travel and tourism

Fifth Day of Navratri: Skandmata Devi

2010-10-12T01:49:00.000-07:00

Day 5 of the Holy Navratri has a lot to offer. The Fifth Day of this auspicious and pious time is devoted to Skandmata Devi. Skandmata devi is considered to be the Mother and Chief Warrior of the Gods Army, the Skanda. She is considered to be the Goddess of Fire and is the Mother of Skanda, sired after a successful matrimonial alliance with Lord Shiva. Her portrait has been described as the Goddess with Three Eyes and Four Hands, at times seated on a Lotus and at times seated on a Lion. It is widely said that with the blessings of Mother Skandmata, even a moron can become the enlightened one blessed with all the worldly knowledge.

“Om Nityaya Namah” and “Om Hreeng Mahadurgaya Namah” are the two mantras chanted while remembering the Goddess. A lot of items are offered while paying homage to the Goddess such as fragrant flowers, fruits, gems and clothing. It is said that those who pray to the Divine Mother with all their hearts are those blessed ones whose dreams come true. The Mother is said to bless all her devotees praying with their hearts and souls with the wealth they need to lead a comfortable life.

The Puja starts in the wee hours of the morning with the portrait of the Goddess being decorated with good clothing and expensive embellishments. A diverse range of sweets are offered to her, along with other items and cash. The Priest starts off with his chants and people lose themselves in the quest to enlighten themselves by remembering the Mother who has the onus of taking care of millions of her loyal and faithful devotees. The day is for those devout worshippers believing blindly in the Mother and knowing that Good karma and the path of righteousness will do them well.

Fourth Navratri: Devoted to Kushmanda Devi

2010-10-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Fourth day of the Navratri begins with the chant, "Om Dukha Hantraya Namah". This chant is meant to please Kushmanda Devi, the fourth manifestation of the Divine Goddess. The Goddess is this incarnation is said to have Eight Arms, holding weapons and a mala. She is said to be seated on a Tiger and radiates as shiningly as the Sun.

White is the color meant to be worn on this day along with draping the Goddess with a cloth of the same color. This manifestation of the Divine Mother is said to annihilate sorrow of the mind and get rid of ego. She is said to possess divine powers through which the macro universe synchronizes with the micro universe and creates a lot of peace and tranquility around the person. She is the mother responsible for Birth and Rebirth.

The chant mentioned above is started off by priests at the crack of dawn along with all of those who start worshipping with them. Delicacies are prepared, which are first offered to the Mother and kept outside for crows and pigeons to come and feed on. Once that happens, then it is all open for people to take a certain portion of. The Prashaad, they say is a very noble way of ensuring that the person becomes an integral part of that festivity and is able to get into the realm of worship.

The Fourth Day of the Navratri marks the half way stage. It marks for an occasion where worshippers and devotees have been incessantly praying to the Divine Mother for the past four days with the hope that she would come and bless them with a lot of peace and happiness. Kushmanda Devi is said to bring in all these virtues and hence, is worshipped with all heart and soul on this day.

Chandraghanta Devi-Third Day of Navratri

2010-10-11T05:39:00.000-07:00

The festivities of the Holy Navratri continue into the Third Day, with Day 3 belonging exquisitely to the third incarnation of the Divine Mother known as Chandraghanta Devi. The colour of the day is Pink, and the Goddess is dressed in the same colour as well. The dress again can be a choice between a Saree and a Lehenga, depending on the one that the people worshipping decide to drape her with.

This day, belonging to Chandraghanta Devi, is also known as the day of Sthana Vriddhi Gauri Vratha or Ashwin Masa Shudda Tritiya. The colour pink is the most auspicious colour, and reflects the femine side of the Divine Goddess who is known to be equally ferocious in her deadly avatar as calm and serene as she can be. The Holy manifestation of Chandraghanta Devi is that of the Goddess sitting on a Tiger and exuding a Golden Hue.

Her portrait is shown having 10 hands and three eyes. Eight of these upper limbs display the various wea[pons that Candraghanta Devi possess where as the other two are vacant and used to bless the world.

This day is categorically prayed to attain a lot of worldly and earthly benefits. These include the likes of Bliss, Knowledge, Peace, Serenity, Growth and Purpose of Life. The mother is prayed for to grace the occasion and bless all of mankind with these holy and blissful virtues that would help people live a better life. The third day of the Navratras is for this manifestation of the Mother, who is said to have 9 forms and each day is dedicated to one manifestation. Pink colored cloth can be seen sporting all around and the people prefer wearing clothes of the same color as well on this day.

Navratri: Day 2

2010-10-11T05:09:00.000-07:00

The Second Day in the auspicious Navratras is about Durga Navratri. The day is named after the second form of the Goddess, Durga. The holy colour for the day is the colour Grey and subsequently, the Goddess is dressed up in the same colour. On this day, Preethi Dwitiya/Ashwin Dwitiya is celebrated and the festivities are taken forward. Durga, also known as the Bramcharini Devi, is worshipped categorically by those who take a vow of celibacy for all their lives.

Grey coloured cloth can be seen all over the place, right from the dais where the Goddess is kept to the cloth that is put over the coconut kept on the Kalash near the picture of the Divine Mother. The colour comes with its own symbolic meaning, and is considered to be one of the most pious signs of paying homage.

Again, the prayers and chants are continued from where they were left the day earlier. Since a day has already gone by and the festivities are into the second day, all the attributes and virtues of the Bramcharini are remembered and the Mother is praised all day. The ones to have taken vows of celibacy for life are told stories from folklore about the way the Mother went about living her life in ancient times, when her incarnation was on Earth.

This, like the previous day, begins at the crack of dawn and goes on till the late hours of the morning when the Puja finally culminates and the routine is gone ahead with. One remembers all the virtues of the second form of the Divine Mother and prays to her for good health and well being and most importantly, to make the coming 7 days as eventful as the first two have been. With this thought, the day is called.

