Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the temples at Khajuraho are India’s unique gift to the world. These magnificent temples were built between the ninth and tenth centuries by the rulers of the Chandela dynasty, who dominated Central India at that time. These temples depict the rich history, culture, architecture and mysticism of India. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the greatest artistic wonders. The temples highlight the existential ethos in religion that venerates yoga and bhoga. Yoga is the union of the self with the Almighty while bhoga is the path to God through physical pleasures. The temples at Khajuraho, dedicated to physical love and pleasure, are a testimony to this philosophy.       

MUST SEE
WESTERN GROUP OF TEMPLES
Kandariya Mahadeo Temples
At the center of the Western Group, the magnificent Kandariya Mahadeo Temple soars 31m above its plinth. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is remarkable for its grand dimensions, its complex yet perfectly harmonious composition, and its exquisite sculptural embellishment. The main shrine is exquisitely carved and etched with gods and goddesses. The striking features of this temple are the arch at the entrance and the ceilings and pillars of the interior halls. Over 800 sculptures cover the temple and this, the largest and grandest of the temples, is best visited with a guide.
(Chaunsat Yogini), (Chitragupta Temple),
(Lakshamana Temple), (Matangeswara Temple),
EASTERN GROUP OF TEMPLES
(Parsvanath Temple), (Ghantai Temple), (Shantinath Temple), (Hanuman Temple), (Brahma Temple),  
SOUTHERN GROUP OF TEMPLES
(Dulah Deo Temple), (Chattarbhuj Temple),

MUST DO
Visit the Panna National Park
A mere 30-minute drive away (32km) from Khajuraho is the Panna National Park. The scenic splendour of the park complements the man-made perfection of the Khajuraho temples. Spread along the banks of River Ken, the park’s topography is one of deep gorges, serene valleys and dense teak forests. The park is home to tigers, leopards, wolves and gharials.
 
Go on a picnic
Lake Benisagar is 11km from Khajuraho, while Lake Ranguan is 25km from Khajuraho. Both these delightful lakes have boating facilities and are perfect venues for a short picnic.

What to Eat
Khajuraho does not have any particular cuisine to boast of. However, there are many good restaurants with different delicacies. All the major hotels have the own specialty restaurants and bars.
 
What to shop for
You should know what to buy in Khajuraho if you have to make your shopping experience a pleasant one. Textile weaving being a major craft here, the variety of saris and other Indian wear would be a good buy.
If you are looking for souvenirs, then miniature stone-carved replicas of erotic sculptures are hot favourite items with tourists in Khajuraho.

Nightlife
Cultural extravaganza is the way to fill up your evening in Khajuraho. The government-run Shilpgram hosts traditional dance performances every night in the open-air theatre.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Khajuraho is between October and March.
 
HOW TO REACH
By Air: Khajuraho has an airport, which is served by well-connected flights from Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.
By Rail: Jhansi and Satna are the nearest railway stations. Many important trains pass through these railway stations regularly.
By Road: there is a good network of roads that connects Khajuraho to Agra, Jhansi and Orchha.
  
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Eggs-tra special EASTER egg hunters will be combing Cumbria next month in a bid to find unique works of art by Hexham potter Sue Dunne. Read more on The Hexham Courant

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‘Charm’ bracelets attract following There was a time when our mothers and grandmothers wore bracelets that jingled and jangled and represented a lifetime of memories. Read more on Cape Cod Times

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Basic Etiquette Rules for Buying Wedding Gifts

Weddings are a wonderful time to celebrate, but they can also present a few dilemmas when it comes to the wedding gifts. Guests may wonder how much they should spend, where the gift should be sent and how much time they have to get that perfect present. We’ve got answers to many of your wedding gift questions right here, with tips for how, when and where to give your present to the happy couple. If you have a wedding looming on your calendar, read on for gift facts that will make your participation in the happy day a little easier to handle.

When?

Once you receive an invitation to the wedding celebration, you have up to one year to send a gift according to most wedding etiquette experts. However, few guests will wait quite that long, with most getting the present sent before the couple comes back from their honeymoon or shortly thereafter. After all, wedding invitations typically get mailed at least a month before the blessed event; giving you plenty of shopping days to find the perfect purchase. There’s really no excuse for waiting too long, and the longer you hold off, the more likely you will be to forget your obligation entirely.

Where?

There is a good reason why you don’t see many wedding guests toting large, wrapped boxes along to the church. The day of the wedding is not always the best choice for delivering your gift, since you won’t want to keep track of it during the ceremony and reception, and your recipients certainly won’t want to monitor it while saying their vows, greeting guests and enjoying their first dance as man and wife. Instead, mail your wedding gift to the address on the invitation, which will usually be the home of the couple or the bride’s parents. That way, you rest assured that your package gets to the right destination and you can enjoy the celebration unhindered.

