DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. A massive red sandstone wall surrounds the Red Fort of Agra, a great and historic city two hundred kilometres south east of Delhi. Almost two and a half kilometres long and at an average height of twenty metres, the wall contains several well-fortified bastions that have been used by the Indian army right up to the present day. The east side of the Diwan-I-Am is connected to the Machi Bhavan, a beautiful courtyard that is surrounded on three sides by a two-storey building complex. It is believed that the legendary golden throne of the great moguls was kept in the southern wing. In addition to the private audience hall of the moguls, the Diwan-I-Khas, the private chambers of Shah Jahan are one of the fort's most fascinating sights. But 1658 prove to be a tragic year for Shah Jahan as his son, Aurangzeb, arrested him and removed him from power. From his prison cell he was able to see one of the most famous symbols of his former regime his favourite wife's fantastic mausoleum, the Taj Mahal.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. There are many ways by which one can travel across the state of Rajasthan in northern India but the train is probably the most fascinating. This journey explores the history of India's former maharajahs and mughals and begins in Delhi, India's great capital city. The streets of Delhi are full of life and even though there is much poverty the city is currently enjoying a degree of cultural and financial prosperity. Many historic landmarks such as the Lal Qila, the Red Fort, are a reminder of the city's glorious past. Due to its numerous magnificent historic buildings, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is one of the most beautiful and impressive cities in the region.The facade of the city's most famous landmark, the Palace Of The Winds, is one of the most photographed sights in India. Around 42 kilometres west of Jaisalmer the Desert National Park helps visitors to experience the natural beauty of the remote Thar Desert.At night the inhabitants of the desert, accompanied by traditional and exotic sounds, display the oriental side of their culture. Traditional music and dance are part of the nocturnal ambience of the desert and create an evocative scene straight out of the One Thousand And One Nights. With around 700,000 inhabitants Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. The Meherangarh Museum contains an extensive collection of historic objects that once belonged to the rulers of Jodhpur. Agra is the most popular tourist destination in India. Between 1630 and 1653 Shah Jahan built a unique monument here that is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the Taj Mahal, a magnificent example of Mughal architecture that is synonymous with India itself. Historically, culturally and scenically the journey has provided many colourful impressions of Royal Rajasthan, the legendary kingdom of India's Rajput and Mughal rulers.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. Shekawati, the North Indian region of Rajasthan, was once an important trading route to China. The amazing wealth of the majarajas can still be experienced as their former palaces have now been transformed into luxury hotels. The journey through this exotic land begins in Sikar, a place that still brings to mind the splendour of bygone times. The streets and lanes of this small town are always busy and it is as though half the population is making its way through the town. Lorries and camel wagons dominate the streets and the unpredictable nature of Indian traffic is a constant challenge. Havelis, the exquisite homes of the city's former traders, are architectural gems.The dwelling houses of Sikar's wealthy traders have retained their former glory and are built of yellow sandstone. The word `havelis' is derived from the Persian language and means `encircled square'. The walls protect the building from the searing heat and also uninvited guests. In the 18th century Churu was one of the most important stops along the caravan route. The mighty Poddar Family dominated the supply of provisions to the traveling traders. Due to punitive taxes they moved their business to Ramgarh thus Churu gradually fell into decay but with the arrival of the British the town prospered once again. Each city in the Shekawati region is like something from a movie set and it would not be at all surprising if a film crew suddenly appeared from behind one of the magnificent facades! The splendour of the region's havelis and royal palaces has turned this journey into an unforgettable adventure. Shekawati is truly a golden step into a lost age.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Islamic architecture's most beautiful building, the Taj Mahal, is located on the southern shore of the Jumna Rive close to Agra in Northern India. This mighty mausoleum was built on the orders of the Mogul King, Shah Jehan, for his favourite wife. Surrounding an inner core of stone, the Taj Mahal is mainly of brick construction encased in marble. The marble was transported from quarries about 300 km from Agra and in addition to its richly decorated, precious white marble, red sandstone was also used for its massive main gateway. Floral reliefs, tendrils and other carefully created stone works adorn the building's magnificent exterior. On its walls there are artistic images taken from the Koran and there are also non-Islamic decorations that were designed by 17th century architects. The stunning Persian motifs of blossom and plants consist partly of precious stones such as diamonds, garnet, sapphires and onyx. In 1629 the wife of the Indian Mogul, Shah Jehan, died at the birth of her 14th child. In her memory, her husband promised to build a mighty monument: the result was the Taj Mahal. It was built between 1630 and 1653 and its Persian character is due to its first architect, Isa Afandi, who originated from Iran. Its onion-like cupolas were a real architectural achievement of their day and the symmetry of the building is truly remarkable. A perfect example of Indo-Islamic architecture, today the Taj Mahal is India's most famous structure.

