Facts of Big ben clock tower, london

Big ben tower clock, famous for its accuracy and for its massive bell in london and around the world. The Elizabeth Tower is the name of the famous tower of Parliament - more popularly known as Big Ben. Although often referred to as Big Ben, this is actually the nickname of the bell housed within the Elizabeth Tower - and Big Ben's official name is the Great Bell. It is the great center of visitors.

The clock was designed by Edmund Beckett Denison (later Sir Edmund Beckett and Lord Grimthorpe) in association with Sir George Airy (then astronomer royal) and the clockmaker Edward Dent. Denison’s principal contribution was a novel gravity escapement that imparted unprecedented accuracy to the clock. In a pendulum clock an escape wheel is allowed to rotate through the pitch of one tooth for each double swing of the pendulum and to transmit an impulse to the pendulum to keep it swinging. An ideal escapement would transmit the impulse without interfering with the free swing, and the impulse should be as uniform as possible. The double three-legged gravity escapement designed by Denison for Big Ben achieves the second of these but not the first.

Contrary to popular belief, the clock tower itself is not named “Big Ben”.  Rather, it is named “Elizabeth Tower”, after Queen Elizabeth II; named such during her Diamond Jubilee (the 2012 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne).  Before that, it was just called “Clock Tower”. So why is it so often called “Big Ben”?  That is due to the great bell inside the tower that chimes the hour out and goes by that name.  Over time this has morphed into many calling the clock tower itself that even today, despite the recent, very public, name change.

So how did “Big Ben”- the great bell- get its name? People seemed to be in the habit of nicknaming giant bells and Big Ben was one of the biggest in the world and the largest in the British Isles at the time of its casting, so certainly name-worthy. The origin of Big Ben’s name is probably rooted in Sir Benjamin Hall. Hall was reportedly a large man (6 ft. 4 in. or 1.93 m, with a girth to match) and was the first Commissioner of Works, affectionately known as “Big Ben.” Go ahead...

Ancient Greek Gods Myths & Legends

Religion was important to the ancient Greeks because they believed that it would make their lives better while they were living. They also believed the gods would take care of them when they died. The Greeks believed that gods and goddesses watched over them. The gods were like humans, but immortal (they lived for ever) and much more powerful.

A family of gods and goddesses lived in a cloud-palace above Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece The gods looked down to watch what people were doing, and from time to time, interfered with what went on. The gods did not always behave very well. Their king, Zeus, was always being unfaithful to his wife Hera. He appeared on Earth as a human or an animal to trick women he had fallen in love with. The Ancient Greeks believed that all the gods came from Gaia (the Earth) and Uranos (the sky).They thought they were like adult humans - always falling in love, arguing, having children, playing music and partying. Like the Romans, the Greeks believed that different gods were responsible for different things.

Zeus

Zeus was the king of the gods. He could control the weather. The ancient Greek poet, Hesiod, called him the 'cloud-gatherer' and the 'thunderer'. His most powerful weapon was the thunderbolt. The ancient Greeks believed that when lightning struck earth, it was a sign of Zeus being present. Zeus was also concerned with hospitality. If you treated a guest or stranger badly you could outrage Zeus.

Hades

He was made lord of the underworld, ruling over the dead. He is a greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. Those whose calling increase the number of dead were seen favorably by him. He was also the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. His wife was Persephone whom Hades abducted. He is great great olympian of greek.

Poseidon

Brother of Zeus. The God of the sea and worshiped by seamen. He married Amphitrite. His weapon is a trident, which can shake the earth, and shatter any object. He is second most powerful god.

Demeter

Goddess of corn and the harvest. She taught mankind the art of sowing and ploughing so they could end their nomadic existence. She was of a severe, a beauty scarcely relieved by her hair. which was as fair as ripened grain. Poseidon coveted her, but Demeter refused herself to him. To escape him she fled to Arkadia where, assuming the shape of a mare, she mingled with the herds of King Oncus. Poseidon, however, succeeded in finding her, changed himself into a stallion and made her the mother of the horse Arion.