Kalash Sthapna-First Day of Navratri

2010-10-07T23:33:00.000-07:00

The very first day in the auspicious nine day long Navratri is known as the day of Kalash Sthapna. The color for the day is the Color Green and the Goddess too is dressed up in the same color as a symbolic gesture to ethos. The apparel is either a Green Colored Lehenga, or a Green shaded saree. The day begins on a very positive and auspicious note for the fact that the holy week begins, and has to start off well. The very first thing that happens in the morning is the Prathmi Puja. This Puja sees women all around getting dressed quickly and decorating the place of worship with a lot of diyas and flowers. The Goddess is worshipped from the heart and prayers are chanted for her to come over and reside in the house, as it is perceived that her presence guarantees an unlimited influx of wealth and happiness.

A Kalash, an earthen pot, is placed near the Goddess upon which a coconut is kept, which is further draped in a holy cloth. The Kalash is revered for the fact that it happens to be a token of homage and way to welcome the Divine Mother into one’s abode.

Chants and prayers start at the crack of dawn and go on till the sun rises, into the late hours of the morning. Priests can be seen pounding the bells hard to make noise resonate in high decibels. People completely lose themselves in the quest to reach out to the divine power, which is requested with all humility to come and grace the occasion and bless everyone with wealth and prosperity. The day cannot begin on a better note than this, which promises the coming 8 days to be unforgettable. Hail the Divine Mother!

Navratri: The 9 Holy Nights, All for the Goddesses

2010-10-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

The Goddess Kali/Devi has these 9 days to her name every year twice. The commencement of spring and the beginning of autumn are the two junctions when Navratri begins. These 9 days are considered to be very auspicious, for the Goddess is worshipped all across India with a lot of fervor and passion. The Divine Mother is said to enter every household that worships her truly, with loyalty and belief. The Lunar calendar determines the dates every year and people getting ready during that time for the days to begin.

Though a festival meant for Hinduism and Hindus, people all over the country celebrate these days with a lot of happiness and belief. They fast, sing bhajans, put up Golus in their homes and pray from their hearts. The celebrations go over a period of nine days because the Divine Mother being thought of in her 9 manifestations. The 10^th day that follows these 9 days is the day when Vijayadashmi is celebrated, culminating the whole festivity and being called as ‘Dusshera’.

A lot of fuzz and activity can be witnessed during this time all over the nation. Various dance forms can be seen, people light candles and diyas, lights illuminate neighborhoods and the whole ambience is bustling with a lot of joy and ecstasy. One has the time of his life celebrating these 9 days for one gets to see all kinds of festivities being done all over. This is the best and most auspicious time as well to show how well one respects the presence of the divine power.

Art and Craft – The Imperial Grace of Artistry

2010-08-18T04:58:00.000-07:00

Art and Craft define the world. Scriptures, paintings, encryptions, sketches etc, are all different forms of art. They epitomize creativity and imagination. They tell us about the wonderful times when art was thought of in a very different way and held in a different regard altogether. Art and craft together have undoubtedly been the imperial grace of artistry. They can take any shape and be of any form. They can be depicted through color, through canvas, through collage, through caricatures, through cartoons, through compositions etc. All of them come with a different undertone and they all have a very unique and different significance. Then comes the finishing work, whatever the composition has been, it has to be polished and finished so that it looks presentable and enviable.

Art and Craft have been the finest of ways to show the grace that emanates from natural thoughts and perceptions. The way imaginative concepts are loaded onto something and made into a graphical presentation astonishes the human eye and appeals to it very highly. The best part of it is that such form of art and craft can be found and seen all across the world. Caves, pyramids, tombs, visual descriptions etc. are some of the sites where these can be found and can be said of as very appealing.

Art and Craft describe effort and imagination. They are a showcase of brilliance mixed with skill. They depict the mightiness of those personnel who had the drive to put their thoughts into picture. They represent artistry in a very delectable and revering form. All in all, art and craft are the result of some scintillating imaginative thoughts being brought to life by master craftsmen. This surely entices the eye and takes the imagination a long way ahead.

Ajmer-e-Sharif

2010-08-13T04:38:00.000-07:00

The district of Ajmer in the princely state of Rajasthan has the holy shrine of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Known as the ‘Dargah Sharif’, the last resting place of the saint who died in 1235 lies at the foot of a barren hill. The saint’s marble domed mausoleum is India’s most important shrine for Muslims and receives an endless flow of visitors of all religions as the sick, the troubled and the childless come here seeking a boon, a blessing or just peace of mind. Legend has it that the Mughal emperor, Akbar came here to the saint in the 16th century in quest of a boon for an heir and the saint obliged.

The Urs or annual pilgrimage of the devout is celebrated each May at the Dargah with millions of pilgrims arriving in Ajmer to pay homage. Lengthy queues of several kilometres snake their way past the tomb at the shrine while outside the Dargah precincts, two massive cauldrons cook sweet rice garnished with dry fruits and condiments to be served as ‘tabarukh’ or sanctified food. Within the dargah lies a mosque, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Like all of Shah Jahan’s buildings, the mosque too, is an architectural marvel - a magnificent building in white marble with a long and narrow courtyard for the faithful to pray in, richly embellished with ornate calligraphic inscriptions, delicate carvings and detailed trelliswork.

Although Ajmer does not have an airport of its own, there is an airport at Jaipur (130 km away), from where regular buses and taxis come to Ajmer.

Ajmer is very well linked by train; there are frequent (in many cases daily) trains to and from the city to other destinations in India, including Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur. Delhi is connected to Ajmer by the fast Shatabdi Express, easily the quickest and most comfortable way of getting to Ajmer.

A good national and state highway network links Ajmer to other parts of Rajasthan and many important cities in India. Hired transport is easily available, be it cars, jeeps, minibuses or MUVs and almost all come with experienced drivers. State and interstate roadways buses, RTDC conducted tours and coaches connect Ajmer to most important cities in the region, including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mt. Abu, Jaisalmer, Mumbai and Delhi.

A Tiger Trail in Ranthambore

2010-08-04T04:40:00.000-07:00

Ranthambore is lovely place in Rajasthan that is situated at a distance of 180 kilometers from the capital city, Jaipur. It is a national park, sanctuary and a site that was declared as one of the Project Tiger reserves in the 1970s by the Government of India. The place is categorically famous for its Tiger count and also happens to be home to some of the most gorgeous and healthy tigers in India. The beasts can be easily spotted during day time. The months of November and May, when the forests are dry, is the best time when Tigers are visible throughout the day.