DVD. Terra Mystica. 26 Minutes. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Grand Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan erected the marble mausoleum, the Taj Mahal, as a tribute to and in grief for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Hahal, known as `the darling of the palace'. This action led to an upturn in both the economy and culture of the country and appears to have been an act of reparation, bearing in mind that the Mogul was a direct descendant of the Mughal Timur, known as Tamerlan the Great, who was infamous for his indescribable cruelty. The magnificence of the mausoleum is still a reminder of the noble act performed by the Grand Mughal who through the centuries, expiated a great injustice. The Taj Mahal is a magnificent wonder of the world that was originally dedicated to love, a wonder of the world for which there is still no explanation!

DVD. Passport to Adventure India is a land of contrasts and extremes. The desert state of Rajasthan is located in western India on the Pakistan border. This colorful, exotic region is the home of the " Rajputs", warrior clans who ruled this area for over 1000 years. Julie's journey through Rajasthan begins with a horseback trip in the Aravalli mountains and a ride through the ruins of an ancient hilltop fortress. Rajasthan is also home to some of India's most romantic cities. In Udaipur Julie visits a Maharana in his lavish palace to discuss his role in modern day Indian society. She cycles on country roads to get a glimpse of the rural lifestyle, then spends the night in an luxurious tented camp set in an ancient Mughal garden, where she is entertained by Rajasthani dancers. These nomadic people have performed for the royal families of India for centuries and their traditional dances are as bewitching today as ever.

DVD. Luxury Trains of the World. 55 Minutes. Discover the world's most luxurious trains and relive a bygone era, when the journey itself was the most significant part of the experience; rather than simply getting there. A journey where the passenger becomes a real traveller and is able to experience the much more gracious way of travel - in a living recreation of the golden age of rail. The Royal Orient Express offers an experience of a lifetime; traveling through the beautiful and mystical Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan aboard one of the most exotic trains on earth. Multi-cuisine restaurants, sumptuous furnishings and air condition carriages are just a part of the total enjoyment of luxury travel.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Set along an artificial lake and surrounded by picturesque mountains, Udaipur is one of the most beautiful cities in the Indian province of Rajasthan. Part of the Palace Of Udaipur is still inhabited by the present head of the Mewar and other areas within it have been transformed into a luxurious hotel. In recent years innumerable gazebos, balconies and decorations have made the elegant almost playful eastern side of the palace into a popular backdrop for numerous films. Located beneath the grand palace and surrounded by thick walls there is a further popular tourist attraction in Udaipur, the Jagdish Temple. At first sight this Vishnu sanctuary appears to be a fortress, a fact that has undoubtedly contributed to its survival. As one of the city's few Hindu temples, the Jagdish Temple survived the troops of Muslim aggressor, Mughal Aurangzeb, as he most likely did not recognize it as a temple. But history and drama aside, as the sun sets beneath the gentle hills of the Avalli Mountains it is easy to become hypnotised by the amazing beauty of Udaipur.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Fifteen kilometres south of Delhi is one of the most important Islamic monuments in India, the Qutb Minar Complex. A mosque is all that remains of the legendary city of Lal Kot, a city from where Islamic rule spread throughout northern India. The city dates back to 1193 A.D., the year when Muslim invaders first settled on the Indian subcontinent. The development of Lal Kot and the construction of Qutb Minar toward the end of the 12th century accelerated the spread of Islam. The founder of Delhi's first city was Qutb-Du-Din-Aibak who was made governor of the city by the Afghan conqueror, Mohammed Of Ghur. Above the ruins of the Hindu temples that had been incorporated into the architecture, Qurwat-Ul-Islam evolved, a mosque known as The Might Of Islam. The remnants of no less than twenty seven destroyed Hindu and Jain sacred buildings were used in the construction of the first mosque on Indian soil. Until quite recently the tall victory tower that was probably inspired by a similar structure in Afghanistan, was open to the public. However, due to a tragic accident within the tower the authorities have since closed it to the public. Nevertheless, Qutb Minar provides a fascinating and atmospheric insight into the early years of Muslim sovereignty in India.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. At first sight the area around the Victoria Terminus is like one of London's typical historic squares due to the many double-decker busses that can be seen. However, the chaotic hustle and bustle of the streets does not seem to be quite right. That is because this railway station is not in fact located in India but in India! The monumental building is one of the most impressive examples of Victorian Gothic architecture on the Indian sub-continent and from the initial planning stage it took ten years to build the station that is today called, Chhatrapati Shivaji. The station's design gained much inspiration from London's St. Pancras Station that had been completed in 1868. Although for most passengers tremendous hustle and bustle tends to get in the way of any architectural appreciation of the Victoria Terminus it is certain that for many years to come it will remain one of India's most important and fascinating railway stations.

