Kodaikanal Tourist Places
Kodaikanal is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. It is a charming hill station, stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. With its rocks, woods, lovely lake and bracing air, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists. The unique flowering plant 'Kurunji'(Strobilanthus Kunthanus) that last bloomed in 2004, is nature's gift to Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerises any visitor and is frequented all through the year.Kodai is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45-sq-km. The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste. Berijam lake, one among the beautiful lakes of South India, spreads over an area of 24 hectares.
Shopping Spot
The Residents of Kodai grumble since essential household things are always in short supply as everything has to come up in lorries. However the need of tourist viz, Souvenirs, gifts and momentoes can be bought easily and upto fullest satisfaction. Exquisite embroidery, home made chocolates, Kodai Cheese, enough of warm cloths, dried flowers are also available in a wide range of prices. In Anna Salai excellent fresh vegetables available in the town market of the bazaar. Eco-nut in Pt- Road has good whole foods, brown bread, Jams, Peanut, Butter, Cheese, Muffins which will be very tasty.
Kurinji Andavar Temple
This temple is around 2.5 kms from Kodai Lake and the Deity here is Lord Subramanya. According to Tamil Literature, Lord Subramanya is the God of 'Kurinji' i.e. the hilly region. The Palani Hills and the northern plains can be seen from here.
Dolphin's Nose
This is a spot where lies a flat rock at the edge of the hills, below which there is a great deep of about 6600 feet. This is an awe-inspiring sight though we have wonderful sights throughout the way. It is about 8 kms away from bus stand.
Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is an island situated on the tip of the Indian peninsula. The city is also an important south India pilgrimage center of the Indians. It is the place from where Lord Rama had built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita.This is the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage city. Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus. The presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Rameshwaram is popularly referred as the 'Benaras of the south'. In order to attain Moksha it is believed that a visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory. In fact the entire area of Rameshwaram is associated with various incidents from the Ramayana. The city of Rameshwaram happens to be one of the most visited pilgrim sites in India.
The places of visit include the Ramanathaswamy Temple, which was built in the 17th century and is situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island; this temple is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns. At a distance of about 100 metres comes the Agnitheertham, where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself from the killing Ravana.Another shrine called Gandamadana Parvatham is worth visiting. This shrine is found at 2kms away from Rameshwaram. A place called Dhanushkodi named after Rama's bow is at the eastern end of the island at a distance of 8 kms from Rameshwaram.
Pamban Bridge
Pamban bridge is 3 kms long which connects the island of Rameshwaram Dhanuskodi to the mainland. This is the longest bridge in India and illustrates the marvel of the engineers. The bridge allowed meter gauge trains to run over it since 1911. The Department of Railways has planned to run broad guage trains over it and the works are going on. One can have a beautiful view of the sea while crossing through this bridge.
Dhanuskodi
This is the easternmost tip of Rameshwaram. Most of this spot is occupied by the sea during tropical cyclones. On the way, the Kodandarama temple exists. The nearby places Tiruppullaani & Devipatnam also have legends associated with Ramayana.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari got its name from the Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple situated at the shore on the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. According to the local lore, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Parvati, was to marry Shiva, but he failed to show up to the wedding. The rice and other grains meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked. Today tourists can buy tiny stones which look like rice, in remembrance of the marriage that was never solemnized. The princess Kanya Devi is a virgin goddess who blesses pilgrims and tourists. According to another local myth, Lord Hanuman dropped a piece of earth as he was carrying the mount with the life-saving herb, Mrita Snajivani from the Himalayas to Lanka during the Rama-Ravana war. This chunk of earth is called Marunthuvazh Malai, which is literally translated to "medicine-residing hills". This is said to be the reason for the abundance of unique native plants in the area. The district is home to many practitioners of various branches of ancient India's health tradition, including siddha, ayurvedha, varma kalai.Kanyakumari has been a great centre for art and religion for centuries. It was also an area of heavy commerce and trade. It was ruled by the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks. The architectural beauty of the temples is the work of these rulers. Later Kanyakumari becamew part of the Venad kingdom with its capital at Padmanabhapuram. The king of Venad, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma established Travancore by extending his domain further north up to Aluva, during his reign from 1729 to 1758. By this, the present Kanyakumari District came to be known as Southern Travancore. King Marthanda Varma defeated the Dutch East India Company at the famous Battle of Colachel in 1741. Knyakumari was under the rule of the Kings of Travancore under the over all suzerainity of the British till 1947. Travancore joined the independent Indian Union in 1947. Obviously, the royal reign came to an end. In 1949, Kanyakumari became part of the reconstituted Travancore-Cochin State. By this time, the popular agitation for the amalgamation of Kanyakumari District with Tamil Nadu by the tamil majority under the leadership of Thiru M.A. Nesamony intensified. Eventually, in 1956, Kanyakumari was integrated with Tamil Nadu (then known as Madras State) as per the language-based reorganisation of States.