Following a Tiger Trail in Ranthambore can be very exciting. One needs to be cautious, for irritating a Tiger would invite trouble. Wherever a Tiger goes, the animal always leaves traces or paw marks behind. You can pretend to be Indianan Jones and follow the trail. If the climate is moist, the trail becomes easier to follow and the footprints would be wet and very clear. You need to be armored well before you take up a trail as you run the risk of being attacked. Some of the accessories you would need while following the trail are a solid net, rifle with magazines and a harpoon in case hunting is allowed and you feel like doing it.

The trails are very exciting. Tigers often have this habit of changing their routes constantly. They have to be tracked or followed with a lot of precision. The trace becomes more intriguing and exhilarating as you have to be very agile. The tiger moves very quickly and within no time will vanish if you do not keep pace with it. Go to Ranthambore and follow a Tiger Trail. You can fancy yourself as 007, as someone on a hot trail left behind by a notorious assassin.

Pride Alliance Hawaii Announces BUYcott "Equal is Equal Campaign"

2010-07-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2010
Michael Golojuch, Jr. | Pride Alliance Hawai‘i | (808) 358-4417 (c)
Tara O’Neill | Pride Alliance Hawai‘i | (808) 226-8044 (c)

Equal Is Equal Campaign Is Launched
Hawai‘i’s LGBT Community Calls for a BUYcott

Honolulu – Pride Alliance Hawai‘i (PAH) launched the Equal Is Equal campaign today. The campaign is being coordinated in partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Connection for Me (glc4me.com) and the Lesbian and Gay Businesses of Hawai‘i (lgbhawaii.com).

The goal of the Equal Is Equal campaign is to counter calls for boycotts of Hawai‘i after Governor Linda Lingle denied equality to Hawai‘i’s LGBT community by vetoing the Civil Union bill, HB444, last Tuesday.

“Even though Lingle vetoed the Civil Union bill, we do not want the homophobic actions of one person to financially harm the 81% of people in Hawai‘i that support LGBT equality. Instead of a boycott, we are launching a BUYcott to support those businesses that support equality. ” Michael Golojuch, Jr., Campaign Coordinator, Pride Alliance Hawai‘i.

The Equal Is Equal campaign is starting with LGBT owned and/or supportive businesses in Hawai‘i and will expand to include local businesses that also support economic justice. Equality at every level is the ultimate goal of the Equal Is Equal campaign.

“Pride Alliance Hawai‘i encourages members of the LGBT community and our allies to travel to Hawai‘i and spend their money with businesses that support equal and just treatment of their customers and employees.” Tara O’Neill, President, Pride Alliance Hawai‘i.

For those not planning travel to Hawai‘i, we ask you to please invest in Hawai‘i’s future by donating to the campaigns of candidates that support equality.

To participate in the campaign please visit the continually growing list of businesses and candidates that support equality at www.equalisequalhawaii.com. Additional business directories are available at lgbhawaii.com and glc4me.com. As we continue to grow we encourage people to recommend businesses using the “recommend” button on the web site. Businesses will be added to the Equal is Equal campaign directory upon completion of a voluntary survey and review of their past actions.

Pride Alliance Hawai‘i is a non-profit organization focused on issues of equality beginning with equality for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community and with the ultimate goal of equality for all. We are dedicated to raising awareness about discrimination in Hawai‘i and taking positive action to end it through community outreach and education.

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Rajasthan a Dream Destination for Sand Dunes

2010-07-05T05:58:00.000-07:00

The land of Royalty certainly does teach you a thing or two about rich culture and tradition. It does give you history lessons about the grandeur and luxury that the royals experienced back then. Also, it serves as one of the best places where you can know where the heart of true India lies. Rajasthan has always been a cherished tourist destination across the world with people pouring in huge numbers. Be it food, culture, tradition, attire, rural environment, hospitality etc., all of them are demonstrated well just by a visit to the place. People who go to Rajasthan come back with the memories of a lifetime and always cherish their visit.

The most scintillating feature that they get to see in the desert city is the sand dunes of Jaisalmer. Everyone falls in love with the sand dunes. Any romantic would give his right arm to take half of that sand home and preserve it in a nearby park so that whenever the beloved in there with him, both can simply go there and lay down. The sand is very soothing and takes you into a different world. During day in the scorching sun, sounds about forgotten love stories resonate beneath the ground and during night when it is cold and free air is blowing everywhere, those of all the accomplished love stories that became a part of romantic folklore can be heard clearly. It is this magical enigma coming out of the sand dunes that make them a visitor favorite.

The camel rides are an anecdote about the tyranny that love struck couples had to endure during the days of yore, the distance they had to cover to meet their beloved and the struggle that ensued. The blazing sun up there is testament to the turmoil that came with the romantic adventure. The skeletons and human debris found in the sand dunes are proof as to how some stories remains unfinished and had a tragic ending.

The sand dunes are about all this and much more. They reflect typical Indian tradition and the blood and sweat that the natives shed to make the place the historical powerhouse it has become. They have a concealed undertone to them which needs a lot of sensitivity and romantic demeanor to identify.

Come to Rajasthan and feel that sand. You will see a chill going down your spine and will get to know why people from around the world come to this part of Earth to see what the sand is. They say that this sand is not the normal one you get to see at places. It contains a lot of tears, prayers and wishes that will forever be there buried inside.

Shimla & Manali are Dreamed Lands

2010-07-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

Talk about hill stations and you start fantasizing about those dreamlands full of icy and snowy landscapes. Now, India has quite a few hill stations where people go and have a good time but a couple of those that really stand out are Shimla and Manali, which fortunately for the tourists and the travelers are located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The former is the capital city of the state where as the latter is a well visited hill station located near the valley of Kullu. Shimla is situated near the Northwestern Himalayas and is completely covered with Oak, Pine and Rhodendron trees. The summers are said to be very pleasant with the winters being severely cold. The snowfall in this region starts from the late of November and goes on till early February, a time period during which tourists come pouring in huge numbers to experience the snow.

