The many sizzling avatars of Vidya Balan

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World's top 10 Most Expensive Spirits and Liquors

Many like to tilt one back now and again — or again and again. And the price of alcohol, in its various guises, ranges from free jailhouse hooch to holy shit! For the budget-conscious boozer there’s a certain cost-benefit analysis to purchasing your tipple of choice. For the uber-rich, getting lit never cost so much. Is it worth the price, or a case of fools and their money? So we’re talking wine, Bourbon, Scotch, beer, Cognac, you name it. Some in the list are artifacts of history, some are still being made, and some are just plain kitsch. Ten different permutations of ethyl alcohol; the high cost of getting high:

10. $100 Market Price — $7,686 for One Bottle of Beer

It stands to reason that the working man’s Champagne is the only product on this list that the working man can afford. But at $100 a bottle, Sam Adams’s “Utopias” is too rich for my blood alcohol level. It does come bottled in a cute, brewing-kettle shaped bottle, and with an alcohol content of 25% by volume (strongest beer in the world), it gives a bit of bang for the buck. However, $7,686 was paid at auction for the first bottle of Tutankhamun Ale. It was developed by Cambridge University scientists who gleaned the recipe from hieroglyphics and brewing dregs from the catacombs of one of Tut’s in-laws. The remaining lot of beer was sold for about $76 per bottle

9. $350 Bourbon

Evan Williams 23 year old Bourbon tops the bourbon elite with a price tag of $350. It is available only at the distillery

8. $10,000 Cognac

The big Cognac houses always seem to one-up each other for the distinction of super-duper-ultra-deluxe-mega-killer-kick-A Cognac. The latest entry is Remy Martin’s venerable Louis XIII’s upscale “Black Pearl,” selling for over $10,000 a bottle. Unlike the regular Louis XIII bottling (about $1500), Black Pearl is blended from 1200 different eau-de-vie raging in age from 40 to 100 years. It’s so exclusive that it’s sold by invitation only. Lowlifes can’t even look at the product at their website without a password. (Oo la la!)

7. $14,730 Bottle of Champagne

Yes, I know Champagne is wine and I already have a wine category, but it deserves a special category because it’s… well its Champagne! In 2005, a Methuselah of 1990 Louis Roederer Cristal, fetched $14,730 at auction. A Methuselah (explanation) is a giant bottle of Champagne equal to eight regular sized (750ml) bottles. So, really it was only like $1,841.25 a bottle. What a deal!

6. $54,000 Rum

Irie irie, mon! Jamaican rum for $54,000? Four bottles of this rum bottled in the 1940’s were discovered recently. Why it’s believed to be so valuable, I do not know. I didn’t think rum was trendy enough to fetch this price. Maybe Bob Marley pickled something in it.

5. $75,000 Scotch Whisky

With a release price of $38,000, a bottle of The Macallan “Fine and Rare Collection,” 1926, was sold to a South Korean businessman in 2005 for $75,000. Unlike many other products on this list, this bottle is not a collectable for collection’s sake, nor an excuse for a lavish bottle. The money paid for this Scotch is money paid for the stuff in the bottle, and it‘s meant to be drunk. For these reasons, I elect The Macallan as the most expensive social lubricant on Earth. If you’d care to try it without investing in a whole bottle, an Atlantic City casino sells a 2oz. pour for only $3,300!

4. $160,000 Bottle of Wine

At a 1985 Sotheby’s auction, a bottle of 1787 Chateau Lafite was purchased for $160,000. Even without adjusting for inflation, this still stands as the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold (or bought even). Why so much for an undrinkable bottle of rotted vinegar? This relic was in the proud possession of Thomas Jefferson, whose initials are etched into the bottle.

3. $200,000 Bottle of Irish Whisky

Found in 2005, this century-old bottle is from Ireland’s Nun’s Island distillery (defunct since 1908). Attempts to locate a sample came to naught until a lady, unsolicited, walked into a liquor store with a bottle in hand. She thought it “might be worth something” and wanted to see if the proprietor knew what it might be worth. It’s worth something, but priced at over $200,000 it has yet to sell in over 2 years. When it sells, it will be by far the most expensive bottle of whisky or whiskey. Any takers?

