On Wednesday, the committee opened the ‘A’ chamber — which had not been opened for centuries — for a few minutes and decided to seek the help of Fire and Rescue Services personnel and Health Department officials to ward off any untoward incidents

But ,on the basis of what they are estimating it's value ??????

The revealed items consist of necklaces ,gold coins ,precious & rare diamonds , golden vessels , golden crown , statues made of gold , golden emblems and all of them are antiques !!!! & how did they estimate the value of them all on a sudden ?

Experts say that when all the chambers are opened , the overall value of the treasures will cross the assets of the Thirupati Sri balaji temple. The Chief Minister of kerala Mr.Oommen Chandy ordered for a strong security force for this famous temple. The temple is under tight security and monitoring under the police force and it is expected that central forces will be called on for expanding security .

And above all ,the curiosity lies in ,what is going to be done with this treasure ? ? ?

According to the the present progression ,it seems that ,the original value of the treasure may cross the overall income of the state .The estimation is going on still and when it is completed , next comes " what is next ? " The vaults are believed to be opened before around 150 years ,and it was very hard to be accessed . The Known legends say that the kings of travancore kingdom sealed these immense tresures in nilavaras ( meaning vault in malayalam ) for future ,may be on the proverb in malayalam " sambattu kaalatt thai pattu vachal aapatt kaalat kapattu tinnam " , meaning if we save when we are wealthy ,we can use it when we are in lackage & now it is in our hands .

Anyway ,as the world says Indians are always intelligent and maestros in engineering ,then and everytime .The construction of the 'nilavaras' depict that . It was very difficult to break into some of the vaults even though it was very old on the make .The kings also kept so much barriers in some of the vaults . Who then thought it will get to the hands of the right people atlast ? ?

Let's see in the coming days ,what is going to be done with this when everything is revealed and the real value is estimated .

:))

Waterfalls are incredible products of Mother Nature. They stand tall and proud amongst hills, valleys, and canyons all over the world. While we are likely most familiar with some of the most famous in our own areas, most people do not realize that there are hundreds upon thousands of stunning waterfalls across the globe.

A waterfall doesn’t have to be the tallest, loudest, or fastest on earth to be astounding. We’ve searched high and low for gorgeous scenery and magnificent falls. We’re happy to share some of our favorites, and hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

10. TRIBERG WATERFALLS – GERMANY

The beautiful Triberg Waterfalls can be found in the Gutach River just outside of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Nestled within the Black Forrest, the Triberg Waterfalls are the second tallest set of falls in the country, dropping 496 feet. While they’re not the tallest waterfalls in Germany, they’re the most accessible, making them a great destination if you’re ever in the area!

9. NIAGRA FALLS – USA

Perhaps some of the most famous waterfalls in North America, Niagra Falls actually lie on the border between Ontario in Canada and New York in the United States. The falls are separated in the middle by Goat Island. The falls on the Canadian side, in Niagra Falls, Ontario, are known as Horseshoe Falls, while the falls in Niagra Falls, New York are simply know as the American Falls. You’ll also find a smaller set, known as Bridal Veil Falls, which are separated from the main sets by Luna Island.

8. CHOSHI OHTAKI WATERFALL – JAPAN

In Oirase, Japan you’ll start at Towada Lake and then follow the mountain stream, Oirase Keiruy. Scattered along the stream you’ll find incredibly misty waterfalls. The Choshi Ohtaki waterfall looks like a thick veil, flowing from 7 meters above to the waters below. Oiraise has been highly recommended for travelers looking for new and intriguing places to stay in Japan.

7. SKOGA RIVER WATERFALLS – ICELAND

There are more than two dozen waterfalls along the Skoga River in Iceland, some over 30 meters tall. Very few of the waterfalls along this river, with the exception of one or two, have names, but they don’t need names to make their presence known as they clamor together in harmony. Simply follow the beaten path along the river and you’ll see more waterfalls than you ever dared anticipate in one place.

6. PLITVICE WATERFALLS – CROATIA

In Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia you’ll stumble upon a group of waterfalls like no other. The park is comprised of at least 16 lakes at various levels of elevation, each formed by runoff from the lakes above it. The results include some of the most beautiful blue lakes on earth separated by shimmering falls flowing through both rocks and outlined by brilliant green flora!

5. KOUANG SI WATERFALLS – LAOS

About 30 miles outside of the city of Laong Prabang you’ll come across the Kouang Si Waterfalls. The tranquil falls aren’t too demanding as they glide over the rocky embankment into the wading pools below. This is an amazing destination for day-trippers wanting to relax before heading back to the hustle and bustle of city life.