If Shimla were not enough, then Manali only takes that pleasure of visiting such wonderful hill stations to the next step. The place is located near the Beas River Valley and is quite near to Kullu. As a matter of fact, Manali is an integral part of District Kullu and apart from being a wonderful vacation spot is also a place of historical importance. Both Shimla and Manali are two places in the Northern part of India that symbolize peace and serenity is a very unobtrusive manner. They are not flashy and hyped vacation spots that are well around the world and have tourists coming in throughout the year. Apart from snow being one of the biggest attractions, there are a lot of other spots and sites that vacationers love to go when they come to visit Shimla and Manali.

These places have this innate ability to make people feel very close to nature. Nature in fact flexes its arms thoroughly at these two places and shows why people still adore being close to it. The valleys and the ravines along with the weather prove to be an unbeatable combination all over the year and the resorts and motels prove to be perfect places for lodging. The local habitat is also quite amazing given the weather that the inhabitants are used to living in. people are always at their best while having fun in these two parts of the wonderful state of Himachal Pradesh.

Both Shimla and Manali are two very calm yet lively cities with the crowd always buzzing around in these places. Not only are they very warm and welcoming in nature which is the stark opposite of the weather that can be experienced but also they are very tourist friendly and offer a great deal of spots that can be visited around. Visiting these places might turn out to be the best experience of your life and you should be doing it without a delay. The prices are very competitive and it will hardly cost visitors a lot of money to come and make the trip.

4 Things YOU Can Do 4 Equality By the 4th of July!

2010-06-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

Pride Alliance Hawaii Urges Governor Linda Lingle to Sign HB 444

2010-06-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Gangaur Festival in Rajasthan

2010-06-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

The festival of Gangaur in the state of Rajasthan is one of the best celebrated festivals on the block and also one of the most cherished ones too. The festival gets celebrated in the month of monsoon when harvest and martial fidelity is about to happen. The women on the block worship Gauri, who also happens to be the consort of Lord Shiva himself. The word ‘Gangaur’ is a portmanteau of two distinct words namely ‘Gana’ and ‘Gaur’ with the former signifying Lord Shiva and the latter meaning Parvati. The symbolic meaning of gaur is Saubhagya, a Sanskrit notation for good luck and good charm. This word out and out symbolizes marital bliss and when used in the right context, is an apt representative of good things to come.

Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati are worshipped in this festival of Gangaur. This festival is specifically meant for women folks. The unmarried women worship Gauri for blessing them with good husband, while married women do so for the welfare, health and longevity of their husbands and cheerful married life. It is believed that after a temporary long sacrament Gauri and Shiva reunited on this day. The small doll like Idols of the Shiva and Gauri are made of wood. These divine male and female entities are called ‘Isar’ and ‘Gangaur’. The festival commences on Holi. The festival runs through many days. Young girls pray for grooms of their choice while married women seek a long life for their husbands. The ladies beautify their hands and feet by temporary decoration by drawing designs with Mehendi.

Indian Culture and Mehndi Importance

2010-04-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

India has always been known as the land of diversity and this element of diversity can be very well witnessed in the culture that exists in this part of the world. There are 22 official languages that are spoken in various parts of India and all these parts have a distinct culture that the natives and the inhabitants are extremely proud of. They take a lot of pride in the way they celebrate the festivals and also a lot of pride in the cuisines that are cooked at their home. Along the same lines, mehndi is an integral part of these celebrations and adds a unique touch to the festivities and after all, signifies what cultural India is all about through its sheer magnificence and shimmer. Not only does it add a lot of importance to brand India but also takes it to a very distinguished level. Mehndi has found its place in every festivity that India indulges in and has become an iconic article of usage in the whole scheme of things.

Mehndi is the main decorative item in weddings that take place in India. The scale on which it gets used is enormous and apart from the bride, a lot of other females present in the occasion also make heavy use of it. Apart from weddings, there are other festivities where Mehndi is used heavily which include the likes of cultural fests, deity worshipping events and birthdays. In all these events, there is an evident commonality that the usage of mehndi is done quite extensively and unabashedly. People in India take a lot of pride in flaunting this as they believe that mehndi is an integral symbol of celebration and the spirit it represents transcends every cultural notion. It is applied on the hands and the feet and without it both these body parts look very empty.

Menhdi adds a lot of flavor to every occasion celebrated in India and enables the person to bring in the festivity in a very unique and satisfactory way. Mehndi has become a part of the emotion that is attached to every occasion and has become a mascot for celebration in this land of cultural richness. Mehndi ensures that celebrations never seem to be hollow and is influential in making the whole process look very charismatic. Mehndi is one of the most cherished creations of India that has been used since ages and continues to be used as a token of gratitude and joy towards the creators. Its value is unparalleled.

India is the Place for Yoga

2010-04-05T00:25:00.000-07:00

The land of Gurus and Yogis has forever lived up to its reputation as the mystic ground that gave the world one of the finest arts of exercise and meditation. Yoga, with all due pride, originated from India and is hailed by fitness experts across the world as one of the finest forms of exercise and meditation that can be used to keep the mind and the body in shape. Most importantly, if there is one destination in the world where Yoga is still practiced in the most effective and productive forms, then there is no substitute for India. Yes, India still remains one of the most sought after destinations to learn Yoga (One wonders whether people still think that the fossils of old age Yoga gurus lay buried somewhere near these Yoga destinations!) because of the fact that the real essence through which this art originated still remains in this country.

Yoga gurus in India have not lost that touch through which millions of minds and bodies have been healed. The way Yoga is taught here in India is incomparable and all other venues do not even come near anywhere India. The methods are kept traditional and customary to retain that ancient touch and the techniques used in Yoga which include all the Asanas are still taught the same way they were practiced back then in the days of yore when Yoga had just originated. The venues are cleaned thoroughly before tents come up and there is a pedestal where the Yoga Guru positions himself for all his disciples too see him. The music that is played in the background seems to be like a divine sound and the Asanas are executed very slowly so that the muscle group towards which it gets directed is stretched and caressed properly.