How Much?

The cost of a wedding gift will be determined by a number of factors; how well you know the couple, whether you are spending money to travel to the ceremony, whether you will be bringing a guest with you and how much you can afford. Most wedding etiquette experts agree that $75-$150 is a fair amount to spend on most wedding gifts. If you are bringing an uninvited guest, that amount is customarily doubled. However, if your budget is tight or you have a host of weddings to attend in a single season, it is acceptable to drop that amount a bit. Keep in mind that the couple is requesting your presence at their special day, and the gift you send is secondary to being there to witness their union.

Wedding gifts are an important part of the complete wedding experience, and a few etiquette tips will ensure that you handle your obligation properly. Whether you choose a gift off the registry or scout out a present that is as unique as your relationship, following these simple guidelines will ensure that your package is appreciated to the fullest.

Provded by leading wedding gifts website pink products

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Father’s Day is a day where everybody who has a father, grandfather, uncle, or male guardian shows a thankful appreciation on his love to care for you or your children. Giving gifts and greeting cards for someone you called as a father is a normal thing to do when celebrating any other occasions like Christmas. Finding unique father’s day gifts can be hard to come as you need to pick the first top of his favorites, yet cute, and of course to fit your budgets. Here comes the doubt about what is his first favorite among the favorites.

If he loved to drink and eat, you could give him barbecue supplies. As weather is warm during summer time, here is a good chance for you to encourage him to start to barbecue right away with new cooking tools. Other than that, having a dinner or lunch together at his favorite bistro would be a special treat to give.

For a handyman or an outdoor dad whose hobbies and interests are towards to golfing, carpentering, fishing, and motor biking or traveling, choosing the gifts that are related to his interest are good samples of a unique gift. For golfing dad, you could personalize the golf balls by stamping families’ photos and word expressions. Another trendy thing to give for a golf addict is a gizmo of digital scorecard that keep track of his latest games, scores and the name of the golf courses. For a traveler or an angler, giving him a special plaque, thermal flask, a digital organizer or engraved Zippo lighters would be some compliments to his hobby.

If your dad, uncle or grandfather who does not have much time to shop for new clothes and accessories, you could spoil him with an engraved bracelet, cuff links, necktie, or even a new grooming set. Certainly many fashion brand labels would suit your budget available on the market and online shopping for a special gift.

As you know, there are many selections available in the stores and online purchase where you could buy his favorite things. Giving practical gifts are good enough, but choosing unique presents really set you apart from others. Whatever your gifts you are giving him, you are absolutely be granted for a token of smile and a word of thank you from the person.

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My boyfriend is very tough to buy for. He can buy anything that he wants for himself. I have no idea what to get for him. He loves to golf and will begin traveling a lot for work soon.

I have tried those gift sites (i.e. gifts.com) and didn’t really find anything I thought he would want. I don’t need to have the gift until Dec 30th.

Any unique and thoughtful gift ideas would be appreciated. thanks.
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Image taken on 2009-04-15 19:43:23 by myvirtuallady.

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My mom is really hard to buy for and I’d like to get her something different and unique this year. Does anyone know of good websites to check out for unique gifts that aren’t too expensive?
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The shops that cater to cater to the needs of gifts of individuals usually have a stream-line of the usual gifts that can be located everywhere. But if you are on the look-out for unique gifts for a special occasion, then probably you would have to try a little harder. To find unique gifts isn’t an easy task, as you have to be required to go through numerous shops before you can actually find something of your like. This can be quite a hassle and traumatic experience for many, as taking out time from the busy capsulated schedule that has become a trend of the times.

These gifts give the feel that these are not just hand-picked from any store but were a gesture of thoughtfulness and unique idea from the practical gifts accessible in the market. These gifts could be a book stand, and assorted pendant set, or something that your loved ones have also longed for. All these options can be a unique idea for gifts.

In the recent past, some online websites have sprung up that offer some unique gifts that may be an appropriate option to choose for locating an perfect bequest for your loved ones. Gifts for him and her amidst other choices and varied occasions are lined on these online websites. Some of the online services providers of unique gifts also extend personalized touch to the bequest that you want to give your loved ones. These online services providers offer easy accessibility and as well as affordable price range owing to the tough competition amongst themselves.

It is advisable to go through the numerous online websites, before you actually pick upon one. This approach not only acquaints you with numerous options are accessible but also enable you to choose an appropriate gifts as well. It is expected of you to read through the terms and conditions of the online services providers so that you are clear about the regulations governing your purchase.

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Should I go to Soho?

I only can spend $100 or less
I want to give it as a gift
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