2. $1,000,000+ Bottle of Vodka?

How crazy will the trendy, high-end vodka craze get? I’ve always been fairly certain vodka is all about a cool bottle and a hip name. Now I’m certain. “Diva” vodka seeks to trump all-comers — game, set, and burp. This triple distilled vodka, like many other vodkas, is also charcoal filtered. The charcoal in Diva’s case comes from a different array of carbon bonds; the vodka is filtered through crushed diamonds. But what really ups the price is the custom-made bottle. Inside each bottle is an array of real gemstones, the quantity and quality of which depend on how much you’re willing to pay. A high-end bottle of Diva (“low-end” being $3,700) will cost you more than a million dollars. Wanna do shots?

1. $1,500,000 Bottle of Tequila?

Tequila Ley .925 sells a 6 year old 100% Blue Agave Tequila in a pure platinum bottle for $225,000. Yes, some sucker actually bought one. If you’re on a budget, you can get the half-gold, half-platinum version for $150,000. The company now produces a one million Euro bottle ($1.5 million USD) which is platinum encrusted with diamonds. They must be a bit hard-pressed to sell it, since they offer a one hundred thousand Euro finder’s fee if you can find a buyer. If the bottle sells, it’ll be the most expensive bottle of any alcohol. Curiously, the company is not too discriminating as to what goes in the bottle; they’ll fill it with some Cognac if you prefer.

BONUS: Most Expensive Bottle of Wine Never Sold? In 1989, another of Thomas Jefferson’s Bordeaux’s (this time a 1787 Chateau Margaux) was taken to the Four Seasons restaurant in New York to show it off. Near the end of the evening, a waiter bumped the dinner table and upended the wine, resulting in a total loss. A total insured loss of $225,000. Cheers!

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Anna breaks fast after 288 hours, nation relieved

Anna Hazare ended his 12-day fast Sunday morning before tens of thousands of cheering supporters at Ramlila Maidan by sipping a glass of coconut water with honey offered to him by two girls

According to yahoo news Anna Hazare agrees to end hunger strike

An Indian reform activist agreed Saturday to end an 11-day hunger strike after Parliament expressed nonbinding support for parts of his anti-graft plan, ending a drama that had deeply embarrassed a government plagued by corruption scandals. The 74-year-old Anna Hazare had demanded sweeping legislation to create a government watchdog, but said Parliament's move was enough to persuade him to begin eating. "It's only a half victory. Total victory is yet to come," he told thousands of cheering supporters at a protest ground in New Delhi. Hazare, who has lost more than 16 pounds (7.5 kilograms), said he planned to break his fast Sunday morning. Following a nine-hour debate Saturday, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Parliament that the "sense of the House" was in favor of Hazare's demands that the proposed bill ensure greater transparency in governance and include millions of low-level bureaucrats and state officials under its purview. Lawmakers thumped their desks in support, and the bill was referred to a committee to be debated and revised. "The Parliament has spoken ... and the will of the Parliament is the will of the people," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the NDTV news channel. Hazare had called for a formal vote on the nonbinding resolution, but his aides said Parliament's actions still amounted to a victory for a protest that has attracted tens of thousands of supporters to his demonstration in the capital and more to rallies around the country. "Now at least the Parliament has had to take cognizance of the people's wish, and that is to wipe out corruption from this country," said Medha Patkar, a protest organizer. Hazare had initially wanted far more when he began his fast on Aug. 16, demanding the government withdraw its own bill to create a limited watchdog panel, introduce his far-reaching plan into Parliament and pass it with limited amendments by Aug. 30. Government officials dismissed his plan — which would let the watchdog prosecute the prime minister, judiciary and state officials — as unconstitutional and his methods as a form of blackmail anathema to democracy. Yet, the enormous outpouring of support for Hazare by Indians disgusted at the corruption infesting all aspects of public life surprised top officials and forced them to take him and his reform campaign seriously. There is a need for "change in the system," Mukherjee told Parliament. However, he dampened expectations for what the proposed bill could accomplish. "Does any one of us believe seriously ... that any one piece of legislation, however powerful and effective it may be, however independent and empowered it may be, that piece of legislation will completely eradicate corruption?" he asked. The government appeared to be flailing through much of Hazare's hunger strike as protest organizers used social media and India's breathless 24-hour news channels to spread their message and gather support. But officials worked in recent days to retake control of the debate, and Singh's speech in Parliament on Thursday praising Hazare and offering to have lawmakers debate several proposed drafts of the bill, including Hazare's, appeared to turn the tide. Hazare then softened his stand, asking only for Parliament to pass the nonbinding resolution on a few of his key demands. Mukherjee kicked off the unscheduled debate Saturday by warning lawmakers they were bound by oath to act "within the constitutional framework, without violating supremacy of Parliament." The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party expressed dismay at the government's proposal for the anti-graft law, which does not include the prime minister and judiciary in its purview. But its senior lawmaker Arun Jaitley told the assembly that "nobody can dispute that Indian Parliament is supreme when it comes to law making."

