GERMANY POSTCARDS COLLECTION

TRAMCAR (Light Rail Network)

GERMANY

Operated by the Cologne Transit Authority (Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG, KVB)

One of the longest light rail networks in Germany

Back Caption: KVB, articulated tramcar 3821 crossing the river Rhine on Deutzer Brϋcke in August 1992

The light rail network operated by the Cologne Transit Authority (Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe AG, KVB) has a route network more than 285 km long, making it one of the longest light rail networks in Germany.

INDIA POSTCARDS COLLECTION

MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE

Madurai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA

most prominent landmark and most visited tourist attraction in the city

Meenakshi Amman Temple - is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Parvati, known as Meenakshi. Meenakshi - is an avatar of Parvati, one of the few Hindu female deities to have a major temple devoted to her. The name "Mīnachchi" means fish-eyed and is derived from the words "mīna" meaning fish and "akṣi" meaning eyes.

The temple is the geographic and ritual center of the ancient city of Madurai and one of the largest temple complexes in Tamil Nadu. It forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500 year old city of Madurai and is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature though the present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE. The temple is surrounded by 14 gateway tower, the tallest of which, is the famous southern tower, rises to over 170 ft (52 m) and was built in 1559. The oldest is the eastern one, built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan during 1216-1238 and the shrine has gold plated Vimanam (tower over sanctum).
Meenakshi Amman Temple was on the list of top 30 nominees for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". The temple is the most prominent landmark and most visited tourist attraction in the city. The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during April and May, attracts 1 million visitors.

FINLAND POSTCARDS COLLECTION

CHURCH BOAT

Traditional Finnish rowing boat

FINLAND

 - Church boat, “kirkkovene”, is a traditional Finnish rowing boat, which carried our ancestors almost every Sunday sometimes tremendously long distances to the holy mass. After the holy mass they almost immediately set themselves up for the trip homewards. If there was time waiting for the others they gathered strength by eating and resting for the race with the other boats sharing the same trip or part of it back home.  The boats now use for fun ecological exercise, sightseeing and races.

The wooden rowing boats, a 12 meters long carry 14 oarsmen (one oar each) and a cox steering the boat.