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Sacramento Valley

The Sacramento Valley is the northern part of the Central Valley in California.

Other destinations
The Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, or California Delta, is the delta of the Sacramento River, and covers a huge area of the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. The California Delta includes islands, farming towns, and wildlife refuges.

By plane
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the region's biggest airport, offering flights from California cities, as well as other states.

By bus
Amtrak and Greyhound offer bus service to many Sacramento Valley cities, including Redding, Chico, Oroville, Corning, and Marysville.

By train
Amtrak runs two long distance trains and two regional trains through Sacramento and the Sacramento Valley.

 * The Coast Starlight runs from Seattle and Portland through Sacramento to San Francisco (via Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles.
 * The California Zephyr runs from San Francisco (via Emeryville) through Sacramento to Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha, and Chicago.
 * The Capitol Corridor is a regional train that runs from the Bay Area to Sacramento making major stops in Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Martinez, Richmond, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Fremont, Santa Clara and San Jose. Carefully consult the schedule when buying tickets for this since some of the daily runs are by bus instead of train.
 * The San Joaquin is a regional train that runs from Sacramento south into the San Joaquin Valley making major stops in Stockton, Fresno, and Bakersfield.

By car
Major roads through the Sacramento Valley area include Interstate 80, which runs east-west, and Interstate 5 and Highway 99, which run north-south.

Go next

 * North Coast and Shasta Cascades, to the north
 * San Francisco, the Bay Area and the Central Coast, to the west
 * San Joaquin Valley, to the south
 * Sierra Nevada and the Gold Country, to the east

title: Sacramento Valley


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Sacred sites of South Asia

As the birthplace of several world religions, South Asia, also known as the Indian Subcontinent, is home to countless sacred and holy sites. This article is about a few of the most notable sites of the Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Sanamahist/Traditional Meitei and Sikh faiths.

Buddhist

 * See Buddhism for an article on Buddhism from an international point of view.

Understand
Buddhism is a religion founded around 400-500 BC by Sakyamuni Buddha. Born in Lumbini as heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Sakya (in present day Nepal, near the Indian border), Prince Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha's former name) discovered that a life of luxury did not lead to peace of mind, and that the rich, like the poor, still suffer the torments of old age, sickness and death. He therefore renounced his title and abandoned his wealth in order to seek a way that could lead all beings, without discrimination, to freedom from suffering. He spent six years experimenting with the various common methods of the day, but to no avail. Finally, at the age of thirty-five and while meditating under the bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, he awoke to the insights he had been seeking. The essence of the Buddha's discovery are categorized in his first teaching that was delivered to a group of five ascetics at the Deer Park in Sarnath and is called the Four Noble Truths. The Buddha finally passed away in a copse of sal trees at Kushinagar. He was believed to be over 80 years old at the time.

For many centuries, Buddhism was the major religion in India, and was supported by many great kings, with Asoka the Great (273–232 BC)  perhaps the most famous. Buddhism's influence in India waxed and waned over the next millennium, and during the 6th and 7th century support was mostly confined to Southern India. However, perhaps the single most significant blow to Buddhism in India occurred in 1193 when Turkic Islamic raiders burnt the great Buddhist center of learning in Nalanda (in current day Bihar), and by the end of the 12th century it had all but disappeared from the lowlands, though it continued to thrive in the Himalayan regions.

Buddhism as a philosophy and religion can roughly be divided into two schools: Theravada and Mahayana. The Theravada school which spread to Thailand, Sri Lanka and other South East Asian countries promotes personal liberation from suffering, whereas the Mahayana, which is prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Bhutan and Tibet, emphasizes the liberation of all beings. The Vajrayana school, which is often called Tibetan Buddhism, is an offshoot of Mahayana and differs from it only in method, not philosophy. A common thread throughout all Buddhist schools is the cultivation of wisdom and compassion as a basis of interacting with the world, and the total rejection of religious conversion. All schools of Buddhism recognize karma (the law of cause and effect) as the creator of our illusory universe, which Buddhists refer to as samsara.

Common images and symbols

 * Buddha Sakyamuni. Obviously the most common image at Buddhist monasteries, and statues show the Buddha in a various number of postures, though the most common of these depicts the Buddha sitting in lotus posture with the finger tips of his right hand touching the ground.
 * Tara (only in Vajrayana monasteries). This female deity can be depicted in a variety of colors, though green or white are the most common. Green Tara represents the Buddha's enlightened activity. White Tara represents compassion.
 * Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche (only in Vajrayana monasteries, especially those of the Nyingma school). An eighth century sage credited as the founder of Vajrayana Buddhism. The most common images portray him in a sitting posture, wearing an elaborate hat and with his right leg lowered slightly. His eyes are wide open and appear to be gazing into the distance.
 * Prayer wheels (Tib: mani) (only in Vajrayana monasteries). There are several types of prayer wheels, and the following are some of the most common: copper wheels mounted in walls surrounding monasteries and stupas, and large wooden wheels standing alone near the gates of monasteries. In addition, there are small hand-held wheels that are carried by devotees. All prayer wheels are rotated in a clockwise direction and with a sincere motivation to benefit all beings. In this way, they are considered an effective means of developing a generous and pure mind.

Respect

 * Wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site.
 * Go barefoot within the main temple/stupa complex.
 * Circumambulate stupas and other sacred objects in a clock-wise direction.
 * Turn prayer wheels in a clockwise direction.
 * Preserve the peace and tranquillity.
 * Do not climb onto statues or other sacred objects.
 * Do not sit with the soles of the feet facing a Buddha image (especially important in Theravada temples)

Notable sites
Below is list of fourteen of the most notable Buddhist sites in the subcontinent:

 * Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — the place where the Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment.
 * Boudhanath Stupa, Boudhanath, Nepal — a large stupa with relics of a past Buddha.
 * Bumthang Valley, Bhutan — the valley is considered the spiritual heart of Bhutan and contains many sacred sites, including the famous Kurjey Lhakhang in Jakar.
 * Ellora and Ajanta, Maharashtra, India — spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy place for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
 * Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India — the site where Buddha reached Mahaparinirvana and was cremated
 * Lumbini, Nepal — the birth place of Sakyamuni Buddha.
 * Pharping, Kathmandu Valley, one of the most sacred sites associated with Guru Rinpoche
 * Rewalsar (Tsopema), Himachal Pradesh, India — a sacred lake associated with the Buddhist sage Padmasambhava. A popular pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.
 * Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh — the place where the Buddha first taught the Dharma.
 * Sitagarha Hill, Marwateri Basin, Sitagarha Hill, Jharkhand, India. The site of a major Buddhist shrine and stone carved stupa dating from the Mauryan Period.
 * Taktshang Monastery, (Tiger's Nest), Paro, Bhutan — a monastery associated with Guru Rinpoche. It is one of Bhutan's most sacred places.
 * The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka — a temple housing a tooth that came from the mouth of Lord Buddha and is considered Sri Lanka's most sacred site.
 * Taxila, Punjab, Pakistan — a major site with relics of the Buddha, including teeth and bone fragments, and many stupas and monasteries
 * Diamond Triangle, Odisha — A collection of Buddhist archaeological sites comprising Ratnagiri, Udaygiri and Lalitgiri, along with a few minor sites.

Itinerary
There are many important sites for Buddhists in the Indian subcontinent. Undoubtedly the most notable are those connected with the four main events in the Buddha's life: his birth, enlightenment, first teaching and death. It is known as the Buddhist Circuit.
 * Lumbini, Lumbini (zone), Nepal (birth)
 * Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India  — six hours by train from Varanasi to nearby Gaya. (enlightenment)
 * Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India — six hours by train from Gaya to nearby Varanasi. (first teaching)
 * Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India (demise)

There is no special order that these pilgrimage sites should be visited. Sarnath is the nearest to Delhi, while Bodh Gaya is the closest to Kolkata. However, those who wish to visit Lumbini and return to India should ensure that they have a multi-entry visa. Otherwise, travelers planning to visit Nepal can place Lumbini last on their itinerary, and so eliminate the need to return to India. Likewise, travelers heading to India from Kathmandu should ideally visit Lumbini first. Seven or eight days is sufficient to make a short visit to each site, but travelers who wish to spend longer at each destination, and possibly visit other sites of interest in the area, should allow for two weeks, minimum. Among these sites, Bodh Gaya is considered the most sacred and is the most active, so if time constraints only allow a visit to one or two sites, then the place of the Buddha's enlightenment should definitely be given priority consideration.

For a fictional account of a Tibetan Lama on pilgrimage to these places, see On the trail of Kipling's Kim.

Festivals
Vajrayana tradition
 * New Year, first full moon in year (usually in February).
 * Modlam Chenmo, 8th-15th day after lunar new year.
 * The Buddha's Enlightenment and Passing into Nirvana, 15th day of 4th lunar month (usually May).
 * Guru Rinpoche's Birthday, 10th day of the 6th lunar month.
 * Chokhor Duchen, 4th day of the 6th lunar month (usually July). Celebrates the first sermon given by the Buddha Sakyamuni after enlightenment.

Theravada tradition
 * Vesak, first full moon in May. Celebrates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing into nirvana.
 * Asalha, first full moon of 8th lunar month (usually July). Celebrates the first sermon given by the Buddha Sakyamuni after enlightenment.

Understand
Founded around 4,000 years ago, Hinduism was the first religion in the subcontinent and is considered among the oldest in the world. Hindus believe in a set of ideas called the dharma, or truth. According to Hindu philosophy, all living beings have an atma (soul), which is seen as a part of the supreme spirit the Brahman, that is reborn several times, in both human and animal form. The karma (actions) of people in one life will decide their fate in the next life. At first glance Hinduism appears to have numerous gods, although ultimately they are all considered to be different appearances of the supreme spirit, the Brahman. The other three most important manifestations are Brahma the creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. These gods are worshipped in a temple (known as a mandir in Hindi or a Devalaya in Sanskrit), most of which are elaborately decorated with carvings and sculptures. Each temple has its own priest(s) who carry out the puja (prayers) and rituals.

The Ganges river is considered to be holy by most Hindus, who believe that bathing in it will wash away their earthly sins. Millions of pilgrims take a dip in the holy water from the Varanasi ghats (the steps along the river-bank) and take some Ganga Jal (holy water) with them back as a blessing. Haridwar is another auspicious place for a dip.

The majority of Hindus live in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. There are small minorities in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Common images and symbols

 * Om. The sacred syllable that represents God. Om refers to the oneness of the Atman (soul) and Brahman (ultimate reality and entirety of the universe). You will commonly hear the word chanted as part of mantras in temples and yoga schools. It is also common to see the Sanskrit inscription of this word.
 * Swastika. Derived from the Sanskrit term for well-being, the Swastika is an equilateral cross. Each of its arms is bent at right angles in either the left or right direction. It is often decorated with a dot in each quadrant. It does not denote Nazism in India, and rather denotes purity of soul and truth.

