Indian News Reader

Kerala Pilgrim Centres - Pathanamthitta

2010-01-13T10:24:00.003+05:30

Pathanamthitta, the newly formed district was carved out of Idukki, Alappuzha and Kollam districts in 1982. Pathanamthitta district, is also known for its exuberant fairs and festivals. The district is considered to be industrially backward. Some traditional industries ofthe district have been thriving in the district since early times. Pathanamthitta district is rightly recognised as the `headquarters of pilgrimage tourism'.

¤ Pilgrim centres in Pathanamthitta

* Aranmula
The Parthasarathi Temple, dedicated to Sree Krishna, on the banks of the holy River Pamba, attractions large crowds of devotees. The famous Aranmula snake boat race is held on the last day of the weeklong Onam festival. The 'Vijinana Kalavedi" at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts like 'Kathakali', classical dances, classical music as well as 'Kalaripayattu'. Foreign tourists stay here for long periods to get a first hand knowledge of the culture of Kerala. The Parthasarathi Temple here also has fine murals from the 18th century. Aranmula is also very famous for its hand made mirrors of polished metal called ' Aranmula Kannadi', which is a unique craft and not found anywhere else in the world.

* Cherukolpuzha Convention Place
An important religious convention of the Hindus is held at Cherukole on the banks of River Pamba, usually in Feb every year.

* Kadamanitta Devi Temple
The Kadamanitta Devi Temple is famous for the ten long 'Padayani' performances held in connection with the annual festival in April - May.

* Kaviyoor Temple
5kms east of Thiruvalla, situated on the banks of the River Manimala, Kaviyoor is famous for its temples. The Kaviyoor Temple and the rock cut temple nearby are of great archaeological importance. The Hanuman Temple stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture. The stone figures here are considered to be the earliest specimen of stone sculpture in Kerala.

* Kodumao Chilanthiyambalam
The water of the 'Chilanthikinar' well in the premises of this temple is believed to cure skin diseases. This water is considered as Miraculous Water.

* Kozhencherry
Situated on the banks of the River Pamba, Kozhencherry is well known for the religious Maramon Convention held annually in Feb-March, which is the biggest gathering of Christians in Asia. People of all communities attend it, as religious thinkers and Christian scholars from across the world address the convention.

* Malayapuzha
8 km from Pathanamthitta, the goddess at the Bhagavathy temple here, is believed to grant boons to devotees and help them realise their dreams. The Temples has beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone carvings.

* Manjanikara Church
Mar Ignatius Elias III, the hold patriot of Anthiod, while on a visit to India, died at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are preserved at this church, as later this place developed into a pilgrim centre. The annual festival, Ormaperunnal is held in February.

* Nilackal (Place of Worship)
The old Shiva Temple on the Pamba Pathanamthitta road is an important place of worship. The estate of the Farming Corporation and Ecumenical Centre of the Christians are located here.

* Niranam
7 kms from Thiruvalla at Niranam is famous on account of St. Mary's Orthodox Old Christian Church, believed to have been founded by Apostle St. Thomas in 52 A.D., one of the seven and a half churches originally established by St. Thomas in Kerala. This church displays a marked influence of ancient temple architecture. Niranam is also famous as the birth place of a band of 14th century poets known as the Niranam Kavikal or Kannassa Panikkaranmar. They were renowned for their many translations from Sanskrit to Malayalam, the most illustrious being 'Kannassaramayanam', a translation of the epic Ramayana.

* Manjinikkara Church
Manjinikkara church derives its importance from the holy tomb of late Marlgnatius Elias III, the Holy Patriarch of Antioch. Members of the Jacobite Syrian Church believe that the Holy Father was a Saint. The Church has now become one of the foremost places of pilgrimage. A large number of pilgrims visit the church to receive spiritual and physical healing.

* Pandalam
14 kms from Chengannur railway station, Pandalam, as a holy town is perhaps second to Sabrimala. Sree Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala had his human sojourn here, as the son of Raja of Pandalam. The Valiyakoikal Temple near the palace, on the banks of River Achenkovil has been modeled on the Sabarimala Shrine. Pilgrims usually stop here to worship, before proceeding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred ornaments of Sree Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala.

* Parumala (festival)
10 kms from Thiruvalla, the Ormaperunal (commemoration day) of Mar Gregorious Metropolitan, the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church, is celebrated on the first and second of November.

* Sabarimala
One of the most famous pilgrim centres in India, Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 914 m above sea level and is accessible only by foot, from Pamba (4kms). The hold shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India, from different castes, creed, especially from other parts of South India. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season, which is from Nov to mid Jan. The Temple remains closed during the rest of the year, except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during 'Vishu' in April. Sabarimala is surrounded by hazardous hills like Karimala and Neelimala. Men of all ages are allowed inside the temple but women only below 10 years and above 50 years of age are permitted inside.

* Thiruvalla
This is the headquarters of the Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church. The Paliakara Church here has some exquisite mural paintings. The SreeVallabha Temple in Thiruvalla is perhaps the only one in Kerala, where Kathakali is performed as a ritual offering everyday.

Kerala Pilgrim Centres - Kollam

2010-01-13T10:11:00.006+05:30

¤ Pilgrim centres in Kollam

* Kottumkulangara Temple
It is situated in Chavara, 12 km from Kollam is the Kottumkulangara Temple. This temple is famous for the Thalappoli Mahotsav which has a time honoured custom of men dressed in female attires offering flowers to deity.

* Parabrahma Temple
It is located at Ochira which is 34 km from Kollam, is the site for this pilgrim centre. It owes allegiance to the Advaitha philosophy in Hinduism. The presiding deity here is Prabrahma or "absolute reality". Being an abstract concept that cannot be symbolised in an iconographic manner, there is no temple structure here. The Ochirakali in the month of June is famous.

* Lord Ayyappa Temple
This temple is located in Aryankavu which is 70 km from Kollam. This pilgrim centre has exquisite sculptures and mural paintings. Mandala pooja and Thrikalyanam celebrated in December are the main festivals here.

* Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt
This is the place is 32 km from Kollam, where Mata Amritanandamayi or Amma was born. It is today the headquarters of her worldwide mission and the spiritual home of thousands of devotees.

* Panmana
It is situated in Karunagapally which is 18 km from Kollam. This is where Sree Chattampi Swamikal, a great social reformer of Modern Kerala attained Samadhi in 1924. The Bhattarakeswaram temple and ashram are dedicated to him.

* Mayyanad
The place is primarily noted for its shrines and temples, the most important of the nine temples being the Subramanya Temple at Umayanallor.

* Rameshwara Temple
There are inscriptions in Tamil depicting the epic Mahabaratha. These inscription are from 12th to the 16th centuries. The Vyala monster sculptures in this temple gives one the impression that the creatures are animated and actually climbing up the stairs with their outstretched paws.

* Sasthamkotta Sastha Temple
This vast fresh water lake surrounded by hills on three sides is the largest of its kind in Kerala. The ancient Sastha Temple which lends its name to the town, is an important pilgrim centre. There are frequent bus services from Kollam.

* Kulathupuzha Sastha Temple
Situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram - Shenkottai road, Kulathupuzha is known for the Sastha temple. The Vishu Mahotsavam in April/May is the most important festival. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Kulathupuzha. The Thenmala railway station is just 10 km from here.

Kerala Pilgrim Centres - Trivandrum

2010-01-11T09:52:00.004+05:30

¤ Pilgrim centres in Trivandrum

* Aruvikkara
It is situated 16 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram. Aruvikkara is gifted with lavish scenic beauty and it also has an ancient temple dedicated to goddess Durga, on the banks of the River Aruvikkara. The City of Thiruvananthapuram gets its water supply from Aruvikkara reservoir.

* Attukal Bhagavathi Temple
It is situated 2 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It is known as the Sabarimala of women, this temple is famous for Attukal Ponkala, the annual festival that commences on Bharani day in Kumbhom (February - March). The highlight of the festival is the Ponkala which is an all woman affair. Ponkala is an offering made in Bhagavathy temples, prepared in the form of payasam (sweet porridge) with ingredients like rice, jaggery. Coconut kernel and plantain. Ponkala starts in the morning and ends with the melsanthi (chief priest) sprinkling holy water over the offerings.

* The Padmanabha Swamy Temple
It is the imposing seven-storied tower built by Raja Marthanda Varma in 1733 A.D, which makes it by far, the most impressive landmark around the city. This temple, a sprawling complex with a magnificent seven storied tower houses the idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of Ananthapadmanaoha (the Lord who upheld creation on a lotus which sprang forth from His navel). The 6m image, partly covered with gold and embellished with precious stones is viewed in three sections through three doors. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu reclining on the Serpent Anantha. Only Hindus are allowed entry inside the temple and dress regulations are strictly followed. A large market lines the street in front, and the pool beside it is for ritual bathing. There are innumerable pillars, intricate carving and mural paintings, inside the temple. It is therefore an excellent example of the Dravidian style of architecture.

* Sarkara
35 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram and 6 kms west of Attingal, there is a famous temple in Sarkara, which is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. A grand festival, Sarkara Bharani, is conducted in this temple during March - April.

* Sree Parasurama Temple
About 6 kms South of the city, on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kovalam road is Thiruvallam. There is an ancient temple here on the banks of the River Karamana, which is dedicated to the Thrimurthis of the Hindu Pantheon. A shrine of Parasurama built entirely of granite stone is found in this temple. This is the only temple in Kerala dedicated to Sree Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala. This 2000 year-old temple is a venue for the Bali ritual for departed souls.

* Varkala
41 kms North of Thiruvananthapuram by rail and 51 kms by road, Varkala is a famous pilgrim center. The Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru, The great social reformer and philosopher, attracts devotees in thousands. The cliffs and mineral water springs at the Papanasam Beach are worth a visit. The inland waterways system connecting Kollam in the North, with Thiruvananthapuram in the South, passes through two tunnels in the hills. The Janardhana Swamy Temple here attracts many devotees.

* Bheemappalli
It is located 5 km Southwest of Thiruvananthapuram. This mosque is famous for the Chandanakkudam Festival which is said to be the death anniversary of Bheema Beevi, a devout pilgrim who came to Kerala from Mecca. Festivities include devotees going round the mosque carrying earthen pots (kudam) smeared with sandal wood paste. The Uroose festival here is also famous.

* Christ the King Church
This church is situated at Vettukadu which is 14 km from Thiruvananthapuram. An important pilgrim centre, this church is famous for the annual festival in November. High Mass, Vespers, a two¬ hour long Holy Eucharistic procession and benediction are the highlights of the festival. Nativity feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also celebrated with religious spirit.

* Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
This temple is at Neyyattinkara which is 20 km from Thiruvananthapuram. This is historically important as the site housing the old Jackfruit tree that once gave refuge to King Marthandavarma, erstwhile ruler of Travancore.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Poompuhar

2010-01-08T13:00:00.003+05:30

Poompuhar is situated at the estuary of River Kaveri, this was an ancient port of the Cholas. Poompuhar in Sirkali Taluk of Nagai district is also known as Kaveripoompattinam. Tourists have to alight at Mayiladuthurai railway junction, to proceed to Poompuhar by road, Visitors from Chennai by train have to get down at Sirkali. Poompuhar is connected to Mayiladuthurai as well as Sirkali. by road. The distance from Poompuhar to Mayiladuthurai is 24 Kms. and to Sirkali, 21 Kms.

¤ Tourist Attraction of Poompuhar

* Silappathikara Art Gallery
A beautiful seven tired building of great sculptural value has been built as Sillappathikara Art Gallery. The first storey is 12" high, and each storey above it has a height of 5' . The topmost part which has 'Kalasams with a height of 8'. The total height of Art gallery is 50'. The 'Magara Thoranavayil' at the entrance of the Art Gallery imparts an imposing and beautiful look to the whole structure. Its height is 22½'. It has been designed on the pattern of Magara Thorana Vayil, found in Suruli Malai Mangala Devi Koil. There is also an anklet shaped tank in the Art-Gallery. On this side of this tank are installed the statues of Kannagi (9½') and Mathavi (8½') Scenes from Sillappathikaram, the Epic of the land have been given lively shapes in stones on the walls of the Gallery. These sculptures carved by the sculptors of Mamallapuram Art College remain the treasure house of Tamil Culture.

* Zion Church
It was built in 1701. It was renovated in 1782-84 and again in 1839. It is still in good condition and you can appreciate the Dutch architectural design of the renaissance era that is very evident in its construction.

* Nagapattinam
Nagapattinam is now the Head-Quarters of the District bearing the same. With all its historical and cultural significanse, Nagappattinam is one of the constituennts of Chola mandalam, acclaimed as the most prominent among the ancient Tamil Kingdoms.

* Town Gateway
It was built in 1792 on Danish Architectural style. The design is typical of the gateways that were built in Europe during the renaissance period. The British built this gateway but it bore a Danish architectural style probably because of some Danish architect employed by them.

* Danish Fort
Even now the Danish Fort built in 1620 exists to exhibit Danish architecture. The Fort is now under the control of Tamilnadu Archaeological Department and houses an archaeological Museum. This museum is open to public on all days except Friday.

* Masilamani Nathar Koil
This temple built in 1305 by Maravarma Kulasekara Pandiyan exhibits outstanding architectural skills. The front portion of the temple has been partly damaged due to Sea-erosion but is still worth watching. The religious activities in this ancient temple have been discontinued long ago.

* Danish Governor Bungalow
This building gets its name as it was used as the residence of the Danish Governor in 1784. It is the biggest building in Tranquebar. Now it is under the control of Tamilnadu Tourism Department.

* Thiruppallavaneeswaram Temple
This is an ancient and very beautiful temple. Iyarppakai Nayanar and Pattinatthar were born here. The hero and heroine of Sillappathikaram Kovalan and Kannagi were also born here.

* Melapperumpallam and Keezhapperumpallam Temple
These two Thalams are situated very near Poompuhar and Thiruvengadu. The Valampuranathar temple at Melapperumpallam has Chola inscriptions. It is noted for the famous Nayanmar's hymns. Keezhapperunpallam is at distance of 2 Kms form Poompuhar. It is the temple where the famous "Kethu" has a separate thalam.

* Thiruvengadu Temple
Thiruvengadu is situated at a distance of 10 Kms from Sirkali. The place is near Poompuhar. Hymns on it have been sung by four great Saivaite Saints. This is the place where Meykandar was born. "Pudhan" (Mercury) has a separate Thalam in Thiruvengadu temple. The presiding deity is Sri Swetharanyeswarar.

* Thirukkadaiyur (Thirukkadayur) Temple
Thirukkadaiyur is on the bus route between Mayiladuthurai and Tranquebar. It is one of the eight temples (Atta Veerathanam) glorifying the heroic deeds of lord Shiva. Thalapuranam says that lord Shiva exterminated Yama at this place to save the life of Markkandeya. It is one of the famous Sakthi Thalams. The holy hymns of Abirami Andhathi, have been sung by the great poet and devotee Abirami Pattar in this place. People prefer this place to celebrate their Shastiyaptha poorthi (completion of sixty years)

* Anantha Mangalam Temple
It is a small village near Thirukkadaiyur. The temple here is noted for the presiding deity of "'Dasapuja Veera Anjaneyar" .

* Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple
This place lying between Mayiladuthurai and Sirkali on the bus route is called Pullirukkuvelur in Thevarams. This age-old temple has the deities of Vaithyanathan(Shiva) Thaiyal Nayaki (Sakthi) and Muthukkumarasamy (Murugan). This temple is famous for its sculptural wonders. It is a special Thalam for one of the Navagraghas Angrahan sevvai (Mars).

* Sirkazhi Temple
It is the birth place of great Saiva Saint Thirugnana Sambandar. The Famous Thoniyaper Shivalayam is situated here.

* Thirunallaru Temple
The famous Shiva temple lies at a distance of 5 Kms for Karaikkal. The Shiva temple here is glorified in Thevarams. It is one of the 'Sapthvidanga' Thalams. The temple for Saneeshwara (Saturn) one of the Navagrahas, is famous.

* Thirusaikkadu (Sayavanam) Temple
It is situated 2 Kms away form Poompuhar estuary. The Temple is for Thirusayavaneswarar and Iraivi Kuyilinam Nanmozhi Ammai. This temple has been praised by Nayanmars in their hymns. Chola inscriptions are found in the temple.

* Thiruvakkur Temple
It comes under Tranquebar Taluk. The Shiva temple is based on Madakkoil pattern. Sirappuli Nayanar one of the 63 Nayanmars was born at this place. Hymns have been sung on this temple by the Nayanmars.

* Sempanarkoil Temple
The antique temple referred to as Thirusumponpalli in Devaram hymns is situated in this place. It is on the bus route between Tranquebar and Mayiladuthurai. It is a temple of historical significance.

* Punjai Temple
The place lies near Sevpondarkoil. This Shiva temple here has received tributes from Devaram. It is a beautiful temple of architectural wonders of Cholas.

* Nangoor Temple
Nangoor is in Sirkali Taluk. Eleven of the 108 Thivya Desams' are found in and around Nangoor. The Vaishnava temples in Nangoor were sanctified by Thirumangai Alvar.

* Thiruvarur Temple
Thiruvarur is at a distance of 65 Kms from Poompuhar and 20Kms from Nagappattinam. This place is noted for Thyagaraja temple and the chariot (temple car). It is the most prominent among the " Atta Veerattanam ". The art gallery depicting the myths of Manuneethi Chola, the grand Kamalambal temple is one of the famous 'Sakthi Peedams'. The unique feature of the town is that it has three Shiva temples at one place. The well known Panchamuga Vathyam and Paru Nagaswaram are still played during regular Poojas. The Musical Trinity of Thiyagaiyyar, Muthuswamy Deekshither and Shiyama Sastri were born here.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Courtallam

2010-01-08T12:53:00.004+05:30

Courtallam (Kutrallam), the "Spa of the south", is situated at an elevation of about 167 mts. on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District. It is an excellent health resort. The waters of Courtallam is believed to have medicinal and therapeautical qualities as it flows through forests of herbs. Courtallam is 160 Kms from Madurai, 137Kms from Kanniyakumari and 112 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest railway station is Tenkasi which is just 6 Kms ffrom here.

Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earnt it the title the Spa of South India.

¤ Tourist Attraction of Courtallam

* Courtallam Falls
Courtallam Falls is a beautiful waterscape that is found in the city of Kanyakumari or the Cape Comorin; which is a city that is in the southern most part of India. Courtallam Falls is one of the beautiful areas there for which many people come to visit in great numbers every year. Contrary to popular belief Courtallam Falls consists of not just one but many different falls that are together in one place. Soaking your head under these falls is an experience that no one forgets. In addition, it is thought that these falls have curing powers especially to those who have mental ailments.

* Courtallam Temple
It is dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar (Siva). This temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Less than a furlong from here is a small temple called Chitra Sabha ( Hall of Pictures) dedicated to Lord Nataraja and decorated with paintings of rural deities and devotees, puranic stories and religious events. The sabha is one of the five sabhas where Lord Nataraja is said to have performed the cosmic dance.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Mudumalai

2010-01-07T14:32:00.004+05:30

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is an extension of Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar flows and the park is ideal for bird watching, the national park falls on the boarder of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The extremely diverse terrain of the park consisting mainly of small hillocks, gorges, water bodies and swamps with sparse vegetation of tropical deciduous and scrub forests provide ideal habitat for the wild denizens. The place is the nest of colorful razz and in the winters the whole atmosphere fills with the vibrancy and life.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Mudumalai

* Jungle Safari
The Jungle Safari is a place that allows people to come and experience exotic animals living in their natural habitat. Both vehicle safaris and elephant safaris are available through the Forest Department. One Jeep is used and is operated on a first come first served basis. The jeep can only accommodate six people at a time. Van safaris are available as well. The van holds 25 people at one time. The elephant safaris allow you to travel into areas that regular vehicles are not capable of. Four people ride on an elephant at one time. There are safari trips available both in the morning and in the evening.

* Mudumalai National Park
The Mudumalai National Park was established on 60 square kilometers back in 1940. At that time it was the first wildlife sanctuary established in southern India. Today, the park has expanded to include 321 square kilometers. Primates such as the gray langur and the bonnet macaque are both living in the park. You can also expect to see such animals as tigers, leopards, striped hyenas, dholes, sloth bears, Asian elephants, and Golden Jackals. Many birds can also been seen in the park. The crested hawk-eagle, the crested serpent eagle, the Malabar Trojan, and the Malabar grey hornbill all call this area home. You may also see a striped tit-babbler.

The vegetation at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary consists mainly of moist deciduous forests with trees like bamboo, terminalia, grewia, aredesia, abumusum and solanancea, found in abundance. The tropical climate and varied terrain has resulted in the increase in population of animals such as gaur, langur, leopards, chital, sloth bear, barking deer, wild dog and other numerous species of rare and endangered animals. The park can be visited any time of the year, the best time to visit are the months from February to June when the water dries up and the animals come out in search of food and water near whatever water bodies remain in the area. This is probably the best time when you have a chance of spotting some rare animals.

* Theppakadu Elephant Camp
The Theppakadu Elephant Camp was officially established in 1972 although a similar predecessor existed nearby since 1910. This camp allows people to interact with elephants in a controlled environment. The camp is used to train as well as house elephants. Today there are 23 elephants that reside in the camp. Every day two of the elephants perform pooja to Lord Vinayaka inside the camp. The elephants are used to provide joy rides for a fee early in the morning and then again in the evening. Tourists are also welcome to come and see the elephants fed during their evening feeding time.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Red Hills

2010-01-07T14:30:00.001+05:30

The Red Hills Lake, located in Ponneri Taluk Thiruvallur district, Tamilnadu, South India, is one of the rain-fed reservoirs from where water is drawn for supply to Chennai City. This lake is also called Puzhal Lake.

¤ Tourist Attraction of Red Hills

* Lake District
India’s Lake District is found near Red Hills where the numerous rain-filled reservoirs make for an impressive and incredibly beautiful landscape. In fact, there are 8 separate lakes in the area with each being remarkably beautiful in its own right. The scenic blue lakes are Emerald, Upper Bhavani, Avalanche, Porthimund, Parson’s Valley Lake and Western catchments numbered 1, 2 and 3. The tourists can try out some fishing in these lakes. Carp and trout are plenty in these majestic lakes. One can spot many bird fauna over the lakes as well. Numerous tourists visit this area every year in order to experience the majestic and natural beauty created by the water of the area. The Govind Ballabh Pant Zoo is also found in the Lake District. Many exotic animals that are native to the area such as the famous Bengal tiger, elephants, and monkeys can be seen at the zoo.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Bellikkal

2010-01-07T14:25:00.002+05:30

¤ Tourist Attractions of Bellikkal

* Bellikkal Lake
Bellikkal Lake is a beautiful water feature that has some great views to offer. Fishing here may not be a good idea since this lake is a popular watering hole for a variety of wild animals. Elephants can be frequently seen getting a drink early in the morning or right at dusk here. Tigers, bear, bison, and deer are all possible animals that could be sighted as well. A wide variety of birds also like to frequent this lake. It is not uncommon to see such birds as bulbuls, shrikes, morning doves, crow pheasants, drongos, and wood peckers.

* Bison Valley
Bison Valley acquired its name from the Indian bison that roam throughout the area. Impressive views of cardamom forests are possible from this beautiful valley. Beautiful greenery exists in almost every place that you look. A wide variety of wildlife inhabits this valley. The wildlife includes such animals as bears, bison, deer, tigers, and elephants. Taking leisurely walks on the numerous pathways that meander around the valley are a popular pastime for tourists. Mountain biking and trekking are also popular activities to participate in. Bird watching is another popular activity in Bison Valley. Such birds as woodpeckers, drongos, morning doves, shrikes, and bulbuls can be seen in the area.

* Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Falls is a magnificent waterfall that plummets 400 feet or 122 meters. Sometimes these falls are referred to as the Kalahasti Falls. It is almost a transcendental experience to witness the raw power that this waterfall contains, yet it radiates beauty and grace at the same time. The falls are surrounded by beautiful greenery. The Mudumalai forest, the Bandipur forest, and plenty of cardamom trees can be found all in the same general area as Kalhatti Falls. It is also possible to experience some of India's exotic wildlife in the area of the falls. Bear, tigers, elephants, and monkeys can all be seen in that region.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Yercaud

2010-01-06T15:37:00.003+05:30

Yercaud is located on the Servaroyan Hills, in Salem District. Yercaud is a hill station visited by tourists throughout the year. The Servaroyan Hills as a whole, provide many beautiful vistas and panoramic views. Yercaud itself is a pretty hill station with a pleasant cool climate. Yercaud's temperature never rises above 30° C or falls below 13° C. This is one hill station where one does not feel the bitting cold of winter. With such a salubrious climate, Yerkaud can be visited round the year. It is an hour's drive from Salem and is the least expensive hill station in India.

The picturesque hill station, situated in the Shevaroy Hills, was established by the British in the early 18th century. Today this is one of the state’s productive areas and its surrounding slopes are entirely covered with plantations of coffee, tea, jackfruit and plantains. The other areas of beauty are the man-made Yerikadu Lake and the Killiyur Falls and Lady’s Seat which offers delightful views of the surrounding countryside. Also, if you are visiting to the Horticultural Research Station at Yercaud, you can see an interesting collection of rare plants here.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Yercaud

* Anna Park
Another important place of visit in Yercaud is the Anna Park which is located near the lake. This park has a collection of the natural species of plants and trees seen around Shevaroy hills. Flower shows are conducted in this park during summer months. There is a breathtaking Japanese garden inside this park in which plants are grown in Japanese style. Children can enjoy playing in the garden. It is a well maintained garden and is worth a visit.

* Bear's Cave
This is a must see for any tourist visiting Yercaud. The Bear’s cave is situated in a private coffee estate near the Norton Bungalow, which is on the way to the Servaroyan temple. There is a huge cave formation beside this coffee estate bungalow, which was considered to be home for the bears. Even though it is a private estate, the owner has been kind enough to open it for the visitors. The main area of the cave is seen to be about 7 feet below the ground level and the deeper gorge seen there is believed by the local community to be the path that leads up to the cave situated in the Shevaroyan temple.