My trip to srisailam

I went to Srisailam for a day or two. Srisailam has one of India's largest reservoirs. I started off from Nellore by a APSRTC bus by 11 PM and reached the base of the hills by 5 AM. We were stopped in front of a very beautiful, big and new Ayyappan Temple. Nice bakthi songs were emanating from the temple and it was wonderful to be in front of that temple in that early morning hour in half sleep in the backdrop of those bakthi songs. I thought we were stopped just for a tea and didn’t wake up but learnt only later that we were waiting for the forest road to open. Finally it was opened by 5:45 AM and took us a solid 1hr 50 min to climb the hill and reach the top i took the lodging at GANDLA SATRAM.I made my first halt just short of the dam, where i had breakfast (idly & masala dhosa). Washed this down with some Gatorade - lemon flavored. For those who aren't acquainted with this drink - it's really good, tangy and refreshing. I personally like it a lot.i visited the main temple - the Brahmarambha Mallikarjuna Swamy templeone of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.. This is a Shiva temple of antiquity, which may be traced back to the Buddhist period and perhaps even earlier to the Mahayana school of the Buddhism, which is known to have flourished during the 1st century A.D. The temple is located inside a fort with stone walls which in turn had motifs sculpted on the walls. The entrance to the temple is flanked by two gaily colored guardians.

Shrines inside the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple:

1. Vrudhamallikarjuna Swamy

This lingam is said to be oldest than the present Mallikarjuna swamy lingam. There is no Nandhi in front of it. The lingam is uneven on its outer face indicating its ancientness and it was worshipped by Chandravathi. Hence it is called Vrudha Mallikarjuna swamy.

2. Ardhanareeswar:

This oldest idol is in the northern side of the temple and its period is unknown.

3. Lingas installed by Pandavas

Five temple are situated beside the Ardhanareseswara temple.

4. Mallika Gundam (water well):

According to mythology, this Gundam was part of the Saraswathi river, which flows in the inner of the Krishna river. This Saraswathi river is called ‘Antaarvahine’ which means it is flowing along with other rivers i.e. Krishna. Many devotees used this Mallika Gundam water to heal their diseases. Another important aspect being that the shade of the Mallikarjuna shrine/ Gopuram is being reflected in this ‘Gundam’.

8. Tri fruit tree (Triphala Vruksham):

Juvvi, Ravi and Medi plants together grown as one tree. It was said that Acharya Nagarjuna and others were given deeksha under this tree. There is a belief that childless couples will be blessed with child by doing pradakshina here.

