What is so special about the Rameshwaram Temple?

Sri Rameshwaram Temple has many salient features.

Ramanathswamy : Sri Rameshwaram temple is also known as Sri Ramanathswamy temple.

It means , Lord Sri Shiva , the beloved deity of Sri Rama

Twin : It is a rare Jyotirlinga known for its twin lingas.

Rama : Hindus believe that Lord Sri Rama consecrated Shiva linga at Sri Rameshwaram.

Sri Ramalinga : Shiva linga installed by Lord Sri Rama is known as Sri Rama linga.

Sri Hanuman linga : Hanuman ji also installed another lingam known as Sri Hanuman linga.

Jyotirlinga : It is adored as the 11th Jyotirlinga by devotees.

Dham : It is counted among four Dhams (sacred places) by Hindus.

Wells : It is renowned for 22 sacred wells that contain water from sacred rivers.

Surya : Astrologers believe that worshipping Sri Rameshwaram cures one of sun related ills.

Longest : It has the longest outer temple corridor (nearly 1200 meters) across the world.

Fact : This sacred shrine is geographically close near Sri Lanka.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram Jai Sri Ramanathswamy Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

What is the best action scene filmed without special effects?

 Let's look at some of Buster Keaton's most famous stunts. Many of Keaton's stunts were so dangerous that he himself could have died, so the film crew and his colleagues tried to persuade him to stop doing them.

In the end, all of this was done in a single take.

In the initial shot below, he was supposed to cling to the ledge without falling, but he did fall. So we changed the scene and added a scene where he falls without being able to grab onto the awning.

What are the best places to visit in Mewar, Rajasthan, and what makes the region special?

 Mewar, a region that prided itself on it’s resistance to invaders since centuries be it the early Arab armies or the Mughals later. Rana Pratap is the more visible and prominent symbol of a legacy, that has seen such heroes as Bappa Rawal, Veer Hamir, Rana Kumbha and Rana Sangha. A legacy that saw some of the fiercest resistance to Muslim invaders be it Allaudin Khilji or Akbar later on. “Garh to Bas Chittorgarh Hai, Baaki Sab Garhaiya Hai” so goes the saying in Rajasthan. Which loosely translated means –“Only Chittorgarh is a fort, the rest are mere fortresses”.

Technically speaking, Mewar primarily covers the south Western region of Rajasthan, bordering Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Consisting of the districts of Bhilwara, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh and Udaipur, it is flanked by the Aravallis in the North West, and the southern region is mostly hilly, dotted with forests.

The region’s rather rugged landscape could have played a role in shaping the spirit of it’s rulers, and people a tough, never say die, independent streak. Ecologically this is one of India’s most important regions, being a part of the Kathiawar-Gir ecosystem, and containing wildlife sanctuaries like Kumbalgarh, Sita Mata, Bassi and Jaisamand.

While the massive fort of Chittorgarh, and the sweeping grandeur of Udaipur, mark the region’s most visible landmarks, it has some other memorable landmarks.

The huge fort of Kumbalgarh with it’s Great Wall of India, the crafts village of Shilpagram near Udaipur, the temples of Eklingji and Nathdwara, the Jain temples of Ranakpur are equally prominent landmarks too.

What makes Angelina Jolie so special?

 1. She is beautiful and sexy. She was ranked as the most desirable woman alive for years and even today she is still a beauty queen.

2- How she changed from bad to good to better. She went from being a mischievous, playful girl to a respectful, decent woman.

3- She is family-oriented and tried to create the perfect family, but failed. Because you can't create a perfect family on your own; it requires a lot of effort.

4- She uses her fame, power, and money for charity and volunteer work on her own.

5. She wants to make a difference in the world. She has proven that she is not just a good actress and a beauty. She likes to do her best. No other celebrity has the same level of stage fright as her.

6- She earns the respect of many people around the world.

7- She is a very good actress. In "Girl, Interrupted," she nailed it and deserved the Oscar.

8- Angelina wanted to settle down and have a real marriage and a good relationship with her ex-husband Brad Pitt.

9- She is super talented and also became a director.

What are the special facts about Gavipuram, Bengaluru?

 Gavipuram is a locality in Bengaluru located close to Basavangudi.

