The Royal Gorge Bridge, built in 1929 spans the narrow but deep chasm  where the Arkansas river funnels through the Rocky Mountains.  The Royal Gorge is known to be very narrow but extremely deep. The canyon floor is only about fifty foot wide and several hundred feet wide on top. The depth is over a thousand feet. The canyon is very impressive and beautiful.It is called the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River. In addition to the Arkansas River a railroad passes through the Royal Gorge.

The Arkansas River churns 1,053 feet below the bridge. The main span between the two towers is 800 feet, and the total length of the bridge including approaches is 1260 feet.

In the 1890s the Royal Gorge was used as a passenger route for transcontinental rail travel. Upto four trains went through the gorge. Later due to alternate routes through the mountains Royal Gorge fell from favor for this use. Passenger train service on the mainline was discontinued in 1967. Now a sightseeing train follows the route through the gorge.

GANGAUR  FESTIVAL -

This festival is celebrated thruughout Rajasthan. It is one of the most colorful and important festivals of this state. The festival is dedicated to Gauri (Parvati), the companion of Shiva. All over the state the women observe this festival with a great deal of enthusiasm and dedication. The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month f Chaitra.

The word GANGAUR is used to  represent Shiva and Parvati. The first part of the word (GAN)  means Shiva and the second part (GAUR) means Gauri, another name for Parvati. The two together symbolize marital bliss.  At this time unmarried females pray to Gauri to be blessed with good husbands.  The married women at the same time pray to be blessed with a happy married life and to ask for good health and long life for their husbands.

Starting with the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra , the day following Holi, the festival goes on for 18 days. For a newly married girl fasting for 18 days after her marriage is absolutely compulsory.

(Continued in next blog)

MEWAR FESTIVAL 

This festival is held to welcome Spring. As its name implies, it is held in Usaipur, Mewar. in the Hindu month of Chaitra which is between March and April. It overlaps with the Gangaur festival which is celebrated throughout Rajasthan.

A procession carrying the images of Isar and Gangaur, beautifully dressed in colorful costumes and artfully decorated  goes through the various parts of Udaipur and comes to end at the Gangaur Ghat  of Lake Pichola.. From here the images are transferred to special boats .

Now the festival moves to cultural events. Rajasthani folk songs are sung and folk dances performed. Other cultural activitie are aldo carried out.  The destival ends with an outstanding display of fireworks.

When a loved one is missing you want to find them. There are many websites that can help you do this. You can put in anything you like about the person and even include pictures. By Using the internet you can get word to many people.

You can post messages, phone numbers, email addresses and pictures of the missing person in the hope that something will help to find the person. There are over 1,000 heartbreaking stories of lost ones. You can put an ad in Craiglist or Noia.

There is a great site called "findlostlovdones.com". It is a free and easy to use website.  It takes only a few minutes to poet pictures on this site. Add a special statement and a phone number. Include as much information as possible about the missing person such as male or female, date of birth, state and last whereabouts, physical appearance, interests and hobbies, or anything else significant.

BRIJ  FESTIVAL -

This festival is held in BHARATPUR, Rajasthan in the month of March. It is held just a few days before HOLI, the festival of color. BRIJ festival is held in honor of Lord Krishna. .

The main attraction of this festival is the RASLILA DANCE wwhich illustrates the eternal love story of Radha and Krishna. The dance is performed by the villagers of Bharatpur , dressed in bright and colorful costumes.. The very air of Bharatpur is filled with the sounds of folk songs which is specially fascinating for those who are not familiar with the dance or the music.

All the people of Bharatpur - men or women, old, young and children, participate in the Rajasthan Brij Mahotsav. They are really filled with the spirit of the presentation and the festival. Every place in the village is painted in bright colors and if you stay through the  HOLI festival, regardless of who you are you will be drenched with the Holi colors.