|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How do you plan to say goodbye to 2011 and welcome the first rays of the New Year? Maybe huddled in your blanket in front of the TV watching the world celebrate; or partying with a small group of friends; or chanting devotional mantras for prosperity; or just following your daily routine wondering what’s so special about the first break of dawn of the New Year? If none of the above appeals to you then nature at its freshest beckons you with its first sunrise of the New Year. You can join the party with a host of others to witness the sun illuminate the world and welcome 2012. City of Dawn
Spirituality also comes in great abundance when you sit on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, which is among the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. The rising morning sun offers a fascinating play of light and shade on the gentle waves. Better still is to take a boat ride and pay obeisance to the sun, which seems to rise out of the holy river amid the sound of chants all around. Height of Spirituality
For achieving even greater heights in spirituality in the New Year you could head for the Likir monastery near Leh in Ladakh. There is no mistaking the Likir Monastery even from a distance. Originally built in the 11th century, it has a tall and stately Buddha sitting atop it and guarding the stark barren mountains. The monastery, in fact, is the separating point of the Indus valley and the Nubra valley, which is in the highest desert in the world, and was once a part of the famed Silk Route. The stunningly barren mountainscape affords breath-taking views of the sunrise providing an altogether exotic experience. Indeed, the best sunrises can sometimes be viewed from high mountains. Tiger Hill in Darjeeling is rightly described as one of the world's best place to see a sunrise. The journey to Darjeeling by train can itself be spectacular. It offers breathtaking views of the vertical waterfalls, gentle mist rising up the verdant valleys and the ethereal splendour of the snows of the Kanchenjunga range. Head for the Tiger Hills at the crack of dawn on the New Year. You will witness one of the most awe-inspiring sunrises over the Himalayas as the twin peaks of the Kanchenjunga are bathed in the orange and pink hues of the first rays of the sun. India offers many more spots to usher in the New Year. One of them is the Taj Mahal. Since the New Year eve falls on a Saturday, you could plan a weekend at Agra — provided you book accommodation in advance. The Taj has one of the most stunning sunrises in the world. People throng the Taj in the morning to watch the silhouette of the stunning minaret bathed in the orange glow of the rising sun. In the Backwaters One of the most splendid New Year sunrise ideas is cruising the backwaters of Kerala in a boat that the natives call kettuvalam. Starting from the Kumarakom jetty, the backwaters are an exhilarating experience. It is a journey across 14,000 canals snaking through Puthencode down to Kavalam and Pulicunnu villages. The sight of the first sunrise of the New Year shimmering on the rippling water with coconut trees swaying in the breeze amid vast expanses of paddy fields can be an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. Globetrotting If you have the inclination — and the moolah — you could travel to some of the hotspots of the world to watch the year’s first sunrise. These include places like Santorini Island, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and many more. Sunrise of the Gods
In fact, the Santorini Islands in the Aegean Sea in Greece is among the best known places in the world to view a scenic sunrise. According to legend, at the dawn of every New Year gods used to collect in the Santorini Island to watch the beautiful sunrise. Today tourists throng to various vantage points on the cliffs dotting the island to soak in the scenic delight. It is the picturesque village of Oia, which has one of the most photographed sunrises in the world. For wildlife enthusiasts the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is truly a dream come true. But there is another majestic offering by nature — the deep orange sun spreading its rays on the endless grassy plains of Serengeti. It is truly an experience of a lifetime. Very few people who visit Singapore know that nature showers its rays on the island every New Year. Sentosa, the largest of the 63 islands that make Singapore, offers excellent sunrises. The oil refineries spewing smoke in the background diffuse the sunrays into an alluring rainbow of colours making it one of the most brilliant views of the world. Pyramids of Giza Though there’s trouble in paradise, Egyptian pyramids are still one of the best places to see the sunrise. It can be any avid photographer’s Zen moment to capture the golden rays of the sun spreading on the desert horizon behind the Great Pyramids of Giza creating a stunning and surreal effect. From Egypt to South Africa is a short haul. Cape Town in South Africa is one of the most picturesque cities in the world. There are plenty of short cruises in the early morning that ply the waters to the point where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. It is here that you will see one of the most spectacular sunrises. Can any discussion about natural beauty be ever complete without the mention of Switzerland? The Alpine peaks of Switzerland are truly the abode of the Gods. As you alight from the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway Train you will be completely captivated by the breathtaking scenery all around you. But reserve your surprises for the early morning. It is a sight to behold as the sun rises from behind, lighting up the mountain with its golden rays. Grand Canyon
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
If you have a spiritual
bent of mind, head for Pondicherry or Puducherry, which has over 350
churches, temples and mosques, making it a virtual Mecca for the
devout of different religions. The focal point is the striking and
famous Aurobindo Ashram founded by poetphilosopher Sri Aurobindo in
1926. After paying homage to the saint, head for Auroville — the
City of Dawn — on the Chennai-Puducherry highway. This is an abode
of peace where meditation and yoga are a way of life. Soak in the
sounds of silence as you commune with God and pay obeisance to the
first rays of the New Year.
The US, too, offers some
of the most outstanding sunrises. According to the National
Geographic, the Grand Canyon is one of the 10 best places in the world
to watch the most beautiful sunrises. Set amid the Arizona desert, the
spectacular canyon has been carved out by River Colarado and is a
great setting for viewing the sunrise with its play of bright light
that changes the landscape dramatically.