Respect

 * Do not disrespect or step on anything made of paper. Books are associated with Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge).
 * If you decide to attend a prayer, remember to accept the flowers with your right hand, or with both hands.
 * Take off your shoes before entering a temple.
 * Do not bring non-vegetarian food or alcohol into the premises of a temple. In some cities like Haridwar, Rishikesh and Varanasi, alcohol and meat are banned.
 * Some Hindu temples do not allow non-Hindus inside certain parts of the temple complex, others are open to all. Remember that these are places of worship, not tourist attractions.

Destinations
Below are some of the most notable Hindu sacred sites in South Asia:
 * and have spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy place for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
 * (28 km northeast of Pahalgam), the site of the holy iced stalagmite Shiva Lingam
 * , a temple town and capital of Odisha, literally means God of Earth and features numerous temples in its old town.
 * Char Dham, four pilgrimage places in India (Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram) that are widely revered by Hindus and are dedicated to the Vishnu Avatars (incarnations). Geographically speaking the Char Dham make a perfect square with Badrinath and Rameswaram falling on same longitude and Dwarka and Puri on same latitude, representing the farthest north east west and south points of India in the 8th century.
 * , the city which Krishna is believed to have founded and ruled for 100 years. Also the site of the western matha, established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.
 * , temple town with the temple of Konark nearby.
 * , literally meaning the "Gateway to God", located at the banks of the Ganges (Ganga) River.
 * , home to Nepal's holiest Hindu shrine, the Pashupatinath Temple.
 * , centre of worship of the Goddess Meenakshi, who is regarded as an avatar of Parvati, the consort of Shiva.
 * , believed to be the birthplace of Krishna.
 * is a temple town and the headquarters of ISKCON.
 * , known as the 'Yoga Capital of the World'.
 * Shirdi, Maharashtra, India — the site of a temple dedicated to Saibaba.
 * Somnath, Gujarat, India — Somnath temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlings, is known as 'the Shrine Eternal', as although the temple has been destroyed six times it has been rebuilt every single time.
 * Sabarimala, Kerala — The sacred hill-top shrine of Lord Ayyappan, famous for its pilgrimage recorded as world's second largest after the Hajj.
 * (Tanjore), once the capital of the great Chola Empire, and also home to many magnificent temples dating from that period.
 * , home to the Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple, the most visited place of worship in the world.
 * , one of the "Sapta Puri" (seven holy cities of Hinduism) and four sites where the Kumbha Mela mass gathering takes place every 12 years. Ujjain is also famous for its Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple, one of 12 most sacred Shiva temples. In ancient Indian astronomy, Ujjain was regarded as the prime meridian.
 * , the holiest city in the religion, along the banks of the Ganges River, and one of the oldest continuously-occupied cities in the world.

Festivals

 * Diwali, October/November. The festival of lights. Celebrated with diyas, candles, colourful lights, sweets and plenty of fireworks.
 * Dussehra, October/November. Held on the last day of Navratri or Durga Puja. Celebrates the victory of good over evil. Huge effigies of the mythological characters Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are stuffed with fireworks and burned.
 * Ganesh Chaturthi, August/September. According to legend, Lord Ganesha was born on this day. It is at its most elaborate in Maharashtra.
 * Holi, March. The festival of colours, Holi celebrates the coming of spring. A huge bonfire is held in the evening prior to the festival. In some places, people throw either powdered or liquid paints at each other on the streets, and many wear cheap white clothing for the occasion so good clothes will not get stained. People can get quite exuberant about this and some delight in painting any foreigners who may be about.
 * Janmashtami, August/September. Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Marked by devotional songs and dances.
 * Kumbh Mela, dates vary. This Hindu festival occurs every 3 years and alternates between Prayagraj (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. None of the events are small, but the Maha Kumbh Mela (held every 12 years in Prayagraj) is the largest gathering on Earth, attended by millions of bathers and observers.
 * Mahashivaratri, March. Dedicated to Lord Shiva. At night, leaves are offered to the idol.
 * Rathyatra, around July. Known As the "Car Festival" and dedicated to Sri Krishna. It is celebrated all over India, though the main activities are held in Puri, where a gigantic chariot is drawn through the town by thousands of devotees.

Islamic
Islam became well-established in the subcontinent under the Mughal Empire; today Muslims are a majority in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and a large minority in India.

Understand
Founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 6th century CE, Islam literally means submitting to the will of God. Muslims believe that when the Prophet was meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, near Mecca, the archangel Gabriel came to him and told him that there is one God but Allah and that Muhammad should become the messenger to carry out God's will and convey God's ideas to people. When Muhammad first began to preach he had difficulty in attracting followers, and the rulers of the city attempted to silence him, as they feared his preaching contradicted and threatened their profitable kaaba-based religion. In AD 622, the Prophet with his followers fled to the town of Yathrib (later renamed Medina). This flight, called the Hijra, marks the start of the Islamic calendar. At Medina, Muhammad declared that people should peacefully live together, rather than fighting between tribes. The words of Allah, which Muhammad passed down to the people, were compiled in a holy book called the Koran (or the Qur'an).

To Muslims, Islam is a way of life supported by five pillars:
 * There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger
 * A prayer to Allah is to be made five times a day
 * Alms should be given to the poor at least once a year.
 * Muslims should fast between dawn and dusk during the month of Ramadan; see Travelling during Ramadan.
 * Muslims should make a pilgrimage to Mecca (known as the Hajj) at least once in their lifetime

Muslims worship in mosques (masjid in Arabic/Urdu) and are called to prayer five times a day by the muezzin, at times set by the Koran. A Muslim religious leader is called an Imam. During prayers in the mosque, worshippers stand in a straight row behind him. Women usually pray in a separate area at the back of the mosque or just outside. Friday is the holy day for Muslims, when they gather in a mosque to offer namaz (morning prayers) and listen to a talk by the Imam. This occasion gives Muslims a chance to know each other, particularly in areas where Muslims are a minority.

India ranks second behind Indonesia with over 150 million Muslims. There are several Islamic sites in India, many are highly sacred. Most of the Indian Muslims are within the Sunni sect with believers adhering to two main schools, the liberal Shafi'i school mainly having its base in Kerala and South Indian states as well as conservative Hanfi found in other parts of India and a sizeable Shia sect mostly in Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh.

The Mughal Empire ruled large parts of the subcontinent for over 200 years starting in the 1520s, and were largely responsible for the spread of Islam in the region. They were great builders, creating many of the most important examples of Islamic architecture in the region or indeed in the world; the most famous of these is the Taj Mahal.

Respect

 * Wear clothes that cover your body well; avoid shorts or sleeveless tops.
 * Non-Muslims are generally permitted to visit mosques in the Indian subcontinent, but should avoid entering at prayer times, especially during the main weekly prayer on Fridays.
 * Remove footwear before entering a mosque.
 * Do not disrespect Imams and other religious leaders.

Notable sites
Below is a list of a few of the most notable Islamic sites in the subcontinent:

 * Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, Pakistan – built by the emperor Aurangzeb, in the same Mughal style as the Jama Masjid in Delhi which was built by his father
 * Cherman Palli in Kochi, Kerala – built during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad by his messenger Malik-Dinar, this is the world's second mosque to be constructed after Medina Mosque and first mosque in South Asia.
 * Dargah of Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer, India – this tomb of a Sufi saint is hugely popular, not just among Muslims, but also Hindus and Christians. It's one of the largest dargahs on the subcontinent, and people travel from all over to pay homage.
 * Dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi, India – one of the most famous Sufi saints of the subcontinent, he was a disciple of Moinuddin Chisti and his shrine is also revered among non-Muslims and very popular
 * Faisal Masjid in Islamabad, Pakistan – One of the largest mosques in the world, the mosque and surrounding gardens can hold around 300,000 people
 * Dargah of Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri near Agra, India
 * Jama Masjid in Delhi, India – the most famous and largest mosque in India, commissioned by Shah Jahan
 * Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, India - the second largest mosque in India, built by Quli Qutub Shah

Festivals

 * Eid ul-Fitr, 1st of Shawwal. Celebrates the end of the month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn till dusk. Dates are usually used to break the fast. By far the most important date in the Islamic calendar.
 * Eid ul-Adha, 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. This date coincides with the pilgrimage to Mecca. Commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice all that he cherished, including his own son Ismael, for Allah's sake.
 * Muharram (Ashura), 10th of Muharram. The day when Muslims remember and mourn the death of Hussain at Karbala. Devout Shias beat themselves with canes and sticks to feel Hussain's pain.

Notable sites
Below is a list of a few of the most notable Jain sites in India:

 * Ellora and Ajanta, Maharashtra, India — spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy place for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
 * Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India — home to dozens of Jain rock-cut sculptures.
 * Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India — home to the complex of white marble Dilwada Temples.
 * Shikharji, Jharkhand, India — Parshvanath Hill is about 4481 feet high, and twenty pilgrims are said to have attained Nirvana here.
 * Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, India — one of the most sacred places for Digambar Jains.
 * Palitana temples or Shatrunjay, Gujarat; the largest temple cluster on the hill having more than 800 temples and shrines, the major pilgrimage place of Shvetambar Jains.

Festivals

 * Mahavira Jayanti, March/April. Celebrates the birth of Mahavira. Jain temples are decorated with flags. The most important date on the Jain calendar.
 * Kali Chaudash, the day before Diwali. Jains avoid eating potatoes, onion or garlic on this day.
 * Mahamasthakabhisheka is an important Jain festival held once every twelve years in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka state, India. The festival is held in veneration of an immense 18 meter high statue of the Bhagwan (or Saint) Gomateshwara Bahubali. The anointing last took place in February 2006, and the next ceremony will occur in 2018.

Sanamahist/Traditional Meitei

 * See Sanamahism for an article on Sanamahism from a general point of view.

Understand
Sanamahism or traditional Meitei religion (also known as Lainingthouism, Lainingthou religion, Meiteism, Kangleism or Kanglei religion) originated from Ancient Kangleipak (AKA Antique Manipur). Sanamahism is an animistic, polytheistic, shamanic, spiritualistic and totemic faith. It is an ethnic religion of the Meitei people (popularly known as Manipuri people), the largest community of Manipur.

Among the population of Hindu Meiteis, Christian Meiteis and Buddhist Meiteis, the population of Sanamahism/Traditional Meitei religion followers accounts for 8% of the total population of Manipur, according to 2011 census.

