202604 वॉलपेपर संग्रह

Imagine a flower sparking a financial frenzy. Sounds unlikely, right? Yet in the 1630s, tulips did exactly that in the Netherlands. During tulip mania, rare bulbs became luxury items traded for astonishing sums—some valued at prices comparable to a house. Why so valuable? Unusual colours and striped patterns were scarce and unpredictable, and collectors wanted the rarest varieties they could find.

Ships leaving Lisbon once passed a small stone tower before meeting the wide Atlantic. That tower, standing on the bank of the Tagus River, served as both a guardian and a farewell. Say hello to Belém Tower—a fortress that watched Portugal sail into the Age of Exploration.

The spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear, is the only South American bear of the Ursidae family. Inhabiting the northern and central Andes Mountains, it dwells primarily in forested areas and feeds mainly on shoots and fruit. Pale markings around the eyes often resemble eyeglasses, or 'spectacles,' giving the species its distinctive name.

Designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni and completed in 1877, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy, is one of the world's oldest and most famous shopping arcades. Located between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala, it features a stunning glass-and-iron roof and an elegant, octagonal layout. Affectionately known as 'Milan's living room,' the Galleria is home to high-end boutiques, historic cafés such as Caffè Biffi and Camparino in Galleria and renowned restaurants.

Spring brings apple trees to life with clouds of soft pink blossoms. Their delicate petals brighten orchards and hillsides, standing out against clear blue skies as the season shifts from winter towards warmer days. These blooms attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, helping fruit trees produce the apples that will grow later in the year.

Penguins usually bring Antarctica to mind, but these endearing flightless seabirds don't always follow the ice. On World Penguin Day, the Galápagos penguins pictured here offer a vivid counterpoint. Found only in the Galápagos Islands—a volcanic archipelago more than 950 kilometres off Ecuador's coast—this species lives farther north than any other penguin. Cool, nutrient‑rich ocean currents make this equatorial habitat possible by supplying food and keeping surrounding waters within survivable temperatures. Compact and agile, these birds spend much of the day in the water to stay cool.

What happens when water moves too slowly to notice? In Everglades National Park, it shapes everything. Covering around 6,100 square kilometres, the park was established in 1947 to protect a wetland system unlike any other in the United States. As a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park's elevated pinelands rise above the marshes and prairies that form one of the world's largest wetland systems.

Each 23 April, the curtain rises on the life and legacy of William Shakespeare, a playwright whose words still command the world's literary stage. Shakespeare Day commemorates the anniversary of his death in 1616 and the traditionally accepted date of his birth in 1564—a symbolic pairing that honours a writer whose works reshaped English literature. From the psychological depths of 'Hamlet' to the enduring romance of 'Romeo and Juliet,' his language continues to echo through classrooms, theatres and everyday speech. His plays have been performed in numerous languages worldwide.

Earth Day didn't knock gently. It kicked the door wide open. In 1970, oilsoaked beaches, burning rivers and toxic air mobilised millions into street protests. When looking away was no longer an option, conservation was forced onto political agendas, sparking landmark environmental laws and flipping planetcare from fringe concern to global priority. Every 22 April, over 190 countries pause, reflect and reassess.

Spring arrives with a small, spiky ambassador: the European hedgehog, spotted here in France. Part cuddle, part survival gear, this tiny forager is mostly nocturnal and usually solitary, guided mainly by smell and sound. Its job description is simple: roam, sniff through leaf litter and vacuum up invertebrates like worms, beetles, slugs and caterpillars—the kind of snacks that keep ecosystems running and gardeners smiling. When danger shows up, it doesn't negotiate or flee. It curls into a tight ball and lets its spines do the talking.

There are more than 400 places across the National Park System in the United States that preserve natural and cultural heritage while creating unforgettable outdoor experiences. From coastlines and forests to vast desert landscapes, these protected sites invite exploration, reflection and wonder.

Some places greet you gently. Spiti Valley starts by taking your breath away—literally. Sitting above 3,000 metres in Himachal Pradesh near the Tibetan border, this cold desert largely skips rain and goes straight to extremes.

Today, on World Heritage Day, attention turns to places that tell humanity's shared story—protected for their exceptional cultural or natural value. One of them rises from volcanic stone on Easter Island, Chile. At Rano Raraku, the slopes of an extinct volcano became the workshop where nearly all of the island's famous moai were carved. The image captures this remarkable quarry, where half-finished figures emerge from the rock, frozen mid-creation.

On 17 April, International Bat Appreciation Day flips its cape to the planet's night shift: bats. With more than 1,400 species on every continent except Antarctica, these winged mammals keep ecosystems balanced. They've been on Earth for over 50 million years, and only three species are true vampires. Found only in the Americas, these bats feed on blood, while the rest survive on insects, fruit, nectar or pollen. In Texas, Bracken Cave can host up to 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats in summer. Many gulp crop pests, cutting pesticide use; others pollinate wild agaves and disperse seeds that help forests rebound.

Each spring, Washington's Skagit Valley transforms into a patchwork of colour as the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival celebrates the arrival of bloom season. Throughout April, visitors can explore tulip gardens and farmland lined with vibrant rows of flowers, all framed by mountain views.