4. SELJALANDSFOSS WATERFALL – ICELAND

The Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is considered to be one of the most famous waterfalls in the country. It drops a full 60 meters to what was once the coastline. You’ll be intrigued by the possibility of going behind the waterfall itself – something that isn’t always possible in other places due to dangerous or inaccessible terrain.

3. ERAWAN WATERFALLS – THAILAND

The Erawan Waterfalls, found just outside of Kanchanburi, Thailand aren’t the most dangerous or lively waterfalls on earth, but the seven layers of falls costing gently down slopes ranging from as high as 70 feet to as few as 10 feet in height creating a calming atmosphere like no other. The natural limestone deposits give the waters in the relaxing pools their sparkling blue colors, but watch out for the fish in some of them – they’ll try to nibble at your toes!

2. SHOSHONE FALLS – IDAHO

Believe it or not, the Shoshone Falls found along the Snake River in Idaho are actually taller than Niagra Falls! The 212 foot tall waterfalls tend to be most active in the spring and summer months after the winter snows have melted into runoff, though they’re truly astounding any time of year. If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are plenty of hotels in the City of Twin Falls, which owns and operates the recreational complex.

1. RIBANENG WATERFALL – LESOTHO

After trekking in the landlocked Kingdom of Lesotho in South Africa, you’ll find yourself facing one of the most astounding waterfalls we’ve seen in quite some time. Standing 328 feet, or 100 meters tall, the icy blue waters certainly demand the attention of those who pass by. You’ll want to watch the waters coast over these cliffs for hours!

These astounding waterfalls represent only a small handful of the falls you’ll find as you journey the globe. Be sure to make time to enjoy the breathtaking natural wonders we’ve been given!

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Kerala could well be the richest in the country as unofficial estimates Saturday, the sixth day of preparing an inventory of treasures in its six chambers, suggested the value of its gold, diamond and other precious metals at close to Rs 1 lakh crore.

The inventory of the temple here, maintained by the erstwhile royal family of Travancore, is being made by a seven-member Supreme Court-appointed panel.

The stock-taking process was ordered by the Supreme Court following a petition by advocate T.P. Sundararajan over mismanagement of the temple affairs.

On Monday, ahead of entering the temple chambers for the first time, the committee chairman, retired Kerala High Court judge M.N. Krishnan, said he hoped to finish the entire process by the end of the week.

The temple has a total of six chambers, named A to F by the committee. With chamber B yet to be opened and chamber A's accounting ending Saturday, and two more chambers left unopened yet, it is expected that the inventory process may continue for a few more days.

The inventory of a chamber opened Friday could only be completed on Saturday.

The committee, which includes a gemmologist, stumbled upon a nearly four-foot-tall statue of Lord Vishnu in gold and studded with emeralds.

Other precious items that were accounted for Saturday included several golden statues, almost all weighing two kg each. Among other things are a gold necklace as long as 15 feet, and crowns studded with emeralds, rubies and diamonds.

The chamber is situated around 20 feet under the ground. The committee conducted the examination using artificial lights. Cylinders were used to pump in oxygen to the chamber to guard against breathing problems for committee members.

The Kerala government has maintained high security at the temple after the exercise started. City police commissioner Manoj Abraham said additional 80 personnel of the special armed police (SAP) will be posted at the temple.

Historian and veteran journalist M. Gopalakrishnan said that according to the legend the gold got accumulated in the temple because in the olden days people used to offer gold to seek pardon from the royal family.

The main temple deity, Padmanabhaswamy, is a form of Hindu god Vishnu in Anananthasayanam posture or in eternal sleep of 'yognidra'.

The foundation of the present entrance gateway was laid in 1566 and the temple has a 100-foot, seven-tier tower besides a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite stone pillars with elaborate carvings.

As of now, the Balaji temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is believed to be the richest temple in the country, followed by Shirdi Sai Baba shrine in Maharashtra.

Temple Name: Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Kshetram.

Renovated In: 1733 AD.

Alias Name: AnantaPuri.

God Name: Sri Anantha PadmanabhaSwamy.

Goddess Name: Sri Hari Lakshmi Thayaar.

Dedicated To: Lord Vishnu.

Pushkarni: Matsya Theertham alias Padma Theertham.

Vimanam: Hemakoota Vimanam.

Renovated By: Raja Marthanda Varma.

Location: Trivandrum(Kerala).

