Ramayana epic dance

Hinduism hold a colorful culture with its educative mythology. It is true to other believers, Hinduism is taken as something that they should not believe and practice, but from the time that Hinduism was known to have stories that somehow provide some positive teachings, many of those people still read and appreciate what were written by the ancient pious. And nowadays those stories are even presented in form of dances or theatrical dances or call it epic dance.

To this day, several countries in Asia like India, Thailand, Burma and even Indonesia preserve the stories of the characters in the Hindu mythology in dances and the most popular is the story of Ramayana, king of Astina and his queen Devi Sita (Bahasa Indonesia - Dewi Sita)

In Indonesia, in each year, one evening in a full-moon summer night, they used to organize a dance festival. And most of the time it is in Special Territory of Sultanate of Jogjakarta. They put up a stage platform with Prambanan Temple as the background. Sometimes, in that particular night, they show more than one version of the Ramayana myth performed by several dance groups from Java and Bali.

There were times when an international platform performance were organized when participants from the above-mentioned countries show their versions.

The dancers will gracefully narrate the story of a king who had a faithful wife who bore all the sufferings and humiliations as a woman. A story that nowadays many women are taking example from.

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Jatayu the eagle wounded reported to Rama and Laksmana

Thailand as mentioned, also has her own time of performing the Ramayana dance.

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And India, where the mythology supposed to have come from, she has the originality of the whole story...

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Temples in Mauritius (2)

The three adventurous girls were thinking of roaming the streets of Mauritius, Maribelle who drove the car, suggested that they should have their dinner somewhere in Grand Bay, located in the north of the island, then from there they would take the east coast route to go back to Gris-Gris. The other two girls said that it would be exciting.

Tina eyes were turning around and around, and exclaimed each time she spotted a temple. She laughed and said that back home one would spot a  mosque in every five hundred meters, as to say it. And she asked Maribelle how many did she think were there all in all, but Maribelle said she had no idea, there were quite a number for a small island like hers. Chandni sneered.

Maribelle said she'd go round a town called Triolet, there a so-called biggest temple in the island, named Maheshwarnath, located. Tina mentiioned that there were also Hindu society in her country, but majority of them were settled in an island called Bali. there the temples are called "Pura" and the biggest were "Pura Besakih" located at the foot of a mountain which was also a volcano. Chandni squirmed and said it sounded scary. Tina smiled.

They reached Grand Bay and had dinner there, ordered some sea-food, since they were all simply crazy about "the fruit of the ocean". It was a bit past midnight when they reached their bungalow, tired, sleepy but satisfied. Tina said that her laptop would be full of Mauritius souvenirs. Then... night...night...!

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hinduexistence.org - Dress Code

Temples in Mauritius

Satisfied with the flora of the Pamplemousses Botanical garden, the three continued their road-hitting activities. Along the way Tina noticed temples, some are very colorful with statues sculpted on them and some are simply turmeric-yellow or vermilion color, so she commented that the majority of the island must be Hindus. Maribelle confirmed her opinion and she said very soon there would be the Thaipoosam Cavadee, celebrated by the Tamoul or Tamil sect or group or whatever it may be called. There would be  processions in many parts of the island. Chandni looked around her and she exclaimed that no wonder she'd been hearing back home that this island is called "Little India" by the Indian community.
Tina asked when exactly that day would be, Maribelle mentioned a date, and Tina sighed and said it was too bad, she would already back in Indonesia. Tina's flight home was due on mid-January. And Chandni was thinking of staying a bit longer to see how it would look like in this island.

That day there was not much to do, since they were already exhausted and Tina suggested a day for souvenir shopping to Maribelle before she took-off.

Traditional costume from around the world - Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan was a part of then USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic), detached herself from Russia in 1991. Located in East Europe and according to the country's profile, Azerbaijan is also called the Land of Fire. In fact as it is shown in many of her pictures, Azerbaijan indeed one of the countries with a certain mystical charm. When it comes to her traditional costume and dresses, it shows the elaborate and bright colorful  design of the decorations, either on female gowns or male costumes. It can be seen the Arabian and Russian influence in the clothing material and cuts and styles. And, they do catch the eyes of the looker. 

