The 5 Most Dangerous Animals in Asia

Asia has fascinated western societies since its discovery. Its rich culture and exotic animals have captured the imaginations of countless generations.

I was watching a documentary on tigers the other day, and I started thinking about the dangerous animals in Asia. This inspired me to create my list of the five most dangerous animals in Asia. A couple points before we begin. I know mosquitoes kill more people than anything else ever. I don’t care, they’re boring and I don’t want to write about them. Also, this list is based on subjective criteria, not number of kills. Some of these animals will just cause you pain and you wouldn’t want to meet them in the forest. Now let us begin.

5. Tiger

The tiger has an important place in Asia’s life and culture. It appears frequently throughout the mythology of all the countries in which it appears, generally as a figure of strength and power. It’s generally treated with a healthy respect borne of its danger to humans. While it won’t attack people unless provoked or hungry, clashes are common enough. Recently the issue has become even more common as human encroachment and deforestation means the shrinking habitat of the tiger frequently extends into populated areas. Six people have died and twelve more have been mauled in Bangladesh in the last few months alone after the tigers’ habitat was partially destroyed by a cyclone. They are immensely strong and deadly predators. Treat them with the respect they deserve.

4. Cobra

When I think of deadly snake, movies have trained my mind to think of the cobra. It’s not as dangerous as brown snakes or other poisonous creatures, but it’s still very nasty. The king cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake, reaching lengths of up to 20 feet. Its venom is a neurotoxin, and it is very dangerous. It’s one of the most venomous snakes on the continent, and it can kill a human with a single bite. Thankfully, most of the snake’s bites don’t inject fatal amounts of venom, although the mortality rate is close to 75% when it gives you a full on bite.

3. Malayan Pit Viper

The Malayan Pit Viper is found all across Southeast Asia and Indonesia. It loves thick vegetation, preferring bamboo thickets and overgrown farmland. It’s also a nasty little punk of a snake. It has a notorious reputation as an aggressive snake that is quick to attack humans. In the northern part of Malaysia alone it is responsible for more than 700 snakebites a year. Luckily for those bitten, it’s not got a huge mortality rate. About 2% of people bitten by the snake die.

2. Camel Spider

The camel spider is very widespread, found in deserts from Iraq to China and beyond. They’re not venomous, but they will bite humans and their bite is immensely painful. They’re perhaps scarier than they are dangerous, but they’re scary enough that I’m going to include them on this list because I never want to meet one. For one thing, they will scream at you! They can run very quickly, as fast as a human in many cases, and will utter a scream while they chase things. They can also jump up to four feet in the air. The spider loves shadows, and so if you’re in a desert and happen to be the only thing casting a shadow for a long way around you might find one chasing you to stay in your shadow. Freaky stuff.

1. Krait

The krait is a type of snake found in India and Southeast Asia. The nocturnal animals are immensely poisonous, with a neurotoxic venom more than 16 times deadlier than the cobra’s. The banded krait can allegedly reach more than 7 feet in length. They are nocturnal animals that are aggressive at night. Their bite is fatal to 85% of people bitten, although there is an effective antivenin now so the number is much lower. The venom is particularly painful, and causes paralysis and a slow, agonizing death. You do not want to meet one.

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Fantastic Views of Akshardhama Temple, New Delhi

The Akshardhama is one of the largest temple in India. This architectural masterpiece was built with 6 thousand tonnes of pink sandstone and stood 108 ft in height. Look at the fantastic views. It would be an ideal place for a vacation. It’s not hard to fall in love with the temple.

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Interesting Facts About India