* Big Lake
The greatest attraction in Yercaud is the big natural lake or the Emerald Lake. The lake with its wonderful hilly surroundings and a well maintained garden on its banks is a feast for the eyes of any person. There is a floating fountain in the lake and boating facilities are available at a reasonable rate. Self pedaling as well as rowing boats can be chosen according to the choice of the tourist. A nominal amount is collected as caution fee before issuing the boats and stringent safety measures are followed by the authorities.

* Botanical Garden
Any tourist who is interested in flora and in knowing about various species of plants has to surely visit the orchidarium and the green house in the Botanical garden. Yercaud is the place where the famous Kurinji flower blooms in plenty and the specialty of this flower is that it will bloom only once in twelve years. The National Orchidarium which is located 2 km from the Emerald Lake has a wide variety of orchids which includes 30 orchid species that are exclusively found here. Many endangered species of orchids are persevered in this orchidarium which is ranked the third largest of all the orchidariums in India. Besides Kurinji, Vernonia shevaroyensis and lady's slipper orchid are among the others on display here.

* Killiyur Falls
This exciting and amazing waterfall is about three km from the Yercaud Lake and is at its best when visited after the South West monsoon or the North East monsoon. The excess water of the Yercaud Lake as well as the water from the Shevaroy Hills fall deep into the Killiyur valley from a height of 300 ft and its view from the top to the bottom is breathtaking and pleasing for the eyes. A hardcore trekker can trek through the heavily woody forests from the lake to the bottom of the falls in about an hour.

* Lady's Seat
Lady’s seat is a rock in the form of a seat on the South West of Shevaroy hills that overlooks the ghat road and Salem town. The natives believe that a white English lady of earlier days used to spend their evenings watching the panoramic view from this rock. There is a viewing tower equipped with telescope to see the magnificent view. The view from Lady’s rock is more spectacular at night with thousands of light twinkling in Salem town. The viewing tower is open to tourists only during daytime.

* Montfort School
Montfort school is one of the well established residential boys school in Yercaud which was started in the year 1917 by Bro. Denis. The school has a splendid chapel that is built entirely with exquisite stones and is an excellent example of Franco-Indian architecture. The entrance of the school has three symmetrical grey walls which represents the three stalwarts who started the school. The Montfort School campus has attractive architectural buildings, beautiful gardens, huge playground as well as a swimming pool. The school also has a zoo that is left open to the public only on Sundays. This school is a must see for any tourist visiting Yercaud.

* Pagoda Point
Pagoda point or pyramid point is a viewpoint located on the eastern part of Yercaud hills. This has four piles of stones arranged so as to form a pyramid shape. It is said to be built by the local tribes and now there is a Rama temple located between the piles of stones. One can get a thorough view of the town of Salem and a little village called Kakambadi from this hill. The cliffs in this area look really beautiful especially in early mornings or evenings and spending some time in this point itself is refreshing to the body and mind.

* Shevaroy Temple
The Shevaroy temple is situated on top of the flat-topped Shevaroy hills and is dedicated to Lord Shevaroyan. The temple consists of a narrow and dark cave which is impenetrable and the idols of Lord Shevaroyan and Goddess Kaveri are placed inside it. The native tribals come in hundreds and celebrate their annual festival in the premises of this temple during the month of May every year. The view from the Shevaroy temple area is magnificent with several mountains around Shevaroy and the plains spreading in between the hills. A good view of Yercaud town and Nagalur can be obtained from this hill.

* Silk Farm
One of the places of interest in Yercaud is the silk farm. The silk farm is located very near to the Lady’s seat. Visiting the silk farm will be a memorable and knowledgeable experience especially to the children. In the silk farm one can see how the silk worms are reared, how they are fed on mulberry leaves and how the cocoons are used for spinning the silk threads etc. The life cycle of silk worm and methods of spinning silk can be understood by visiting this place.

* Small Lake
The small lake in Yercaud is situated not far from the town. Although it is not as attractive as the Emerald Lake, it has a wild beauty which attracts the tourists. This scenic lake is serene with everlasting beauty and is believed to be fed by many wells. It does not dry up even in summer. The lake is surrounded by a road and at one end of the lake is the famous Montfort school. As this lake is preserved in its natural form with surrounding woods and trees, it gives a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature in its wild form.

* The Grange
The Grange is a castle built in 1820 by the then collector M D Cockburn and is one of the oldest architectural marvels that are seen in Yercaud. This is the first commercial plantation area for coffee, oranges and apples in Yercaud. It is believed that Robert Clive of English East India Company used the grange as his summer resort in the late 1800’s. The Grange also has a large cellar that can hold huge quantities of provisions. Nowadays, there is a beautiful and exotic resort in the vicinity of the Grange that is located in between the coffee and orange plantations and will be a fantastic place for the tourists to stay in.

* Salem (30 Kms)
This is the largest city in the region and has some old temples but is basically known for its industries, mainly steel, sago and hand weaving.

* Namakkal (48kms)
The town lies at the foot of a small hillock which is about 200 feet high and about half mile in circumference. There is a fort on the hillock. There are two rock-cut cave temples here, one dedicated to Narasimhaswamy and the other to Ranganathaswamy. There is also a big Hanuman statue of about 20' height here carved out of a single stone.

* Aragalur (74 kms)
Aragalur is about 4 kms South East of Talaivasal on the right back of Vasishtanadhi. The name of the village in Tamil means " Village of six trenches . The village was ruled by a prince named Ekambara Mudaliyar. It has two imposing temples, one is dedicated to Sri Kameswara and the other to Karivaradaperumal. There is a big Budhdha statue at Thiyanganur village on the outskirts of Aragalur Village.

* Kodumanal (40 kms)
It is a tiny village on the banks of the Noyil river. it is an archaelogical site dating back to the 2nd century BC. Hre lies the remains of a megalithic settlement.

* Bhavani (50 Kms)
The Sangameswarar temple here is situated at the confluence of the rivers Bhavani and Kaveri. It is one of the most important pilgrims centres in South India.

* Vedanthangal (85 kms)
Vedanthangal is one of the largest bird sancturies in India. It is a marshy, 30 hectare park with lake visited by over 1,00,000 migratory birds every year. The majority of these birds can be seen between November and February. The variety of birds include Herons, Darters, Spoonbills, Pelicans, Sandpipers, White Ibis, Cormorants,Blue winged teals and Swans.

* Mettur Dam (52 Kms)
This multi - purpose dam built on the River Cauvery is a nice picnic spot, situated as it is, amidst well - maintained gardens. Water from the Stanley reservoir is used for irrigating a major portion of the plains of central Tamil Nadu.

* Kolli Hills (100 Kms)
This is the second hill station in the district at an altitude of 1190 mts. Sri Kapaleeswara Temple is located on the top of the hills called Chathuragiri is one of the oldest. The terrace type of 70-hair pin bend ghat road, the fruits cultivated, honey, and the unchanged tribal culture are unique memories. The wonderful Agasakangai Waterfalls flowing from a height over 2000 feet is a unique scene.

* Tiruchengodu (45Kms)
Tiruchengodu is one of the seven Sivasthalams in Kongunadu.This is another pilgrim centre which has an ancient temple dedicated to Ardhanareeswar - a unique concept of Saivism where the deity is half male and half female.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Anamalai

2010-01-06T15:31:00.002+05:30

Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is about 90 kms from Coimbatore and is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi. The area of the sanctuary is 958 km². An ecological paradise, this sanctuary encompasses a National Park. It has recently been renamed as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. Recently, it was converted into an integrated Anamalai Tiger Reserve. Vettaikaranpudur is enroute to Topslip from Pollachi.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Anamalai

* Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary (Anaimalai Sanctuary)
Named after the famous prime minister Indira Gandhi, this sanctuary is also referred to as the Anaimalai Sanctuary at times. It is at the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Preserve. A wide variety of exotic animals can be seen here. Such animals include panthers, tigers, elephants, spotted deer, civet cats, and wild boars. Numerous birds can also been seen here The black headed oriole, rocket-tailed drongo, tree pie, spotted dove, and red whiskered bulbul are all birds that you could very well spot while in the sanctuary. It is possible to see all of the sites in the park by trekking or by riding in a safari van.

* Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp
The Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp is a rather exclusive place that elephants are kept trained and housed. There are 50 Malisar tribe families that live at this particular camp. The Malisar tribe belongs to the elephant handler's caste, so these families are especially skilled in working with these Asian elephants. The only way to travel into this remote elephant camp is by forest jeep. You must also receive special permission from the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary Rangers to even travel into this elephant camp. These requirements make this elephant camp an especially intriguing experience since relatively few people actually get to visit there.

* Mt Stuart Block
Mt Stuart Block is located a short three kilometers from Top Slip and is home to an ancient forest department bungalow. The grave of Hugo Wood can be found there. Hugo Wood was a British officer that made sure that teak wood saplings were planted to replace any teak timber that was harvested. His tombstone is inscribed with a Latin phrase that translates to mean “If you want to see me, look around". This area has many bears there, so sighting one is definitely a possibility. Be cautious where you step though, because so many bears mean a large amount of droppings and pug marks.

* Parambikkulam
Parambikkulam is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary that is adjacent to the Anaimalai Wildlife Sanctuary. It is especially known for the Parambikkulam Dam that is located there. This tourist stop offers a wide variety of jungle safaris, dam visits, and lake cruises. The only way to get to this remote location is to hire a jungle jeep. This area is a great place to visit, but the lake should not be swum in since there are many crocodiles that inhabit the area. Great care should even be taken when exploring Parambikkulam. Such animals as otters, crocodiles, elephants, wild boars, and spotted deer can be seen in this area.

* Thoonakkadavu
Thoonakkadavu is the lake that is formed by the Parambikkulam Dam. It is a beautiful water feature with amazing green forests surrounding it. It is common to be able to see otters playing on the surface of the water. Be careful when you are exploring the lake, because many crocodiles live near the water's edge. Because of those crocodiles, this lake is not a safe place to swim. It is possible, though, to take a cruise on the lake in order to better explore the area. A jungle jeep must be hired to travel to this remote lake.

* Top Slip (Topslip)
Top Slip is one of the main locations within the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The name top slip comes from the practice carried out in 19th century, of sliding logs of teak timber down the hills that took place in this area. It is at the Top Slip Recreation area that you park your personal vehicle within the sanctuary. Your vehicle will remain there for your entire stay since personal vehicles are prohibited throughout the sanctuary. It is also here that reservation check-ins occur, forest rangers can be found, and forest jeeps are rented. The beautiful evergreen forests that surround this area are full of spotted deer, wild boar, barking deer, the Nilgiri langur, and the lion-tailed macaque.

* Trekking
Annamalai Hills is said to be the ecstasy of nature lovers! This place is greatly known for its scenic nature and it is also a right place for any visitor who desires to give an initial kick-off in trekking. Trekking in this hill will be the best start for a novice! You can follow quite different trekking routes and each trekking route will differ from simple to difficult trek! Quite few simple treks that could be taken are Pandaravara is merely 8 km, Kozhikamuthu is 12 km. These places are merely easy to trek whereas the difficult places of trekking include the Perunkundru, which is 32 km. To start your trek, you must have to get permits from the respective Range authorities at the Topslip.

* Varagaliar Elephant Camp
The Varagaliar Elephant Camp is in as remote of an area as is possible. It is located right on the fringe of the core forest. 21 domesticated elephants claim this camp as home. These elephants have not been trained to be used with tourists. Instead, these elephants are primarily used to assist with any conflicts that occur between wild elephants and man in the nearby Valparai Plateau. At this location it is becoming more and more common for elephants to intrude on tea gardens. It is very rare for someone to receive permission to visit this particular elephant camp. If permission is to be obtained, you must talk with the Deputy Conservator of Forests. Only a forest jeep can get you into this remote location.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Palani Hils

2010-01-06T15:28:00.002+05:30

Palani hills is located at a distance of 122 km from Madurai. Palani Hills are of great religious importance for Hindus. The major attraction of the hills is a temple, dedicated to Lord Subramanya. The temple is situated on top of a hill, reached by a flight of 659 steps. It is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga and devotees from across the country visit the place in huge numbers. There is an interesting legend about how the place came to be called as Palani. The story revolves around Narada Muni, a sage who visited the court of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

He brought a golden mango, known as Jnanapalam, along with him and gave the miraculous fruit to them. Lord Shiva announced that whoever amongst Lord Murugan and Lord Vinayakar completes a round of the earth first, will get the fruit. Lord Murugan immediately took for the journey on his peacock whereas Lord Vinayakar denoted his parents as the world and took a round around them. This is how Lord Vinayakar got the fruit. Murugan felt cheated, left his home and became a recluse.

He traveled to Palani Hills in anger, and then Lord Shiva called him as Pazham Nee i.e. the fruit itself. This is how the place came to be known as Palani. The deity of Lord Subramanya Temple is in the form of a sage, standing with a stick in his hand and is called Dandayudhapani. The statue was made by Muni Bhoga, by mixing Nine Poisons called Navapashanam in a specific proportion. The idol thus contains miraculous powers.

The abhishekam water and the sandal paste is said to cure diseases like asthma and leucoderma. Anything which comes in contact with the idol is said to be charged with divinity. Therefore, people flock to the temple to realize their dreams and to satisfy their desires. Devotees from all over the nation visit the temple with Kavadi, to please the Lord and to be blessed. A number of rare herbs of medicinal value also grow on the slopes of the Palani hills.

Owing to the divine powers of the idol, Palani is considered to be the most important place of worship of Lord Subramanya. The temple is one of the richest temples in South India. Huge contributions are made by the devotees in the Hundi. There are a number of other temples in the vicinity to be visited. The most striking feature of the temple is that the deity is also worshipped by the Muslims. It is because of the direction towards which the deity looks. So, one can say that the temple is a perfect example of unity in diversity.

¤ Tourist Attraction of Palani Hills

* Bison Wells
Bison Wells can is an area that is best known for its tremendous amount of wildlife, as well as for its beautiful vegetation. Wildlife commonly seen in the area include bison, birds, elephants, tigers, monkeys, and deer. Bison Wells got its name from the many bison that come to the natural wells to drink. This location is known as a great home base in India for those people that are interested in exploring the region. Naturalists, hikers, trekkers, and birdwatchers are all drawn to The Palani Hills, and Bison Wells is a fabulous place for such tourists to stay while they are in the area.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Coonoor

2010-01-05T15:17:00.003+05:30

Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris and one of the highlights of tourism in Tamil Nadu. It is also famous as the gateway to Ooty, the most famous hill station in South India. Coonoor is located in the western part of Tamil Nadu at an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level. The toy train between Coonoor and Ooty is a famous tourist attraction and has been included among the world heritage sites by the UNESCO. The tea gardens and the picturesque landscape make the toy train ride one of the most enjoyable ones in India.

A tour to Coonoor would be an enchanting one since it is one of the most magnificent hill stations of south India which is characterized by deep ravines, beautiful valleys, and imposing waterfalls. It also boasts of exquisite range of birds such as cormorants, pipits, thrushes, parakeets, skylarks and Nilgiri verditer. While you can relax and enjoy the natural glory of this beautiful town at the same time, you can also go for the sightseeing tour for the various tourist attractions in Coonoor.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Coonoor

* The Pasteur Institute
The Pasteur institute is another important attraction at Coonoor. It is situated near to the Sim's Park. The Pasteur institute specializes in the research for vaccines for rabies and polio. The institute is open for the visitors only on Saturdays. However, if you want to visit it on other days, you will have to seek prior permission of the Director of the Pasteur institute.

* Pomological Station
The Pomological station is a research center of the State Agricultural Department for persimmon, pomegranates and apricot. It is one of the three experimental fruit gardens in the Nilgiri Hills. The other two research centers are Burliar and Kallar. A research center of repute, the Pomological Station carries research on different fruits, which are locally grown. Some of the prominent fruits of the area are apples, peaches, plums, persimmons, apricots, lemons and pomegranates.

* Catherine Falls
Catherine Falls, also known as St. Catherine's Falls, is located in the area that surrounds Coonoor. This beautiful waterfall falls from an impressive 250 feet. It can clearly been seen from the top of Dolphin's Nose if seeing the entire waterfall as one total impression is what you are looking for. It is also possible to take a road to the top of the falls. This vantage point allows you to truly appreciate the awesome power that Mother Nature has contained within a waterfall as you look down the 250 feet to the pool of water and its surrounding landscape below.

* Dolphin's Nose
Dolphin's Nose is an enormous rock formation that is entirely unique. The protruding rock formation looks exactly like what it is named after, a dolphin's nose. It takes some effort to climb to the top of this rock outcropping, but the views are absolutely worth the hard work. There are gigantic ravines found both to the left and right of Dolphin's Nose. In one of the ravine's you can clearly see the awe inspiring Catherine Falls with its continuing stream several thousand meters below. In the other ravine, you can spot where the Coonoor stream meets the Kotagiri stream. Both streams that are contained within these two ravines ultimately feed the Bhavani River which is located a relatively short distance away opposite of the Dolphin's Nose.

* Droog Fort
Droog Fort is located in the area surrounding Coonoor. Getting to this fort does take some physical exertion since trekking must be undertaken to get there, but the hard work is definitely worth it. This old and worn out fort is located 6,000 ft above the plains. Today, only a wall remains of this military outpost. Tradition says that this fort was used by Tippu Sultan as an outpost. With such an impressive location that allowed the fort to command impressive views in all directions, no wonder it was used as an outpost. In order to get to this site, you must travel through the Nonsuch Tea Estate. Droog Fort is also referred to as Bakasura Malai. This name links it to the legend of a local demon, Bakasura.

* Hidden Valley
The Hidden Valley is in the region that surrounds Coonoor. This valley is known for being both impressive and beautiful. Access to this valley is not readily available. Instead, it is necessary to trek to this particular valley. The green, lush landscape combined with the breathtaking mountain views make this trek worth all of the physical exertion. The valley is fantastic when you get there, but half of the fun and enjoyment come from the actual trekking experience. Fabulous views abound as you make your way toward the Hidden Valley. You will not regret for on minute that you choose to take on this excursion.

* Ketty
Ketty is a small village near Coonoor that remains almost untouched. The beautiful landscape is one of the biggest reasons to visit this small village. The flowers that abound in the area make it a most picturesque location. The St Michael Convent is the largest draw to the area after the beautiful scenery. The convent creates a pretty picture with its green roof. This building is then set among the local cabbage fields. The effect is charming to say the least. It is also important to note that this particular convent also has a large statue of a silver angel.

* Kotagiri
Nilgiris' oldest hill station is Kotagiri. It is located in the same general area as Coonoor. This village is set in what looks like the typical tea plantation with its gently sloping hills. Kotagiri is partially in the shade of the Dodda Betta Range, so constant sunlight everywhere is not a possibility. The Rangaswami Rock and Pillar, St Catherine Falls, and Elk Falls are all places that are near Kotagiri that are worth seeing. By far the most popular attraction in the area is the Kodanad Viewpoint. This one vantage point provides you with exceptional views of the plains, the blue hills, the Moyar River, and the mysterious rising mist.

* Lamb's Rock
Lamb's rock is an excellent picnic spot near Coonoor. It is a point on the way to Dolphin's Nose. It was named after the man Captain Lamb who tried in earnest to open a path to that particular point. With such a view, no wonder this man put forth such a valiant effort to reach the point. The rock is a jagged cliff that drops down several hundred feet to the lush jungle below. On the right hand is the Hulical ravine. It is possible to see the Coonoor stream some 5000 feet below. This vantage point also provides you with an excellent view of the Coimbatore plains.

* Law's Falls
The Law's Falls is a small waterfall located on the Coonoor river near its junction with the Mettupalayam Ghat Road. It is named after a man named Col. Law. This was the man who traced and who was behind the construction of the new Coonoor ghat. Even though it is a relatively small waterfall, it attracts a lot of visitors. This is because it is one of the prettiest locations anywhere in the area. The surrounding landscape is extremely rocky and wild. Such a setting is a huge draw for naturalists. In fact, this location is almost heaven to such enthusiasts.

* Sim's Park
Sim's Park is an unusual botanical garden that was developed back in 1874 by Mr. J.D. Sims and Major Murray. Naturally occurring trees, shrubs and creepers, are in the park as are many unusual species of plants that have been brought in from a variety of places around the world. The park is situated in a deep ravine on the northern side of Coonoor and covers twelve acres of undulating land. The well though out park has a beautiful lay out. There is an annual fruit and vegetable show that is held in the park that is well attended.

* St George's Church
St. George's Church is a Raj relic. It is an excellent example of a typical Cantonment Church. It was built in 1826 and was designed by Colonel J.T.Boileau. It is made of yellow ochre stucco with white dressings. The entrance of the church must be approached through a small vestibule with niches. The interior contains six Ionic columns that carry a slightly vaulted roof. These columns divide the interior into a central nave and side aisles. The chancel at the east end was altered to a more gothic style at a later date with a carved white sandstone screen, and the altar was enriched with marble inlay work.

* Wellington's Golf Course
Cantonment of Wellington is located in the near vicinity of Coonoor. It is in Wellington that the well-respected Defense Services Staff College is located. The Wellington Golf Course is a popular place to stop and enjoy a civilized round of golf. In the midst of the exotic landscape, the touch of normalcy surrounded with the unusual location makes golfing at Wellington's an attractive possibility for many people. This golf course is especially popular with film crews who film in the area. During the filming of a movie, the relaxing motion necessary for golf can counteract the stress that occurs in the filmmaking process. No wonder Wellington's Golf Course is a popular place to visit.

* Shopping
It may not be one of the most well known shopping locations, but it should be. Exceptional petit point embroidery can be found here. Coonoor is also famous for its tea, hand made antiques, Indian handlooms, and shawls. Irish and Belgian table sets and shadow-worked bed sheets are also readily found in the Coonoor shops. With such fine cotton clothes available here, many like to stock up on household clothing items at such stores as the Fine Things boutique. The stores in Coonoor are also known for the outstanding fruit that can be obtained there. Such items as fruit nectar, mulberry fruit, passion fruit, and ambrosia can all be found in Coonoor.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Karaikudi

2010-01-05T15:08:00.006+05:30

Karaikudi is a small town is known for its magnificent mansions constructed by the Chettiars - a castle known as much for their prosperity as well, as their hospitality. Though the owners of these palatial wonders have long scattered having left for distant shore, the beautifully carved wood work as well as the stone and mortar work of these houses can still be appreciated. The Alagappa College founded by the late Dr.Alagappa Chettiar has been upgraded now as a deemed University and is known as Alagappa University.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Karaikudi

* Athangudi
Athangudi is one of the villages that comprise the Chettiyars ancestral home. It is ultimately connected to Karaikudi. It is famous in its own right for the beautiful Athangudi tiles that are made there. These handmade terracotta tiles are as unique as they are beautiful. It is the local sand that is used in their making that is said to be the biggest factor in their unique qualities. It provides each tile with a texture that is unique to them alone. They are cast form the local clay and are painted into beautiful patterns using vivid, breathtaking colors. It is possible to visit the tile factory in Athangudi when you are there so as to witness first hand how they are made.

* Chettinad
The Chettinad is the total area that makes up the ancestral home of the Nattukottai Chettiyars, a prosperous banking community that was successful in the oversea business market in South and Southeast Asia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The entire area includes a total of 76 villages of which Karaikudi is the largest. The Chettinad has famous houses that tourists like to explore. These homes were once where the Chettiyars lived. The Chettinad is also famous for its unique, spicy, and very tasty cuisine. Numerous restaurants in the area both small and large regularly draw in crowds with the simple assertion that they serve Chettinad food.

* Devakottai
Devakottai is the second largest town in the region right behind Karaikudi. Periya Minor's Veedui Chettinad mansion is located in this town. This famous home attracts numerous visitors every year because of its outstanding architectural features. It has a notable Spanish tiled roof, Italian floor tiles, and carved teak pillars. There are also several other impressive Chettinad mansions located in this village that are not as famous, but still have beautiful architectural features nonetheless. They welcome visitors as well and are definitely worth a look. This particular village is also known for rearing the unusual Devakottai chicken.

* Pilaiyarpatti
It is located a short 12 kms from Karaikudi is the infamous rock-cut temple of Pilaiyarpatti. It was originally built by early Pandiya Kings around the 4th century A.D. There are 14 separate stone inscriptions that are carved there that date from various times from 400 A.D. to 1238 A.D. Numerous deity images are carved into the temple including a 6 foot rock-cut Vinayak idol. So much information is known about the architecture of this particular temple because there are numerous inscriptions that tell the history of the temple's architecture. Today, there are five daily poojas that are offered daily to God. There are also two grand festivals, Ganesh Chathurthi and Karthigai, which are celebrated there.

* The Bangala
When visiting Karaikudi, Chettinad cuisine is something that you must try. It is spicy, original, and extremely tasty. If you would like to experience fine Chettinad home cooking at its finest, then visiting The Bangala is a definite must. This restaurant has an outstanding reputation for providing quality food that exhibits the best of the region without being too spicy for the tourists. The food is rather pricy at Rs 800 per meal, but there is no doubt that it is worth it. To experience the world famous Chettinad cuisine at this fine restaurant, make sure to book ahead. This restaurant is so popular that it is impossible to simply drop in for a bite to eat on a whim.

* Kamban Mani Mandabam
It was believed that the Great Tamil Poet Kavi Chakravarthy Kamban spent most of his lifetime with Nagarathars and also he died over there at Nattarasankottai. To honor him Kamban Mani Mandapam was built by Nagarathars and programmes about Tamil literature are conducted annually.

* Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandabam
Located opposite to the New Bus-Stand of Karaikudi is the Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandabam. It has two entrance and in between the two is the statue of Kaviarsar Kannadhasan. It has a library, Art Gallery and Photo Exhibition.

