The City of Medinet El-Fayoum, Egypt

El Fayoum

The Province of El Fayoum is the largest and westernmost of the several oases scatterred across the western desert. It feeds on an off shoot of the Nile and is a center of a cultivated area.
El Faiyum, being an isolated land provided protection to the early centers of christianity. After the Arab conquest, a large number of the population of El Faiyum accepted Islam and some Muslim bedouins came to settle in the area. However, it remained a great center of christianity for a long time.

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The city's dominate attractions are the water wheels built by the Greek settlers, the canals, and the Obelisk which stands at the city's northern entrance and was erected in honor of Senwosret I (12th Dynasty). This monument was originally found in two pieces during the 18th century and was recently reconstructed and erected in the City. It is thought to be the only Obelisk in Egypt with a rounded top, and has a cleft where a golden statue of Ra was originally placed.

The canal is the main avenue for most commerce in the city. The covered market place and the adjacent street of gold smiths found across the 4th bridge to the west of the central tourist office, are worth a visit .



originally named Crocodilopolis, then Arsinoe, Medinet El-Fayoum was the main place of worship of the crocodile god, Sobek. Apparently, during ancient Medinet, crocodiles were adorned with gold and fed honey cakes and meat by the priests. Of interest are the huge wooden waterwheels. The waters of the Bahr Yusef are distributed throughout the oasis from Medinet, the capital of the Faiyum. Approximately 200 of the great waterwheels are located throughout the oasis. The Seven Waterwheels, a Fayoumm landmark, are surrounded by mangos, palms and willows. A great stone obelisk was erected in honour of Senwosret I in Abgig during the 12th Dynasty. It was discovered on the ground in two pieces during the 18th century and was recently reconstructed and erected in Medinet.

Mumbai - Victoria Terminus

Victoria Terminus Description

Victoria Terminus was opened on January 1st, 1882 as the main railway station of Mumbai. Designed by F.W. Stevens, this Gothic building features carvings of peacocks, gargoyles, monkeys, and lions. Domes, turrets, spires and stained glass windows are other architectural items of note. The style of the Victoria Terminus is more like a cathedral than a railway station.

Mani Bhavan - Gandhi Museum

Mani Bhavan Description

Mani Bhavan was a focal point of Gandhi's political activities in Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. The rooms of Mani Bhavan remain untouched and in the same condition they were when Gandhi visited.

Mani Bhavan now houses a research library, a photo exhibit of Mahatma Gandhi's life, and other well preserved memorabilia.

The building was taken over by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Bhavan in 1955, which used it as a memorial to Gandhi. When you visit this museum you ill get to know abut Mahatma Gandhi’s frequent stays and other political activities he initiated from there. Get a complete guide about Gandhi's involvement in the Home Rule Movement and other movements.

Mani Bhavan is a building in Mumbai (f/k/a Bombay), India, where Mahatma Gandhi lived from 1917 to 1934. It's now a museum open to the public and a memorial to its former resident.

It is now converted into a museum and research centre.

It is a two-storied structure, which has a reference library with over 20,000 books and a photo display of the Gandhi's life. The old charkha or spinning wheel that Gandhiji used to use is the major attraction in the well-preserved memorabilia. Mani Bhavan is closely associated with Gandhiji and his life, which he dedicated to get the nation liberated. It is a place worth-visiting and recalling the days that involved efforts of the freedom struggler.

Tourist Attractions in Mumbai

St Thomas Cathedral

The Cathedral of St Thomas (named for the first apostle to India) was begun by Governor Aungier in 1676, but after his death the project was abandoned. The church stood neglected with walls 5 meters high for around 40 years until it was adopted by an East India Company chaplain around 1710.

St Thomas' Cathedral is a blend of Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic styles, with a white exterior.
The interior looks much the same today as it did in the 18th century, whitewashed and furnished with polished brass, wood and stained glass windows.
The walls are lined with ornate memorials to British parishioners, many of whom died young of disease or in battle.

Prince of Wales Museum

Prince of Wales Museum Description

(Local Name: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya) This Indo-Saracenic style building houses the Prince of Wales Museum and a priceless collection of art, sculpture and miniature paintings. This huge domed building was designed by George Wittet to commemorate King George V's visit in 1905.

The Prince of Wales Museum is well laid out with a natural history section on the main floor; Indian miniature painting gallery, Nepali art and the Indian miniature painting gallery on the second floor; examples of the 19th C Pahari School of painting include Shiva and Parvati displays; an extensive collection of art objects in glass, jade and porcelain; and other decorative art exhibits in ivory, silver and wood fromthe late 18th and the 19th C.

Elephanta Island

Elephanta Island Description

Elephanta Island is one of the islands in Mumbai Harbor. The name Elephanta, was given by 17th C Portuguese explorers, after seeing a stone sculpture of an elephant near the shore. The rock-cut temple caves are the main and most popular tourist destination on the island, and they are designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The caves date back to the 9th through 13th C, with the main cave housing numerous sculpted panels that include Shiva. The famous Trimurti greets visitors at the entrance to the caves; the trinity includes Lord Brahma (the Creator), Lord Vishnu (the preserver) and Lord Shiva (the Destroyer).

Gateway

Gateway of India Description

The Gateway of India is a monument located on the waterfront in Mumbai. Built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete, the Gateway is designed in Indo-Saracenic architectural style.

The Gateway of India was opened in 1924 and the last British troops to leave India passed through the gate in a ceremony in 1948, making the gateway redundant.The Gateway is now a favorite hangout