Respect
Sanamahism allows people of any faith in entering the Sanamahist/traditional Meitei religious shrines or temples or any other holy sites.
 * Visitors must remove their shoes, slippers and socks before entering into the sacred sites.
 * Usually, either near the gate or near the entrance door of most traditional Meitei holy shrines, leaves of Tairen plant (Toona ciliata) are kept immersed in a clean water vessel. Every visitors are supposed to hold the leaves and sprinkle a little of the water on their heads or upper body parts to spiritually cleanse or purify the bodies of the visitors.
 * In some places, such sprinkling of water with leaves are done by maibas (Meitei priests) or maibis (Meitei priestesses) in service of the temples. If a maiba or a maibi isn't present, you can sprinkle the water by yourself.

Notable sites
1. Kangla Pakhangba Temple — It is dedicated to Meitei God Pakhangba. It is situated in the heart of the historic Kangla, in Imphal West district of Manipur.

2. Lainingthou Sanamahi Kiyong Hongba Temple — It is dedicated to Meitei God Lainingthou Sanamahi and is situated on the hilltop of the Selloi Langmai Ching Hills, in Imphal East district of Manipur.

3. Ibudhou Marjing Temple, Heingang — It is dedicated to Meitei God Marjing, the only deity of polo sports in the world. It is situated on the foothills of the Heingang Ching Hills of the Kontha Khabam region in Imphal East district of Manipur.

4. Sanamahi Temple, Haying Khongban Uphong Yumpham — It is dedicated to Meitei God Lainingthou Sanamahi and his foster mother Goddess Leimarel Sidabi. It is situated in the Sanakhwa Yaima Kollup, in Imphal West district of Manipur.

Understand
Sikhism originated in the Punjab. Sikhism began in 16th century Northern India with the teachings of Guru Nanak and nine successive Gurus. The Sikh system of philosophy is heavily based on the teachings of the Gurus, and is hence known as Gurmat. Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, was born as a Hindu in the year 1469. He believed that ceremonies and rituals divided people of different religions and that it was the beliefs and actions of the people that really mattered. The teachings of the Gurus are compiled in the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. According to Sikh philosophy, there is one God who created the Universe. A Sikh place of worship is known as a Gurudwara. It is derived from the Sanskrit words Guru and Dwaara and literally means the gateway to the Guru. Sikhism is unique in that there are no priests. Readers, called Granthi, conduct services and read out passages from the Guru Granth Sahib. However, any member of the congregation may speak during a service.

Worldwide, Sikhs number more than 23 million, but more than 90% of Sikhs live in the Indian state of Punjab, where they form close to 65% of the population. Large communities of Sikhs are also found in the neighboring states and across India, though they comprise only about 2% of the Indian population. Migration beginning from the nineteenth century led to the creation of significant communities in Canada (Brampton, Ontario; Surrey, British Columbia), the United Kingdom, the Middle East, East Africa, Southeast Asia and more recently, the United States, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Respect

 * Remember to remove your shoes and cover your head at all times when inside a gurdwara.
 * Do not smoke or drink, and do not come intoxicated,
 * Non-Sikhs are welcome inside any gurudwara in the world.

Notable sites
Below is a list of some of the most notable Sikh sites in India:

 * Amritsar, Punjab, India — Sikh holy city, home to The Golden Temple.

Festivals

 * Diwali, October/November. Sikhs celebrate Diwali to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone for the Golden Temple in 1577. Earthen lamps are used to illuminate houses and gurudwaras.
 * Baisakhi, 13 April. Marks the Punjabi New Year and the beginning of the harvest season.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Sacred sites of South Asia


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Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a valley in the Southern Sierra in Peru that contains many famous and beautiful Inca ruins. It was called the Sacred Valley because it contains some of the best land in the region and was not a part of the Incan Empire but the property of the Emperor or Inca himself.

Cities
Major cities or major attractions in the Sacred Valley include:

 * — on the bottom of a magnificent valley, this town is the main gateway to Machu Picchu
 * — the unofficial capital of the region, Cusco is a fascinating city with beautiful colonial architecture built right atop Incan constructions. Although most of the Inca buildings have been replaced by the Spaniards, there are still some Inca walls and foundations to be seen in the center of Cusco.
 * — on the main route to Incan sites of Salineras and Moray, Maras is an otherwise unremarkable dusty town
 * — one of the last Incan towns to fall, much of Ollantaytambo is laid out in the same way as it was in Inca times with extensive ruins worth seeing. In the town of Ollantaytambo houses can be seen which date from Inca times. The nearby ruins features agricultural terraces as well as military, religious and administrative sections. Admission with boleto turistico.
 * — a traditional Quechua village in Cusco, near Ollantaytamb
 * — in addition to Machu Picchu-like ruins, it's the weekly market, in which locals from highlands gather with their fresh produce, that puts Pisac on the itinerary of many travellers. The mountain overlooking the village of Pisac is covered with terraces and several ruins. Well-worth a visit. Admission with boleto turistico.
 * — some of the most interesting agricultural terracing and water management developed by the Incas, all still in perfectly working condition. A group of agricultural terraces and irrigation channels. It is believed to be dedicated to agricultural experimentation as well as religious activities. Admission with boleto turistico.
 * — a regional transportation hub, Urubamba also has a street market on offer

Other destinations
Other destinations near to or accessible from cities in the Sacred Valley include:

 * — a more remote and less-travelled alternative to Machu Picchu, much of Choquequirao has undergone reconstruction but still is impressive anyway (and not least because of the mighty views over Apurimac Valley). According to some this site is as impressive as Machu Picchu, but without the crowds. The only way in is a 4-day trek (two days each way).
 * — one of the most spectacular sets of ruins in the world, a visit to Peru is not complete without a visit to this mysterious "lost city of Incas". The star attraction of the sacred valley. Also the endpoint of the Inca Trail.
 * — terraced co-centric circles that were used for developing better agricultural crops by Incas. Amphitheater shaped terraces. It probably served as an agricultural laboratory and seed cultivation site.
 * - One of the few pre-Inca sites. It has been built by the Wari-culture. Admission with boleto turistico.
 * - A small site. Which purpose it served is still unclear.
 * - This site is hewn out of a rock. It probably served as religious shrine.
 * - Cusco was envisioned to represent a puma with Sacsayhuaman as head. Large parts of the site has been destroyed in the colonial era as the Spaniards used the stones of the sites to build their own houses. What remains is still impressive. Admission with boleto turistico.
 * - A small ruin, which probably was a religious center, but could also be a military center. Walk back and visit Puca Pucara, Qénqo and Sacsayhuamán on the way back. (See Cusco). Admission with boleto turistico

Get in
The main way in is through Cusco, which has daily flights to Lima and Arequipa and buses to other parts of Peru and Bolivia.

Get around
Buses and minibuses (colectivos) are the way to get around for many destinations. However, to get to Aguas Calientes (to access Machu Picchu) the only ways in are by train or on foot.

See
The Sacred Valley is dotted with Inca Ruins, with Machu Picchu being the absolute star attraction. If you are in a hurry, try to visit at least Pisac and Sacsayhuaman.
 * Salineras — ancient saltpans used by Incas in salt production. Thousands of salt pans nestled in a canyon that have been used to harvest salt from a spring for thousands of years.

Itineraries

 * Inca Trail — the classic mountain trek to Machu Picchu

Do
See the valley. Although the various ruins are the undeniable highlight, a 4-5 hour bus tour of the loop Cusco-Chincheros-Urubamba-Pisac-Cusco shows truly spectacular landscapes, especially on clear days during the winter (May-September). Tours can be booked with various agencies, although it is cheapest to just take buses between the various cities (and you can start in any of them).

There are many beautiful towns in the Sacred Valley that contain great landscapes, traditional restaurants, hotels/hostels and local markets. The largest ones are Pisac, Calca, and Urubamba.

title: Sacred Valley of the Incas


text:
Sadao

Sadao (สะเดา) is a small town in Southern Thailand. It is near two border crossings with Malaysia: Dannok (ด่านนอก) and Padang Besar

Understand
The border town and checkpoint of Dannok (which appropriately means "outpost") is 10 km south of Sadao and about 60 km from Hat Yai. The town on the Malaysian side is Bukit Kayu Hitam.

This road crossing is the busiest between Thailand and Malaysia: both countries' major trans-national highways to their capitals meet at this crossing. Most long-distance buses between Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand use this crossing.

If busy border checkpoints stress you, head to the quieter Padang Besar rail and road crossing, 12 km west of Sadao. Trains run to both capitals.

Dannok used to be just a few wayside but border trade, sleaze and shopping have led to both sides of the highway sprouting many little lanes lined with karaoke bars and nightclubs, with scantily-dressed bargirls sitting outside.

Get in
Given its highway location, bus is the usual way in. Although connections from Padang Besar make Sadao easily accessible by train.

Visa
Thai immigration information is at Thailand | Get in.

Same-day visa runs are apparently not possible in this province of Thailand, but see the remarks under Padang Besar (Thailand) for a potential workaround.

By minibus
In Dannok, vans leave from in front of 7-Eleven to Hat Yai via Sadao when full. Takes one hour and you can ask to be dropped off anywhere in Hat Yai. The fare is 55 baht, after 23:00 you probably won't get a ride for less than 100 baht. In Hat Yai, the van leaves from The Hatyai bus station terminal No. 1, near to CentralPlaze festival mall.

By taxi
A taxi to Hat Yai is about 300 baht.

By road
Sadao and Dannok are on Hwy 4, the south's main northbound road to Bangkok. Dannok is about 60 km or one hour south of Hat Yai. You can drive right up to the immigration checkpoint.

From Malaysia
You can drive, walk or catch a regular taxi or motorcycle taxi to travel the 1 km between the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint and Dannok. Between the two checkpoints on the Malaysian side is a huge Duty Free shopping complex. See the Bukit Kayu Hitam page for connections within Malaysia.

Get around
Motorcycle taxis are plentiful and charge RM2 or 20 baht in Dannok.

See
Dannok has nothing much to see or do in the day time! More of a night life town!

Do
A growing nightlife is developing due to Malaysian border crossers looking for a good time. There are lots of hostess and go-go bars to be found.

There are also very good traditional Thai massage parlours that offer both a body massage or foot massage at very reasonable prices.

Buy

 * The shops in Dannok are interesting enough to look around and many Malaysians come here to stock up with things from mangoes to bras. The variety is certainly more interesting than in Malaysia and prices are much cheaper.
 * Many also shop at the Duty Free Shopping Complex which is in Malaysian territory between the Thai and Malaysian immigration checkpoints. See the Bukit Kayu Hitam for details.

Eat
Dannok has 2 nice restaurants both with man-made lakes. One has a fishing pond and the other has a beautiful view! Ask the hotels or motorcycle taxis for location as it is out of the main town area but the meal at the lake view restaurant is worth the travel!

Drink
This small town is a heaven in terms of drinking places, from pubs, clubs & even a disco called Paragon. Satit Disco is one of the most interesting place where you have to visit. Turn into any lane and you're bound to find a place to get a drink! Be careful though as this town is virtually a cowboy town with very little presence of police, therefore try to stay out of trouble!

title: Sadao


text:
Sado Island

Sado Island (佐渡ヶ島 Sadogashima) is an island off the coast of Niigata in the Chubu region of Japan. The whole island forms a municipality, Sado City.

Understand
Long a remote place of exile for political dissidents, including a deposed monarch, Emperor Juntoku, and the Buddhist monk Nichiren, Sado experienced a boom during the Edo era when gold was found at Aikawa. A major source of revenue for the Tokugawa shogunate that at one time accounted for as much as a fifth of the world's gold production, the mines were worked in horrific conditions by what amounted to slave labor, consisting largely of homeless people rounded up from the mainland. In 1897, the mines were sold to Mitsubishi, who kept up production and during World War 2 forcibly imported around 2,000 Koreans to work shifts of up to 16 hours per day. Only in 1989 did the mines finally close their doors.

Despite this grim history, today's Sado is a pleasant summer getaway of rocky coasts, green hills and quaint fishing ports, with a permanent population of 50,000 (2022). Shaped a bit like an anvil, the largest town (両津) is nestled in the eastern gap. (小木) is on the southern coast, while the former gold-mining town of (相川) lies to the north.

Although the island has been populated for millennia, a large area of Sado (especially outside the central plain) remains uninhabited. Road access for the Northeastern part of the island can become problematic in the winter after heavy snow. The mountainous geography of the island certainly accounts for this.

The northern half of the island is covered with the Ō-Sado mountain range (大佐渡), the southern with the Ko-sado (小佐渡) mountain range, the Osado range being higher (with peaks over 1000 m). In between, the Kuninaka (国仲) plain is covered with rice fields and is more heavily populated.

The weather is pleasant in the summer, but winters can be harsh. It does not get outrageously cold, but it can get rather windy, and it often snows. Transportation to and on the island can be affected, with canceled ferries and roads closed.

Overall, visitors to Sado will enjoy its nice rural landscapes and its relative "remoteness" from the frenzy of the mainland. It is precisely the kind of old and rural Japan that some travel long distances for.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By plane
Sado's airport has no scheduled service. Occasional talk of revivals or even extending the runway to allow direct flights from Tokyo have so far come to naught.

(As of 2024, a new LCC, Toki Air is planning regular services to the island)

By boat
Two ferry lines link the island to the mainland:
 * Niigata-Ryōtsu, the most heavily used lines
 * Car ferries ¥2,380, 2.5 hours, every 3 hours
 * Jet ferries ¥6,390, 1 hour, every 2 hours
 * Naoetsu-Ogi, ¥3,780, 1.7 hours, 3 times daily

Services may be increased for festivals and cut back in the winter or in adverse weather. Prices above are for second class. Renting a blanket costs an extra ¥100. The future of the Naoetsu-Ogi line is uncertain, travelers would be wise to check beforehand that it's still running. A third line between Teradomari and Akadomari is still mentioned in some places on the official website, but has been permanently canceled since May 2019.

The jet ferries have only one class. On car ferries almost everyone uses 2nd class with access to the lower two decks. You can lie down on hard carpet floor or sit on plastic chairs on the second deck. All lines are operated by Sado Kisen.

Get around

 * Hitchhiking is a fairly good means of getting around. (There are no bears on Sado Island.)
 * You might want to consider renting a car (some rent a car in Ryōtsu after getting off the ferry). Although the island is not very large, the coastal scenic roads are quite windy. A round-the-island drive following the coastal road would be over 250 km long, and take at least a day.
 * Bicycle is an option, but accessing the more remote outer coasts, where some major tourist spots are located, will require you to climb some strenuous passages. Electric bicycle rental is available at the Sagata bus center, at Aikawa Orito, and in other places. Prices start from ¥500 for the first hour and increase by ¥200 per hour, capped at ¥2000 per day.

O-Sado/Aikawa

 * The first and older tunnel is Sohdayu Tunnel (Edo period). It displays various moving puppets imitating work of the miners and has a museum at the exit where you can lift a real gold bar. The most important information is translated into English, Japanese texts are more elaborate though. As it's getting quite chilly inside, bringing a jacket is advised. Estimated time: 30 minutes The second tunnel, Dohyu Tunnel, was created during the Meiji period, and was operated until 1989. It contains two shafts that don't go deep and a museum featuring mining equipment (texts only in Japanese). Estimated time: 40 minutes
 * Sado's coastline is quite scenic, full of rocks, cliffs, gorges and more. Particularly well known are the Sotokaifu Coast (外海府海岸) and its Senkaku Bay (尖閣湾), to the north of Aikawa.
 * The huge Ōno-game (大野亀) rock (over 160 m high) is on the northern coast of the island, with a small sand stretch joining it to the mainland. In this area is also located the Futatsu-game formation (二つ亀), two islands said to look like two turtles. Between Futatsu-game and Ono-game lies a Sainokawara (賽の河原), a limbo for dead children according to Buddhist mythology. This spooky place is located at the entrance of a cave, dotted with small statues and dolls, right on the coastline.
 * The windy Ō-Sado Skyline road, joining Kanai(金井) and Aikawa (相川), climbs through the slopes of Mt Kinpoku (金北山 Kinpoku-san) for some very nice views of the whole of the island, especially around the spot called Hakuundai (白雲台). The road is closed during winter (end of November to April). The area around the summit of Mt Kinpoku is a restricted area under the supervision of the Japanese Self-Defense forces. It is possible to treck from the road to the summit, but necessary authorizations should be obtained.

Kuninaka

 * There are a number of temples connected with the Nichiren faith on the island, including Konponji (根本寺), built on the location of his exile, Myōsenji (妙宣寺) and Myōshōji (妙照寺).
 * Close to Konponji, Seisuiji (清水寺) is a Sado version of the Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto. The Japanese characters are the same... for a good reason: the temple was built for locals to be able to pray in Kiyomizudera without having to travel to Kyoto.
 * Mano Goryo (真野御陵), in Mano, is actually the resting place of the (enshrined) Emperor Juntoku.

Kosado/Ogi

 * Between Mano and Ogi on the road to Akadomari, look for the Nashinoki-jizo (梨の木地蔵), a small shadowy place in the woods dotted with hundreds of small statues or jizo, to which local fishermen pay their respect and which are said to cure the disease of children.
 * The Ogi Coast (小木海岸), near the town of the same name, although not as rugged as the Northern coast, is nevertheless very enjoyable. Take your time and visit the Rengebu-ji temple (蓮華峰寺) near the town.
 * On the south coast, close to Ogi, lies the small and picturesque harbour of Shukunegi (宿根木) with traditional wooden houses reminiscent of the Edo period. This settlement is close to Yajima-Kyōjima (矢島経島), one of the most famous places on the island to try Taraibune (see Do section)
 * West of Ogi and very close to town itself is the Sadokoku Ogi Folk Museum (佐渡国小木民俗博物館), housing hundreds of everyday life items from old and less old times. The display is somewhat chaotic, but it is still an interesting place to visit. The museum also houses a full-scale replica of a 19th-century freight vessel, with plenty of explanations about the role of Sado as a major stop on old naval routes.
 * In Hamochi (羽茂) near Ogi, Marudai, a Miso maker offers the possibility to visit a Miso production facility, with a small Miso museum. Entry is free.

Do

 * The Earth Celebration is a yearly arts festival run by the taiko (Japanese drumming) group Kodō since 1988. Performers from around the world join the event, culminating in Kodo's famously physical drumming performances on the bass-laden Ō-daiko (great drum).  The group lives and works out in spartan conditions on the island year-round, and once ran from the finish line of Boston Marathon onto stage for a performance.  Tickets are pricey (¥4000+) but well worth it. Book early as only 1000 are sold — the concerts are all acoustic and would not support more. The event takes place in the Ogi area, in late August.
 * For a more tame experience, take a spin (literally) in one of Ogi's tarai-bune, tiny little boats inconveniently shaped like barrels and rented out to tourists by the hour. Close to Ogi Yajima-Kyōjima is also a famous spot at which to tarai-bune.
 * There is a (very) small ski field in Kanai, with three lifts.
 * Sado hosts an International Triathlon each year the first Sunday of September, with around 1700 participants from Japan and overseas.
 * Although Sado is far from being a tropical island, you can bring your bathing suit in the summer and take a short swim at the beach in Sawata or in the northern tip of the island. Diving in Sado is quite popular and there are a few diving centers, in the Ogi area and Senego.
 * Ogi Diving Center.
 * Trekking is very enjoyable in the O-sado mountain range (Northern range of the island). You need a permit to walk in the area around the summit of Mt. Kinpoku. The permit is easy to obtain.

 * If you are in the mood, try to learn the simple steps of Sado traditional dance, the Okesa (おけさ). If you are lucky enough to be on the island for one of its many festivals, it is highly probable you will witness an Okesa. You may also see other typical dances, such as the Tsuburosashi, a fertility dance with evident phallic symbols and suggestive moves.

Buy
The multitude of shops at the ferry terminal in Ryotsu should cover your basic needs for tourist souvenirs.

The main shopping and supply area of the island is in Sawata (佐和田, sometimes also pronounced "Sawada" by locals). A small number of general stores, with a few 'pachinko' around are all that you should expect.

Eat
Sado is known for its fresh seafood: sashimi and sushi are not to be missed. The Kamo Lake is also a growing area for oysters.

There are a few cows herding on the green slopes of Osado; you can buy and try the pricey and renowned Sado Beef.

 * MOS Burger just adjacent to Benkei, in case you can not stand typical Japanese food anymore.
 * MOS Burger just adjacent to Benkei, in case you can not stand typical Japanese food anymore.
 * MOS Burger just adjacent to Benkei, in case you can not stand typical Japanese food anymore.
 * MOS Burger just adjacent to Benkei, in case you can not stand typical Japanese food anymore.

Drink
There are no permanent cinemas in Sado (although there is a huge Tsutaya video rental near Sawata), and only a few karaoke bars. Sado remains a very rural place; do not expect to find a very exciting nightlife. You can enjoy a drink or two in the evening in small karaoke-equipped snacks in Sawata, but that is pretty much it.

On the upside, there are no fewer than seven sake breweries on the island, so do your best to sample them all. Three of them are located in the hamlet of Mano (真野), on the western coast, which has proclaimed itself the independent state of the Alcohol Republic (アルコール共和国 Arukōru Kyōwakoku). Stop by the tourist office (Shinmachi 489, ) to sample the local wares and even pick up a passport (¥500) for documenting your experiences.

Budget
Camping is a viable budget option on Sado.

 * Sobama. A 15-minute drive from Ogi on the other side of the peninsula, located on a beautiful beach. The official campground here costs a steep ¥1300, but especially in Earth Celebration time there is often overflow onto the beach.  Toilets, pay showers, small shop and other facilities.
 * Camp Kisaki-jo. A barebones camping ground consisting of a tiny shrine on a little cape jutting out into the large lake next to Ryotsu, bordered on both sides by Sado's two central mountain chains.  No facilities.
 * Futatsu Game Camp-jo. Close to Futatsu-game (and therefore quite far from Ryotsu). Facilities available, some tents can be rented during the summer.
 * 15 free and unpowered but clean campsites are available in Mano (Toyota), next to the harbor (in front of the soccer field on the seaside). Toilets and barbecue facilities, but no shower.

Mid-range
There are many mid to high-range ryokans and hotels scattered throughout the central plain of the island.

Splurge

You will find several mid to high range ryokan near Aikawa, from which you can enjoy the sunset over the Sea of Japan:

Go next
Sado is pretty much the end of the road, and the only way out is back to the mainland either to Joetsu or Niigata by ferry. If you are still in the mood for islands in the Sea of Japan after a trip to Sado, you can try to get to the more remote (and much smaller) Awashima Island, 50 km north of Sado. You will need to get back to the mainland and to Iwafune, a small harbour 30 km north of Niigata.

title: Sado Island


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Safed

Safed (Hebrew: צפת Tsfat) is a city in the Upper Galilee region of Israel, and is one of the oldest centers for Jewish learning and spirituality, home to the Kabbalah movement which is popular with celebrities.

Understand
Located at an altitude of 900 meters (2,953 ft), Safed, is the highest city in the Galilee and of Israel. Due to its high altitude, Safed, experiences pleasantly warm summers and cold, and often snowy winters.

It is the birthplace of Lurianic Kabbalah, and one of the main bastions for Torah study and the like during the centuries of Ottoman rule. It is one of the four holiest cities in Judaism, along with Hebron, Tiberias, and of course Jerusalem. While there are many stories about when it was founded, and by whom, it truly grew to prominence in the late 15th century when it became a refuge for Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition.

It is a cute, quaint city in the north of Israel. In more recent times, thanks to its beautiful setting surrounded by pine forests, and its agreeable, mild summers, Safed has developed into a summer holiday resort much frequented by Israelis and also foreign visitors. It has also become popular as an artists' colony apart from its religious significance, its nature and its pleasant summers.

Also, if you want to see religious and missed the Jerusalem Haredi neighborhoods, this is the place you want go to – specially around the synagogues.

Get in
There are direct buses from Haifa, Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. See the Nateev Express website for information on travel times and fares.

The Israel Railways only get as close as Karmiel, but from there it is possible to take a bus to Safed. This is the recommended way to reach Safed from Ben Gurion Airport and some other locations.

Ayit Airways has two daily flights between Tel Aviv (Sde Dov Airport) and Rosh Pina. for ₪260 per person (₪185 for residents of the north). Sundays-Thursdays, no weekend service. From Rosh Pina, a ₪50-60 cab ride gets you to Safed.

Get around
Safed's old city is built in a circular fashion around a hilltop, and new neighborhoods lie on adjacent hills.

The old city, which is the main destination for visitors, is really only accessible by foot. It is small but quite hard to find your way around, consisting of a maze of pedestrian alleys with few markings of street names or house numbers. The best way to get around is to base yourself on the broad "Olei HaGardom" staircase which goes up and down the hill. This staircase was built by the British during the 1936-9 riots to separate what at the time were the Jewish and Arab neighborhoods. (To this day most synagogues and Jewish sites are found north of the staircase, while most art galleries have since located to the south.) The staircase, unlike most other places in the old city, is equipped with many signs and maps indicating the way to major sites. The best way of getting from one place to another is often to take an alley (circling the hilltop) to the staircase, go up or down the staircase as necessary, and take another alley to your destination.

There is a local bus company, Nateeve Express, that runs several local lines around the town. Unofficially, cabs take a set fare for any destination in the town. This is usually cheaper than the metered value. Even more unofficially, you can get "sherut" service with the cabs at the price of the bus fare. On "sherut", the cabs travel the bus routes only. The Old City of Safed is really only accessible on foot.

Jewish religious sites
There are a number of old, beautiful, and unique synagogues in Safed, some of them rather famous world-wide among the Jewish community. These include:

As in other synagogues, visitors should dress appropriately; this means covered legs (no shorts or short skirts), no bare shoulders/upper arms, and all men must cover their heads. (Synagogue personnel provide head coverings and shawls for travelers who come to visit the sites).

 * The Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria), the famous kabbalist of the 16th century.
 * Rabbi Joseph Karo, the author of the Shulchan Aruch, the definitive code of Jewish Law.
 * Rabbi Moshe Cordevero (the Ramak), a famous kabbalist predating the Arizal.
 * Chana and her seven sons, the martyred family from the time of the Temple.
 * Chana and her seven sons, the martyred family from the time of the Temple.

Other sites

 * The Red Khan – A significant Mameluk palace

Art Museums and Galleries

 * Statue Garden and the Gallery of sculptor Moshe Ziffer
 * The city also boasts a growing number of small, private art galleries, many of which have little cafes or tourist shops attached, selling postcards, t-shirts, and other basic tourist goods.
 * The city also boasts a growing number of small, private art galleries, many of which have little cafes or tourist shops attached, selling postcards, t-shirts, and other basic tourist goods.
 * The city also boasts a growing number of small, private art galleries, many of which have little cafes or tourist shops attached, selling postcards, t-shirts, and other basic tourist goods.
 * The city also boasts a growing number of small, private art galleries, many of which have little cafes or tourist shops attached, selling postcards, t-shirts, and other basic tourist goods.

Learn
There are several Daf Yomi classes in Tsfat in several languages. There are also many women's classes offered at various locations throughout the city which offer a variety of Jewish perspectives. Visit the Tzfat Calendar to find out what is happening in the city.

Ascent of Sefad runs lectures and seminars on kabala, and there are numerous Yeshivot, some of which might offer informal classes or the opportunity to attend classes or learn with students. Just ask inside.

The city is also known for the extensive galleries and artists that reside in Tsfat. Each gallery is in and of itself a story, waiting to be explored. The owners/curators of the galleries bring the pieces that they feel represent their gallery and the atmosphere of Tsfat itself.

Buy
After Jerusalem, Tsfat is probably the best place in Israel to get Jewish cultural and religious items, as well as quality artwork. A narrow cobblestone street is lined with open-air shops selling everything from menorahs to mezuzahs, Seder plates and Shabbat candlesticks to swords and other historical/cultural items. These shops are also known for pictures that are made up of the words of songs or Scripture. For a more intimate experience of the inspiration behind Tsfat's artwork, seek out artists' private galleries throughout the Old City and Artists' Colony.

In the old Jewish Quarter, you will find the kabbalistic galleries of Yoseph Saban and David Friedman on Bar Yochai St.

Buy quality artwork direct from the artist. Don't miss the opportunity to spend time with local artists and buy their quality art. Hear their stories and get a sense of how traditional Jewish sources inspire their work.

Eat
Falafel, shawarma, pizza, and other basic foods are relatively cheap, and very good here.

Safed is also famous for its locally made cheese (also see Artists' Colony Inn below):

Drink
During the summer, drink water!

Sleep
Most people staying overnight in Tsfat choose to stay at the small guest houses located throughout the Old City, Artists' Quarter and the South of Tsfat. You can also stay in nearby Amirim.

Go next
Safed is an ideal location for basing many day trips in the northern area of Israel. Buses, cabs, and seasonal organized group travel are available to many locations within an hour or so drive such as Rosh Haniqra, Nahariyya, Akko, the Golan Heights, Tel Dan, Monfort Lake, Tiberias, Gamla, Qiryat Shemona, Mount Hermon, and Metulla. Especially for the "mehadrin" or "glatt" traveler, basing northern trips in Safed is adventageous with the availability of mehadrin lodging and food.

For the religious traveler, there are separate beaches available in Nahariyya, Tiberias, and Haifa (Hof Hashaket/Quiet Beach).

Sites to visit near Safed:

 * Pekiin - an ancient town of mixed ethnicity including Druze sites, orthodox churches and a synagogue. There is a spring at the town centre.
 * Amirim - a vegetarian settlement with developed rural tourism infrastructure
 * Rosh Pina - a beautiful 19th Century old town with many restaurants
 * Korazim - a talmudic town with a synagogue watching over the Sea of Galilee
 * Tel Hazor - a World Heritage Site. A Biblical tel with an extensive underground water system. At nearby Ayelet HaShahar there is a museum dedicated to the site.
 * Hula Lake - the best site in Israel to watch migrating birds. Find out in advance which is the best time to visit the site. There is an informative film shown at the site.

title: Safed


text:
Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor is a city in Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay Area.

Safety Harbor is easily accessible to two airports within a thirty minute drive. Safety Harbor lies at the head of Old Tampa Bay, midway between Tampa and Clearwater. It has a land area of 4.89 square miles and a population (2005) of 17,800. This community has historic roots, including Native American inhabitants, its reputation as a "safe harbor" for Spanish fleets waiting out storms, and the famed Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, renowned for its healing waters. The beautiful coastline remains scenic and protected with few residences marring the view as you drive along Bayshore Drive north to Philippe Park. A number of shops and dining facilities are dotted throughout the community. Theatre is close by with Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall. A major hospital, Mease Countryside Hospital, is located at the north end of the community on the main artery, called McMullen Booth Road. Further information on Safety Harbor can be found on the City's website, http://www.cityofsafetyharbor.com

Get in
Saint Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport

Also about one-half hour drive to Tampa International Airport

Bus service available, Amtrak connections, and many rental car facilities.

Buy
Safety Harbor has great walkable Main Street with plenty of boutique shops.

Drink

 * 8th Ave Pub, at the corner of 8th and Main - great staff and music!

title: Safety Harbor


text:
Safiental

Safien or Safiental is a valley in Switzerland.

Understand
This region consists of a single valley in the Surselva district of Graubünden, it is stunningly remote with only a one-lane road and a single bus service, which is compromising in the 21st century. The valley is also quite beautiful with a steep rocky slope on one side and a gentle meadow on the other. The valley is one of the Walser settlements founded in the 12th century by migrants from the Valais region. This has had an influence on the language and the culture.

By bus
The closest train station is at where hourly trains from Disentis and Chur stop. From there a postal bus links to the towns along the valley. There are only a handful of trips every day stopping among others in Safien (40min) and Thalkirch (1h). For Tenna, a connecting bus leaves from Tenna, Abzweigung for most of the courses.

By car
Coming from the east (from Chur), leave the A13 at Bonaduz and drive towards Versam. Coming from the west leave the main road at Illanz, also towards Versam. The road through the Safiental goes from Versam along all the villages in the valley.

See

 * Türelihus (Türeli House)

title: Safiental


text:
Safranbolu

Safranbolu is a town in the Western Karadeniz region of Turkey, about 200 km north of Ankara and 100 km south of the Black Sea coast, with a population in 2022 of 52,999. Its well-preserved old town is a.

Understand
This town is on a trade route to the Black Sea, and takes its name from the saffron grown locally. 18th / 19th century merchants, a quarter of them ethnic Greeks, prospered from trade and built mansions. The most successful had two: their winter residence was in Çarşı, down in a gully sheltered from the mountain winds. Their summer homes were further north among the vineyards (Bağlar) on the slopes. A new district of Kıranköy or Yenişehir appeared on the ridge to the west in the 20th century.

Meanwhile all over Turkey, historic neighbourhoods were being demolished by developers or wrecked by earthquakes. Safranbolu was among the first townships to appreciate the heritage value and tourist income to be gained from its old town, and took care to protect it. It also rebuffed urban sprawl from the ugly steel town of Karabük 10 km west. It's therefore one of the best preserved Ottoman-style towns in the country, yet is very accessible from the major cities.

Get in
By road from Ankara is 220 km. Follow E89 north onto E80, turn east then north on D755 via Karabük. Summer weekends you'll be in a stream of city dwellers' vehicles heading the same way.

Buses from Istanbul run hourly and take about 7 hours via Gebze, Adapazarı, Duzce, Bolu, Gerede and Karabük, for a fare in 2024 of 450 TL. Buses from Ankara run every couple of hours and take 2 hours 45 min. The main bus lines are Safran, Metro Turizm and Flixbus (formerly Kamil Koç). Frequent local buses and dolmuşes ply between Karabük and Safranbolu.

the bus station is on Adnan Menderes Blv one km south of town centre and 2 km from the old quarter. The onward dolmuş ride may be included in your bus ticket, enquire when booking.

The nearest railway station is in Karabük, 10-15 km southwest. For years this was cut off from the national network but in 2024 the line has partly reopened: four regional trains run daily along the northern section between Karabük and Zonguldak on the coast, taking 3 hours. On the southern section from Ankara, Karaelmas Express is a weekly "Tourist Train" which makes a long stop at Karabük for sight-seeing in Safranbolu then continues to Zonguldak, but there's no word on when regular trains might re-start.

Get around
Dolmuses shuttle the 2 km between the old town, new town centre and bus station. You need wheels to reach outlying sights such as the cave or aqueduct; these are within range of a taxi.

See

 * Çarşı is the charming old town, full of Ottoman merchants' villas in various stages of restoration.

 * (Great Mosque) was built as a Greek Orthodox church around 1660, and converted to a mosque in 1956.
 * was the principal caravanserai, built in 1645. In the 21st century it was converted into a hotel, but this venture has flopped. So you may or may not find it open to look around, for the price of a cup of tea in the courtyard.
 * Koprulu Mehmet Paşa Mosque next to Cinci Han was built in 1661 AD.
 * Hamamönü Sokak is the scenic street north of Cinci Han, lined with old buildings and named for its historic hamam.
 * is the atmospheric old bazaar that gives its name to Çarşı district. It's accessible 24 hours.
 * İzzet Paşa Mosque west side of Eski Çarşı was built in 1796. It's a smaller replica of Nuruosmaniye Mosque in Istanbul, commissioned by İzzet Mehmet (1743-1812), the local boy who rose to be Grand Vizier 1794-98. Then he was exiled, and his tomb is in Manisa.
 * City History Museum is in an old mansion at Kale Altı Sk 19, open Tu-Su 09:00-17:30.
 * Hıdırlık Tepesi is a viewpoint on the hill at the top of Hıdırlık Sk. The octagonal tomb is that of district governor Hasan Paşa (d 1845).
 * Bağlar (literally "vineyards") is a suburb 2 km north of Old Town, centred on Köyiçi Sk. It's where prosperous Ottoman families had their summer homes, and some have been turned into hotels such as Safir Konak (see Sleep). It later became a "dormitory area" for Karabük so there are many modern buildings, and it's not as scenic as Çarşı.
 * Bağlar (literally "vineyards") is a suburb 2 km north of Old Town, centred on Köyiçi Sk. It's where prosperous Ottoman families had their summer homes, and some have been turned into hotels such as Safir Konak (see Sleep). It later became a "dormitory area" for Karabük so there are many modern buildings, and it's not as scenic as Çarşı.

Further out

 * spans Tokatlı Canyon. Commissioned in the 1790s by Izzet Mehmet Paşa, it has one main arch and five auxiliary, 116 m long. Park free in the municipal lot, no need to pay for the glass viewing deck.
 * ("stone terrace") is a dramatic viewpoint above Sırçalı Canyon, a slab of rock projecting over the precipice. Reach it by the dirt road above Düzce village 13 km northeast of town, park and walk on as soon as this becomes too bad to drive. Camping is permitted.
 * is a historic village 15 km east off D030, a miniature and much less touristy version of Safranbolu.
 * is a historic village 15 km east off D030, a miniature and much less touristy version of Safranbolu.

Do

 * Turkish baths: Cinci Hamam is 50 m north of Cinci Han and was built at the same time. It's still in use.
 * Hike down Tokatlı Canyon from İncekaya Aqueduct towards town. You don't want to hike back up, so organise a ride at both ends.
 * Football: sorry! Kardemir Karabükspor played soccer in Süper Lig until 2017 but have been in financial and sporting freefall ever since. If Turkish soccer had a 23rd tier they'd be in the 28th, and if you go along to watch, there's a risk they'll drag you onto the pitch to make up a team.

Buy

 * Lots of little supermarkets in New Town, Şok and BIM are the main chains.
 * Gift shops line the alleys of Old Town.

Eat

 * New town junction of Adnan Menderes, Kaya Erdem and Sadri Artunç Cd has a cluster, including Hacı Erol 1967, Urfa Sofrası, Çeşn-i Mekan, Hanzade and Köfteci İBO.
 * Çarşı old town places are Kadıoğlu Şehzade Sofrası, Hanim Sultan, Topçuoğlu, Eyvan Yöre Mutfağı, Zencefil Yöresel Lezzetler, Taşev and Tuzcuhan.
 * Çarşı old town places are Kadıoğlu Şehzade Sofrası, Hanim Sultan, Topçuoğlu, Eyvan Yöre Mutfağı, Zencefil Yöresel Lezzetler, Taşev and Tuzcuhan.

Drink

 * Cafes and restaurants serve alcohol.
 * Wine is produced in the hills around town.

Connect
Safranbolu, Karabük and their approach highways have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of March 2024, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Amasra to the north is another historic town, with the added bonus of nice beaches and plenty of sea views.
 * Kastamonu to the east has a larger old town than Safranbolu, though not as well preserved.

title: Safranbolu


text:
Saga

Saga (佐賀) is the eponymous capital of Saga prefecture on the Japanese island of Kyushu. Most travelers seem to pass by on their way to Nagasaki, but the city does have its share of worthwhile sites if you take the time to stop by and explore.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

By plane
Saga Airport is small but has daily flights to Tokyo (Haneda) and Osaka (Itami). From the city it takes about 30mins by bus and costs ¥600.

Buses also connect Fukuoka Airport to Saga (70 minutes, ¥1000). This option to travel via Fukuoka is much more practical for most travelers, because there are a wider variety of connections.

By train
Saga is a stop on the JR Nagasaki Line.

Limited express train services run from Hakata station in Fukuoka twice each hour (usually :02 and :22 past the hour), including the Kamome and Midori train services. Trains run directly to Saga in about 40 minutes at a cost of ¥2300. It is best to get the return ticket, as it costs the same amount but you save yourself the trouble of having to purchase another ticket to get back to Fukuoka. Even if it is unused, it doesn't hurt to get it as it doesn't cost you any extra.

Local trains from Hakata cost only ¥1080, but you will have to change trains in Tosu and the travel time will be about 75 minutes or more, depending on the timing of the connection.

From Nagasaki to Saga it takes 75-90 minutes on the limited express (¥3740), or about 2½ hours on the local service (¥2070). From Sasebo it is about 65 minutes by limited express (¥2470) or about 100 minutes by local (¥1250).

By car
From Fukuoka, simply drive south on Route 263 to reach Saga. From the east and west, the Nagasaki Expressway travels directly through the city. Take the exit for Route 263 South to go towards Saga Station and the city center.

By bus
Nishitetsu Bus operates buses from Nishitetsu Tenjin Bus Terminal (Tenjin Station) in Fukuoka. If you're traveling from Nagoya or Osaka, there are highway buses to Nishitetsu Tenjin Bus Terminal and from there you can transfer to one of the Saga-bound buses.

Get around
Visitors often come just to visit Saga Castle on their way to other places. For that, you can just walk. There are plenty of other minor sites in the same area. A lot of Saga's sites, such as Furuyu Onsen, its World Heritage Naval port, etc. are best reached by bus or car. All bus routes in the city connect at the bus center, which is adjacent to Saga Station.

Do

 * La Montgorlfier Nocturne.JPG

Go next
The city is centrally-located within the prefecture, so it serves as a good base to visit nearly anywhere in the prefecture. It is also possible to use as base to go beyond to Nagasaki or Fukuoka.
 * Yoshinogari
 * Kanzaki
 * Karatsu
 * Kawasoe
 * Ogi
 * Takeo
 * Arita
 * Ureshino
 * Kashima

title: Saga


text:
Saga (prefecture)

Saga Prefecture (佐賀県) is a small and rustic prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is famous for pottery and pre-historic village ruins.

Understand
It is a prefecture in the Kyushu region of Japan and is the smallest among the seven prefectures in Kyushu. The location of the prefectural government is Saga City. It faces Genkainada to the north, the Ariake Sea to the south, and is topographically divided into the Seburi mountains in the north, the Saga plains in the south, the hilly areas in the west, and the Dara mountains.

Tourist information site
Asobo Saga is the prefecture's official Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate. Its Pamphlets section has some materials in English and other languages.

History
The remains of the ancient Japanese Yayoi period remain and are designated as Yoshinogari Historical Park. This is the first place in Japan where rice was cultivated. Saga Prefecture is a place with deep ties to Baekje in Korea, and the five-gyeong doctors of Baekje visited this place to deliver Baekje's cultural relics. Kakarashima, located in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, is also known as the birthplace of King Muryeong of Baekje. The remains of the place where Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Nagoya Castle in Karatsu during the Japanese Invasion of Korea and Japanese troops left the site at that time.

Cities
Ten cities are located in Saga Prefecture:
 * (Prefectural Capital)

Other destinations

By plane
Saga International Airport serves the prefecture with international arrivals from Seoul, Xian, Shanghai, and Taipei along with domestic flights from Narita and Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Nagasaki Airport and Fukuoka International Airport are viable options that are often preferable, because they serve a much wider variety of destinations.

By train
Shin-Tosu Station in Tosu is the only stop in Saga along the Kyushu Shinkansen, where visitors can transfer to the Nagasaki Line. For those traveling to Karatsu, the subway line in Fukuoka connects to the JR Chikuhi Line at Meinohama Station. Many of the subway trains actually travel along the JR line to Chikuzen-Maebaru Station before a transfer is necessary.

From Nagasaki, the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen has stops at Ureshino and Takeo Onsen Station in Takeo with plans to meet the Kyushu Shinkansen at Shin-Tosu Station.

See

 * Wander the grounds of Mifuneyama Garden below Mount Mifune (Takeo)
 * Learn about the lives and culture of ancient Japan in one of the largest recreated Jomon villages (Yoshinogari)
 * Stroll around the scenic pottery village of Okawachiyama (Imari)
 * Marvel at the beauty of Yutoku Inari Shrine (Kashima)
 * See the sunset at the rice terraces overlooking the Sea of Japan in Genkai
 * Visit Saga Castle and its reconstructed palace, the largest wooden castle building in the nation (Saga)
 * Visit Arita Porcelain Park to see its porcelain Zwinger (Arita)

title: Saga (prefecture)


text:
Sagada

Sagada is a small town in the Mountain Province of Luzon, Philippines. It is famous for its beautiful caves, hanging coffins, and the serene mountains.

Get in
Upon arriving in Sagada, tourists are required to register at the Municipal Tourism Office across the road from the Municipal Hall and pay an environmental fee of. The receipt given is then required to be presented at all sites in order to access them. The Municipal Tourism Office is also where all official tours can be arranged, with many also starting here,

 * From Baguio: several buses a day, starting at 6AM with several trips until 1PM. The ride on a GL Trans/Lizardo Trans bus takes around 6 hours and costs . If you will be traveling on a Holy Friday, only one bus will travel and it will operate on a first come, first served basis. The way back to Baguio also has a near-hourly connection in the morning by local bus and costs.
 * From Bontoc: local jeepneys ply this route throughout the day (first one 8:30AM and last one 5PM) for.
 * From Manila: There's a nightly bus service operated by Coda Lines, leaving at 9PM from Cubao, and arriving around 6:30AM. The same bus also passes through Banaue. It costs . They have a booking office in Sagada.

Get around

 * On foot - explore the beautiful mountains around Sagada. There's a number of sights that can be seen within a 15-20 minute walk from the town center and the tourist office, although the caves can (with good reason) only be explored with the help of a guide.
 * Jeepney - can be hired.

See
Popular sites include: the Mission Comp, Kiltepan Rice Terraces, Echo Valley Cliffs and Hanging Coffins, Sumaging (the Big Cave), Bokong and Bomod-ok Waterfalls, Burial Cave, Mount Ampakaw, Underground River, Lake Danum.

Do

 * Caving: A 2-3 hour cave connection trip including a visit of the Sumaguing Cave, the burial cave/ Lumiang Cave and the hanging coffins goes for for 1 person,  more for an additional person. The group goes in from Burial Cave and comes out from Sumaging cave. Book at the tourist information counter. Prepare to get wet and ziplock all the belongings. Normal caving costs  for a group of 1-4 person,  for a group of 5, other changes for a larger group.
 * Hiking: There are lots of opportunities for short and long hikes around the area. Bumud-ok Falls (Big Falls): take a jeep near the Municipio, one heading for Bangaan, or walk (~2 hours). You are not required to have a guide to go to the big falls, but the small tourist info in Bangaan will make you hire one ( per group). The walk to the falls is along a well-established path through a small traditional village, ~1½ hours total. The village asks for a fee for the development of the path. Make sure to try jumping from the ledge.
 * Rock Climbing: in Echo Valley, near the hanging coffins. It costs per person including all gear and guide fee. No time limit. Two routes: right one for beginners (5.7ish), left one for intermediates (5.9 or 5.10a); parts are dirty.
 * White water rafting: White Water rafting is available on the Upper Chico River, typically from July to early January, but that may vary slightly with rainfall.  The sections of the river being rafted are downstream from Bontoc, except in unusually high water when rafting above Bontoc is possible.  Most sections have numerous class 3 to 3+ rapids and several class 4 rapids.  Equipment is international standard and guides are trained by U.S. rafting professionals.  Cost ranges from /person depending on group size and section being rafted.  Inquire at Sagada Outdoors, in the white commercial building across from the jeepney stop or see www.luzonoutdoors.com.

Eat
There are several places along the main road.

Drink
Many of the guesthouses have an attached bar or restaurant. The city has a late-night curfew and is dark at night, so don't anticipate a night of bar-hopping.

Sleep

 * Residential Lodge: various rooms, no dormitory. cooking facilities, Free coffee & hot or cold water, hot shower, wifi included, lots of info on local area. good views. per person.
 * Residential Lodge: various rooms, no dormitory. cooking facilities, Free coffee & hot or cold water, hot shower, wifi included, lots of info on local area. good views. per person.
 * Residential Lodge: various rooms, no dormitory. cooking facilities, Free coffee & hot or cold water, hot shower, wifi included, lots of info on local area. good views. per person.

Go next

 * The Rice Terraces at Banaue and en route to Banaue are truly spectacular and not to be missed. The road between Bontoc and Banaue has dramatic mountain scenery, worth sitting on top of the jeepney for.
 * Bontoc has an interesting museum of Bontoc Igorot culture.
 * Traveling to Laoag will likely take you a whole day. The limiting factor is a minivan from Bontoc to Cervantes that departs only once in the morning (9 or 9:30AM). The road is extremely scenic. Once in Cervantes, another minivan will take you across the last (and very steep) mountain range before going down to the coast and dropping you off at the coastal highway junction near Tagudin. From there, either wait for the bus directly there, or, better, catch a frequent local minivan to Candon bus station, as it's much more comfortable to wait for the (air-conditioned) bus there, plus you won't miss it because the buses to Laoag stop there for lunch. If you have a couple more days, it makes sense to stop over in Vigan, which is a destination by itself and is 2 hours earlier than Laoag (Laoag-bound buses will stop there, probably before it's dark, if you use this route).

title: Sagada


text:
Sagadahoc County

Sagadahoc County is a county in the Mid Coast region of Maine.

title: Sagadahoc County


text:
Sagamihara

Sagamihara (相模原市 Sagamihara-shi) is a city in Kanagawa.

Understand
There are about 700,000 people in the city. The city grew in size in 2006 with the merger of two adjacent towns, Tsukui and Sagamiko. Some notable areas of the city are Hashimoto (east), Fujino (north), and Sagami Ono (south).

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

Get in
Visitors reach Sagamihara on the JR Yokohama Line at Kobuchi, Fuchinobe, Yabe, or Sagamihara stations.

Get around
There are multiple highways and expressways in the area.

Go next

 * Yamakita
 * Kiyotaka
 * Aikawa
 * Atsugi
 * Zama
 * Yamato
 * Machida
 * Ayase

title: Sagamihara


text:
Sagamore Hills

Sagamore Hills is a township in Summit County in Northeast Ohio.

Get in
Sagamore Hills lies on the edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

By car
I271 loops around the eastern edge of Sagamore Hills.

Go next

 * Cuyahoga Valley National Park
 * Northfield
 * Cleveland
 * Hudson
 * Kent

title: Sagamore Hills


text:
Sagar

Sagar is a university city in Madhya Pradesh. There are also many temples, lakes and waterfalls in the vicinity, which has helped establish the city as an important site on the Indian tourist circuit.

Understand
The city was established as the capital of the Maratha people in 1735, and was later an important site during British rule. Many relics remain from these periods, such as a number of forts.

Get in
The city is well connected to other major cities of the country by railway, airway and roadway networks. Bhopal (State Capital) is 187 km away along a quality highway. Bina (Railway Junction) is also only 75 km by road and is well connected with all Indian Major Cities.

Get around
Sagar is a small city, and it is easy to get around locally within the city by Auto, Rickshaws, and taxis. Auto is the preferred means of commutation as you can get everywhere. Charges are very cheap, but they allows other passengers as well, so be clear while hiring them. Else you have another option in form of Taxis (Not the regular cabs, but kind of Open Minibus) which are also available at regular intervals.

See
Sagar, also called the lake city, is surrounded by the beautiful Lakha Banjara Lake. You can make for boating trips and refreshments. Also, there stands a sacred Hindu temple by the lake, with its own religious importance.

Army Cantonment region and Dr. Harisingh Gour University are considered one of the best universities of central India.

Offering pleasures in traditional shops and village expeditions like Oil refinery, visit in Bina, there are few more exotic places like Rajghat, maintained as a dam, is a place that captures the most picturesque sunset.

Waterfall having distinct pleasurable effect is the very first and favourite place for tourists and for the same Sagar alleges Rahatgarh Waterfall with an ecstatic weather.

The city is also surrounded by a beautiful hilly region with attractions like Garhphra Temples, Khimlasa Forts, etc.

Adding to the lot, Varun Smriti Udhyaan, situated approximately 12 km off Jabalpur Road, is an exotic resort. It provides a state of the art Water Park, outdoor activities like picnics, outdoor sports facility for children, great landscape with a few very rare varieties of flowers and fruits.

Do
In the region, tourists can take boating trips of the city in the beautiful lakes. Year round there are cultural shopping and food festivals organised. The region also gives a good opportunity to take a look at the village life of near-by areas. There are beautiful village area Deori, Khurai, Sahajpur, etc. where you can get a feel for the village life.

Learn
Dr. Harisingh Gour University (campus - Gour Nagar, civil lines), formerly University of Sagar, is the most prestigious and oldest university of the region. The campus is one of the most attractive in the state.

Buy

 * Sagar not only has a good range of shops with well known high street outlets, but also small independent shops selling cultural handmade items. The area is well known for its small antique shops and for those who are into handmade cloths.
 * Don't forget to buy Chironji Ki Barfi for your relatives, Sagar's favourite sweet. It is available in many shops, but the original one for which the town became famous is available on Choudhary Misthaan Bhandar, Teen Batti Katra Bazar.
 * Gujrat Namkiin House near Teen Batti.
 * Maheshwari tea (wholesale and retail tea merchant) Bhagwanganj
 * For cheap cloth and beautiful Karachi work sarees, you can visit Gagandeep cloth house in the city market Katra. (you will have to battle the bylanes and the traffic though).

Eat
The city has some very good hotels and restaurants, that cater to the needs of people with a wide variety of eating habits. Besides small independent food corner sellers, traditional Indian food can also be found.

The famous eating outlets here are the Paradise Hotel, possibly the fanciest hotel in this part. There is Deepali Restaurant for a garden restaurant experience; try the veg. kothe here.

You can also visit Varun Smriti on the outskirts of the town, where you can have a Madhya Pradesh speciality - "dal-wafla". Varun Smriti also has a fruit orchard, a lovely garden and swings for the young-at-heart.

There is also Brijwasi chat wala on a lane in Civil lines, for clean and tasty "chaat" - the spicy Indian treat for all seasons. Make sure to visit it before 8, his grub gets polished off sooner than you can say "yummy".

Drink
Try the various mocktails and the soda in the Top n Town outlet in Civil Lines.

title: Sagar


text:
Sagara

Sagara is a city in Central Karnataka, most famous for its proximity to Jog Falls.

By bus
Both government (KSRTC) and private buses are available from Shimoga to Sagara.

By taxi
Taxis are also available from Shimoga to Sagra.

See

 * Varadahalli is a hamlet that is off the main road near the town of Sagara. This is the place where Guru Sri Sridhara Swamy meditated for salvation. There is a temple here and like most other temples in the region, free lunch is provided at a communal dining hall every day to all visitors between 12:30-14:00. The fare is a simple vegetarian meal consisting of rice with rasam, sambar, and buttermilk. Although the lunch is free, donations are recommended (₹50 per person is adequate). Local traditions require all people to remove their footwear before entering the dining hall, and for all males to remove the shirts at the time of lunch. Also, the seating is on the floor and there are no tables or chairs.

Do

 *  River rafting can be done at Honnemaradu which is about 20 km from Jog Falls. Route to Honnemaradu from Jog Falls: Jog Falls -> Kargal -> Hiremane -> Honnemaradu.
 * Places of interest near Sagar: The ancient temples at Keladi and Ikkeri are a delight to any traveller.
 * Siganduru: panoramic views of western ghats can be seen while travelling to this place. It is around 30 km from Sagara. One has to cross Sharavati river by ferry which is a great experience.

Eat
There are few hotels in Sagara where you can get veg/non veg food. If you are at Jog, the Mayura Restaurant is decent. They also make non-veg food on order. At Kargal (6 km) you get less decent hotels.

Sleep

 * Mayura Hotels (KSTDC) have Sharavati and Tunga blocks with ten rooms each. Half of them are two bedded and others are three bedded. The rates are cheap compared to private hotels. The Sharavati blocks provide a wonderful view of the falls. Check-in time is noon. Both blocks have western-type toilets but the Tunga block does not have hot water. There is one more ten-bed dormitory in Tunga block.

Go next

 * Udupi
 * Mangalore
 * Anshi National Park

title: Sagara


text:
Sagar Island

Sagar Island, or simply Sagar (Bengali: সাগর Sāgar), is an island in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. Sagar Island is a religious spot for Hindu pilgrims. A lovely destination combining pilgrimage and fun, on an island by the Bay of Bengal, and holds the charms of a completely unspoiled beach on the estuary of the mighty Ganges.

Understand
"সব তীর্থ বার বার গঙ্গাসাগর এক বার। Sab tīrtha bar bar Gangāsāgar ek bar. Translation: All pilgrimages again and again but Gangasagar only once."

Sagar (SHAH-gohr) is a charming tourist destination, which attracts both pilgrims and fun-loving people. Sagar possesses the charms of an unspoiled beach on the estuary of the river Ganges. Sagar offers acres of silver sand and clear blue sky and a calm sea for visitors who would like to spend their weekend in a quiet mood. Sagar is still now unexplored and therefore unexploited.

The lighthouse at Sagar offers a panoramic view of this spectacular beach, from where you can enjoy the enthralling dawn and dusk. During sunset, the sky turns golden with a patch of red on the horizon, and the silver sand reflects the last rays of the sun, which form a delightful ambience.

Among the settlements on the island, Gangasagar is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage centres in India. Every year on Makar Sankranti (mid-January), pilgrims from all over India, gather at Gangasagar for a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. After the holy dip, the pilgrims offer ‘Puja’ at the Kapil Muni Temple or Ashram. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Gangasagar Mela is organised on the island, which is one of the biggest fairs in West Bengal. The Bharat Sevashram Sangha temple is bigger, comprising three huge towers. This has been a famous pilgrim centre from ancient times. Gangasagar Mela held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti is the largest fair in West Bengal. Unlike some other religious sites in India, photography is not restricted in Gangasagar. The name was mentioned in many tales of Hindu mythology and in ancient Indian literature like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, a novel by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and a poem by Rabindranath Tagore.

Get in
Sagar is about south of Kolkata, cut off from the mainland by the Muriganga River. There is no road bridge to connect the island to the mainland and you have to cross the river to reach Kachuberia in Sagar by ferry. If you want to spend your weekend in a peaceful way, then avoid the island in the middle of January during Makar Sankranti, when there is a huge rush due to Gangasagar. Before Makar Sankranti, there is a huge rush to board the ferry to Kachuberia. From Kachuberia, a bus or trekker will take you to Gangasagar (30 km) within one hour. Minibuses and hired cars are accessible for the journey.

By ferry
Ferry services to Sagar are available from either Harwood Point in Kakdwip or Namkhana. Both points are linked by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) buses. The distance of Harwood Point is around from Kolkata and Namkhana is  more.

Boats from Harwood Point and Kachuberia are accessible every hour. The fare is ₹8 per head from Lot No. 8 Jetty, Kakdwip to Kachuberia at Sagar.

Apart from Namkhana and Harwood Point, a direct ferry service is also available to reach Kachuberia (Sagar Island) from Haldia.

Due to low tide, ferry service does not operate between 4AM to 9AM, and also between 4PM to 8PM during the Makar Sankranti period. Before standing in the queue to board the ferry, you must enquire whether the ferry service is running or not. Otherwise, you may have to stand in the queue for 4 hours or more without any opportunity to turn back and crowds pressing you.

By bus
Get a Kakdwip-bound bus from Esplanade to Harwood Point (Lot No. 8) which is 30 km past Diamond Harbour. The bus would reach Harwood Point after almost three hours. West Bengal Transport Corporation runs direct buses between Esplanade and Lot No. 8 and ferry vessels across the river.

Alternatively, you can take a bus to Namkhana from Kolkata to Namkhana (105 km). From Namkhana, you can reach Chemaguri, across the river Muriganga by launch and from Chamaguri to Gangasagar by bus (10 km). During the Mela, buses will end at the ferry crossing in Harwood Point, and they will also start from Babughat, Howrah and Taratala.

By train
Both Kakdwip and Namkhana can be reached by train from Sealdah railway station. The Eastern Railway (ER) runs a lot Prayagraj special trains for the Gangasagar Mela and there are also special trains from New Delhi to Namkhana via Lucknow and Prayagraj (Allahabad).

By rickshaw
During the Mela cycle, rickshaws operate between Kakdwip station and the ferry, and the price was fixed at ₹15 per person on a 4-person rickshaw. Trains tend to be overcrowded and are definitely a challenge during Mela's time.

By taxi or hired car
After crossing the river, Gangasagar can be reached via private taxis, which generally charge around ₹700, and it takes about 40 minutes to reach the confluence area from Kachuberia.

It is possible to go the entire length by private car or hired car from Kolkata. At Harwood Point, there is a provision to transport vehicles with the help of a barge, locally known as LCT. There are no fixed times for the crossings, because it is totally dependent on the water level and thus, on the timings of the high tides. The charge for a light or a medium vehicle is ₹250 in 2005. The fare increases at the time of the Ganagasagar Mela. SUV hiring charges are ₹600/₹500 respectively for 30 km. from Kachuberia to Gangasagar (one way).

By car
If you are travelling in your own car, there is (only) one vessel now at 6AM from Kakdwip to Kachuberia and similarly at 6AM in the morning from Kachuberia to Kakdwip. Therefore, you should keep your car parked at Kakdwip near the jetty. Safe parking is available with a payment of ₹100 per day; night parking is also plentiful with a payment of an additional ₹100 for the next day.

Get around
Vehicles are allowed to a short distance from Kapil Muni Temple. Plenty of cycle vans are available to take you to the Gangasagar bathing spot (about 2 km). Charges are ₹15 per passenger one way. These are quite comfortable for those who cannot walk 2 km.

See
Sagar Island presents a quiet, silvery expanse of beach and the calm sea provides the perfect setting for a quiet weekend.

Do

 * Fishing
 * Coastal trek
 * Coastal trek

Eat and drink
There are no hotels as such at Gangasagar. The accommodations available are all Ashram/Dharamshala type, where no food is available, nor outside food allowed to be brought in. Even for a cup of tea, one must leave the premises. Of course there are plenty of places to purchase food. However, for regular members of various Charitable Trusts/Ashrams or travellers coming with advanced bookings from the head offices of these Organisations, food may be provided by the organizations. There is reportedly no food available at the Youth Hostel, either.

That said, there are many cheap rice hotels all over the Sagar Island, serving good quality Bengali food to the visitors.

Sleep
For accommodations, there are many places to choose from in South Sagar. In the time of Sagar Mela or the Fair, the number of accommodation increases drastically with temporary camps/hutments from many commercial and non-commercial organizations. It is advisable to book your accommodation prior to go to Sagar Island in the time of Sagar Mela. If you bring your own mattress and sleeping bag you will most likely find shelter.

There are tourist lodges at Sagar Island and a Youth Hostel. Also dormitory accommodation in a dharamshala run by Bharat Sevasram Sangha.

Dharmashala of Mission and Guest Houses of West Bengal State Government are there in Sagar Island for spending the weekend in the excellent Beach of Bengal. Some of the places for spending days and nights in Sagar Island as follows which provide shelter for tourists and pilgrims round the year:

 * Dharmashala of Bharat Sevasram Sangha
 * Dharmashala of Kapil Muni's Sangha
 * P.W.D Bunglow Zila Parishad Bungalow
 * Tourist lodges at Sagar Island and a Youth Hostel.
 * Dharmashala of Sankaracharya Ashram
 * Bharat Sevashram Sangha and a couple of other ashrams usually offer accommodation and meals for free. They are oriented to pilgrims and would expect a donation.
 * Bharat Sevashram Sangha and a couple of other ashrams usually offer accommodation and meals for free. They are oriented to pilgrims and would expect a donation.

Stay safe
Carry mosquito and snake repellents. Snakebite mortality is considerably high in Sagar Island. Sagar Gramin Hospital is the only place on Sagar Island to treat snake bites.

Carry electric torches and other means of emergency lights, because Sagar Island does not get power from the main electric supply grid. The Island only gets a few hours of power supply in the evening, from a central diesel-operated power generating station, situated at Rudranagar. The power supply is available from 6PM to 9PM only. There is a complete blackout for the rest of the day/night. But you will never feel uncomfortable because the sweet wind blows from sea to land, round the clock. But in the time of Sagar Mela (The fair), Sagar gets a sufficient supply of electricity for the whole day

It is advisable to avoid travelling at night with insufficient light.

Go next

 * Diamond Harbour
 * Kolkata

title: Sagar Island