* Kundrakudi Murugan Kovil
This temple is situated 8 kms away from west of Karaikudi Bus-Stand. Kundrakudi Murugan Kovil was built on the peacock shaped hill of Karaikudi. This temple is surrounded by coconut grooves. Apart from Lord Moolavar, Lord Thenootrunathar and Godesses Ammai Shrines are also there.

* Thiruvenkadamudaiyan - Then Tirupati
Then Tirupati-Ariyakkudi shrine dedicated to Lord Srinivasa Perumal, is a vast temple complex with a 100 year old history and referred to as "Then Tirupati" and "Arulmigu Ariyakkudi ThiruvenkadamudaiyanTemple". This temple was build by Nattukkotai Nagarathars. After 100 years, this shrine was renovated by the cost of Rs.10 million and Consecrated recently on 16th September 1999.

* Shopping
The city of Karaikudi is overflowing with excellent antique shops. Numerous impressive and even exotic items can be acquired for rather reasonable prices. Charming pewter jars, mugs, and bowls that are painted in blues and greens can be found. These items are imported from Czechoslovakia. Another possible find is the lacquered Burmese bamboo boxes and bowls that abound in the shops. Excellent wooden furniture can be found as well. Unusual finds are also possible. Such finds may include wooden chests from China, old pictures, various wooden artifacts, and even 100 year old jars of face cream and hair pomade that were imported originally from Great Britain.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Kamarajar

2010-01-05T15:02:00.004+05:30

Kamarajar is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. Sometimes referred to as Athoor, this area allows tourists to experience India's beautiful ecology at its best. Coconut trees and mango trees are plentiful in the area, making a tropical atmosphere prevalent here. Taking long and leisurely walks through the countryside in the area is one of the most popular activities in this area.

Several different walking trails are available for use in and around the village of Kamarajar. Most places worth seeing near Kamarajar can be walked to in a reasonable amount of time using these walking trails. It is possible to experience some great bird watching while on our walk. Birds such as peacocks, storks, kingfishers, cranes, herons, and sunbirds are all known to frequent the area. In fact, one bird watching group from Great Britain was even able to document seeing 160 different species of birds in a short four day span of time. Although tigers are not usually seen in this area, other types of wildlife do flourish in the region. It is common to see leopards, mongoose, monkeys, bison, and wild boar throughout the area.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Kamarajar

* Kamarajar Lake
Kamarajar Lake is truly an impressive sight. A wide variety of birds can be seen at this lake. It is not uncommon for bird watchers to be able to see such birds as peacocks, herons, cranes, sunbirds, kingfishers, and storks. In fact, one bird watching group that visited the lake was able to see 160 different species of birds over a four day period of time. The best way to experience the beauty and the wildlife at this location is to simply walk around it. A well marked walking trail has been created around the lake just for this very purpose.

* Sadayandi Cave Temple
The Sandayandi Temple is located right in a hill cave in the area around Kamarajar. It is an ancient Hindu temple that still has a significant religious importance today. At the new moon that occurs every year in July or August, a religious festival is held at the temple. This annual festival is attended by 40,000 or more pilgrims. As you approach the temple, a large Bunyan tree is seen. A modest shrine is at that tree where many stop to pray. Numerous small shrines exist in the surrounding area where local people stop to pray as well.

* Trekking
Trekking is the perfect way for such tourists to experience India. Trekking is much more than simply taking a walk. Trekking groups are possible to join in with so that it can remain a safe activity throughout the countryside. People who are greatly interested in trekking can take the Mukurthi trek. The Mukurthi peak is located in the south west region of the Nilgiris which is at an altitude of about 2500m. People must get necessary permission form the forest range officers to trek the peak. Most times, visitors will never be permitted to trek the peak, but at times they can get special permission out of their request.

Indian Tourism - Rameshwaram

2010-01-02T19:45:00.004+05:30

Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. A very important pilgrim centre of the Indians. Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi the south.

Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. The presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Rameshwaram is also popularly referred to as the 'Benaras of the south'. In order to attain Moksha it is believed that the visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Rameshwaram

* Agnitheertham
Agnitheertham is a pilgrim place where in people believes that taking bath in the place washes away their sins. The temple is constructed facing the eastern direction and there is a large lake in the temple whose water is considered to be holy enough. There are about 22 wells in this place and it is one amongst the 12 jyotirlings of India. The water of all the 22 wells has different taste and one can taste the waters of all of them so as to have all flavors of life in it. It is believed that the water has several medicinal properties too and several different life threatening diseases can be cured by taking water from the different wells from this place.

* Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge
It is the longest bridge in southern India. It connects Rameswaram Island to the main land. It's constructed over the bay. It is 7 kms away from Rameshwaram and is also called the Pambam Bridge as it is located beside Pamban, the sacred place where Rama could quench the thirst of Sita by throwing an arrow in the place where they could actually retrieve cool water. The place has its historical evidence as well as is a good and strong bridge from the point of construction. The ships too can be passed under the bridge and all other vehicles above the bridge and hence it is most convenient means of communication for all different kinds of means of communication.

* Badrakaliamman Temple
A giant temple of Badrakali exists in southern India and there is a wonderful tower with its top studded in gold and at the same time the statue too is made from gold. This is what attracts everyone to visit the place. Several voluntary organizations have come up to manage the giant temple and its functioning. The temple has been renovated from time to time and hence different master pieces of different ages can be seen in the temple. It is the largest temple of Ma Kali in southern India and she is the holy mother for several followers in southern India.

* Dhanushkodi Temple
Dhanushkodi is a wonderful temple on the southern tip of India and it was completely washed away by the cyclone. The location of the place is wonderful and it being an island is covered by waters on all the four sides of it. It is located near the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean on the other side. The seas are in the shape of bow and arrow when viewed from the top. The arrow head is considered to be a sacred place for worship by the Hindus and people from far and wide come there to offer sacred prayers to the deity. Lord Rama has his pious feet even in this temple and whole story of Ramayana revolves here as well. It is a wonderful pilgrim place for the followers of Lord Rama. The place stays to be around 18 kms from Rameshwaram and one can easily travel by road.

* Gandhamadhana Parvatham
Gandhamadhana Parvatham is the deity of several communities in southern India and the temple of Gandhamadhana is most renowned and worshiped in the southern India. The temple is two storeyed and Lord rama's feet are imprinted on the chakra placed in the temple. There are several pilgrims longing to visit the place and offer their offerings to the feet of Lord Rama with holy intentions. It is a holy place and people from all over India come to the place as it has got great historical importance. Other pilgrim places too exist in the neighbourhood and one can even visit them once one is out for a pilgrimage.

* Hanuman Temple
Hanuman has been the most renowned deity in Indian epic. Hanuman temple is a wonderful temple in southern India in the region of Rameshwaram. The temple is a wonderful art piece which shows the live movie of how Hanuman played a very crucial role in the time of Ramayan and how he helped Rama to get mother Sita back to Ayodhaya. The statues are carved out of the wood and they practically move like puppets revealing the incidence of Ramayana. It indeed looks wonderful how hanuman flies in the air with his sacred ability to fly and how that actually helped Rama when the places were tough to penetrate through.

* Jada Tirtham
Kaveri tirtham is the holy tirtham in southern India where god Kapardishvara is worshipped. Jada tirtham is another small temple within Kaveri Tirtham and it too has its own mythological importance. The temple is constructed in near the trunk of a large peepal tree and all the deities are supposed to have rested there while they had been in banvas. The temple is small in construction but is a great master piece of lattice work and the artmanship is wonderful. It is famous for its beauty and uniqueness. Though small, its beauty lies in it being small enough and it too is among the famous pilgrim places in southern India.

* Jatayu Tirtham
Jatayu tirtham is the holy temple created in the memory of Jatayu, which was the most loyal eagle of Rama and who helped lord Rama at several instances in getting herbs from the mountains. It lost its life in order to save the life of lord Rama and hence its sacrifice is always appreciated and it is worshiped as a deity even today. It was buried in the soil when it died and Jatayu temple has been created at the place of its burial. The whole of its pit was filled with vibhuti, which is the holy ash that is obtained after the yagnas.

* Kothandaramaswamy Temple
Kothandaramaswamy temple is situated on the southern most tip of India and is situated on the island near Bay of Bengal. Indian Ocean covers it from all its sides. There had been several instances of cyclone in the area but the temple stayed to be intact even in most critical times. It too has the history and story of Ramayan in its footings. Here, Vibhishana, Ravan's brother joined hands with Rama and hence Vibhishana too is worshiped at this place. The temple has several wonderful paintings all around the walls of it which flows with the flow of Ramayana and one can enjoy being in the temple with the guide who keeps narrating the story at every instance of time.

* Lakshmana Tirtham
Lakshmana Tirtham has been constructed in memory of Lord Lakshman, brother of Lord Rama. In order to offer sacred prayers to lord Lakshmana, temple has been constructed in Rameshwaram itself which indicates that Lord Lakshman had been given a valuable place in the dynasty of Lord Rama. Several wonderful sculptures of Lord Lakshmana have been carved out from marble and the temple has the statues of lord Rama and Goddess Sita too, as they are never supposed to be separated as they stayed united all their lives. This shows the trustworthiness of Lakshman towards his family and especially his elder brother Rama and Goddess Sita.

* Nambu Nayagiamman Temple
This is another good temple of Lord Rama and has its foundation long back in the 14th century. It has been constructed by the people of Ramnad district and is located in Ramnad itself. The temple is simple and open with beautiful gardens surrounding the place. There are huge and giant bells in the temple and is situated on the way to Dhanushkodi. So while one is out for the pilgrimage and takes a tour to all the wonderful temples of Rameshwar, this wonderful temple is included in the tour because of its specific qualities of being giant and highly simple.

* Rama Tirtham (Gandamadana)
Rama tirtham is constructed on the Gandamadhana Parvata hence forth it is also called Gandamadana. It is constructed on the island and is considered to be the most sacred pilgim place in southern India. In this temple there is a charka on which the imprints of Lord Rama have been encarved. It is little away from Dhanushkodi, which is a place where Rama met Vibhishana and that place too has its own historical importance. There is hilly region all around which is a good tourist place. So while one is on the pilgrimage, one can enjoy the beauty of life as well in the nearby places.

* Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple
It is a beautiful temple in southern India which was created for worshipping lord Rama as Hindu mythology has a great history for the place and it has been a great pilgrim place for the people who have the wish for achieving salvation in life. There are seven such places in India where one would like to offer prayers for achieving salvation in life and Rameshwaram temple is one of those. Whole Ramayan has been conceived in this place and it has a great mythological importance. The place is wonderful with good climatic condition and the temple is located near the sea. The whole temple is built on strong pillars and it has the longest corridor in whole of India.

* The Five-faced Hanuman Temple
Five faceted Hanuman temple is the most renowned temple in Rameshwar. It has mythological evidence where Hanuman showed his profile with five faces. He is believed to be adorned with senthooram at this particular place. When hanuman showed revealed his five faceted profiles. The statues of all Rama, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman are placed in the temple and all have been sacredly worshiped as if they have lives in them. The actual soul of the Gods is supposed to have been put into the idols and the temple indeed has great historical evidence. There is floating stone outside the temple which was used to create the bridge on the sea as prescribed by our Indian mythology.

* Villoondi Tirtham
Villondi tirtham is the place where lord Rama buried his bow and villondi means a buried bow. It is considered to be a sacred place by most of the followers of Lord Rama. It is about 7 kms from main Rameshwar temple and the same road then goes to Pambam which is another holy place where the thirst of Goddess Sita was quenched by hitting the arrow in the sea. A single spot where drinking water is available in the midst of salty sea makes the great attraction for the people to visit the place. It has its mythological history even today.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Thanjavur

2009-12-29T19:29:00.007+05:30

The city of Thanjavur (or Tanjore) situated on the shores of River Kaveri, Thanjavur is also known as the 'granary of Tamil Nadu' and the cultural capital of the region. There are 74 temples here, though the Brihadeeshwara temple is the most famous one, capped by an 80-ton monolithic cupola made of a single granite block. It was taken to the top by being pulled on a 6 km long inclined ramp just like the pyramids of Egypt. It is said to inspire the Prambanan temple in Indonesia and is considered an architectural wonder. The grandeur of the architecture and the sculptural finesse of the monuments of Tanjore are the evidences of the golden period of these arts in the city under the Cholas. The monolithic idol of the Nandi Bull, the mount of the Lord Shiva dates back to the Nayak period and is about 12 feet high and 20 feet long. It weighs about 25 tonnes!

The city holds the magnificent monuments i.e. Sri Brihadeshwarar Temple of Chola Period and the Royal Palace dates to the Nayakas and Maratha period. Today it is not restricted to temples and palaces; the city is the cultural epicenter of classical music and dance in Tamil Nadu. It is also famous for its exquisite handicrafts, bronze sculptures and painting.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Thanjavur

* Aalangudi Temple
The Aalangudi temple is the abode of Lord Guru and is located in the district of Thanjavur. Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison Alavisham in this place and hence the name Aalangudi. In this temple the deity faces the South direction as he is the Lord of Dhanusu and Meena Rasi. It is auspicious to conduct poojas on all Thursdays apart from daily poojas and the offerings that are given to Guru Baghawan includes white jasmine flowers, Bengal gram and rice cooked with jaggery. The important festivals celebrated in this temple are: Guru Payirchi, Chitra Pournami, Tai Poosam and Panguni Utharam.

* Art Gallery
Any tourist interested in Indian art and culture must surely visit the art gallery in Thanjavur which is located in the Tanjore palace. This art gallery has a remarkable collection of bronze icons, stone sculptures, paintings and other artifacts belonging to the Chola and the Nayaka periods. This art gallery gives information about the entire history of Tamil Nadu from the 9th century to 18th century AD. The stones as well as the bronze sculptures are housed inside the Nayak palace building in three sections, namely the Pooja Mahal for stone sculptures, Indira Mandir for arsenals and the Rama Chowdam Hall displaying bronze sculptures.

* Brahadeshwara Temple
The Great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola built this famous Brahadeshwara temple or the Big Temple. The sculptures who built this temple are Kunjaramalian and Raja Raja Perunthachan. This temple showcases the Indian architectural brilliance and is a favorite pilgrimage spot for many visitors visiting Tanjore. The Brahadeshwara Temple is protected by deep trenches filled with water on two sides and the Grand Anaicut River on the other side. Brahadeshwara temple is a unique one that has 216 feet tall tower over the inner shrine. The Chola and the Nayak periods wall paintings adorn the walls of the sanctum. A gigantic statue of Nandi the Bull is placed at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.

* Chandra Bagawan Temple
The Chandra Bagawan temple or the moon temple is the second important navagrhangal temple situated in and around the temple town of Thanjavur. It is about 25 km towards the north of Thanjavur and is often visited by people who are under the bad effects of Chandra as per their horoscopes. It is believed that by offering prayers and seeking the blessings of the Moon God, the bad effects can be eliminated or reduced in their lives. The devotees main offering to their deity is raw rice cooked with jaggery and white clothing. Special poojas are performed during the full moon days in Panguni month.

* Guru Baghawan Temple
The Guru Baghawan temple is also known as Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Temple and is considered to be the main sthalam for the Lord Guru. This temple is located at a distance of 17 kilometers away from Kumbakonam on the route to Mannargudi. Guru Baghawan is worshipped for the aspects of fame, wealth and siblings and going around the deity 24 times as well as lighting 24 ghee filled lamps in front of the deity is believed to remove all the bad effects and to bring prosperity to the devotee. Guru Homam and milk abhishekam are the main poojas performed on Lord Guru in this temple.

* Kanchanur Temple
The Kanchanur temple is associated with Sukhran which represents planet Venus which is one among the Navagrahas. It is located near Thiruvavaduthurai near Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district. This temple, also known as Bhrammapuri or Agnisthalam, has to prakarams and five tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance. The Mukti Mandapam contains Natarajar and Shivagami statues and it is believed that Lord Shiva blesses Parasaramuni with his cosmic dance or the Mukti Thandavam here. Everyday six poojas are offered to the deity in this temple and special poojas are conducted on festivals such as Mahasivarathri, Navarathri and Aadipooram. The main festival is celebrated with great pomp during the Tamil month of Thai every year.

* Keelaperumpallam Temple
The Keelaperumpallam Temple with its main deity as Kethu Bagawan is located at 6 km from Thiruvengaadu on the way to Poompuhar on the Poompuhar-Mayiladuthurai road. The presiding deities include Naaganaadaswamy and his wife Ambal and the deity is placed facing North West direction in this temple. Kethu Bagawan is seen in this temple to be worshipping Naaganaadaswamy with his hands held high. The Abhishekams to Kethu Bagawan is offered daily at 8:30 am and pradoshams are considered to be very auspicious for performing abhishekams to Kethu Bagawan. The main offerings to Kethu Bagawan are red lily flower and kollu.

* Kethu Temple
The Kethu temple is located at 57 km away from the town of Kumbakonam and is one of the Navagraha temples that is located in the Thanjavur district. The specialty of this temple is that it will remain open even during Raahu kalam and Emakandam. It is believed that Kethu worshipped Lord Shiva at this place and one can see the deity of Kethu with his head in this temple which is a rare sight. By praying to Kethu Bagawan, one can get rid of doshams like bad habits, loss of property and fears of dacoits.

* Lord Murugan Temple
The Lord Murugan temple is situated about 5 kilometers to the west of Kumbakonam and is on the banks of the famous river Cauvery's tributary. The temple is easily approached from the bus stand and railway station in Kumbakonam and is at a distance of 2 kilometer from these places. The important festivals that take place here are: Monthly Kiruthikai festival, Temple car festival in April, Tai Pusam festival in January, Navaratri festival in May as well as Skanda Shasthi festival in the month of October. There is a huge crowd gathering of the locals as well as tourists from different parts of Tamil Nadu during these festival seasons.

* Mercury Temple
The Mercury temple or Sri Suvedaranyar Temple is dedicated to Lord Budhan, one of the nine celestial planets and is located near Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam district. Budhan being the lord of Mithunam and Kanni Rasi faces the North east direction in this temple. Lord Budhan is considered as the ruler of knowledge, studies, music, medicine and astrology. People pray to Lord Budhan and conduct special poojas particularly on Wednesdays to rectify the ill effects of Budhan dosham in their horoscope. The main poojas that are conducted in the Mercury temple include Milk Abhishekam, Budhan Pariharam, Ghee Deepam and Budhan Homam.

* Raaghu Temple
The Raaghu temple is located at a distance of 6 kilometers from the Kumbakonam town in Thanjavur district. Raaghu is one among the nine celestial bodies and is known to be the king of snakes. This temple is open to devotees from early morning till evenings and even during the Raaghu kalam or the bad period in a day. It is considered to be of special significance if one can offer the poojas and seek blessings of Lord Raaghu in the morning, afternoon and evenings on a given day. A snake skin is preserved and worshipped in this temple which is said to be one that was shed on Raaghu Bhagawan by a snake in the late 80's.

* Sangeetha Mahal
Any person touring Thanjavur should surely include Sangeetha Mahal in their list of must see places. The Hall of Music or Sangeetha Mahal is located on the first floor of the Tanjore palace. This is the place where the musicians and dancers performed in front of the Chola and Nayak rulers and is an excellent piece of skilled craftsmanship that speaks volumes about the ancient builders and architects. The perfect acoustical musical hall will leave any visitor spell bound over the knowledge the ancient sculptors and architects had. The Sangeetha Mahal is a worthwhile place for anyone to visit, be it an adult or a child.

* Sani Bhagawan Temple
The Sani Bhagawan Temple is situated at about 52 kilometers away from Kumbakonam and is said to be one of the most powerful Saneeshwaran temples all over the world. The Sani Peyairchi festival is the main and the most important festival that is celebrated on the day when the Sani Bhagawan moves from one zodiac sign to another. The Sani Bhagawan is believed to be a giver as well as a destroyer and a Saneeswaran devotee will be ridden of all his problems and worries.

* Saraswathi Mahal Library
Saraswathi Mahal library is situated inside the Thanjavur palace and was earlier known as Saraswathi Bandar which means the collection place of books and manuscripts. This library was established around the year 1700 AD. Oldest scripts in palm leaves as well as in paper and a large number of foreign books are part of the collection in this library. Many of the manuscripts are written either in Tamil or Sanskrit. The Maratha king Serfoji II took special interest to enrich the collection in this library. The library is divided into seven sections for convenience and each section has different groups of books, manuscripts, atlases, paintings etc.

* Schwartz Church
Schwartz Church is located in the Thanjavur palace garden and was built by the Chola king Raja Serfoji in the year 1779 AD. He built this church to show his affection to the Danish missionary Reverend Frederick Christian Schwartz and it is still a symbol of tolerance seen on the part of the Chola rulers towards different religions. In 1798 when Schwartz died, Serfoji II, a Maratha ruler donated a striking piece of white marble that was made by John Flaxman and this is seen at the western end of the Schwartz church. The marble piece has engravings showing the dying missionary blessing King Serfoji surrounded by his ministers.

* Siva Ganga Garden
The Siva Ganga Garden is a park that is located near the famous Tanjore palace and is seen north of the Brahadeshwara or the Big Temple. It is a well maintained garden with a collection of flowering as well as non-flowering plants, different types of birds as well as animals. This garden is situated in the quadrangular SivaGanga fort that was built by the 16th century Nayak ruler, Sevappa Nayaka. A square tank is located in the Siva Ganga Garden built by the 16th century rulers for providing water to the Tanjore Palace is still in use and is well known for its sweet tasting water.

* Sukkiran Temple
The Sukkiran temple is about 16 km away from the temple town of Kumbakonam and this shrine is under the control of Madurai Sri Thirugnanasambantha Swamigal Aatheenam. The presiding deity in this temple is Agneeswarar. It is believed that Sukhra is powerful to endow people with wealth, pleasure, prosperity, fame, love, marriage etc. Navaratri and Aadipooram are the major festivals celebrated in this temple and during these festivals a large number of pilgrims gather here.

* Swami Malai Temple
The Swami Malai temple is located at a distance of 32 kms from Thanjavur in the town of Kumbakonam and is considered to be one of the six abodes or Arupadaiveedu in Tamil that is dedicated to Lord Murugan or Subramanian. Lord Murugan was the one who preached the Pranava mantran OM to his father Lord Shiva and that is the reason why Lord Murugan is also known as Swaminathan. The temple is constructed on a man made hillock that measures about 60 feet in height and has 60 beautifully laid stone steps that represents the Hindu cycle for about 60 years and the main deity Subramanian is at the top of this hillock.

* Thingalur Temple
Thingal is the other name of the Moon God Chandra and his abode is Thingalur. It is believed that Lord Shiva helped Lord Chandra to get over the curse of Daksha Prajapathi and asked Chandra to remain in Thingalur and help those people who suffer from the ill effects due to the placement of the moon in their horoscopes. This temple is situated near Thiruvayaru in Thanjavur district. Abhishegams and archanas can be performed to the deity at the rate of Rs. 300/- and special poojas are conducted every Monday.

* Thirumananjeri Temple
The Thirumananjeri temple is at a distance of 3 km to the west of Kuthalam, a small town in the district of Thanjavur. It is believed that the wedding of Lord Shiva and Uma Maheshwari took place here and hence the name Thirumananjeri, as in Tamil language Thirumanam means wedding. This temple will conduct a three day festival to celebrate the wedding of Lord Shiva in the Poosam star of the Chithirai month in the Tamil calendar. There are special poojas conducted in this temple for unmarried boys and girls and there is a saying that such persons will tie the knot at the earliest after performing poojas in this temple.

* Thirunageshwaram Temple
The king of the Nagas called Raaghu worshipped Lord Shiva at a place near Kumbakonam and hence the place was named as Thirunageshwaram and the temple situated here is called Thirunageshwaram Temple. The main abhishekam in this temple is the Milk Abhishekam which is done on all days between 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Praying to Lord Raaghu in this temple will help a person to get rid of family problems, communicable diseases, mental disorders etc. In the tamil month of karthikai, annual festival called Bhramotsavam is celebrated and the Sekkizhaar festival is celebrated in the tamil month of vaikashi.

* Thirunallar Temple
Thirunallar is the place of Sani Bhagawan and is located 3 kms away from Karaikal that is a part of Pondicherry. It is believed that King Nala escaped from the bad effects of Sanigraha by praying to Lord Shiva at this place. Thirunallar is famous for the Maragathalingam idol made from precious green stone and special poojas are performed twice everyday. It is necessary to wash the back of the feet in the pond in front of the temple before entering the Thirunallar temple and by doing so it is believed that all the sins of a devotee is washed away. Sani Peyairchi festival is celebrated for 18 days in a grand manner during the Tamil month Vaigasi.

* Thiruvanajozhi Temple
Thiruvanajozhi temple is an important place in the tourism and pilgrimage point of view and is located on the outskirts of Thanjavur town. As most of the other temples in Thanjavur this temple was also built by the Chola kings and is appreciated for its architecture. The temple dates back to 13th or 14th century and the idol is believed to be emerged by it self. There are many ancient inscriptions on the stones of the walls in this temple. Historians are of opinion that a university was located in this place in ancient period. Regular performances of classical dance forms and music are done here.

* Thiruvenkadu Temple
he Thiruvenkadu temple is situated 23 kilometers away from Mayiladuthurai in Kumbakonam district and is dedicated to planet Budhan. This temple is located on the Sirkali – Poompuhar linking road. The presiding deities in this temple are Swedharanyeshwarar and his consort Ambal. The Adi Devatha is Lord Vishnu and the Prathyathi Devatha is Narayanan and the main offerings include green moong dhal and rice mixed with moong dhal powder. The Thiruvenkadu temple has four rest rooms where the pilgrims can stay or take rest.