All the asanas involved in Yoga are taught very meticulously here in India. The Gurus ensure that the postures in which they have to be performed are executed well and the stretch does not become too hard. The asanas are pertinent to solving every ache that exists in the human body. They are meant for the neck, stiff back, for those suffering from chronic back ailments, stiff hamstrings, for strengthening calf and thigh muscles and for the arms as well. The asanas are also meant for enhanced breathing and involved deep breathing exercises apart from addressing other factors like increasing sperm count, clearing the mind of negative thoughts, making a person more sensitive towards things and improvement of thought patterns.

India still remains the most preferred destination of Yoga enthusiasts across the world. The herbals that are given to people after Yoga sessions and the shrubs they are advised to amalgamate with other natural elements for enhanced and long lives are only available in India. The art of living techniques taught here have not even been originated elsewhere in the world, which makes India the sole caterer in this art. Hence, India leads as the most preferred Yoga destination.

Chhattisgarh is Fully Surprise Holiday Destination

2010-03-17T05:17:00.000-07:00

Tourists looking for offbeat holiday destinations will find their match in Chhattisgarh. This part of India is not a conventional destination where one expects to find resorts, beaches, and five star hotels but is a place where tourists with an insatiable scouting appetite will be thrilled with the visible activities around. The state has grown as a very popular destination for tourism and is considered to be a good blend of food, music, tradition and landscape. The landscape too is quite diverse across the state with hills covering the North and the South and the Central Part being full of plains. More than 44 per cent of the state is covered with forests, which ensures that visitors will get to look at the existing fauna in the state from close quarters.
The Rihand River in the North and Mahanadi River in the east-West range ensure that water bodies make their presence felt. The Central Part is taken care of by the Narmada with Godavari River taking care of the honours in the South. Tourists who love lounging near rivers will find these highly soothing. The state is not a conventional tourist spot. Industrial growth can be seen all around with steel plants like the Bhilai Steel Plant, SEC Railway Zone, NTPC, BALCO and SECL. NMDC resides over Iron Ore and ESSAR has also established a plant over there.

Rural India is exemplified by Chhattisgarh. Village Carts dragged by Water Buffalos are a famous mode of transportation and can be used by tourists for commuting. There are numerous temples with ancient carvings that have emerged as highly popular sites in the state. Ramnami Samaj, Satnami Panth and Kabir Panth are some of the religious sects in this place and are looked up to by visitors as religious places. Chhattisgarh is also known for being a good centre for handicrafts. Kosa Silk, Salwar Suits, Lehengas, Shawls and Achkans are popular attires sold here in the state. Tourists can be seen in huge numbers
The traditional song, dance and theatre routine is displayed with thorough enthusiasm. Dance styles such as the Panthi, Raut and Soowa styles are very popular and have been modelled on the dancing styles of Krishna and Gopis, an integral part of Hindu Mythology. Traditional Folk Music has forms like Bihav, Sohar and Pathoni with every form being adapted on a different occasion. Musical narratives are also put on display through forms like Pandavani, a nationally acknowledged form of music.

Those who would love to explore Rural India and the habitat along with the lifestyle should come to Chhattisgarh and see the splendour in the offing. The local food, huts, villages, mode of transportation and fields make for a good view for the unorthodox who love exploring new places. The state offers everything but in a very conventional style and is categorically meant for the experimental ones who have a thing for visiting new places and experiencing new habitats that they might have never even thought of in life.

Why Visit Tokyo?

2010-03-09T01:46:00.000-08:00

Sayonara! One of the few Japanese words I learnt by watching a Japanese movie some time ago. Since then, Tokyo, the Capital City of Japan has always been one of the cities in the World by whom I have been quite fascinated with.

There are many reasons why one should visit this beautiful city in East Asia. Tokyo is historically quite wealthy. From being a small fishing village back in 1457, the city has emerged to become one of the most enviable ones in the world and has some very enchanting castles and forts. The Edo Castle, also known as The Imperial Palace is where the Royal Family of Japan resides. The meteoric skyscrapers testify the grand architecture gone behind their making and other sites such as malls and shopping centres display the best that Japan has. Shopping fanatics will drop after they explore all the stores that house everything from traditional Japanese kimonos worn by geisha to western dresses with sleek cuts.

The mainland land portion is thoroughly captivating. There are 26 cities and 8 villages, facts that vindicate the wonderful topography of the city. The National Parks where the best of Fauna is kept include the likes of Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi National Park near Mount Takao, Ogasawara National Park, and the Ueno National Park that has lots of museums in it such as the Tokyo National Museum, National Science Museum, and National Museum for Western Art and Shitamachi Museum. The Tokyo National Museums is home to over 40,000 National and foreign Language Films that get showcased time and again and attract a great deal of interest. Art lovers will simply not have enough of all this.

The Outlying Islands in Tokyo extend up to a coastline of 1850 km. The Izu Islands are a consortium of volcanic islands with the likes of Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejima, Miyakejima, Kozushima, Mikurajima, Aogashima and Hachijojima. The other group of islands is the Ogasawara Islands including the likes of Nishinoshima, Haha-jima, Iwo Jima, Kita Iwo Jima, Chichi-jima and Minami Iwo Jima. A ride in the Shinkansen that goes upto 210km/hr is one of the best experiences one can have in Tokyo as the rail covers the entire city and travels at blazing speed.

Culture and cuisines are unbelievable in Tokyo. Festivals happen all around the year at shrines like Hie Shrine and Asakusa Shrine. Fireworks can be seen during nights at the Sumida River and parks like the Inokashira Park get occupied for picnics. Harajuku is considered to be the fashion hub of style and fashion. Tokyo has the best restaurants in the world for fine wining and dining. Be it the quintessential Sushi, traditional Japanese or even French cuisine, food in this city leaves you craving for more. Even meat dishes are exotic with some of them being rarely served anywhere else.

Tourists will never have enough of Tokyo. The city is always buzzing with life and those who like going out in the night can be assured of safety as Police patrolling is heavy in all boroughs and suburbs. A good two weeks can be spent here in the capital city of Japan exploring everything that will only leave tourists with fond and cherishing memories.

