The town of Kataragama in Sri Lanka is famed as a popular pilgrimage destination for many devotees from all parts of the country and even overseas, attracting Hindus, Buddhists and even the indigenous Veddah community. Hindu and Buddhist veneration of Kataragama has been practiced for centuries, with followers of these two religions holding slightly different beliefs regarding the site. Tamil Hindus identify the presiding deity of the locality as Lord Katirkaman, who is identified as Skanda-Murugan, also known as Subramanya. Buddhists, on the other hand, consider the local divinity to be Kataragama Deviyo, a protective deity of Buddhists and their religion. In fact the town is revered as one of the sixteen most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the island. However there is no doubt …

In all the many Chinese Festivals that fill up the calendar perhaps nothing tops the spook chart than the Hungry Ghosts Festival. The name itself is a crowd puller and whoever makes the audience is fascinated by the range of events lined up from the beginning to the end. The story behind the festival is just as interesting as the festival itself. The Chinese believe that every year at around the time of the festival, the gates of Hell are opened and the spirits from here are set free to roam the earth. As tribute to these souls of the dead, this festival is commemorated and several Chinese people gather on this day to remember and pray for the deceased members of their family. In …

The Queen of United Kingdom is without a doubt one of the most iconic personalities in the world. The British Royalty has a rich and vibrant history of over 1000 years, and served as the monarch for England as well as all the nations in the British Empire which was in existence from during the 16th Century to the 20th Century. The Monarch of United Kingdom is also the head of state of the United Kingdom and also of 15 other nations which are part of the Commonwealth. Although before the 1600’s the monarch of the United Kingdom held a great deal of power, today the monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, is a constitutional monarch and a figurehead. Yet the Queen of …

While holidaying at a destination that gives you a chance to play on some of the most scenic courses in the region is incentive enough for golfers, the Hua Hin Golf Festival adds even more to the allure of this idyllic coastal getaway. This annual festival generally takes place between August and September and those in search of beach hotels Hua Hin Thailand has to offer that makes an ideal base for their stay can consider Anantara Hua Hin Thailand Resort. One of the best Hua Hin hotels in the area, this well placed property is also within easy reach of several golf courses including the Palm Hills course. Attracting amateur and veteran golfers alike, the Hua Hin Golf Festival gives you the chance to play at some of …

With its central position as a provider of fuel to the world, Abu Dhabi has done its duty by initiating an international exhibition for petroleum and is already to go on board in 2013. ADIEPEC as it is best known for the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference will take place in November 2013 between the 10th and 13th. Having had 15 successful years behind it had helped this year’s conference that is scheduled to be held in even grander style with much attention to various important areas associated with the industry of petroleum. As the conference keeps its topics and themes in close association with the trends of the industry, this year’s theme has been named as ‘gas as a primary and useful …

Kataragama is a town located in the south of the island nation of Sri Lanka that is a noteworthy pilgrimage destination for Hindus, Buddhists and the indigenous Veddah people alike. Even devotees from southern India come to this venerated site to pay their respects at the sacred shrines gracing the locale. The site of veneration is the Kataragama temple, known in the Sinhalese language as the Kataragama devalaya; it stands in honour of God Skanda-Murugan or Kataragamadeviyo as the locals call the deity. Tamil followers of the Hindu faith, both in Sri Lanka and southern India, call the location Katirkamam. The deity is variously known as Skanda-Murugan, Katiradeva, Subramanya, Kandasamy, Tarakajith and other names by the Hindu community. The god is depicted as having twelve …