* Vellai Puliar Temple
Vellai Puliar temple is one of the many ancient temple structures seen in the temple town of Thanjavur. Any tourist who is interested in art and sculptures should surely visit this temple. The carvings and the sculptural works that is carried out on the pillars and on the deities will be a treat for the eyes and will speak volumes about the excellent artistic craftsmanship of the ancient builders, sculptures and engineers. The word Vellai is translated as White in English and the word Puliar mentions about the deity here, Lord Ganesha, and according to the locals here, Vellai Puliar temple means that Lord Ganesha sculpture is white in color.

* Vijayanagar Fort
The Vijayanagar fort is located about 2 km to the north east of the Brahadeeswara or the Big Temple. This fort was built partly by Nayaks and partly by Maratha rulers during the early 1550 AD. Inside the fort is the Tanjore Palace, Sangeetha Mahal, Saraswathi Mahal Library as well as an art gallery that has various collections of sculptures and paintings. The fort was built to safeguard the palace from enemies by the Nayak king Vijay Raghav. Siva Ganga garden is located inside the fort and part of the fort is opened to the general public and most part of the fort is in ruins now.

* Royal Palace
This palace was originally built by Nayaka rulers as their royal residence and was further reconstructed by Maratha rulers. A large quadrangular courtyard leads into the palace complex. Outside the palace there is a seven-storeyed observation tower meant for the royal families. The splendid Maratha Durbar Hall, built by Shahji II in 1684 has elaborately decorated pillars, walls and ceilings. The Durbar Hall now houses the Rajaraja Museum and Art Gallery with an impressive collection of bronze and stone idols dating from 7th to 20th centuries. Next to the museum is the Saraswati Mahal Library, constructed by the Maratha rulers. This is one of the most important reference libraries in India. An adjoining museum known as Royal Museum displays personal collection of Serfoji II.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Trichy

2009-12-29T18:47:00.006+05:30

Tiruchirappalli or Trichy is located at the head of the fertile Kaveri Delta. This city is named after the fierce three headed demon Tirusira, who attained salvation after being slain by Lord Shiva. The history of thiscity is interwoven with the political fortunes of the Pallavas, Cholas, Nayakas and finally the British. Today, it is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu and also one of the major industrial and trade centres of south India.

Festivals of Trichy is unique in their conception and stand out among the rest of the Indian festivals such as Mohini Alangaram, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Garuda Seva, Flower Festival and the Car Festival. Though it is an industrial city, tradition, culture and religion flows through the veins of the city. It is a flourishing commercial center, well-known for its culture and tourism importance. Trichy is famous for its cheroots, brassware, jewellery, Tanjore plates, silks, carpets, musical instruments, artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Trichy

* Gunaseelam Vishnu Temple
Gunaseelam Vishnu temple is located in the banks of Cauvery in Trichy-Salem route around 15 km from Trichirappalli. Gunaseelam Vishnu Temple is one of the oldest and important vaishnav temples in south India. Gunaseelam is considered as south Tirupathi and people give their offering that they used to offer to Lord Balaji at Tirupathi. People consider Gunaseelam as a place with sanity and have the power to cure physical and mental illness. Due to this belief, mentally ill people are taken to Gunaseelam temple and kept there until they become normal. Gunaseelam is located in the midst of beautiful coconut groves and green paddy fields

* Kallanai Dam
Kallanai Dam is one of the oldest irrigation dams in the world built around 2000 years ago. It was built across the river Cauvery by the Chola King, Karikal Valavan. The main purpose of building Kallanai was to divert the Cauvery water for irrigation in the Tanjavur delta. Kallanai has a strong foundation and solid structure. Due to its stubbornness it is still in excellent condition and is used as a major irrigation dam in Tamilnadu. Kallanai has become model for many modern day dam constructions due to its strong engineering characters. Due to its engineering marvelous Sir Arthu Cotton studied this dam extensively before constructing the Kollidam Dam across the river Coloron a tributary of Cauvery.

* Mukkombu
Mukkombu is a beautiful picnic spot located in the outskirts of Trichirappalli in a distance of 18 km from the city. Mukkombu has various tourist attractions such as amusement park, children’s garden, sports facilities, fishing facilities, etc. Thousands of people come here with their family members on week ends to celebrate their holidays. The upper dam constructed across the river of Cauvery and Kolladam is an added attraction. Boating and fishing is conducted in the upper uncut. We can reach the other bank of Cauvery by crossing the dam. With its cool atmosphere and green surroundings Mukkombu serves as a perfect picnic destination for thousands of people in the neighboring districts.

* Jambukeswara Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Jambukeshwara temple is situated 2 kms east of Srirangam and 10 kms from Tiruchirapalli. The temple is named after the elephant which is believed to have worshipped Lord Siva here. Installed under an ancient Jambu tree, the lingam is partially submerged by water and meant to represent God incarnate as water.

* Ranganatha Temple (Srirangam)
Srirangam is a small town located 9 kms North of Tiruchirapalli city and is known for its temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This is one of the largest temple complexes ofTamil Nadu comprising an area of 148 acres. The Ranganatha temple complex as it exists today has evolved over a period of four centuries. The temple originally constructed in 10th century has undergone extensive reconstructions during the period of Nayaka rulers. The temple complex is dominated by 21 gopuras with walls defining its seven enclosures. The most magnificent part is the spacious Thousand-Columned Mandapa, where images of Ranganatha and his consort are worshiped during festivals.

* Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes
At the base of the Rock Fort is the Teppakulam Tank surrounded by vegetable and flower markets. To the west of this tank lies the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, a fine example of Neo-Gothic architecture. Built in 1812, this church has carved doors and glass windows. The marvelous architecture makes it one of the worth visiting sites in Tiruchirapalli.

* Puliyancholai Falls
Puliyancholai is one of the beautiful natural spots located in the foothills of Kollimalai about 72 km from Tiruchirapalli. Puliyancholai is fully surrounded by verdant greeneries and tamarind groves. Due to its cool climate and its natural stream Puliyancholai draws tourists through out the year. A stream flows across the forest where lots of medicinal herbs grow. Due to this the stream contains medicinal qualities and serves as a natural spa. People from the neighboring districts visit Puliyancholai especially to take bath in the stream water. Akaya Gangai is a beautiful fall located in the Kollimalai hills. People assemble here on the18th day of Tamil month of Aadi to pray the water god. It is advisable to swim here.

* Rock Fort Ganapathi Temple
This temple is 83m height and this is the oldest rock in the world dating around 3.800 million years. This makes it earlier than the Himalayas. The rise of it is a thrill and is an actual attraction with the temple at the pinnacle. 344 steps lead to the peak of the temple. This fort was significant as it contributed the British Empire to lay its foundations in India. The Uchipillaiyar Koil is at the peak of the rock and is completely dedicated to Lord Vinayaka. A tank is sited at the rock fort foot. During the float festivals this tank is flocked by people. Robert Clive lived adjacent to the tank. The rock fort is believed to be 2 billion years old and materials such as quartz and feldspar used in manufacturing glass and ceramic are found in this formation of the rock.

* Samayapuram Amman Temple
This temple is located 20kms north of Trichy town. The goddess Maariamman is believed to be the goddess of power. This temple is filled by devotees on Sundays, Fridays and Tuesdays. The Mavilakku Mavu is the common offering. This is made of Jagery, rice flour, dal and ghee. Mariamman is worshipped as it is allied with health and prosperity. A strong belief is that this deity cures small pox as well as chicken pox. This temple has individual shrines for processional images of Mariamman and moolavar. The Annual festivals such as Thai Poosam are a very special occasion when devotees throng the temple.

* Sri Rangam Ranga Nathar Temple
This is the districts significant pilgrim centre. Srirangam is encircled by the Cauveri River and by Kollidam, a tributary on both the sides. This temple dates back to the 14th century and numerous rulers have contributed in the temple construction such as Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas and Hoysalas. The southern side gopuram is the largest measuring 73m and was completed in 1987. This temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu. The entire place is fascinating with bazaars. You have to fetch a ticket to have a panoramic view of the entire temple. Festivals such as Vaikunda Ekadasi fall in the middle of December and is celebrated with grandeur. There is a temple museum having many historic valuables.

* St Joseph's Church
St. Joesph’s Church is one of the oldest churches in India. This beautiful church is located near Teppakulam in the heart of the town. The famous Maingaurd Gate that witnessed many historical events during the colonial rule is located near by. St. Joesph’s Church was built by Schwartz in 1792 with the support of British garrison officer’s funding. British used St. Joseph’s Church for spreading Christianity. St. Joesph’s college and high school is located within the campus of St. Joesph’s Church. St. Joesph’s college is a world famous educational institution and has produced many distinguished personalities including former Presidents of India R. Venkataraman and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

* Thiruvanaikkoil Temple
This is the revered temples of Lord Shiva. It signifies the Panchaboota Stalams namely, wind, water, fire, earth, and space. It is believed that the Akhilandeswari was with great fury originally, and Adi Sankaracharyar transformed it to peace. Lord Vinayaka and Subramanya shrines face Akhilandeswari. This temple was of immense significance to the Chola kings as they constructed it. This is an extensive temple of 18 acres with towering gopurams, ornate mandapams, and 5 prakarams. An Ekapada Trimurthy image signifying the unanimity of Brahma, Vishnu as well as Shiva is in this temple. Annual festivals such as Pankini Bhrammotsavam, Aadi Pooram, and Vasanta Utsavam are great features of this splendid temple.

* Vayalur Murugan Temple
This is a well known and the oldest shrine of Lord Kartikeya built by the Chola rulers. The idols are very striking and beautiful. In this shrine the Natarajar image is spectacular as both his legs touch the ground. The significant feature of this temple is that everything is distinct and carries great mythological significance. This is situated 9 kms from Trichy towards the west. The temple is amidst green fields and hence acquired the name Vayalur With rivulets crossing the fields and coconut palms this temple gives a very peaceful feeling. In this temple Lord Shiva is referred as Agnishwarar. Facing this temple is a pond called Sakthi Tirtham constructed by the Sulayudham of Lord Muruga.

* Vekkaliamman Temple
Tiruchirapalli is often called as temple town as large numbers of temples are located in and round the city. Vekkliamman Temple is an important temple situated at Worriyur, the seat of famous Chola kingdom. This is a unique temple as there is no roof above the presiding deity unlike all other temples. It is believed that Goddess Vekkaliamman has saved the people of Tiruchirappalli from the sand rain and asked the devotees not to build a roof for her temple unless all the people in Trichirappalli get roofs for living. There are poojas conducted on daily basis. During Tuesdays and Fridays special poojas are conducted large number of people attend visit this temple during these days.

* Viralimalai Murugan Temple
This temple is situated in Pudukkottai District at Viralimalai . Lord Muruga is at the top of the hill. He is seated on a peacock associated with Valli and Devasena. This temple is assumed to have been existed prior to 15th century. Six times puja is performed. Cigar is a distinct offering done to this deity during pujas. From the foot of the hill steps are there to reach the temple with many mandapas for rest. A water tank called Saravana Poigai is sited on the southern foot of the hill. On the east is a shrine of goddess Maikannudaiyal and it is a practice to visit this goddess first and then Lord Muruga.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Ooty

2009-12-24T17:52:00.005+05:30

Ooty is known as the "Queen of hill stations". Udhagamandalam (Ooty), is the capital of Nilgiri district. Ooty is situated at a distance of 105 km from Coimbatore, at an altitude of 7,349 feet above the sea level in the Nilgiris. The temperature ranges from 25 degree Celsius in summers, to chilling cold in winters. Doddabetta is the highest peak of 2623 kms and the height of the hills in the Nilgiri range varies between 2280 and 2290 meters.

Ooty is situated at the meeting point of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, three southern states of India. This lovely hill station was established by the Britishers, in the first half of the 19th century. It also serves as summer headquarters for the government of Madras. Earlier, the area was inhabited by Todas, the tribal people who still live here.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Ooty

* Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta peak is the highest known peak in the region of Ooty and its altitude stays to be more than 2,623 meters in height. It actually stays in the suburbs of Ooty and is hardly 10 kms from the place. Ooty being the hilly place, the areas in the suburbs can too be easily captured in the camera and the hillock as well as the valley is indeed a great sight seeing place. It is a wonderful place for shooting and capturing nature's scenic beauty in the camera and forecast it to the people all around the globe. The hilly regions of Mysore and the open plain lands too can be easily captured in the camera and it is the best place to take a shot.

* Emerald Lake
Emerald lake is a wonderful lake in the upper plateau region of the Nilgiri hills. It is a part of the silent valley and is beside the Red hill nature resort which is a best picnic place of the region. The site of the lake is wonderful and one would definitely love being at that place. One would hold one's breathe by looking at the wonderful sites of the nature and fun is to the fullest. The chirping birds and ducks and other swimming creatures add beauty to the place and the sun set and sun rise is also spectacular here. There is tea plantation in the suburbs and one can enjoy different flavors of tea, fresh and fine.

* Kamraj Sagar Lake
Kamraj sagar lake is a dam and is located in the suburbs of Ooty. It is situated far away at a distance between the woods and greenery all around and hence is a great picnic sport for the people. There is a wide variety of herbs and shrubs available in the terrain and is a good sport for picnic as well as it has been a great sport for the people to capture the scenic beauty in the camera. Several good movies are shot in the neighbourhood on the open roads and on the slopes of the Wendlock sagar. The waters are highly cold and one can have good experience fishing in the place. Fishing industry has flourished there and the chief food available is fish and rice, and one can stuff ones belly in all varieties cooked from the fish.

* Kandal Cross
Kandal cross is Roman Catholic church located in Nilgiri and is the best church for the Nilgiri Catholics of the place. It is considered to be the Holy Shrine of the place. It is also the Calvary of Tamilnadu and is located near Udhagamandalam. It is renowned place for the people of the region and is well known for the wishes of people coming true. That is what the belief of the people is and is known for curing the ill, blessing the people and wishes coming true. People light the candle in the church and wish something from the bottom of their heart, with the great hope of it coming true. It's a great pilgrim place where sacred prayers are always offered on Friday evening.

* Ketti Valley
Ketti valley is a small village developed in the valley region of the Nilgiri Mountains in Tamil nadu. Ketti valley is a valley, which stays to be 7000 feet deep inside the mountains near coonoor. The climate is wonderful and it stays to be good enough all year round. The temperature fluctuations in the year are not much and it stays in the range of 25 to 21 degree centigrades. There are different tea plantations available in the region and tea plantation was firstly introduced in this particular region in southern India. The village is wonderful and it goes to sleep early and follows the old traditional approach of life, which is indeed wonderful.

* MacIvor's Bund
MacIvor's bund is in the suburbs of Ooty and Dodabetta peak. The motor car or bike would be the easiest way to reach the place while one is in ooty. It is a hilly region and one would definitely love to go riding on the motor bike on the roads which have curves and which go steep high in the mountains. There is a beautiful church in the place and it is just 12 kms from ooty. It is very close to the avalanche hills and is just 7 kms apart from there. It is a plain region just in the center of the mountains, which cover it from almost all the sides.

* Main Bazaar
Main bazaar is the central hub and the best shopping junction of the place. All the things which are produced in the city along with all small groceries and cutlery are sold here under a single umbrella. The chief thing produced in this area is tea and all variety of tea is available for tasting as well as purchase. Handicraft and specific paintings made by the local residents is appreciated and highly liked by several people all across the country. Special goodies for the festival are made available and clothes are available in specific local variety which has the essence of the prevalent culture of the place.

* Marlimun Lake Marlimun Lake is located in Ooty and is a wonderful lake of the region. It has all the things which come in one's mind when one thinks of lake. It is clean and neat and is a best place one would love to go for. Several different kinds of boats are made available in this region and one can go boating with the family. Boats are generally in the form of house boats or shikaras and even open boats are available to choose from. The lake is not much deep but it is sufficiently wide enough to have the fountains and water fall in the place which does increase the scenic beauty of the place.

* Mukerti National Park and Lake
Mukerti National Park is situated in the southern region of the Nilgiri and is spread across the whole eastern region too. The park is an abode for a large number of animals and they can breed freely and reside in the protected environment, which is deployed for wild life cultivation. Several measures have been taken by the government to protect this wild life so as to protect the species which are on the verge of extinction. Mukerti lake is jointly established along with the park and birds and ducks which love to live in water are provided with an eco friendly environment so that they can live in a natural environment. Boating is encouraged in the lake and it's a wonderful time going boating in the lake beside the park. The main attraction of this place is Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius). You can also spot Sambhar, barking deer, Nilgiri marten, otter, jungle cat and jackals. Among birds, you can see Laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcock, wild pigeon and black eagle. It also has a large variety of butterflies including blue admiral, Indian red admiral, Indian Cabbage white, Hedge blues, Rainbow trouts and Indian fritillary.

* Mudumalai National Park
The Mudumalai National Park is about 80 KM from Coimbatore on the interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala. It was started in 1940 and the first wildlife sanctuary in South India. The sanctuary is contiguous with Bandipur National Park and Waynad Wildlife Sanctuary. Activites includes Elephant Safari and Jungle Safari. Other attractions are elephant feeding camp,Kallatty falls,Pykara Lake,Moyar River,Museum. A private guest house provides the Jungle Home facility.

* Mukurti Peak
Mukurti peak is amongst the array of mountains in the southern plains of kerala. The place consists of mountains surrounded by great plains on all sides where one can enjoy the beauty of the mountains from the plains and the beauty of the plains from the hillocks. The mukurti peak is about 2553 km in height and is a wonderful place to be in. There are small huts in the place where one can halt and enjoy the culture in association with the nature. The sun rise and sun set can be seen clearly and finely from the hillock and one can enjoy the sights of nature to the fullest.

* Ootacamund Club
Ootacamund club is located on the Nilgiri hills high up in the air. It is almost 7000 feet above the sea level. It is highly popular golf club in the world. It has its footings more than 100 years down the line and is a wonderful place for the people to play and have all great fun playing in the club. It has its wonderful website too so that people can book their visits online and have a planned visit to the place. Apart from the games, poker and casinos is what is most loved and opted for by most of the people. People come there from distant places so as to have great fun and enjoy the weekend with their family members and friends.

* Ooty Botanical Gardens
It's the best garden ever known in India and is a great tourist destination. It is located on the hillock of Ooty which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It has a wide span of more than 50 acres and is spread along the Dodabetta peak, which stays to be the highest peak in the region of Ooty. The garden is taken great care of by the government and the Horticulture department and has a wide variety of plants and trees. It has been lovers point and has been appreciated by all kinds of people alike. May stays to be the best time to visit the place, and there are several programs organized by the local crowd so as to attract the tourists to visit the place.

* Ooty Lake
Ooty Lake stays in the heart of Ooty with its L shape construction. It is the best place for boating and the summers are primly wonderful. Several boat races are conducted and people have a wonderful time enjoying the sport as such a wonderful place on earth. The function is well planned and organized and there is a huge crowd gathered around the lake at the time of the race. The boat houses is the place where the people reside and its also a great experience staying in a boat house. There are a few children parks where the tourists can halt and have a wonderful time with kids. The means of conveyance stays to be horses and ponies and horse ride is the favorite sport for anyone visiting the place.

* Ooty Rose Gardens
Rose garden is the heart and soul of city of Ooty. The construction is so beautiful and there are small tunnels made wherein the roses are planted in tunnels. This botanical garden stays to be the best flower show of the century and it has the highest amount of rose production in the country. Different kinds of roses are grown in all colors and sizes, incorporating different hybrid quality like tea and miniature roses which are gathering great footing in the market place these days. The roses grown in the Botanical garden are best sold at higher prices in the market and stay longer and are best for the bouquets to be created and are a great memorable gift for the beloved.

* Coonoor
The serene hill station of Coonoor lies in the arms of the Nilgiri Hills. In fact Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1800 m. Geographically speaking, Coonoor lies at the head of Hulikal ravine.This picturesque retreat is covered by grassy meadows, tea bushes, a profusion of sunflowers, marigolds and rhododendrons, all growing wild. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.

* Fernhills Palace
Fernhill Palace was the erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore.The first Fernhills bungalow was built in 1844. This former palace situated around 1 km from the Ooty bus stand.

* Kotagiri
Kotagiri is one of the oldest hill stations in Nilgiri.Situated at an altitude of 6,503 ft. The name ‘Kota-giri’ itself means ‘mountain of the kotas’,the traditional artisans and are experts in the art of pottery and terracotta baking.

* Pykara Lake and Pykara Falls
Pykara Lake and the fall are on the path going from Ooty to Bangalore and are situated close to mudumalai. The lake is a wonderful example of nature's beauty and is a paradise on earth. One would definitely love boating in the wonderful lake and the pykara falls close to the lake is a fantastic place where one can enjoy photography. Several movies have been shot at this place and there is a dam in the suburbs, which provides water to the people in the neighbourhood. There is a wonderful bridge in the place where one can enjoy the shooting and photography too.

* Raj Bhavan
Raj Bhavan is the abode of the governor of Tamil nadu and is located in the City of Madras. Initially Raj Bhavan was in Parade Square, which was destroyed by the French. These days it's located in the Guindy Park and the area covers the region of about 156.14 acres, and several public places are also made in the suburbs. A small part of it has been provided to the forestry department. Several other areas like Adyar River Bed and Ikkadu Thangal too belong to Raj Bhavan and these places are used as water pumping station these days. Several animals like deer, birds, and reptiles too are provided a warm and friendly environment with the nature friendly intention of protecting those species of life on earth. It has more than 150 years of history and is a worthy place keeping up the status of the resident.

* Sanctuary Avalanche
Sanctuary Avalanche is situated in the Nilgiri hills and is a wild life sanctuary which was constructed with the holy intention to protect the wild life in southern India. Several species on the verge of extinction are reared with great care and caution and are provided with an eco friendly environment where they can breed easily and have life going on. The national park is situated about 67 kilometers away from ooty and is a wonderful place for people who love wild animals. Killing of wild life is strictly prohibited in this zone, so if shooting is the passion, this is not the right place to opt for.

* St Stephen's Church
St. Stephen Church is the Gothic church of the place and is one of the best known colonial structures of Ooty. People gather in church and offer sacred prayers from the bottom of the heart. The true feelings of the people reveal the fact that still somewhere on earth, the God is still alive. The church was constructed and carved totally from wood and is the best architectural model from wood. The coolness in the church is wonderful as the whole place is made of wood. It's indeed a great experience staying a closet made from the pure wood obtained from Tipu Sultan's palace and was brought at this place with the aid of series of elephants.

* The Tea Factory
There are several small tea factories which cater the life of the people and provide livelihood to a wide number of people earning their bread from the meager income they avail by working in tea factory. Tea factories are well equipped and produce tea of different qualities and focus on a large international market. The whole process of manufacturing the tea is well optimized and is highly grounded up with well planned process so as to produce highly edible and good quality tea to be sold in the market place. The taste of the fresh, just made tea is so fine that one should taste it once to have that essence of freshness. It would surely be a wonderful experience.

* Tiger Hill
One of the most charming places in Ooty is the Tiger Hill. This beautiful spot lies to the east of the hill station and towards the lower end of the Doddabetta peak. It is located at a distance of about 16km from the main town. You can enjoy a trek upto Tiger Hill. At the site there is a drinking water reservoir which meets the water requirements of the town. There is also a cave close to Tiger Hill. This cave is believed to be associated with many religious legends. This is a beautiful picnic spot and locals and tourists flock to this place to unwind and relax.

* Upper Bhavani Lake
Upper Bhavani lake is a very wonderful lake and has lots of water in it all year through. The lake is wonderful and has great natural beauty. Once if one visits the lake the memory of the lake stays in the mind for a long time. A huge dam is constructed on the lake, which helps in providing water to the nearby regions and that has highly aided in the development of agriculture in that particular area. Specific tea plantations have been encouraged and have flourished well due to the construction of dam near the upper bhavani lake. The name of the dam is Upper Bhavani Dam and it has been named after the name of the lake.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Madurai

2009-12-22T17:14:00.006+05:30

Madurai is the second largest city of the state of Tamil Nadu and is one of the oldest temple cities of South India. It famous for its temples, especially for the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. It is situated on the banks of river Vaigai, it derives its name from the divine nectar (Madhu) that was showered from the locks of Lord Shiva according to a popular legend. The city has a rich cultural heritage which it has inherited from the great Tamil era, which is more than 2500 years old. Once the capital of the great Pandya kings, Madurai was an important cultural and commercial center even as early as 550 AD.

Madurai is a centre of learning and pilgrimage. There are several tourist attractions in and around the city. Today, Madurai is a well-known producer of some of the finest textiles in India and some of the best harvests of jasmine flowers. The city of Madurai is also mentioned in Megasthenes' Indica. He was an ancient Greek diplomat and envoy to India in the 3rd century BC, who wrote praises about this temple city. Madurai's glory reached its peak, during the reign of the Cholas and then during the Pandyas' regime in the 13th century.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Madurai

* Alagar Koil
Alagar Koil is a beautiful temple situated in the north east of Madurai. The temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu and is the sacred place for several followers of Lord Vishnu in the region. It is situated in the Alagar hills and is also known as Azhagarkovil. The statue of the lord is made of stone and is a great masterpiece created from kallalgar. Several different statues in different postures of the Lord are all kept in the temple under the same roof and is the best form of distinct temples in southern India. The people of the region consider Lord Vishnu to be a wonderful king or ruler of the earth and offer holy prayers from the bottom of the heart. The temple has wonderful halls and other facilities to perform different rituals with sacred mantras in the holy environment.

* Gandhi Museum
Gandhi museum is a great master piece in Southern India and it has great historical background and mythology in its background. There are several Gandhi museums across the nation and the Gandhi museum of the southen India is basically a Tamukkam bungalow which means summer house in Tamil, which is the local language of the place. The museum is square in share and created at the height of 5 metres from the ground level and it has a wonderful dome in the centre which is about 7 metres diagonally. It was constructed by Nayak Queen Rani in the earlier 1700 AD. Great cost was incurred in establishing the museum and it was all invested by the government of India, in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

* Anglican Cathedral
Towards west of Madurai, is a magnificent Church, designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm and was consecrated in 1881. This church is a fine example of Neo-Gothic architecture of the British era, a widely visited site in Madurai.