As stated in several reviews by economic experts, Azerbaijan's development growth is gained through oil-gas sectors. Business prospect is being boosted to achieve economy stability. Another sector which also is being boosted is tourism. There are many interesting places to visit as tourist destination. And flying on Azerbaijan flight might be good.

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Pretty and beautiful botanical garden

Another day for Tina and Chandni with Mirabelle in Mauritius. They got up earlier that day. Tina while taking her breakfast, recollecting their adventure at the Parc Aventure Chamarel, then she laughed. Quite loud that Chandni turned her head and asked why. Tina replied that she was really astonished and amazed at what they did the previous day. Crossing the rope-bridge, clinging on woven ropes as if doing cliff-hanging and what not. Never she experienced that kind of adventure. She told Chandni about an adventure park back home called "Taman Safari Indonesia", a jungle-like park filled with animals free roaming in the open, that people were warned to close the windows of their cars as they explored the park. She did visit that park, but she did not see if adventure like she had in the Parc Aventure. Then she continued telling about the Taman Safari, that there was a hotel in the middle of the park for those who would like to stay over for the weekend or a holiday season. Looked interesting but she did not have the chance to stay over.

Parc Aventure Chamarel

While Tina were chatting about their interesting places in their respective countries, Mirabelle phoned on her mobile phone and asked them to come out for she was reaching the front door of their cottage.

This time, destination the town Pamplemousses. In this town there was a botanical garden. It did not took very long till they reached there. Mirabelle was a good driver. She drove a convertible jeep to the Parc Aventure, this time she drove a 4-wheel-drive.

As they arrived at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, they looked through the iron entrance gate. Tina exclaimed that it looked peaceful and quiet, and quite romantic, too, and she commented if only she'd had a boyfriend. Chandni giggled and Mirabelle suggested that Tina should open her eyes big, because she might spot a handsome stroller in that garden. And Mirabelle added that there used to be some foreign students paid a visit to the garden for their projects and the eyes of one of them might catch her.

Then those girls took their cameras out and got themselves ready for pretty snapshots.

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Traditional costume from around the world - Austria

Austria, is one of the amazing countries in Europe. The snowy mountain range and lakes. The typical flora  on the mountains and the famous white blossoms of snow called "Edelweiss". The vineyards which produce competes with the ones in France.... and her beautiful people and traditional colorful costume.  

For nature's lovers, Austria may be an ideal roving destination. Many strange species of fauna and plants might be found there.

And Austria is also known as an ideal country to study and implement knowledge gained in working at the same time.

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In "Parc Aventure"

So, after Mirabella's foreign girl friends, Tina and Chandni were ready, off they went on a "decapotable" or convertible ranger jeep. The three of them clad in safari style, as if ready to go hunting.

Mirabella said, there was a park, not very big, but it was quite nice to do some adventuring. She mentioned about learning to climb and hiking, crossing rivers on ropes et cetera. The two girls grew excited. Chandni asked if they would do all that by themselves, and Mirabella said there would be a guide cum instructor, there would be no worries.

As they arrived at their destination, Tina saw the sign-board, it was written "Parc Aventure" - Chamarel. She said it looked nice.

Their heart were beating fast the moment they entered the front office of the park. Mirabella registered their names and paid the fees. Chandni said it was quite affordable. Then the receptionist called the guide. Then the receptionist explained that the gentleman would guide them and take the role as their instructor, when the girls eyes fell on the equipment the guide was carrying. The ropes and hooks and locks and harness and everything needed.

The guide prepared them then suddenly Tina's eyes spotted some green and red arrows beyond the front office, and she asked. The guide said that, if one did not want to do the hard adventure, he could just do the walkathon by going through the paths shown by the arrows signs. And he said through that path one might even think of crossing a jungle yonder.

Well, as they were ready, off they went on an almost real cross-country adventure, and did not forget their cameras and video-cameras.

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New resolutions

New year's Eve had passed. They had real good time, the party and also unexpected call from homes. Tina received calls from Indonesia and Chandni from India and they said hi to each others' friends and family through video calls, it was so funny.