Ares

Ares was the great olympian god of war. He possessed very few temples and shrines in the ancient world, but was apparently honoured with rites in times of war. His cult seems to have been centred on the northern regions of Greece--Thessaly, Thesprotia and Thrake. However, there are no descriptions of these regions comparable in detail to Pausanias' account of the Peloponnese which might shed light on the cult of Ares in the north.

kerala holidays - Tourist Destinations

Kerala is one of the wonders of the world. It is a place where the serene scenic beauty merges with varied hues of enchanting seasons. Kerala has a lot more to offer than the popular destinations we see advertised all over the web and other media.Kerala tourist places are the most popular destinations in India. Kerala is well known for its Backwaters, Beaches, Wild life sanctuaries, Hill stations and Ayurvedic treatments. Kerala Beaches are spread along the 900 km Arabian Sea coastline and it become one of the main attraction in Kerala Tourism.  Have a look on following:-

Going to less crowded locations in Kerala is a great way to fully enjoy the green nature surrounding you. So here are some equally exotic places you could include in your travel itinerary when you plan your Kerala Holidays. These places aren’t exactly off-the-radar, but I am sure you will find these quite refreshing and thrilling. And don’t bug me if you find it crowded!!!

Chempara peak located 8 km south of Kalpetta town, is the highest peak in Wayanad. It is part of the majestic Western Ghats. You can reach there only by foot from Meppady, a small town near its valley. So naturally Chempara peak is a popular trekking trail in Kerala. One should get permission from the forest authorities before starting out.

Munnar is Known as Kashmir of South India & its situated in Kerala. Munnar is located at an altitude of 1600 feet above sea level. It is one of the attractions that contributed to Kerala’s popularity as a travel destination among domestic and foreign traveler's snuggled in the lap of such an alluring terrain, Munnar is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Kerala.

Silent Valley National Park. This is perhaps one of the last unexplored part of tropical evergreen forest in India. Silent Valley is situated in Nilgiri hills, Palakkad.

Kovalam is a beach town on the Arabian Sea located around 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala. It is also known as the paradise of the south. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. Kovalam has three beaches separated by rocky outcroppings in its 17 km coastline, the three together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach. Read more...

Best places to Visit in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Are you looking for interesting places to visit in Saudi Arabia? Dammam is capital of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Saudi arabia's Dammam is popular for its seaside view, desert camel riding, heritage village, coral island fishing and etc. You can find these activites at best places and popular destinations of dammam. For you to make your stay in Dammam worthwhile here are some of the things that you need to include in your to-do list.

National Museum

Visit this best places of attractions in dammam. To gain a rich understanding of Dammam’s history, head down to the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography. Housed by the Public Library, the museum is home to an extensive collection of exhibits that illustrate the regions unique culture. Exhibition halls showcase a wonderful array of traditional costumes, Bedouin craftwork and Islamic ceramics. This is popular destination for tourists.

Desert Camel Ride

Situated in the outskirts of Dammam is a huge expanse of sandy desert. However, this barren and desolate land is home to a lot of camels. There are many tours in Dammam that offer you a chance to ride the backs of these majestic desert animals for only a few dollars. You have to be very careful though, as camels can be feisty and can throw you easily off their backs.

King Fahd Park

Visitors can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and slip into the shade of King Fahd Park. One of Dammam’s most popular spots, the park sprawls across a whopping 67 acres of land and is lushly landscaped with a wonderful display of trees and plant life. Cool evenings can be spent taking a gentle stroll, and when peckish, picnicking by the edge of an ornamental lagoon.

Visit the Heritage Village

The best place to see antique stuffs and old architecture is the heritage village. The heritage village stands like a solid fortress, offering a wide collection of antique jewelry, old photos, ancient weapons and others. This will give you a glimpse of how the people from Dammam lived their lives throughout the ages. Basically, the heritage village has everything that you need to know in Dammam.