* Koodal Azhagar Temple
The temple is situated in the city of Azhaghar, the beautiful city of southern India. It is the temple of lord Vishnu with great monument of lord Vishnu encarved in front of the temple. Koodal is the second name for the city of Madurai and Koodal temple indicates the temple of Madurai as suggested by its name. It is one of the oldest temples in southern India and is one of the 108 temples of lord Vishnu constructed all over India. The temple is very close to the main bus stop of Madurai and it becomes easy for the people to visit the temple once they are in the city of madurai in Tamil Nadu. Several different lodging and boarding facilities is provided in the place and hence it becomes convenient to the travelers, who would love to visit the place and take the sacred blessings of Lord Vishnu.

* Mariamman Teppakulam
This is a temple made in the memory of Lord Vigneshwara. It is situated about 5 kms from the meenakshi temple. It has a huge tank in the compound of the temple and is the biggest tank in the region of Tamil Nadu. The tank is filled with water all year long and the idol of the temple too was obtained from the bottom of the tank, while it was dug in the olden times and hence the temple was constructed at that place itself. So the tank gained its popularity since then and the temple too was constructed in its memory. Several different kinds of festivals are celebrated in the temple and all rituals are done with great pomp and pleasure and the people have a wonderful time while they are in the temple.

* Meenakshi Temple
Meenakshi Temple is the holy temple of hindus located in the city of Madurai in southern India. It is a vast temple of Lord Shiva and Goddess parvati. It is the best temple in which both God and Goddess are worshipped together. It is the life line of the country, especially southern India as Lord shiva is the highly worshiped god of the country. It has its foundation way back in the 2500 AD. According to the mythology, Lord shiva visited Madurai to marry Parvati and it has been the sacred abode of Goddess Parvarti since her birth. The wonderful architecture of the place is amongst the seven wonders of the world and the construction is highly minute with great art piece incorporated the walls and pillars of the temple.

* Pazhamudhir Solai
Pazhamudhir Solai is a beautiful temple created in the memory of Lord Subramaniya who is worshipped by several people in southern India. It has great sculptures of lord subramaniya encarved in wood and marble and is a wonderful temple with giant steps in the front of it. People worship the temple by moving across the periphery of the temple a several number of times, with the hope that their wish would come true. It is the giant temple of Lord subhramaniya in southern India and one of the most beautiful too. Its located on the hills of Azharar koil and falls in Madurai in Tamil nadu.

* Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was constructed way back in the 17th century. Several buildings and temples had been constructed by him in the region and they have been splendid piece of construction. It was constructed by kings of muslim dynasty which covered several regions of coimbatore, Madurai districts and other few places in southern Tamil Nadu. It is a great piece of art and all of the sculptures are encarved in the Madurai style. Several old temples too have been renovated in this new style and the whole city seems to have the construction of the similar make, which is a good feature of the place.

* Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple
Tirupparankundram Murugan temple is one of the pilgrimage places in the southern India. The temple is an excellent master piece of art and is devoted to mother earth for all the benedictions it has bestowed on the holy earth. The region is hilly and is also known as southern Himalayas of India. It is a beautiful place where the sun and moon can be seen together at several instances of the day. It is considered to be the holy place for marriages and most of the marriages in the suburbs take place in this temple itself. The marriage of Lord Subhrahmanya was celebrated in this temple and since then several people have been bound in the marital bonds in front of the god in this temple.

* Vaigai Dam
Vaigai dam is a giant dam constructed on the river Vaigai and is situated near Andipatti in southern India. The dam has been the life line of the agricultural lands in the neighbourhood and because of it the areas have flourished in leaps and bounds. It provides clean and fresh drinking water to whole of the region of Madurai and Andipatti. Agricultural research institution too has been developed near the dam so as to research on a wide variety of crops including cereals and pulses. Several issues about the water supply in the dry seasons have been curbed down after the construction of the dam and it has provided life to the region of southern India.

* Tombs of the Madurai Sultans
Towards the north of Vaigai River are the tombs of the Madurai rulers. The sultans were buried to the north of the city. The complex includes Alaauddin’s Mosque with its flat-roofed prayer hall and the tomb of a local Sufi saint, Bara Mastan Sada built in the 16th century.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Kanyakumari

2009-12-21T10:52:00.008+05:30

Kanyakumari is one of the districts of Tamil Nadu, located at a distance of 235 km from Madurai. It has been named after the Goddess Kanyakumari Amman who is a religious deity of the area. It lies on the southern most land tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal meet. It is considered to be an important pilgrim center of India. Kanyakumari is blessed with beautiful beaches and the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The city looks enchanting on full moon days. The city also boasts vast green stretches of paddy fields, rich forest, coconut grooves and mineral sands.

Tours to Kanyakumari include Temple of Goddess Bhagavathi which commands a picturesque location and meeting point of Indian Ocean, The Arabian Sea and he Bay of Bengal. The spectacular views of the surroundings at sun set and sun rise enthrall the visitors to feel a divine ecstasy. It is believed that the place is the abode of Kumari, the Virgin Goddess, who is supposed to have done penance so that she could marry Lord Shiva.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Kanyakumari

* Baywatch
If you ever go to India, then besides Bombay, perhaps the most interesting place you need to go is the city of Baywatch situated in the region of Kanyakumari. It has a very famous water amusement park that is especially suitable for families. There are many different types of rides available like the Bumping Car, Crazy Chairs, Giant Wheel, Milky Way, and Multiple Splash. Baywatch Water Amusement park is open every day of the year and it has many different attractions for adults and children including its world famous wax museum that is the counterpart of Wax Museum at London.

* Courtallam Falls
Courtallam Falls is a beautiful waterscape that is found in the city of Kanyakumari or the Cape Comorin; which is a city that is in the southern most part of India. Courtallam Falls is one of the beautiful areas there for which many people come to visit in great numbers every year. Contrary to popular belief Courtallam Falls consists of not just one but many different falls that are together in one place. Soaking your head under these falls is an experience that no one forgets. In addition, it is thought that these falls have curing powers especially to those who have mental ailments.

* Gandhi Mandapam
Gandhi Mandapam is a special temple that is one of the most important places to visit when you go to Kanyakumari in the southern tip of India. Gandhi Mandapam is built near the famous Anna University. Gandhi Mandapam is one of the greatest monuments that you can look at when you go to India. This temple or monument the Gandhi Mandapam was erected to honor the world famous Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi. It is an important tourist spot that is favored by many people who come to visit India and its monuments that depict its rich cultural heritage

* Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument
Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument is a monument that is filled with rich cultural heritage and it is located in the city of Kanniyakumari or Cape Comorin in India. It is similar to the Gandhi monument that is also found in Kanniyakumari. Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument is dedicated to the memory of President Kamarajar who was the President and the leader of Tamil Nadu. He was also the president of the Indian National Congress and a leader that was very much liked by the India people. Kamarajar Mani Mantapa Monument was the resting place of his ashes.

* Keeriparai
Keeriparai is one of the most beautiful natural attractions that you can come and see when you visit India. Keeriparai is actually a natural habitat that has been transformed into a natural trek for those international visitors who wish to see the lush jungles of India. Keeriparai has a wide variety of Fauna and Flora that is unparallel by many natural treks and habitats in the world. It is very easy to see big roaring wide elephants in the plains of Keeriparai. In addition, there are many herbal and medicinal plants that can be found there for many purposes.

* Kodhayar
Kodhayar is one of the places of interest that is situated on the southern tip of India in the region of Kanyakumari. Kodhayar is a natural habitat in which you can see a variety of fauna and flora. Kodhayar is also called Kodhayar Lower Camp and it is possible to see bison and bears along with different wild animals. Kodhayar is about 60 km long, and it does require a very interesting wild path to get there. However, Kodhayar is definitely a very nice wild park and a habitat that needs to be seen when in India.

* Kumari Amman Temple
If you are going to visit India and especially the city of Kanyakumari then one place that you should definitely go and see is Kumari Amman Temple. You can find the many cultural heritages of the Indian people in Kumari Amman Temple. Many India people come to pilgrimage and to bathe in the Kumari Amman Temple. This magnificent temple is situated in the coast overlooking the beach and thousands of Indians comes there creating very big lines. However, unless you are a Hindu you will not be permitted to enter Kumari Amman Temple even for sight seeing

* Lord Subramanya Temple
Lord Subramanya Temple is one of the most interesting temples to visit when you go to India. It has pillars and towers that give it a magnificent look. Lord Subramanya Temple is one of the many places in India, where you could get a taste of the wonderful things that await fro you there. Lord Subramanya Temple has also attracted thousands of pilgrimage visitors from all over India. Many festivals are hosted at Lord Subramanya Temple and especially during certain religious holidays, it is very hard to get in there. It is very easy to travel to the Temple either by bus or by train.

* Mathur Hanging Trough
Mathur Hanging Trough is one of those monuments or places that is world famous for its many qualities. It is located in southernmost district of India. Mathur Hanging Trough is a bridge trough that is situated over the river of Pahrali. However, what makes Mathur Hanging Trough so interesting is the fact that Mathur Hanging Trough is the longest and also the highest aqueduct that can be found in the continent of Asia. Although Mathur Hanging Trough was constructed as a drought measure, it was kept in place due to its qualities and historical attraction that it offered.

* Nagaraja Temple
When you say temple or a monument then definitely India is the place to go in order to see hundreds of different temples and monuments that is a mixture of faith ad different cultures. Nagaraja Temple is such a temple that symbolizes the rich cultural heritage of India. Nagaraja Temple is a dedication monument that has been erected for the honoring the name of Nagaraja which is the Serpent God in the Hindu religion. In the month of Avani, this temple becomes the pilgrimage point of many Hindu especially on Sundays. Nagaraja Temple is one of the many places that you can visit as a tourist.

* Olakaruvi Falls
Olakaruvi Falls is definitely a place to go if you are a naturalist or a person looking for a natural attraction. It is one of the many waterfalls that is situated in the southern tip of India. According to the old legends Olakaruvi Falls has the rejuvenating power for the old people. Thus many people come to Olakaruvi Falls to feel rejuvenated. Olakaruvi Falls is about 20 km distance from Nagercoil and it is a very popular tourist attraction. It takes more than an hour's drive plus some walking to get there but due to its popularity many people go there.

* Padmanabhapuram Palace
When you think of palaces then perhaps besides England with its famous palaces, the second place that comes into the mind is definitely India. Padmanabhapuram Palace is one of these many palaces that symbolize the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India that has been around for many centuries. However, what is interesting about this palace is the fact that Padmanabhapuram Palace is made entirely from wood and not any other substance. Kerala Government is responsible for maintaining this magnificent palace and Padmanabhapuram Palace draws hundreds of visitors every day continuously. It is one of the best 10 palaces in the world.

* Pechiparai Reservoir
Pechiparai Reservoir is one of the few places in India that is definitely worth seeing, even if it is not a cultural or historical sight seeing place. Pechiparai Reservoir is situated some 43 kms away from the area of Nagercoil, close to the Pechiparai village of Kanyakumari district. The pechiparai reservoir was originated by the groundwork of the pechiparai dam! The reservoir plays a major role is supplying the drinking water and it is also used in irrigation of crops. The pechiparai reservoir holds the least storage capacity of just 22.49%, but it assists the farmers to use the water in order to take care of their crops.

* Sanguthurai Beach
Sanguthurai Beach is one of the nicest beaches that you should go to, during your visit to India. Sanguthurai Beach is located in the southernmost part of India, and you can feel the fierce power of the Indian Ocean there. However, Sanguthurai Beach is a pretty tranquil place with white sand beaches that sets a perfect background to the coastline. It is also possible to see Vivekananda Rock from here in the coastline of Sanguthurai Beach. You can also see a white pillar protruding from the sea at Sanguthurai Beach. In addition its lukewarm temperature is perfect for swimming especially in the summer time.

* Sitharal Jain Monuments
When you visit the southernmost region, Kanyakumari is one of the prominent tourism places which have to be visited. These monuments and temples are the representation of the diversity of the culture and the religions that are founded in India. Sitharal Jain Monuments are one of these culturally rich monuments. Almost every day, you can see people who are traveling to Sitharal Jain Monuments to honor their gods and values. This monument grabs the attention of quite number of visitors with its excellent mesmerizing divine and spiritual values. Plenty number of visitors make their visit to the place and enjoy the beauty of its rich look.

* Sothavilai Beach
Sothavilai Beach is one of the two beaches in Kanyakumari that you can visit in your holidays in India. Sothavilai Beach has sandy white beaches and very clear waters so that you can see the bottom of the sea. It is one of the better beaches of the Indian Ocean which allows you to rest in the calm waters of the ocean. Sothavilai Beach is about 7 km from the main town. Sothavilai Beach was damaged in the big tsunami that took place couple of years ago. However, now its been rebuilt as a popular tourist beach attraction.

* St Xavier Church
Although India has been mainly associated with the religion of Hinduism or Buddhism and even Islam; the fact is that India is also one of the pillars of Christianity in the world. Due to the fact that India was a former British Colony, it has many different churches ad temples that are of interest to the Christian Community. St Xavier church is definitely one of them. St Xavier church was built around 1600 AD. St Xavier church (also called Cottar in the Town) was built by St. Francis Xavier and this church still remains a historic site to be seen even after these centuries.

* Suchindram
When you are looking for interesting places to visit, then definitely Suchindram is one of those interesting places that you must definitely go to. It is located in the Southern most part of India and it is a small village that you must definitely go to understand the rich cultural heritage of India. The major spotlight of the place is the famous Sthanumalayan Temple, which is notably marked for its artistic treasures. This temple is greatly known for its unique musical columns and it has a tall statue of the monkey god Hanuman. It is one of the best places to go in order to understand the rich religious and cultural heritage of India. Suchindram is also a place where a major naval engagement took plce between the Dutch and the locals here.

* Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Vivekananda Rock Memorial is one of the most interesting places to see in the southern part of India. It is situated in Kanyakumari and it is a fort and an island. Vivekananda Rock Memorial stands on top of a two rocks that are situated approximately 500 meters off the island. Although the Vivekananda Rock Memorial itself is fairly recent and built around the 1970's, the two rocks themselves have been there since the millennia. It is thought that the great philosopher Swami Vivekananda had meditated on the rock seeking enlightenment. Vivekananda Rock Memorial is open everyday and attracts many visitors constantly.

* Swamithoppe
Swamithoppe is a town that is situated in Kanyakumari in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is a small village that attracts many visitors every year. Its main strength and popularity arises from the fact that this small village was the place where the Ayyavazhi religion was founded in the 19th century. In fact many followers of this religion today still pilgrimage over there in order to fulfill their religious requirements. You can see the temple where Ayya Valkundar lived and you can visit the historical well of Muttirikkinaru in which all castes were allowed to use water in the 19th century.

* Thengapattinam Beach
Although it is the smallest of the world's oceans, the Indian Ocean is definitely the most calm and most peaceful oceans that you can swim at. Thus many people and tourists who come to India, definitely go and visit the many beaches that are stationed especially in the southern most part of India. Thengapattinam Beach is definitely one of these beautiful beaches that you can go to with its white sand and calm waters. Thengapattinam Beach is near Nagercoil and besides being a beach it is the perfect picnic spot with its background trees that provide shade and comfort to the visitor.

* Muttom Beach
Muttom beach is one of the widely visited beaches of Tamil Nadu, located about 16 kms from Nagercoil and 32 kms from Kanyakumari. Muttom is famous for its beautiful landscaping and high rocks dipping into the sea at the beach-side. The sun set view point at Muttom is one of the most Panoramic view points inthe district . One more attraction of Muttom is the century old light-house built by the British. However, this beach has always been unsafe for the tourists since the rocks on which tourists go to see the sea view are slippery and a number of fatal accidents have occurred over the past few years.

* Sanguthurai Beach
One of the most beautiful beach resorts of Tamil Nadu is Sanguthurai, about 10 kms from Nagerkoil. Recently, the district administration has sanctioned a project for putting up of a children's park, seating facility, open huts (Kudils) with Terracotta roofs and lighting facility at the beach at a cost of Rs.6.00 lakhs. With the development of these services, the beach has become popular leisure place for local residents.

* Chothavilai Beach
It is located about 10 Kms from Kanyakumari, Chothavilai Beach is one of the best natural beaches of the district. The beach has shallow water and huge sand dunes at the background. The District Administration has taken several steps for the development of this beach by putting up rest shelters, kudils and a view tower over here for the benefit of tourists. The tourists can reach the beach through the newly laid coastal road which is a very beautiful drive along the sea-coast.

* Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple
Perhaps India is one of the countries in which the most temples in the world exists. Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple is definitely one of the hundreds of temples that are found in the southern most region of India. Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple is a very ancient temple that is a symbolic pillar of Indian religion and culture. There are many sculptures inside the temple which are extinct now. The Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple is one of the founding stones of the Jainism region. Currently the Thirunandhikarai Cave Temple is under the purview and care of Archeological Survey of India.

* Thiruparrapu Falls
Thiruparrapu is the beautiful water falls in the southern part of India, that makes up for one of the most beautiful landscapes that you can go and visit. Thiruparrapu Falls is definitely one of these beautiful landscapes that are destined to capture your attention. Thiruparrapu Falls is located in the Tamil Nadu region of India. It is rumored that the Thiruparrapu Falls has recuperative powers to he visitor which goes there. People visiting the falls can dearly enjoy having a good bath under the water stream. They can spend an excellent time in standing underneath the light thudding water stream. Thiruparrapu falls will be a classy place to plan your trip during the vacation times.

* Thiruvalluvar Statue
If you are looking for magnificence along with a monument that reams at you with cultural heritage and history then Thiruvalluvar Statue is definitely one of the best things that you must see in your visit to India. It is a symbol of greatness that stands 133 feet tall (38 feet is the height of the pedestal) Thiruvalluvar Statue weighs just a little bit more than 7000 tons and more than 500 craftsmen or workers have worked in its construction. Thiruvalluvar Statue was designed to be a beacon of art for the whole humanity. Thousands come every month to see this great work of art and culture.

* Tiruchendur Temple
Tiruchendur Temple is one of them as it is Aarupadai veedu shrines of Murugan that is known throughout India. Tiruchendur Temple is situated near the sea and it has borders to the sea on the North and on the East side of the temple. Tiruchendur Temple is definitely one of the most visited temples in the southern most part of India. Tiruchendur Temple has been around for more than 5 centuries.

* Tsunami Monument
It is a special monument in the Tamil Nadu region in South India, and it has been erected to honor those dead people who have died in the southern coast of India due to the devastating Tsunami that took place a few years ago. Tsunami Monument represents the people who died due to the devastating Tsunami. Many people from all over the world come to visit the Tsunami Monument to see what the nature is capable of doing. Many Tsunami victims from all over the world come and visit the Tsunami Monument to honor their own dead.

* Udayagiri Fort
Udayagiri Fort is in the state of Tamil Nadu in India and thus located in the region of Kanaykumari, which is the southernmost part of India. Udayagiri Fort is a very ancient for that is just simply packed with history. The fort is thought to be made around 1600 when it was built as a defense fort. Udayagiri Fort was also called De Lannoy's Fort due to the Dutch who had occupied the fort in the 18th century. Udayagiri Fort is now a major attraction that has the portion of the fort and it also has a bio diversity park inside for the visitors.

* Vattakottai Fort
Vattakottai Fort is one of the many forts and monuments that are erected across India. It is a symbol of the military history of India, which was formerly a Dutch and then a British colony. Vattakottai Fort is a specially erected fort on the sea coastline on the southern tip of India. Vattakottai Fort is set up as the southern most sea coast defense point by the Dutch. This fort was constructed under the command of Captain De Lannoy. Vattakottai Fort is made out of stone and it is a major tourist attraction today. Vattakottai Fort is also famous for the black sand beaches that is situated across its coast.

* Maruthuva Malai
Maruthuva Malai or Marunthu Vazhum Malai is the abode of medicinal herbs forming a part of Western Ghats. It is believed that it is a part of Sanjeevi Mountain that Hanuman carried from Mahendragiri to Sri Lanka for healing the fatal wounds of Lakshman, the brother of Lord Rama. While carrying the huge mountain to the destination, Hanuman dropped a small portion here which now stands 800 feet high. The site is 11 km from Nagerkoil.

* Wax Museum
Although in general India is all about different kinds of temples and religious monuments, there are some different type of interesting places to go in India that will definitely be of value to you. Wax Museum is definitely one of those places. Wax Museum is situated in Kanyakumari region in the city of Baywatch. The museum houses all the important figures of the Indian History as well as the world history in wax form. The wax figures are realistic and the Wax Museum is reminiscent of its famous counterpart in London. There are also many current international figures like the wax counterpart of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Kodaikanal

2009-12-20T17:06:00.005+05:30

Kodaikanal is a hill resort in Tamil Nadu, which mesmerizes you with its beauty and tranquility. It is a popular and quiet hill station with forested slopes, prodigious rocks, attractive waterfalls and a lovely lake. Situated at an altitude of about 2,133 m above sea level, this hill town is well known its educational institutions that have earned international repute. A honeymooners' haven, Kodaikanal nestles beautifully amidst the folds of the Pali hills.

The pride of Kodaikanal is the 'Kurinji-flower', which blossoms once in 12 years, imparting an ethereal beauty to the hills. Kodaikanal seems to be bestowed with all forms of beauty by Nature-majestic hills, mighty rocks, beautiful waterfalls, a serene lake, fruit orchards, lush flora -which makes it one of the most popular hill stations in South India. Kodaikanal is not a famous shopping destination but one can definitely look forward to buy artifacts and gift items. The famous places to shop in Kodaikanal are the Khadi Emporium, Handloom Co-operative Stores and Travancore Crafts Work, Government Sales Emporium, Kurinji Mini Supermarket, Spencer and Company.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Kodaikanal

* Kodai Lake
One of the favorite spots of tourists visiting Kodaikanal is the Kodaikanal Lake that is popularly known as Kodai Lake. This is an artificial lake that takes the shape of a star and is spread over 60 acres with greenery all around it. The Kodai Lake is a favorite spot for all who like to have fun and enjoy outdoor activities and boating along the picturesque lake will be an unforgettable experience for the tourists. There is a boat club which offers pedaling and rowing boats with different seating capacities at nominal charges. Apart from boating, cycles and horses are available for rental in the lake area.

* Berijam Lake
It is the most attractive picnic spot for any tourist in Kodaikanal which is situated about 23 km from the local bus stand. Berijam Lake is a must see place as sighting of bison, leopard and other chirping birds are very common here. Apart from this, the tourists will also be able to take a boat trip along this beautiful lake and it will be a wonderful and refreshing experience for them. Berijam can only be visited with the permission from the District Forest Officer as it is not opened to general public. It was first discovered and reclaimed in 1864 by Colonel Hamilton of the British Army. The Sheer beauty of the lake made it yet another tourist spot in kodaikanal.

* Coakers Walk
Any tourist interested in morning walk will definitely have to visit Coaker's walk which is about 1 km from the lake and it provides very picturesque view of the plains as well as scenic valleys that is sure to bring a joy in the minds of the visitors. Coaker's walk is named after Lt. Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodaikanal. A telescopic view house is there at Coaker's walk that will provide a panoramic view of the valley, plains and the nearby towns and should not be missed by the tourists visiting the place. Coaker's Walk runs along a steep, emerald green wooded slope. From Coaker's Walk one can have a breath-taking view of the plains below.The ideal time to visit this place is before 2:30 pm in the afternoon as mist will start to set in over the valleys by late afternoons.

* Bryant Park
It is seen on the lake's eastern side, is another important botanical park that must not be missed by tourists visiting Kodaikanal as it houses plenty of different varieties of flowers, rafts as well as hybrids. A British forest officer by the name Bryant was the one who landscaped this park in the year 1980 and hence it is named after him. This is the place where the annual vegetable and flower show is held during the month of May and is the most visited place by many during the summer months. A glasshouse in the park contains wide varieties of flowers, ferns and other ornamental plants.

* Green Valley View (Suicide Point)
The deep, dense and dangerous valley below this point is more than 5000 feet drop and to get a good view from this point, it is better to visit the place after 10 am and before 3 pm, as early mornings and evenings will have mist covering the valleys. It commands a beautiful view of entire vaigai dam. A tourist visiting Kodaikanal should definitely visit this view point and plenty of monkeys seen in this area will be an added attraction for the children as well as the adults visiting this place.

* Kurinji Andavar Temple
3 kms from the lake. A famous shrine dedicated to Lord Muruga. This temple is associated with the Kuriniji flowers which carpet at hill sides blooms once in 12 years. Also Kurinji means hill region in Tamil literature. Andavar means God. Hence Lord Muruga is referred as God of Hill here. From this temple one can see a view of Palani and Vaigai Dam.

* Solar Physical Observatory
3.2 Kms. From the Lake Elevation is 2343 meters. It was founded in 1989 at the top most point in Kodai. Visitors are allowed to closely observe the start, planetary movements etc., during visiting hours and Prior appointments.

* Telescope House
To enable the visitors to have a Panoramic view of the valley and nearby towns, one telescope house is at Coakers walk. Enterance fee is collected per head to see through telescope. There are two telescope houses set up at Kodai.

* Shenbaganur Museum
This museum is MNaintained by the Sacred Heart College – Theological Seminary founded in 1895. It is devoted to archaeological remains and the flora and fauna of the hills. One of the best orchidoriums in the country with more that 300 species of orchids is also housed here. It is about 5.6 Kms from the lake. A Spanish Father Ugarthe, contributed his major collections to the Museum.

* Dolmen Circle
Kodaikanal is put on anthropology map mainly because of the presence of pre-historic remains dating back to 5000 BC, thease are called Dolmens and Kistavens which are the dwelling and burial places of people of stone age and iron age. The Dolmens and fantastic stone of two very large erect stone slabs topped by a larger flat slab.