Ashtadasa Maha Sakthi-peetas

Brahmarambigai Temple

Goddess Bramarambika is one of the manifestations of Goddess Shakti. In this form, She is the consort of Mallikarjuna Swamy (Shiva) at the Srisailam Temple. There are several legends associated with Bhramaramba Devi and one of the most popular one is she releasing thousands of bees to annihilate a demonLegend has it that a demon named Arunasura after strict austerities and penance pleased God Brahma and gained the boon that he will not be killed by any living being with two or four legs. After acquiring the boon, he started troubling devas, saints and humans. Due to the boon, Devas were unable to defeat him. Finally, all living beings approached Goddess Durga and requested to save them from Arunasura. Goddess Durga then released thousands of bees, which had six legs, from her body. They stung the Asura to death. Goddess Durga remained in the form of Bramarambika at Srisailam. At Srisailam Temple, Bhramaramba Devi is depicted as having eight arms and is adorned with silk sari. Married women perform different pujas for a happy and prosperous family life. Srisailam Templs is popularly known as Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple..

Places of interest in Srisailam and surroundings

Sakshi Ganapati Temple

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Sakshi Ganapati Temple located at the hill town of Srisailam is placed under the backdrop of picturesque natural settings. This temple enshrines a black idol of Lord Ganesha (Ganapati). This idol is assumed as the witness (Sakshi) Ganapati for the visit of the travelers to this place.

SIKHARAM

This most sacred spot is located at about 8 Km from the main temple at a height of 2830 feet above the mean sea level. It is the highest peak of Srisailam Hills.In ancient days people used to come to Srisailam on foot and those who unable to reach the shrine returned back by seeing this peak.

Akka mahadevi caves

During 12th Century A.D. this cave appeared to have attained it’s present name Akka Mahadevi caves after the famous ascetic, lyricist and philosopher, Akka Mahadevi who hailed from Karnataka. It is believed that Akka Mahadevi did penance in this cave and worshipped the Sivalinga that naturally existed in the deep and dark end of the cave.

Srisailam Dam

Srisailam Dam is a prime attraction in the hilly region of Srisailam in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. It is constructed across the famous Krishna River and is placed in a deep canyon in the thickly wooded Nallamala hill range. The dam has an elevation of about 300 m and has a length 512 m.Srisailam dam is acclaimed as one of the twelve largest hydroelectric power project in India and has 12 radial crest gates. The dam is set on the backdrop of Nallamala forests and the vibrant flow of Krishna River. It is a hot tourist spot for those looking for natural eye feasting attractions.

Mallela Theertham

Mallela Theertham is a waterfall in the middle of the dense forest,50 km from Srisailam, take a turn to the destination and drive on a bumpy, muddy road which is unmotorable during the rainy season and around 250 steps down the valley to the waterfal

It is said that many sages have performed penances here for Shiva; and Lord Shiva has himself appeared here to many of his devotees. It is also said that many tigers visit this place to drink water during summer.

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About Sasan Gir Wildlife National Park

The Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary lies on the southwestern fringes of the Saurashtra Peninsula. The sanctuary is home to some 432 Asiatic lions. The sanctuary was created in 1913 to provide protection to the largest surviving groups of the Asiatic lions. It was given the status of the sanctuary in 1965. The vegetation of the sanctuary consists of teak and deciduous trees including Sal (Shorea), Dhak (Butea frondosa) and Thorn Forests. The forest has a rugged terrain with steep rocky hillsides. There are A few springs also, but their flow generally depend upon the season. The Asiatic Lions had once become almost extinct specie. The number of Asiatic lions has been steadily on the rise since 1980 in the Gir Lion Sanctuary. The Asiatic Lion attracts a lot of visitors to the park every year. Sasan Gir is the only place in the world where the lion can be seen in its natural habitat outside the African continent. The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African counterpart. The lion Safaris are popular among tourists. Jeeps and minibuses are freely available for touring the forest. The best time of the day to observe lions in their natural surroundings is at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. Though the Asiatic lion is an elusive creature, a morning safari has a good chance of spotting the beast. The sanctuary provides natural habitat to other species like Chital, Chinkara (Gazelle), Four-Horned Antelope, Leopard, Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar and Wild Ass. Monkeys, Parrots and peacock can also be seen around the forest. Adjacent to the Sihn Sadan Lodge is the Crocodile-Rearing and Research Center, where hatchlings are reared and then released into their natural habitat.

myself at sasan gir

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