An Amazing Travel Blog

Monday, 1 December 2014

Prominent Pilgrim Centres of Varkala

Varkala of Kerala State, India, is mainly a Pilgrim Town, thanks to its Prominent Temples, namely, Janardhana Swamy Temple, Sivagiri Mutt or Monastery, etc.

Believed to be more than two millennia or 2000 years old the Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Janardhana Swamy Temple, is an important Pilgrim Centre of Hindus. The Sivagri Monastery established by Social Reformer Sri Narayana Guru on its Sivagiri Hill is also a Dominant Pilgrim Centre.

Janardhana Swami Temple

Located on Beach Road at Temple Junction it stands on cliffs overlooking the Varkala or the Papanasam Beach or The Beach of Destroyer of Sins.

The Temple can be reached from Temple Junction or from western part of the beach. ‘Padmatheertham’ or the ‘Perennial Canal’ is an important feature of the temple which can be seen even from outside.

Erected upon the steep cliff lining up the Arabian Sea the Temple is a circular structure with red coloured tile roof that houses the main shrine dappled up with colour sculptures of Hindu Deities.

Main idol has four arms which are the identification marks of Lord Vishnu. It is the only shrine that has dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the name of Janardhana as temples are generally dedicated to Lord Krishna in India.

Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter into inner sanctum of the Temple but they are permitted to move around the Temple.

Sivagiri Monastery

Sri Narayana Guru, the Reformer, Philosopher, Teacher, Preacher and Leader of the Ezhava Community, which is one of the Hindu Religious Communities of Kerala, had made Varkala his area of operation from 1855 to 1928. With his efforts the Monastery came into being in 1904 at the top of Sivagiri Hill located 10 km away from Varkala. He made Monastery the Headquarters of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Sangham or S.N.D.P., the Organization that he set up to propagate his concept of ‘one caste, one religion and one God’.

Even after nearly a century after the demise of Guru in 1928 his Mausoleum is continued to be visited and worshipped by thousands of devotees donned in yellow attire from different parts of Kerala and elsewhere every year during Sivagiri Pilgrimmage Days from 30th December to 1st January shows the influence that he exerts amongst his community and followers even today.

How To Reach Varkala

By Air

The Nearest Airport is Thiruvananthapuram Airport at Valiyathura, 50 km

By Rail

The Nearest Railway Station is Sivagiri of Varkala itself which is located at a distance of about 5 km from the Town. Other Nearest Railway Stations are Kollam about 37 km and Trivandrum about 50 km.

By Road

Varkala is well connected by road to major towns of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc.

Copyright © 2017 by Davis Akkara

Anamudi, the Himalaya of South India

Set at an altitude of about 6000 feet the areas in and around Munnar are non-stop stretches of tea plantations, spotless valleys, immaculate mountains, striking species of flora, fauna, etc, that transform them into Paradises of Tourist Attractions. Hence once you have fallen into the laps of their charms you would never wish to leave them. Anamudi is one such Typical Wonderful Face of Munnar that you would love to be in time and again.
Anamudi Peak, Himalayan Peak of South India
It is the Highest Peak in the Whole of Western Mountain Pass and South India at an elevation of 2965 meters and as such it could be addressed as the ‘Himalaya of South India’.
How name ‘Anamudi’ derived

The name ‘Anamudi’ means ‘elephant hair’. The Peak is called Anamudi or Elephant’s Peak as some hair has been found out from the head of an elephant there.

Location
It is located in Idukki District, 13 km from Munnar, in the State of Kerala, India.
It is situated in the southern region of the Eravikulam National Park at the Junction of Cardamom Hills, Anamala Hills and Palani Hills.
Anamudi Trekking Easy
Anamudi Trekking is easy. The grassland hikes that start with elevation of 2000 meters are the easiest hikes from the north and the south sides given the fact that the gorges that you would have to encounter are neither too steep nor too deep. On the contrary if you go for the sides of east or west treks would be difficult thanks to the deeper and steeper ravines, valleys, rock falls, etc. It would also be in the best interests of Trekkers to take the easiest sides of the earth of Anamudi to unearth the flora and the fauna in the dense forests of Anamudi.
Fauna
The Animal Species that you could spot out in the Elephant’s Peak would be leopards, tigers, macaques, Nilgiri langurs, Asian elephants, etc.
Permission For Trekking
Trekkers are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi with permission from the Forest Department Authorities at Eravikulam.