* Thalaiyar Falls
This is also called as a Rat tail falls, The widest falls ranging from 13th Kilometer on the Ghat road to Kodai. It is one of the highest fall in India, with their 975 feet drop.

* Chettiyar Park
A neat little park off the beaten tract is in north east corner of the town, on the way to kurinji Andavar temple.

* Palani
It is 64 kms from kodaikanal, famous pilgrim center of the South and one of the six abodes of Lord, Dhandayuthabani. Direct frequent bus are available from Kodaikanal.

* Bear Shola Falls
An ideal picnic spot 1.6-km from bus stand and within 2 Kms of the lake, where once bears came to drink water. Cross the lake bund, pass the Telephone exchange on your right, and at the junction take the lower road past clifton Hotel.The approach is rugged hill path. The falls are at the best in rainy season.

* Devil's Kitchen
It is a very dangerous deep hidden ravine that looks like small dark gutters but are actually a deep fall. There are plenty of tourists who visit this place and is a must see spot for adventurous tourists. The Devil's Kitchen is found to be lying between Green Valley View and Pillar Rocks. It is better for a tourist to seek the help of localities while visiting the Devil's Kitchen as they are fully aware of the place. It is a very good place to take pictures but due to the deep fall, many tourists hesitate to visit the place.

* Dolphins Nose
To reach Dolphins nose at a distance of 8 kms from the bus stand, one has to follow the route specified here.There is an old road after crossing Pambar Bridge near levinge stream. A rough curve rounds the hillside which leads to a point where a flat rock projects over an awful chesm of 6600 feet deep. This is Dolphins nose. On the way, beautiful views of plains and steepy rocky eascarpeints called rolling hills can be seen. The old village of vellagavi can be reached through the rugged bridle path.

* Lutheran Church
Almost cheek by jowl with the Kodaikanal School is the Lutheran Church - a Gothic stone building with stained glass windows and modern paintings and batiks portraying scenes from the life of Christ. Nearby is an even more famous church - Christ the King Church - again, a very Gothic and solemn granite structure with stained glass windows. The names of the buildings in Kodaikanal are very evocative: 'Loch End' and 'Mansarovar' - these two houses by the lakeside bridge the time span from colonial times to the present. Hillbrook, Furzbank, Wood-cote, Whispering Pines, and Rock Cottage all conjure up the beauty and spirit of their natural ambience.

* Silver Cascade Falls
This is the first attraction that unfolds in front of a tourist on the Madurai - Kodaikanal road. The excess water in the Kodai Lake comes down as a fall at about 8 kms from Kodaikanal. It is like a pit stop for vehicles and tourists as there are shops selling fruits and other forest products. Silver Cascade falls is 180 feet high and the frothy water coming down through piles of rocks will attract any person. The crystal clear water contains various minerals and taking a bath in this fall is very refreshing. Any nature lover can sit and enjoy the beauty of this falls for hours.

* Silent Valley view
This is another important and attractive place that should not be missed by any nature enthusiast. It is situated at a little distance from the Pillar Rock and is seen on the Berijam lake road and the breathtaking view of this valley will be soothing to the eyes. The panoramic view of this place will make the tourists to spend a lot of time watching the scenic beauty. Children visiting this place has to be taken care by their parents as the valley is very deep and will at its very best when viewed between early mornings and late afternoons.

* Flora and Fauna Museum
The flora and fauna museum is a very educative tourist location in Kodaikanal and is popularly known as Shenbaganur Museum. This museum preserves fossils as well as wide varieties of the flora and fauna of this hilly region and has an orchidarium that has a collection of about 300 species of indigenous as well as exotic orchids. This museum is maintained by Sacred Heart College which is a Theological Seminary that was formed in the year 1895. It is about a distance of 5 km from the lake.

* Pambar Falls
"Grand Cascade" is the another name for this magnificent falls. It can be reached by a steep, precipitous path behind pambar house. The Pambar River is a Ziz zagging stream that crusaded over a serious of rock formations and precipes.

* Subrahmanya Temple (Kartikeya Temple)
The Subramanya or the Karthikeya temple is located at a distance of 65 kms from Kodaikanal and is popularly known as Palani temple. It is dedicated to Lord Subramanian or Dhandayuthapani. The word Dhandayuthapani means having a stick in the hand as a weapon. It is one of the famous temples in South India and is located at an altitude of 135 meters. Pilgrims can climb the 659 steps or can use the winch facility to reach the sanctum sanctorum. Tai Pusam in January is one of the major festivals of this temple. The Panguni Uttaram is another festival conducted in April which draws many people from all over India and across the globe as well.

* Pillar Rocks
These are three granite boulders which are seen standing vertically shoulder to shoulder and it is now a very famous tourist spot for many visitors. These rocks are measuring a height of about 400 feet from the ground and the chambers that are seen between the two pillars are known as Devil's Kitchen. The Pillar Rocks have gained popularity as the years have passed by and during the peak season there is a huge rush of visitors to this place. The shady woods that are in the vicinity of these huge boulders are a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic.

* Trekking
Kodaikanal is a paradise for trekking lovers as it offers different trekking routes for the professional trekker to the novice trekker as well. Trekking routes with varying difficulty levels are there and a tourist can select the route according to the fitness, time factor and one's trekking ability.

Dhoni Banned For Two Matches

2009-12-19T18:56:00.007+05:30

Dhoni banned for two matches, Sehwag named captain

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Saturday slapped with a two ODI ban for slow over-rate during the second cricket one-dayer against Sri Lanka here, dealing a huge blow to the home team’s prospects in the ongoing five-match series.International Cricket Council’s match referee Jeff Crowe imposed an immediate two match suspension on Dhoni for slow over-rate after conducting a hearing last night.

In the absence of Dhoni, dashing opener Virender Sehwag has been named the captain for the next two one-dayers in Cuttack on December 21 and Kolkata on December 24.

“ICC Match Referee, Jeff Crowe, has imposed an immediate Two Match suspension on M S Dhoni for slow over-rate after conducting a hearing last night,” the BCCI said in a statement. The Indian players have been penalised 40 per cent of their match fees.

“The Indian team for the next two ODIs will be led by Virender Sehwag,” the brief statement added. The thrilling second one-dayer ended about 45 minutes after the scheduled finish time because of frequent discussions between the Indian players during the closing stages of Sri Lanka’s chase.

The five-match series is currently tied 1—1 after India won the first match in Rajkot by three runs, while the Sri Lankans snatched a thrilling three wicket victory in the second game.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Kanchipuram

2009-12-19T13:31:00.005+05:30

Kanchipuram is one of India's holiest sites, also known as the city of thousand temples. The sacred seat of the Shankaracharya, Kanchipuram is situated about 70 Kms from Chennai, on the Northern East coast of Tamilnadu. Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is a municipality and headquarters to Kancheepuram district. In ancient times it was called Kachi and Kachiampathi. Kanchipuram was the capital city of the early Chola kings in the 2nd century BC and a Pallava capital between the 6th and 8th centuries.

Besides its temples, Kanchipuram is also known for its growing hand loom industry. This beautiful small city has many silk weavers residing here from more than 400 years ago. This has made it the best the producer of some of the finest silk sarees in the country. The Kanchipuram silk sarees are exotic pieces of art, woven from pure mulberry silk. Available in a variety of designs, these sarees have blazing colours and are decorated with fine gold thread (zari).

¤ Tourist Attractions of Kanchipuram

* Kailasanatha Temple
It is one of the oldest temples and was built in the 8th century by Rajasimha and his son .Mahendra This Pallava temple was constructed in the 8th century and has an attractive panel depicting Shiva and Parvathi in the midst of one of their innumerable dance competitions. We will find numerous small shrines located around the main shrine. The fresco-style paintings embellish the inner walls of the shrines and it is constructed using sandstone. The murals which once graced the alcoves are evident reminders of how wonderful the temple must have been when it was built initially. The architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram.

* Kamakshi Amman Temple
This temple is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ones among the various temples of south India and is dedicated to the presiding deity of Kanchi, Goddess Kamakshi. You will find an exquisite golden “gopuram” in the centre of this temple.

* Devarajaswami Temple
Built by the Vijayanagar rulers, this temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and features elaborately sculpted pillared halls. The prime highlight of the temple is a massive chain carved out of a single piece of stone. There is also a statue of Vishnu submerged in a large water tank within the temple.

* Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
This temple is a must watch on your south India temple tour; built in the 7th century by the Pallava king Nandhivarman Pallavamalla it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple has a number of inscriptions depicting the battles between the Pallavas and Chalukyas. Inside the temple the presiding deity (Lord Vishnu) is shown in the sitting, standing and reclining postures. It has great sculptures and inscriptions and its inner walls are decorated with lion shaped pillars.

* Vedantangal Birds Sanctuary
It is located 60 kms from Kanchipuram. This small birds sanctuary has come up around a village tank which is surrounded by a grove of trees. It is a heaven for migratory birds such as sandpipers, white ibis, spoonbills, swans and grey wagtails among others. There is also a sizeable population of resident breeding waterbirds. The period between October-February is the best time to visit Vedantangal.

* Tiruttani
Tiruttani, located 42 Kms from Kanchipuram, lying to the west of Chennai, is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Situated on a hill top, the temple is accessible by road as well as by train. 365 steps lead to the hill which represent the days of the year. Tiruttani is said to be the place where the Lord married Valli - one of his two consorts. The Karthigai festival which falls in December is celebrated with great pomp here and it is one of the most crowded periods of the year. This small town is also the birth place of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a philosopher - statesman and former President of India.

* Anna Memorial
Kanchipuram is the birth place of Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the scholar statesman, affectionately called Anna - The Elder Brother - by the general public. His ancestral house located here has been converted into a memorial.

* Ekambareswarar Temple
The eleven-storey structure which is adorned with beautiful sculptures is one of the tallest temple towers in South India. The ancient mango tree in the courtyard is revered by childless couples. They faithfully strung small cradles to the branches of the tree and leave with the hope that their desire for an offspring will be fulfilled. Also in the temple, is a small panel depicting the story behind the temple's existence. Parvathi incurred Siva's wrath when she made the mistake of playing a mischievous prank on him by covering his eyes for a second. Since even that one second of hindering Siva's vision led to years of darkness for the mortals, Siva bade her to perform penance to obtain forgiveness. The temple is said to have been built at the spot where the lord forgave her.

* Vaikunta Perumal Temple
This Vaishnvite temple dates back to the 8th century and was built by Nandivarma Pallava. Battle scenes depicting Pallava valour are carved on the panels surrounding the main prakaram.

* Varadaraja Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple was built by the Vijaynagar kings and the presiding deity is Devarajaswamy. The 100-pillared hall of this temple proves the mastery of the sculptors of Vijayanagara in fine artists. Among the best pieces are the severed halves of a large chain carved out of a single stone and the figures of the God of Love and his consort astride a swan and a parrot respectively.

* Kacchapaeswarar Temple
In this temple, Lord Vishnu is shown worshipping Lord Siva in the form of turtle (kurmemerali).

* Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple
One of the 108 Divya desams, it is said to be the site where Lord Rama is said to have performed the funeral rites for Jatayu, the giant bird who sacrifices his life for him.

* Jain Temples at Tirupparuthikkundram
The 9th century temples of the Jain Tirthankaras contain several fresco paintings and a grand image of Bhagwan Mahaveer.

* Ulagalandar Temple
This Vaishnava Temple of Chola period, it features the idol of the main deity as 35 feet high and 24 feet wide, called Trivikrama. This temple is said to be one of the 108 Divya Desam's of Lord Vishnu.

* Subramaniya Swami Temple:
Built around in 1915, this temple gained its significance due to its location for Hindus on pilgrimage. According to the Hindu scriptures, this temple is located in the city in the rare 'Soma Skandha' Posture.

* Handloom Industry
Kanchipuram's exquisite silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk in contrasting colours and have an enviable reputation for texture, lustre, durability and finish. More than 5,000 families are engaged in this industry and their spectacular creations are marketed by a number of co-operative socities, located all over the state. The Tamil Nadu Handloom House offers attractive rebates.

* Yelagiri Hills
Located very near to Chennai, this serves as an ideal location for organizing one day or two days Trekking.An isolated, attractive picnic spot in the Eastern Ghats is the Elagiri Hills, at an elevation of about 1000 metres. A salubrious climate, scenic surroundings and a quaint Murugan temple are some of the attractions of this place.

* Sriperumpudur
It is 29kms from Chennai on the way to Kanchipuram. It is the birth place of Saint Ramanujar, the Father of Visishtadvaida philosophy of Vaishnavism and hence an important pilgirim centre for the Vaishnavites.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Mahabalipuram

2009-12-19T13:18:00.005+05:30

Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram became the capital of Pallava rulers after Kanchipuram. 58 km from Madras, the tiny seaside village on the shores of Bay of Bengal is world-famous for its shore temples. The boulder-strewn landscape of the village is hardly a consideration for the huge influx of tourists who come here to explore its miles of unspoiled beaches and witness the splendor of the rock-cut art and architecture of the region. Unlike the other shrines in Tamil Nadu, the sculpture of Mahabalipuram depicts scenes from day-to-day life, instead of the carvings of Gods and Goddesses. The artistic architecture of Mahabalipuram can be broadly categorized into four parts: open-air bas-reliefs, structured temples, man-made caves and rock-cut 'rathas' or chariot-temples carved from single boulders.

It is a significant tourist place of Tamil Nadu and is well-known for its stunning stone carvings and ancient temples. There are several monuments in Mahabalipuram that have been recognized by the UNESCO and are must watch for the tourists embarking on a tour to Mahabalipuram. Moreover, Mahabalipuram is quite well-liked for its sun-drenched beaches that are peaceful retreats to laze or to take languorous strolls in the evening. All the tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram have their individual appeal and mirror the historic charm of the golden era. Moreover, Mahabalipuram is also an ideal point for indulging in various adventure activities such as bike trips, boat rides, fishing trips, trekking and wind surfing.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Mahabalipuram

* Arjuna's Penance
Arjuna's Penance is 27 metres long and 9 metres high bas-relief believed to be the world's largest bas-relief. It consists of two huge boulders with a cleft in the rock that depicts the descent of the Ganga on Earth to fulfill the wish of King Bhagiratha to redeem the cursed souls of his ancestors. The carvings depict two large elephants, scenes from the tales of Panchatantra, a forest with tribal people, all forms of animal life and graceful women beaming with inner beauty. The whole scene seems to have a subtle touch edge of humor that is evident in the cat doing rigorous penance against an ascetic.

* Caves
The Varaha Cave shows two incarnations of Vishnu-Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf) along with four panels of the famous Pallava doorkeepers in contemplative reverie. It is the lyrical softness and grace of these supposed to be macho-guards that make them attract the attention of the tourists. The 7th century Mahisasurmardini Cave has fine bas-reliefs on its panels while the Dharmaraja Cave sports three empty shrines. The other highlights of these caves are the Somaskanda, masterpiece of 'dhwani' (the art of suggestion) depicting Lord Vishnu and a huge theatrical panel showing Goddess Durga's fight with the demon Mahishasura. Just 5 kn from the city is another 7th century cave called Tiger Cave, a rock-cut shrine.

* Pancha Pandava Rathas
The famous Rathas or Chariots are situated at the southern extreme of Mahabalipuram. Known as the Paanch Pandava Rathas, after the five characters of Mahabharata, four of them are carved out of a single rock. The Draupadi and Arjuna Rathas are square in shape while the Bhima Ratha is linear in shape. Dharamraja Ratha is tallest of all and Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha is apsidal. Out of these rocks, gigantic stone animals have been carved out including an elephant.

* Thirukadalmallai
It is a marvelous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple was built by the Pallavas for safeguarding the sculptures from the waves of the ocean. According to the sources, after this temple was built, the remaining structure was preserved and was unharmed by the sea.

* Shore Temple
This charming temple located on the shore is the most famous among the tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram. It is located between two Shiva temples and is a visual delight recognized for its architectural masterpieces. You will find the attractive sculptures of Nandi the bull while the figure of Vishnu is present in the sanctum.

* Krishna's Butterball
This is a huge natural rock perched on a hillside and the precarious way in which it is balanced simply startles its onlookers.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Chidambaram

2009-12-18T13:32:00.005+05:30

Chidambaram, a town with ancient temples and beautiful locales, is an important tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. The lovely town of Chidambaram is situated in the east-central part of Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India. It is located in the Coleroon River Valley on the Madras-Thanjavur road and rail system. Chidambaram is a place which must be visited as it has a lot to offer, ranging from its antiquity, cultural richness, festival traditions, architectural and sculptural splendor and love for music and dance, truly a perfect representation of the rich Indian cultural heritage. Chidambaram (also Thillai) literally means the sky permeated by an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom.

Chidambaram is among the most venerated towns in the Southern India. The sacred city has some of the finest of the architectural marvels that its famous temples reflect. Among the most widely visited pilgrimage spots is the Natraja Temple that sprawls in an area of 40 acres in the heart of the city with the presiding deity being Lord Natraja.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Chidambaram

* The Nataraja Temple
The Nataraja temple is located in the center of the town and covers an area of 40 acres. It is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The deity presiding in this temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe. It is also known as Akasa Lingam. The Eastern tower has a height of 40.8 metres whereas the Northern tower has a height of 42.4 meters. One of the special things seen here are the 108 Bharatha Natyam Dance gestures on the Eastern tower as well as on Western tower. Apart from these, the Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga tank, the thousand pillar hall are other important features of the Temple.

* Vaitheeswaran Koil
This is a temple of Lord Siva and is situated down south of Chidambaram. The Vaitheeswaran Koil is famous for the Siva temple dedicated to the healer of all diseases, Vidyanatheeswarar and his consort Thaiyalnayaki. It is located around 24 kms away from Chidambaram. A bath in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex is believed to be therapeutic. It is said to contain nectar which has curative powers. It is the place of one of the Navagrahas, Angarahan (Mars).

* Gangai Kondas Cholapuram
It is situated about 50 kms away from Chidambaram. Gangaikondas Cholapuram was established as a capital by Rajandra I, a mighty Chola King. He also built a temple of Lord Siva. This temple is famous for its massiveness and richly carved sculptures. There's big Nandi in front of the temple made of brick and mortar, a lion head well with a flight of steps leading to the water level and gigantic Dwarapalakas are the other highlights of this temple. Numerous beautiful sculptures can be seen on the walls of the temple and its enclosures.

* Natyanjali Festival
The Natyanjali dance festival at Chidambaram is famous for various dance performances by well-known dancers. It brings together all the renowned dancers of India. The enchantment and elation with which they dance can be seen in their eyes and evocative abhinaya performed by them presents an outstanding scene. These dances are supposed to be offered to Lord Nataraja. Many dancers feel privileged to be able to perform in the vicinity of the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Nataraja.

* Pichavaram
Pichavaram is situated 16 kms. east of Chidambaram. It is among the most eye-pleasing destinations with abundant and varied tourism resources. Pichavaram also has backwaters which are interconnected by the Vellar and Kollidam system. These backwaters offer an array of water sports opportunities like - parasailing, rowing and canoing.

* Kalvarayan Hills
The Kalvarayan hills are situated 150 kms. north west of Chidambaram on the western side of Kallakurichi Taluk. It is sprawled over an area of 600 sq. kms, located at a height that ranges from 315 mts. to 1190 mts. The climate at these hills is temperate, offering absolute serenity. There are two waterfalls and a botanical garden here. This area is the venue of a summer festival held every year in the month of May. It is an ideal place of retreat and peace. A nicely decorated botanical garden here attracts the eyes of the visitors. One can take a refreshing bath in the two waterfalls here. It is also ideal for trekking.

* Sri Mushnam
This place is situated in the northwest of Chidambaram. The big Vishnu temple of Bhuvarahaswamy here attracts the visitors. It is one of the eight Swayam Vyaktakashethra in the south.

* Melakadambur
Melakadambur is located in the west of Chidambaram. The temple here is of the Pala art. The Nataraja found in this temple dances on a bull and the idol belongs to Pala art.

* Sirkazhi temple
It is another Siva shrine, situated 20 km from Chidambaram. It is the birthplace of one of the top 4 Saivaite saints named Thirugnana Sambandar. It is believed that Goddess Parvathi breastfed the child Gnanasambandar as he was crying in the tank bund. It is inside the temple and is known as `Mulaippal Thirtham` (Breast Milk Holy Water). A festival in memory of this legend is celebrated here during the month of April.

* Thiruvenkadu temple
Thiruvenkadu templeThis temple is 28 km from Chidambaram. It is dedicated to Agora Virabadra, a fierce aspect of Siva and is also known as Swetharanyam. The image of Lord Siva in this temple is said to be unearthed here and it is an early Chola bronze. It shows Lord Siva as a nude mendicant with the writhing cobra clinging on his thighs. The image is now in the Thanjavur Art Gallery. This Budha (Mercury), one of the Navagrahas (nine planets) is said to reside here.

* Tirapunkur
In this place, Lord Siva`s mount Nandi is said to have moved a little away to obstruct the darshan of Lord Siva to Nandanar, the harijan devotee.

* Mayiladuthurai
This is a town, which can be reached by bus from Chidambaram. Here, the Dakshinamurthi shrine is very famous along with the God of wisdom, who sits in yoga pose on a Nandi. In the centre of the town, the Mayuranathaswamy temple can be seen. It is a Siva temple with an imposing nine-storeyed tower. The image of goddesses Durga here is very impressive. Here, the devotees severe their head as an offering to the deity.

* Vazhuvur temple
Vazhuvur temple It is also a temple near Chidambaram. Here, the presiding deity is called Krithivasa, one who wears the elephant skin. This is said to be one of the eight places where Siva danced to destroy demons. The dance hall here is called `Gnana Sabai` or Hall of Wisdom. There is a Yantra known as Vazhuvur Rahasyam (mystery) behind the Gajasamharamurthi.

* Perambur
It is a Subramania temple. The image of deity is of granite and beautifully carved with 6 faces in the pose of Samharamurthi. Numerous snakes abound this place, but no one has so far been bitten. The snakes just hiss at those who enter the Iluppai garden stealthily to steal.

* Therazhundhur
This is the birth place of Kambar, who wrote the epic Ramayana in Tamil. There is a temple of sculptural value here.

* Vriddhachalam
This place is well known for the Vriddha-giriswarar temple containing a big shrine. It has high enclosing walls and four tall gopurams. The mandapam of this temple is carved like a chariot with wheels and horses. There are also 24 delicately carved pillars with Yalis supporting the roof.

* Thiruppanaiyur temple
This temple contains palmyra tree as the sacred tree. As per the legends, the great Chola king Karikala was standing under a palmyra tree. He was then picked up by the royal elephant and taken to the palace to be crowned as king. Hence, it has become the sacred tree and the place also got the name Thiruppanaiyur.

* Engan temple
Engan temple In this temple, the most beautiful and captivating idol of Lord Muruga can be seen. Here, the idol of Shanmuganathar is carved with minute details like the ear holes are pierced to insert ear-rings. It is said the sculptor of this image cut off his right thumb to avoid carving another image superior to the Singaravelar. But in his dream, Lord Muruga asked to make another image at Ettukkudi. Then he blinded his eyes as it excelled Singaravelar of Sikkil. But, he had a command to commission another image at Engan. This time he took help from a woman to assist him. During the work, his chisel cut the finger of the lady and the blood fell on his eyes. He immediately got back his eyesight and he exclaimed 'Engan' (my eyes) and completed this superb idol. Hence, the place got its name `Engan`.

* Thiruchenkattankudi temple
It is famous for Asthamurthi Mandapam. The idol of Ganapathi here is said to have been brought from Vatapi of the Chalukyan kingdom after a voyage by Chola and installed here. Tiripurantaka and Nataraja in this temple are fine specimens of Chola art.

* Thiruvanjiam temple
The sandalwood tree of this temple is the Sthala Viruksha here. The examples of fine workmanship in this temple are the images of Durga, Bhairavar, Rahu and Kethu. During the Masi Dhasami festival in February-March, the deity Vanjinatha the deity is mounted on the Yama Vahana.

* Vidyapuram
Here, Rajaraja I built a beautiful Siva temple. The presiding deity of the temple is called Meenakshisundareswarar.

* Kali Temple
The northern end of the sacred city has Thillaikaliamman temple, another of the medieval architectural marvel and greatly flocked pilgrim spots. Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 AD and 1278 AD, built the temple.

* Annamalai University
A hot center of Tamil learning, Annamalai University is a residential University founded by the Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar. The university is also great centre of Carnatic music and offers educational facilities in various disciplines including Medicine, Agriculture and Engineering.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Coimbatore

2009-12-17T09:47:00.006+05:30

Coimbatore is the third largest city of Tamil Nadu after Chennai and Tiruchirapalli. It is one of the major industrial hubs of south India with huge textile mills and engineering units, sometime called as the “Manchester of South India” or the "Textile Capital Of South India" . It is also convenient base to visit the Nilgiri Hill Stations.

The location of the city is in such a way that it forms a part of the rain shadow region of Western Ghats offering pleasant climate throughout the year. Coimbatore, known for its thriving textile industries is also a place of tourist’s importance. It has many temples built in the ancient era. The city is also the gateway to the popular hill station of Ooty.

Coimbatore is a major industrial centre in Tamil Nadu noted for its textile mills, agricultural, auto parts and engineering industry. One can buy cotton apparels and hosiery products from Thiruppur. The best places to go shopping are Big Bazaar at Oppanakkara Street and Raja Street at Ranga Gownder Street. However, for Handloom Saris, one may opt for Sukravar Pettai.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Coimbatore

* Perur Patteeswaraswamy Temple
Perur temple is situated 7 Kms west of Coimbatore near river Noyyal. Perur temple is one of the best known Shivastalams of the Kongu region. It was built by the King Karikala Cholan . T his temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva also known as Patheeswarar. The sculptures in the hall, Kanagasabai are exquisite. This is also called Mel Chidambaram. The temple has its significance in earlier days that unfolds the poetic creations of Arunagiri Nather and Kachiappa Munivar.

