Yearly Archives: 2014

Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the largest Disney theme park in the world, spreading over an impressive 500 acres.  Walt Disney, himself, was a firm believer of animal conservation, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is dedicated to just that.  The park opened on April 22, 1998 as the fourth main Disney theme park in Orlando, following Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios.  Together, the four make up Walt Disney World, with additional Disney attractions such asBlizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and Island Adventure.  Disney World Animal Kingdom mixes the appreciation of animals with thrilling rides and spectacular shows.Disney Animal Kingdom touts its latest attraction, Expedition Everest, as a quick-turning, high-speed roller coaster adventure complete with an 80-foot drop and a Yeti who stalks daring riders entering his territory.  Perhaps not the ideal ride for the little ones in your group, it is sure to excite those looking for big thrills.  Other feature rides at Disney World Animal Kingdom include Kilimanjaro Safaris and Kali River Rapids.  On Kilimanjaro Safaris, head to the African safari without having to actually go to Africa.  The ride has visitors boarding a safari vehicle that heads out into an African-inspired landscape complete with free-roaming animals.  If the weather is hot, Kali River Rapids is sure to cool your bunch down.  Board the 12-passenger circular raft for a turbulent trip down the Chakranadi River.  With plenty of other rides more appropriate for young kids, a list of exciting shows and various animal exhibits, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is part zoo, part amusement park, and part off-Broadway theater.

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Worli Fort an ancient British fort

Worli Fort is an ancient British fort perched on a hilltop at the place of Worli in Mumbai. The Worli Fort is a fort built by the British in Worli, Mumbai , India. The fort, often mistakenly referred to as being built by the Portuguese, was actually built by the British around 1675. The fort, built on the Worli hill, overlooked the Mahim Bay at a time the city was made up of just seven islands. It was used as a lookout for enemy ships and pirates.

The upkeep of the fort has been impossible due to its inaccessibility, as the roads leading to it are completely blocked by illegal hutments that have cropped up over the years, only to be overlooked by the local authorities for the sake of electoral gain and bribes paid for allowing illegal constructions. The fort is completely in ruins today and a slum has enveloped the edifice, making it a den for illegal activities like the brewing of illicit liquor within its confines. A bell tower peeps out of the ruins and the ramparts are used to dry clothes. Historians have often called for the protection of the area but their efforts have fallen on deaf ears. This in spite of an NGO claiming to have adopted the Worli Village, where the fort is located.

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The Rajabai Clock Tower in Mumbai

The Rajabai Clock Tower is a clock tower in South Mumbai, India. It is located in the confines of the Fort campus of the University of Mumbai. The tower stands at a height of 85 m (280 ft).

History

The Rajabai tower was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, an English architect. He modeled on Big Ben, the clock tower of the UK houses of Parliament in London.

The foundation stone was laid on March 1, 1869 and construction was completed in November 1878. The total cost of construction came to Rs. 2 lakhs (Rs. 200,000), a princely sum in those days. This entire cost was defrayed by Premchand Roychand, a prosperous broker who founded the Bombay Stock Exchange on the condition that the tower be named after his mother Rajabai.

Premchand Roychand’s mother was blind and as a staunch follower of Jain religion she was supposed to consume her dinner before evening. The evening bell of the tower helped her to know the time without anyone’s help.

The tower was closed to the public after it became a frequent spot for those attempting to commit suicide.

A file photo of University of Mumbai taken in 1870s. Rajabai Clock Tower here seen shrouded in scaffolding was completed in 1878

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Tughlaqabad Fort in Delhi

About  Tughlaqabad Fort

Tughlaqabad Fort is a ruined fort in Delhi, stretching across 6.5 km, built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, the founder of Tughlaq dynasty, of the Delhi Sultanate of India in 1321, as he established the fifth historic city of Delhi, which was later abandoned in 1327. It lends its name to the nearby Tughlaqabad residential-commercial area as well as the Tughlaqabad Institutional Area. Tughalaq also built Qutub-Badarpur Road, which connected the new city to the Grand Trunk Road. The road is now known as Mehrauli-Badarpur Road.] Also near by is the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range and Okhla Industrial Area.

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Raj Ghat and associated memorials

Raj Ghat is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Originally it was the name of a historic ghat of Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) on the banks of Yamuna river. Close to it, and east of Daryaganj was “Raj Ghat Gate” of the walled city, opening at Raj Ghat on Yamuna River.Later the memorial area was also called Raj ghat. It is a black marble platform that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation, Antyesti (Antim Sanskar) on 31 January 1948, a day after his assassination. It is left open to the sky while an eternal flame burns perpetually at one end. It is located on the banks of the river Yamuna in Delhi in India on Ring Road officially known as Mahatma Gandhi Road. A stone footpath flanked by lawns leads to the walled enclosure that houses the memorial. All guests must remove their shoes before entering the Raj Ghat walls.

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