First Search Consultancy for Online Travel Business

2010-02-15T04:19:00.000-08:00

Online travel businesses are flourishing by the day. People no longer call up the travel operator and book their tickets and instead use the online travel facility to have their tours booked. But there are a lot of travel operators who do not have optimized websites and hence are not able to get the kind of business they would like to. Their websites have a very dull presence on the internet, are not optimized properly and do not have a proper structure in place that will help them draw the business they should. First Search Consultancy helps such websites establish a robust online presence so that their business starts ticking and clients start pouring in.

The field of online travel business is very competitive and travel operators are doing business from everywhere. A good network ensures that the travel business starts making money quickly and since people are always enthusiastic throughout the year about going on vacations, it becomes easy for these operators to make clients pour in. All one ought to have is a good web presence so that when potential tourists search the web for a credible travel operator who takes care of all travel related formalities, one is easily able to locate the concerned authority on top of the search results. First Search Consultancy helps websites all around the world from various industry verticals in search engine optimization procedures and helps them go up in the search results. Online travel businesses trying to get a foothold will find themselves with a robust web presence because of the optimization services provided by First Search Consultancy.

First Search Consultancy has tailor made optimization service campaigns available for travel portals that will lend them the element of popularity through which they will be able to establish a flourishing business. All the requisite features like content, attractive images, links and the specific keywords that are required of a good travel portal are incorporated by FSC to ensure that the portal is put on the path to success. FSC has handled a lot of travel portals in the past and made all the necessary changes to the website to put them in good stead. Since travel portals are all about exciting, comfortable and affordable tour packages, the service provider ensures that all these features are highlighted properly and are given weight when published online.

Online travel businesses have competitors by the second trying to put their contemporaries out of business through good web presence. It is quite obvious that the better a website ranks, the better are its chances of being approached first than others. First Search Consultancy ensures that these portals get their due through enhanced optimization which will highlight all their services properly and will help them pull in more clients. Online travel businesses are best set with high optimization over the web. The features offered by contemporaries in the package might be same, but a solid web presence is all that is needed to make the difference.

Royal Rajasthan Palace on Wheels

2010-01-29T04:39:00.000-08:00

Visiting Royal Rajasthan on wheels is a different experience altogether. The Royal Rajasthan palace on Wheels happens on every Sunday and goes past North India to reach the Pink City Jaipur at its City palace, the sand dunes of Jaisalmer, Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Ranthambore national Park in Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur then to Agra and finally back to the capital city. The tenure of the Royal Rajasthan Palace on Wheels is usually up to 7 days and finishes on the coming weekend. It starts on Sunday from New Delhi where gets receive a warm welcome and then board the Palace on Wheels from where the scintillating journey to the land of warriors and deserts begins.

The first stop taken during the Royal Rajasthan Palace on Wheels journey is at Jaipur. The city which is considered to be one of the best planned cities of the world is shown thoroughly with air conditioned coaches being used for escorting guests to Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort. Lunch is held at a five star hotel which is further succeeded by visits to the city palace museum and observatory. The next stop is to Sawai Madhopur where the Ranthambore National Park patiently awaits the arrival of the guests. The wildlife sanctuary covers close to 400 sq. kms and is home to around 300 species of birds. Leaving the city and heading towards the next stop at Chittaurgarh is also a pleasurable journey with the countryside being the perfect host during travel in the day.

The stop at Chittaurgarh is basically exemplified by the visit to the Fort and the gorgeous locales of the city. Udaipur, the next stop is also known as the Lake City and one of the star attractions of Rajasthan. The Jag Niwas aka The Lake Palace is a dream to enter and see along with the Jag Mandir that can be clearly viewed through the blue waters of Lake Pichola. The guests are taken to the city palace after a sumptuous lunch which is finally followed by an exit from the city. Jaisalmer, the home to Thar Desert is the next stop with the hallmark of the city being its yellow sandstone and magnificence. The Havelis and the Mansions are a delight to watch and post lunch, the camel ride towards the scintillating sand dunes start.

Jodhpur is the next stop with its gates and bastions and with the credit of being the second largest city in the state does stand out for a lot of things. The Mehrangarh Fort is the main attraction with lots of palaces inside being Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Phool Mahal. The city is very colourful and the true spirit of Rajasthan can be seen. The weekend is a stop-over at Agra where the eternal Taj Mahal can be adored and finally the journey to home. The Royal Rajasthan palace on Wheels trip has been planned very meticulously with all the connotations being taken care of. This arrangement itself makes it a trip worth taking.

Updates

2010-01-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

Right now updates are occurring fast and furious as we attempt to get HB 444 passed. Please check for updates on our FaceBook page as its more accessible from handheld devices.

Mahalo,
Tom

First Search Consultancy provides web promotion for your b & b Hotels website

2010-01-19T23:05:00.000-08:00

Bed and breakfast facilities need promotion. This is because of the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of travellers across the globe going out on trips and journeys every year and trying to get an accommodation that has a homely environment rather than getting stuck up at a place that is completely alienated. B & B arrangements are known for this homely care. Those hotels offering this service through their websites need to have recognition on search engines so that visitors coming to that part of the country are well aware of the hotel and can easily drop in with their baggage at any time of the day.

B & B websites have always been a fascinating lot to visitors across the world. Travellers keep scouting for these facilities over the web trying to figure out the best deal for them so that they would not be left stranded at the place where they without any place for lodging in the night. The B & B arrangement ensures that not only do these tourists get proper lodging but also are served a home-made meal which does not make them feel as if they are sitting and eating in an alien place where they do not know anyone around.

Websites with this facility are optimized well by first search consultancy that puts in all efforts to take the website right to the top of the search rankings on globally renowned search engines and creates such a place for them where they can simply relax and let the visitors flow in. First search consultancy targets the niche audience that will in all probability avail these services while visiting the place where the hotel is situated. The optimization happens at all the right places and through the right techniques.

Bed and breakfast facility is a very coveted facility that has admirers across the world and many websites have tried to capitalize on this facility. Hotels have launched their websites at the right time stating all the benefits of this facility offered by them and all they need at this point in time is an optimized site which ranks highly on results pages and allows them to advertise as freely as they want it to be. The websites when optimized become visible to every traveller around the globe thinking of visiting that place and accordingly lets him make pre meditated arrangements so that the trip can be planned and lodging can be availed at the right time.