According to legend, Christianity arrived in South India around AD 52 through St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ. However, European missionaries, who arrived in the 16th century, propagated Christianity in the area. St. Francis Xavier (April 7, 1506 – December 2, 1552)was the pioneer in preaching Christianity in the present day Kanyakumari District. Islam is believed to have entered the southern part of India through Kanyakumari during the early part of the eighth century AD through the sea route with traders and missionaries. Islam, Christianity and Jainism have also contributed to the architectural wealth and literary heritage of the region.
It is very popular to watch the sunrise/sunset here. Because this is a meeting point of three ocean bodies - the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea - the spectacular sunrise/sunset sight is considered to even more special.
Munnar sun set
Munnar Tourist
Munnar is a small town located at 10.09° North and 77.06° of the southern state of Kerala in India. The name is most often used to refer to the whole tourist area, of which the town forms a part. It is located at the confluence of the mountain streams Muthirappuzha, Chanduvarai and Kundala. It is surrounded by wild jungles and is wet and cold for most of the .Though part of Kerala state, Tamil workers brought from Tamilnadu and their successors are now majority in Munnar.
History
During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants. At that time, most of the people around the area were employed as labourers for the various plantations. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a few Malayalis were present there.
Most of the top positions were occupied by the British, proudly called 'Managers'. A few bungalows were built for them and these are still used. It is also believed that Munnar was a favourite place for those of the British who were in the know and it is sometimes referred to as the 'Switzerland of India' for its natural surroundings and Old World architecture.
In 2000, the Government of Kerala declared Munnar as a tourist spot. This has helped in attracting more tourists to the place.
Mattupetty
Situated 14 kms away from Munnar, Mattupetty is at an altitude of 1700 m from sea level. Mattupetty is renowned for its wonderful lake and a dam which reveal the serene beauty of the tea estates and other plantations. The Kerala Government has arranged Boating facility here.
Echo Point
We can feel & wonder the echo phenomenon of the majestic mountains in Echo Point.
Devikulam
Devikulam, known for its lake and spectacular sceneries is 7kms away from Munnar.
Palani Temple
Lord Murugan is the deity of the Tamil Land. Palani (Tiru Avinankudi) is the third Padai Veedu. The temple at Palani is an ancient one, situated at an elevation of 1500 feet above sea level. It is a charming campus from where one can take a look at the Idumban Hill, the Kodaikanal Hills, the Western Ghats, the greenery of the paddy fields, rivers, tanks, Palani town and the colleges. On a lovely, clear and mist-free day, the Kurinci Andavar Temple is visible from here against the bright sun. In daytime, Palani is Hill Beautiful; at night, it is Hill Resplendent.
The deity of Palani is known as Dandayudhapani Swami, the Lord having the Staff in his Hand. The deity at the sanctum sanctorum is made out of an amalgam of nine minerals popularly called Navabashana. The deity is in a standing position with a baton in his hand. He has the look of a person who has renounced all worldly pomp. He has just a loincloth besides the baton. He is a mute messenger of the great precept 'Renounce all to reach Me'. The icon is unique in the whole world. It was made by siddha Bhogar by combining nine poisonous substances (navabashana). Murugan signifies beauty and Lord Murugan of Kurinji land is the god of Beauty and Youth.
Thai Pusam is another festival in which people enjoy themselves to the hilt in rich pageantry. Palani is one of the most exciting pilgrim cities of India, in the immediate post-harvest season of the ten-day Thai Pusam festival in the Periyan?ki Temple.
As in other festivals, a different v?nam is used for each day's procession. On the seventh day, the full-moon day marking the Thai Pusam, the deity is taken to the banks of the Shanmuga Nadi for a bath and the temple car drawn by thousands of devotees. There is a gaily decorated float festival on the tenth day. The unique character of the Thai Pusam is the astonishing parade of people bearing kavadis. As already stated, the kavadi, associated with Idumban, vassal of Muruga, originated in Palani.
There are several kinds of kavadis, the milk and rosewater kavadis being the principal ones. The central shaft of the semicircular wooden structure is placed on the shoulders and the pilgrims dressed in yellow costume and decorated with garlands, undergoing many privations to fulfill vows, dance their way through the streets and up the hillock under the hypnotic music provided by the drum, the pipes and the tom-tom.