• India never invaded any country in her last 100000 years of history.
• When many cultures were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilization)
• The name ‘India’ is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu.
• The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu. The name `Hindustan’ combines Sindhu and Hindu and thus refers to the land of the Hindus.
• Chess was invented in India.
• Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus are studies, which originated in India.
• The ‘Place Value System’ and the ‘Decimal System’ were developed in India in 100 B.C.
• The World’s First Granite Temple is the Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The shikhara of the temple is made from a single 80-tonne piece of granite. This magnificent temple was built in just five years, (between 1004 AD and 1009 AD) during the reign of Rajaraja Chola.
• India is the largest democracy in the world, the 6th largest Country in the world, and one of the most ancient civilizations.
• The game of Snakes & Ladders was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. It was originally called ‘Mokshapat’. The ladders in the game represented virtues and the snakes indicated vices. The game was played with cowrie shells and dices. In time, the game underwent several modifications, but its meaning remained the same, i.e. good deeds take people to heaven and evil to a cycle of re-births.
• The world’s highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1893 after leveling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.
• India has the largest number of Post Offices in the world.
• The largest employer in the world is the Indian Railways, employing over a million people.
• The world’s first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
• Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The Father of Medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
• India was one of the richest countries till the time of British rule in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus, attracted by India’s wealth, had come looking for a sea route to India when he discovered America by mistake.
• The Art of Navigation & Navigating was born in the river Sindh over 6000 years ago. The very word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘NAVGATIH’. The word navy is also derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Nou’.
• Bhaskaracharya rightly calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the Sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. According to his calculation, the time taken by the Earth to orbit the Sun was 365.258756484 days.
• The value of “pi” was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the European mathematicians.
• Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus also originated in India. Quadratic Equations were used by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10*53 (i.e. 10 to the power of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 B.C. during the Vedic period. Even today, the largest used number is Terra: 10*12(10 to the power of 12).
• Until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds in the world (Source : Gemological Institute of America).
• The Baily Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.
• Sushruta is regarded as the Father of Surgery. Over 2600 years ago Sushrata & his team conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, urinary stones, plastic surgery and brain surgeries.
• Usage of anaesthesia was well known in ancient Indian medicine. Detailed knowledge of anatomy, embryology, digestion, metabolism, physiology, etiology, genetics and immunity is also found in many ancient Indian texts.
• India exports software to 90 countries.
• The four religions born in India – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are followed by 25% of the world’s population.
• Jainism and Buddhism were founded in India in 600 B.C. and 500 B.C. respectively.
• Islam is India’s and the world’s second largest religion.
• There are 300,000 active mosques in India, more than in any other country, including the Muslim world.
• The oldest European church and synagogue in India are in the city of Cochin. They were built in 1503 and 1568 respectively.
• Jews and Christians have lived continuously in India since 200 B.C. and 52 A.D. respectively
• The largest religious building in the world is Angkor Wat, a Hindu Temple in Cambodia built at the end of the 11th century.
• The Vishnu Temple in the city of Tirupathi built in the 10th century, is the world’s largest religious pilgrimage destination. Larger than either Rome or Mecca, an average of 30,000 visitors donate $6 million (US) to the temple everyday.
• Sikhism originated in the Holy city of Amritsar in Punjab. Famous for housing the Golden Temple, the city was founded in 1577.
• Varanasi, also known as Benaras, was called “the Ancient City” when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C., and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.
• India provides safety for more than 300,000 refugees originally from Sri Lanka, Tibet, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who escaped to flee religious and political persecution.
• His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, runs his government in exile from Dharmashala in northern India.
• Martial Arts were first created in India, and later spread to Asia by Buddhist missionaries.
• Yoga has its origins in India and has existed for over 5,000 years.

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When Four’s A Pilgrimage

This summer, take a grand spiritual sojourn to the char dhams of the majestic Uttarakhand Himalayas and find your peace, nirvana …

The annual char dham yatra in Uttarakhand is, without doubt, the most important and spectacular event in the tourism and cultural calendar of this new picturesque Himalayan state.

For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine, have walked these mystical valleys and hills, which provide ample scope for spiritual experiences.

DIVINITY IN THE HILLS

Nestling in the lofty Himalayas in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region are the four holy shrines: Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath – together called the ‘char dhams’. Through these sacred sites meanders the holy Ganga in eternal sanctity and splendour. The dhams receive their holy waters in the form of four streams: Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Mandakini, Alaknanda.

While Yamnotri and Gangotri are located in Uttarakashi district, Badrinath is in Chamoli district and Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district. The opening and closing ceremonies of these shrines (at the beginning and conclusion, respectively, of the yatra) are sacred, colorful events awaited eagerly by locals and pilgrims alike. All shrines open in April-May and close in November, after which the region is snowbound. The yatra thus carries on for almost half the year; bringing in millions of devotees to the state and contributing to the tourism-based hill economy.