Hotels arranging this facility are being provided highly economical web promotions for their websites which in turn will render such rich results that can simply not be matched. The websites will start attracting the kind of business they should and accordingly help the hotels make money through one of the most cherished and comfortable services available across the world today. The better the promotions are, the more are the chances of the business scaling new heights.

Delhi: The Starting Point of India Tour

2010-01-04T23:18:00.000-08:00

There are numerous reaons behind Delhi being the star attraction of the Republic of India. Be it the food, the culture, the lovely ambience or the amicable populace, Delhi Tour has always found admirers galore. What better way to start a tour than visiting the capital city itself? Delhi has always been the focal point of tourists pouring in from all over the world. They may have all the plans in place of swimming and basking in the backwaters of Kerala or surfing and relaxing on the comfortable beaches of Goa or seeing the scintillating deserts of Rajasthan or finally visiting the scenic locales of Kashmir, but the fact remains that the capital city will always have the privilege of being one of the star attractions that India has ever boasted of. Be it the legendary Qutub Minar that towers high above every other monument or the Tughlaqabad Fort that has been the shooting location for many movies, Delhi has its own casting charm that renders it a place above many others. The Old Delhi area of Chandni Chowk has its tales etched in history books that date back to the era of the East India Company. The street food is something that foreign tourists relish and claim to be available only in India and no other country.

Delhi has a very different aura about it. One of the reaons behind the city staking its claim as the heart of India is its unique atmosphere where even unfamiliar people look to be known. The Lotus Temple and the Akshardham temple are two scintillating shrines representing the true culture of India and also the architectural marvel that the nation is. Monuments like the Red Fort and the India Gate boast of the creative genius of those who made it with the former also being designated by the UNESCO as one of its heritage sites. The demography is fabulous and the transportation facilities are exemplary. Since Delhi is in the Northern part of India, one can alo tour the nearby cities of Chandigarh and Guargaon and travel further towards Srinagar and Shimla. There are a lot of highwatys in the cityconnecting to other cities making car travel a superb possibility. Embarking on a tour to India would perhaps be at its best if commenced from Delhi as the capital city is the perfect ambassador of the quintessential diverse Indian hospitality that one will get to experience in other parts.

An Unforgettable Supper

2009-12-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

Savouring Rajasthani Cuisine from the hands of Bainsala Aunty had indeed left a vivid impression on me. Seldom does one come across such sumptuous yet simple, exotic yet naive and mystical yet effortless servings that leave the eater in a state of yearning, craving for more. My mother had gone to visit her parents in Jaipur for a week and the neighbours invited us over for dinner the next day. I did have certain pre conceived notions about the food but then, what else could I expect from the land of royalty that is known for having the best hands in the business in craft, whether pottery or cookery.

Preparing the finest of meals is something that comes naturally to Rajasthani folk, something that I realized while eating the grub cooked by Bainsala aunty. Most importantly, women from this part of India pride themselves on cooking the most mouth watering meals. Hence, it comes as no surprise that despite my mother nudging AuntyJi hard to tell her some recipes, that expression of reticence was made apparent. I reckon one has to be a descendent to be bestowed with that honour!

Rajasthani food has carried forward a noticeable tradition for centuries with the centre of attention being edible items good enough to be preserved for days. Since this desert land has never had its share of enough water, modern day Rajasthani meals are also prepared with the liquid contents being more of milk and clarified butter rather than aqua. Auntyji substituted tomatoes with mango powder and used Asafetida as a replacement for onions and garlic. Though at the outset I thought of them as some cheap replacements (Nobody knew the meaning of the word ‘recession’ back then, so you expected people to be a little generous.) that might taste awful, I was pleasantly surprised while taking the initial bites.

The quintessential Dal and Churma Bati, the most well known Rajasthani cuisine was on the offering apart from Mawa Kachori and Malpuas which were subsequently followed by multiple sweet dishes such as Lapsi, Ghevar and Rasogullas. I have never really been much of a foodie or a connoisseur of novel food items, but the very delight of being served so many delicious victuals got the better of me that day. During the meal, I did try to comprehend the conversation going on between the elders in crisp Rajasthani accent, something that categorically sounded like an alien dialect.

I am still amazed with the way these traditions have been retained over centuries though there have been some visible modifications because of changing times. Such were the ‘implications’ of that dinner rendezvous that I still remember Bainsala aunty and her ‘hukka’ smoking better half being at their generous best and being perfect mascots of rich Rajasthani culture and heritage.

Keep checking this space for more such trysts...

Christmas Holiday Destination Ideas

2009-12-16T03:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas bells are ringing, giving welcome signals to another winter holiday season. While the whole world is preparing to get cozy under the warmth of a holiday season, you cannot be left out in solitude. The time is now ideal to plan a holiday in a beautiful location which you have never visited before. India, the magic land of gods and palaces, offers myriad of opportunities for enjoyment and holidaying in winter. The diverse climatic and cultural environment makes it the ideal tourist destination for all categories of tourists.

If you target the North India during Christmas season, you get a good snow feast from the Northern Himalayas and adjoining hill stations spread across the north east of India. The chilly Darjeeling, Dalhousie, Shimla, Kullu, and Manali are a few among the most sought-after hill stations in India during winter. Kashmir, the wonderful garden of India, is another popular tourist place known for the beautiful landscapes and the folks. Kashmir has remained at the top of world tourism map because of this reason.

If you are inclined to know more about the history and culture of India, you may take a trip to some of the popular cities of the ancient kingdoms. The national capital New Delhi, the adjoining cities like Agra, Mathura, and Jaipur Rajasthan tour will carry you through the historic corridors of the majestic palaces built by the ancient Rajputs and Moghuls. The journey through the marble-paved streets will educate you about the culture and values deep rooted in ancient India, and which have been preserved and practiced even in the modern India.

India is blessed to have diverse geography that has created wonderful landscapes across the country. While the snow-clad Himalaya creates a white veil on the northern side, the mighty oceans of the south drape India with the blue saree made of the silky water waves. If you are in a mood to spend your winter holidays with the waves of Arabian Sea, head towards South India and take shelter under the palm grooves of Goa or Kerala. The season is apt to visit Goa because grandiose Christmas celebrations are awaiting you there in the coming days. In Kerala, on the other hand, you will get an opportunity to enjoy a traditional house boat ride in any of the backwaters surrounded by beautiful villages and stunning landscapes.