The following day was naturally the first day of the beginning of another year. Tina woke up very late and as she stared at the ceiling wondering how that day would be spent. She thought of her plans back home and other plans involved. And Chandni on the other bed, beside Tina's, was seen doing a certain yoga position. Tina smiled.

Tina's phone rang, it was Edward, her consultant, greeted her and asked her when she would be back home. Some important documents were waiting for her, he said. Tina said that she had to complete her one month contract with the hotel Mirabelle got her into. Edward laughed at Mirabelle's smart program. Edward reported that a co-tenancy agreement draft of her commercial space was already drawn and needed her proofread. Tina asked Edward to scan it and send it to her email. She was going to read it from  where she was.

After she read the draft and suggested some alterations which she thought would be convenient to both parties, she sent the document back to Edward. Then her mind started surfing her next plan about how to set her shop nice. The furniture and the interior design and everything else.

As Tina was day-dreaming, Mirabelle showed up by the doorway and asked them to get ready. They were going to Chamarel for some curious adventures. There would be couple of places they could visit.

Towards New Year

The Christmas day had gone by, as Mirabelle had planned, she told her friends that she wanted to organize a party for the New Year's Eve and asked Tina's and Chandni's assistance. She needed a hall, refreshments and music.

An idea struck Tina's mind and she offered if she could talk to her Hotel supervisor, if she could obtain a space for the occasion and Chandni offered to speak to the hypermarket's manager to give them special rate for the purchase of the refreshments they will need.

Mirabelle sneered and thought that was a very fast idea and she agreed. Adding that the time was so short, they should hurry. There wasn't any big problem with Chandni's effort to get the refreshments supply but quite a major problem with the hall because the only banquet hall at the hotel where Tina was assigned already had its own program. Five days away before the Eve, Tina and the others started running their fingers through the yellow pages.

After hours of spotting in the yellow pages and calling for informations, they got one and they made an appointment for a site-visit, which would be on the following day.

Mirabelle thought of a masquerade party, Tina looked at her wide-eyed and said that it would be great because she'd never been to any masquerade party, moreover then she was a part of the organizers. That would be an awesome experience to bring home, Tina added.

So it was decided.... Masquerade Party for New Year's Eve.

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Stella Clavisque Maris Indici

After having a lot of fun in Mumbai, it was time for Tina and Chandni to proceed to their holiday destination, Mauritius. When they disembarked, Tina phoned Mirabelle to find out if she would be at the airport to pick them up or they have to grab a cab to get to the booked hotel. Fortunately, Mirabelle said that she'd be by the arrival gate waiting for them.

Quite a long queue by the custom section. Nevertheless, the checking went smoothly and they did not come across any problem.

Mirabelle spotted them and waved, hurriedly they approached Mirabelle, exchanged greetings and hugs, they got on Mirabelle's car. Suddenly Tina said something like "Nice" as she looked around. She looked as the airport driveway and the parking lot, Chandni followed Tina's gaze. And exclaimed the same as Tina.

They made remarked about the roads and the plants on both sides of the road from the airport to Mirabelle's region in the south of the island, not very far from a place called Gris-gris by the Indian Ocean. Before dropping her guests to a bungalow, Mirabelle drove her car to Gris-gris and showed them that beyond there was the ocean with big waves crashing and splashing to the rocks by the coast. She promised after her guests rested enough, she would take them there.

In the late afternoon, the girls had freshened up, and then the three of them went to the coast Mirabelle mentioned. Upon seeing it, Tina said it reminded her of  Pelabuhan Ratu beach, in the southern part of the province of West Java. The was equally dangerous except that Pelabuhan Ratu was longer. They stayed and watched to sky turned red as the sun was setting down, then Mirabelle took them to a restaurant nearby for dinner.

Tina with her curious stares looked around as they entered the restaurant, then her eyes fell on something hanging on the wall that looked like a bird. Tina asked Mirabelle what it was and what was the meaning of the words "Stella Clavisque Maris Indici" written on the ribbon grasp by the bird. Mirabelle replied that Tina was looking at her country's coat of arms, it was a Dodo bird and the inscription on the ribbon meant "the star and key of the Indian Ocean". Tina smiled meaningfully. To shorten today's story, they took their seats and had their dinner with Mirabelle chattering about her plans for her guests.

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