It is a tandava as opposed to the lasya form of dance and when performed with vigour and quick movements produces in the spectators a feeling of exultation and a temptation to keep step with the rhythm and dance.
Extreme devotion prompts some kavadi dancers to disfigure their lips. The lower lip is pierced through for the insertion of a copper or brass ring, often with a view to maintain strict silence. The dancers subject themselves to rigorous austerities and try to get rid of their ego, anger, lust and other vices. They dance to the tunes of kavadi-c-cindu, sung by admiring groups of devotees who follow them (the dancers). The divine songs are rendered in charming music by a trained singer and repeated by others in chorus and the emotion-choked dancer goes into raptures hearing them. Sometimes they react by shifting the kavadi over their shoulder, head, nose, etc., in seesaw position, displaying great artistry with many a pose and movement in rhythm, unaided by hand.
The number of kavadis reaching Palani for Thai Pusam is about 10,000. For Pankuni Uttiram, 50,000 kavadis arrive. It is kavadi to your right, kavadi to your left, kavadi in front of you, kavadi behind you, kavadi above you and kavadi below you.
The kavadis are borne by common folk as well as by millionaires who are otherwise confined to their air-conditioned suites. They all come walking (without footwear) in groups from their homes at a distance of about a hundred miles while scores and scores of empty limousines follow them. Crowds line the entire route, cheer the kavadi bearers and offer them tender coconut drinks in praise of their display of courage and determination.
OOTY
Udagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers.
The Nilgiri Hills were part of Hoysala empire under king Vishnuvardhana in the 12th century. It then became part of the Mysore of Tipu Sultan who later surrendered it to the British in the 18th century. John Sullivan, the British governor of neighboring Coimbatore province, liked the climate of this forested land, and occupied it by taking land from the native tribes (Toda, Irumba and Badaga); often buying up many square kilometres in a day for the price of a few meals.
The hills were developed rapidly under the British Raj because they were almost entirely owned by private British citizens, unlike the rest of India. Ooty served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, and had winding hill roads and a complicated rack railway system built by influential and enterprising British citizens with venture capital from the Madras government.
It is believed the Blue Mountains appears so because of the vast Nilgiri forest surrounding them.
Tanjavur Big Temple
.
I was enchanted by the atmosphere and loathed to move on and into the temple’s inner courtyard. But the greed to see more overcame the indulgence of the moment, and I pulled myself forward. The huge inner courtyard has a few smaller shrines situated around the main temple. There is a giant Nandi guarding the shrine, said to be the third largest Nandi statue in the country. I presume that obviously translate to third largest in the world; can we expect a super-sized Nandi statue anywhere else but in India? The roof of the Nandi Mantapa has brightly colored frescoes of floral patterns giving me a glimpse of Thanjavur’s famous frescoes. None of the structures in the temple stand anywhere close in size to the main gopura. The tower has a crown of 80 tonne stone and there have been speculations on how it was lifted all the way up. The lingam in sanctum stands high like the tower it is under, and measures 13 feet.
History
During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants. At that time, most of the people around the area were employed as labourers for the various plantations. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a few Malayalis were present there.
Most of the top positions were occupied by the British, proudly called 'Managers'. A few bungalows were built for them and these are still used. It is also believed that Munnar was a favourite place for those of the British who were in the know and it is sometimes referred to as the 'Switzerland of India' for its natural surroundings and Old World architecture.
In 2000, the Government of Kerala declared Munnar as a tourist spot. This has helped in attracting more tourists to the place.
Mattupetty
Situated 14 kms away from Munnar, Mattupetty is at an altitude of 1700 m from sea level. Mattupetty is renowned for its wonderful lake and a dam which reveal the serene beauty of the tea estates and other plantations. The Kerala Government has arranged Boating facility here.
Echo Point
We can feel & wonder the echo phenomenon of the majestic mountains in Echo Point.
Devikulam
Devikulam, known for its lake and spectacular sceneries is 7kms away from Munnar.
Palani Temple
Lord Murugan is the deity of the Tamil Land. Palani (Tiru Avinankudi) is the third Padai Veedu. The temple at Palani is an ancient one, situated at an elevation of 1500 feet above sea level. It is a charming campus from where one can take a look at the Idumban Hill, the Kodaikanal Hills, the Western Ghats, the greenery of the paddy fields, rivers, tanks, Palani town and the colleges. On a lovely, clear and mist-free day, the Kurinci Andavar Temple is visible from here against the bright sun. In daytime, Palani is Hill Beautiful; at night, it is Hill Resplendent.