Pilgrimages form a very important part of Uttarakhand’s tourism activity. After being quiet for six months, the Garhwal hills come alive in March every year as hectic preparations begin at various levels for the pilgrimage. This keeps the hills abuzz with pilgrim activity through summer; monsoon, autumn.

JOURNEY TO THE SOUL

The char dham yatra got under way on April 19 this year with the reopening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamnotri shrines. Kedarnath dham reopened on April 30 while Badrinath opened on May 1.

Pilgrims usually start to arrive in Haridwar and Rishikesh a week before the portals reopen at Yamnotri. The yatra starts from Haridwar as well as Rishikesh. Both centres are decorated like brides to welcome pilgrims.

Two Pawan Hans’s helicopters operate between Agastyamuni and Kedarnath to ferry pilgrims who cannot undertake the arduous trek from Gaurikhand to Kedarnath. Tourism brochures and other literature related to the char dham yatra is available at all the tourist information centres and at the guest houses of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam on all the yatra routes.

Crowds of pilgrims rub devout shoulders during the char dham yatra as well as the Hemkund, Kailash Mansarovar and Chhota Kailash yatras, all of which go on simultaneously from May through September. The markets are laden with religious items like agar battis, rosaries, hymn books, copper vessels and photos/posters of deities. Bhajan cassettes do brisk business on all yatra routes.

A TREK FOR THE SPIRIT

The portals of the Yamnotri and Gangotri shrines close every year on the auspicious occasion of Bhaiya Dooj after Deepavali. They reopen on Akshay Tritiya, another auspicious day. Goddess Yamuna is worshipped at Yamnotri, Ganga at Gangotri, Shiva at Kedarnath and Vishnu at Badrinath.

FACT FILE Nearest Airport: Jolly Grand Airport, Dehra Dun Nearest Railheads: Dehra Dun (260 km from Delhi), Haridwar (200 km), Rishikesh (225 km) From Rishikesh, a 205 km road journey takes you to Hanumanchatti, from where the remaining 14 km up to Yamnotri is covered on foot or pony. Horses and porters are also available.

Traditionally, the char dham yatra is undertaken from the west to the east, beginning at yamnotri. The usual starting points are Rishikesh and Haridwar, easily accessible from delhi by rail or road. From here, buses and taxis bound for the dhams are available.

Pilgrimages of various hues are at their peak in May and June in Uttarakhand with people from all parts of India and abroad venturing to pay homage at the renowned pilgrim destinations in Uttarakhand, popular as Devbhoomi or ‘Abode of the Gods’.

The yatra to Hemkund sahib begins on June 1 and ends on October 5. Pilgrims go up to Hemkund and Lakshmana Temple. Most pilgrims try to include a visit to the world famed Valley of Flowers nearby. The Kailash Mansarovar yatra begins in early June from New Delhi and culminates in the last week of September. The program for the challenging yatra, which passes through Uttarakhand and goes on to Tibet, is announced by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Dharchula in Kumaon is the yatra’s base camp.

Darjeeling

Over 150 years ago, Darjeeling was established as ‘Health Station’, after it was gifted to the British by the Sikkim ruler.

It grew into one of the most famous hill stations in India. Darjeeling has special delights in store for people with special interest including Nature, photography, trekking, tea, botany, ornithology and the arts.

A Unique Toy Train

By the late 1800s, Darjeeling had gained in importance as a hill station but the only means of transportation of goods to and from the town was by bullock carts using the Hill Cart Road from Siliguri. An agent of the East Bengal Railway, Franklyn Prestage, came up with the plan for a narrow gauge rail link between Siliguri and Darjeeling. Construction started in 1879 and the first train pulled by the very ‘gutsy’ little steam-engine comprising three coaches puffed into Darjeeling on July 4, 1881. The trains, nicknamed ‘Toy Trains’ of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, have been making daily journeys for over a century.

Darjeeling’s Famous Tea

Tea-drinkers all over the world must be constantly blessing the memory of the person who decided around 1840 that the climate of the Darjeeling region was very conducive to the growth of tea. Huged forest areas were cleared and tea planted. Darjeeling Tea had such a premium value in the western markets that it was soon considered to be one of the finest teas in the world.

Note : I have read this articles from a travel magazine