Shwedagon Pagoda - Myanmar

The Shwedagon ("shwe" means gold and "Dagon" is the former name of Yangon) Pagoda is a 98-meter (322 feet) coned shaped giant, golden and glistering stupa which is situated in Yangon, Myanmar. Shwedagon, the "Mother of all pagodas in Myanmar" is the most well-known sacred Buddhist pagoda in Yangon which is also one of the main tourist destinations in Myanmar. This notable pagoda is located at No. 1, Shwedagon Pagoda Road, Dagon Township in Yangon, Myanmar. Archaeologists believed that it was built between the 6th and 10th centuries or 2, 500 years ago by the Burmese King Binnya U of the Mon Dynasty. However, according to the records by Buddhist monks, it was built before the Lord Buddha died in 486 BC.

According to the legend of the pagoda, two trader brothers from Myanmar namely Tapussa and Bhallika led a caravan of bullock-carts to India and there they came across the Buddha who had recently attained His Enlightenment or Buddha hood. They received eight of the Buddha's hairs to be enshrined in the Shwedagon Pagoda. Relics of the four former Buddhas are enshrined within the pagoda. They are staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Konagamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight hairs of Gautama, the historical Buddha. The myth has it said that when the golden container was opened to where the eight hairs of Buddha were kept, the rays emanated from the hairs rising up to the heaven and down to the hell, enabling the blind to see, the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.

The base of the Pagoda has a perimeter of 1,420 feet and its height is 326 feet above the platform. It has been estimated that about 8688 solid gold bars were used to plate its surrounding domes and the main stupa took 13513 solid gold bars. This pagoda has 4 entrances (mouk) that lead to the platform (yin byin) made on the top of the Singuthara Hill. A pair of mystical lions (chinthe) is located on its gates. The second Buddha statue, Konagamana stands on the top of the steps. The base of the stupa is made of bricks and covered with golden leaves. No one knows what is inside the base of the pagoda. According to the legendary tales, there are non-stop flying and turning swords to protect the pagoda from the intruders. Some local people say that there are underground tunnels lead to Bagan and Thailand.

The heavy gilded Shwedagon Pagoda has an octagonal base with eight smaller stupas on each eight sides, summing up a total of 64. At each corner of the platform, Manokthihas (sphinxes) are surrounded by a number of "chintes." The eight planetary posts at each cardinal point of the compass around the Shwedagon Pagoda are the symbolizations of the eight days of the week, each with its own animal and planet symbol. A gilded Buddha image made of alabaster is placed beside each planetary post.

The Golden Temple - India

The Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib) is the most significant shrine of the Sikhs and it is also one of the oldest Sikh gurudwara. It is located on a small island in the center of a pool called Amritsar (pool of ambrosial nectar), India. Its golden color is due to the overlay of gold foil, and hence it gets its name as a Golden Temple. The idea of establishing this temple was initiated by the 4th guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ram Das (1574 -1581) or more commonly known as "guru di nagri" which carries the meaning of city of the Sikh Guru. This temple was first established in 1601 and was rebuilt by the Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1803. The 5th Nanak, Guru Arjan Sahib (1581 -1606) had conceived the idea of designing the architectural framework of the Golden Temple.

The Golden Temple is built on a 67 feet square platform in the center of the Sarovar (tank). There is a door in the East, West, North and South respectively, and the door flame of its arch is measured 10 feet in height and 8 feet 6 inches in breath. The architecture of the Golden Temple reflects a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus and thus it is regarded as the best architectural specimens in the world. This architectural style has been used to create an independent Sikh school in the history of India. Unlike a traditional Hindu Temple where the devotees have to climb up to offer their salutations as the structure is built on higher level, Guru Arjan Sahib had it created on lower level than its surrounding ground so that it is accessible to every person to offer homage to this holy shrine irrespective of his or her caste (Kshatriya, Brahmin, Sudra or Vaisya), creed, gender, race, color and religion.

White Buildings of the Golden Temple

Sarowar is another interesting site to visit. It had been lined with bricks and steps had been built along its sides so that the devout could bathe in the immortal pool. It is interesting to learn that this three-storey-high temple is surrounded by the lake. The body of water is encompassed by a backdrop of bright-white buildings on all its four sides. The Golden Temple is crowned with a dome shaped like an inverted lotus. The two upper stories have gilded while its lower story is in white marble. The walls within its entrances are decorated with carved wooden panels and elaborate inlay work in gold and silver. The interior of the temple is decorated with semi precious stones, frescoes and glass works. The best time to visit this temple is in the early morning on weekdays before it gets crowded and visitors are asked to take off their shoes before entering the temple premises.

Another significance feature of the structure of the Golden temple is that it has four entrances to open to worshipers of all castes and creeds and this feature is quite different from most of the Hindu Temples that only have one gate. Other remarkable feature is the scripture of the Sikhs which highlights the importance of the unity of God and brotherhood of man. The scripture compiled by the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji consisting of 1,948 pages and more than 7,000 hymns.

Chion-in Temple - Japan

Chion-in (or Chionin) Temple is a large and well-known temple in Japan which is situated in the north of Maruyama Park and Yasaka-jinja Shrine in Kyoto's Higashiyama District, Japan. It is 8-minute-walk from Higashiyama Subway Station (Tozai Line) or 5-minute-walk from the front bus stop of Chion-in. Being the headquarter of the Jodo Shu (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism, Chion-in is one of the most important and popular sacred sites in Japan.

The Jodo sect was founded by Hōnen in the year of 1175, who proclaimed that sentient beings are reborn in Amida Buddha's Western Paradise (Pure Land) by reciting the nembutsu, Amida Buddha's name in devotion and faith. His simple teachings have attracted large numbers of followers among the commoners and have helped Jodo Buddhism become the most popular sect in Japan, ahead of the Jodo-shin and Shingon sects.

The temple was built in 1234 in the memory of his master and was named Chion-in. Several buildings in the complex were burnt in 1633 and the current buildings are reconstructions dated back from the 17th century under the reign of the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun Lemitsu (1604 - 1651). In October 2002, Chion-in Temple was used in the filming of Tom Cruise's movie entitled "The Last Samurai."

The entrance to Chion-in is through a 24-meter-tall two-storey Sanmon Gate (main gate) and later up a steep flight of stairs. It was the oldest structure built in 1619 and has been designated as a Japanese National Treasure.

Its ground is always crowded with people praying before a large brazier that holds small sticks of incense in front of the images of the main hall. The main Hall is big enough to accommodate 3,000 people and the corridor behind this gate leads to the Assembly Hall is called Uguisu-bari (nightingale floor or literally means "bush warbler floor boards").

This type of floor is constructed to "sing" at every footstep to alert the monks of the presence of intruders.

Chion-in Temple's copper bell is the largest and the heaviest in Japan with its weight of 74 tons. It needs 17 people to ring this bell. This bell is so special that particularly during the New Year's Eve ceremony in which the bell is struck 108 times by 17 monks, representing the 108 desires in the mind to be scared off before the New Year begins in Japan every year.

Another interesting feature to note is the roof beams are craved with the family crest of the Tokugawa family: Three hollyhock leaves. Chion-in Temple has a large and small guest houses built in 1641 in the Irimoya roof style called Ohojo and Kohojo which are designated as Important Cultural Heritages in Japan. Other Important Cultural Properties at the temple are buildings such as the Kyo-zo (storehouse for sculptures), Miei-do (hall enshrining the founder of the Jodo sect, Hōnen), Dai-shoro (room for the priest), Dai-shoro (large bell tower), Sho-hojo, Chokushi-mon (gate for Imperial messengers) and Kuri (kitchen and living quarters for the priests).

Kek Lok Si Temple - Malaysia

Over years, the historical heritage site of Kek Lok Si (Cantonese) Buddhist Temple, the Temple of Supreme Bliss (Penang Hokkien) or "Ji Le Si" (Mandarin) which means the temple of nirvana is one of the main attractions on the island of Penang, Malaysia.

This island was once the administrative center for the British East India Company during the colonial days. Kek Loh Si is not only the oldest, well-known and largest temples in Malaysia, but also one of the finest Buddhist temples in the Southeast Asia region.

It is situated at the hills of Ayer Hitam, or Crane Hill, which is a place recommended as a retreat for Taoist practitioners striving for immortality. At the hills of Ayer Hitam, visitors can view the panoramic scenery of Penang town.

The Kek Lok Si project was mooted by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple of Pitt Street. This project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Kuang Hsi with the collaboration of the consular representative of China in Penang. The Emperor Kuang His had then bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras. The construction of Kek Lok Si Temple was first established in 1893, but it was only in 1930, the Thai King, King Rama VI laid the foundation stone for this site and thus it is sometimes referred as Pagoda of Rama VI or the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas. This 30-meter-high and 7-storey pagoda is a mixture of Chinese octagonal base, Thai design at its middle tier, and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. This work of ancient Burmese, Chinese and Thai craftsmen took more than 20 years to build. A 30.2-meter-high Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin or Avalokitesvara) statue was completed in 2002. This all bronze Goddess of Mercy statue is flanked by a few tall structures of Luohan (Guards) statues. Another Guanyin head and shoulder section was built atop an annexed temple roof.

Visitors are recommended to walk all the way up of 193 steps lining with many stalls selling all types of handicrafts, souvenirs and bric-a-brac on both sides of the steps to Kek Lok Si Temple. While catching breath with the blowing wind, you will see a tortoise liberation pond where you can buy some vegetables to feed. Another alternative is to drive up and park near the vegetarian restaurant to avoid walking up flight of stairs. However, you will miss many souvenir stalls lined up both sides of the stairs.

After you get passing all the souvenir stalls, you will reach Ban Po Thar, a seven tier tower with a merge structure of Burmese at the top, Thai in the middle and Chinese at the bottom. In another three-storey shrine, there is a large Thai Buddha image donated by the king of Thailand. Besides that there are also several halls with old and new Buddhas and engravings, bell towers and other typical temple structures to visit at Kek Lok Si Temple.

The temple is set against scenic surroundings of beauty and tranquility with some features of gardens, sculptures and shrines. A short tram is available to see the both new and old giant statues of the Goddess of Mercy. Each year, during the Chinese New Year, the entire Kek Lok Si temple will be decorated with many colorful lanterns and lights. At night, when all the lights lit up, it is a beautiful sight to be experienced.

Prambanan Temple - Indonesia

The Prambanan Temple is the biggest and most beautiful typical Hindu temple which is located at Bokoharjo Village, Prambanan, East of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is 20-minute away from Yogyakarta city or about 18km east of Yogyakarta. Locally, this temple is also known as the Loro Jongrang Temple, or the temple of the "Slender Virgin." It is believed to have been established in the middle of the 9th century by King Balitung Maha Sambu or Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty, during the Sanjaya Dynasty.

This beautiful temple, in fact, it is a group of Hindu temples (candi), with the largest temple stretching 47m into the sky. The massive collection of Hindu temples was believed to build in the 10th century by the rulers of central Java and defeaters of the Sailendra Dynasty, Mataram Kingdom. Many temples were damaged due to the earthquake in Java in 2006, but it was opened for visitors in 2007. This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is one of the largest Hindu temples in Southeast Asia region which has a characteristic of having pointed and typical Hindu temple architecture.

Many reliefs adorned the temple's walls depicting the famous epic of Ramayana. It possesses 8 shrines, of which 3 of them are dedicated to manifestations of Hindu Gods of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma. Siva is the biggest temple, the other smaller temples; on its right is Brahma and Vishnu is on its left. The main temple of Siva has a height of 130 feet and it contains 4 rooms with 4 statues inside, accommodating the magnificent statue of Shiva's consort, Durga.

In front of the Siva Temple is the temple of Nandi, the bull or a Siva's transport. The temple of Vishnu or the Protector has 4 arms and its front temple is the temple of the garuda (the mythical-like eagle). The temple of Brahma or the Creator has 4 heads and in front of Brahma's pad is the temple of the swan which is a Brahma's vehicle.

The Prambanan Temple has three concentric squares. They are outer square (222 x 390 meters), middle square (110 x 110 meters) and center square (34 x 34 meters) and these squares are surrounded by a one meter boundary wall with gates to connect to the other squares. No temples are found in the outer square, but there are 224 Perwara temples inside the middle square which are lined in 4 rows of temples. The first row contains 68 temples, followed by 60 temples in the second row, 52 temples in the third row and 44 temples in the fourth row. The temples are arranged in a manner that the lower lined outside and gradually getting higher and higher while approaching to its center. There are altogether 16 small and big temples inside the center square. There are also 50 stones of inscriptions written in white, black and red color at Prambanan Temple.

Mahabodhi Temple - India

Bodh Gaya or Bodhgaya is the holiest place associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhist religion. Bodh Gaya is located in the central part of the Bihar state in the north-eastern India near the river Niranjana or the Falgu, which is also a part of the greatest Ganges plains and is 13km away from the Gaya town, 450km west of Calcutta, and 90km south of Patna.

It was in the 3rd century B.C.; Emperor Asoka built a monastery and temple here. This temple is used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihāra (Pali) but now it is named as the Mahabodhi Temple (literally means "Great Awakening Temple") that is the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is then become an important Buddhist pilgrimage, a significant archaeological site and a vital study center which attracts many believers and tourists from all over the world every year coming to study Buddhism and the art of meditation, or to absorb the aura of solemn grandeur that surrounds Bodh Gaya. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mahabodhi Temple marks the spot where Buddha attained enlightenment and his life of preaching which is located adjacent to a descendent of the original Bodhi Tree.

It is marked by stone lotuses and has a 50m (170 feet) tower. The basement of the temple is 15m in length and in breadth with its height of 52m rising in the form of a slender pyramid until it reaches its neck which is cylindrical in shape. On top of the temple are Chatras which symbolize sovereignty of religion.

Four towers on its four corners rise gracefully giving a feel of holy structure. Inside the temple in the main sanctum, on an altar, there is a colossal image of Buddha in a sitting posture touching the ground by his right hand (bhumisparsha mudra), facing eastward at the place where Buddha immersed in meditation gazing east under the Bodhi Tree. This image is said to have a history of 1,700 years old. There are carvings on the stupas which aged 2,500 years ago depicting tales from Buddha's lives. Ratnagar is a place where the Buddha spend one week sitting there and according to the inscription it is believed that five colors came out from his body.

Chankaramana is another sacred spot of the Buddha and it is believed that wherever the Buddha put his feet the lotus flowers springing from his footsteps.

The 80-feet high Bodhi Tree (Pipal Tree Ficus Religiosa) and a pond is situated inside the temple complex where according to legends, Buddha had meditated here. The present 115-year old Bodhi Tree growing here is the 5th succession of the original tree which Buddha attained enlightenment or Nirvana by sitting under this tree.

It was recorded that the original Bodhi Tree's shoot was taken by a daughter of Ashoka, Bhikkhuni Sangamitta to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century, and the tree was then planted by the Lankan king, Devanampiyatissa at the Mahavihara monastery in Anuradhapura and this tree is said to flourish till today. This Bodhi Tree is also documented as the oldest and most venerated tree in the world. The red sandstone is said to be the Vajrasana, diamond throne or the seat of enlightenment, on which Buddha sat on while meditating under the Bodhi Tree. The platform beneath the tree has a stone carving of Buddha's footsteps where the devout make flower offerings.

There are quadrangular stone railing with a height of 0.2m around the Bodhi Tree and the Mahabodhi Temple. Lotus motifs are used among these ancient railings. The older set of railings were made of sandstone dated back to about 150 B.C. while the other set of railings were believed to make from course granite dated back to Gupta period (300 - 600 A.D.). The older set portrays a design of Lakshimi being bathed by elephants, Surya riding a chariot drawn by four horses, but figures of stupas, Garudas are found on the other set. A visit to the Bodh Gaya Archaeological Museum is a must for religious art enthusiasts as they can see gold, bronze and stone images of Buddha. Apart from that a large collection of Buddhist sculptures from 1st century B.C. to 11th century A.D. are well kept at one place here.

Another interesting spot to visit is a Jewel Walk or Chankramanar which was built as a low platform adorned with 19 lotuses lining parallel to the Mahabodhi Temple on its north side. It is believed that the Buddha was strolling here while he was in a deep thought during the second week after his supreme attainment. In this place a stupa called Animeschalochana was built which is situated to the north of the Chankramanar.

Since 1953, Bodh Gaya had an architectural amalgamation of many cultures as it had been developed as an international place of pilgrimage. Most Buddhists came over from different countries to construct their representative architectural monasteries in Bodh Gaya. Thus, one will see a Thai temple which looks very much like a typical colorful Wat of Thailand, Tibetan temple and monastery houses the massive Dharma Chakra or the large prayer wheel, Burmese monastery, Japanese temple (Indosan Niponji) that has a very beautiful image of Buddha brought from Japan, and Tai Bodhi Khan monastery built by Buddhist tribes from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. There are also Vietnamese, Nepalese, Taiwanese, Sri Lankan, Bhutanese, Korean and Bangladeshi monasteries. Many shrines were constructed with enshrined images for use as places of worship. There were also a large number of images of Buddha and the carved inscriptions showing that pilgrims from Sri Lanka, China and Myanmar had visited this place between 7th and 10th century A.D.

The City of 10,000 Buddhas - United States of America

The City of 10,000 Buddhas which is situated in Talmage, Mendocino Country, California is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the United States. It was established in 1976 and Master Hsuan-Hua is the founder of this city.

The city is noted particularly for its Dharma Realm Buddhist University, Tathagata Monastery, Joyous Giving House (convent), Instilling Virtue Elementary School and Developing Goodness Secondary School, International Institute for the Translation of Buddhist Texts and the Center for East-West Medicine. Another noted feature is the Jeweled Hall of 10,000 Buddhas which was constructed in 1982.

This hall accommodates a 6-meter statue of a thousand-handed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Guan Yin). Its walls are adorned with 10,000 images of Buddha. There are also murals adorned the outside wall of Jeweled Hall of 10,000 Buddhas.

Other interesting features to note have been described in details in my article here.

Malaysia

Like other parts of the world, Malaysia too, celebrates the New Year's Day with great excitement and joyful. Malaysians prefer to celebrate New Year's Eve with much merry-making at public squares like Dataran Merdeka, hotels and restaurants. Though Malaysia is a multi-racial country with races includes Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Eurasians, Portuguese, indigenous people and other minority races, we are here celebrated the New Year's celebration in harmonious and tranquility, regardless of religions, customs, languages and races. This unity spirit marks the strong unity among the citizens of Malaysians without bios and racism, which highlights the beauty of Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysians gather one hour earlier at the Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. Dataran Merdeka is just like the Times Square of New York. Almost all the restaurants and shops have their premises decorated with colorful bulbs, balloons and steamers. The Malaysian flag or “Jalur Gemilang” and the state's flags are swinging gracefully on top of the premises. People prefer to come out in the streets and stay until daybreak to cheer for the arrival of New Year rather than sit in front of the television, as they want to capture the full excitement moment in the mood of New Year's celebration. People will gather at stadiums, coffee shops, café, restaurants, KLCC, Genting Highlands and all parts of states in Malaysia shouting Happy New Year or “Selamat Tahun Baru” to each other when the clock strikes 12 at midnight.

The unique of Malaysians here are unity and family oriented. A day before the New Year in Malaysia, all family members from far of places return to their hometowns for the reunion dinners. We are proud to be Malaysians!

China

In the early morning on January 1, 2008, the Beijing Tiananmen held a grand flag-raising ceremony.

Flag-raising ceremony in China

People from all parts of China gathered here to watch the ceremony while greeting the arrival of 2008.

A child was sitting on the adult's shoulder while watching the flag-raising ceremony.

Japan

Every year on 1 January, Japanese celebrate their New Year or also known as Oshiogatsu or shogatsu. In general, the New Year in Japan commences on 31 December and lasts until 3 January. On every 31 December at the midnight, Buddhist temples ring their bells for 108 times on the last night of the passing year all over Japan. This event is also another major attraction called The Watched night bell held every year in Tokyo during the New Year's Day. The night bell is stricken 108 times symbolizes the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief and get rid of the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every Japanese nation. Japanese believe that the tolling of the bells can get rid off their sins of the previous year.

Dezomenshiki in Japan

In Tokyo, the capital of Japan, people bid farewell to the past year and welcome the New Year by undertaking some activities such as Dezomeshiki (New Year's parade of firefighters. Traditional acrobatic stunts are performed by the firefighters of Tokyo in the parade during the New Year's Day in Tokyo) and Special Opening of the Imperial Palace Grounds.

Tokyo, Japan

Japanese eat Herring roe or fish egg (symbolizing fertility), black beans (symbolizing health), dried chestnuts (symbolizing success) and prawns as omens (symbolizing happiness) on the mood of celebrating the arrival of New Year. They also have their traditional mouthwatering delicacies called mochi or white rice cake breakfast called zouni.

Before the New Year's day, they sent cards to their relatives and friends but the postmen will keep them and only deliver the New Year's greeting cards or nengajo at one time on 1 January. All Japanese put on beautiful and finely knitted Japanese traditional costumes to greet their guests. Females will wear Kimono or Yugata on this day.

Japanese children play karuta or a card game, some play hanetsuki or a badminton type of game, and some have takoage or kite flying during New Year's Day. Parents give their children money or otoshidama on New Year's Day. In Japan, Japanese will do hatsu-mode by paying holly visits to Shinto temples and shrines to pray for a healthy and Happy New Year. They put decorations outside their house with pine and bamboo or Kado-matsu to celebrate New Year. They display a large steamed rice cake or Kagami-mochi in a place of importance in the house until 11 January.

South Korea

On 1 January, Korean people rush to sunrise sites in the eastern Gangwon Province and Southern city of Busan (the largest port city in the South Korea) to see the first sunrise of the New Year. Some gather at the east coast cities of Gangneung and Donghae to make wishes as the sun rose on the New Year. Korean Folk Village features at hosting some traditional games and events all over the Korea on New Year's Day. The festival mood of New Year's Eve Celebration includes a series of Korean cultural performances in central Seoul.

Watching sunrise in South Korea

Seoul, South Korea

On New Year's Eve, more than 150-thousand Korean people gather in Jongno district to witness the striking of an old temple bell at the Bosingak (Bonshingak, made in 1468,is the largest pavilion among the Korea's national treasures) pavilion. The bell rings 33 times to greet the coming of New Year. As the festive mood in Korea mounted, Korean people attend a variety of ceremonies and events, including parades, fireworks and traditional cultural performances till the end of the New Year's Day on 1 January every year.

United States of America

One of the unique and unusual New Year's celebrations in United States is the Mummer's Parade (This custom is brought to Philadephia by European settlers and dates back to medieval England, where troupes of costumed performers went house from house presenting a folk drama or Mummer's play at Christmas time. “Mummer” in German refers to a mask. The earliest known Mummer's club was formed in the 1840s and the first official "Mummer's Parade" was held in Philadelphia in 1901) held in Philadelphia on 1 January every year. This parade features at elaborating costumes with ornate costumes that rival those in Mardi Gras parades, comedy and string bands of accordions, saxes, drums, violins, banjos, bass fiddles, glockenspiels, and clarinets. A slide show of the parade is available from Mummer's museum while its photographs are available from Mummer's Picture Gallery.

New York Times Square, U.S.A

The New Year's celebration at Time Square, New York was the ball drop, and its streaming video clips are available at EarthCam.com. The first Ball lowering celebration held on headquarters in Times Square, New York on December 31, 1907 and has proceeded for the past 100 years.

