Unique Countries Of The World

Australia : Country As Well Continent

Australia is the only country in the world which covers a whole

continent, every other continent has more than one country. It is the only 

country that is also a continent, and the only continent that is also a country. 

It is the sixth largest country in the world with a total area of 7,686,850 sq km (2,967,909 sq. mi), making it slightly smaller than the contiguous 48 states of the United States and 31.5 times larger than the United Kingdom. The photo is of olgas in Northern Territory of Australia.

Canada: Country Of Lakes

Canada has an extremely large number of lakes. More than 60 percent 

of the world's lakes are in Canada, this is because of the deranged drainage 

system that dominates the country. Canada has a huge number of lakes (the 

exact total number is unknown). Part of the reason is that Canada has at least 3 million lakes and in some regions, there are as many as 30 lakes for every 100 sq km (39 sq mi). The picture of Peyto Lake. 

Mongolia : Least Densely Populated Country

The country with the world's lowest population density is Mongolia 

with a population density of approximately 4,4 people per square mile 

(1,7 people/sq km). Mongolia's 2.5 million people occupy over 600,000 

square miles of land (about 1,560,000 sq km). Most of that population is

in urban areas, since development in Mongolia's vast deserts and grazing

lands is hindered in part by drought and dust storms, leaving those parts

of the country nearly as empty as they were in Genghis Khan's time. 

Libya :Country Of Deserts

Country with the highest percentage of desert is Libya (99%). The Libyan

Desert, which covers most of Libya, is one of the most arid places on earth. 

In some places, decades may pass without rain, and even in the highlands 

rainfall seldom happens, once every 5-10 years. The picture is Libyan Desert.

Suriname :Country Of Jungles

The estimated forest area is 14.8 million hectares (57 000 sq mi), which 

is 91% of the total land area (16.3 million hectares or 63 000 sq mi). 

Suriname's extensive forest cover and low population, about 400,000 

concentrated in the capital and coastal cities, give it one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world. Only 5 percent of the population lives in

the rainforest; this includes indigenous peoples and six tribes of Maroons-descendants of escaped slaves who recreated forest communities centuries

ago and today retain their traditional West African style. The photo is of central Suriname Nature Reserve. 

Ukraine :Fastest Disappearing Nation

The country with the highest decrease in the natural birth rate is Ukraine, 

with a natural decrease of 0.8% each year. Ukraine is expected to lose 

28% of their population between now and 2050 (from 46.8 million now to 

33.4 million in 2050). 

Netherlands :Country Below Sea Level

More than half of the Netherlands sits below sea level, and if a massive 

storm were to break through the dunes, Rotterdam would be inundated in 

24 hours. Today, approximately 27 percent of the Netherlands is actually 

below sea level. This area is home to over 60 percent of the country's population of 15.8 million people. The Netherlands, which is approximately the size of the U.S. states Connecticut and Massachusetts combined, has an approximate average elevation of 11 meters (36 feet). The Netherlands ties Lemmefjord, Denmark for claim to the lowest point in Western Europe - Prince Alexander Polder lies at 23 feet (7 meters) below sea level. 

Tuvalu :The Least Visited Country

This is the fourth smallest country in the world. Tuvalu is located 

halfway between Australia and Hawaii, and it's predicted to be the first

country to vanish beneath the waves when global warming pushes sea-

levels high enough. It's also very difficult to get to - you're looking at 

sporadic, expensive flights from Fiji. Tuvalu has a grand total of 1,100

tourists a year.

Indonesia :Country Of Islands

Indonesia consists of more than 17,500 islands with a total coastline

of 81,350 km (50,549 miles). Around 6,000 of these are inhabited. The 

largest islands are Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, Bali, Lombok and 

Flores. This country contains 10-15 percent of the world's coral reefs.

India :Country Of Geographical Diversities

The uniqueness of Indian culture lies in its geographical diversities,

natural wealth, vast population and people's attitude among other things. 

There are few countries, which may compare with extreme climatic

conditions like India has. When people in the northern parts of country would 

be shivering with chilling cold one can find people in the south bare feet. 

Top 10 Iconic Places to Photograph

Antarctica

Venice, Italy

Machu Picchu, Peru

Stonehenge, England

Taj Mahal, India

Easter Island

Ta Prahm Temple, Cambodia

The Serengeti, Tanzania

The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Papua New Guinea

Around the world in images - From Paris to Cuba

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Palitana Temple :: Gujarat

Palitana is the greatest and biggest pilgrimage center and sacred place of Jains. The Shwetambar Jain community believes that the hill of Palitana (Siddhachal) is eternal. Rshabhadev (Adinath), the first Jain Tirthankara, came here several times and preached. Billions of monks and nuns have attained Nirvana (Salvation) from this hill from times immemorial.

