Tips For Gay Holidays To Hawaii

By Howie Holben

The Pacific paradise of Hawaii has long held an exotic allure that draws travelers from all corners of the globe to its picturesque shores. With a population that is warm and welcoming and comprised of a remarkable blend of white European, Polynesian and Asian cultures, Hawaii is popular for both straight and gay vacations. Hawaii's LGBT community is low-key and not necessarily highly visible, but those who take part in a Hawaii gay travel experience will find a higher level of acceptance than many places in the U.S., due in large part to an overall welcoming and accepting atmosphere created from generations of several cultures living together without one dominant culture or religion imposing its will.

Oahu is the third largest island in size, but is home to 70% of the states population, as well as the state capitol, Honolulu, and the popular tourist area, Waikiki. When visiting Oahu on gay holidays, travelers will not want to miss the LGBT-friendly La Cucaracha where authentic Mexican food, great music and delicious margaritas are always on the menu. Those who want to check out Oahus scene should check out 80% Straight Inc., a community clothing, book and novelty store located in the Waikiki Grand, and the handful of bars and clubs on the island, including Angles Waikiki, Fusion Waikiki, In-Between and Hulas Bar & Lei Stand. Beach goers will find a warm welcome at Queens Surf beach and near the lighthouse at Diamond Head.

Those who make their way to Maui will not find much of a scene other than an area of Little Beach in Makena, but watching the sunrise from the top of Mount Haleakala, exploring waterfalls and shopping in quaint villages make Maui one of the great gay tours destinations. If you wish to explore what most consider the most scenic and tropical island in the chain, Kauai is a must-see stop. With a few LGBT-friendly places, including a clothing optional bed and breakfast and an LGBT-owned Japanese-style villa with a clothing optional lagoon pool, Kauai is the island for exploring waterfalls, canyons and imposing cliffs.

The Big Island is another friendly option with plenty of LGBT-friendly lodging options, as well as several businesses and restaurants and one bar. Gay vacations on the Big Island include everything from visiting an active volcano or strolling on black sand beaches to exploring a rain forest and gazing in wonderment at the snow on Mauna Kea.

As the most remote island chain anywhere in the world, Hawaii is a tropical destination that everyone should have the chance to see at least once. In a single vacation to this island paradise you can ride horses down black sand beaches, attend a real luau, learn the hula, tour a pineapple plantation, explore a volcano and snorkel or scuba dive in crystal clear waters. To enjoy your Hawaii vacation to the fullest, consider partaking in a gay travel tour or enlisting the help of a travel agency that regularly plans Hawaii gay travel.

About the Author:

Holidays to Hawaii pointers by Howie Holben. His company, Spirit Journeys, is a gay vacations enterprise. Spirit Journeys makes available spiritual gay travel all over the world.

Durga The Radiant Goddess

By Bahubali Mehta

The Hindu deity Durga is regarded as the mother of all beings and is also believed to be the driving force behind creation, preservation and destruction. Her name originates from the Sanskrit word for 'the inaccessible' or the Bengali word for 'the unbeatable' and she is often called as 'Maa' or mother. She holds both destructive and creative power in her. She has many aspects of her being each of which is a representation of a different quality. Patience and valour are the two integral qualities of goddess Durga. Sometimes she is depicted as mother of Kartik, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Saraswati.

Durga being the warrior form of Shakti and therefore she was created to destroy the evil forces of an Asura named Mahishasura. The Earth, the heaven and the Paatala were being controlled by Mahishasura, the cruel king. He will be unbeatable by a man, was the boon he received from Brahma. Vishnu and Shiva were sought by the beings of these worlds and its then that a female warrior was formed by combining the energy of Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

After she had manifested herself she went down to fight with Mahishasura on the battleground. Upon fighting with her for the first time Mahishasura undervalued her because of the thought that it was impossible for a woman to defeat him. The battle went on for 10 days and Mahishasura took different forms, but at last was defeated and killed by goddess Durga. Thus victory over evil forces and darkness was achieved. It is believed that the dexterous goddess created an army to aid in her battle against the demon king's forces. When they won the battle, she honoured them for their services by imparting the knowledge of gold crafting and ornament making upon them.

She is normally depicted as having ten arms, each holding a different weapon. One arm is used to carry a lotus which is the symbol of source of growth. Her vehicle is shown to be a lion or a tiger, which symbolize fearlessness. She is considered to take different avtars with her power. She is known to be the form of Kali, the goddess of destruction.

Durga puja is one of the biggest celebrations of the eastern states of the country and is prominently observed in Orissa, Bengal, Assam and Bihar. Durga puja is called Dashain by people of Nepal. People celebrate this grand festival with at most joy and grandeur. The culmination of the battle when goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura is called Vijayadashami (Dussehra also).

About the Author:

To learn more about Hanuman chalisa and read about Hindu Gods like Lakshmi , visit Prabhubhakti.