Views from the Peak
Once you reach the Peak you can have fabulous views of Munnar, Thekkady, etc.
The Best Time to Visit
November to May
How To Reach
By Air
The Nearest Airport Kochi, 140 kms
The Nearest Railway Station
Ernakulam Junction, 140 kms
By Road
Munnar is well connected to Major Towns of Kerala and Anamudi is 13 km from there

Major Tourist Places Around Ooty

As Ooty and its surrounding areas are located in the High Altitude Blue Mountains of the State of Tamil Nadu, India, they throw up wonderful Tourist Destinations for you to exploit upon like Doddabetta Peak, Ketti Valley, etc.

Doddabetta Peak

Located 10 km away from town it is the Highest Peak in Blue Mountains having a height of 2623 meters at the junction of Western and Eastern Mountain Passes. There is a ‘Telescope House’ run by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation to enable you to have the enchanting views of the landscapes. Trekking to top of Peak would be ideal as it won’t be difficult as that equips you to view the fabulous vistas of Blue Mountains, areas around it, etc.

Ketti Valley

7 km from town it is situated on Coonoor Road and it is the Second Largest Valley in the World. It is called the 'Switzerland of South India' due to its Swiss Climate. Its beauty could be enjoyed from Valley View on the Main Ooty - Coonoor Road.

Wenlock Downs

It features grasslands and hills. Its topography is similar to Yorkshire Dales of England. This is a popular film shooting area, situated about six and nine miles out of Ooty on the main Ooty to Pykara or Mysore Road and therefore they are called ‘Sixth Mile’ and ‘Ninth Mile’ respectively.

Kamraj Sagar Lake

It is also called Sandnalla Reservoir and it is a dam 10 km from Ooty located on way to Pykara Lake There are a wide variety of herbs, shrubs, etc, in its landscape.

Mudumalai National Park

Situated 67 km way from town at an elevation of 1000 meters and area of 321 sq. meters bordering the Bandipur National Park of Karnataka State it is the First Sanctuary of South India. Within Sanctuary there is an Elephant Camp called ‘Theppakkadu’ where you would also find a Rest House. It is home to many endangered species like tigers, leopards, etc and also to elephants, giant squirrels, barking deer, flying squirrels, etc.

Emerald Lake

Located 25 km from town in Upper Plateau Region of Blue Mountains at a place called Emerald it is part of Silent Valley and is beside Red Hill Nature Resort. Its sun-rises and sun-sets are spectacular.

The Tiger Hill

Located at Doddabetta Peak area at a distance of 16 km from town it houses a Drinking Water Reservoir to meet the water requirements of town. There is also a cave near it which is associated with many religious legends.

Kalhatty Waterfalls

Located in Kalhatty Slopes 20 km from town at 100 feet in height it is home to panthers, bison, wild buffaloes, etc.

How To Reach

By Air

The Nearest Airport is Coimbatore, 100 km

By Rail

Ooty Railway Station, 2 km, Mettupalayam,46 km. There is a Toy Train that connects Mettupalayam with Ooty.

By Road

Ooty has a good network of roads and hence you can reach Ooty easily by road.

Prominent Attractions of Coonoor

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‘Nilgiri’ or ‘Blue Mountain’ of South India is a Mountain of Hill Stations and Coonoor is one of its Main Hill Stations. It is located in the State of Tamil Nadu, India, at an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level. Some of its Prominent Tourist Attractions are Sim’s Park, a Wonderful Botanical Garden designed on Japanese Style, Pasteur Institute, the Fruit Research Centre of Pomological Station, an Amusement Park called Fun City, etc.

Sim’s Park

Located about 13 km on north part of the Railway Station of Coonoor in the midst of slopes, ravines, etc, it is a Green Carpet of Ethnic Trees, Shrubs, etc. It is a Botanical Garden partly developed on Japanese Style in 1874 by J.D.Sim, Secretary to Madras Club and hence it has been named after him. Spread out over 12 hectares with a wide collection of over 1000 species of plants including magnolia, camellia, pines, ferns, etc, it also houses trees like Burma Teak Wood, Mahogany Trees, etc. Its rare Bead or Rudraksha Tree is its great attraction. An Annual Show of Fruit and Vegetable is held in the Park every year in May.