* Muruga Marudhamalai Temple
Marudhamalai Temple located on a hillock is 12 kms from the Coimbatore railway station. This temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanian. Marudhamalai Murugan Temple is one of the most visited temples in the region, the reason being that the residing deity Dandayuthapani is believed to have performed several miracles here. The temple is situated on the Murudamalai Mountain visited by large number of tourists during festivals. It is believed that the presiding deity "Dandayuthapani" had performed several miracles here.

* Aanamalai Indira Gandhi Wild life Sanctuary
Aanaimalai wildlife sanctuary is about 90-kms from Coimbatore and is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi. The area of the sanctuary is 958 sq. kms. This place is a home to various kinds of Fauna like Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Deer, Wild Bear, Wild Dog, Porcupine, Flying Squirrel, Jackal, Pangolin, Civet Cat And Birds Like Rocket-Tailed Drongo, Re-Whiskered Bulbul, Black Headed Oriole, Tree Pie, Spotted Dove, Green Pigeon, etc. The Amaravati reservoir in the Aanaimalai wildlife sanctuary is home to a large number of crocodiles.

* Bhavani Sagar
This place is called as Tiruveni of South India; the Sangameshwarar temple at Bhavani is situated at the confluence of the rivers Bhavani and Cauvery. It is an important pilgrim centre. Lord Sangameshwarer with his consort Vedanayaki is the presiding deity. It is said that during the British rule, the Collector of Coimbatore and Salem Districts, William Garrow, had his headquarters at Bhavani, worshipped the Goddess Vedanayaki at this temple. One night the Goddess directed him in his dream to vacate his bungalow immediately. Just after he vacated, the entire bungalow collapsed. As thanks giving for this miracle, he presented an ivory cradle to the temple with his signature and it can be seen in the temple. The lower Bhavani Dam is located on the Bhavani River. It is constructed after India's independence. It is best picnic spot.

* Top Slip
Top Slip is a Hill Station. It is a picturesque located in the Aanaimalai Hills. It is about 37 kms from Pollachi. Pollachi is 40 kms from Coimbatore . This small town is an ideal picnic spot.

* Thirumoorthy Hills
It is situated at the foot of Thirumoorthy Hills adjoining the Thirumoorthy Dam. This is about 20 kms from Udumalpet on the Highway from Palani to Coimbatore . A perennial stream flows by the side of the Sri Amalingeswarar temple and nearby there is a waterfall. The Crocodile Farm at Amaravathi Dam is just 25 kms from here. This place is being developed as a District Excursion Centre.

* Black Thunder Amusement Park
Asia's No.1 Water Theme Park It is about 40 km. from Coimbatore . Amusement park is set at the view of the Niligiris. It has different fun games. It is a thrilling and adventures water park. The park offers exciting moments of adventure and fun while you are with your family and friends. This is the best place for children to experience fun and joy; take a break from your busy life to experience some extraordinary events at Black Thunder.

* Kovai Kutralam
This fall is amidst a thick forest, hence visitors are not allowed after 5 pm. The Kovai Kutralam waterfalls are located in the Siruvani Hills. It is situated in the dark forest area of the outer part of Coimbatore. The Siruvani River, which flows in the Siruvani Hills, which makes the famous Kovai Kutralam waterfalls. The water fall is about 37 kilometers away from Coimbatore city and the water fall is popularly known for its magnificence.

* Thirumurthy Dam
This is Located about 20 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore. A perennial stream flows by the side of the Amalingeswarar temple and near by there is a water fall. Thirumurthy Dam is built adjoining the Thirumurthy Hill. It is situated at the foot of Thirumurthy Hills adjoining the Thirumurthy Dam. This is about 20 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore. A perennial stream flows by the side of the Amalingeswarar temple and near by there is a water fall. This place is being developed as District Excursion Centre.

* Amaravathy
Amaravathi Reservoir is created by a dam in the district of Coimbatore, India. The Government had ordered release of 1,500 cusecs from Monday for drinking water needs of Karur town and 300 cusecs for irrigation of 9,000 acres in Udumalpet taluk from August 11, but the incessant rains pushed the early release of surplus water. Amaravathy is 25 Kms from Thirumoorthy Dam.

* Aliyer dam
There is a park and boating can also be done. It is located about 65 Km from Coimbatore and it is found on the foothills of Valparai. Here, Aliyar lake receives water from upper aliyar reservoir through hydro-electric power station in Navamali and the Parambikulam reservoir through a contour canal. Near Aliyar dam, a good-looking park, an aquarium and a mini theme park is being maintained by Tamilnadu Fisheries Corporation. It's 2 km beyond the Aliyar Dam, is the Aliyar ashram.The dam has a height of 81 m from the deepest foundation. It is about 64 kms from Coimbatore.

* VOC Park
The VOC Park is the most appropriate place to go with children. The Coimbatore Corporation maintains the park. The Park houses a mini Zoo, models of prehistoric dinosaurs, Children' Train, Swing, Slider, Seesaw and other play equipment and is more like an amusement park for the children. Dedicated to the memory of the freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram VOC Park has mini zoo, children train and gardens with the replicas of pre-historic dinosaurs.

* Agriculture University
The location was moved to Coimbatore in 1907 and the name was changed to Agricultural College, which later, came to be known as the Agricultural University. One of the best institutions of its kind in South Asia, the Agricultural University was originally established as an Agriculture Farm in Saidapet, Chennai. It is 5 kms away from the Railway Station. This is the sixteenth Farm University in independent India. Though it came into existence on June 1, 1971 its ancestry is much older than that of the earliest started Agricultural University in the country.

* Valparai Hill Station
There are many waterfalls, stream, dams and many dense forests in the Anamalai range. This hill station is 102 kilometers from Coimbatore. The main plantation here is tea. The place looks green all over. It is also a fine picnic spot of exhuberance place of Interest in the city. One can travel to Kerala from Valparai through the mountain route.

* Siruvani Waterfalls & Dam
The water of Siruvani is known for its taste. The panoramic views of the dam and the falls are enchanting. This waterfalls and the dam are located at a distance of 37 kms west of the city. The water of Siruvani is known for its minerals and taste. The landscapes views of the surroundings of the dam and the falls are very beautiful.

* Forest College Museum
The Forest College, situated 3.5 kms from the Coimbatore railway station has one museum of worth a visit. It is one of the oldest colleges of the country. The museum houses the fossils of plants and animals. It has also a rare collection of dead specimen of plants and animals of different variety. The museum has one special advisory counter offering service to promote businesses related to plant husbandry.

* Khadi Gandhi Gallery
The Khadi Gandhi Gallery came up in the city on 15th of July 1970 by the assistance of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The gallery exhibits pictures of Mahatma Gandhi right from his childhood. Separate cubicles are arranged for each phase in Gandhi' life, which shows all major events that occurred in his life. You can also see rare collections of photographs titled 'Journey through Harijan Life', 'Family', 'Friends', 'Independence Struggle', 'Jail Life' and "Peace Talks'. Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated with grandeur in this gallery and the collector visits the gallery during 'Gandhi Jayanti' and participates in the function followed by bhajans.

* Government Museum
The Government Museum of Coimbatore was established in the year 1989. The museum is situated in VOC Park Road, which bears the remnants of various tribes of the place. The museum has been divided into 5 sections. The main objects displayed in the museum include fossil remains and age-old tools, the megalithic burial materials, treasure trove materials, ancient coins and decorative artifacts. A separate section for old rocks, minerals and wood fossils and tribal medicinal plants is also there to raise tourist’s interests.

* Tamil Nadu Agriculture University
Coimbatore is the home to one of the best institutions in South Asia - the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Situated five kilometers away from the railway station, the university also houses one botanical garden which is the main attraction here. Located towards the west of the city centre and spread over an area of 300 hectares, the garden has a good collection of different species of flowering plants and trees.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Chennai

2009-12-16T14:30:00.003+05:30

Chennai is the gateway to South Indian peninsula; also a place of historic importance. It is a pulsating city, ever changing and ever expanding. The city is probably the most peaceful and green metropolis of India. It was once a group of small villages until the appearance of East India Company to set up a new trade centre in the place. This land was known as Fort St. George during British era.

The city is connected by four main roads. Georgetown is to the northwest while Egmore, Triplicane and Mylapore are to the south of Chennai. The city is a blend of temples, churches, monuments and several other prime destinations. Its fascinating monuments and churches date back to the Portuguese and British period. The spectacular Marina Beach stretches 13 km along the city’s eastern flank which is a favourite place for the city dwellers and visitors.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Chennai

* Kalakshetra
Rukmini Devi Arundale founded a world-renowned centre of excellence for dance, music, arts and crafts, in 1936. Housed on over 100 acres at Thiruvanmiyur, it has produced many fine exponents of the Bharatnatyam dance tradition. Following the ancient Gurukula system of education, students from across the globe are taught nuances of traditional dance, music and art amidst the fresh air, large trees and the chirping of birds.

* Theosophical Society
Founded by Madame H.P. Blavatsky and Col. H.S. Olcott in 1875 .It is located on a vast expanse of over 250 acres on the banks of the Adyar estuary amidst the natural surroundings. It provides a peaceful retreat from the city. The Adyar Banyan tree with its roots spreading over 40,000 sq.ft and its library, a research centre in eastern civilization, philosophy and religion, are worth seeing. There is a church, mosque, Buddhist shrine and Hindu temple on the grounds.

* Lalit Kala Akademi
Located on Greams Road you can see Paintings, artifacts from artists and artisans from every nook and corner of India here. Equal importance is also placed on literature, especially the vernacular ones.

* Tamilnadu Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu
A state-level cultural organization set-up by the State Government at Pantheon Road, Egmore for promoting visual and graphic arts in the state through well-structured programmes.

* Birla Planetarium
Part of the Periyar Science and Technology Centre at Kotturpuram, this is a voyage of discovery for the young and the old. This air-conditioned modern planetarium with a seating capacity of 236 brings to life celestial phenomena replete with special effects. It also conducts courses in astronomy and night-sky observations for public on every second Saturday.

* Valluvar Kottam
The memorial to the poet-saint Tiruvalluvar is shaped like a temple chariot and is the replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur. A life-size statue of the saint has been installed in the 33m tall chariot. The 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural have been depicted in bas-relief in the front hall corridors of the chariot. The auditorium at Valluvar Kottam is said to be the largest in Asia and can accommodate about 4000 people. It stands as a modern memorial to the great poet who represents the glorious culture of the Tamils.

* Film City
A favorite fixture with film producers of the South, it is also a popular tourist spot. The restaurant in this complex, Taramani Talkies, will appeal those who are looking for an offbeat decor. AVM studios are the only one routinely open to the public.

* High Court
A magnificent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. In 1841, a granite Doric column of 49m was erected to function as the second light house. Besides the High Court, the Small Causes Court and the City Civil Court function here.

* Ripon Building
The attractive white structure, close to Chennai Central, is 252 ft. long and 126 ft wide. It has a 132 ft tall tower and a mighty clock 8 ft in diameter. Currently, it is the headquarters of Chennai Corporation.

* Government Museum
This Museum is worth visiting. The main building has a fine archaeological section representing all the major South Indian periods including Chola, Vijaynagara, Hoysala and Chalukya.The bronze gallery has a superb collection of Chola Art. You will find the most impressive bronze statue of Lord. Ardhanarishwra.You can also visit the National Art Gallery located in the same compound. The fascinating array of 10th -18th century Mughal, Rajasthani and Deccan artworks are displayed here.

* Vivekananda Museum
The Vivekananda Museum on South Beach Road is located in a building formerly known as the Ice House that used to store the massive ice blocks transported from North America. Later Swami Vivekananda used to preach from the same venue. Now it houses the collection of photographs and memorabilia from his life.

* Development Centre for Musical Instruments
You will find numerous ancient and modern Indian musical instruments exhibited here.

* St Andrews Church
This classical style church was completed in 1821.The impressive blue dome is decorated with gold stars.

* Luz Church
This 16th century church is dedicated to Our Lady of Light said to be oldest church in Chennai.It was built by Portuguese sailors as a thanksgiving to Our Lady.

* Guindy national Park, Snake Park and Children's Park
These parks are located adjacent to each other in Adyar.The children's park is small and pleasant with small animals like peacocks, otters and porcupines etc. You will find two elephants lounge under the watchful eyes of their mahout. Snake Park with its lizards, crocodiles and turtles is more interesting.

* Little Mount Church
Known locally as Chinnamalai this tiny cave is said to be the place where St.Thomas believed to have lived when he came to India around AD 58.Enter the cave via Portuguese church built in 1551.

* Vadapalani Temple
The Vadapalani Andavar temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga being built 125 years ago. Renowned for bringing people together, this temple conducts about 7,000 weddings annually.

* Ashtalakshmi Temple
This new temple is one of the three shore temples open to worship on the east coast. Dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi in her eight forms it is located on Elliots Beach.

* Mangadu Temple
Famous for the idol of the Goddess Parvati performing one of her many penances - standing on the leg over the five fires with a visage showing perfect serenity. It is 23 kms from the heart of the city located between Iyyappanthangal & Poonamallee.

* Christ the King Church
Commissioned by French clergymen this church was designed and built by an Indian mason in 1933. It is a fine example of gothic architecture standing majestically in the middle of Loyola College campus. It has pointed arches, ribbed vaults, rose windows, three-aisled nave and flying buttresses. Covering an area of 150 feet by 60 feet, with stained glass windows, this church is a captivating sight, inside as well as outside. The spire is 157 feet high and has a stairway leading to the top, where a cross stands.

* Kali Bari Temple
This is a replica of the famed Kalighata Temple in Calcutta thronged by Bengalis.

* The Armenian Church of Virgin Mary
Built, in 1772, on the site of the Armenian cemetery, this church houses a magnificent belfry six bells, claimed to be the largest bells in Chennai. It is located on Armenian Street.

* C.S.I. Holy Cross Church
More than 120 years old, it was originally called the Perambur Railway Church, when it was under the railway authorities. It earlier had a pre dominantly Anglo-Indian congregation though now everybody attends it. It is located on 16, Siruvalluvur Rd, Chennai.

* Descanso
Lying amidst the cultural and religious centre of Mylapore, this 17th century church is said to have been the place where St. Thomas took rest and also served the people.

* St.Thomas Mount
Legend has it that Thomas, an apostle of Christ, preached atop the hill here. He is said to have been killed on this 300 ft. high mount. The paintings of 'The Holy Lady and The Child' and 'Our Lady of Expectations' exhibited in this church are believed to have been done by St. Thomas. It is located near Meenambakkam.

* St. George's Cathedral
A striking piece of architecture, the St. George's Cathdral was built in 1815. It has a towering 45m spire and lonic columns. The highlight of this Cathedral is the graveyard just adjacent to it with its guardrail made up of war emblems of muskets, bayonets etc captured from Srirangapatnam in 1799.

* Parthsarthy Temple
The temple was built in the 8th century by the Pallava kings of South India. It was renovated by the mighty Vijayanagar kings in the 16th century. The temple, situated in Triplicane, another beach in Chennai and one of the major harbours during Pallava time, is famed for the beauty of its gopuram (arched gateway) and its architecture. The entire locality is fashioned around the temple.

* Kapaleeshwar Temple
This temple was constructed in the 13th century and is a living example of the architectural skills of the Dravidians. Situated in the Malaypore area of Chennai, the temple is the nucleus of the local tank market and residential quarters around it. It is constructed in the Dravidian style, this ancient temple is dedicated to lord Shiva .It displays the architectural elements like gopurams, mandapams and a tank. The main entrance facing east is painted in red, blue and yellow with Puranic legends sculpted on the sanctum sanctorum.

* Santhome Cathedral
This Roman Catholic church built in Neo Gothic style located near Kapaleeshwarar temple is said to house the remains of St Thomas the Apostle. The church is built over the tomb of apostle St. Thomas, the Santhome Cathedral is an important pilgrimage centre. According to legends, St. Thomas arrived in India from Palestine in AD 52 and died after 26 year. The church was built after a millennium, probably by the Persian Christians, and his remains were moved inside. The church was refurbished in 1606 and made into a cathedral. Again, in 1806, it was rebuilt as a basilica. There is a museum in its premises with a 16th-century map of South Asia.

* Fort St. George
The most powerful symbol of the British Empire in its early days in India, Fort St. George was the first piece of real estate for British in India. For many, it is still unclear that why Sir Day (the founder) choose this place to build this important fort, leaving many other picturesque locations on the vast coastline of the Bay of Bengal. The fort has a grey granite exterior unlike the Mughal forts that has lavish ornamentation and luxury. It housed barracks for the British army, a parade ground, and the oldest church of Chennai-the St. Mary's Church.

* Marina Beach
The beach extends from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram. The beach looks spectacular at dusk when the setting sun casts iridescent glow and peddlers sell everything from ice creams to roasted peanuts to balloons. You can also read your future from the fortune tellers and palm readers who lure the visitors by various means. Don't try to show your swimming skills here as the sea can get quite rough here.

* Velankanni Church
This church is in honour of Our Lady of Health, the Madonna of Velankanni. The devotees believe in the miraculous curative powers of the Madonna.

* Big Mosque
Hidden behind the modern buildings on Triplicane High Road, this renowned place of worship for Muslims, built in 1795, is a marvelous granite structure.

* Thousand Lights Mosque
Close to, the Anna flyover on Mount Road lays this mosque on 3 acres of land. Renovated a couple of times this century; it has two tall minarets and a separate place of worship for women.

* Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha
The holy place for Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha is remarkable for its serene ambience.

* Jain Temple
A striking contrast to the rock hewn temples of Tamilnadu is the Jain temple. The two-tiered, 70' high temple is built of lime-and-soapstone and marble giving it a dazzling appearance.

* Bah'a'i Centre
A place of worship full of solemnity, sobriety and peace.

* Horticultural Gardens
Located in the heart of the city on Cathedral Rd, this 22-acre lush garden is as if a whiff of fresh air for Chennaiites.You will find rare trees, medicinal herbs and shrubs aplenty here. Plants, saplings and seeds are available for sale.

* National Art Gallery
Built in 1906, the gallery is situated in a splendid Indo-Saracenic edifice. The building was initially known as Victoria Memorial Hall and was designed by Henry Irwin. The eminent historian Tillotson described it as one of "the proudest expressions of the Indo-Sarcenic movement". There is a good collection of old paintings and sculptures including Tanjore paintings on glass; Rajput and Mughal miniature paintings; Deccan paintings from 17th century; and handcrafts, metalware, and ivory carvings from 11th and 12th century.

* Nageswara Park
This park at Luz corner was developed a couple of years ago with the initiative of the elected Council that took charge at Ripon Building in 1996. The walkways, fountains and garden benches have also attracted filmmakers for whom this park is a preferred shoot location. New garden light fittings are an additional attraction for visitors. The park that is open to the public on all days has a separate play area for children. The park has a well-maintained garden with varieties of trees like Lapostromea, Capsia Fistula and Tabulia and foliage trees like Pungam, Neem, Palms, Ficus Religiosa and Thespesia. Medicinal and Ornamental plants are also found here.

* Dr Natesan Park
Dr. Natesan Park, in T.Nagar, attracts hundreds of visitors everyday. Spread over 4 acres, with long walkways, fountains and garden lights, this park was opened to the public on September 13, 1950. Situated in the heart of the city, the park has a variety of trees and plants like Crotons, aralias, bougainvilleas, acalypha, ceesil peniea, pulcharima, mahogany, neem and gulmohur. It has a separate tennis court for coaching children. There is also play zone for children.

* Sivan Park
Sivan Park on P.T.Rajan Salai, K.K.Nagar has well-maintained lawns, pathways and play area for children. You can see various monument replicas, like that of the Gateway of India. There is a 15 feet high statue of Lord Siva, depicted in a posture of meditation. The statue is designed in such a way that water flows down from the head, from a height of about 15 feet, giving it a cascading effect. The park has a good collection of trees including Petophorum, Rain tree, Gulmohur and shrubs like acalyppa, creepers and ground covers. In addition, a nursery sells plants to visitors to the park.

* Mayday Park
May Day Park, originally known as Napier Park, is situated on Deputy Mayor Kabalamoorthy Road in Chintadripet. Spread over 14.5 acres, the Park is used to hold public meetings during the May Day celebrations. Even political parties and associations take out rallies from the park. May Day Park is divided into two portions. The park, proper, is on the eastern side and on the western side is a well-maintained playground used by the neighborhood children.

* Vandalur Zoo
One of the finest open-air zoos in India, this wildlife enthusiast's delight is located 30 kms south of Chennai. Mini safaris are organized here.

* Light House
A massive tall structure situated at south end of the Marina Beach beckons the visitors in the evening and adds glory to the golden sands. All India Radio (AIR) radio broadcast station is located opposite to the lighthouse.

* Pancha Mandapams
Adjoining the Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan) at Guindy, there are five memorials. To the father of the nation - Mahatma Gandhi, the first Indian Governor General - C Rajagopalachari, former Chief Ministers of the state - Kamaraj and Bhaktavatsalam and one to Martyrs.The Gandhi Mandapam is immediately recognisable by the temple gopuram styling of its portals. The Kamaraj memorial has a distinctive Charakha (Spinning Wheel) atop the memorial. The Rajaji memorial, with its dominating pink, is quite conspicuous. Clustered among these are the memorials to Bhaktavatsalam and the Martyrs.

* Chennai War Cemetery
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission set up the Chennai War Cemetery in 1952 as a tribute to the valiant men and women who laid down their lives in the Second World War. The Stone of Remembrance greets the visitor to the Chennai War Cemetery with the words from the Book of Ecclesiasticus 'Their Name Liveth For Evermore'. There is the Cross of Sacrifice, set up on an octagonal base bearing a bronze sword upon its shaft. These two monuments are common to all large CWGC cemeteries. The Chennai War Cemetery honors 855 men and women of the Commonwealth forces and one Polish airman who died during the war of 1939 - 1945. It has been a kind of second burial for these armed forces personnel, who died in the line of duty at different places while serving in various units during the war. Most of the graves were brought together from civil and cantonment cemeteries in the South and East of India. There is also a memorial commemorating a merchant seaman who was buried elsewhere. The Cemetery also has three non-world war graves. There is also a Memorial to soldiers who died in the First World War 1914 - 1918. It is known as the Chennai Memorial. The Chennai Memorial has the names of all the 1,039 men who died in the First World War inscribed on it. It is located at Nandambakkam

Kerala Tourism - Kollam

2009-12-15T12:50:00.007+05:30

Kollam, till recently officially called Quilon, was an old seaport known as the gateway to Kerala is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. Being the important hub for the State's marine products industry, it has the port of Neendakara which is the centre for trawlers and ice plants. Neendakara is an important fishing center here, It is also the center of ice plants and trawlers.

Being newly developed, Kollam's beauty is a blend of tradition and modernism. It has the aura of the elite looks of the old traditions. The district of Kollam is gifted with sea, lakes, backwaters, black green forests, cashew plantations and rivers .It is a miniature copy of the entire state Kerala. The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style.

¤ Tourist Attractions in Kollam

* Ashtamudi Lake
The serene Ashtamudi Lake is a great place to hanker for in the Kollam district. The house boat trips here are great pleasures and so is the boat cruise. The boat cruise to Munroe Islands is a wonderful experience. The popular cruises one can avail at the place are Kayal Pradkashina Cruise and Sayanthanam Sunset Cruise.

* Quilon
The Dutch Quilon as it was called used to be a British Enclave. The place is also popular as Thangasseri. The lighthouse built at Quilon by the British in the year 1902 is visible as far as 13 miles in the sea. The lighthouse stands to an amazing height of 144 feet. The picturesque view of the sea from the place where lighthouse stands is breathtaking. In the vicinity lies the Portuguese Fort. The fort was built in the year 1517 and at present only a wall of the fort has escaped the assaults made by the time.

* Thirumullavaram Beach
The beach is located about 6 kms from Kollam. The place features a number of legends. Located on the beach is Maha Vishnu Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple houses two images of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva facing the east and the west directions. The legend has it that the original temple lies beneath the sea, about a kilometre away.

* Thevally Palace
Thevally palace is popular for the legendary love of a British resident with a lady from the palace. The place is currently occupied by the army and Public Works Department.

* Jetayu Rock
Jetayu Para is a huge rock the reference of which has been mentioned in the epic Ramayana. The rock is believed to be the spot where the large bird 'Jetayu' fell after failing to spot Ravana while he was taking Sita away.

* Anchal
Anchal is a small town known for its cattle market. The cattle market is held twice in a month and is a large crowd puller. The Mudi festival, celebrated after every 12 years also witnesses a great rush of the people.

* Chavara
Chavara is one important industrialized zones in the state of Kerala. There are large mineral deposits located in the Chavara region. The place supports four major industrial establishments which includes Indian Rare Earths, The Kerala Premo Pipe factory, Kerala Mineral and Metal factory and Titanium Complex.

* Sasthamkotta Lake
Sasthamkotta, the 'Queen of Lakes' is the largest lake in Kerala. Sasthamkotta Lake is located 29kms from Kollam city. Journey through the lake would be really memorable. Sasthankotta is a fresh water lake, surrounded by hills on the three sides. There is an ancient pilgrim center around the lake called Sastha Temple. The tourists can make use of the Pleasure Boating Facility at Sasthamkotta to take a cruise through the freshwater lake stretching over valleys of imposing hills.

* Thirumullavaram
Thirumullavaram, 5 kilometres from Kollam, is the best beach spot. The calm Arabian Sea stretches a long way and the tourists can bask in the cool breeze pervading the place. This expansive beach is an ideal spot for swimming and bathing as well.

* Thankassery
Thangassery is a historical village which is 5 kilometres from Kollam, treasures the awesome remnants of the Portuguese and Dutch forts. Legend has it that the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British ruled this place in succession. A 45 metre high lighthouse is an added attraction to this place.