It is known for Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple is a famous ancient cave temple. The temple is renowned due to a significant and almost magical phenomenon, that occurs in the temple every year, on a particular day in the month of January. Apart from the wonderful phenomenon, the temple also stands as a glaring example of the marvelous Indian rock-cut architecture. It is dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. The temple is unique from all other temples of Karnataka, due to the presence of two huge discs in the foreground of the shrine.

Another major attraction of the temple, is the presence of a rare idol of Agni, the God of fire. The idol has two heads, seven hands and three legs. It is perhaps the only temple in South India that has such an idol. The temple has a wonderful sculpture of Nandi (a bull). A beautiful image of Shakti Ganapathi, with 12 hands adorns the left side of the main entrance to the temple.

The history of the temple dates back to the 9th century. It is believed that the temple was cut out of a rock in the 9th century. It was used by the great sage Gowthama to perform penance. Later in the 16th century, Kempegowda I, the founder of Bangalore, revamped and extended the temple.

Kempegowda I

Kempe Gowda I championed the construction of several temples around the town, one of the earliest such temples that was renovated and constructed was the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple.

The main idol of the temple is inside a cave that devotees descend into via steps. The inner sanctum of the temple is situated inside a cave carved out in the rock. Unusually for a South Indian temple, the complex is not aligned to any of the cardinal directions—it faces south-west.

In the forecourt stand two monolithic structures, named Suryapana and Chandrapana—each consisting of a massive disc atop a supporting pillar, like giant stone lollipops. Engravings of sitting bulls on the discs face each other. The discs are identical in size and have a diameter of about 6ft. Two of the pillars support huge discs that represent the sun and the moon.

The other two pillars have a trident (trishul) and a two-headed drum (damru), representing the two significant possessions of Lord Shiva. But the main architectural significance associated with the temple is the creation of the cave temple and the placement of the stone discs in such a manner that, they allow the sun to illuminate the Shivalinga for just one hour every year. In between the two discs there is a brass dhwajasthambha (flagstaff), and a small cubicle housing a statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull mount.

A small flight of stairs leads one down to the cave that is hardly 6ft high; the height tapers off further into the shrine. In the cave temple the presiding idol, a Shiva linga, is surrounded by several smaller deities and sages, and the two pradakshine (circumambulatory) paths. Another statue of Nandi faces Shiva.

Every year on the 14th of January (Makara Sankranti), a rare and significant phenomenon takes place inside the inner sanctum of the temple. The rays of the setting sun on the western horizon, shoot a beam of light, that passes from under an arch, on the western wall of the temple, before moving towards the inner sanctum. It first lights the back of the statue of Nandi and passes over its horns and reaches the feet of the Shivalinga. Finally the beam of light illuminates the whole of Shivalinga.

This is a wonderful sight, as the event is marked by continuous ringing of the bells and chanting of mantras by the priests and devotees. The linga is bathed in milk by one of the priests during the entire period of the phenomenon. It seems as if the Sun is showing reverence to the Lord on the auspicious day. A large crowd of thousands of people gather from far and near and wait for hours to witness this magical event every year on the particular day that is also celebrated as Makar Sankranti. It is on this particular day that the dark interiors of the cave and the linga are illuminated by the rays of the bright sun for few moments every year.

Sunlight on Lord Shiva on Sankranti.

Devotees also believe that there are two tunnels, that extend from the inner sanctum of the temple. One of them proceeds towards the city of Varanasi in the northern part of India. The other extends up to another temple of Shiva with the same name, the Gangadhareshwara temple, located on the hill of Shivagange, about 10 miles from this temple.

1808 painting of Gavi Gangadhreshwar temple. Notice the watchtower on a hilltop in the background.

Please visit this temple when you are visiting Bengaluru.

I have finished my 500th answer in English Quora with this.

If you are from India, what are some unique or special foods from your hometown?

 I'm from a city named Dharwad. Its known as the Vidya Kashi as there are many universities, colleges and schools. It was center of education for the northern part of Karnataka for many decades.

Its famous for Dharwad Pedha.