The deity of Palani is known as Dandayudhapani Swami, the Lord having the Staff in his Hand. The deity at the sanctum sanctorum is made out of an amalgam of nine minerals popularly called Navabashana. The deity is in a standing position with a baton in his hand. He has the look of a person who has renounced all worldly pomp. He has just a loincloth besides the baton. He is a mute messenger of the great precept 'Renounce all to reach Me'. The icon is unique in the whole world. It was made by siddha Bhogar by combining nine poisonous substances (navabashana). Murugan signifies beauty and Lord Murugan of Kurinji land is the god of Beauty and Youth.
Thai Pusam is another festival in which people enjoy themselves to the hilt in rich pageantry. Palani is one of the most exciting pilgrim cities of India, in the immediate post-harvest season of the ten-day Thai Pusam festival in the Periyan?ki Temple.
As in other festivals, a different v?nam is used for each day's procession. On the seventh day, the full-moon day marking the Thai Pusam, the deity is taken to the banks of the Shanmuga Nadi for a bath and the temple car drawn by thousands of devotees. There is a gaily decorated float festival on the tenth day. The unique character of the Thai Pusam is the astonishing parade of people bearing kavadis. As already stated, the kavadi, associated with Idumban, vassal of Muruga, originated in Palani.
There are several kinds of kavadis, the milk and rosewater kavadis being the principal ones. The central shaft of the semicircular wooden structure is placed on the shoulders and the pilgrims dressed in yellow costume and decorated with garlands, undergoing many privations to fulfill vows, dance their way through the streets and up the hillock under the hypnotic music provided by the drum, the pipes and the tom-tom.
It is a tandava as opposed to the lasya form of dance and when performed with vigour and quick movements produces in the spectators a feeling of exultation and a temptation to keep step with the rhythm and dance.
Extreme devotion prompts some kavadi dancers to disfigure their lips. The lower lip is pierced through for the insertion of a copper or brass ring, often with a view to maintain strict silence. The dancers subject themselves to rigorous austerities and try to get rid of their ego, anger, lust and other vices. They dance to the tunes of kavadi-c-cindu, sung by admiring groups of devotees who follow them (the dancers). The divine songs are rendered in charming music by a trained singer and repeated by others in chorus and the emotion-choked dancer goes into raptures hearing them. Sometimes they react by shifting the kavadi over their shoulder, head, nose, etc., in seesaw position, displaying great artistry with many a pose and movement in rhythm, unaided by hand.
The number of kavadis reaching Palani for Thai Pusam is about 10,000. For Pankuni Uttiram, 50,000 kavadis arrive. It is kavadi to your right, kavadi to your left, kavadi in front of you, kavadi behind you, kavadi above you and kavadi below you.
The kavadis are borne by common folk as well as by millionaires who are otherwise confined to their air-conditioned suites. They all come walking (without footwear) in groups from their homes at a distance of about a hundred miles while scores and scores of empty limousines follow them. Crowds line the entire route, cheer the kavadi bearers and offer them tender coconut drinks in praise of their display of courage and determination.
OOTY
Udagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers.
The Nilgiri Hills were part of Hoysala empire under king Vishnuvardhana in the 12th century. It then became part of the Mysore of Tipu Sultan who later surrendered it to the British in the 18th century. John Sullivan, the British governor of neighboring Coimbatore province, liked the climate of this forested land, and occupied it by taking land from the native tribes (Toda, Irumba and Badaga); often buying up many square kilometres in a day for the price of a few meals.
The hills were developed rapidly under the British Raj because they were almost entirely owned by private British citizens, unlike the rest of India. Ooty served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, and had winding hill roads and a complicated rack railway system built by influential and enterprising British citizens with venture capital from the Madras government.
It is believed the Blue Mountains appears so because of the vast Nilgiri forest surrounding them.
Tanjavur Big Temple
.
I was enchanted by the atmosphere and loathed to move on and into the temple’s inner courtyard. But the greed to see more overcame the indulgence of the moment, and I pulled myself forward. The huge inner courtyard has a few smaller shrines situated around the main temple. There is a giant Nandi guarding the shrine, said to be the third largest Nandi statue in the country. I presume that obviously translate to third largest in the world; can we expect a super-sized Nandi statue anywhere else but in India? The roof of the Nandi Mantapa has brightly colored frescoes of floral patterns giving me a glimpse of Thanjavur’s famous frescoes. None of the structures in the temple stand anywhere close in size to the main gopura. The tower has a crown of 80 tonne stone and there have been speculations on how it was lifted all the way up. The lingam in sanctum stands high like the tower it is under, and measures 13 feet.