State: Kerala.

Country:India.

Contact:Tele: 0091- 471 -2450233,2466830

Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.Inside the temple dress regulations are strictly enforced.

The Temple Open:

(04.15-05.15hrs,06.45-07.30hrs,08.30-10.30hrs,11.30-11.45hrs,17.15-19.30hrs).

Dress Code:

Men – Dhoti.

Women – Saree and Blouse.

Temple Location:

It is found 3/4 miles away from the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. (inside the East Fort).

Big Idol Of Pandavas Displayed During Painkuni Festival

About The Temple:

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple is located inside the East Fort,Thiruvananthapuram.It is the state temple of erstwhile Travancore.The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu,who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha,the hooded snake from which the city derives its name,“Thiruvananthapuram“.This ancient temple is the most dominating feature of Thiruvananthapuram,Overlooking the Padma Theertham Tank.The temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture.It is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings.Exquisite stone carvings and pavilions are worth admiring one among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India,the presiding deity in here is Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha the Holi Serpent.The idol inside the sanctum santorum is in the form of the Lord reclining on the Holy Serpent Anantha.It is an 18 feet long imposing figure built with Salagrama stones brought from Nepal and it is covered with gold and precious stones.This holy shrine attracts thousands of Hindu devotees.There are innumeraepillars,intricate carvings and Mural paintings.Outside the temple courtyard,there is a medley of shops that sell souvenirs,handicrafts,woodcarvings and handiwork of sandal.One can witness the craftsmen do their work right from carving the wood to polishing.In the October/November months of every year,there is held the Navarathri Festival of musical concerts at the Navarathri Mandapam,adjacent to the main building of the temple.

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple Stone Carving                   

This holy shrine attracts thousands of Hindu devotees.There are innumerable pillars, intricate carvings and Mural paintings. Outside the temple courtyard,there is a medley of shops that sell souvenirs,handicrafts,woodcarvings and handiwork of sandal.One can witness the craftsmen do their work right from carving the wood to polishing.In the October/November months of every year,there is held the Navarathri Festival of musical concerts at the Navarathri Mandapam,adjacent to the main building of the temple.The temple has an imposing seven tier gopuram covered with beautiful stone carvings.The temple has a broad corridor with 324 sculptured pillars and a 80 feet high golden flag staff.The walls of the temple are covered with interesting mural paintings depicting mythical stories.The Kulasekharamandapam,the main platform inside the temple is beautiful and regal.The entire architectural style followed in this temple is a mixture of Dravidian and Kerala styles.

Arattu At Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple

This temple in its present form is built by Maharaja Marthanda Varma (1729-1758),one of the most powerful rulers of Travancore.The work on the temple was started in 1731.In 1750,the Maharaja dedicated his kingdom to Lord Padmanabha,the presiding deity of the kingdom and assumed the title Padmanabhadasa or the servant of Lord Padmanabha.From that day onwards the rulers of Travancore carry out all their princely and spiritual duties as the servants of the Lord.Padmanabha swamy temple is considered as one among the seven Parasurama shetras in Kerala and one among the 108 sacred temples in India dedicated to Lord Vishnu.The ancient texts of Padma purana and Skanda purana have mentions about this temple.The temple has very special rituals.Two festivals are celebrated every year,one in March-April and the second one in September-October.56 day long Murajapam or uninterrupted recitation of prayers is conducted once in six years and once in twelve years the festival of a million lamps or the Lakshadeepam is conducted.The temple is still given the status of the state templeand for the festivals divisions of the armed and mounted police will accompany the deity for the arattu or the holy bathing.Their band also play the songs written by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.Swathi Thirunal had a very special relationship with Lord Padmanabha and the temple.His life was an offering to the Lord.All his songs carry the stamp of total dedication to Padmanabha.The most beautiful of his songs are on Lord Vishnu."Vande Sada Padmanabham"Always I worship thee Padmanabha,Thine is the hue of the water-laden clouds,Thy feet are the celestial Mandara blossoms to those who bow to them,Always I worship thee,my Lord” - Swathi Thirunal wrote.

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple.

Mythology:

Padmanabha Swamy Temple stands at a place considered as one of the seven Parasurama Kshetras,texts including the Puranas,particularly the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana,have references for this shrine.Tradition states that in this place,the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Indian sages like Divakarmuni and Vilvamangalam Swami.Another story tells of an pulaya couple seeing Vishnu in the form of a child.The child took morsels of rice from the hands of the couple.Also it is believed that Divakaramuni,when he saw the deity he took the first food item he saw which was an Unripe Mango and a coconut shell as an offering plate and performed primary pooja.In memory of this legend,naivedyam or offering prepared from rice is offered to the deity here in a coconut shell.