Pasteur Institute

This is located opposite to Sim’s Park. Established in 1907 it is engaged in developing vaccination medicines for rabies, polio, etc. It arranges Guided Tours to educate people on the histories and mysteries of vaccination in India. You would be allowed to visit it only on Saturdays but with permission from the Director of the Institute you can visit it even on other days of the week also as well.

Pomological Station

It is one of the Fruit Research Centres of India. Fruits like Persimmons, Plums, Peaches, Lemons, Pomegranates, Apples, Apricots, etc, are cultivated here for Research Activities.

Fun City

Located 3 km from town this Amusement Park is an ideal location for family outings.

How to reach

By Air

The Nearest Airport is Coimbatore, approximately 90 kilometers.

By Rail

The Nearest Railhead is Mettupalayam, around 45 kilometers.

However Coimbatore is the Nearest Railway Junction located approximately 90 km away.

The Toy Train connects Coonoor with Ooty, Mettupalayam, etc.

By Road

It has a good network of roads that connects it to nearby major towns and as such you can reach here by road easily.

Main Landmarks of Havana

Initially Havana has been established on the Southern Coast of Cuba in 1514 but subsequently it has been moved out to its Northern Coast by 1519. It has been declared the Capital of the Spanish Colonial Cuba in 1607 and it has been growing since then. In the early 18th century it has been the Third Largest City of the Spanish Empire after Mexico City and Lima.

It has a number of Sight-seeing Attractions and its Major Landmarks in this front are Museo de la Revolucion, Ernest Hemingway Museum, etc.

Museo de la Revolucion

Previously it was the Presidential Palace and Headquarters of the Government of Cuba. It has now been converted into a Museum show-casing documents, photographs, etc, pertaining to the Cuban Revolution as also those from Colonial Times to present day. In front of the Museum you can find a Tank used by Fidel Castro in the Battle of Bay of Pigs of 1961. Behind the Museum you can find a glass-case yacht, named ‘the Granma’ which had brought 82 Visionary Revolutionaries from Mexico in 1956 and the Most Prominent Amongst them were Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, etc, that set the ball of the Revolution of Cuba in motion.

Capitolio Nacional

Built on the pattern of U. S. Capital in Washington D.C. it is one of the Leading Landmarks and Tourist Attractions of Havana and it had housed the Cuban Congress. Now it is home to National Library and Academy of Sciences though some of its rooms are used for state functions.

Habana Vieja or Old Havana.

Built in 1519 and it was a prominent port of the Colonial Power of Spain. Its Plaza de Arman was the Seat of Power of Cuba for about 400 years mainly during the Spanish Colonial Era. However today it is home to book markets. During the Prohibition Era in U.S.A. Americans flocked here for liquor, gambling, etc. Famous American Writer Ernest Hemingway had frequented its La Bodequita Del Medio Bar.

Ernest Hemingway Museum

Ernest Hemingway is an Eminent American Writer. But since he has spent a lot of time in Cuba to write his famous books of ‘For whom the Bell Tolls’ ‘the Old Man and the Sea’, etc, Cubans believe that he is their adopted son. They have therefore restored his home outside Havana and made it a Museum named after him. It is kept in the same condition when he lived here. You can therefore find even the olden era typewriter used by him along with his Library of over 8000 Books.

Brindavan', India's Best Illuminated Terrace Garden, located 24kms from Mysore and 143 kms from Bangalore

‘Brindavan Garden’ is One of the Most Beautiful Terrace Gardens in the World modelled on the Shalimar Gardens of Srinagar. It is in Terrace Style that gives it a Majestic Look, with enchanting fountains, elegant lawns, beautiful flower beds, wonderful trees, etc.

It is situated in the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam Area in Srirangaptna Taluk of Mandya District, Karnataka State, India. If the Dam has been constructed across Cauvery River, the Garden has been chiseled out just behind the Dam in Three Terraces in the shape of a horse-shoe. However the Dam has divided the Garden into Two Parts. It covers as lengthy an area as that of 60 acres and it is 24 km from Mysore and 143 km from Bangalore.