The Waterford Ball is a geodesic sphere with six feet in diameter, and weighing approximately 1,070 pounds. During the New Year at Time Square, New York every year, people there lower the ball. There are 504 Waterford crystal triangles engraved with the names of those lost in the World Trade Center on the ball, with the decoration of 696 multicolored light bulbs, 96 high-density strobe lights and 90 rotating pyramid mirrors.

In celebrating the arrival of 2008, the Bow Tie of Time Square (42nd to 47th Sts. between Broadway and 7th Ave.) was unavailable to traffic. After lighting the New Year's Eve ball, city officials and guests at the Countdown Stage in the center of Times Square will ring a commemorative bell. By pushing the Waterford crystal button, it marked the final sixty-second countdown prior to the Ball Lowering. The numerals of the New Year “2008” shone high above Times Square, with the light bulbs on the New Year's Eve Ball turned off. A two-minute pyrotechnic display illuminated and glistered with the bursts of custom-mixed colors in the sky above One Times Square accompanying with special effects of computer. The release of the world-famous New Year's Eve confetti from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square marking the start of New Year and the people cheered happily and contentedly in the mood of New Year's celebration.

United Kingdom, U.K.

New Year in Britain is a time to drink, eat and dance either at homes or with friends in a club or pub when clock strikes 12 at midnight. Different countries and cities in Britain have their own unique ways to welcome the New Year but the spirit to celebrate the New Year in each person's heart is the same all over the Britain.

The other main feature of New Year in Britain is the tradition custom of “First Footers”, which believes that the first person over the threshold on the New Year's Day will dictate the luck to bring to the particular house on 1 January. Scotland and Northern Ireland had followed this tradition with the first footers bringing in a piece of coal, bread and whisky while crossing the threshold.

London, England

Chinese New Year's Day Parade, London

London's New Year's Day Parade, also known as Hogmanay is famous all over the world. Over thousands of people, more than 10,000 musicians, dancers, clowns and acrobats gather and feast at Trafalgar Square while waiting eagerly for the arrival of New Year. London is by far the best city to be on the New Year's Eve for some of its excellent bars and clubs. Last but not the least, is the traditional dragon dancing, music and entertainment at London's Chinatown.

Scotland

People celebrate Hogmanay (Hogmanay's culture roots back to the pagan practice of sun and fire worship in the deep mid-winter. This fire symbolizes how the light of the knowledge to be handed over from one year to the next, which carries forward the light of hope to a better world) or Scottish New Year on 31 December every year. It has become a great festive season at the large city of Glasgow and Edinburgh. To view “1000 pipers” gathered at Edinburg castle and piping their way down to Holyrood palace, go to Homnanay.com and click some of the video clips.

Fireworks display, Hogmanay's Street Party, Dornoch, Scotland

When the bells of Big Ben chimed at the midnight, everyone sang Auld Lang Syne with lots of kisses. The words to this song are as follows:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o'kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

Scotland “Firstfooting,” (Each year, groups of friends or families do a tour to each others' houses and each family takes turn to provide the meal for the group) and Ceilidhs (Scottish dances) took place in the most remote parts of Scotland. The children in Scotland went from house to house collecting oatcakes. Grand parties were held everywhere at this night, and people celebrated the arrival of New Year with Scottish dances or Ceilidhs.

Spain

Eating 12 grapes is a custom that makes New Year celebrations in Spain unique and New Year in Spain is worth visiting for his nightlife. The night view during the New Year's celebration is amazing, so make sure to be a part of the New Year in Madrid. Spanish people keep 12 grapes ready at the beginning of the New Year and eat one with each chime of the clock symbolizing the 12 months of the year. The grape eating custom dates back to the King of Spain, who gave grapes to everybody to eat on the New Year's Eve with jest and enthusiasm.

As soon as the clock strikes 12, people gather at the Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid cheered happily for the entry of the New Year. New Year in Spain indeed enchants the visitors with the atmosphere dipped in true festive mood, atmosphere and decorations all over the Spain.