Legend:

There are many legends regarding the origin of the temple.One such legend says that the Sage Divakara prayed to Krishna for his darshan.Krishna came in disguise as a small,mischevious boy.The boy swallowed the Saligrama which was kept in Puja.The Sage became enraged at this and chased the boy until the boy hid himself behind a tree.The tree fell down and became Vishnu in Sayana Kolam.when he did so,he was of an extraordinarily large size.The Sage,recognizing that the tree was Vishnu,in despair prayed that he could not pray to Vishnu fully as his form was so large.Immediately,the Vishnu shrunk himself,and told the sage that he should be worshipped through three doors.These doors are now the doors in the temple through which the idol may be viewed.Through the first door,the worship is offered to Shiva,through the second entrance Brahma prays to Vishnu from his lotus navel,and through the third is Vishnu's feet,which are said to lead to salvation.Another legend suggests that the original Murti which was made of the wood of that tree got burned during a fire that engulfed the temple complex,was a sign of the unhappiness of the lord with the king.

Entrance Of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple

History Of Temple:

n olden days Sree Padmanabha Kshetram and its properties were controlled by powerful lords known as Ettuveetil Pillamar under the guidance of Ettara Yogam.Later,Marthanda Varma defeated the Pillamar and his cousins "Kunju thampis" and took over power.The last major renovation of the temple was done by King Marthanda Varma,Maharaja of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore.He dedicated his kingdom to the deity,and pledged that he and his descendants would serve the kingdom as Padmanabha Dasa,meaning "servants of the Lord Padmanabha".With this,Sri Padmanabha became the nominal head of the state of Travancore,assuming the title Perumal,the Emperor.The British Government saluted the Lord with a 21-gun salute,a military tradition of colonial days,which was continued by the Indian Army until the abolition of the privy purses by Government of India with Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister.The royal insignia of the Lord,The Valampuri Shankhu or dextral conch-shell,served as the State emblem of Travancore and even continued so for some time after the re-organisation of the States.Sri Padmanabha is still regarded as regional deity of Travancore[citation needed.The two annual festivals of the Temple culminate in a grand procession,in which the three deities (Sree Padmanabha,Narasimha Swamy and Krishna) carried on flower-decked and aesthetically decorated Garuda Vahanas to the Shankhumukhom beach,for 'aaraattu' (sacramental ablution).The 'aarattu' days are declared as local public holidays in Tiruvananthapuram.

Gopuram:

The temple has a 100 foot, seven-tier gopuram.The temple stands by the side of a tank,named Padma Theertham (meaning the lotus spring).The temple has a corridor with 365 and one-quarter sculptured granite-stone pillars with elaborate carvings.This corridor extends from the eastern side into the sanctum sanctorum.An eighty-foot flag-staff stands in front of the main entry from the 'prakaram' (corridor).The ground floor under the gopuram (main entrance in the eastern side) is known as the 'Nataka Sala' where the famous temple art,Kathakali was staged in the night during the ten-day uthsavam (festival) conducted twice a year,during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Thulam.

More than Rs. 50,000 Crore treasure (Nidhi in Malayalam) which included antique gold ornaments, diamonds and other precious stones, golden crown, golden bow, golden vessels, and other precious stones were found in the secret chambers (Nilavara in temple) of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple inThiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The seven member panel appointed by the Supreme Court of India who were drawing up a list of assets of the ancient Lord Vishnu Temple were mesmerized by the sight of the huge treasure grove in front of them. Source said that the original value of the treasure found in the Sree Ananda Padmanabhaswamy Temple Trivandrum will be much more than Rs 50,000 Crore whencalculating the price including the antiquity of the treasure found.

Some of the list of gold inventory found in the temple include golden crowns, 17 kg of gold coins dating back to the East India Company period, gold in the shape of rice trinkets weighing one tonne, 18 ft long golden necklace weighing 2.5 kg, gold ropes, sack full of diamonds, thousands of pieces of antique jewellery studded with diamonds and emeralds, and golden vessels.

   Chamber B yet to be Opened and Valued

According to reliable sources, the original value of the inventories found in Chamber A alone may exceed worth Rs. 50, 000 Crore. Officials are yet to open chamber B and it is believed that the total assets of Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram will surely exceed the assets of the world famous Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh.