Jabal Al-Noor, The Mountain of Light in Makkah

Jabal al-Noor is also called “Mountain of Light”, or “Hill of Illumination”, “Hill of Enlightenment” is a mountain near Makkah in Saudi Arabia Hejaz region. Jabel Al-Noor is popular place in Makkah due to famous Ghar-e-Hira situated on it. It is a small cave only four arm’s length long by 1.75 arm’s length wide and 640m tall. Almost five persons can sit in it.  Well, a physical fit man can take two hours to make it to cave. It is extremely strenuous on the individual; the mount and cave hold holiest significance for Muslims around the world. Well, one physical feature that differentiates Jabal al-Noor from other hills & mountains, that its strange-looking summit, which makes it look more like two mountains on top of each other The Cave (Ghar-e-Hira) is situated on mount Al-Noor on way to Mina near Makkah and its peak is visible from a great distance. Even one can see Kaa’ba straight and clear from this cave. The legendry Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) spent great deal of time in this cave. This is the place, a lot can write on this, if someone wants to write the imperativeness of Jabal Al-Nour. The top Jabal Al-Noor in the mountainous desert is one of the loneliest of places. However, the cave within, which faces the direction of the Kaaba, is even more isolated.

This is the site, choose by Allah for worshipping of his messenger in solitude to commence a new era of life on earth when ignorance eclipsed the human society for several centuries bid farewell to the light of knowledge and wisdom. Allah’s Messenger Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) used to spend their time for many months praying to Allah in loneliness away from all interventions of this world. It was the day the earth and skies and all in them were waiting anxiously for a long time. It was the day when Prophet Muhammed (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was assigned the duty of preaching Allah’s orders to the entire Mankind and Jinn. This “Cave of Hira”, the sanctum of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) a place of his great devotions and meditations, a sacred cave where the Holy Qur’an began to be revealed. Allah’s last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had just stepped into the 40 years of his life, when during a night in the month of Ramadan the first 5 verses of the Surah Al-Alaq (96) were Revealed to him and mountain was given the title of “Jabal Al-Noor”. The precise date of the first revelation can be seen through investigation to fix the time to Monday the 21st of Ramadan at night, i.e. August, 10, 610 C.E. or exactly 40 lunar years, 6 months and 12 days of age i.e., 39 Gregorian years, 3 months and 22 days.

Which is this place? No question, almost all Muslims know it. Jabal Al-Noor with steep slope 200m tall and all Muslims devotees visiting Jabal al Noor from various part of the world walk a few steps in the plane and feel exhausted.  Every year countless people force their way up neglecting harsh desert climate conditions to see the place where their beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) got his first heavenly revelation by Hazrat Gabriel (A.S) “The Angel of Revelation”. Therefore, one would wonder how Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) climbed this mountain countless times and stayed atop of the mountain for many days in succession with these unfavorable conditions. One would really feel and shed some tears on the sacrifice shown by Hazrat Khadeeja-tul-Kubra (رضي الله عنها) at the age of 55 who climbed up taking provisions to her husband Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) at least once in a day.

The Noble Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was living among extremely backward people who were devoid of any traces of civilization and humanity. He observed nothing in that society but the darkness of ignorance. He would go to the Ka'abah, but instead of witnessing the worship of God, he witnessed. He was pained by the ugly customs and false thoughts of his people. The pitiable condition of the poor and the destitute caused him great anguish. The disgraceful situation of women, who were treated worse than animals, as well as the prevalence of gambling, wine drinking and murder strenuous his blessed heart. These extremely tough conditions severely tormented his pure soul. Because when he dealt with people as a merchant, their depraved behavior gave so severe an emotional tremor to him that he had to go to a lonely place where he would not be tormented by people's inhuman behavior. For these reasons and to find peace of mind, he would go to Mount Hira and there think deeply about the amazing phenomena of nature and the vestiges of God's All-Embracing Compassion. Ghar-e-Hira is both without water or vegetation other than a few thorns and higher than Thabir. Source: Charismatic Planet

The Haunting Cliff face Appear to be Giant Skull When Reflected in Still Waters of Lake District

The frightening sight of a massive skull has been spotted in the rocks of a remote area of the Lake District which is believed to have claimed the lives of countless divers. The terrifying cliff face and its eerie reflection in the waters of the lake create mysterious illusion of a sinister skull on its side emerging from the darkness. Therefore, the hunting picture can be visible in the still water of disused Hodge Close slate quarry near Coniston in Cumbria. Thus, the abandoned quarry, which is 70 metres deep from the surface and has a 20 metres deep lake, is pierced with underwater tunnels. Hence, the quarry was an open pit from the 19th century to the early 1960s which has now flooded over time. Nowadays, this place is well known in divers and abseilers who’re keen to climb the rock face, though access to the water involves wading through a 120 metres flooded tunnel and down a scaffolding ladder. Several legends believe, that the lake has claimed the lives of quite a few divers over the years that have gotten lost in the tunnels.