* Paravoor
Paravoor, 20 kilometres from Kollam, is a narrow skirt of land stretching in between the backwaters and the sea. A beach resort by KTDC and a major water sports complex by Kollam DTPC will adorn this place very soon. The famous Varkala beach is a mere 15 kilometres drive from here. Paravoor is well connected by road and rail.

* Thenmala
Thenmala, 68 kilometres East of Kollam, is a traveller's delight surrounded by dense forests in the Eastern ranges. The Thenmala Dam and pleasure boating along Senthurini Wild Life Sanctuary, organised by Kollam DTPC, is a visual treat to the tourists. The name comes from the best quality honey that this place produce. Thriving forests, riverside trekking and tree top huts are other spots of tourist interest.

* Krishnapuram Palace Museum
It is one of the monuments that can rightfully be called the pride of Kerala. The building has been carefully restored to give visitors the feel of how it looked during the early days.

* Kottangulangara Chamayavilakku
Kottankulangara Chamayavillanku is a special attraction of this place. During the festival celebrated here, hundreds of well built men dress up in the attire of females with the appearance of comely females.

* Picnic Village
This is a government venture which is the center of recreational activities in Kollam district. It is located in Asharamam along the backwaters shore. The main attractions are an Adventure Park, a Tourist club, Children’s traffic park. There is an ancient (200 years old) Government rest house also there.

* Rameshwara Temple
Rameshware temple has inscriptions in Tamil which vindicate the art forms of the Pandyan period dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. Any viewer will be stunned by the liveliness of the Vyala monster sculptures in this temple as the creatures appear animated and actually climbing up the stairs with their outstretched paws!

* Karunagappally
Karunagappally town has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, two old mosques and a Mar Thoma Church. An idol of Buddha, recovered from a local tank here, is now kept in the Krishnapuram Palace near Ochira. Karunagappally is situated 27 kms from Kollam Town.

* Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple
This magnificent temple situated on the MC Road is another place of tourist interest. Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple is located 11Kms from Kollam.

* Palaruvi Waterfalls
Palaruvi literally meaning the stream of milk, these enchanting waterfalls offers a glorious view of the water cascading from a height of 300 feet offer. The woods around add to natural beauty. Palaruvi waterfalls is located 75Kms from Kollam city. It is believed that the falling water possess medicinal value.

Tamil Nadu Tourism

2009-12-14T14:52:00.001+05:30

Tamil Nadu is the land of the Tamils and it has a history that dates back to several thousand years. It is a land of ancient Dravidian culture where traditions and culture blend and continue to live in harmony. The state abounds in monuments and temples that are ancient and each has its own story of religious, artistic and cultural accomplishment and specialty waiting to be heard.

Tamil Nadu extends from the Coromandel Coast in the east to the forested Western Ghats in the west. The state is also the site of ancient Cholamandalam where the Chola kings built magnificent temples at Thanjavur and at other places. We will be amazed to see the temples at Madurai and Chidambaram which witnessed an efflorescence of dance, music and literature in Tamil Nadu. The temple architecture, is a living museum of styles that originated in the seventh century and matured in the huge temple complexes studded with towering gateways—gopurams—that soar above the markets of almost every town.

The 7th century port city of Mamallpuram with its spectacular rock-cut temples is now a world heritage site. Most of the towns of the state are prefixed with Tiru which means sacred; so indicates the presence of religious spots. The spectacular un-spoilt landscapes of Kodaikanal and Mudumalai wild life sanctuary remain popular destinations for visitors. Golden sands of the beach are dotted with coconut palm and casuarina groves. The sea washes ashore pebbles and shells and the gentle breeze sways the yachts and catamarans into the deeper waters of the sea and the waters form small dunes on the shore. Crabs play hide-and-seek by coming out of one burrow, and taking refuge in another. Sea gulls hover in the sky and then rest on the sails of the fishing boats. There are many more breathtaking sights that will please you and hold you spell bound in Tamil Nadu.

For many, Tamil Nadu evokes the picture of elaborate stone-sculpted temples intrigued in a forgotten past. Some of its temples have earned the status of World Heritage Monument. But there are many other tourist attractions in Tamilnadu. In its idyllic hill stations, spectacular beaches, scenic planes, and variegated wild lives and not to mention numerous temples, the state offers a heady mix.

The temples in Tamil Nadu represent the quintessence of Dravidian culture. Several dynasties like: Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas and Pandyan have ruled over the land and left indelible mark on it in their marvelous creations. Master craftsmen have etched in stone the tales from myths and legends, epic battles, demons with intricate details on the temple facades, which have defied time. Tamil Nadu is deservingly called The Land of Enduring Heritage.

Kerala Tourism - Pathanamthitta

2009-12-12T23:29:00.006+05:30

Pathanamthitta district, located near the Western Ghats and surrounded by hills, has stretches of forests, rivers and rural landscapes. Pathanamthitta is famous for its natural beauty, fairs and festivals. A Tour to Pathanamthitta gives you the wonderful chance to view nature at its very best. The vast stretches of forests, the meandering rivers and the rural topography combine to create an irresistible charm. Pathanamthitta is a small city which is a thickly forested region dotted with mountains and rivers and temples.

Pathanamthitta is geographically a hilly terrain of pristine beauty amidst the various places of tourist interest in Kerala. Being a host to a number of famous fairs and festivals, it is popular as the headquarters of pilgrim worship in Kerala. It is noted for biodiversity, having several plantations and spice farms. The place is nourished by three west flowing rivers too, the Pamba, the Manimala and the Achankovil Rivers, and houses wild life and bird sanctuaries. Sabarimala, one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the world for Hindus, dedicated to Lord Ayyappan falls into this district.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Pathanamthitta

* Sabarimala Sree Dharmasastha Temple
One of the most famous pilgrim centres in India, Sabarimala is situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 914 m above sea level and is accessible only by foot, from Pamba (4kms). The hold shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India, from different castes, creed, especially from other parts of South India. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season, which is from Nov to mid Jan. The Temple remains closed during the rest of the year, except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during 'Vishu' in April. Sabarimala is surrounded by hazardous hills like Karimala and Neelimala. Men of all ages are allowed inside the temple but women only below 10 years and above 50 years of age are permitted inside.

* Pandalam
Pandalam is perhaps second only to Sabarimala, in sanctity and significance. Lord Ayyappa, the presiding diety of Sabarimala had his human sojourn as the son of Raja of Pandalam. It is believed that the Raja constructed a temple close to his palace on the banks of river Achankoil modeled on the Sbarimala shrine which is the present Valiya Koickal temple. Pilgrims usually wiorship here before proceding to Sabarimala. Three days prior to Makaravilakku, the chest containing Thiruvabharanam (the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa kept here) is taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala. The nearest railway station is Chengannur.

* Kozhencherry
The religious convention known as the Maramon convention is held annually in February/ March on the river bed at Maramon near Kozhencherry. This is the biggest religious gathering of the Christians in Asia.

* Niranam
The oldest Christian church believed to be built by the Apostle St. Thomas in 52A.D. is situated at Niranam.

* Parumala
Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, a Saint of Malankara Orthodox Church is burried here. This is also a famous Christian pilgrim centre . The orma perunnal (Remembrance Day) is celebrated during November every year. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla.

* Manjinikkara
The mortal remains of Mar Ignatius Elias 111, the Patriarch of Antioch who died during a visit to India is buried here. the tomb of the patriarch has become a popular pilgrim centre for Christians. It is located 6kms away from Pathanamthitta.

* Malayalappuzha
The Bhagavathi temple here is believed to help people realize their dreams. People bring offering in different forms during the festival. There are also beautiful wall paintings and artistic stone works. It is situated 8kms away from Pathanamthitta.

* Koduman
The chief attraction of this place is Spider temple. It is believed that spider poison is cured by praying at this temple. It is also the birth place of Sree Sakthi Bhadra, author of well known Sanskrit play, Ascharya Chudamani.

* Thiruvalla Srevallabha Temple
This temple is one of the most important pilgrim centre for Vaishnavites all over India. A granite pillar carved out of a single piece with an image of Garuda on its top stands in front of the temple. The pillar which serves as a flag staff is 60ft. in height. Kathakali, the classical dance of Kerala, is performed almost all nights in this temple as offerings by devotees. The temple is situated 3kms away from the railway station.

* Paliakara Church
It is situated in Thiruvalla town, this famous Christian Church has a collection of beautiful mural paintings.

* Kaviyoor
The temple here dedicated to Sree Hanuman Stands on a small hill and has been built in the gable style of architecture peculiar to Kerala. There is another rock-cut temple 2kms away from the kaviyoor temple, which is great archeological importance. The temple has been assigned to the 8th century.A.D. , due to its close resemblances to the Pallava style. It is about 20 feet broad and thwe central shrine is a squire cell with a rock cut Sivalinga. The stone figures engraved in this temple are among the earliest specimens of stone culture. This temple is now preserved as a historical monument by the Archeology department. The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla.

* Pathanamthitta Mosque
the feast of this mosque is known as Chandanakudam is celebrated every year on the 2nd week of February. A colourful procession with comparisoned elephants lends colour and festivity to the occation.

* Mannadi
Veluthambi Dalawa, the gallant freedom fighter of Travancore spent his last days here. There is an ancient Bhagavathi temple here with some stone sculptures. The most important festival of this temple is Ushabali, which falls in February/ March. Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folkarts functions here.

* Kadammanitta
This sleepy little village is famous for the ritual folk art called Padayani which is performed annually in the latter part of April in the Devi temple at Kadammanitta. There is also a collection of sculptures based on poems by the well known poet Ramakrishnan. It is situated 8kms away from Pathanamthitta.

* River Pamba
This is the main halting point on the way to Sabarimala, the famous pilgrim centre. It is also known as 'Thriveni Sangamam', the meeting point of three rivers.

* Perunthenaruvi
The Perunthenaruvi water falls near Pampa attracts thousands of people from inside and outside the district. Here, the water flows down a rocky bed into a ravine 60 to 100 feet deep. This beautiful natural water falls is an ideal place of tourist destination, as people all over the world get fascinated by this water-falls which is only 10 kms from Erumely.

* Cherukolpuzha Convention
Ayiroor Cherukolpuzha religious convention is yet another important annual religious edition on the river - bed of the Pamba. Large number of people attends this well-known Hindu religious convention.

* Chandanakkudam Festival
Thousands of devotees solemnly attend this festival of the Jama - Al Mosque at Pathanamthitta. The event is held in February every year. The Kattur Mosque in Cherukos and the Kalamala Mosque near Adoor also have some corresponding celebrations alongwith this festival.

* Charalkunnu Hill station
The picturesque hill station offers a panoramic view of the nearby valleys. A camp house on the hill provides comfortable lodging.

* Uthrittathi Boat Race
The auspicious day, Uthrittathi, which comes after every Thiruvonam in August - September is the day on which the Uthrittathi Boat Race on the River Pamba near the Partha Sarathy Temple at Aranmula is organized. It has grown into a mega annual tourist event as well these years in addition to being a prominent cultural fiesta. The boat race is the commemoration of the crossing of River Pamba by the Lord Partha Sarathy. The reputed snake boats in Kerala take part in this colourful ritualistic event which really is a beauty to watch.

* Konni Elephant Cage
Konni is the gateway to the forest bordering the district. In the past , wild elephants caught from the forests were brought here and put in wooden cages known as Anakoodu to be tamed and trained for work. Plans are a foot to develop a safari park here. It is situated 11kma away from Pathanamthitta.

* Muloor Smarakam
The memorial to Muloor, a renowned reformer and poet, is located at Elavumthitta.

* Omallur
The Rakthakanta Swamy Temple and the annual cattle fair held in the Malayalam month of 'Meenam' are the main attractions of Omallur. People from all around Kerala and also many other states participate in the fair.

* Kakki Reservoir
Set in sylvan background, Kakki reservoir is a tourists delight. The splendid artificial lake offers exilarating boating experience. The surrounding forest abound with tigers , elephants, deers and monkeys.

* Aranmula
Aranmula is situated on the banks of the rinver Pamba, 10kms away from Chengannoor on the Thiruvananthapuram -Kottayam route. The Krishna temple here attracts a number of devotees and is an important pilgrim centre. The annual commemmoration of the the installation of the diety, Parthasarathy falls on the last day of the weak long celebrations to the Onam festival. A Snake Boat Race is held here as part of the festival during Augest/ September.

* Aranmula Boat Race
The stretch of river Pamba at aranmula is the venue of the famous snake boat race. It is more a pageantry than a race. The snake boat is of an exrtra ordinary shape with a length of about 100ft. The rear portion towering to a height of about 20ft. and the front portion tapering gradually. The boat resembles a snake with its hood raised. the race is held on the last day of the week long Onam festival to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna. The participants cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of songs known as Vanchippattu.

* Aranmula Mirror
Aranmula is also famous for its metal mirror. It is not made of glass but with bellmetal. This is a unique art which is not found any where else in the world. It is believed that a divine visitation inspired a widow of this village to discover a mysrterious blend of bronze which could be waxed bring into crystal clear mirror. The technique of production of this mirror is a closely guarded secret handed over from generation to, generation of craftsmen.

* Vijana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre
Vijnana Kalavedi at Aranmula imparts training in the traditional arts and crafts of Kerala. Kathakali, classical dances , classical music as well as Kalaripayattu (the martial arts of Kerala) are taught here. The centre is frequently visited by a number of foreign tourists who can stay here for varying periods and have a first hand knowledge about Kerala culture. Louba Schild, a French scholar under the Indo-French Cultural Exchange Programme, who started this centre with UNESCO support, founded this famous cultural centre.

Kerala Tourism - Kottayam

2009-12-10T15:39:00.013+05:30

Kottayam is situated between the palm-fringed backwaters on the west and Western Ghats on the east, Kottayam presents some of the most beautiful natural scenes of Kerala. Kottayam town is the district headquarters. The town can be accessed by rail or road from other places of the state. The nearest airport is Kochi 100km north of Kottayam.

Kottayam in south India is combinations of hills mountains lakes and lush green groves. This is a place of historical importance. This region has a high rate of literacy and is a beautiful destination noted for back water destinations, mountains and valleys, temples and churches, aqua tourism, rubber plantations replete with lakes and rural destinations. Kottayam is known as the land of lakes, letters, latex and lagoons. The rubber plantations in Kottayam district are world famous. Kottayam is also known as the "City of Letters". Major news papers like Malayala Manorama, and Deepika has their headquarters in Kottayam. Besides these, many other newspapers like Mathrubhumi, Mangalam and Madhyamam are published from Kottayam.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Kottayam

* Valiyapally
It is not far from the city centre, this St. Mary's Church was built in 1550 for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians. The church is known for the 8th century Persian cross with the Pahlavi inscription on it.

* Cheriyapally
It is located about 100m from Valiyapalli (Big Church), this smaller St. Mary's Church built in 1579 has an elegant façade with an interior noted for its 400 years old paintings depicting biblical and other themes.

* Bharananganam
It is an important Christian pilgrim centre where the mortal remains of Sister Alphonsa (1916-1946) are interned in a chapel next to the 1000 years old St. Mary's Church. The church has an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary.

* Vagamon
Vagamon is emerging as a destination of importance noted for its scenic beauty, heritage and historical buildings and religious shrines. This is a hill station amidst plantations of coffee rubber and cardamom. A journey through winding roads along the mist clad hills is something to be cherished for life. Vagamon is on the Kottayam Idukki boundary. This is also gaining importance as an international paragliding destination. We can go trekking to the church at the top of the hill. Kurisumala Ashram established by Belgian Priests is worth a visit.

* Vembanad Lake
With an area of 260 sq.km., Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in Kerala. House boat cruises, boating, sightseeing and fishing are the main attractions. During Onam, boat races are held in the lake, making this otherwise serene water body, lively.

* Kumarakom
Kumarakom jutts into the Vembanad Lake as if it appears to be a peninsula. Lagoons, canals and waterways are geographically carved-out as the fresh water lake dents into the mainland. The ready availability of house boats, traditional country crafts, boats and canoes make it an exemplary location with unmatched avenues in water- tourism. To a lover of tastes, it is great news that tiger prawns, crabs, Karimeen or pearl spotted fish prawns are available everywhere. The Monsoon season imparts lush greenery to the place.

* Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
On the banks of Vembanad Lake, 12km from Kottayam, Kumarakom is a bird watcher's haven known for local and migratory birds. Cormorants, teals, ducks, owls and water fouls are seen from October to February. Feb.-July is the time for the snake birds, night herons, egrets, and Siberian storks.

* Vikom
Famous for the Shiva temple, Vikom is 40km from Kottayam. It is believed that Parasurama, the mythological creator of Kerala, built the temple. The Ashtami festival in Nov-Dec is popular for elephant processions as well as dance and music performances.

* Ettumanur
Famous for the Shiva Temple, Ettumanur is 17km from Kottayam. The temple has inscriptions dating back to 16th century or older. The temple is admired for the superb woodcarvings and murals. The temple festival is held in Feb-Mar. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

* Athirampuzha
Situated 3km from Ettumanur towards Kottayam, St. Mary's Fiona Church is famous for its annual feast known as "Athirampuzha Nercha". The grand feast is an eight days event.

Like all other districts of Kerala, Kottayam also has many tourist places and pilgrimage centres. Some of the pilgrimage places where devotees visit are Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. Bharananganam Church, Mannanam Church, Kudamaloor Church, Panachikkad Saraswathi Temple, and Thirunakkara Temple. St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Manarkadu is another very important and famous Christian church in Kottayam.

Kerala Tourism - Malappuram

2009-12-09T17:19:00.004+05:30

Malappuram district is surrounded by Arabian sea and Niligiri Hills. The meaning of the word Malappuram is on the top of the mountain. The district was formed by extracting a part of Calicut and Palakkad.Malappuram has an exemplary water base with the three river Chaliayr, Kadalundi and Bharathapuzha running over it.

Malappuram is famous for its temples and festivals with their spectacular festivals. Malappuram is a worth seeing place. The backwater destinations, hills, bird sanctuaries and rivers etc provides you with a great place to visit on holidays. Malappuram, with its rich natural beauty, lush coconut grooves and historic past, has its own tourist attractions.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Malappuram

* Addyanpara
Spread over an area of two and a half acres of mountainous region. Addyanpara is tucked away near Muttiyel at Nilambur. A half an hour ride by bus or any other vehicle from Nilambur will take one to Muttiyel. From there, another hour of trekking will lead you to Addyapara. Boulders of various shape and size dot the area. Amidst these is a small brook, the Kanjirapuzha.

* Thirunaavaya
Thirunavaya is noted for its historical and cultural importance. Thirunavaya was once the land of Mamankam-a great assembly of rulers. One among the rulers used to be selected as the Kerala emperor. It was held once in 12 years. The Zamorine of Kozhikode took away the right to conduct this, using force. This resulted in, the Kolathiri King or raja sending suicide squads or Chaver every year to kill the Zamorin ruler. The last Mamankam was believed to be conducted in the year 1755.

* Ponnani
It is one of the oldest ports of Kerala. Its the place where two rivers Bharatapuzha and Tirupuzha meet the Arabian Sea. During seasons a large number of migratory birds are seen here. The main tourist destination here is Padinjarekkara beach. Private boating services and small floating cafes are also available.

* Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
19 kms from Kozhikode and 7kms from Beypore Port, the Sanctuary are spread over a cluster of islands in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks, where the River Kadalundipuzha flows into the Arabian Sea. Over a hundred varieties of native birds flock here in large numbers and around 60 varieties of migratory birds come here every year. A hillock, which is 200m above sea level, provides a splendid view of the river-mouth and the sea.

* Padinharekara Beach
Padinharekara Beach offers a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Bharatha Puzha (River Bharatha), the Tirur Puzha (River Tirur) and the Arabian Sea.

* Tanur Beach
The small coastal fishing town of Tanur was one of the earliest settlements of the Portuguese. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited the place in 1546 and converted the local chieftain to Christianity. About 3 km south of Tanur is Keraladesapuram Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is said to be one of Kerala's oldest temples.

* Vallikunnu Beach
A beach resort set in the middle of a coconut grove is the main attraction here. The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is just a short distance away.

* Kodikuthimala
The perennial springs and green mountains form an alluring landscape.

* Kottakkal
It is located 12 kms south-west of Malappuram and 168 km from Kochi, site of the famed Kottakal Arya Vaidyasala, pioneering centre for Ayurveda, Kerala's traditional system of health and medicine. Founded in 1902 by Vaidyaratnam P.S. Warrier. This institution has a research centre, a nursing home, and a hospital. It has branches all over the state as well as in Delhi and Madras. This centre offers treatment for various ailments and attracts a large number of patients.

* Tirur
Birthplace of Thunchath Ezhuthachan of the 16 A.D, who is honoured as the father of Malayalam language is in Tirur, now called as Thunjan Parambu, as a memorial of this great poet, is built here. A weeklong literary fair is organised here in the last week of Dec. It is in this hallowed ground where hundreds of children are initiated into the wonders of writing, when they first trace the letters of the Malayalam alphabet in sand, taken from that revered spot, which was Ezhuthachan's home.

* Kottappadi
At the floor of the cantonment Hill, is the maiden, called Kottappadi, which means 'fort gate'. Though today there are only traces of the old fort, built by the British to protect Malappuram from the occupation of Malabar by Mysore.

* Nilambur
This is the original home of the Cholainaickans, the oldest aboriginal tribe of Kerala. The extensively forested land is well known for Canoli's Plot. It is named after H.V.Conolly, the then Malabar District Collector. The oldest teak tree in the plot is a rare attraction. On the Nilambur-Gudallur Road are the world's first teak museum and a sub-centre of the Kerala Forest Research Institute.

* Biyyan Kayal
Located close to Ponnani, this placid, green-fringed waterway has different types of water sports facility, and attracts a lot of people here.

Kerala Tourism - Kozhikode

2009-12-08T15:56:00.008+05:30

Kozhikode, known as Calicut during British rule, was the capital of the highly powerful and well cultured Zamorins. Later it became the capital of the Malabar region during the period of British rule. With its long serene coastline, picturesque mountains, gorgeous waterfalls and lively forests, wild life sanctuaries and historical sites, Kozhikode unveils a visual treat to any visitor.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Kozhikode

* Krishna Menon Museum
Krishna Menon Museum situated at East Hill is five km by bus from the Railway station / city bus station. Lying adjacent to pazhassi raja Museum, a store house of knowledge.

* Beach
It is situated 1.5 Km from the city. A place to spend your evening. The sea piers almost 125 years old extending well inside the sea are specialty. The Lions Club Childrens Park along with the nearby ice-cream parlours make evenings pleasant for visiting families. Fishermen with their small rowing boats entering the sea, fighting the waves and returning with varieties of fish is worth watching.

* Beypore
It is situated 11 Km from the city, off Kallayi road. The hall mark of Beypore is its traditional ship building yard where the world famous "URU" is build, which has been a mode of transportation on the high seas for ages.

* Kappad
It is situated 16 km from the city. This is the place where the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed in the year 1498. There is an ancient temple on the rocks that boarder the Kappakkadav beaches. One of the major tourist spot in Kozhikode.

* Peruvannamuzhi
It is situated 60 KM from Calicut city. Kuttyadi dam constructed for the purpose of irrigation is here. The picturesque dam sight has a crocodile farm and birds sanctuary here. The dam also provides boating facilities. A Woodlet in the memorial of famous National leaders is another interesting site.Places of interest are the dam site, Crocodile farm, bird sanctuary and facility for boating.

* Kakkayam
It is situated 78 km from calicut city. The oorakuzhi water falls and dam site are places of interest.

* Thusharagiri water falls
It is located near Vythiri in Wayanad, 68 km from calicut city via kodancheri brilliant for the famous eye catching water falls which exhilarates us. Thusharagiri is famous for its trekking tracks. A trekking through the pristine evergreen dense forests populated with exotic birds and wild animals is an unforgettable experience.

* Kakkadam Poyil
Well known for its serene water falls and nearby lush streams. We have to catch a bus from calicut to valanthod or koyilpara.

* Dolphin's Point
Here one can see in the early hours of the morning dolphins playing in the sea. The beach, 2 km from Calicut town centre is along stretch of tree lined sand popular with the local people because of the Lions Club park, the Light House and the two piers - and, of course, the opportunity to enjoy in the evening breeze.

* Science Planetarium
Kozhikode wins a place in the planetarium map of the world. Situate within city at Jaffarkhan Colony. It reveals the mysteries of universe and enlightens about the planets and stars.

* Kalipoika
A recreational boating centre within the heart of city can be seen at Arayadathupalam. Boating in pedal boats and row boats are facilitated here.

* Malabar House Boats
For luxury boating and exploring pristine back waters of Kozhikode, House Boats can be availed. The novel concept and excellent hospitality in this floating palace is worth enjoying, with family and friends. These are the first fully newly built House Boats of Kerala. These are stationed at Purakkattiri, close to Purakkattiri Bridge on Ullery - Perambra road. 10 kms. from Kozhikode.

* Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary at Kadalundi is a Haven for migratory birds. Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sand pipers, Whimbrels and other such migratory birds flock from the month of November and returns only by the end of April. It is 25 kms. from Kozhikode. The ideal season to visit is from December to April in the early hours of the day.

* Lokanarkavu Temple
The Lokanarkavu Temple is 5km from vbatakara, 20km south of Mahe. This serene temple complex has three temples; one to Durga-the main diety, one to Siva and the other to Vishnu. All the temples are open to Hindus only. The Siva Temple contains vivid paintings, which are replicated wooden carvings at the entrance.

* Vadakara
It is situated on the bank of Kuttiyadi river, Vadakara has a historical fort which is now in ruins. Lokanaarkaavu, a 1500 year old Durga temple, is a must see place. The hero the Vadakkanpattu or the folk songs, Thacholi Othenan, was born here. There are three rock cut caves near the Temple containing interesting murals and carvings.