In Barcelona, people also participate in 12 grapes eating tradition when clock strikes at 12 midnight. People here are having party, dance, music, drinking and feasting with great enjoyment, enlightening the New Year's atmosphere. Visitors may come to experience countless surprises while having rock band performances to salsa, and from ballroom dance to gourmet delights. Another feature of New Year celebrations include the arrival of Magos who distribute candies and lollipops to all in The Procession of the Three Kings, bottle rockets and other aerial fireworks are being shot off all over the city particularly in Barcelona, furnishing Spain with an aura of jollity and festive atmosphere.

Spanish people celebrated the arrival of the New Year or Año nuevo

A buffoon shakes his hands during a New Year's celebration in Spain's Madrid on December 31, 2007

Germany

In German language, “Silvester” refers to New Year's Eve as the name suggests that a pope who lived in the fourth century has his feast day of Saint Sylvester on 31 December. People here celebrate New Year by dancing, singing, drinking and getting merry. Many Germans prefer playing games to foretell the future of the arrival of the New Year. Dropping molten lead into cold water is one of the famous games that predicting the future according to the shapes it takes in the cold water. Some prefer to share this special moment with their friends and loved ones.

When the clock strikes at 12 midnight, Germans hug and wish each other Happy New Year. To celebrate New Year's Eve, Germans usually splash a bottle of fine champagne, burn eye-catching fireworks and party hard.

Germany Brandenburg Gate

In Frankfurt, a city rich in culture and tradition, the sky is dazzling with brilliant firework display. On the New Year's Eve, in almost all the pubs and clubs in Frankfurt, one cannot stop from munching the delicious almond cookies called Brenten, Bethmännchen and drinks like Kinderpunch and Apfelwein. On every 1 January, the traditional New Year's concert is held annually at Alte Oper with performances include Maurice Ravel's Alborada del Cracioso, Klavierkonzert G-Dur, Boris Blacher's Orchestervariationen über ein Thema von Paganini and Mazeppa. Meanwhile in Hamburg, as soon as the clock strikes 12 at midnight, the church bells toll and ships sound their horns, which marks the merriment of the New Year. New Year is a gala event where dance, party and usher in the New Year bidding adieu to the old in the stylist city of Germany has become an important festival in Hamburg, Germany.

France

The French celebrate New Year on 1 January by exchanging gifts, cards and goodies as if Americans celebrate Christmas. Initially, people celebrated the New Year's Day known as “La Saint Sylyestre” in France since 1582.

Paris, France

During the French New Year's Eve, people celebrate with grand pomp and show. Various cultural programs too, take place during the New Year's Day. French make every moment approaching New Year by partying hard with family and dear ones, and bid a joyful farewell to the past year while welcoming the New Year with sparkling success, glorious and excitement. The New Year's holidays in France ends on 6 January with a tradition of cutting cake and types of cakes are in varieties depends on the place where you are in France.

Australia

During New Year in Australia, the Sydney Harbor Bridge is dazzling with more than 80,000 fireworks lit at the Circular Quay in vicinity to the Sydney Opera House. During the New Year's Eve, from a 16km radius around Sydney, one can see the fireworks sparkling with glorious, joyful, and more than 300,000 tourists from all over the world who want to capture the glimpse of the famous fireworks set their legs in Sydney. Everyone set eyes on the clock waiting eagerly for the arrival of the New Year.

Sydney, Australia

Australians prefer to go on picnics, outing and camping on beaches as ways to bid farewell to the past year and at the same time welcoming the arrival of the New Year. Meanwhile, people enjoy themselves by having New Year Party, camping and enjoying bonfires in Sydney. As soon as the clock strikes at sharp 12 at midnight, they ring the Church bells with excitement. People there make loud noises, blow car horns, whistles and shouting Happy New Year to each other. The spirit to celebrate the New Year is the same no matter whether they are at the seaside, in a dance club, at home, in the shopping complex, in a hotel and any other places all over the Australia.

In celebrating the arrival of 2008, people have party along with their beloved family, relatives and friends in Melbourne accompanying with the hottest rock bands performing on Melbourne beaches. For the community of Chinese-Australia, spectacular Great Dragon appears in the streets of Melbourne, marking the arrival of the New Year.

Good-bye 2007, welcome 2008!