Sunday, April 29, 2012

How would you get across the Rub' al Khali?


 http://www.saudicaves.com/lectures/dunes.jpg

Also known as the "Empty Quarter," the Rub' al Khali is the largest continuous desert in the world.  And yet people have been crossing it for thousands of years. 

The Bedouins who live there, have used the camel.  Today's tourists have their choice: Jeep or Camel.  Which would you choose?

View the Information 



Monday, April 16, 2012

Hindu Gods and Symbolism

There are many, many Hindu gods that are meant to help people better understand Brahman, the one spiritual power.  The iconography in the pictures of the gods helps understand the nature of the god or goddess.  


Brahma: The Creator



Vishnu: The Preserver



Shiva: The Destroyer



Sarasvati: The Goddess of Knowledge and Music




Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth and Happiness



Ganesha: The Remover of Obstacles



Sources:

Brahma: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahma
Shiva: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva
http://hinduism.about.com/od/lordshiva/a/What-Is-Shiva-Linga.htm
http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/deities/shiva.htm
Vishnu: 
http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/vishnu/
http://www.muktinath.org/hinduism/vishnu.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_iconography 
Sarasvati:
http://bitofbali.com/images/Sarasvati.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati#Iconography
Lakshmi: 
http://enchantingkerala.org/gallery/albums/lakshmi_devi_hindu_goddess/hindu-goddess.jpg
http://www.hindu-blog.com/2010/11/goddess-lakshmi-and-elephants-symbolism.html
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/sub/goddess/lakshmi.html
Ganesha:
http://www.crystalinks.com/ganesh.html
http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/lg/lg_ch-06.html
http://hinduism.about.com/od/lordganesha/a/ganesha.htm
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-07/faith-and-ritual/27947840_1_ganesha-large-ears-tusk
http://knowityourway.blogspot.com/p/ganesha.html