Don’t miss this opportunity. India is calling you!

India Tour during Commonwealth Games

2009-12-08T04:28:00.000-08:00

India is all set to welcome her prestigious guests of the Commonwealth Games, scheduled from 3 Oct to 14 Oct 2010. The country, which has host a number of international events including several sports events, is going to witness the most spectacular show of the century in those days. The show is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors to India. Given this fact, Indian tourism sector is at high spirits and is getting ready to utilize the opportunity at its fullest.

Being a developing nation with massive population, India is facing a lot of pressure to accommodate the increasing needs of infrastructure and communications facilities required for the Commonwealth Games events. However, given the fact that the event is going to happen in the national capital New Delhi, which is already equipped with world-class infrastructure and amenities, the authorities have no much worry about them. Nonetheless, rigorous innovations are on across the national capital to make sure that every facet of the city supports the smooth running of the show and that the guests are satisfied the most.

For tourists, the Commonwealth Games in India promises a wonderful opportunity to visit this land of Maharajas and Goddess of prosperity (Lakshmi). The country is a magical bowl that holds a lot of mystifying facts and figures intriguing to tourists. The culture, geography, people and the wild forest – they are so diverse, scattered and difficult to understand; but when one goes deep into them he/she will realize that they are single and united. No other country in the world can bring about this unity in such diversity. For this reason, India is attracting millions of tourists to it every year, so will it do in the upcoming Commonwealth Games too.

Speaking at a world summit organized by the United Nations’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said, “Commonwealth Games have given an opportunity for showcasing India as a unique and hospitable tourism destination. It is expected that a large number of tourists would visit the country next year bringing back the buoyancy in the sector.” Yes, the Commonwealth Games will add another feather in the crown of Indian hospitality. The great Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar, Red Fort and the royal courts of Rajasthan are waiting to see the grand procession of tourists who will never want to miss this sporty entertainment hosted by the sporty people of India.

The Taj Mahal: a Great Building

2009-12-02T04:47:00.000-08:00

Taj Mahal is the most beautiful building in the world. It is not only architectural beauty even this is "the epitome of love", "a monument of immeasurable beauty". The beauty of this magnificent monument is such that it is beyond the scope of words because this is built by the emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his wife Mumtaz, who died in childbirth. It is the best example of love and Mughal architecture. a style that combines elements from Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. It is completed near about 21 years and made by white marbles and around this beautiful gardenand Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is synonymous with love and romance. Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj Mahal in these words:

Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.

Really Taj Mahal is glory of India.

Get Ready for a Royal Wedding in Rajasthan

2009-11-25T04:21:00.000-08:00

Indians are very particular about their culture and traditions. They make every occasion of festivities the most enjoyable and momentous. Indian weddings are traditionally conducted with all charm and splendor of ethnicity. The weddings in India are reminiscent of the richness of the tradition that Indians have preserved for centuries. Hence, a wedding in India is celebrated in the most luxurious manner. Rajasthan, the city of royal palaces and spectacular landscape, is thus the ideal place for hosting a wedding. More importantly, the cultural extravaganza that Rajasthanis offer in the form of their traditional festivities adds more charm to any special occasions such as wedding.

During the past several years, there has been huge ‘marriage rush’ to Rajasthan cities like Udaipur – thanks to the awareness created by different media about the possibilities of hosting a royal wedding in these cities away from their home. The city of Udaipur, with all its natural charm and man-made facilities, witnesses the union of thousands of couple from different parts of the world every year. As marriage season sets in, the city grows full bloom to welcome the bride and groom. Every corner of the city experiences a bit of the marriage fever – be it the jewelry shops, flower sellers, bangle stores, and the mehndiwalas. The bangles, mehndi, bindi – all are inevitable components of an Indian wedding.

What’s a wedding without a dance? Thus comes the famous folk dance of Rajasthan. The charming girls of Rajasthan show the best of their artistic skills by performing the Ghoomer dance on the wedding night. Their rhythmic steps followed by the swift whirls will make you euphoric. While a wedding in Rajasthan will give everlasting memories for the couple, it will equally add pleasant memories for the guests as well. There are immense opportunities to freak out in this city of historical and cultural attractions. There are wonderful darbars and palaces available in these cities to host the prestigious weddings.

If you are yet to get married you are lucky, for you have now identified the best place to host your wedding, i.e., Rajasthan. What more, you can take your beloved for a long ride thereafter through the royal courts of Rajasthan and the interiors of a village nurtured by rich tradition and values. The Thar Desert will spread the golden bed for you while the Aravallis will shower the cool breeze filled with fragrance.

Honolulu Equality March - October 11

2009-10-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Pride Alliance Hawaii

2009-06-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

Aloha!

Welcome to our blog where we hope to share with you the many exciting things relating to our fight for equality. Pride Alliance Hawaii was founded by a group of enthusiastic individuals who have come together to impact the change we need in society today; we pride ourselves for our "can-do" attitude.

Our immediate goal is to see HB444 passed, which will grant all couples regardless of sexual preference the ability to avow their love and commitment for one another. We will strive to achieve this goal through community outreach and education. It is our understanding that the fight will not stop with civil unions and many in our group would like the see the eventual dissolution of DOMA and Don't Ask Don't Tell. Our aim is to achieve equality and social inclusion for all marginalized groups.

We hope to have you join our side as we fight for equality. For more information, please join our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107387042274) or e-mail pridealliancehawaii@gmail.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

8/7/09 - Sign Waving - 4-6PM at the corner of Hotel and Richards Streets. Come with a tasteful sign to show that you are serious about equality.

8/9/09 - Bake Sale - Noon at the Church of the Crossroads. Come treat yourself to some delicious treats.

8/15/09 - GLBT Caucus Meeting - Noon at the Democratic Party Headquarters (Ward Warehouse).

8/15/09 - National Kiss Out <- Stay tuned for more details.

9/4/09 - Sign Waving - 4-6PM - location TBD.

MAHALO!

Van Law