It is also believed that hundred millions monks leaded by Dravida andVarikhilla attained here Nirvana on the auspicious day of Kartika Purnima (Full moon day in the month of Kartika according to Indian lunar calendar) and fifty millions leaded by Nami and Vinami on Chaitri Purnima (Full moon day in the month of Chaitra according to Indian lunar calendar).

Palitana is a city in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. It is located 50 km southwest of Bhavnagar city .

The Palitana temples are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place (tirtha) by the Jain community, and is the world's largest Temple Complex. There are more than 3000 temples located on the Shatrunjaya hills, exquisitely carved in marble. The main temple on top of the hill, is dedicated to 1st tirthankar lord Adinath (Rishabdeva).

On the top the Shatrunjai Hill is a cluster of Jain temples, built by generations of Jains over a period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards. The temples are managed by the Anandji Kalyanji Trust of the Kasturbai Lalbhai group.

From the foot of the hill to the top there are 3,800 and odd stone steps cut to facilitate climbing.The steps were hewn out of the rock in the 13th century CE during the time of Jain minister Vastupal.

The temples are exquisitely carved in marble, veritable prayers in stone. To an observer, these appear to be ivory miniatures when seen from a distance. Created by master craftsmen, the most important temple is that of the first teerthankara, Shri Adishwar. It has ornate architectural motifs, though in its overall plan it is simpler than the Choumukh.

Other notable temples are those of Kumarpal, Vimalshah and Sampriti Raja. Kumarpal Solanki, a great Jain patron, probably built the earliest temple. The temple has a fabulous collection of jewels, and these can be seen with special permission.

The temples date from 11th to the 20th century

On one special day (Fagun Sud 13), which usually falls in February/March of every year (According to Hindu Calender, it is 13th Day of Sud Cycle in the month of Falgun) there is a huge crowd of thousands of people visiting its place as it is said that on this particular day, millions of Jain followers attained salvation from this Hill. Also the pilgrim on that day is almost 3 times as compared to any other day which is also called as "6 Gaon" which is approximately 15-18 Kilometers of walk and climbing of Hilly terrain.

Every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of the mountain at least once in his lifetime, because of its sanctity. The journey is arduous. The walk up the stone stairway hewn into the mountain face takes about an hour and a half. For those unable or unaccustomed to the strain, sling-chairs are available at a bargain.The code for the climbers is stringent, in keeping with the rigours of the Jain faith. Food must neither be eaten nor carried on the way.They can, however, drink water and water posts are provided all along the route

Moti Shah Toonk (Temple) at the top of Siddhachal hills

The descent must begin before it is evening, for no soul can remain atop the sacred mountain during the night. Such is the mystique of Palitana, the summit of Shatrunjaya. While atop one can also visit a Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. The childless women seek the Pir's blessings to be blessed with children. They offer miniature cradles to the Pir and the shrine is strewn with such cradles.

Facts about Palitana :

Shetrunjay Temples: Steps: 3364

Height: 2000 ft; 7.5 miles

Pratima (Idols): 27007 Jinmandir: 3507

A recently concluded count reveals that there are a total of more than 27,000 idols of jain god on this mountain alone

No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods

There are 900 temples big and small on the two summits. The sculptures that adorn the marble temples present a feast to the eyes. You need not be a Jain to admire the spectacle. Generations of Jain all over the country have contributed their mite to make Shatrunjay Hill what it is today.

Samavasharana temple in Palitana valley

It is said all the Jain Tirthankars, excepting Neminath, had attained nirvan on Shatrunjay Hill. This fact adds to the veneration the devout have for the place. The place is therefore called Siddhakshetra where one attains moksh.The mountain is associated with Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar who is also known as Adinath.

Carving in lime in Neminath Temple, Shatrunjay Hills, Palitana

The main temple at the top contains his idol in padmasan. He belonged to the Ikshvaku Dynasty of Ayodhya. So Rama was his ancestor. Adinath visited the Shatrunjay Hill 93 times.

Every shrine has idols of Tirthankars adorned with jeweled eyes.

Jain sacred symbol Hrimkara with 24 Tirthankaras

Jain sacred symbol Omkara with Pancha Parameshthi

Tirthankar Sumatinath, Mulanayaka, Sancha Sumatinath Temple, Talheti, Palitana.

Sri Adinath Rshabh Deva, Mulanayak, Agam mandir, Palitana Talheti