Coral island for fishing

The best place to go fishing in Dammam is the Coral Island. This is an island tourist destination which is 1,800 meters away from Corniche. This place has a lighthouse and offers boating facilities for amateur sports fishing activity or you can just cast your line at the shore of the island where you are guaranteed to catch small-sized to average-sized fish using bait like cuttlefish and shrimp.

Dammam Corniche

Damman’s delightful Corniche has fast become a top spot for locals and tourists alike. This seemingly endless stretch of waterfront has been fabulously landscaped and adorned with a number of vibrant art installations. Best explored on foot or by bike, the area offers dedicated sports sections, plenty of places to snack and best of all, unrivalled panoramic views of the captivating coastline.

Bahai Lotus Temple Top Tourist Attraction in Delhi

Baha'i Temple in Delhi is often compared to the Sydney Opera House. Located 12km southeast of Connaught Place, has emerged as a top attraction for the tourists. Popularly known as the Lotus Temple, Baha'i Temple is a major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance. There is no doubt that in years to come the temple will prove to be a mecca for the visitors. Baha'ism is considered to be a syncretism of the nine great religions of the world and traces its genesis to its prophet Baha'u'llah, born in Persia in the twentieth century.

Bahá'í temples must all be a nine-sided circular shape as set out in their scriptures, hence the solution of a lotus shape. Bahá'í is an independent religion founded around 1844. Their belief is in a mystic feeling with unites man with God and they do not dictate how that be done, hence their openness to other forms of worship within their temples.                                                    

The Baha'i Temple of Delhi is spectacular in its design. 27 wonderful huge white petals of an unfolding lotus made of marble spring from nine pools and walkways. This symbolizes the nine unifying spiritual paths of the faith. Experience the solitude of Baha'i Temple with Hotels of Delhi. As a matter of fact no travel to Delhi is complete without visiting the temple.

The Lotus Temple is a “Baha’i House of Worship” emphasizing in Baha’i religion. It was ready to display in 1986. The aim of the religion is to gather people of different religions in one place to worship God without any denominational restrictions. In the temple premises, only the holy scriptures of the Baha’i Faith and other religious books of different religions can be chanted. Prayers can be chanted but without any musical instrument.

Nestled in a quiet stretch amidst the busiest streets of the Indian capital is the distinctively unique and fascinatingly beautiful lotus-shaped insignia of the Bahai faith - the Lotus Temple tourist attraction in delhi. Built in 1986 by Bahá'u'lláh, this Bahai House of Worship, draws into its sanctum sanctorum people from across the globe irrespective of creed and community.

Bahai temple is most visited places to visit beacuse, it is the national flower of India and thus it stands for national combination but at the same time, lotus also linked with all the major Indian religions like Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. Lotus stands being a symbol of religion and purity in today’s selfish world. You need to visit the large prayer hall. The Baha’i`is pray to 1 God, the Creator from the Universe.

The Bahai Faith What distinguishes the Bahai faith from the legion of other religious adherences, is its raw faith minus the pomp and show, priests and sermons. Theirs is an ensemble of all holy writings in the world and they provide refuge to all humanity, no matter what caste, color or religion. Believers join hands to the Lord in complete quietude. Even when they sing, it is only the human voice that resonates in the dome-shaped temple interiors, no instruments accompany. There are about seven Bahai temples across the world surviving the lineage of peace and harmony amidst a chaotic world shedding blood and tears even in the name of one's faith.

The Bahai temples share certain architectural elements like the nine-sided, surmounted by a dome and a single undivided room under it. The white marbled Bahai temple, here, looks like a lotus in half bloom with 27 massive petals that lie at the confluence of nine pathways and pools all mirroring the Bahai beliefs that there are nine ways to reach God. The very structure and its interiors inspire faith and tranquility. Visitors sit and meditate for hours in complete silence. 

Burj khalifa - Tourist Attraction in Dubai

Explore the burj khalifa around the dubai,the most visit tourist sightseeing. Easily the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa rises over 2,716.5 feet and 160 stories in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Among its other world records are highest outdoor observation deck, most number of stories, tallest free-standing structure and tallest service elevator. This impressive list of achievements has turned the building into one of the kingdom's top tourist attractions.

At the Top, most visited Burj Khalifa tourist attraction, the world’s highest observatory deck having an outdoor terrace, has defined its credentials as one of Dubai’s most popular sightseeing tourist attractions, welcoming over 1.87 million visitors in 2013. Visitors to the observatory deck, located on Level 124, increased 13 percent in 2013, up from 1.66 million visitors the previous year. International tourists accounted for 50 plus percent of visitors to the leisure attraction, which offers majestic views across Dubai as well as the Gulf.

What are the some other talks about burj khalifa of dubai ? Germans comprised by far the most number of international tourists at 23 percent, followed by visitors from the UK (15 percent), Russia and India (11 percent each), america (10 percent), Saudi Arabia (7 percent), Australia, Italy, and China (5 percent each); and France and the Netherlands (4 percent each). Further underlining its popularity, At the very top, Burj Khalifa, was this season crowned top tourist attraction in dubai the Middle East at the Conde Nast Reader’s Choice Awards.
Ahmad Al-Falasi, executive director, property control over Emaar Properties PJSC, said: “At the very best, Burj Khalifa is a key contributor to Dubai’s tourism sector and is not merely a must-see attraction for tourists but also well-liked by UAE residents. The one-of-a-kind attraction offers unparalleled views throughout the city.”

Best beaches of italy for summer vacations

Want to head to the beach in Italy? Great idea! With over 5,000 miles of coastline, Italy boasts countless beautiful beaches.What more can be stated about beautiful, unique Italy, already among the top cultural and sightseeing destinations on the planet, it is also an excellent location for a lazy summer holiday.With more than 4,500 miles of coastlines, east, west and south, beach holidays in Italy provide something for everybody - dazzling purpose made resorts lined with loungers and parasols, barely explored rocky crags and bays, laid-back family retreats, and vibrant party hotspots - don’t lose out on this varied, incomparable country. Here are some beautiful beaches of italy listed for your romantic honeymoon with great attractions of natural beauty-

Su Tiriarzu, Sardinia

When it comes to great beaches, you’re spoiled for choice in Sardinia, the large island off Italy’s western coast. But with its sparkling water, powder-white sand and lush Mediterranean vegetation, the beach at Su Turiarzu has to be one of Sardinia’s best. And don’t just take our word for it: The beach recently received the “Five Sails Award” from Italy’s environmental association Legambiente and the Touring Club’s “Guida Blu.” It’s also rated as the best beach in Italy for its water quality and environmentally-friendly initiatives.Situated in the medieval town of Posada on the east coast of Sardinia, it is easily accessible and thanks to its shallow waters, an ideal spot for families with children. While here, don’t forget to soak in the rich history and culture of one of the oldest towns on the island.

Tuscany - Best Cultural beach of Italy

You'll rarely hear an English word spoken on Tuscany's long and varied coastline, since most travelers are drawn to its incomparable cities. But the beaches happen to be close to some less-visited but well-preserved villages with rich archaeological sites.

San Domino, Tremeti Islands

San Domino is the greener of the three Tremeti Islands, its pines offering welcome shade from the heat. Although there’s a sandy beach – Calla delle Arene – right where the ferry lands, it gets packed in the summer. Instead, follow signs for the Villagio TCI and head for the Calla dello Spido – one of many of the quieter coves in the west of the island.

Fornillo, Amalfi coast

While most visitors to the Amalfi coast’s Positano head to the swanky Spiaggia Grande, in-the-know visitors—especially those in search of peace and quiet—beeline to Fornillo Beach, just a 10-minute walk away. And who says spectacular beaches have to be sandy? Fornillo’s pebbled stones give the beach its charm. And the view of the Amalfi coast’s iconic cliffs, not to mention a Norman tower, make it even more picturesque. Better yet, Fornillo is generally quiet and peaceful… although it can get crowded in summer months.