Tag: UNESCO Heritage

Special Occasion

Mount Fuji Day: Why This Mountain Means More Than You Think

Tanisha Cardozo

Why does a mountain get its own day?

Think about that for a second. Out of all the landscapes in the world, why does Mount Fuji stand out so much that Japan celebrates it every year on February 23?

It starts with something simple—and surprisingly clever. The date 2/23 can be read in Japanese as “Fu-Ji-San.” A small linguistic twist, but one that says a lot about how deeply this mountain is woven into everyday life. Not just seen, but felt.

Now imagine this. You’re standing at a distance. The sky is clear. And right in front of you is Mount Fuji—perfectly shaped, calm, almost unreal. What would you do? Take a photo immediately? Or just pause for a moment?

That pause… that feeling… that’s exactly what Mount Fuji represents.

For centuries, it hasn’t just been a place people visit—it’s been a place people connect with. Artists have painted it, poets have written about it, and travelers have chased the perfect view of it. But here’s the real question—why does it leave such a strong impact, even on people who’ve never been there?

Maybe it’s because it stands for more than just height or beauty. It carries a sense of balance, stillness, and quiet strength. The kind of presence that doesn’t demand attention—but naturally earns it.

And then there’s its deeper side. Mount Fuji has long been a spiritual site, where climbing it isn’t just an adventure, but a personal journey. That connection between nature and meaning is one of the reasons it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site—not just for how it looks, but for what it represents.

If you were there, would you climb to the top? Or would you stay back and admire it from afar?

Interestingly, not everyone chooses to climb it. Some people believe the best way to experience Mount Fuji is simply to observe it—watch how it changes with the seasons, how it looks at sunrise versus sunset, how it quietly dominates the horizon without ever trying.

In places like Shizuoka Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture, Mount Fuji Day is celebrated with local events, but the real celebration is personal. It’s in the way people stop, look up, and appreciate something timeless.

Now here’s one last question for you.

If a place can make you feel something without saying a word… isn’t that more powerful than anything else?

Maybe that’s why Mount Fuji has its own day. Not because it’s the tallest or the most visited, but because it stays with you—even from miles away.

So, what about you?
Would you chase the climb… or the view?

National

2,000-Year-Old Tamil-Brahmi Inscriptions Discovered in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, Rewriting Ancient Maritime History

allycaralgoa

A groundbreaking discovery may reshape our understanding of ancient maritime trade routes. Researchers have identified 2,000-year-old Tamil-Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit inscriptions within the high-security royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt — a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Pharaonic burials.

The findings offer compelling new evidence of maritime trade connections between ancient Tamilakam (present-day Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions) and Egypt, dating back nearly two millennia. The inscriptions are believed to belong to the period between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE — a time corresponding to the height of Indo-Roman trade.

According to reports, 30 inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit were identified across six tombs in the Theban Necropolis. The site, located within ancient Thebes, is globally known for housing royal tombs including that of Tutankhamun.

The study was conducted during 2024 and 2025 by Professor Charlotte Schmid of the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO) and Professor Ingo Strauch of the University of Lausanne. The team documented inscriptions across multiple tombs, building upon the early 20th-century work of French scholar Jule Baillet, who surveyed the Valley of the Kings in 1926 and catalogued more than 2,000 Greek graffiti marks.

Commenting on the discovery, author and historian TS Krishnan noted that Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found in Egypt are “not entirely unexpected.” He pointed to well-established maritime trade networks between ancient Tamilakam and the Mediterranean world, particularly Egypt, during the Sangam age.

Krishnan also referenced earlier discoveries, including a broken pottery shard bearing Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found in Egypt, read as “Paanai Uri,” interpreted as “a pot hung by rope” or “suspended vessel.” The artefact is generally dated to around the 1st century CE.

The presence of Indian inscriptions inside royal Egyptian tomb complexes suggests that Indian merchants may have travelled deep into Egyptian territory, leaving behind tangible traces of cross-cultural contact.

If further authenticated and studied, this discovery could significantly expand the historical narrative of Indo-Egyptian relations and reinforce evidence of India’s extensive maritime networks during antiquity.

#TravelwithAllycaral 👒

Jaipur Ranked 5th Best City in the World by Travel + Leisure’s 2025 Survey

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In a resounding global recognition of India’s cultural richness, Jaipur has been ranked fifth in the world in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Cities 2025 list.

Known globally as the Pink City, Jaipur is celebrated for its unique architectural character, colorful bazaars, majestic palaces, and legendary hospitality. Adding to its prestige, Jaipur is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — a rare honor for any city worldwide.

  • 🏛 The Walled City of Jaipur, painted in its iconic pink hue, stands out for its historic urban planning.
  • 🏯 Amber Fort, perched on a hill, tells tales of Rajput valor and grandeur.
  • 🌌 Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory, remains an architectural and scientific wonder.

Tourism Minister Diya Kumari, also the former princess of Jaipur, expressed immense pride in the ranking. “This is not just an achievement for Rajasthan, but for the entire country. It reinforces Jaipur’s status as a global tourism icon,” she said. She emphasized citizen participation in maintaining cleanliness and pride in the city, attributing the achievement also to the government’s preservation policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in enhancing India’s global profile.

Tour operators and tourists alike echoed the sentiment. “Jaipur is already a favorite among international travelers. This title adds even more value to the city’s name,” said Sanjay Kaushik of Rajputana Holiday Makers.

An Argentinian tourist at Hawa Mahal summed up Jaipur’s charm: “It’s my favorite city in India — the food, the people, the history… it’s unforgettable.”

Jaipur joins an elite list of global destinations, including:

  1. San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)
  2. Chiang Mai (Thailand)
  3. Tokyo (Japan)
  4. Bangkok (Thailand)
  5. Jaipur (India)

Jaipur even outperformed Florence (Italy), which came in at 11th place, reaffirming its rising prominence on the international tourism map.