A 45-year-old man had to be rescued after falling 20ft while abseiling in the quarry in 2012. He was rescued during a hardworking two-hour operation by a team of 20 members of Coniston Mountain Rescue Team. So, no one knows how many people have seen or noticed the skull. Therefore, it is only really becomes visible when the water is flat calm, and you look at the view sideways. You also need to be down next to the water, which isn't a trip everyone would want to make. Though, the quarry stopped working in the early-to-mid 20th Century, and is a prevalent climbing and diving venue. It is frequently used as an abseiling location by outdoor instructors. There’s stillness and a very eerie atmosphere around the place. The area is uses for training for various aspects of rope rescue and familiarization to allow us to respond effectively to incidents at the quarry and can't see the skull reflection from the top you have to scramble down to the pit of the quarry and walk to the water’s edge to see it. When you look at the reflection of the skull in the deep dark water, it's quite chilling. However, bearing in mind the status of the area, it is a very worrying moment when the skull appears out of nowhere with crystal clarity.

Vasquez Rocks, A Spectacular Rock Formations

The beautiful Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is a 932-acre park located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, in northern Los Angeles County, California. This is an exclusive rock formation in the area, which are in result of rapid erosion and uplift about 25 million years ago and later exposed by activity along the San Andreas Fault. However, it is in Agua Dulce between the Antelope Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley north of Los Angeles and seen easily by motorists driving the Antelope Valley Freeway (CA 14). It is projected that more than 25 million years ago, the collision of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates uplifted the area along the Elkhorn Fault. Therefore, energetic erosion of the highland along with uplift and volcanism caused debris flow sediments to be distributed in alluvial fans into a speedily subsiding rift well-known as the Soledad Basin.

It is favorite location of commercial, movies, and television due to its mesmerizing landscape. Vasquez Rocks has been used repeatedly in motion pictures, television series, and in moving and still-image advertisements.  Many photographers like this rock place for photography purpose. It is also considered a heaven for hiking trails. In 1970’s the land and rock formations were acquired by the Los Angeles County government and added to the National Register of Historic places in 1972. His name has since been associated with this geologic feature. In 1873 and 1874, Tiburcio Vásquez, one of California's most disreputable bandits, used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. Because of its significance as a prehistoric site, the Vasquez Rocks comprise mainly of coarse-grained conglomerate and breccia sediments which were deposited nearby to active faults during rapid uplift and subsequent erosion of the San Gabriel Mountains.

The Vasquez Rocks preferred to call it Nature's Haven where the animals were trained and lived with them. Vasquez Rocks is an amazing and if you’re “Star Trek” fan then you will like it even more. The stunning rock formation has been nicknamed "Kirk's Rock" due to being featured in several Star Trek episodes, each time representing a different planet Hike is good too although a little tricky at places. There is no fee to enter the park, but make sure collecting rocks is strictly prohibited. Therefore, if you want to climb some of the rocks you should wear good quality shoes or climbing shoes. Moreover, you should bring adequate water in the summer as it gets very hot. The park activities include: campfire nature talks, equestrian programs, a junior ranger program, seasonal special events, hiking and horseback riding. Picnic areas are provided. Charismatic Planet

Shahareh Bridge, Yemen

Shahareh is also called Shehara is actually a large mountain village and seat of Shaharah, almost 90 km to the northeast of the 'Amran Governorate, Yemen. The village lies at 2600 metres and overlooks mountainous bulging swells to the south and shimmering hot plains to the north. The village, which lies on top a sharp mountain of the same name, Jabal Shaharah, comprises of numerous ancient stone houses and a cistern. The area is popular due to its limestone arch bridge, constructed in the 17th century by a local lord to link two villages ((Shahara and Al-Madan) across a deep gorge. It can be reached through the city of Houth.

Shahara is the administrative center of the district and city is situated on the converging mountains; the eastern and the western recognized as “Shaharat Al-Feish” and “Shaharat Al-Amir”, each is over 3000 metres above sea level. Hence, travelling between the two mountains used to need a lot of time and effort due to the uneven roads and precipitous terrain. The bridge was built in 1323 A.H, 1905 AD during the Imam Yahia Bin Hameededdein’s regime of the Ottoman Turkish period. The Shahara Bridge is considered to be one of most significant Yemeni architectural masterpiece and a great geometric work, with lovely innovations with the existence of a paved stone road in the western mountain starting from at the bridge and travelling upwards. Moreover, due to the declivity of rocks, the architect was forced to design arches and erect the paved way that was built on them. Every year myriads tourists come to see this famous Bridge of Sighs and admire the engineering efforts. The bridge can be reached by climbing many terraced slopes or, selecting the path of least resistance, by hiring a local fella' and his pick-up truck to carry you up. 

Therefore, the view from bridge at Shahara is really awesome, as both sides of the bridge the mountains parted and revealed a glimpse of the massive valley. Many legends believe that the local people can eliminate the bridge in few minutes in case of any forthcoming danger. No doubt it is a frightening bridge and a prevalent tourist attraction. The local residents still cross it often as a part of their daily routine work. However the manufacturing mastermind of this bridge can be reached by climbing the numerous stepped slopes or, selecting the path of least resistance, by accompanying a local guide with you.Source: Charismatic Planet