Bangalore's awesome street art

Snarling tigers, statuesque dancers, cricket superstarts, a freeze-frame from Raja Ravi Varma, even a mural from Conan the Barbarian -- these are not ordinary pictures. They are streetside murals in banglore citi...

An Indian auto rickshaw driver passes a wall mural depicting a tiger in Bangalore on July 22, 2010.

An Indian college student walks past a wall mural depicting a tiger in Bangalore on July 30, 2010.

Commuters drive past a painting on the side wall of an under-pass road in Bangalore on November 9, 2009. Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) - Greater Bangalore Municipal Body - has embarked on the idea of painting the city walls with colourful motifs and designs. This will not only make the road-side walls get a character of their own, but also please the eyes of commuters. The exercise is also an effort to get rid of the posters and to provide an employment opportunity to artists and also give them a chance to show their talent.

ndian women pass a wall mural in Bangalore on July 30, 2010.

Sari-clad Indian women stand infront of a mural depicting former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly (L) and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (R) in Bangalore on July 20, 2010..AFP PHOTO/Dibyangshu SARKAR Sari-clad Indian women stand infront of a mural depicting former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly (L) and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (R) in Bangalore on July 20,

An Indian couples on a scooter drives past a wall mural in Bangalore on July 21, 2010.

An Indian woman walks past a wall mural depicting Jesus Christ in Bangalore on July 22, 2010.

An Indian man passes a wall mural depicting Conan the Barbarian fighting a dragon in Bangalore on July 30, 2010

An Indian college student stands by a wall mural in Bangalore on July 21, 2010.

An Indian woman walks past a wall mural depicting an elephant in Bangalore on July 21, 2010.

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Hongkong Billionaire Offers $65 Million (342 cr) to Any Man Who Can Marry His Lesbian Daughter

Would you like $65 million? Are you irresistible to women—all women?

if you answered yes to both these questions you need to get to Hong Kong as fast as you can, because billionaire Cecil Chao Sze-Tsung has an offer you’d be foolish to refuse. The property magnate will give that princely sum to any man who can marry his 33-year-old daughter, Gigi (pictured). The only problem? Gigi is already married—to a lady.

“I don’t mind whether he is rich or poor. The important thing is that he is generous and kind-hearted,” Sze-Tsung—who refuses to acknowledge his daughter married a woman in April—explained. ”Gigi is a very good woman with both talents and looks. She is devoted to her parents, is generous and does volunteer work

As for Gigi, an architect educated in England, she she told the BBC that she found her father’s offer “entertaining.”

He told the South China Morning Post the prize money was "an inducement to attract someone who has the talent but not the capital to start his own business".

"Gigi is a very good woman with both talents and looks. She is devoted to her parents, is generous and does volunteer work," he added.

Cecil Chao, an unmarried billionaire shipping magnate from Hong Kong who claims to have slept with 10,000 women, is offering $65 million to any man who can marry his daughter. For the record, his daughter is openly gay. 33-year-old Gigi Chao has been in a relationship with a woman named Sean Eav for the past seven years, and its rumored they were married in France last April. Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Hong Kong back in 1991, same-sex marriages are still illegal.

Chao says he would never force his daughter to marry anyone, but he must believe in money. Chao explained that he doesn't care if the suitor is rich or poor, but notes that the "marriage bounty" is a way to draw someone who has the talent (but not the capital) to start his own business.

Good luck, gentlemen. Your future father-in-law sounds like a real treat.

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Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple (Belur, Salem) Tamilnadu

Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple or Sri Thanthondrieswarar Temple is at Belur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The temple was built by the Cholas kingdom in the 12th century AD. The main deity is Lord Thanthondreeswarar (Lord Shiva) and the female deity is Goddess Dharmasamvarthini.

Thanthondreeswarar Temple is located on the banks of Vasishta Nadi (Vasishta River). The temple has a serene atmosphere and is surrounded by beautiful hillocks.This temple comes under the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Department.

History

The inner sanctum was constructed by 'Milagu Chetty' and the rest were constructed by King Paranthaga Chola (Paranthaka Chola). Construction of Rajagopuram was started during the 12th century by King Paranthaka Chola, but was left incomplete.

It also showcases the Dravidian architecture and is representative of the Chola Empire's Ideology and the Tamil civilisation.

Myth

Manickam Chetty, a pepper merchant was living near a village close to the temple. His job was carrying loads of pepper and selling it in the market place. One day he was crossing this dense forest where the shrine is located at present. As darkness sunk in, he wanted to take rest. In order to eat, he crossed pea aubergine (Sundaikai, an edible vegetable) with a stone. Suddenly he heard a voice saying, "The stone hurts my head. Apply some pepper on my head. Bewildered by this incident, the merchant said that he did not have any pepper and added that he had only Black Gram (Ulundu). Next day he proceeded to the market place and opened his baggage. He was shocked to find black gram instead of pepper. He worshipped God and prayed for His forgiveness. God asked him to bring some mud from the place where he had crushed pea aubergine (sundaikai) and spray it in the baggage containing black gram. He followed His instructions and black gram transformed into pepper again.

On his way back, out of curiosity, he examined the place where he took rest. He was surprised to find a Suyambu Lingam (Lingam which originates by itself from earth).

He worshipped the Lord and it is believed that the inner sanctum of the temple was built by him. Henceforth he was called Milagu Chetty (Milagu means Pepper) and the place where pepper transformed into black gram is called Ulundurpettai. The place has retained its name since then. As per history the inner sanctum was constructed by Milagu chetty and the rest was constructed by king Paranthaga chola.