VHS. Mystic Fire. A pilgrimage into the heart of India's greatest sacred celebration, the Kumbh Mela which takes place every 12 years. Filmmaker and poet Ira Cohen brings us face to face with an unforgettable gathering of holy men and into the heart of a visionary experience by rendering it as it really is: a circus of high madness, true devotion and showbiz savvy. The Kumbh Mela takes its name from the Hindu legend which tells how four drops of the gods holy elixir fell to the earth from a "kumbh" or pitcher during a struggle with jealous demons fighting in the heavens. The celebration takes place where those drops fell to the earth. "The naked Nagas marching to the river, like sparks from some primordial fire, the people of dust with arms held high. There is a pleasure of being mad that only the madman knows." - Ira Cohen (it takes one to know one). 85 minutes approx. This is a collector's item. New.

VHS. Questar Video. Some of the most magnificent scenery on earth is featured in this travelogue, which takes the viewer to the northern Indian state of Kashmir as well as to the nation of Nepal. Nestled in the Himalayas, these once forbidden lands are now accessible to travelers, though this video notes they "can be seen as a tourist, but to experience them, one must be an explorer." The route followed by travelers in this tape takes them from the elaborate houseboats of Kashmir's Dal Lake to the ruggedly forbidding terrain at the base of Mount Everest. Much of the itinerary, including grueling mountainous treks that can last for nine days, isn't for the faint of heart, not to mention those with an aversion to high altitudes. But the stunning sights of the towering Himalayas and the instant immersion into both Hindu and Buddhist cultures encountered on the way make for a trip like no other on earth. Highlights of this video include a visit to a monastery where the Tibetan culture flourishes inside Nepal, and the sights in and around the unique city of Katmandu, where painted eyes of the Buddha look out from the towers of stupas. This is an entertaining look at a remote part of the world as it opens its arms to Western tourists.--Robert J. McNamara. 60 minutes.

VHS. Taj Mahal: Heaven On Earth. Love and religious devotion inspired the building of the Taj Mahal. Moghul ruler, Shah Jahan, erected the Taj Mahal as a symbol of love to his wife and to honor his belief in Islam. Today, the Taj Mahal stands as a sacred reminder of the spiritual devotion of the Moghuls. This episode also explores the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar, third of the Moghul rulers, in one of his many efforts to spiritually unite the people of India. Anasazi: The Ancient Ones. In the four-corners of America's Southwest, members of the Pueblo people talk of their ancient ancestors who mysteriously disappeared. These mysteries unfold through the myth and the legends left behind by the Anasazi. Their beliefs in the spirit world are seen through petroglyph drawings and ancient cities lying in ruin. Broken pottery shards, elaborate road systems, and a subterranean world, called Sipapu, through which the Anasazi emerged, weave an amazing tale of the spiritual life of the Anasazi. 52 minutes.

VHS. PBS Home Video. Taking on India is like plunging into a cauldron of spirituality -- really good goop, but you could drown if you're not careful. Adventure Divas wades through the land of deities and meets some ladies who revel in their country's spiritual fabric and ethic of giving back. Filmmaker Ruchira Gupta, muckraker redefined, leads the crew through Mumbai's red light district and around the flesh trade; humanitarian maven Alice Garg tackles poverty when she's not collecting seashells in the desert; Delhi police chief Kiran Bedi pulls the rug out from under corruption; Ela Bhatt quietly incites economic revolution -- using bangles as collateral; and classical and pop music icon Shubha Mudgal fills us in on the guru-dom phenom. Tune in for some enlightenment. 60 minutes

VHS. This fascinating series takes you to the great spiritual places of the world and reflects the lifestyle, landscape and people that surround the sites as well as contemporary spiritual practices within each place. Edward James Olmos narrates Mystic Lands, which also features the original music of internationally acclaimed recording artist Chris Spheeris. Varanasi: City of Light - This is a mystical voyage into the roots of this sacred city and an intimate view of the lifestyle of devout Hindus. The basic tenets of Hinduism are explained including the cycle of reincarnation, Hindu gods, and the path toward enlightenment. From morning prayers and bathing rituals in the River Ganges to cremation fires that burn throughout the night along the rivers banks...this is Varanasi. Australia: Dreamtime - The Aboriginal people of Australia share their intimate understanding of the land and creation in Australia: Dreamtime. Through song and dance, Australia's Aboriginal tribes have passed down legends through generations. Each Aborigine carries a personal "dreaming" of these legends, shared by elders in sacred initiation ceremonies. Explore Aboriginal rock art, storytelling and dance as method of sustaining these legends. 55 minutes

DVD. The World Atlas. 52 Minutes. The Atlas steps into the digital age. A new one-of-a-kind World Atlas covering all parts of the globe with animated maps from Rand McNally and in-depth cultural and historical information. Each episode is dedicated to different countries, containing four distinct features - physical geography, political geography, popular locations, and thematic maps. The new digitally animated one-of-a-kind version of an Atlas of the World like you have never seen before!