A brief history:

Dharwad peda was originally started by the Thakur family who had migrated from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh to Dharwad after plague broke out in Unnao in early 19th Century. Ram Ratan Singh Thakur, a first generation confectioner, started producing and selling pedas locally. Dharwad peda was prepared from the milk of Dharwadi buffaloes which are raised by the Gavali community in and around Dharwad. His grandson Babu Singh Thakur helped grow the family business further in their Line Bazaar store and the peda came to also be called locally as the "Line Bazaar Peda". The family closely guards the recipe of the Peda as a trade secret which has been passing down the lineage. Babusingh Thakur's single outlet store that was running for a few decades expanded later in many other cities. In many other cities around India other confectioneries also sell Dharwad peda which is not connected to the Thakur family.

Use:

Its given in almost all the occasions.

Its given when someone scores well.

Its given when someone gets admission.

Its given when someone gets a job.

Its given like in almost every happy occasions.

But still people are not tired of it. Share some good news and they ask “Pedha elle? Yaavag kodti?” (Where is Pedha? When will you give?)

Where to buy?

I would say, Babu Singh Thakur pedha is still the best. Mishra Pedha isn't bad either.

What is the famous dish of Pune?

 Pune is famous for khavayye giri (foody). In morning 7 AM you will get lots of stalls of famous Kanda poha, upma, sabudana khichadi, misal pav even south indian dishes like Idli, Dosa all over in main areas of Pune.

Famous dishes of Punekar’s which you dont have to miss whenever you are visiting this historic city are as follows:

• Misal Pav: It is the state’s signature dish, which is served along with pav bread, combined with two types of curries. One curry type is spicy, while another is specially cooked green curry. At times, potato fries also accompanies the dish, to make it the most popular of all street foods available here in Pune.

• Bakarwadi

• Kanda Poha: A tasty snack made of puffed rice. It is also served mainly during breakfast. People love to have it with tea.

• Mastani - milk based liquid with fresh fruit pulp (custard Apple) with a scoop of ice cream containing fruit.

• Bhajaniche Thalipeeth - Thalipeeth is a type of savoury multi-grain pancake popular in Western India. It is a special Maharashtrian dish. The dough is prepared from a special flour made from roasted tapioca(sabudana), Rajgira (Amaranth), coriander seeds, cumin seeds, wheat, and rice. Onion, fresh coriander and other vegetables and spices are added when kneading the dough.

• Various types of Bhaji (Pakodas)- You can get verious types of mouth watering bhajiya at one stop, you can order mix bhaji (Pakodas), or what you like to it in a single plate also option with pav (Bread) and without pav. Types are kanda bhaji, palak bhaji, batata bhaji, mirchi bhaji, bread pakoda, and Even Mumbai Pune famous wada pav.

• Bharli Vangi: A famous side dish of this region which is cooked with small brinjals and crushed peanuts. It is a bit spicy preparation as chili powder is one of the main ingredients. A favorite side dish of the locals who eat it with rotis and naan.

• Ukadiche Modak- Very unique and special Maharashtrian delicacy which is prepared on the occasion of Ganesh festival. Sweet coconut filling in nice and soft rice flour coating tastes just amazing.

• S.P.D.P aka Shev Potato Dahi Puri also called as Shev Dahi Batata Puri - Have you heard of the abbreviation S.P.D.P before? Well if you are from Pune or have lived in Pune for a while you are sure to know what I am talking about. It's the most popular dish in the most popular cafe in Pune. The dish is Sev Potato Dahi Puri , a tantalising combo of crisp puris filled with boiled potato, beaten yogurt, sweet and sour tamarind chutney, hot chilly and mint sauce, finely chopped onions and tomatoes all topped with more yogurt and crispy sev. In short it is heavenly.

• Varan Baath: -Varan Baath is a famous dish all across Maharashtra and so is in Pune. Varan is basically yellow dal, which is made with green chillies, water, oil and spices. This dal is light weighted and is best eaten with rice. Many people have omelette or sometimes fish fry with this combination of rice and dal to add some taste. So, if you want to eat true Marathi cuisine then have this dal and rice!

Edit 1: Some more famous dishes in Pune.

1. Sabudana Khichadi:

2. Matki bhel

Hope you all tried these mouth watering dishes.