Rajagopuram

The Rajagopuram is about 97 feet tall having 7 stages(floors). Consecration Ceremony (Kumbabishekam) for the new Rajagopuram was performed on the 24th of February 2002.

Brahmanda Purana

Brahmanda purana is one of the 18 puranas in Sanskrit and is written by the great saint, Vedha Vyasa. In 130th chapter of this purana, Sudamuni narrated the glory of Lord and this temple to his disciples and other saints.

Kanampulla Nayanar

Kanampullar, one of the Nayanmars hailed from a rich family in this same village. He was a sincere devotee of Sri Thanthondreeswarar. He considered lighting lamps in this temple as his prime duty and did it with utmost dedication.

He went through a rough phase and lost all his wealth. Poverty drove him to Thirpuliswaram and he continued lighting lamps in a Shiva temple there. To earn his living, he used to cut a kind of grass called Kanampul and sell it in the market. He spent his meagre income on oil and wicks.

Lord Shiva decided to test his devotion. One day his grass was not sold and he did not have enough money to buy oil and wick to light the lamps. He used his locks of hair as wick in the lamp and lighted it. Extremely pleased with the supreme devotion of Kanampullar, Shiva appeared in front of him and he became one with God.

A statue of Kanampullar holding a lamp can be seen in this temple in front of Pradhosha Nandi (The Devine Bull). He is the 48th among the Nayanmars.

Temple’s Architectural Note

The temple is constructed in such a way that every year, in the first week of Tamil month (Chithirai) the sunlight falls on the main deity in early morning.

A structure of a mythical lion, “YAZHI” (A statue of lion) made out of a single stone with a rolling ball inside its mouth is carved on two pillars.

A structure of Lord Shiva riding a vedhic horse is carved on two other pillars made out of a single stone.

Transportation

Temple is located close to the Belur Bus Terminus (Approx 600 Meter from Bus Terminus).

Bus Route

Belur is 30 km from Salem city and is 6 km to the north of Valappadi, a neighbouring town.

Bus service to Belur is available from neighbouring towns Salem (TOWN BUS NO 82 from old bus stand)salem , Attur & Vazhappady frequently. In addition this, buses from Salem to other places like Karumanthurai, Kariya Kovil, Pappanayakanpatty, Thumbal, Pagudupatu and Arunuthumalai fly via Belur.

Rail Route

Nearest Railway Station is Vazhappady.

Everyday Chennai Salem Express (Train No 1063) starts from Chennai Egmore and arrives at Valzhappady around 5:30 AM.

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The cars World's billionaires drive

If you said all billionaires drive around in luxury cars, eat your words. While Mukesh Ambani’s Maybach 62 costs Rs 5.25 crore, Ikea founder Ingvard Kamprad has been driving a 1993 model Volvo 240 which is currently worth about $1500 (Rs. 83160)

According to the Forbes Billionaires List, Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim Helu is the world's richest man. He drives a Bentley Continental Flying Spur which costs around 1,70,00,000 Indian rupees.

Reliance India Chairman Mukesh Ambani with a net worth of $22.3 billion is the world's richest Indian in the Forbes list. He drives one of the most luxurious cars, a Maybach 62 along with a Mercedes S Class and a Mercedes SL500. The Maybach is worth a whopping INR 5 crores.

Industrialist Anil Ambani drives a car that suits his personality, a Lamborghini Gallardo. The Gallardo accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 325 km/h. Its V10 engine offers 500 hp and 376 lbs-ft of torque.

No, Ratan Tata doesn’t drive a Tata Nano. He uses a Mercedes S Class instead. His fleet also includes a Ferrari California, a Maserati Quattroporte, a Cadillac XLR and a Chrysler Sebring.

Liquor baron Vijay Mallya is famous for his passion for vintage cars. However, among his daily drivers is the pricey Maybach 62.

The miserly side of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is no secret. He owns one of the cheapest cars, an Acura TSX. It costs about $30,000 (Rs 17 lakh)

Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ daily drive is a Porsche 959 Coupe. Only 230 examples of this car were built and each one costs 2.2 crore Indian rupees.

Another modest billionaire, Steve Ballmer, drives a hybrid Ford Fusion which is worth around 10 lakh Indian rupees.

Financial data tycoon Michael Bloomberg drives an Audi R8 that’s worth more than a crore.

Heiress of the Wal-Mart fortune, Alice Walton, is the second richest woman in the world. But she owns a simple car, a 2006 Ford F-150 King Ranch. It is worth Rs 22 lakh.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, the nephew of Saudi King Abdullah, certainly drives the royal car. However, his Rolls-Royce Phantom is an entry level version and costs around Rs 3.5 crores in India.

Warren Buffett drives a Cadillac DTS which, according to Business Insider, he bought to support the then failing General motors.

Billionaire Michael Dell drives a cool 2004 Porsche Boxter.

Google’s current executive Chairman Eric Emerson Schmidt loves the nature and drives a Toyota Prius, which is among the cleanest vehicles in the world.

French businessman and the chief executive officer of PPR François-Henri Pinault drives a Lexus LX SUV.

Ikea founder Ingvard Kamprad is worth an estimated $28 billion according to Forbes. However, he seems to be the humblest among the billionaires and has been driving a 1993 Volvo 240. According to Business Insider, if the car sold today, it would only be worth about $1500 (Rs. 83160)

Oracle founder Larry Ellison has a huge collection of pricey cars but the most prestigious possession is a McLaren F1. Production of this car was stopped in 1998 and only 106 were produced. This car could accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.2 seconds. This car is currently worth $4.1 million.

Apple founder Steve Jobs’ widow Laurene Powell Jobs drives around in a silver Audi A5.

Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman of Nike, owns an Audi R8.

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