India’s Best Illuminated Garden

It is One of the Important Tourist Destinations of India with enormous fountains decorated with coloured lights, etc, that make them glitter. The illuminated running waters, fountains, etc, with mechanisms to vary the colours of lights are spectacular and the colour change schemes are in operations generally in the evenings. The Garden has many open spaces, lawns, illuminated flower beds, ornamental plants, etc, and to have comfortable movements, excellent roads, pathways, etc, have also been created. Its another Distinguishing Feature is it is the Best-Illuminated Terrace Garden of India. Its another attraction is Boat Rides which it has provided for in its Boating Pond. The whole Garden when illuminated is an exquisite visual to look at.

Fountain

Its Musical, Dancing Fountain is fabulous and is its Major Attraction. Its water coloured light, music, etc, are harmonized to create a water ballet controlled by an aquatic organ and the same is operated through a controller. Water is pumped to the fountain and the operation is computerized. All the other fountains run due to the water pressure in the Dam. A laser vision has also been developed to increase its charm. The Musical and Dancing Fountain is located in the North Brindavan Garden.

Garden has Four Divisions.

The Garden has Four Divisions, namely, Brindavan Garden, 60 acres, Government Fruit Orchard, 75 acres, Naguvana, 30 acres and Chandravana, 5 acres.

Brindavan Garden has also been divided into Four Areas, namely, The Main Gate Area, South Brindavan, North Brindavan and Childrens’ Garden

The Charm of Charminar of Hyderabad

Char Minar’ are two Hindi Words, ‘Char’ and ’Minar’, which mean ‘Four’ and ‘Tower’ respectively. It has been constructed as a Mosque-cum-Monument with Four Towers . So ‘Char Minar’ is a Mosque-cum-Monument with Four Towers. It is the Most Famous Mosque -cum- Monument of Hyderabad, the Capital City of the State of Andhra Pradesh, India.

It has been built by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah, the 5^th Ruler of Qutab Shahi Dynasty, in Indian and Mughal Architectural Styles. It has been constructed in 1591 to honour his Hindu wife, Bhagmati as also to commemorate the eradication of plague from city. Before that he had also shifted his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad. Built up with granite, lime mortars, pulverized marbles, etc, it is a magnificent architectural edifice.

Location

Located at Old City of Hyderabad around the shops of Laad Bazar which gilittter with bangles, pearls, etc , its Design is based on Shia ‘Tazias’. It looks fabulous at night when illuminated. Mosque on Second Floor has been erected to pay respects to Hussain, son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed.

Square structure

It is a Square Shape Structure with Four Towers in Four Corners with length of 20 meters and height of 24 meters. Each side opens up to a plaza through Big Arches that overlook four main lanes which dwarf every structure of the Edifice save and except Towers. Each Arch has width of 11 meters and height of 20 meters to top from the plinth level. Clocks above each Arch had been installed in 1889. Each Tower has Four Floors which stand on Lotus Leaf Bases. In between floors of each Tower there are Spiral Staircases with 149 steps to ascend to triple tiers of balconies to empower you to enjoy the wonderful views of the area. Attractive Features of the Towers are they taper off to Bulbous Domes, they are ornamented with petal- like motifs, they are crowned by brass spires, etc.

Its First Floor had been used as Madrasa or School during the Qutab Shahi Reign. Its Second Floor houses the Mosque.

The Four Towers tower over the landscape of the region as height of each Tower is 180 feet from ground. It has an Eminent Array of Neighbours, namely, Chow Mohalla Palace, Shahali Banda, Laad Bazar, Kali Kaman, Mecca Masjid, etc.

It is 7 km from Hyderabad Railway Station and 5 km from Bus Station.

Other Attractions nearby are Local Markets, Salarjung Art Museum, Falaknuma Palace, Husain Sagar Lake, Mecca Masjid, etc and Golconda Fort, 16 km.

How To Reach

By Air

Hyderabad is an International City of Repute and as such you can land here from any part of the globe.

By Train

It is a Big Railway Junction and so you can reach here by train from any part of India.

By Road

It has good network of roads and so you can reach here easily from any part of India by any mode of road transpor