Art surrounds us. Creativity and self-expression are part of human identity and mould our past and future. While some might dedicate their lives to the arts, others are the recipients of what artists channel. World Art Day on April 15 celebrates this ever-flowing link between artistic creations and society that shapes our cultures.

Every year on April 14, India pauses to honour a man who drafted more than just a constitution—he drafted the blueprint for social justice. Ambedkar Jayanti celebrates Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a scholar, reformer and relentless champion of equality. Born in 1891, Ambedkar faced the harsh realities of caste discrimination but turned every hurdle into a stepping stone for change.

When the lights go down, the universe puts on a show. International Dark Sky Week, celebrated each April, invites everyone to rediscover the night and learn why darkness is worth protecting. Launched in 2003, the week highlights how excessive artificial light affects wildlife, human health, energy use and our ability to see the stars. Fewer lights don't mean less safety—smart, well-designed lighting can do both.

Today, the world marks the International Day of Human Space Flight, a United Nations observance honouring the first human journey into space and the start of the space age for humanity. The date recalls 12 April, 1961, when Yuri Gagarin orbited Earth, proving that people could leave the planet and return safely.

A beach born from fire rarely does so subtly, yet Papagayo Beach manages exactly that. The shoreline we see today rests on the southern edge of Lanzarote, one of Spain's Canary Islands. Tropical fantasy? More like volcanic precision. Millions of years ago, this land rose in successive layers of basalt and ash thrust upward by submarine eruptions.

Ever caught siblings plotting? In Karula National Park, Estonia, it looks as though these two red fox kits froze mid-conspiracy, their expressions mirrored in curiosity and caution. They're not just springtime fluff; they're apprentices in survival. Born in litters averaging four to six kits, foxes grow quickly, their underground den becoming their wrestling ring, classroom, and testing ground. Older kits often help feed, guard, and teach the younger ones, turning play into practice and mischief into muscle memory. In their families, siblings are not background—they're backup.

Water spills in clean lines at Sgwd yr Eira, one of South Wales' most distinctive waterfalls. Its Welsh name means 'Waterfall of Snow,' referring to the pale curtain of water sliding over the rock face. What sets this waterfall apart is access. A narrow path leads visitors behind the falling water, immersing them in sound, light and movement at close range. Sgwd yr Eira lies within Brecon Beacons National Park, often called 'Waterfall Country' for its network of rivers and falls carved into wooded gorges. Well-marked trails connect this waterfall to others along the River Hepste, making it a popular stop on longer hikes. Above the valleys, the landscape opens into rolling moorland and long ridgelines where upland paths are shaped by wind and changing weather. These contrasts define the Brecon Beacons, where open, exposed uplands give way to sheltered water, tying the landscape together.

Seattle's waterfront seems suspended between sea and sky as soft light settles on the horizon. The city in Washington, United States, is named after Chief Si'ahl, a leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples, whose legacy remains important to the region's identity. Steep streets lead down to piers that sweep across Elliott Bay. Rising above the shoreline, the Space Needle stands out as the city's most recognisable landmark. Pike Place Market, founded in 1907, overlooks the waterfront and continues to anchor daily life and long-held traditions.

Sea anemones may look like underwater flowers, but they're actually animals—close relatives of jellyfish and corals. Anchored to rocks or reefs, they use a sticky base and a crown of waving tentacles armed with tiny stingers to capture passing prey. Those stings can paralyse small fish, yet one famous neighbour is immune.

Picture northern Japan in the early 1600s. Castles stood at the crossroads of politics, trade and governance. Across generations, they came to reflect not only moments of tension, but also endurance, adaptation and everyday life. Castle Day, celebrated on April 6, was created to highlight that layered past. The day uses a simple phonetic link—shi (4) and ro (6)—to form Shiro-no-Hi, because 'shiro' means castle in Japanese. It's a reminder that castles had serious jobs long before they had cinematic appeal.

What follows 40 days of waiting is not a spectacle, but a chapter rooted in belief. Easter Sunday arrives at the end of Lent, carrying forward ideas of life over death and the promise of renewal. For Christians, today marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and brings Holy Week to a close. It's a turning point, both spiritual and symbolic.

Before sunrise, the moorland clock punches in—and the dance floor opens. Male black grouse don't send invites; they boom them. Welcome to lekking season, where romance is competitive, noisy and strictly outdoors.

Some bridges in Amsterdam just get you across a canal. The Armbrug does more—it seems to wave hello as you pass. Nestled over the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal, its name, meaning 'arm bridge,' refers to the nearby Oudezijds Armsteeg (Old Side Arm Alley), not a literal limb, but it's easy to imagine it greeting cyclists and pedestrians along the way.

Spring announces itself across California's Central Valley in the United States with the first bursts of wildflowers following the winter rains. Stretching more than 700 kilometres from north to south and covering about 52,000 square kilometres, the valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. In early spring, however, an older identity briefly resurfaces. From March through April, native annuals such as goldfields, tidy tips and owl's clover quickly germinate once temperature and soil moisture are optimal. They race to complete their life cycles before the long dry season begins.

On a quiet hill in Madhya Pradesh, the Great Stupa at Sanchi proves that circles never go out of style. Built in the 3rd century BCE by Emperor Ashoka, this massive dome was designed to house relics of the Buddha. Instead of towering high, it spreads wide—solid, grounded and focused on meaning over height.